"If it has TÜV, you can buy it without any problems."
Uli Schmidinger / Allradwerk

I know nothing about old cars. That's why the statement of my restoration partner Uli from Salzburg is the only reassurance.

Uli has already inspected a fire brigade Pinzgauer for me and he did that very precise. I only know Uli from the phone, but the appraisal was very comprehensive and that definitely built trust.

Amélie and I arrive by train and are met at the station by the owner's wife.

Then we arrive at the property of the owner. There is the Pinzgauer. It looks quite rusty, there will be a lot of work to do. I had only seen the following pictures on ebay.

After a brief chat, we are invited to take a test drive in the owner's forest. The Pinzgauer is loud! But I was forewarned. In the forest, I'm allowed to drive myself for the first time. Amélie sits in the back and probably thinks to herself. I drive all the way back, shifting gears is not easy, second and fourth gear get mixed up and the brakes - I actually pressed the brakes, didn't I?

It's a crazy car and the planned electrification is probably even crazier. I don't know of anyone who has ever done this satisfactorily. I've seen a few beginnings of a conversion on YouTube, but honestly no final version with an honest summary. Hannes Reinisch seems to have made the most progress with his project "ECARUS" (https://www.projectecarus.com). What's the point: "No risk, no fun." I pay for the Pinzgauer and Amélie and I make our way home to Munich.

The previous owner recommended driving a maximum of 80. I stick to that. I only realize at home that we are only going 60 - the speedometer needle has a small delta. It certainly felt like 80, more like 100.

As we turn onto the Mittlerer Ring, two young men see us and smile at us with their thumbs up. Amélie is embarrassed. She's at an age where it's better not to attract attention. That's difficult with this car. But I'll only find out in the course of time. I never expected the impressions to be so positive. But more about that elsewhere.

For now, it's parked. Right next to the Isar. The Pinzgauer has a new home.