Here’s a vehicle I didn’t know much about before today: an AMC Mighty Mite, also known as the M422, here on eBay. Basically a limited production military vehicle, the Mighty Mite packed tons of innovation into its small, light-weight frame for the short time that it was viable. The seller has a $6,500 Buy-it-Now posted and bidding is light for this non-runner.

The Mighty Mite was designed from the start to be swallowed up by the era’s premier helicopters. As the next generation of troop and cargo-carrying choppers began to roll out, the Mighty Mite’s compact size and low weight was made near irrelevant due to increased cargo capacities in the new Huey aircraft. Nevertheless, the M422 featured shift-on-the-fly 4WD, a 65 m.p.h. top speed and the ability to carry 6 people, thanks to a clever tailgate. The front and rear LSDs were significant innovations as well.

Continuing the theme of being over-engineered, the Mighty Mites could also tackle deep-water fording if need be, rounding out a list of engineering feats that also pushed the price to $5,000 per vehicle. With its short-lived production cycle, only about 4,000 were made. The seller says this example was last registered in 1973, and judging by the license plate and the seller’s mention that he acquired it out of California, this Mighty Mite has done a fair amount of globe trotting despite its early retirement from the roads and trails of America.

The seller also has not run the vehicle, citing concerns over a recommendation that the head be removed first and the cylinders inspected. He has added new tires, but other than that, this M422 is a blank canvas. Personally, given the rarity and the potential cool factor when it is running again, the BIN price doesn’t offend me – but it’s still a big bite for an unusual project with lots of trick features to test and inspect for proper operation. Have any of our readers ever driven one?