Mercedes-Benz has long been known for its commercial-division creations, but while its long-distance trucking rigs get plenty of exposure, its lineup of Expedition Trucks is less well known. This example for sale in Houston is certainly new to me, but it looks like a Unimog on steroids with room to take the whole family slogging over muddy trails. Find this 1975 example here on craigslist and listed for $20,000.
20 large is no small investment, but Mercedes utility vehicles are among some of the most long-lived vehicles on the road. In addition to the comfort features like this cooking range, tile backsplash and countertop, the L 911 4WD trucks also featured a locking differential (among other 4WD tricks) that enabled Mercedes to establish its reputation as a builder of go-anywhere vehicles that were used for unconventional tasks like oil exploration in Arabia in the 1960s.
Looking more like an apartment than a sleeping cabin aboard a short wheelbase R/V, this L-Series appears to be in good shape inside and out. The fact that the sleeping areas still wear bed linens either points to its use as true road warrior by the previous owner, or smart staging by the seller. Either way, it looks very accommodating and will certainly help potential buyers envision themselves exploring North America for months at a time with no need for a hotel room.
The bigger problem is: where do you park it? The roof height is a consideration for anyone with an HOA, or lack of outdoor parking. This generation of Mercedes trucks was known for its cab-after-engine design, which harkens back to German-market regulations on overall truck length. So while parking under a carport is likely out of the question, perhaps the stubby nose of the cab will actually fit in your driveway.
This is just too cool. Gut the living quarters and redo it to your taste but leave the outside as is.
My wife is a volunteer fire fighter, and they used to have a 911 as a fire engine when she started 15 years ago. They used to cart 5000 litres of water on one of these and it would go anywhere. It ran rings around the newer appliances, and gave absolutely no trouble of any description, which is pretty amazing when you consider the terrain that it covered. We’re talking wilderness areas and unmade tracks in country Tasmania.
you park it at walmart, duh.
seriously cool. cannot imagine the fuel costs to run it. probably as much as a hotel room and fuel for a new one.
#apocolypseworthy
I say hook a race car trailer to it then gut the inside and use it for storing tools and parts, then take it to local tracks and forget the gas mileage. You could leave the bed section alone for the weekend racing.
All the outlets inside are Euro standard – I believe this resided across the pond at some point.
Well, I guess if you want to take a 3-ton truck on a vacation….. I’ve tuned a few of these up and they’re somewhat cramped to work on although not completely impossible. Some of these had a single piece hood that tipped forward while others had a 2-piece hood with the top section that opened, alligator style, with the other piece tipping forward. If worse came to worse, you could remove the fenders, something akin to some of the older highway trucks built over here. No powerhouse and consequently no speed demon, but it will rattle and clatter everywhere you want to go…
Toilet right next to door. Perfect in case you are in danger of be overcome by toxic fumes. Looks like a rugged vehicle.
I would suggest updating the interior to modern features. Outside original, but inside flat screens, granite, etc. You can’t overload them. Literally.
Nice shot.
Many wants, many, many wants. Buy, load up, disconnect phone, disappear for months at a time. Baja California here we come!
Yes… I want…
In my foolish youth I lusted after Unimogs. While quite capable ones of this vintage often topped out at about 45 mph. I suspect this would have similar performance. Very cool to have however.
This is HUGE!!!!! Would work great for going on 4WD trails in Colorado!