Another HMMWV: Rare 1981 Teledyne Continental Military SUV Prototype Up for Auction (15 Photos)

In 1979, the US Army developed a project for a multi-purpose wheeled High Mobility Vehicles (HMMWV), and several companies responded to this call. While AM General's application eventually became winner, Teledyne then lost.





Will go under the hammer at Mecum auction in early January 1981 Teledyne Continental Cheetah convertible pickup truck - after according to some, one of only 11 prototypes ever built. This model was developed as part of the same project that led to the creation of the famous army Humwee, but then Teledyne lost government contract to AM General.



It is generally accepted that the Cheetah name is a family of Teledyne prototypes. inherited from the Lamborghini concept of the same name, created back in 1977 year. The Italian brand did not develop this project and sold the only machine built by Teledyne Corporation. Body design for both Cheetahs were developed by the same company - Mobility Technology international.





To participate in the competition for the design of an army Teledyne SUV has replaced Chrysler's 5.9-liter V8 petrol, installed on Cheetah, on a 6.9-liter eight-cylinder diesel from International Harvester in combination with a three-speed "automatic" GM.



In total, it was planned to create 11 test prototypes, reflecting the possibility of using the chassis, - from vehicles for transporting troops to ambulances and chassis for heavy weapons. In 1982 year, the prototypes were handed over to the US Army for testing, but the department preferred development of AM General, which led to the appearance of the legendary Hammer.



The example for sale has aluminum body panels in combined with soft removable doors and roof. It is equipped with the same 6.9 liter diesel. The seller does not specify either the history or the price of the rare SUV, although, judging by the photographs, the car is in condition close to perfect.