5 of the most patriotic cars and trucks ever
Independence Day is a logical time to focus on the vehicles that scream “America.” Of course, this is a subjective category, and an exhaustive list is impossible. We put our heads together to find five exceptionally patriotic vehicles, from military trucks that helped win wars to race cars that put the U.S. on the world stage, but the exercise would be incomplete without your input.
Don’t agree with our choices? Want to add some all-American automotive heroes of your own? Share them in the comments below—we’d love to hear from you.
5. 1946–80 Dodge Power Wagon
The original Power Wagon was based on a WWII vintage ¾-ton pickup truck. In 1946, the flat-fender trucks became the first mass-produced civilian 4×4 vehicles, paving the way for some of the earliest 4×4-equipped half-ton trucks in the 1950s.
Though Ram still makes an off-road-oriented pickup with the same name, the O.G. Power Wagon is the true granddaddy of every serious 4×4 pickup. (Like the early Bronco and FJ Cruiser, it has even spawned high-dollar restomods, like this one by Legacy Classic Trucks.) That, combined with its military lineage, makes it one very patriotic truck.
4. 1967 Gurney Eagle-Weslake Formula 1 car
Formula 1 has always been a European-dominated show. American drivers like Phil Hill, Peter Revson, Masten Gregory, Eddie Cheever, and Brett Lunger were rare, but Dan Gurney not only competed in Formula 1 but did so in a car of his own construction.
While not particularly successful, the Eagle-Weslake T1G is generally regarded as one of the most beautiful race cars ever and its single victory at the 1967 Belgian Grand Prix in the hands of Dan Gurney himself remains the only Formula 1 win for a U.S.-built car.
3. 1970 Plymouth AAR ‘Cuda
Dan Gurney is perhaps the most patriotic American to have competed in international motorsports, even if his debut at the Indianapolis 500 was in a Lotus. Few other race-car drivers, wrote Sam Smith, “embodied the distinctly American notion that anything is possible because … well, why not?”
The All American Racers, or AAR, ‘Cuda was the street version of the car that Gurney campaigned in the SCCA Trans Am road racing series. The 340-powered, Six Barrel ‘Cuda was one of the most charismatic cars of the muscle-car era, and among the least common: Only 2724 were built, all in 1970. You’ll know an AAR ‘Cuda by those unmistakable strobe side-stripes.
2. 1976 Cadillac Eldorado convertible
For 1976, the final year of the full-size GM convertible, the Eldosaurus was available in a special edition of just 200 cars that became known as “Bicentennial Eldorados” because of their Cotillion White paint and red accents (to which many dealers added blue pinstriping). Except, perhaps, for a race-liveried AMC Javelin, a car doesn’t get much more patriotic than a red, white, and blue Cadillac.
1. 1941–45 Willys MB “Jeep”
Synonymous with The Greatest Generation, the Willys Jeep spawned countless versions of the civilian CJ. However, it’s the original WWII- and Korean War–era vintage military vehicles that are among the most patriotic vehicles of all time.
Want to know more about this scrappy vehicle? Check out this feature story from 2019, when Aaron Robinson retraced the D-Day trail in a Willys on the 75th anniversary of the Allies’ Normandy invasion, and flip through the pictures of this beautifully restored Korean War veteran. If you’re curious about buying a WWII-era Willys of your own, brush up on values on the Hagerty Valuation Tool.
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You missed the Meyer’s Manx……such an American “car” and really a California beach vehicle!
What about the US6 transport trucks produced by GMC and Studebaker produced in large quantities for the war effort. Most were left behind and used by Russia to re-establish their economy following WWII.
For years after the war. the name “Studebaker” was used, universally, in Russia to mean “truck”
Totally agree the 1974 SOA package was available on the Nova (RPO-Z51), Impala and Vega:
https://novaresource.org/rpo_Z51.htm
https://novaresource.org/history/soan01.jpg
WHAT? No red white and blue AMC Rebel Machine or AMX?
1976 was the bi-centennial. Many manufacturers had special patriotic releases not just Cadillac.
It’s no wonder that AMC didn’t get more than a few words in this article. If it’s not foreign, or from the Big 3 Hagerty is blind to it. How much more patriotic can you get than the red, white, and blues from AMERICAN MOTORS!!!!
Red, White, and Blue Javelin! Made by AMERICAN Motors!
If you pick the Willys MB, you’re missing half the G-503 story by leaving out the synonymous production Ford GPW – let alone the vehicle that led to both of them, the Bantam BRC.
Then again, you show a Dodge M-37 in the Power Wagon section, so your knowledge base on Historic Military Vehicles seems pretty low.
Right. Willys got the first production contract for what would be nicknamed “jeep” (note not capitalized) but the government quickly realized Willys-Overland was not big enough for the demand, so they gave a contract to Ford. They made the Willys engineers share their engineering drawings so the Ford GPW parts would interchange with MB parts. W in the Ford code means “Willys pattern.” They are essentially the same vehicle in terms of being the first production jeep – a uniquely American invention that was instrumental in helping the Allies win WW2.
I see you left Corvette off the list. Turns out Hagerty hates America, folks.
In 1974 Chevrolet made several “Spirit of America” cars. Doesn’t get more patriotic than that. You appear, once again, not to be trying very hard at all. I would write more, but am celebrating the birth of our nation this weekend and don’t have time to correct you foreign car lovers. Will do more educating you guys in the following weeks. Sure there will be many missed great cars to come.
As the owner of a couple of each over the years, I have to agree.
I vote for the Ford Model T. The car that allowed the most Americans the opportunity to own a car. The car that started it all. It made America become a nation of cars.
You sure missed a big one when you omitted the IH Scout Patriot, white with bold red and blue stripes. Adopted by the US Olympic Ski Team. https://barnfinds.com/rare-1976-international-traveler-patriot-survivor/1976-international-traveler-patriot-9/
I see a few people got it. The much maligned AMC line up of late 60’s-70’s. AMA is maligned by almost everyone. Not me! I have owned several and was always satisfied as did my dad. The regular stuff was not spectacular- but reliable.I owned 2-sw, An Oleg Cassini Matador, 59 Ambassador 4dr, and my favorite 65 Marlin. My dad base box ramber with 199 automatic (a dog but reliable) and a Javelin. I only mention this because of the overwhelming distaste for for AMC. I would have liked to own a Rebel Machine (RWB) my ultimate and a topeline Javelin from the seventies(71-74), and a Runabout 4×4. The point is that the red,whit,blue of the AMC line was as patriotic as you can get. Also I might mention the spirit of America series from GM. I had a 76 Implala painted from the factory wht on wht on wht with a 454 and auto that just loved gas stations.
In 1921, a Duesenberg, Jimmy Murphy up, won the French Grand Prix at LeMans. It was white with a blue frame: American racing colors. The world was stunned. We haven’t ever done anything bigger than that right there.