This 2020 Sprinter-based, off-road van concept from German manufacturer Hymer looks capable outside and like a stylish apartment inside. It features an indoor kitchen and fridge, a folding desk/workspace, stairs to leading to an insulated, pop-up sleeping loft, a very cool convertible bathroom/shower area, and a rear tailgate deck with a slide-out grill/outdoor kitchen. It’s amazing how far RVs have come. I could go for something like this.
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Archives for category: – Spotted:
It’s not every day that you see a Porsche 924 built for overlanding but this is just that. Mods include a 40 mm lift, 500 watts of lights, roof rack, custom MaxTrax holders, and, the piece de resistance, a custom sleeping setup for two complete with a Webasto cabin heater. Amazing! What a build! And it looks the business to boot.
I’ve been on a bit of a Unimog kick lately. Here’s a very nice, 60s-era Unimog, with some well-thought-out features, built by a guy named Mike Day.
All photos: Gregory McDonald
Greg on his way to Overland Expo 2015
Dear Readers!
I apologize for the radio silence the past few months. I’d like to get the WCXC ball rolling again with series of posts about last spring’s Overland Expo 2015. I had initially invited my good friend Greg from gadmachine to go with me. When a scheduling conflict came up, Greg, always up for adventure, accepted our press pass (kindly provided by Overland Expo) and headed to Arizona solo. He had a great time, met some great people, and took the fantastic photos you see here.
I’ll cover the Expo in four posts: Trucks, Products, Camp Vibes, and the Obstacle Course.
Next year’s Overland Expo will be held May 20–22, 2016 in Flagstaff, Arizona. The event offers a chance to work on your overland driving skills, attend workshops and classes, watch films and demos, and offers a tangible air of camaraderie. They’re already taking reservations. If you’re interested, click here.
On to the trucks! The Expo is a great place to see adventure vehicles. Here’s what Greg spotted. Read the rest of this entry »
Jeep has released a new concept vehicle meant to revive the look of the old Cherokee Chief. The concept is based on the modern, V6-powered Wrangler. I could do without the surfer girl interior (see photos after the jump) but the rest of it looks pretty cool.
Links:
Jalopnik: The 1970’s Jeep Chief Is Back As This Badass Wrangler-Based Prototype
Autoblog: Jeep Chief Concept Photo Gallery
If you’ve ever wondered what an electric off-roader might look like, check out this concept for the Nimbus e-Car. It’s spec’d with a 180hp electric motor, 200 mile range and designed with wrap around windows. I love the look of it.
See more photos after the jump.
Thanks to Mas for finding this one!
Link:
Nimbus™ e-Car – Future is calling / hemisferiocriativo.com
I just spotted this lovely looking 1991 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado on BaT. It looks like quite a find: 2.5-liter turbo-diesel, automatic transmission, 126k original kms (78.8k miles), fully loaded, aluminum roof rack. OK—it’s right-hand drive, which would take some getting used to. But that classically handsome shape, that great color, it looks really nice.
It’s located in Vancouver, Canada; the asking price is an attractive $9,600; and it’s one year away from legal U.S. import. This is my kind of truck!
More photos after the jump.
Note: the ad states the engine is a 2.0-liter diesel but my research shows that all 1991 Prados were equipped with 2,446 cc diesels.
Links:
Bring a Trailer
Craigslist ad
Here’s a rare find: a JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) Toyota Hilux Quadcab Pickup. The engine is a 2.8-liter diesel, mated to a 5-speed manual, and a 2-speed transfer case. Four doors, a short bed, and the seller claims this is the commercial model of this truck. Maybe that’s why the ad mentions a factory solid front axle? What’s not to love?
Well, Japanese market means right-hand drive. Also it’s for sale in Canada and still a year away from legal import status to the United States.
Upgrades include diff breathers and an Old Man Emu (OME) suspension, dampers, and bushings. The truck has 189,000 km on the clock, sounds to be well maintained, and can be found on Craigslist in Vancouver for CAD$19,000.
Many more photos and the original ad text after the jump.
The über-wagen pictured above, is what Mercedes-Benz is calling the G500 4×42. Word on the street has it that this new Geländewagen concept will meld the 6×6’s underpinnings with the old G-wagen’s axle count. That means a G500 with portal axles, 18″ bead-lock wheels, an upgraded chassis with dual springs and dampers, and a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 flogging 416 hp and 450 lb-ft of torque.
Although it will debut as a concept at the upcoming 2015 Geneva Motor Show, the website Motor Authority speculates, based on test vehicle sitings, that much of the development work on the production model has already been done.
Check the articles below for more info on this beast, or have a look at the photo set after the jump.
Links:
Motor Authority
Top Gear
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This, apparent former Bundeswehr (ex-military), 1986 Mercedes-Benz 240GD just showed up on Bring a Trailer. It’s a 2-door, long wheelbase, open top model that’s been fitted with a rooftop tent, stove and cabinets. It’s said to have heavy-duty axles. Power comes from a 4-cylinder diesel which, if my experience with the 240D is any indication, will make it pretty slow.
The speed, or lack thereof, is one caveat. Registration might be another. The ad states that documents for registration will be included. It doesn’t state that the car is registered. OK—it’s a diesel, and older than 1998, so no California smog test, but it’s still a European import. It’s something to think about. Still it could make a fun overlander.
The car is listed on Craigslist and located in Los Angeles, California with an asking price of $25,000.
Tons of photos after the jump.
Links:
Bring a Trailer post
Craigslist ad Read the rest of this entry »