Anyone who served in the United States armed forces between 1980 and 2000 will recall seeing one of these somewhere on post. Now, you can have your very own super-low-mileage example of a Commercial Utility Cargo Vehicle (CUCV)! It’s listed here on craigslist in Maryland and has only covered 12,000 miles since new. Does this appeal to you? Read on to learn more…

Powered by a non-electronic 6.2-liter (379ci)Detroit Diesel (same engine as early HMMWVs) which is mated to the heavier-duty TH400 transmission, the pickup chassis of the CUCV variants was rated at 1.25 tons payload capacity and saw usage as troop or cargo carriers, ambulances, mobile Command shelters, and communication hubs. All of the Chevrolet square-body military variants were 4wd, and were basically stripped-down versions of their civilian counterparts. The Department of Defense purchased tens of thousands of these at the time, to fill a lighter-duty niche before the HMMWV took over. They served Uncle Sam faithfully for many years, including some service in Operation Desert Storm, and some continue to serve in civilian fire service more than 30 years later.

The seller of this one says that they obtained it at auction with a mere 4,700 miles which, even for decommissioned military vehicles, is pretty low. We’re told also that it currently has 12,000 miles, a little bit of rust (what unrestored ’80s GM truck doesn’t?), Dana 4.56 differentials, and dually rear.

Having owned three rustbuckets M1009 Blazers over the years, I can say from experience that they are slow and cumbersome, but reliable when fixed and maintained properly. They’re also ideal Adventure or Prepper rigs.  This particular one, while not perfect, is in nice condition for what it is and for the age. It appears to still have its hybrid 12/24-volt electrical system, which complicates things when buying starters, but suggests that the wiring system has not been “fixed” like so many others over the years. I’d buy it if I could, how about you? Ever drive one?