These days, we tend to associate the name “Sprinter” with some of the most desirable camper vans on the marketplace. Especially over the last few years, camper vans have exploded in popularity, and they’re not exactly cheap. The Sprinter brand is marketed by Mercedes-Benz in the United States and tends to have the perception of being more upscale than other camper conversions. This listing here on Artcurial for a 1977 Mercedes-Benz 508D camper conversion by the French company Notin shows that upscale German campers are nothing new, and this rare R/V will go up for auction at Retromobile with no reserve.
The rise in popularity of campers and motorhomes can be attributed to a variety of factors, such as the desire to have freedom of movement after two years of restriction; the re-definition of the retirement lifestyle, with more retirees seeking the ability to be mobile in their golden years; and sadly, the “influencer” lifestyle, which makes people think they can create a YouTube channel about their open-road lifestyle and make millions. Whatever the motivation, there’s nothing wrong with combining a newfound love in combining transportation with adventure. This Mercedes was owned by the original caretaker until 2018 with under 60,000 kilometers on the clock.
According to the listing, the company that converted the Mercedes 508D had a unique style that’s on full display here. Wooden shutters and lots of skylights create a cozy and bright interior. The wood paneling is nothing like we see in a typical 80s domestic product, where the wood paneling is often just a laminate product that peels off over time. The materials shown here look quite nice, and the fact that they have survived in such fine condition all these years later is a testament to the long-term owners. The skylights are said to have an orange tint that contributes to the warm colors inside the living quarters.
The upholstery is in outstanding condition and is certainly period-correct for a vehicle converted to motorhome specs in the 1970s. The listing includes a curious detail that the Mercedes is equipped with a reverse camera, which I don’t believe is a modern radio/camera combo; it sounds as if it’s a device installed when the Mercedes was either new or quite young. I’d love to know more about this feature, as it suggests there was a company installing this technology years before the reverse camera became standard equipment. The Mercedes is said to come with extensive documentation, right down to an instruction manual for operating the toilets. This has to be one of the most original Notin conversions left, and I’d love to spend a night under the stars in it.
They were putting in backup cams when this was built. Usually wired to a 5” black and white crt mounted in the dash.
The first pic looks like a bad photoshop
I’d get locked in the bathroom because of my inability to read the French instruction label. I’d have to call AAA (Triple A) for lock out service! lol
Nice Rig though!
Awesome looking Euro Camper. I’ve seen a few Mercedes-Benz vans here in the USA over the years, but for some reason no campers. It wasn’t until the Sprinter came along that we saw Mercedes-based campers. Although I don’t see myself ever living full-time in a motorhome, I could live in something like this. Although I don’t see a price listed, given its condition and rarity here in the USA, I’d bet that it’s around $US20,000, maybe more, maybe less. I don’t know.
I’ll bet it will bring substantially more than that.
I’ll bet it will, particularly given its condition.
Estimate is 10-20,000 euros.
Very nice for a 1977 vehicle, but then I reckon you would expect that from Mercedes and Notin.
In the UK modern sprinters have a bad reputation for rusting!
I remember seeing a 1970s Mercedes-Benz (pre-Sprinter) van not far from where I live. I would’ve liked to have gotten a chance to meet with the owner of the Benz van.