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R-373 was built and registered in November 1960 to meet that need.
It stands as a strong example of how vehicles were adapted to Icelandic conditions with practical thinking and ingenuity, making the most of what was available.
The chassis, was based on a Mercedes-Benz LP 322, and bodied locally.
At the same time, Guðmundur Jónasson worked actively to build responsible access to the Icelandic highlands. He helped establish new routes with determination and hands-on effort, finding ways across rivers and through terrain that are still used today. This was done with respect for nature, with a clear stance against off-road driving, and with the goal of leaving the land in better condition for future generations.
Built for Use, and for People
The interior reflects both function and character. With 34 passenger seats, including a five-seat rear bench and a three-seat lateral bench at the front, the layout created a more social and flexible space than modern coaches. People sat closer, conversations flowed more easily, and the journey itself became part of the experience.
Seats were upholstered in Icelandic wool, a material that proved remarkably durable over time.
Externally, the coach was built with long-distance travel in mind. A roof rack with ladder access handled luggage, while an elevated rear storage compartment and large mirrors supported operation in narrow and often unpredictable conditions. Every detail served a purpose.
Early Operation and the Human Side of Driving
In its original form, R-373 had manual steering and a fully loaded front axle. Driving it was physical work. Steering through rough terrain, adjusting constantly to gravel, rivers, and uneven tracks, and managing the weight of both passengers and cargo required focus and experience.
Hydraulic power steering was added early in its service life, not as a comfort feature, but as a necessary response to these conditions. It eased the workload, but the connection between driver, machine, and landscape remained central.
From the Icelandic Highlands to the Moon
In the mid-1960s, Iceland became part of one of humanity’s most ambitious projects.
When NASA prepared for the Apollo missions, astronauts including Neil Armstrong travelled to Iceland in 1965 and 1967. The goal was to train in landscapes that resembled the surface of the Moon. Iceland’s lava fields provided exactly that.
Reaching these locations required crossing rivers, navigating lava fields, and travelling routes that were not yet defined. Guðmundur Jónasson drove the astronauts himself across the highlands in R-373. The same vehicle used for early Iceland journeys became part of the preparation for journeys beyond Earth.
The training was practical. Astronauts walked the terrain, studied geology, and learned to move through environments that would later shape their understanding of the Moon’s surface. R-373 was part of that system, reliable, adaptable, and already proven in these conditions.
Fifty years later, in 2015, the story came full circle when surviving astronauts and their families returned to Iceland and travelled once again in R-373.
In August 2024, astronauts from the Artemis II programme returned to Iceland for training. There was a special moment when the crew stepped onboard the same vehicle. The same landscape, the same purpose, and a quiet continuity across decades. This time, the journey led to Keflavík Airport after a successful training mission.
Change, Adaptation, and Staying in Use
R-373 did not remain unchanged. It evolved with the country around it and the demands placed upon it. Early in its life, hydraulic power steering was introduced to improve handling under load and reduce the physical strain on the driver. When Iceland changed to right-hand traffic in the Iceland traffic switch 1968, the coach underwent structural modification, with the passenger door moved to the opposite side.
Around 1970, the vehicle was further adapted with a conversion to four-wheel drive. This was a practical engineering response to the realities of highland travel, allowing the coach to maintain traction on soft surfaces, navigate river crossings with greater control, and continue operating in areas where road infrastructure was still developing.
At the same time, the glazing was upgraded. The original aluminium frames and single glass were replaced with double-glazed units set in rubber mounts, increasing durability and insulation in a demanding climate.
These changes were made to keep the vehicle working, season after season, in real conditions.
To support these journeys, the interior was adapted again. The rear seating was removed and replaced with a custom-built storage area extending to roof height, allowing for the transport of equipment and luggage required for longer, more demanding itineraries.
This shift reflects how the vehicle moved from a standard passenger coach to a more expedition-focused role, shaped by the needs of those who travelled in it.
From Highlands to Film Set
R-373 has also found a place in modern storytelling.
Its character and authenticity have made it a natural choice for film and creative projects. The coach appeared in Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga, featuring Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams.
It has also been part of productions telling the story of Vigdís Finnbogadóttir, Iceland’s former president and the world’s first democratically elected female head of state.
In this role, the vehicle becomes more than transport. It becomes part of how Iceland is seen and understood.
A coach that once carried explorers and astronauts now helps tell stories on screen.
Restored, but Not Retired
After decades of continuous use, R-373 was carefully restored around 2000. The original seating layout was reinstated, structural repairs were completed, and the exterior was returned to its original colour scheme.
It was not placed in storage. It remained ready.
Still Moving
Today, R-373 continues to operate in a specialised role, used for weddings, film productions, and selected journeys where the experience itself matters.
There is a different pace to travelling in it. A sense of connection to the past, not through display, but through movement.
Continuity
R-373 remains part of GJ Travel, a family-owned Icelandic tour operator since 1931, known for responsible and regenerative travel.
From the beginning, the family has adapted its vehicles to Icelandic conditions. This approach continues today, reflected in a unique highland fleet built for the same landscape that shaped R-373.
Most vehicles are replaced after a decade or two.
R-373 was adapted instead.
It has remained in use for over six decades, not because it was set aside early, but because it continued to meet real needs, and still does.
It also holds strong sentimental value for the GJ Travel family. If any vehicle can be considered part of the family, R-373 surely is.