October 10.-12. 2008
The biggest 4x4 show in Iceland to date - and in fact the show with the most vehicles of any kind - is to celebrate the 25 year anniversary of the Icelandic 4x4 Club.
Like you probably guess I am there the whole weekend and have a great time. The 130 4x4 trucks or so are arranged in an way to make you enjoy each vehicle on its own terms. A real treat for the eye!
The big sporting hall is packed with 4x4s of every brand, size and age. It gives a good cross section of what Iceland off roaders have been using through the years and how they modify the trucks for the most demanding terrain.
A number of really old classic 4x4s as well as a few projects in the making with a great the opportunity to chat with the owners about their trucks.
In this article I will give you a glimpse of what we got to see. Later I plan to do a few more on individual brands.
As you get close to the exhibition hall you are greeted by this ex military bomb proof truck used for extreme rescue operations.
A Heavy Duty Dodge Ram 3500 on 54 inch tires. I have to say that the 54 inch tires must be the end of the line for constantly increasing the tire size. Perhaps not - only time will tell.
This Hummer frame is ready for the 49 inch tires. Only minimal modifications were done, like lengthening of the frame and some changes like swapping out weaker components.
This Land Rover started as a short wheel base but now has be lengthened by a full door.
A tiny motorbike for the youngest generation...
...and an ATV on what looks like MatRacks should work well in the snow.
Nissan Patrol on 4x4 inch tires fully modified for the voluntary rescue unit.
A pitch black Hummer H2 owned by Gisli Gunnar Jonsson who uses it to haul his Formula Off Road truck.
A real eye candy. This Jeep is just so simple and so beautiful. Restored in a way that keeps the original look although everything is done to make it highly usable as a modern 4x4.
This Chevy S10 on 4x4 inch Dick Cepec tires has been on the go for many years and still looks pretty solid.
Ford Econoline on 49 inch tires. Econolines with 4x4 modifications have been popular in Iceland due to the space and the level of comfort they provide.
A Toyota Land Cruiser on 44 inch tires and in ice and snow colored camo!
Gunnar Gunnarsson's Clown with all the cups he's won over the years.
Of the older trucks this is one brand we don't see much of these days. An all Russian Gas. Quite fitting in this day and age where Iceland's only friends come from Russia.
The painting on the front doors gives out the name. "Ivan Kassavisky" (Ivan Case'o'wisky) with the hand painted picture of Ivan the Russian bear with a case of wisky!
This is most likely the biggest wheels you see on a Mitsubishi. A Pajero on 44 inch tires.
SsangYoung Musso on 38 inch tires.
The first ever Mercedes Benz Sprinter on 44 inch tires to compete with all the Econolines get a lot of attention.
The smallest snow crossing 4x4 along with the biggest.
The 1985 Suzuki sits on 32 inch tires and has crossed the Vatnajökull ice cap. It weighs less than one ton.
The brand new Ford F350 on 54 inch tires more than five times as heavy could literally eat the smaller Suki.
Overall a great show with lots of variety - Thanks for all that worked hard to get it on!
