Image via Bring A Trailer
If you’ve always dreamed of owning a classic military off-roader, this 1961 AMC Mighty Mite could be a budget-friendly option. It’s auctioning online right now and with four days left, is sitting at just $6,000. While we expect the price to increase more before the final bid is submitted, it probably will still stay quite affordable.
Learn why jeeps in WWII could drive underwater.
AMC built the Mighty Mite to be incredibly lightweight using aluminum body panels. The reason for this move was so the US Marines could parachute it out of a plane, using it in operations where traveling into an area on the ground wasn’t tenable.
Small in stature, the thing tips the scale at just 1,700 lbs. But this little rig punches well above its weight class, thanks in part to the 1.8-liter V4 engine. While 52-horsepower and 90 lb.-ft. of torque isn’t much, that’s more than enough to motivate this little mountain goat over all kinds of obstacles.
Backing the engine is a four-speed manual transmission. As you’ve likely already guessed, this little AMC is equipped with four-wheel drive, which includes a shift-on-the-fly dual-range transfer case, plus front and rear limited-slip differentials.
If you do get stuck, you and your buddies could just get out and carry this thing to where traction is better.
The interior is very simple and Spartan with two front seats and two folding backrests over the rear fenders, if anyone’s brave enough to sit back there.
The seller is throwing in a 1966 M416 quarter-ton trailer as part of the sale. The thing has a wiring harness, handbrake, and can haul up to 500 lbs. on rough terrain, in case you want to take this rig on your next overlanding adventure.
Not everyone is going to be clamoring for this rig, but we think for the right person it could be a fun little adventure vehicle.
Check out the lot listing for this rig here.
Images via Bring A Trailer
