History 1960s

1962 Austrian Alpine Rally (Österreichische Alpenfahrt)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 1962 Austrian Alpine Rally (Österreichische Alpenfahrt)

Date: August 1962

Start/Finish Location: Salzburg, Austria

Total Distance: Approximately 1,900 kilometers

Total Entries: 54 crews

Total Starters: 49 crews

Total Finishers: 28 crews

As one of the most legendary and historic Alpine rallies, the 1962 Alpenfahrt pushed competitors through the Austrian Alps on loose gravel, narrow tarmac, and rugged mule tracks. It was a punishing test of both driving discipline and mechanical resilience, especially in the face of altitude swings and frequent summer storms.

Route

Grossglockner High Alpine Road: A famous pass with hairpins, steep climbs, and unpredictable weather, often shrouded in mist or hit by hail.
Nockalmstrasse: A winding sequence of forested gravel climbs and narrow descents lined with drop-offs and no guardrails.
Carinthian Stages: Mixed-surface roads with technical transitions from gravel to patched tarmac mid-corner.

The route passed through the heart of the Austrian Alps, from Salzburg across the Hohe Tauern, through Carinthia and the Styrian highlands:

Roadbooks demanded split-second navigation across borderless terrain, where one missed junction could destroy a rally lead.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Eugen Böhringer & Hermann Eger · Mercedes-Benz 220 SE
2nd Place
Walter Schock & Rolf Moll · DKW Junior de Luxe
3rd Place
Gerhard Mitter & Hans-Peter König · BMW 700 Sport

Böhringer’s mastery of gravel and high-altitude navigation delivered a commanding win. His heavy but robust Mercedes 220 SE handled the punishment of Alpine roads, while Mitter’s BMW showed remarkable agility through the tightest sections. DKW’s lightweight traction gave Schock consistency in the steepest climbs.

Navigation & Challenges

Crews were pushed to the brink by weather, terrain, and unforgiving time constraints:

  • Mountain Weather: Rain, hail, and sun all occurred within the same day, forcing constant tire pressure and brake adjustments.
  • Altitude Changes: Carburetor performance suffered, and brakes overheated regularly on long descents.
  • Night Stages: Fog-shrouded peaks and steep cliffs made night driving hazardous, with minimal margin for error.

The 1962 Österreichische Alpenfahrt remained one of the toughest tests in pre-WRC rallying — a raw, majestic, and relentless Alpine crucible.

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