For our final post in this special Market Monday series, we continue our “deinfluencer” campaign against the idea that the only way to stand out at a car meet is with a high-priced exotic or luxury car. Last week, I made the case for antique cars — or cars built before WWII — as attention-getting classics. Today, I’m highlighting one of my favorite genres of collector automobiles and a sure crowd favorite: utility vehicles.

As an appraiser with a specialty in collector cars, I have the privilege of spending time with a wide variety of cars, from rare antique American horseless carriages to the modern classics like Porsche 930 Turbo Slant Nose sports cars. My favorite aspect of the profession is probably research, and I love a challenging subject. One-off prototypes and rare imports are always a thrill, but I also really love to appraise utility vehicles. Cars with history and story are some of the most interesting to appraise, and these workhorses of various trades always have a fascinating past.

For the purpose of this article, I’m considering vehicles such as emergency apparatus, military vehicles, tow vehicles, and really any vehicle that is used for a commercial or civic function to be a utility vehicle. The attributes that draw onlookers to utility vehicles at car shows often overlap with the reason they’re affordable:

• They can be large and imposing, occupying a great deal of physical space
• Color schemes for utility vehicles are designed to either attract attention or minimize it
• While potentially functional, they are obsolete and therefore of niche appeal

While I’ve never owned a utility vehicle as a collectible, it’s something I aspire to, as regular readers probably know. Ideally, such an acquisition would combine my interest in European cars and emergency service vehicles.

Below are a handful of interesting utility vehicles I was able to easily find for under $25,000. This list is in no way carefully curated, and with a little more effort and time I would expect one could find even more eye-catching vehicles than these. The cars below will hopefully get your juices flowing if a utility vehicle seems like your kind of counter-culture fun.

Representing the last generation of the Streamliner, this Pontiac Silver Streak Sedan Delivery features a two-door station wagon body style with panel sides and a rear-opening door. Used as ambulances, parts wagons and other utilitarian conveyances, this particular car is said to have been deployed as a State Police patrol car in its past. Offered at $22,750, this sleek post-war Pontic would certainly make an impression at a cars and coffee event, especially if restored to police livery. It’d also be an eye-catching promotional vehicle for a small business.

While not huge and imposing, the Jeep Forward Control is rarely seen on the road and at local car meets. Its cab-over design provided a significant payload capacity for such a short frame. Used as corporate, municipal, military and civilian work vehicles, they are most often seen in pickup truck or stake bed configurations. This 1961 Jeep FC150 has been configured as a dump truck, which somehow amplifies its diminutive looks. You can snag this Forward Control from the selling dealer in St. Louis for $23,000.

The HiJet is a cab-over microvan and kei truck produced and sold by Daihatsu since 1960. HiJet trucks converted for use as fire engines in Japan have been landing on US shores since they became eligible for importation. With a small inline-3 cylinder engine, it only puts out 40hp or so. Kei trucks are already slow and the added fire equipment won’t do much for top speed, but the little truck’s looks are captivating. Listed for sale on Facebook Marketplace out of North Carolina for $9,290, this one is missing its pump and fire equipment but thankfully retains its rotating lightbar.

While Fox Body Mustangs have started to be more appreciated, they aren’t exactly rare. This 1986 Ford Mustang SSP is said to have been used as a highway patrol car by the Arizona Highway Patrol, however, and has 77,000 miles on the odometer. This former police vehicle is outfitted with highway patrol livery, flashing lights in the front grille and rear parcel shelf, spotlight and radio antenna on the roof. While the car is thankfully equipped with fuel injection, it’s sadly optioned with an automatic transmission instead of a manual. Offered at $18,400, it’s currently listed for sale in Glenwood, New Jersey.

I’m just old enough to remember the United States military’s transition from its venerable Jeep and Dodge trucks to the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle, or HMMWV. AM General’ was awarded the contract and the vehicle made its first appearance in the US invasion of Panama. To my recollection, however, it was its deployment to the Gulf War, and the dominant news coverage of the conflict, that popularized the term “Humvee” and the vehicle that bore the name. This 2004 Humvee is for sale in Georgia with a price of $25,000 and is said to have just 2,600 miles on the odometer.

Though it features some nice upgrades including a front-mounted winch, wireless carplay, and a headphone intercom system, don’t expect to be comfortable in a Humvee. Everyone would watch you drive into your local cars and caffeinated beverage meet, and you can smugly park next to an equally wide Lambo knowing you could probably drive over it if you wanted to.

Of the previous cars featured in this series, utility vehicles are the least practical to own. My advice would be to try and find a good balance between cost and appeal. Selling one of these cars can be challenging, as the markets tend to be very small and niche so the cheaper the better.

These cars can offset some of the cost as rentals, film vehicles or even operated for their intended purpose, but most are destined for museums or private collections. This limited appeal makes them hard to sell on later, but also makes them easy to acquire. If you’re looking to make a splash at a car show, a utility vehicle can be a cheap way to do it.

Next week, we’ll get back to our regularly scheduled program of auction previews and analysis. January’s Kissimmee auction starts this week and Scottsdale is just around the corner. Have a great week everyone!

Wolf and Mare provides car finding, appraisals, and auction services for buyers and sellers of collector European cars. If you’re interested in acquiring an overseas car, give us a call or drop a line!