Why the 2026 Gladiator Willys ’41 Belongs in Vermont

If you live in Franklin County, you know that “road” is often a subjective term. Around here, once you get off Route 7 or outside the pavement of Main Street, the lines on the map change from solid to dotted, and things get interesting.

Jeep recently unveiled the 2026 Jeep Gladiator Willys ’41, a special edition “buzz model” that pays tribute to the legendary Kaiser Jeep M715 military truck. With its exclusive 17-inch Olive Drab painted wheels, stencil-style hood decals, and steel bumpers, it looks like it rolled right out of a history book.

But here at Nucar CDJR of St. Albans, we think this truck does more than just look the part. It is practically begging to take on one of Vermont’s most unique features: The Class 4 Road.

What is a “Class 4” Road?

If you are new to the area or just stick to the commute down I-89, you might not know about the network of unmaintained highways crisscrossing our state.

According to the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans), a “Class 4” highway is a town road that is not maintained for winter use and receives minimal upkeep in the summer. They aren’t just “trails”—they are public rights-of-way—but they are often rocky, rutted, washed out, and muddy. In other words: they are Jeep territory.

Heading east out of town on Route 36 (Fairfield Street) toward the mountains, you start to find the entry points to these old cart paths and logging roads. They require a vehicle that isn’t just “all-wheel drive,” but truly 4×4 capable.

Why the Willys ’41 Fits the Terrain

The original Willys MB and the M715 weren’t built for highway cruising; they were built to transport troops and gear over terrain that had been destroyed by heavy machinery.

The 2026 Gladiator Willys ’41 channels that DNA perfectly for our local landscape. It comes stock with features that usually require aftermarket spending:

• 33-Inch Mud-Terrain Tires: When the Vermont Maple Festival rolls around in April, we are usually deep in “Mud Season.” Street tires become slicks in Vermont mud. You need the aggressive tread blocks of a mud-terrain tire to self-clean and keep gripping.
• Steel Protection: It features steel front and rear bumpers and a Mopar triple hoop grille guard. When you are traversing a narrow track with hidden stumps or rocks—common on unmaintained town roads—you want steel protecting your front end, not plastic.
• Rear Locker: The Willys ’41 includes a locking rear differential, essential for slippery climbs in the Green Mountains.

Resources: How to Find Class 4 Roads in Vermont

One of the most common questions we get is, “Where can I legally drive off-road?” Since Class 4 roads are public ways, you can drive them, but you need to know where they are.

• Vermont Roads: An excellent community resource that maps Class 4 roads based on VTrans data.
• Vermont Overland: Based near Woodstock, this organization hosts the famous “The Pilgrimage” event. They are a great resource for learning how to overlanding responsibly in our state.
• VASA (Vermont ATV Sportsman’s Association): While primarily for ATVs, their trail etiquette guides are valuable for any off-roader to ensure we all “Tread Lightly”.

Note: Always respect posted signs. If a road is posted “Closed” by the town selectboard during mud season, please stay off to prevent permanent damage.

Own a Piece of History

The 2026 Jeep Gladiator Willys ’41 is available to order now. It combines the mechanical reliability of the 3.6L Pentastar V6 with a style that is unmatched on the showroom floor.

Availability Alert:

“Buzz models” like the Willys ’41 are produced in limited runs. If you want to see this military tribute in your driveway, we highly recommend getting your order in early.

Shop New Jeep Gladiator

Contact Us To Reserve a Willys ’41

Stop by Nucar CDJR of St. Albans on Franklin Park West to start your build.

Everyone loves a Nucar—especially one that’s built for the mud!