Jeep’s Long Lost Brother: The Chrysler Humvee That Never Was

We’ve previously discussed Jeep’s standing as the most patriotic brand produced in the United States. This reputation stems largely from the vehicle’s outstanding military service record, though it is bolstered by the high percentage of proud Americans who continue to drive Jeeps and Jeep brand vehicles today. Meanwhile, the military has moved on to more heavily armored means of transport.

There is of course the Phantom Badger that we previously blogged about, manufactured by Boeing for the specific intent of aerial insertion. But there’s also another transport called the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle that has scene lots of use since the 1980s, and it even had its own infamous (and now defunct) civilian marque. You probably know it better as the Humvee.

What you might not know is that several other Detroit manufacturers applied for the Department of Defense contract to build the Humvee. Chrysler was one of those groups, and this was their answer to the army’s need.

We like it because it’s notably more aerodynamic than the H1, yet still just as brutalist thanks to the hard edges, huge wheels, and high ground clearance. The flat surfaces were meant to cut down production costs, and the contract called for lowering overall costs by using existing parts to build the truck.

We think it kind of looks like Darth Vader’s mask without the dome, which is also cool.

These pictures come to us courtesy of Autoline Network, whose host will tell you more about the prototype and the fate of Chrysler’s defense division if you watch the video below. The relevant segment starts at the 3:35 mark.

Seeing this prototype, we can’t help but speculate about what might have been? Could Jeep have had a younger brother go off to serve its country and then come home to be driven by proud citizens? Would it also have been run out of town due to its gross fuel inefficiency? The world will never know.

If you want to look at cars with staying power, visit us at Leith Chrysler Jeep in Raleigh, your go-to Chrysler and Jeep dealer.