Already it had been a feature in our homes via television news footage of the 1991 Gulf war in which its military parent had been employed to its fulness.

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On March 22 1983, AM General Corporation had been awarded a production contract for 55,000 High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWV). Nicknamed the Humvee, the vehicles were used by the U.S. military and featured in visuals from the Gulf war.

It was thus that actor Arnold Schwarzenegger became so interested in the Humvee design that he specifically urged AM General to produce a civilian version of the vehicle. Accordingly, after the Gulf war ended, AM General modified the M998 Humvee military version for the civilian marketplace, powered by a 6.2 L GM Diesel V8 engine. The civilian version of the Humvee, marketed as the Hummer, went on sale in 1992. The interior was largely influenced by semi-trucks.

The H1 was available in three variants: a convertible-like soft top, a four-door hard top Sport Utility, and an ‘Alpha Wagon’. Less known variants were a two-door pickup truck and a four-door slantback, which shares the same body style as the Humvee employed by the U.S. military. The convertible/soft top and the station SUV versions were the last types available to individual consumers.

There were five engine types and three automatic transmission types available. Typical engine/automatic transmission combinations included:

5.7 L (350 ci) L05 gasoline V8 TBI/GM 4L80-E 4-speed
6.2 L GM Diesel V8/GM TH400/3L80 3-speed
6.5 L GM Diesel V8/GM 4L80-E 4-speed
6.5 L turbo GM Diesel V8/GM 4L80-E 4-speed

It is a 6.2 L GM Diesel V8/GM TH400/3L80 4-speed automatic transmission that we presently have on sale at Beverly Hills Car Club, a 1997 AM General Hummer H1 Open Top Turbo Diesel, showing 59,612 miles on the odometer.

Finished in a striking bright red exterior over a beige interior, this military-inspired off-roader delivers the unmistakable presence and rugged capability that made the H1 an icon on and off the pavement. Powered by a V8 turbo-diesel engine paired with an automatic transmission and a floor-mounted transfer case lever, this H1 is equipped to tackle a variety of terrain.

Features include power steering, a Central Tire Inflation System (CTIS), a heavy-duty front tubular brush guard, hood-mounted tie-downs, a full-length custom black steel tubular roof rack with forward-facing Hella auxiliary driving lights, Hella headlamps, satin black 8-spoke aftermarket alloy wheels, and aggressive Kenda Klever R/T tires.

The cabin is fitted with air conditioning, mid-cabin individual bucket seats, and two additional custom high-back bucket seats upholstered in tan with multi-point safety harnesses mounted in the rear bed area. Additional amenities include a Sony radio and a fender-mounted antenna.

As originally developed from the military Humvee, the civilian H1 retained many of the same engineering features, including its wide track, high ground clearance, and Central Tire Inflation System, making it one of the most capable production off-road vehicles of its era. Whether you’re looking to add a distinctive collectible to your garage or own one of the most recognizable off-road vehicles ever built, this Hummer H1 presents an exciting opportunity and is mechanically sound.

Under a 1999 deal, General Motors bought marketing rights to the Hummer name, began marketing Hummer-branded vehicles designed by GM, and rebadged the original version built by AM General as the Hummer H1. At the time, GM began marketing the Hummer H2 that was also assembled by AM General on a modified GMC Sierra 2500HD chassis.

General Motors announced that 2006 would be the last model year for the Hummer H1, with civilian market production winding down in June 2006 due to new emission regulations for diesel-engined vehicles that were to take effect in 2007.

The final 2006 models had the most powerful engine and also improved fuel efficiency

—about 10 mpg‑US (24 L/100 km; 12 mpg‑imp).

AM General continued the production of military Humvee versions until 2018.

The Humvee’s replacement, a completely new Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) design, has been in production by Oshkosh Corporation since 2016. AM General was unsuccessful in its bid for this $30-billion 25-year contract, and it is now focused on military Humvee support (they still outnumber JLTVs by three to one) and development of a new ambulance model.

In February 2023, the U.S. Army granted AM General a production contract worth more than $8.66bn to deliver next-generation JLTV A2 vehicles, under the Army and Marine Corps’ Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) program.

Under the contract, AM General will produce approximately 20,682 JLTV vehicles and 9,883 trailers. The contract includes the integration of technological enhancements for delivery to the U.S. Armed Forces.

-Alex Manos, Owner