First Hummer H1
It’s 1990. The stage is set: a caravan slouches toward Baghdad. Cue Operation Desert Storm, the first war to bring America’s military might live, via television, right into our living rooms.
Hummer H1 History
One of the stars of that first Gulf War was the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV or the M998 Humvee), manufactured by AM General in the 1980s for military use. It can climb over 22-inch high obstacles, haul itself up steep grades (as much as 60%) and rumble through water as deep as 30”.
When Did The Hummer H1 Come Out?
The Hummer H1 came out in 1992 for the civilian market. After watching it tear through Iraq, Arnold Schwarzenegger began a national petition for a street-legal version. After much debate, AM General acquiesced. General Motors purchased the brand in 1998 and added a 2nd production line at the plant.
Hummer H1 Alpha
Around 2001, GM began to plan the 2nd generation Hummer H1. Starting with the engine, the old Detroit 6.5 had to go. The new Duramax 6.6 is larger, wider, and taller. This required a 2″ body lift, and the entire frame was changed to thicker, high-strength steel.
It offered 300 Horsepower and 520 lb-ft of torque, so the differential gearing was increased accordingly. The number of changes made it essentially a new model. The H1 Alpha was introduced for 2006, but only 729 examples were built before GM discontinued the H1 program. Production ceased on the civilian Hummer H1 in 2006, with AM General continuing to build them for our Armed Forces.
The H1 Alpha changes were made in 2005, so there is no ’05 model year. The Hummer H1 production years are 1992 to 2004, and 2006 was the end of the line
Hummer H1 Models
The Hummer H1 is technically a pickup truck/SUV and comes in a 2-door soft top, 4-door hard-top SUV, 4-door soft top, and a slant-back version. There is also a 2-door pickup truck that can hold machine guns, rocket launchers, radar, or troops.
Hummer H1 Engine
There are actually five different engine types available: a 6.2 and 6.5-liter Detroit Diesel V8, a 5.7-liter Chevrolet V8, & a 6.6-liter turbo DuraMAX Diesel V8. Transmission choices include a GM TH400/3L80 3-speed automatic, a GM 4L80-E 4-speed automatic, an Allison 1000 5-speed automatic and Allison 1000 6-speed automatic.
Hummer H1 Ground Clearance
These vehicles were neither built for comfort nor for speed, but who needs that when you have what is essentially a Jeep on steroids? With 16” of ground clearance the Hummer H1 can climb stairs. It has a Central Tire Inflation System (CTIS) that allows the driver to increase or decrease the amount of air to the tires.
This helps to get the optimum footprint for climbing over objects and inboard brakes and portal gears, as well as intake snorkels tucked up high for protection behind a tubular, reinforced
undercarriage.
Hummer H1 Specs
- Price: $60,000
- Engine: Detroit Diesel 6.2, 6.5, or Duramax 6.6
- Transmission: Chevrolet TH400, or 4L80E
- Horsepower: 215 hp
- Torque: 440 lb-ft
- 0-60: 12 seconds
- 1/4 Mile: 18.3 seconds
- Top Speed: 96 mph
Hummer H1 Tires
The Hummer H1 has a generous 130” wide wheelbase and runs on aggressive tires. The 2-piece steel wheels include magnesium-aluminum alloy inserts for run-flat ability. The stock tire size is 37×12.5×16.5, and most aftermarket wheels do not have the CTIS ability. The Hummer H1 top speed is limited to 96 mph to protect the heavy-duty axles.
Hummer H1 Price
A daily-driven Hummer H1 price usually starts around $60,000. Expect to pay over $100,000 for low mileage examples and older models. The real treat is the 2006 Hummer H1 Alpha. They are changing hands for over $300,000, even in used condition.
Hummer H1 Weight
Considering the Hummer H1 is one of the widest street-legal SUVs, it is heavy. Considering it was engineered to handle a cannon, missiles, troops, and body armor, the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating is 10,300 lbs. The diesel engine alone is a major contributor, so it is needless to say it is not a light ride.
