Mercedes Truck
- Thread starter just eric
- Start date
I think that's a Mercedes Transporter 2 (T2) van, which was made from the early 1980s to mid 1990s. I'm guessing it's an early 1980s unit, more than 25 years old, so it could be imported without needing to meet USA safety and emissions standards.
The T2 was a heavy work vehicle, sort of like the big UPS delivery vans today. It was possible to order the T2 as a cab and chassis with a variety of wheelbase lengths, and then add a custom body to meet special needs. The T2 was briefly imported to USA in the 1980s, outfitted as a small bus. The T2 was renamed the Vario in 1996, and updated in small ways. The Vario is still manufactured today.
The T2 and Vario have been in service around the world for 30 years. That means that there will be spare parts and mechanics familiar with the vehicle just about everywhere you might go.
Here's a link to photos of the Vario
http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&um=1&sa=1&q=mercedes+vario&aq=f&oq=&aqi=&start=0
and of the T2 van
http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&um=1&sa=1&q=mercedes+t2&aq=f&oq=&aqi=&start=0
The T2 was a heavy work vehicle, sort of like the big UPS delivery vans today. It was possible to order the T2 as a cab and chassis with a variety of wheelbase lengths, and then add a custom body to meet special needs. The T2 was briefly imported to USA in the 1980s, outfitted as a small bus. The T2 was renamed the Vario in 1996, and updated in small ways. The Vario is still manufactured today.
The T2 and Vario have been in service around the world for 30 years. That means that there will be spare parts and mechanics familiar with the vehicle just about everywhere you might go.
Here's a link to photos of the Vario
http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&um=1&sa=1&q=mercedes+vario&aq=f&oq=&aqi=&start=0
and of the T2 van
http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&um=1&sa=1&q=mercedes+t2&aq=f&oq=&aqi=&start=0
Martyn
Supporting Sponsor, Overland Certified OC0018
"Feuerwehr" was lost in translation over here.
Feuerwehr - Fire brigade or Fire Department
egn
Adventurer
I agree that it is either a T2 or a Vario (Duesseldorfer). The larger Models 814 and 815 could have a GVW of up to 7.500 kg, and empty weight only about 3.500 kg. There was even an 4x4 version available (815DA). Before I decided to take a real truck, I had a serious look into it. I know a lot of people that have converted such vehicles to a mobile home. They some time they were cheap to get because to the Deutsche Post changed to other models.
mhiscox
Exp. Leader Emeritus
The book I recommend to people planning a van conversion, John Speed's Travel Vans, centers around the conversion of his 4x4 Vario into a highly-capable overlander. (http://www.travelvans.co.uk)