Rank and file vehicles are usually not the kinds that find their way into our pages, so long as they are commercially driven. But when a military vehicle finds its way outside the combat zone and onto the Maryland roadways, it is worth a second look.
Dean Hansen of Edgewood owns such a vehicle. His 1973 Pinzgauer 710K is a radio command truck of Austrian descent that he purchased about a year and half ago from Switzerland where it was kept in a cave for preservation.
“They were war reserve vehicles. They had very low mileage on their vehicles. They stored them and hardly issued them at all. When this truck hit the U.S. it had 8600 original miles on it,” said Hansen, who obtained the vehicle due to the country’s move to an upgraded version called the Pinzgauer II.
Hansen grew up in the U.S. military and around similar vehicles. He found himself fascinated by four-wheel off-road military vehicle technology and his first purchase was a Mercedes-Benz Unimog, which he called a “60 mph tractor.”
Hansen’s Pinzgauer however did not come with military-issue accoutrements. He paid $18,500 for the base truck and would spend the next year and half outfitting his war machine with the communications equipment that would have been found in the military version.
“As soon as I got the truck I started shopping for odds and ends. I had to go to military flea markets and eBay and different places. It has the boom microphones. It’s got the armored crewman’s helmet. I tried to keep it original “com-wise” as possible. When I bought these radios, all the holes were pre-drilled in so it was just a drop-in set,” said Hansen.
The intimating 50 caliber machine gun that is nested on the roof is a dummy. So are the five assault weapons he keeps within the vehicle to add dramatic effect, which includes an M14 sniper rifle, an M4 carbine with silencer, an M203 grenade launcher, an M16 with grenade launcher, and a SAW rifle. It may have been set up for Swiss assault rifles, but Hansen has Americanized the weaponry.
What should you know about the Pinzgauer?
Hansen said it is the four-wheel off-road vehicle of choice for some 35 countries, and in countries like Australia and England, it is a crucial part of their air mobile operations because of its lightweight transportability.
“When you consider this vehicle has been around since 1971, and there have been very few changes, that says a lot about the vehicle’s initial design,” said Hansen.
What do you drive?
A 1973 Pinzgauer 710 K. It has a radio suite inside and it all works. These trucks were originally built in 1971. Now they are made in England. The English started replacing their Land Rovers with these. This is their version of the Humvee.
Why do you drive it?
Because it’s very unique and different. These trucks are known as the second best off-road vehicle in the world by people who evaluate these kinds of vehicles.
What makes this truck so special?
It’s got a lot of really unique features. First of all, it has the portal axle where the axle comes in at the top of the wheel and there’s a gear set on every wheel of the truck. It means your axles can be much higher. This vehicle actually has two more inches of ground clearance than the Humvee. It gives you more gearing, which is a plus in a tactical off-road vehicle. It’s very narrow so it can get between trees.
What’s your most memorable driving experience?
It’s fun just to drive to shows sometimes. Now I don’t drive with the machine gun on it. I never do that. I’m a member of the Washington Area Collectors Blue and Gray Military Vehicle Trust. I like going to the military vehicle shows. We do a lot of veteran shows. I really enjoy those.
What was your first vehicle?
The first vehicle I actually owned was a 1946 Jeep CJA 2. My first military vehicle was a Mercedes-Benz Unimog. I really loved that truck. And I sold it cause my wife won’t let me have a motor pool in the driveway. I understand her situation. The wives are a big part of what we do.
What’s currently in your CD player?
It did have an AM/FM radio but I took that out of there cause I didn’t want to lose points [when competing]. It does have tactical military radios and all my radios and field gear work. I don’t have a HAM license so you really shouldn’t be talking on these radios. What I do just to show they work, I set it on a television channel I can pick up.
And your first ticket? What was it for?
Back in 1978 I got a speeding ticket for 5 miles an hour over the limit. I haven’t had a ticket since then. This little truck will run 70 mph. The problem with this vehicle is that it has a high center of gravity and a short wheel base. Only a fool would drive it that fast.
I love 55. It’s better to arrive alive than not get there at all.
Check Out My Stats:
- Engine: 4-cylinder air-cooled Steyr.
- Wheels: 16” L285 75R commercial radials
- Features: communications radios, camo net, pop-out plugs for com-link set up/configuration, dummy assault weapons.
