In my Humvee I'm ready for action, man

“I grew up playing with figures like Action Man and not video games, so to own a Humvee like the one he drove is a dream come true,” says Samuel Ogunlana.

- JOHN EVANS

Note, it’s a Humvee, the US military vehicle - full name High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle - that first saw action in 1989 in Operation Just Cause, when the US invaded Panama, and not a Hummer, the popular civilian utility vehicle that looks a lot like it. Both were built by AM General, although the Hummer was marketed by General Motors.

At 2160mm wide (7ft 1in in old money), finished in khaki green and sitting on 37in wheels shod with tractor-like tyres, it’s impossible to miss among the pristine Ferraris and Porsches gathered at Samuel's local car meet. “It’s a proper military vehicle with no comforts,” explains Samuel. “No sound deadening, no air-con and no power assistance. Because much of it extends into the cabin, you may get some heat from the engine on a cold day, but that’s your lot.”