This is an unusual find in the world of Unimogs, as we typically see the later models pop up for sale. The seller calls this a 411 model, which would make it an updated version of the 401/402, if I have my model years correct. Low on power but high on utility, the legendary off-road capabilities were still evident in this early example. The seller claims it underwent a significant renovation but has been sitting for years, seemingly keeping company with a 993-series Porsche 911. Find it here on eBay with bidding over $4K and the reserve unmet.
The listing is in German, largely because the Unimog resides in Hebertsfelden, Germany at the moment. The interior shows incredibly well, as does the entire chassis and body of this ‘Mog. These were crude vehicles in terms of driving style but still retained a polished interior despite being intended for military use. Fully sycnromesh gearboxes didn’t come along until the early 60s, so driving one certainly required some level of skill (in this author’s opinion, who is still grappling with driving a column shift with some level of finesse). The interior is bare-bones but nicely preserved.
The seller’s description seems to indicate the Unimog was professionally restored at the hands of the Unimog Training Workshop, which “…erased all signs of previous use.” Thanks to the wonders of Google Translate, we can also learn the following: “Professionally mothballed since the mid-90s, suspension relieved, annual oil change with function control, completely original, lateral drive belt drive with disc.” The undercarraige is impressively clean, and this Unimog has clearly not been off-road in some time.
The green paint with red accent touches is a pleasing combo, and the ‘Mog would be ideally suited for a Christmas card with a winter background. The periodic use mentioned in the listing should put aside any concerns that the vehicle has seen too little activity, rarely a concern for a truck so widely praised for its go-anywhere abilities. While it may not be a logical purchase for a U.S.-based customer, the early models are far rarer to find so it may catch the eye of a Unimog enthusiast. Would you ship it home?
I had a chance to play around with a 1995 mog the company was using it as an experimental platform for an advanced suspension they were developing. It was my job to pull out the old coil suspension and refit the experimental suspension this took place about ten years ago now and I have no idea where the truck ended up, somewhere across the boarder in the US. that thing was an amazing truck from offset axles for more ground clearance to a transmission with 6 or 8 forward gears and the same in reverse. 6 cyl inline diesel the thing was a beast it was not cheap either $100k for a 12 year old truck. We had to also put a sliding counter weight on the back so the suspension could be tested under different load situations. This truck is a bargain at this price.
This is a nice rig! Definitely not a power house. Probably a 190 diesel (or a 180) under that hood that barely puts out enough power to turn the generator. It will get you going at the breakneck speed of 45 mph Imagine that! A vehicle that is slower than my ’49 Chevy!!! I knew a sheep rancher who ran a 1960 version. He put it through the mill and it kept on going (just like the Energizer bunny) until he rolled it. He kept using it as a Roadster-pickup-Unimog before he decided that he should park it and get something with a heater. We sold him a new GMC 3/4 ton 4×4 which he broke in two hauling big round bales of hay around (should’ve just moved one at a time). Shortly after the old rancher passed on, his kids sold the Unimog to a collector somewhere in the Intermountain region or further west.
Beautify America, leave it in Germany.
IMHO, there are a lot of vehicles littering the streets and highways over here that are better off back where they came from….
This is a rare opportunity, a Unimog predating the use of the MB star. And properly restored (your ref to the colour combination implies that there was a choice. This is all you could get).
I looked into all of this stuff a few years ago when I went to view a slightly older restoration project (a 411 as pictured. Didn´t buy). My take is that, at present, these are undervalued, in terms of rarity and recognition. But when so many people are paying such stupid money for Land Rovers of all ages, buying a Unimog could be a good bet.
Something in this condition will cost around 30,000€, so don´t think you´ll take it for $7000. Shipping costs wouldn´t be very different to a car Ro-Ro, and not different at all in a container. There can´t be many in USA.
Worked for Mercedes in the 70s and 80s. At the time, the Mogs were ideal in the palmetto scrub and the Everglades. Now I’m wondering what happened the Unimog that was in barn in Fickle, Indiana a few years ago?
AAHHH Unimog!!! This is a beautiful example of a model 411 this model was never used as a military vehicle since the Unimog was not invented until after WWII. The Unimog was invented to supply the German farmers with a means to get back into farming with a multi-purpose vehicle that would also serve them as transportation. The 411 had a 72 hp diesel 4 cylinder engine was capable of having a 3 point hitch on the rear along with a rear PTO, the axle width was chosen to match the preferred width of the potato rows at the time. This would develop from such modest a full line of some of the off road capable multi-purpose vehicles in the world! I have owned two so far and find them to be extremely capable and very very well built trucks. I don’t know what this truck ended selling for but in the US right now I would guess it would be low to mid 20K, it’s a beautiful piece of history!!