Lucas Bell 
When General Motors revived the Hummer nameplate for their first electric pickup truck, there was a natural bit of apprehension from the defunct brand’s faithful fanbase. As capable and luxurious as the new GMC Hummer EV is, it doesn’t necessarily represent the nameplate’s brief yet unforgettable time on the market. Thankfully for the folks who feel like the original SUV peaked during its first generation, Mil-Spec Automotive sells a very different take on the SUV than GMC. Meet the Mil-Spec MR-1, the most extreme Hummer H1 that money can buy you.
The Mil-Spec Automotive MR-1 is the latest project released by the Michigan-based shop, and it represents the vision for their newly announced second-generation of builds. As a result, this particular truck has just about every option that prospective buyers can spec. Like all of their builds, this MR-1 started life as a civilian Hummer H1 produced between 1995-2001. Under the hood sits a 6.6-liter Duramax diesel V8, which has been massaged to make 800 horsepower and 1,300 lb-ft of torque. This is the most potent of their engine packages however, with standard trucks rated at 500 horsepower and 1,000 lb-ft of torque. That power is sent to all four wheels via an Allison 1000 T6 automatic transmission.
Of course the engine isn’t the only area to receive upgrades. Off-road racer and former Team Hummer driver Rod Hall provided a long-travel racing suspension system, with upgraded Wilwood brakes available as an option. The exterior of the truck also features some unique stainless steel compontery, as well as upgraded LED lighting. Like any Hummer H1 however, the MR-1 is a blank canvas for all sorts of styling and lighting treatments.
The interior of the Mil-Spec MR-1 is where things get really special however. The team completely tore this truck down and re-created the entire interior from the ground up. Anything that was once made of plastic is now gone, replaced by machined billet parts. From there they installed swaths of Nappa leather, which can be spec’d in a variety of colors. They’ve brought the old truck into the modern age too, with upgraded electronics systems and a marine-grade stereo system. That said, the styling of the interior is undeniably an homage to the original American General machine. They’ve even kept that damn center console.
All of this work is top-notch stuff, but as a result it is also quite pricey. According to Mil-Spec Automotive, this particular MR-1 rings in at about $412,000. Not exactly cheap by any standard. That said, you have to think of this Mil-Spec Hummer as the equivalent of a Singer Porsche. Besides, you can always just option yourself a base model for a mere $299,500. That’s just an outright steal. For someone.
