Some classics are so quirky that they can’t help but be cool. Take this 1973 Steyr-Puch Haflinger as a perfect example. The low production total means that we have previously only seen two of these little gems at Barn Finds, and this is comfortably the best of the bunch. Hiding below the unusual exterior is a drivetrain that allows the Haflinger to cope with some pretty extraordinary conditions. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder kiwie49 for spotting this Austrian classic listed here on Facebook in San Bernardino, California. You could drive it home after handing the seller $13,000.

The Austrian Government found itself in a difficult situation in the early 1950s. Its defense forces were utilizing aging secondhand US Army Willys MB and Ford GPW Jeeps for off-road purposes, and it sought to develop a local replacement. It turned to Erich Ledwinka, the son of Hans Ledwinka, to develop a vehicle to fill the void, utilizing the resources of Steyr-Daimler-Puch. The result, known as the Haflinger, emerged from the factory in 1959. As is often the case, more of these little classics found their way into civilian hands than defence force personnel, and the Haflinger would spread itself across many nations as a small and versatile alternative to larger 4x4s. The history of this Haflinger is unclear, although its condition is extremely good for its age. The Army Green paint is excellent, the panels are straight, and there is no evidence or mention of rust. These vehicles were not renowned for excessive ornamentation, with bright trim restricted to a few badges and trim rings around the headlamps. There is no top to provide wet weather protection, but getting a bespoke one made wouldn’t cost a fortune.

It is a shame that the seller supplies no engine photos, because it was the mechanical specifications that made the Haflinger so effective when the going became tough. It derives its power from a 643cc air-cooled flat-twin engine mounted in the rear. It sends 30hp to the road via a five-speed manual transmission and a unique set of locking differentials that allow the Haflinger to still move if only one wheel is touching Planet Earth or can gain traction on firm ground. The wheels might look small, but they don’t equate to low ground clearance. Steyr-Puch utilized a “portal” setup that placed the wheel centerline well below the axles, with drive fed to each wheel via a drop gear. This achieved the dual goals of giving the Haflinger excellent ground clearance while achieving a lower center of gravity for improved stability. The tapering nose and small rear overhang also improved approach and departure angles on rough ground. The Haflinger isn’t the ideal weapon for freeway action, but the tiny dimensions make it ideal for crawling into rough and confined locations. The seller states that this beauty runs and drives extremely well, a claim that is supported by their embedded video of the Haflinger in action. It appears to be a turnkey proposition for its new owner.

Life inside a Haflinger represents motoring at its most basic. Front seat occupants receive buckets trimmed in Black vinyl, while the timber back seats look like they could be quite uncomfortable when the going gets rough. The dash features a rudimentary set of gauges and switches, and the floors are painted steel. The overall condition is quite neat, and the only thing it needs to lift the appearance is some fresh paint on the dash. However, that task could be completed as time and circumstances allow.

If you are the type of person who is attracted to unusual classics, you may find this 1973 Steyr-Puch Haflinger irresistible. Only around 16,600 of these little off-roaders left the factory before production ended in 1974. Many lived hard lives, but this one looks like a gem. A search of successful sales suggests that the seller’s price is extremely reasonable for a vehicle that will offer plenty of summer fun. Therefore, if you march to the beat of a different drummer, maybe this Haflinger deserves a closer look.