We’ve looked at some weird stuff this week, and for once, it wasn’t all my fault. But it only feels right to finish off the week on an even weirder note. So today for your consideration, I present a pink car from Indiana and a rare 4×4 from Austria.
Yesterday’s cars were a lot more ordinary, just a couple of old Ford Escorts. We had one stickshift wagon and one automatic ZX2 coupe. The wagon’s practicality won the day, and more of you wanted to swap the ZX2’s engine into the wagon than to drive the ZX2 as-is.
The idea of a Zetec-powered Escort wagon does sound like a lot of fun, but I am not the type to bother with engine swaps, as entertaining as it is to think about. I’d happily drive that wagon with the engine it has, however, after sorting out the check-engine light issues.
Long before I started writing this column, I loved window-shopping for cars on Craigslist, especially on the West Coast. Craigslist in Southern California is a gold mine for unusual cars, so whenever I need to find cars in a hurry, that’s where I head. And even now, in the dead of winter, it did not disappoint. Check out what I found.
1959 Studebaker Lark VI – $3,874
Engine/drivetrain: 170 cubic inch flathead inline 6, three-speed manual, RWD
Location: North Hollywood, CA
Odometer reading: 79,000 miles
Operational status: Runs and drives well
American cars in the late 1950s were growing to truly gargantuan proportions, and getting more chrome-laden by the year. But a new wave of imported cars, led by Volkswagen, proved there was a market for smaller, simpler cars. Newly minted American Motors had a hit with its Rambler, and Studebaker quickly followed suit with this car, the Lark. Studebaker cleverly designed the Lark around the center section of its full-size models, which saved development costs and made for a nice, roomy small car.
Two versions of the Lark were available: the Lark VI and the Lark VIII, named for the engines installed. This Lark VI has a flathead inline six and a classic “three on the tree” manual transmission. It runs and drives well, according to the seller, and has a new battery.
It also has new seat upholstery, and it looks like the door panels were redone as well. There’s not a lot to the interior of cars this age, which is kind of refreshing compared to modern cars, but I would suggest at least adding seat belts. It’d probably still be a deathtrap in a crash, but every little bit helps.
Outside, it’s, well, pink. Pastel colors were big in the late ’50s, and it seems like pink was actually pretty common. The Lark wears it well, and apart from a couple of rust spots in the bottoms of the front fenders and doors, it’s in good shape. I like the fact that the Lark only has a little bit of chrome; as much as I like the Virgil Exner-designed Chryslers of the era, they do go a bit overboard on the chrome.
1972 Steyr-Puch Pinzgauer 710M – $4,000
Engine/drivetrain: Air-cooled 2.5-liter OHV inline 4, five-speed manual, 4WD
Location: Hesperia, CA
Odometer reading: 250,000 kilometers
Operational status: Hasn’t run in a few years
I’m willing to bet this is a new one for at least some of you. I know I only discovered the Pinzgauer about fifteen years ago, when someone built an RC version of one. The Pinzgauer is Austrian firm Steyr-Puch’s take on a small, all-terrain-capable 4×4, and unlike so many similar vehicles, it has absolutely nothing in common with a World War II Jeep. Instead of straight axles on leaf springs, it has four-wheel independent suspension, portal axles, and full-time 4WD with locking differentials.
Powering the Pinzgauer is a specially-designed 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. It’s designed to be tough, easy to fix, and able to run on absolute crap fuel – perfect for use in remote places. It powers all four wheels through a five-speed gearbox and a dual-range transfer case. It has independent swing-axle suspension on all four corners, with portal axles for additional ground clearance. It’s a really cool setup. This one hasn’t run in a few years, since its owner passed away, but these things have enough of a following that getting what you need to revive it shouldn’t be a problem.
The Pinzgauer was designed as a military vehicle, so don’t expect much in the way of creature comforts. It does, however, have a satisfying number of knobs, buttons, and levers. I think I know what some of them do: if I’m not mistaken, the yellow levers are the diff locks, and the green one is likely the two-speed transfer case. Apart from that, you’d have to try them to see what they do.
Pinzgauers were available in a bunch of different body styles; this one is an open-top truck with a soft canvas roof and inward-facing bench seats in the back. It’s a little banged-up and rusty, but a vehicle like this would look funny all shiny and pristine.
Nobody in their right mind is actually cross-shopping these two, but when has that ever stopped us? And besides, I think they’re both cool. But it’s not up to me. Which one would you rather have?
Pingauzers are cool, it’d be fun to drive one around. But against this Stude which needs nothing to enjoy as-is, that’s a tough ask.
Pinzgauers are awesome and usually get decent money. Even as a non-runner they are so mechanically simple, I doubt it would be a hassle to get this one back on the road. I’d love one to take on the beach.
The lark is fine I suppose. Not a particularly good looking car, especially with its oddly flesh-toned pink color. Probably well bought at that price but absolutely no contest against the Pinz.
What a Lark! Will have the birb over a tiny military vehicle which hasn’t run in a few years. Might be more tempting if it were an HMMWV in that condition, but even then, I’d still have the Stude, even though Humvee parts aren’t subject to tarrifs like the Pinzgauer’s would be. And you will need parts.
Pinz parts are readily available in the U.S. I’m in Canada and am no longer ordering from U.S. sources and have found places in Europe that ship quickly and the price is the same as the U.S. without the tariffs.
Good enough, but I live where it’s flat, gets cold, and most off road parks offer:
Mud
Mud with stumps
Motocross jumps
Muddy Motocross jumps
Hills
Muddy hills
The Old Gravel Pit (also muddy)
(To paraphrase an old Monty Python bit, “I DON’T WANT MUD!”)
And when most people are zinging around in 300hp RZRs and on four wheelers, driving one of those there would be like driving a Beetle on the interstate. Also not the crowd I want to hang out with. Much more comfortable with the old car bunch. If you live out west, and have trails with actual rocks, go for the pinz.
Real men wear pink. Gimme the Studebaker.
Pinz me today. That thing will go anywhere and take anything with you. I could definitely use that thing in the mountains..
The rolling pink flesh balloon? Not so much.
Those Larks do nothing for me. I’ll have the Pinzgaur. I definitely don’t have a proper sue case for it, but it would be a neat toy for a minute.
Back in the 70s, a friend had a Lark with a 327/4-speed swap. It was a real sleeper. I could see that one with a cheap LS swap (although you’d need to add some useful brakes too.)
I like both a lot, but I am scared of a non-running Pinz so I voted Studebaker. Maybe it wouldn’t be that hard to get running, but I wouldn’t know how to do it. It’s not like you can get a Chiltons for that at Autozone.
I have an old XJ and a ’53 Chevy 4 door, so these are both in my wheelhouse. However, having a worthless 50’s car and a good off-roader already, I guess I am set.
I respect that, but I voted the Pinz partly because it would be a fun project. Do I know what I’m doing? Nope, not a clue. But machines this old are usually simple. Make sure it has air, fuel, spark, and compression.
Wanted a Pinzgauer since I first read about them in Car and Driver back in the 70s. Don’t really have a need for one, but I’ll find one. Besides, that Lark looks like one of those pink dolphins from the Amazon, or something you’d roll a condom on.
Ah man! Today’s the day for the both option.
Forced to choose, I’ll take the Pinz. I like oddball 4x4s and I need something to get around my in-laws ranch.
I drove to work in my old, slow, loud truck this morning and enjoyed every inch. I’m here for the Pinzgauer. Like the Pinz, my truck will run on pretty much whatever pisswater swill you can pour into the tank. I don’t go for refinement and finish nearly as much as I appreciate flexible durability.
Weird? Clattery? Bring it. And with its generous load capacity, the Pinz can absolutely bring it, all of it, almost regardless of whatever terrain lies between the journey’s endpoints. I’ve been a fan of these things ever since I first heard of them, them and their half-pint cousins, the Haflinger.
Got a Pinz 712 (6×6) last Sept., and it puts a smile on face every time I see it.
Yeah, but what does it do to your hindquarters?
Makes them tingle 🙂
Tough one – I’d like both! I voted Pinzgauer since they’re so rare.
There was a Pinz 710M up on the “other” site yesterday. Oddly, I kinda like those things.
The Lark is running and looks well-kept. And I like pink. I hope someone can get the Pinz running and doing its thing, but that person would never be me. I’ll take the Lark.
I’ve been looking for a topless rig to hit the trails with my family. I’ll take the Pinzgauer.
Ah vill buy ze Pinzgauer und spend ze rest of mah life speaking like Ahnold.
Seriously though, how likely are you to find another one of these things this intact in the US? If you have a weird foreign military 4×4 itch to scratch it’s your lucky day.
You vill buy ze Pinzgauer und you vill regret NUSSINK!!!
The other car could have been a solid gold fountain of youth, and I would still take the Pinz. 4k non-running is not a problem. I think the Iron Duke is a solid upgrade (would have to check what people throw in there).
Dang.
4k.
I wonder what shipping is?…..
Duke is an appropriate choice. If you want big power, keep shopping; if you want surprising durability, sold. Especially if you can get a post-91 Tech IV with the TBI and the timing chain instead of the gears. They’re solid.
I had the same thought.
I have a relative in Austria with one of these pinzs that he restored and I rode in it. Apparently the engine you put in these is the 2.3 lima Ford engine. He told me that finding parts for the stock engine in hard to do and he works at Magna as a engineer.
I’m here for the Lark – Wouldn’t change a thing!
Of course I’d then have to find a matching Lark VIII convertible….
Anybody else wondering about the oddly specific price on the Lark? I voted for it because this dude clearly owes someone a very specific amount of money and if he doesn’t come up with that exact amount something bad’s gonna happen. Save the Lark guy. Buy the Lark.
Besides, the PinzGauer is haunted. It’s definitely haunted.
Pinz, A flattie Lark last of the 6V basic transpo cars is sort of appealing, but not that much. If I were to get a Stude it would definitely be one of the more aero looking version with a Stude V8 and if possible McCullough super charger.
Running vs non-running, I’ll take the Stud. I can figure out the 3 on the tree thing, I remember watching my grandpa in his Ford truck in the 70s & didn’t think anything of it until later. Worked at a dealership & remember a van came in with one & the porter had no idea how to shift it, service writer had to show him.
The other thing would interest a few 501st Legion friends but maybe not in the non–running status. Although one was a tank driver/mechanic, he might still like it.
My FIL bought his ’67 F100 new and still has it. The steering column shift collar got so worn that he was pretty much the only one that could drive it. Couple years back I found him a new one and we rebuilt it. It was funny because he was then the only one in the family that couldn’t drive it until he got used to it actually working as designed again…
I love ’em both, but that Pinz-Gauer seems like it could be a pretty good deal. If there’s nothing catastrophic wrong with it, and you could getnit running and driving, you could make a decent profit.
This one is almost too easy. Even though I’d prefer a VIII, I’d take the Lark.
Pinzgauers are useless unless you’re stepping away from your daily-driver half-track or Jeep MB. Slow, noisy and uncomfortable. The Lark will be slow, less noisy, but more comfortable.
I would guess Studebaker parts are still easier to find — and less expensive — than Puch parts.
However, a repaint would definitely be in the Stude’s near future. I am not Angelyne.
You’re not wrong.
However, while the Stude is enjoyable as-is, any money you put into it isn’t going to make it any more valuable.
A few (okay, probably more than a few) bucks spent getting the Pinz-Gauer going, and it’s worth a lot more.
True. But as someone who has poured more money into various cars than they were worth, that’s how I roll.
Agree!
I have a boring daily already. I wanna take the Pinz on all the trails and low speed backs roads with the top off.
I, too, have a boring daily.
By comparison, the Lark is a trembling blob of sheer excitement!
I have seen a few pinz’s at the off road parks. Wow they can wheel. I keep looking at them online. a hard top one would be a bit more rain proof but still this one has my vote.