By the mid-1950s (after only a small number of “Steyr 380” trucks) the “480” was the first Austrian-manufactured truck introduced to the Army after WW2. The 90 HP from its robust inline 4-cylinder “WD413” diesel engine represented the average engine power for medium-sized trucks at the time.
The Steyr 680 was the backbone of Austrian Army motorization for four decades. First prototypes entered trials as early as 1963, introduction of the vehicle as standard 4x4 and 6x6 truck started in 1967. Many generations of army drivers grew up with this truck.
Production of the fully amphibious high-mobility BV 202 commenced in 1964 at Bolinder-Munktell (a subsidiary of the Swedish Volvo group). The vehicle was intended as a troop and supplies carrier in snowy and swampy regions, a requirement at which it excelled with its four driven tracks, articulated design and low ground pressure.
Our vehicle is from the earlier version, and it regularly participates in exhibitions during the Austrian National Day on October 26 downtown Vienna.In the early 1950s the Soviet Army introduced the first generation of new artillery tractors – the AT-S. It provided good off-road capabilities and – for its era – adequate speed when towing heavy artillery pieces or radar stations.
By the mid-1960s, as a result of high-level negotiations between Austria and France 150 French Berliet trucks were delivered to the Austrian Army as compensation for lumber exports. They were intended as replacement for the aging Gräf & Stift trucks, since they were imported and type-certified via the Gräf & Stift organization they were sometimes even referred to as “Gräf & Stift” as well.
