Puch

Puch or Steyr Daimler Puch,, now called Magna Steyr,, are one of the biggest contracting manufactures... They build (or have built) for BMW, Mercedes, Saab,, VW,, and a lot more,, they have a long history with off roaders and general 4x4's,, most probably the most respected off road manufacturer anywhere... They have always had close links with Mercedes,,, Dr Porsche spent half a career going between the two firms, and indeed, may have built the worlds first 4x4 for SDP.. In the 70's they aided (i lot more then aided,, i'm sure) Mercedes with the G Wagen, and have built it eversince..
SDP were formed when Austro Daimler Puch & Steyr merged,, sometime in the 30's (i think) ... If it wasn't for W W2,,, i'm sure SDP would have been huge... They had a Beetle type car ready in the early/mid 30's (Dr Porsche),,, as did Tatra...

... and arguably the best off-roaders ever made are the Haflinger and the Pinzgauer

Agree completely with Jesus (Mortinson) when I was racing and trialling in the 70's I had six Haflingers (long and short wheelbase, canvas cab, fibreglass cab) and found they were beautifully engineered. Backbone chassis enclosing the propshaft, driveshafts inside the swing-arms out to hub reduction gears.

Very low-geared but would go almost anywhere - our sequence was - Start with a Land-rover, break half shafts, get stuck, buy Austin Champ - get stuck, break transaxle.
Buy MB Jeep - start winning trials, race (slowly). where the MB won't go - buy Haflinger
win trials with monotonous regularity. When bored with winning buy trials bike - goes where Haflinger cannot go! When Trials bike won't get there - walk (on all fours usually by then).

Great fun vehicle but limited to 45 mph or 55 mph (dependent on hub reduction gears installed) with 650cc flat twin lump. Still fast enough to do UK all-night offroad races (won class) and Hillrallies !! (fell over a lot!)

My ultimate Haflinger? I extended the backbone by 18", had wider, taller wheels made (with tiny PCD) and fitted a 2 litre Fiat twin-cam on my own adaptor.

Then started with babies ! an even MORE expensive hobby. Pal of mine bought it and raced and trialled it successfully for several years.

Every Haf owner wants a Pinzgauer when he grows up (this one included) - just lacking the £10K + for a decent second-hand one right now.

Nearest thing you can get at an affordable price with essential diff-locks? G Wagen!.

Regards,

Roy

AndyC asked :

"So how come I saw a Very G wagon looking 4x4 with a PUCH badge?"

Steyr Daimler Puch (as it was) designed the drivetrain of the G Wagen and produced all the early 460 examples badged as Puch vehicles for their domestic market.

Then their customer (Mercedes Benz as was) decided all vehicles would be marketed as Gaelander ('G') - Wagens in future - so no more Puchs.

So a 460 G-Wagen is the same vehicle as the early Puch model.

Having driven both the Pinzgauer and G-Wagen IMHO the Pinzgauer is more able offroad owing to incrreased ground clearance and the ultimate forward control driving position.

However the G is much more practical, comfortable and quiet on-road with even a working HEATER ! (Pinzgauer owners now reading and weeping!)

Roy