Built to military standards in 1969, the design originated in the Soviet Union during WWII as a form of Russian Jeep.

Though they are more common worldwide, the Soviet version, called GAZ, was produced earlier and in the Ukraine--never in Romania.

Note the original side-mounted spare tire. This still seems to be the most convenient place to mount a spare.

The original canvas top is secured with leather straps.

Solid front and rear axles, About a foot and a half of ground clearance, and 45 degree approach and exit angles make this a highly capable off-road machine.

The original wheels, too narrow for safe highway speeds, were replaced with wide off-road wheels in the late 1990s.

Headlights, fog lights, and spotlight provide plenty of illumination for nighttime offroading.

This is the mechanism for swinging down the windshield. Two metal hooks secure it to the hood when it's in the lowered position.

Spotlight can be turned on from inside the vehicle.

All-metal release for the hood.

The external vent--which provides heat--can be raised and lowered from inside.

The bottom-mounted windshield wipers help to distinguish this as a Romanian ARO, not a Russian GAZ

MADE IN ROMANIA.

Although there are several Soviet versions of this design in America, this is the only Romanian-made one I know of. This was the first automobile type produced in Romania, and ARO still produces dependable SUVs for the Romanian market and for export.

Tow hooks.