A 1974 Steyr-Puch Pinzgauer 710M once owned by longtime automotive executive Bob Lutz is now being offered for sale in Round Rock, Texas, bringing renewed attention to one of the more unconventional military vehicles to enter private hands.
Originally built for the Swiss Armed Forces, this first-generation 710M is the soft-top troop carrier variant, a configuration prized for being lighter than fully enclosed models. Lutz, known for his leadership roles at Ford, Chrysler and General Motors, purchased the vehicle in 1991, adding the rugged Austrian-designed 4×4 to a collection shaped by a deep enthusiasm for distinctive machinery.
The Pinzgauer was developed in the late 1960s and entered production in 1971 as a purpose-built military transport engineered for demanding alpine terrain. Its design centered on a backbone tube chassis paired with fully independent suspension, portal axles and three hydraulically locking differentials. The portal axle setup raises the differentials above wheel centers, increasing ground clearance without dramatically altering suspension height, a key advantage in rough conditions.
Power comes from an air-cooled 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder gasoline engine rated at 87 horsepower and 133 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed manual transmission and dual-range transfer case distribute power to all four wheels. Braking is handled by four-wheel drum brakes. While modest in output, the drivetrain was designed for steady cross-country mobility rather than speed.
Finished in olive drab, the vehicle retains its military character, including a full-length canvas top with clear plastic side windows, dual rear bench seats, wooden cargo bed side rails, under-bed storage lockers and a European-style rear tow hook. It rides on 16-inch steel wheels fitted with 245-series Maloya tires.
The Pinzgauer underwent a cosmetic refurbishment in 2005 and later sold on Bring a Trailer in June 2021. Recent work under current ownership includes carburetor re-jetting, fluid changes and replacement of axle boots and gauges. A digital odometer installed with a replacement gauge cluster shows 255 miles.
The sale includes Swiss registration documents, service records, the owner’s manual and a clean Texas title, offering collectors an opportunity to acquire a former military transport with ties to one of the auto industry’s most recognizable executives.
Via Bring a Trailer