2008 Hummer H3 Alpha

Description

History isn't through with the Hummer yet. A monument to excess, sure, but isn't that what icons are all about? They aren't building them like they used to anymore (in fact, they're only offered as electric vehicles now, which quite frankly we consider sacrilege to the Hummer name), and it's highly unlikely that the world will ever see its equal again. This 2008 Hummer H3 Alpha is one of the more 'reserved' Hummer models ever made, but that's an extremely relative term that we certainly use loosely. Compared to the H1 and H2, it's a bit 'suburbanized', but when up against other comparable model in its class, well, there aren't really any comparable models in its class (although the new Bronco has followed the script, assuming you get it decked out for $100K). This beefed-up Alpha submodel offers bigger horsepower numbers pumping out of the 5.3L V8 under the hood, along with a bulletproof cast-iron locking differential case and retuned suspension underneath, and it sports a gorgeous exterior Chrome Appearance Package and roomier, luxury interior inside. Babied since new, this 2-owner, lifelong Texas H3 is the last of a dying breed, but they certainly didn't go out with a whimper.

If you're going to live large, do it in style, which means slick silver paint, a whole lot of chrome, and big 'ol tires are the right choice. With an SUV this big, you don't have to beat folks over the head with a loud color, because it speaks just fine, and although there's plenty of chrome it's not at all overbearing. And despite the rugged off-road look, it's pretty obvious that this one has never tackled anything rougher than a railroad crossing or gravel driveway in its day. The Bolder Gray Metallic paint is still shiny, it shows very few signs of use, and clearly the two people who owned it (original owner had it up until 2020) were proud of the way it looked, so they washed and waxed it fanatically. Part of that heavy-duty look comes from a chrome brush guard up front, plus a bunch of chrome upgrades in the Chrome Appearance Package like the grille, step-bars, mirrors, handles, and gas door. Utility comes from a giant front bumper with incorporated tow hooks, a louvered hood, an adjustable roof rack, and a heavy-duty, 6000lb tow-rated trailer hitch that'll pull your toys effortlessly. There's also a huge bumper out back with another gigantic tow hook, a full-sized spare tire covered with a hard shell, and the dark tinted windows and special Alpha badging really punctuate this Hummer's killer looks.

GM did a nice job of making the H3's interior forget the utilitarian design of the military H1's, and even though luxury was the goal, ruggedness wasn't completely abandoned. All the creature comforts are there, and the combined redesign of the 2008 model and Alpha upgrades really make this one of the nicest H3's ever made. Ebony leather buckets are supportive and remain in great condition with only minor wear-and-tear (mostly found on the driver's seat), the door panels are simple, functional and super-clean just like the wide, expansive dash, and the leather-trimmed center console and steering wheel separate this beauty from the rugged trucks of yore. Just about everything was standard on the H3, including power windows, locks, mirrors, a tilt wheel, and climate control, and the Alpha package adds 8-way power and heated front seats, a leather shift knob and boot, oversized floor mats and cargo covers, and a kickin' stereo system that's now managed by a Pioneer multimedia head unit in the dash. Everything is in great shape inside, better than you'd expect in a rugged truck with this kind of mileage, and the white piping on the seats and Alpha embroidery in the headrests are a killer added touch.

The H3 is big, and quite frankly the standard Inline-5 in the base model just doesn't perform with such a lopsided weight-to-power ratio. Therefore, this Alpha received GM's vaunted, all-aluminum 5.3L-liter Vortec V8, which provides effortless performance and the ability to climb mountains (it even features a unique oil pan specifically designed to constantly lubricate the engine, even on steep grades) and haul just about anything you can throw at it. With complete service/maintenance records from new, this bulletproof machine still runs like new with a muscular hum from the exhaust and shockingly potent acceleration in any weather thanks to standard all-wheel-drive. The upgraded 4-speed automatic transmission bangs off flawless shifts, and the beefy suspension feels robust enough to do the Baja 1000, punctuated by the Alpha-specific 4.10:1 rear axle ratio. It's very clean underneath, too, with no signs of off-road abuse in its past (9.1 inches of ground clearance has certainly helped with that as well), and certainly not recently with those glamorous 16-inch chrome wheels wearing giant 265/75/16 front and 275/65/16 rear Goodyear Wrangler off-road radials.

I foresee a day when clean H3s are collector's items, just like the 1959 Cadillacs and 1962 Imperials which were also considered excessive, even in their prime. And special edition units like this Alpha will be leading the pack, just like they did when they were new. Call today!