The Steyr-Puch Haflinger was developed in the late 1950s as a replacement for the ageing American-built Jeeps that were still being used by the Austrian military. The engineering that went into the unusual looking Haflinger was outstandingand despite its unconventional appearance its capabilities as an off-roader are exceptional.

The head engineer was Erich Ledwinkaand he started with a blank slate not using the Jeep or the then-new Land Rover as a design influence. This all-new 44 would need to be very lightweightnarrowreliableable to carry half a tonand capable of climbing very steep mountain slopes.

Ledwinka chose to put the driver and passenger over the front axle to maximise cargo space in the rearand to offer the driver an unparalleled view of the terrain ahead. The engine was mounted in the rearand it doubles as a stressed member to reduce chassis weight.

The original engine was an air-cooled boxer-twin with a capacity of 643cc and 21.7hp at 4500 rpmthe first transmission was a 4-speed but a 5-speed with a new lower first gear was offered later in production.

Due to the placement of the axles very close to the front and rear of the vehiclethe Haflinger has very good approach and departure angles. The use of portal gears to increase the height of the front and rear differentials give it excellent ground clearanceand the manual-locking differentials mean the Haflinger can keep moving so long as at least one wheel has traction.

The 1971 Haflinger you see here has been through a little modernisationits now fitted with a more powerful (and more modern/reliable) 35hp Kohler V-twin engineand its had a body-off restoration. A range of new features have been added like a battery friendly set of LED headlightsand a new set of rear seats to increase the occupant capacity from 2 to 4.
 

Silodrome Magazine Article on this vehicle

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