1990 Kia KM 410 Military Rocsta from Iran - Comments

Nothing important has happened and I chose to repair things whenever I wanted it. I was never forced to... however (the military version) is a bit weak in regard of its wiring and dials (dials are not waterproofed).

It's a great car a real 4x4 sportster, and fantastic handling, very sharp, it's like driving a Ferrari off roader.

It (the Military version) is not really speedy (96 Km/h) but is almost a truck, I have towed vehicles upto five times the weight of my car (Mercedes light truck in heavy snow uphill) with success (civilian owners beware, the military version might have a strengthened gearbox.. so don't do it).

Otherwise, I have been everywhere with it and this has brought me the most precious time in my life.

I'm John You in Korea.

It will be very grateful if any of you inform the web address or contact information of KIA military vehicle. I've been searching for it all day, but I couldn't find its web address.

Thank you.

Dear Reader,

Many years ago I heard an American servicemen speaking of a Mini "Mack" (The famed Truck), I really didn't know what kind of car he was speaking about... untill later I found that he was speaking of the KM 410.

If I could BEG KIA MOTORS do remanufacture it again so I could buy one NEW... would you believe I dreamed of the car in my sleep, untill I got lucky and bought one :-) in Tehran lol

yet I still dream of buying one that smells that sweet perfume of fresh paint (you know... love is something).

Hope you'll be able to drive one someday and see that it IS really a Ferrari built in an offroad vehicle, and to top it all It's a TRUCK as well, and I have often surprised myself taking corners on two wheels without the slightest problem (of course with 15" wheels).

Wishing you all the very best in the world.

Best regards

H. Vossough (Tehran - Iran)

h_vossough@hotmail.com.

I also own a Kia KM410 1/4ton 4x4. I have had 3 of them up to this date, one made in 1983, the other two made in 1990.

Me and my friends do a lot of offroading and I am happy to say that this car has never let me down.

I have managed to climb hills with a 45 degree slope (with the original 16 inch tyres, the military versions, the car tends to lose its grip with wide tyres).

Recently we had some construction going on and I pulled 1250KG with it, and the car did not face the slightest problem.

I am also happy with the fuel consumption, 12 litres for 100km, which I think is fair for such gear box and body.

The handling is excellent; I have owned Toyota Land Cruiser, Land Rover and CJ5, and this is by far the best.

The acceleration is also very well, and I have no problem driving in the city traffic. The steering is also very sleek; I can park my car very easily compared to other 4x4s, and also city cars with power steering.

I had one of them when I was in Iran and I love its memory.

Now I'm living in Australia and I'm going to find and import one of them to Australia.

I will be happy to find one of the right hand drive of that and drive a powerful km-41.

Cheers.