The American Motors Humvee (HMMWV) was designed in the '70s as a "High Mobility Military Wheeled Vehicle", hence it's name. It was designed to cary small numbers of troops, ammunition or other suplies to the battlefield over the most rugged terrain.

The military wanted the vehicle to last at least 16 years under almost all conditions.

The first intencive action it saw was in operation "Desert Storm", where it performed so well that AM decided to make a civilian version for the public in 1992.

Though most Hummer/Humvee fans truly regret it, it is virtualy impossible to get a surplus military Humvee. I have seen one or two for sale on the internet my advice is: DO NOT BUY ANY OF THESE!!! "Why?" you may ask. The answer is simple, the vehicles were ordered by the US Army and belong to the government. Any ownership of a military Humvee is illigal and the vehicle can be conviscated by the US Military at any point in time!

There is however one possibility. Any vehicle that the Army rejects will be sent back to AM or is destroyd. But there are parts of Humvees availabel on the market, these seperate parts are legal. You can make a whole Humvee from these lose components. This is the only legal way of owning a Humvee, and even then you have to prove the car is made from lose parts!