Vehicle Description
Mercedes-Benz has had a long history of building trucks and
commercial vehicles; in fact, it is the company founder Gottlieb
Daimler who is credited with creating the very first motorized
truck in 1886 - a cart with a 4hp twin-cylinder petrol engine. He
found swift success and would soon expand his offerings with 10, 8
and 6 horsepower versions that could carry upwards of 11,000 pounds
and cementing the horseless carriage's importance within industry.
Prior to Daimler's merger with Karl Benz in 1926, both firms had
ventured into diesel truck production, which carried over once the
two merged and Mercedes-Benz was born. They continued to be
pioneers in the industry with the first diesel powered light truck
in 1932 and a whole series of medium and heavy duty trucks
following through to the outbreak of WWII. In the mid -1950s,
Mercedes commercial vehicle lineup included large trucks and buses,
as well as small, city-type delivery vehicles. Medium duty trucks
such as the Opel Blitz were selling well and Mercedes Benz wanted
in on the action. The L 319 and its bus counterpart the O 319
debuted in 1955 to take on the middle-weight market. It featured a
front engine "forward control" arrangement with a large glasshouse
and pleasing styling. An array of bodies were available, from
delivery vans to flatbeds to small buses. The stylish and versatile
L/O 319 proved a great success for Mercedes and established them as
leaders in the medium duty truck market. Today's collectors have
fallen for the charming good looks and impressive quality, and the
compact size makes them very versatile for regular use. As a
result, values continue to be on the rise. This truly remarkable
1960 O 319 bus has been fully restored to a high standard and
extensively yet subtly modified into a camper capable of roaming
virtually anywhere a road will take you. The previous owner and
builder was an eccentric and reclusive individual who utilized his
tremendous skills to painstakingly restore and enhance this unique
Mercedes Benz over a period of 15 years. It is quite like nothing
we have ever encountered and it has been a thrill to discover the
meticulous level of detail he imparted in this project. As you
approach this O 319, you first see a beautifully restored but
standard body with exceptionally straight panels, all original
bright work and fine detailing. The doors and deck lids fit with
factory precision and all shut with that signature Mercedes-Benz
solidity that one might not expect from something that started life
as a commercial vehicle. The blue over gray paint scheme is done in
factory colors, and is beautifully finished to a very high standard
over excellent bodywork. It wears a set of rare and attractive
factory wheel covers and is fitted with a factory dual-rear wheel
setup. As delightful as this bus appears from up top, it is the
work under the skin that has truly blown us away. The chassis has
been fully reworked with a modern air-ride suspension system
adapted to the both the front and rear (the standard rear axle
remains). The entire system has been meticulously installed with
precise plumbing and expertly run wiring. Details such as the
custom made stainless steel loom clamps for wiring and plumbing are
astounding. Beyond the air ride suspension system, the electrics
have been fully upgraded with a full circuit breaker system on a
centralized control panel and even a drop-down service panel below
the bus that can accommodate virtually any power plug in the world,
should you find a campground with power on your global adventure.
Every control, cubby and compartment inside and out is wired with a
micro-switch to illuminate when opened. The aviation-quality
electrical panels and controls are beautifully backlit in green for
easy reading regardless of conditions. Propane and water tanks are
located underneath the body as well, seamlessly integrated along
the frame rails and installed with the precise touch of a gifted
engineer. Power comes from a modern Mercedes Benz engine mated to
an automatic transmission. A Gear Vendor overdrive unit backs the
transmission and ensures comfortable and efficient highway
cruising. As with everything else, the drivetrain installation is
superb, with fastidiously run wiring and plumbing giving an
appearance that is better than factory original. The electrical
system has been thoughtfully upgraded to handle the additional load
of the accessories, and the addition of an oil cooler keeps
transmission temperatures in check. Modern model fuel injection
ensures reliable running in virtually all conditions, and an array
of remapped chips is included, presumably to accommodate high
altitudes or other extreme conditions. This level of detail and
forethought is simply astounding. Of course the cabin has been
thoroughly reworked and it features modern, leather covered seats
up front and a comfortable berth in the rear for sleeping. Gray
carpeting is in excellent condition and expertly bound along the
edges with wood trim. A standard O 319 instrument panel has been
enhanced with additional back lighting, and many of the upgraded
electrics are operated through original Mercedes Benz switchgear.
Behind the driver, a custom-made cabinet houses the sink, propane
stove and storage for dishes and sundries. Aforementioned water and
propane tanks are mounted below the floor. Dual audio systems are
beautifully integrated into the front and rear, hidden within
custom made cabinets. Even the trunk features a custom made drawer
which houses a myriad of spares for virtually any emergency. The
builder cleverly integrated a stowable solar panel for when you're
properly off the grid! While we know little about the previous
owner, we understand he was an eccentric computer engineer based in
California. However, his personality speaks clearly through his
exquisite workmanship and his meticulous attention to detail. We
understand it took him over 15 years to build this remarkable
machine and we are honored to offer it to its next keeper. It is
thoroughly sorted and ready for adventure virtually anywhere the
road will take you and includes a massive stock of spares and
literature. Well and truly, there is not another vehicle quite like
this O 319 on earth.