Pinz Military Heritage....

eaweidner · Post by **eaweidner** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 10:42 am

Greetings to all! Does anyone in the group have any info or photos of the 710/712 series vehicles in actual military service? I am curious as to what type of markings, unit or otherwise, may have been used. Are Switzerland, Austria and Great Britain the only armies to equip themselves with this vehicle? Most photos I have seen only seem to have a vehicle ID number of sorts stenciled on the windshield. Are there any members of the group that have any personal military experience with this truck that would not mind sharing...? As you can see, my interest in the Pinzgauer is of a purely military nature. I revel in it's Spartan simplicity and it's utilitarian usefulness. I often smile inwardly when I read that someone is not happy with the seats, wipers, heat, etc. After spending some years in the Army in Armor units during the 80's and early 90's I find the Pinz to be sporty, comfortable, and quite tolerable. For those of you who think the Pinz a tad noisy, try a Gamma Goat....! It seems a lot of folks spend buckets of money to make the Pinz something it is not....I hope this is not taken as criticism as it is not meant to be. I am quite amazed at some the innovation and improvements made by some. I look forward to any help in my quest for military info as it relates to the Pinzgauer. I wonder....in 10 years, what will be more valuable...an original condition Pinz or one sporting Mazda seats and a homemade roll bar....?

Twin Pinzies · Post by **Twin Pinzies** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 11:09 am

You would be disgusted with my once bone-stock units!
http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff30 ... ure041.jpg

krick3tt · Post by **krick3tt** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 11:26 am

My pinz is not bone stock but has been modified for me. Still OD color and with the original seats. Added a winch and fridge and still it looks rather 'stockish".
I went to a military vehicle show last month in WA just to see the US vehicles and how the 'old iron' has been kept up. They asked me to be in line with the others. A real surprise, and lots of interest in the pinz. Seems a green vehicle is always welcome.
I applaud those with the skills to make what they want through fabrication and invention.

Morris
710M

M Wehrman · Post by **M Wehrman** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 5:11 pm

******in 10 years, what will be more valuable...an original condition Pinz or one sporting Mazda seats and a homemade roll bar....?******

I say make it like you want and enjoy it! Besides , it's possible some of us and/or affordable gas may not be around in ten years!

Mark

Erik712m · Post by **Erik712m** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 5:32 pm

Scott's made some $50tho plus custom jobs haven't seen any bone stock go for that. I think it would be a matter of the quality of build you want and are expecting. For the most part I would say most pinz owners are cheap and like the bone stock one because atone time they were affordable.

mjnims · Post by **mjnims** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 6:31 pm

Eric
This topic comes up once in a while. If I recall there are not many markings put on the pinz when in service. The european militaries don't seem to mark their trucks up like the US. I would think some one on Robi's site would have first hand knowledge of use in the military and could help. As far as the value goes, since the pinz really played no significant role in a war it is unlikely it will gain any substantial value from the collectors, mostly American. I would also guess that since there is no tie to the pinz in war times by Americans on this side of the pond, I doubt a collector following would arise. Most foreign iron collectors want some type of historical value which sadly the pinz has none. For the individual who just wants a military vehicle that can be driven easily the pinz is a great option. I personally think it will fall in the collector category of the Duece and a half, some value just not much.
Just my observations from being around military vehicle collectors. You are of course welcome to disagree.

Now back to looking at the Outstanding Military Vehicle 2005 and Special Interest 2006 plaques on the wall from military vehicle shows given to my highly civilian modified 712M

eaweidner · Post by **eaweidner** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 8:36 pm

I appreciate all the responses. I have a great time following the posts. I honestly hope I did not ruffle any body's feathers. I realize it's all a matter of personal preference and/needs. I would still like to hear from any who might any 'in service' photos of the Pinz....

David Dunn · Post by **David Dunn** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 8:54 pm

Mike is pretty much right about the collectibles of the 710/12 with MV collectors.From their respected viewpoint, US and Soviet MVs have seen more activity in world conflicts, which makes them more desirable for collecting. The 710/12 definitely doesn't fall into any "major" reenactment.... except possibly the changing of the guard at the Vatican.

In the future, we may see the role that the 716/18 played in Iraq and Afghanistan with the British SAS and US Special Forces ( joint ventures, covert operations). I know that I have seen video of 716K in a policing support role in Saudi Arabia, after a terrorist's bombing, and a burnt out platform of a 716M in Iraq ( proves they were there).

I collect from the technological innovations standpoint. The Haflinger and the Pinzgauer are definitely unique in the way they accomplish an end. ( as are my Mighty Mite and Supacat)

As for the markings. Most had the square plates on the front and rear with the assignment of the vehicle. The water paint numbers on the windshield is pretty much the same as leaving a used car dealer's "for sale" or " low mileage" sign on the windshield after you bought it . The numbers were there for quick recognition and " judged" condition, at the auction. And for those that didn't know it, "F" means it failed sometime in the basic Swiss test. I don't understand flaunting that.

Dave Dunn

mjnims · Post by **mjnims** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 9:17 pm

Dave
If you have not already checked out the H drive system of the Daf you should, it is worth a look. There are more Daf ya 126 and ya 328's in Ca than any other place in the US. They seem to be a movie favorite when depicting European military vehicles. Although their importance is minimal in the states it has a large following in the Netherlands.
OT I know.

you do learn something new everyday. I did not know the F stood for fail on the window designations.

David Dunn · Post by **David Dunn** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 10:01 pm

OH NO Mike... I don't need any more MVs ( or any other vehicle for that matter

)
I'm afraid that if I do look at one, I'd want one.
But you did mention something of interest. If you read on the Gathering, the SCMVCC has approved further Gatherings on their meeting day. As too many Gatherings for Pinzes, Mogs and Haffy would dilute the numbers showing up, I had suggest ( dummy me) inviting MVs of other militaries ... this would possibly give these other collectors a chance to display their vehicles and educate others, as well as get together with like owners. The club would like me to promote membership to our club and the AmVet, but we agree that getting the people together is most important.
If you want contact me offlist, or have some Daf owners in Ca contact me(or any foreign MV), I can work to set a date aside for them to meet.

The letter grading is a little funny as a top rating were very few, and all that was needed for a F was a burnt out bulb, or some other minor issue.... but a rust bucket would get the same F

Dave Dunn

Pathfinder · Post by **Pathfinder** » Tue Jun 17, 2008 11:33 pm

I found some of these photos on the net, some prinzgauer and other stuff.

I hope this helps.

http://photobucket.com/pathfinder-01_album

eaweidner · Post by **eaweidner** » Fri Jun 20, 2008 2:59 pm

Thanks for the great link to those military photos!
I guess I should 'fess up' to the fact that I too have done my share of upgrades to my Pinz as well. But I try to keep it mostly of a military nature. My truck is ready for the next conflict....HA!
Love the forum and enjoy the posts from all the Pinzgauer brethren.
Rubber Down!
Regards,
Eric

jpipes · Post by **jpipes** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 1:34 pm

The Pinz was used fairly extensively in the first Gulf War by a number of Allied countries. It was also used by US Special Operations forces and there is at least one record of a running battle between Iraqi forces and a unit of Delta operators before the ground war began that was resolved by the timely application of air power. I have photos in my collection of Arab forces in the American XVIII Corp sector outfitted with 710 Pinzgauers. The Brits used them in many places, including Belfast I believe. As has been mentioned the turbo diesel version of the Pinz is being used in Iraq and Afghanistan extensivey.

ka · Post by ka » Thu Jul 10, 2008 2:28 pm

is it possible to download any of those photos?

Bryn Pinzgauer · Post by **Bryn Pinzgauer** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 9:16 am

Well I'm just reading a book called "3 Para" by Patrick Bishop. It's about 3 Para's tour in Afghanistan in 2006. There are quite a few Pinz references in passing and a couple of pictures.

If you pay attention to photos and film footage of British forces in Afghanistan, you can often see Pinz's in the background. As an example take a look at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40r4JwLGfLc

The first Pinz is about 50 seconds in. There are others at 1:24, 1:40, 2:15. Some of the IDs might be a bit tentative, and I may have missed a couple, but there are certainly 716s about.

Somewhere (and it may be on one of these Youtube videos), there is what looks to me like a destroyed Pinz.

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