The idea of a go-anywhere 4×4 that would otherwise be reserved for military use is one of those ideas that seems enormously appealing at some points but also like a potential nuisance at others. Personally, I love rigs like this ridiculous 1973 Steyr Puch Pinzgauer 710K hardtop, but the reality is the usefulness is limited if you don’t have easy access to off-road trails, or otherwise expect that the day of reckoning is getting close enough to justify keeping it parked nearby. Whatever your intended purpose is, there’s no denying it is a wickedly capable machine. Find this 710K here on eBay with an asking price of $20,900 or best offer.

For a while, I was obsessed with the idea of finding a Case Unimog to have as a potential cars and coffee vehicle, but I soon learned there’s limited configurations that make such a rig capable of sustained highway speeds. In other words, the axle setup and engine combination that makes a Unimog mildly useful on highways and in-town traffic is a sought-after and rare combination, which means the purchase price is high and parts availability is limited – never a good combination. The 710K shown here is equipped with a 90 b.h.p. air-cooled gas engine, but that doesn’t mean it’s fun to drive on a daily basis.

Reading though a forum for Pinzgauer owners, almost all of them universally recommend having a daily driving and keeping a truck like this like any other hobby vehicle – a fair weather friend only. The reality is this is a military vehicle, so the wipers are average at best; it’s noisy and rough riding; there are going to be errant leaks and smells that will undoubtedly affect your appearance; and let’s not ignore the fact that a break-down at some point is highly likely, and you’re driving a vehicle that is not easily towed. Any military-grade 4×4 will cause you to giggle when you think about trundling down the road on a sunny, dry day, but less than ideal conditions may quickly cause you to question your not-inexpensive purchase.

Still, as far as owning a vehicle like this goes, this Pinzgauer is configured in about the best way possible, with plenty of seating options and a rigid hardtop to reduce the likelihood of water intrusion. The seller reports it is equipped with shift-on-the-fly six-wheel drive, and that it has also been upgraded with 17-inch aluminum wheels, Mickey Thompson tires, a custom muffler, a Pertronix ignition, and LED taillights. The suggestion to turn it into a camper makes total sense to me, especially since the overlanding community has taken a liking to this rig. While it has its drawbacks, if you live somewhere near wide open spaces and off-roading friendly activities, this could be a blast to own. Do you think these former military vehicles are fit for civilian use?