The SUV That Might Have Been: The Marmon-Herrington Rhino

Edward Niedermeyer
by Edward Niedermeyer

Axle and transfer case-maker Marmon-Herrington is still around, supplying OEMs and the aftermarket alike with up-rated drivetrain components. But back in the ’40s and ’50s, the firm designed its own vehicles as well, from an air-droppable tank, to a South African armored car, to monocoque electric trolley buses. Its predecessor company, Marmon Motor Car Company, even built the first car to win the Indy 500, the Marmon Wasp. Sadly this beast, an experimental amphibious off-road (on-marsh) vehicle called the Rhino ( more here), was never produced. Otherwise, the Marmon name might have been exhumed during the ’90s SUV boom by a bespoke coachbuilding firm, offering specially-bodied medium-duty truck chassis bearing the brand name that won the first Indy 500 and parachuted into Nazi Germany. Imagine the possibilities…


Edward Niedermeyer
Edward Niedermeyer

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  • Nick Nick on Oct 16, 2011

    I always wanted a V16 Marmon...even just the engine would do.

  • Morbo Morbo on Oct 16, 2011

    For when the Canyenero is just to small and urban. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkvIh27Gsfg "She blinds everybody with her Super High Beams, She's a Squirell Squashing deer Smacking Driving Machine! Canyeneroooo, CANYENEROOOOO."

    • SuperACG SuperACG on Oct 17, 2011

      Everytime you post, I read it with Morbo's voice in my mind. Very entertaining to know how Morbo would sing the Canyonero song. Yes, I am a Groening fan.

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