Steyr Type II (Waffenauto) History

Banned from making weapons by the Treaty of St. Germain (1919), the Österreichische Waffenfabriks-Gesellschaft turned to automobiles under chief engineer Hans Ledwinka. The resulting Type II — nicknamed the 'Waffenauto' ('weapons car') on account of its military origins — debuted in 1920 as a substantial six-cylinder touring car.

The 3.3-litre single-overhead-camshaft engine produced 40 hp, using aerodynamically angled valves that reflected Ledwinka's advanced engineering philosophy. The car was heavy and expensive but robustly built, establishing Steyr's reputation for quality. Approximately 2,150 were produced between 1920 and 1924.