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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I learned to drive in the summer of 1960 (age12) in my grand dads CJ2a. A real Jeep. Not four doors…no doors. Lots of fond memories. The Jeep is my pick.
The Willys MB jeep, which should have been a two-fer with the Ford GPW equivalent as per my earlier Reply, is indeed a good 1st choice.
If the first production jeep, being military, is allowed, then the military predecessor to the Powerwagon makes more sense than picking the civilian model. That is the VC model that came out in 1940 with the pickup being the VC-5. The Army video showed it and the other 1/2 ton body types the Army chose as their small truck during WW2. The dually shown was the 1 1/2 ton VF model, which ended up not being used much during the war.
I can’t understand why
The Jeep without question. It is emblematic of America’s determination and resolve (albeit, honestly, a bit late to the “party”) to not tolerate but to fight against the evil, genocidal humans society spawns at times. A simple, rugged, purpose vehicle built to do its job reliably.
In the movie “Midway’, Charlton Heston drives a jeep with 11(?) vertical slots in the grill, who made that? What was it’s designation?
Not one Red, White & Blue AMC in the list. Amateur journalism at its best.
Studebaker: American OG! All those Conestoga wagons heading across the frontier, hauling the hope for a bigger, brighter future.
Received this on Canada/Dominion Day. Recognized the United States’ national holiday but ignored our national holiday. Nice slap in the face to your Canadian customers.
Didn’t read all the comments, but Model T and especially the Hummer H1 and ’59 Cadillac
As a 1945 Willys MB Jeep owner, I could not think of a better vehicle. It was built to fight fascism, succeeded as one of the most important tools of World War 2 and there are still quite a few running around to remind us of that amazing struggle and the heroes and heroines that took part.
Yeah, the Corvette should have been on the list!
Dodges Lil Red Express! Dodge thumbed their nose at emissions, loophole made it possible.
Look it up, patriotic means having or expressing devotion to and vigorous support for one’s country. Inanimate objects are not capable of patriotism and it’s not a substitute for the real thing, as we have seen.
Somewhat inclusive list ranging from a 1945 Willys WW2 Army Jeep to a 1976 Eldo convertible in white with red & blue pinstripes. Very Bicentennial no doubt. However what about the 1969 red, white , and blue Rambler Scrambler? Now that Rambler was about as patriotic as the Liberty Bell. You should make an addendum to add that Scrambler. Otherwise your lists fails to meet the really ‘patriotic’ American cars. What’s up with the Dan Gurney influence? Of course he was a great Southern California driver. But I relate Dan Gurney to Jim Clarke and the Lotus race cars. And yet no Chevy as in “See the USA in your Chevrolet” You can’t get more patriotic than that Chevy which won the praise of Dina Shore. I’m glad you left out any Ford car. It was the right thing to do in terms of American Patriotism. Henry Ford sided with the Nazis at first and kept that Ford plant going in Nazi Germany during WW2. Next time ask me when doing a list such as this. Happy 4th everyone!
Hi
What about the 72 Mach 1 Mustang Spirit of America!?!
351 Cleveland , Hurst 4 Speed
Great fun! Lots of great memories
Happy 4th!
Chris
Patriotic? American?
Look no further than 1976 International Scout 2, Spirit of ‘76
Red, White, Blue and as American as the day is long.
And some even had AMC motors.