There are many military enthusiasts around the world, and some may not even be serving in the military. For these fans, getting their hands on a military vehicle is the ultimate win, and they’d be happy to pay anything for it. The good news is, decommissioned or army surplus vehicles aren’t all that expensive, especially if you are happy going with a classic instead of a new set of wheels.
Updated January 2023: If you've ever wanted to roll down the main street in a tank, this is the article for you. We've now updated the list to include more options, so there are certainly plenty of choices.
Keep in mind that while you will be getting everything a military vehicle should be, these vehicles will come minus any defense systems or weaponry because we can’t have people blowing each other up now, can we?
Here are 18 military vehicles that won’t cost you an arm and a leg, keeping in mind that some of the values are higher because the vehicles are big… You can’t get a tank for the price of a car, can you? So, which one of these do you fancy adding to your car collection?
18 BRDM-2: $11,500
The BRDM-2 is a rugged, versatile vehicle that can hit the road and water. This amphibious armored scout car got used by former Soviet Union states and featured a V8 engine making 145 horsepower, 62 mph on land, and 6.2 mph on water.
Its amphibious nature has a water jet four-blade propeller that's powered by the same V8 engine. This vehicle also features a winch system for extractions and can haul up to 8,000 lbs.
17 Volvo TP21 Sugga: $25,000
For $25,000, this cool military vehicle could be yours. Based on the Volvo PV800 series, the TP21 was a radio command car used by the Swedish army.
Named for 'sow' in Swedish (sow is a female pig), the Sugga features a 9.3-liter V8 that pumps out an impressive 620 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque. Only 720 examples of the TP21 Sugga were ever built.
16 Kaiser Jeep M715: Approximately $8,000
For $8,000 or even less, the M75 is quite a hauler and may end up becoming a long-running favorite of yours. It replaced the equally awesome M37 and came with better driving and riding capabilities, as well as a bigger load-carrying capacity. It looks big and brutish and will get you many admiring looks.
15 Mercedes Unimog 404S: Around $12,000
The Mercedes-Benz Unimog is a four-wheel truck introduced in the ‘60s, and civilians all over Europe use them as farm trucks since they can haul pretty well. The Mercedes-Benz Unimog is also capable of climbing a 45-degree incline without rollovers, so it is useful. Sadly, the NHTSA has an issue with its emissions control.
14 MK10 Chieftain Tank: $18,000-$65,000
Yes, $65,000 is not cheap at all. But remember, the MK10 Chieftain Tank is an actual tank. It's not a truck or a car, it's an actual tank with a sloped hull and turret, and was capable of armor-piercing shots.
Of course, the tank you get will not have the gun, at least not in firing condition, or come packed with shells. But, it's still a tank, and you can get it cheaper if it’s a bit roughshod, making it one of the cheapest military tanks for sale.
13 Dodge WC Utility Truck: Approximately $7,000
The Dodge WC Utility truck buzzed around like a fly during WWII, since it was heavily used by the Allies. Even after WWII, it remained in military use until it was finally replaced by more modern vehicles. However, even an old one is still outstanding on any terrain and ideal for those who live life on the edge.
12 1993 AM General HMMWV M998: $9,000-$20,000
Have a love for the Humvee, but not the Hummer? Well, then this is your chance to get your hands on one of the most well-known military vehicles of all time. Equipped with a 6.2-liter V8 engine, it had the toughest four-wheel-drive ever that could take on and decimate almost any terrain.
11 FV432 Armored Personnel Carrier: $13,000-$23,000
Want to arrive in style? The FV432 Armored Personnel Carrier is almost indestructible, so unless your point of destination is through a minefield, this may not be your kind of ride. But hobbies are hobbies, and driving an insane military vehicle that looks out of place may be anyone’s passion…
10 Alvis Stalwart: $6,500-$20,000
The Alvis Stalwart is a little unusual looking. That's because it is actually an amphibious cargo vehicle, meant to haul loads on land and in water. It’s not the fastest or the most elegant of military vehicles and has not seen action, but it’s a cool buy if you have lots of farmland, dotted with bodies of water, and love to drive military vehicles for fun.
9 Volkswagen Iltis: $6,000
With a 1.7-liter four-cylinder engine, this little Volkswagen "jeep" was quite the German marauder during WWII, and while there is still bad blood there, the vehicle was pretty awesome. The ride can get a bit uncomfortable during inclement weather, but it can survive just about anything thrown at it and is worth modifying as well.
8 Willys Jeep: For Less Than $10,000
Willys is as classic as classic can get, and is what the modern Jeeps are all based upon, so yes, they are something special. With a four-wheel drive and a suspension that can take anything thrown at it, the Willys Jeep was specifically made for bad terrain at high speeds and can still give any driver the most thrilling ride ever.
7 Pinzgauer Turbo D718 AMB: $6,000-$20,000
The United Nations often uses the Pinzgauer to ferry people from afflicted areas because it's big, safe, and can easily manage rough terrains. The shelter is both portable and removable to fit non-biological cargo. And even if you don’t drive it all too often, it will look scary enough parked in your driveway, considering it cannot fit into a garage.
6 Stewart & Stevenson M1079 LMTV: $15,000-$25,000
With a 290 horsepower engine, this truck is not a fancy ride, but an utterly dependable one that does asphalt as well as it does off-road. Perfect for construction work or even volunteer firefighting, emission control becomes an issue with this truck, and it needs to undergo tuning in order for it to be legal in most countries today.
5 OT-64 Skot: From $10,000-$20,000
The Skot stands for Sredni Kolowy Opancerzony Transporter. It's an amphibious, armored personnel carrier that can seat from 2 to 18 passengers. The vehicle received many modifications, and you can have a completely restored version for $20,000, or a project for $10,000.
4 Land Rover Defender 110: $15,000-$25,000
The Land Rover Defender replaced the Willys Jeep of WWII fame. Equally dexterous and willing to tackle any terrain, the Defender is a legendary military vehicle as well, and the aluminum construction meant it was almost rustproof and lasted a lot longer. Makes for a perfect ride, anywhere, anytime.
3 Chevrolet D10 Blazer: $6,000-$15,900
How cool is an '80s Chevy military vehicle? Once the favorite ride of top military officers, it had a rather unique sound that was, in fact, heard from some ways off. At $6,000, it is dirt cheap, and its shell is so tough, no modern car can tackle it and survive. Classic, Chevy, and military-approved — what more can you ask from a car?
2 GMC DUKW Amphibious: $20,000-$100,000
The GMC DUKW, or 'the Duck,' was an amphibious vehicle that first saw the light of day in 1942, created for WWII. The Duck had on-road, off-road, and marine capabilities, making it the perfect option for the adventurous among us who want to take social distancing to a whole new level.
Its 4.0-liter inline-six engine drove all six wheels and the propeller. Production ended with the war in 1945, but the Duck has seen extensive civilian use around the world since then.
1 John Deere M-Gator A1: $5,000
The John Deere M-Gator A1 is exclusively made for the U.S. Military and not available to the public, at least not when new. The M-Gator A1 is a utility vehicle built to evacuate people and to deliver supplies. It first saw use in the U.S. Army back in 1997, and soon became a popular addition to their arsenal, which is why it's been in service ever since.
It uses an 854cc diesel engine that manages to push it to a top speed of 20 mph, and since it comes with a large cargo box and rifle mounts, it's perfect for those who like to go hunting.