The Story of My Pinzgauer
"So, just what is a Pinzgauer?", you might ask. Start by visualizing a nice Jeep. Add portal axles (ala Hummer), increasing the ground clearance considerably. Add an 7.5' x 5' cargo area (with seating for eight) and increase load capacity to 2200lbs. Accessorize liberally. Paint it a special shade of green, "olive drab" perhaps. At this point, you may be thinking that this all sounds too expensive... And then you are told you can get your own for around $8000, and you smile. ( a BIG smile! )
So began my Pinzgauer adventure, when I stumbled across one while surfing the Internet one evening. I began prepping my spouse- leaving Pinz pictures around the house, talking about what a useful vehicle it was, showing her pictures of families at play in their Pinz... I figured out how I might come up with the necessary cash. Finally I presented my plan, and she said yes! (even BIGGER smile! )
I didn't live near any of the importers, so I contemplated how I might find one and get it home. I found out that I was going on a business trip to the Atlanta Linux Showcase, which is conveniently located close to Sean Philyaw's "EuroTruck Importers" business in Flowery Branch Georgia. After confirming that Sean had a nice Pinzgauer for me, I decided to get a one-way ticket to Atlanta and drive my new vehicle home. A friend of mine ( Hi Fred! ) offered to help me drive it home if I would fly him down, which seemed like a great idea to me.
I arrived on Monday, and immediately drove my rental car out to EuroTruck Importers. Sean had set aside the nicest Pinz in his inventory, and it was just waiting for my test drive. Everything went well, and pretty soon it was time to drive back into Atlanta and check into my hotel. I planned to pick up the vehicle later in the week after Sean had serviced it and put new tires on it. My friend Fred was to fly in on Saturday and then we would begin the 900 mile drive home!
The ALS show seemed to take forever, but Saturday finally arrived. I picked Fred up at the airport in the Pinzgauer, and he and I started the long drive back to Wisconsin. Our 900 miles turned into 1000 miles after a couple of wrong turns, but we made it home safely a day and a half later. Everywhere we went, there were stares and questions from the curious. Drive a Pinzgauer and you are immediately the center of attention. The scenery was beautiful, especially driving through mountains in Kentucky and Tennessee. Of course, we took some pictures!
After arriving home, I visited the Wisconsin DOT to get my new title and registration. The first people I spoke with didn't know what to make of it, so they sent me to a special office at the main location. I was then notified that there would be a processing delay, because I was registering the first Pinzgauer ever registered in Wisconsin!
As of this writing, I've only been home a week. I drive my Pinz everywhere. I love it. My wife loves it. My daughter loves it. We are having a lot of fun. Maybe I'll start dreaming of another Pinz... Maybe a 6x6 this time! :-)
-- Tom Landmann --
p.s. - Here are some links to Pinzgauer info if you're interested!
http://4wd.sofcom.com/Steyr/Pinzgauer.html
http://www.egroups.com/group/pinzgauer-haflinger
http://www.4x4mag.co.uk/aprfeatures/magpinzgauer.html
http://home.sprintmail.com/~mkraieski/Pinzgauer/14-AUG-99.htm