Back to Home Page
Well if your not interested in Haflingers (or at least unique vehicles or 4WD's) then the rest of this page might get a bit boring, because from here on in we trace the development from it's beginning to the end of production in the mid 70'sAfter production of the Haflinger finished enthusiasm for the vehicle grew to such a degree that today they are eagerly sought out.
If you are, then read on and enjoy, and feel free to email me with any queries you may have.
Production of the Haflinger began at the Steyr Daimler Puch plant in Graz, Austria in 1958.
The Haflinger chassis was "radical" in relation to other 4WD chassis's of the time and even today it is still considered "unique".
The Haflinger was designed by Erich Ledwinka (Senior Designer at SDP), who was the son of Hans Ledwinka the famous engineer who introduced many of the revolutionary pre-war automotive designs.
The chassis has a number of interesting design characteristics that give the vehicle it's outstanding off road performance and durability.
The central tubular backbone is bolted directly between the front differential and the integrated gearbox and rear differential or "transaxle".
The wheels are independently sprung via coil springs with rubber "inners" and hub reduction gearing is fitted on all axles to provide exceptional ground clearance given the small wheel diameter.
Here you see an early prototype undergoing trials.
The basic design concept of the body and additional componentry is reminiscent of the later production version, but the shape and profile is yet to be revised into the form all Haflinger aficionado's know and love.
One interesting feature of this model, that was dropped in later versions, was that the spare tyre was situated just forward of the front seat passengers legs.
Additionally you can see the design of the fuel tank and side rails are different to that of production versions.
The first production Haflingers were built in 1958 (although only 8 were produced) . All were powered by 24hp motors and had 4 speed gearboxes.
Early model Haflingers had the fuel tank situated on the right had side of the vehicle just in front of the rear tyre.
A long wheelbase (LWB) version of the Haflinger was introduced in 1962 and was called the 703.
This vehicle is basically identical to the standard 700 Haflinger, except that the wheelbase was increased by 300mm (12inches) to give the vehicle a wheelbase of 1800mm (71 inches).
I understand the vehicle was partially introduced to cater for the required demand for additional load space area, as was needed when the vehicle was used in fire fighting roles etc as per the picture.
In 1963 the standard 4 speed Haflinger gearbox was replaced by a 5 speed unit.
1963 also saw the introduction of the Haflinger into AUSTRALIA, the initial units been imported by Anti Friction Bearings, a Melbourne based company.
In 1965 the Haflinger was fitted with a more efficient air filtration system.
It is understood that this was partially in response to some Australian fears that the fine "bulldust" in the Orange area of NSW was causing premature engine wear.
An external MANN cyclone filter was added to the front of the vehicle, which fed air to the rear via a rigid metal pipe.
Next, an oil bath filter (located inside the rear engine compartment) removed the majority of the contaminants. A standard style "disposable paper filter element" completed the three stage filtration system.
Although nothing "radical" happened in 1966 as far as the Austrian manufacturer was concerned, it proved to be an important year for the Haflinger in Australia.
Firstly sales of the vehicle had proven so successful in previous years that local assembly could now be justified.
Limited production (basically assembly of CKD kits) and fitting of some Australian manufactured componentry such as fibreglass door and tops etc began at Haflinger Sales and Service in Springvale, Victoria.
(In later years....late 70's, I remember regularly walking into that front office, in the top right of the picture, to buy my Haflinger parts)
Additionally in 1966 two other important things happened for the Australian importer.
50 units (of the type shown) were sold to the Australian Army.
In 1967 a more powerful motor was fitted in the Haflinger.
Although the capacity, bore and stroke remained unchanged, a increased compression ratio, a new double barrel carburettor and a revised exhaust system increased the motor output by approximately 20%.
After 1967, the design of the Haflinger remained fairly static. Minor improvement on late model units included revised bracketry (the seat bracket mounts for example were pressed into the body platform rather than welded on as previously happened) and other minor changes such as the introduction of a spin on oil filter in place of the paper cartridge were implemented.
Here you see a late model US specification Haflinger.
The specifications of this vehicle are fairly similar to other late model Haflingers and the major changes are really restricted to the lighting systems (eg headlights, tail-lights, indicators etc)
This is one of a number imported in Australia in the final months of the vehicles production.
Barry Jones (the Australian importer) managed to "sidetrack" a number of vehicles originally bound for the US to Australia.
This "last batch" somewhat delayed the final demise of the sale of new Haflingers in Australia, but the end was near, and Haflinger Sales and Service ceased production of the vehicle in 1975.
The demise of the Haflinger came in 1975.
The real reasons for terminating production remain somewhat clouded, but there is no disputing that the Haflinger in its original form would have required several modifications to meet new vehicle design and emission standards that Government instrumentalities around the world were implementing.
The factory had plans to "re-engine" and modify the "existing" Haflinger design, but problems arose with the driveline and brakes, and so a completely new model was called for.
Development began on a new vehicle called the "H2" (Haflinger 2), but the initial designs and concepts were redesigned when Mercedes became involved in the project, and it developed into what we now know as the G-Wagen.
16,647 Haflingers were made.
