I recently shared this 1983 Pinzgauer 712k 6×6 Overlander and made the point that old military vehicles are generally slow, uneconomical, and uncomfortable—but they’re almost unstoppable when the tarmac ends. While they are unquestionably raw and utilitarian in stock form, there are steps you can take to transform these single-purpose machines into genuinely impressive multi-purpose overland rigs. At the time of writing the above, we had yet to feature an example of what’s possible with considerable investment and imagination. Today’s comparable Volvo C306 6WD was built by overland outfitter Deep Six Motors. It was designed to retain and further enhance go-anywhere performance while introducing a new level of refinement and a fully equipped habitation box. At $110,000, it’s not a cheap rig, and for the price, I wish the underpowered 3.0-liter motor had been replaced by a modern alternative (like the popular Cummins diesel engine). Nevertheless, considering the specifications and the quality of the build, it’s a lot of vehicle for the money.

From the Seller:

“I am selling my beautiful Volvo C306. I recently opened a new business building these types of rigs and other vehicles built for various purposes. However, this is my personal vehicle, and as much as I love it (a lot), I am selling it to further expand my company. This is an extremely capable truck, and it blows my mind every time I drive it. It’s not slow on the highway like a Unimog (I do love Unimogs, too), and it doesn’t feel underpowered. It can hold its own in every regard. I am available to show the rig anytime for a test drive or to just have a look at it. Please don’t hesitate if you have any questions, and I’ll do my best to respond in a timely fashion.”

1975 Volvo C306 6×6

The C306 is fitted with a 3.0-liter inline-six motor that produces 125 horsepower and 165 pound-feet of torque (although more powerful variants are available). Needless to say, this is not a fast vehicle (60 mph top speed), but fear not, as there are a number of modern engine conversions offered. On-road performance may be underwhelming, but off-road, the C306 is almost unstoppable, courtesy of 6WD, front and rear locking differentials, a 2-speed transfer case, portal axles, and more. 

Distinguishing Features

• Freshwater tank, 160 gallons
• Two Ultracell batteries with four 330-watt AUO BenQ solar panels 
• Air-conditioning 
• LED headlights 
• Two wireless Fantastic bi-directional fans
• Mickey Thompson tires
• Heated flooring

This Volvo 6×6 Expedition Rig is listed for $110,000 and is currently located in Ontario, California. Check the full vehicle specifications via the original Expedition Portal forum post here.

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