Original Willys
By Budd Stanley & Bryan Irons, photos courtesy of the manufacturers
At some point in your life, one of these should reside in your driveway
Budd’s Picks:
Original Willys – Well, it was the Willys Overland that started the whole off-roading craze back in the 40’s. If there was one iconic 4WD you would want, it has to be the original, a compact and lightweight flat fender.
Original Series Land Rover
Original Series Land Rover – Nothing will prepare you for the worst possible scenario in the bush like an original Land Rover. Well, any Landy really, but the old Series I will teach you the valuable skills to fix any thing anywhere.
Lada Niva
Lada Niva – Just because it’s different. The plucky little Russian brought us a unibody, independent coil sprung 4WD well before the CUV craze. But the real reason to get one was because we could, and the American’s couldn’t. I’m sure they were jealous.
IH Scout
International Scout – I’m going to pull a page out of Irons book and post the Scout because we used to own an International back in my youth. They were fantastic off-road, easy to fix, everyone had one, and I bet everyone still wishes they did.
VW/Bombardier Iltis
VW/Bombardier Iltis – The very first time I ever went wheeling was at the wheel of a Bombardier Iltis. I was 17 and joined the Infantry Reserve. It wasn’t long before I was bombing around the CFB Wainwright at the wheel of this odd little military 4WD and found them great fun to toss around in the countryside. Bombardier built the Iltis under license from VW specifically for the Canadian Forces, using the 1.7L four-cylinder from the VW Rabbit. It gets my choice not for sentimental reasons, but purely for patriotism. They are Canadian (at least the Bombardier versions), served our country well and the Yanks have no idea what they are. It is our duty to wheel an Iltis.
These are our choices, care to argue or tell us what we missed? Check us out on Facebook to let us know where you stand.