A dramatically customized 1990 military High Mobility Multipurpose
Wheeled Vehicle, more famously known as a Humvee, has been
consigned to the Saratoga Auto Museum's annual auction this
September.
This is not just any used Humvee, this vehicle was subject to a
complete, frame off, rotisserie customization by nationally
recognized restoration and hot rod specialist Steve Hale of
Frankfort, N.Y. The Humvee's unique paint and features is a salute
to America's veterans and a fund raising effort for "Feed Our
Vets�" which is the only national non profit supporting vets
nationally and in upstate New York with meals and food
pantries.
The M998 HMMWV was developed by the military as a replacement for
the Jeeps used in Vietnam. First produced by AM General in 1984
more than 281,000 of these tough and reliable light utility
vehicles first gained fame in Desert Storm and later in the Iraq
and Afghanistan wars. Military forces all over the world have
ordered these workhorse vehicles.
The idea for this special salute to veterans originated with a
Utica based charity called "Feed Our Vets", a 501 c 3 charity. That
organization provides meals and operates several food pantries
including a mobile food pantry-serving veterans in central and
eastern New York State. Proceeds from auctioning of this Humvee
will go to Feed Our Vets, a 501 � (3) to help maintain their
programs. Feed Out Vets founder Rich Synek says he first had the
idea of finding a Humvee to help raise funds for his group after
CNN restored a H1 Hummer they had used in the Iraq war and
auctioned it off for $1.25 million to benefit the Fisher House
Foundation.
In 2015 Synek set off to see if he could find someone to donate a
Humvee and last year he received a 1990 AM General HMMWV from
Robbins Air Force Base in Georgia. He contacted Steve Hale of
Steve's Hot Rods and Restorations. Steve is well known from
appearances on the History Channel's "American Restorations"
program. He jumped on the project when Synek showed him the
Humvee.
Now, one year later and after at least 1,000 man-hours of labor the
"Feed Our Vets" project has been completed. As Steve says the used
vehicle "wasn't in great shape and they had work to do." Every
piece was dismantled in Steve' shop, cleaned and painted.
The original 6.2-liter GM diesel V8 engine with GM fuel injection
was freshened and runs well. The transmission is a 3-speed
automatic and features independent 4-wheel drive. The suspension
has been rebuilt. With four doors and a wide wheelbase there is
plenty of room in the interior, which has also been completely
redone in keeping with the look of the vehicle. All the gages have
been replaced.
The stunning and one off green and black paint scheme uses paint
specially formulated and donated by PPG from their Crystallance
paints which uses crushed glass to provide a striking sparkle.
A&P Master Images of Utica donated computer renderings of the
vehicle for the customization process. The vehicles features
touches like 13 stars painted on the hood along with saluting
soldiers on the truck's sides. The "Feed Our Vets" front and rear
bumpers were donated by "Iron Cross" bumpers. The rear roll bar
featuring a military star is part of the design and is hand rolled
fabricated steel.
The huge tires are 37X12,5R16.5 donated by Pitbull Tires. One of
the most memorable features of this special Humvee is the green
wheels featuring chrome studs.
Completing the package are special LED lights across the front and
rear windows and around the front fenders. Westin Automotive
Products donated them.
This memorable enhancement of a military workhorse will be on the
SPAC stage to be auctioned off during the Saratoga Auto Museum's
Auction on September 21 & 22, 2018. For more information on the
auction or to consign a vehicle contact Jeff Whiteside, Auction
Director at 518-587-1935 x22 or
[email protected].
Estimate: $125,000 - $175,000
