Autotrader Find: Giant 1995 Ford Navy Reconnaissance Truck

Mixed in with all the Autotrader listings for the usual Chevys and Hondas and BMWs and Toyotas are a few very unusual gems -- like this thing. It's a 1995 Ford F-800, which was apparently used by the U.S. Navy as a reconnaissance truck. It's massive. It's lifted. It's ridiculous. It's available from a private seller in Maryland for $35,000.

Here's the situation with this truck, according to the advertisement: It's a 1995 model, and the current owner purchased it from the U.S. government. While it uses a standard Ford F-800 chassis and normal body work, it was turned into a crazy, lifted, four-wheel-drive vehicle by a company called Marmon Harrington, for reconnaissance use with the U.S. Navy. I have no idea what, specifically, that means -- just that this truck is enormous. The ad says that only four of these were ever made, but it's hard to know exactly how true that is.

It appears the current owner has made some upgrades -- such as painting the whole truck matte black. Other upgrades have included a new alternator, new batteries, repaired air conditioning, new lights and new belts. The seller describes the truck as the "ultimate four-by-four," which seems right, just by quickly glancing at it -- after all, it has absolutely massive wheels and tires, and its ground clearance is so substantial that it requires two steps to climb inside (which, frankly, doesn't seem like enough).

This thing is ridiculous -- and I can't imagine why anyone would ever want it. And yet, I'm strangely drawn to it. Such is life with the more bizarre vehicles on Autotrader.

Doug DeMuro is an automotive journalist who has written for many online and magazine publications. He once owned a Nissan Cube and a Ferrari 360 Modena. At the same time.

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