Ex-Fire Truck Unimog 404 Has a Half Century of Really Neat History
With just under 25,000 miles under its belt, this old Unimog has plenty of life left in it.
Unimogs may be ubiquitous in other parts of the world, but seeing one in the United States is quite impressive. This 1965 Mercedes-Benz Unimog 404 currently resides in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and we imagine it could tell some stories.
While cars can’t talk, the ad for the car gives us some clues as to how it’s survived for over a half century relatively unscathed. Incredibly, this Unimog started life as a fire truck.
After its retirement from firefighting duty, the steel equipment box was removed from the rear. In its place, a previous owner fitted a steel flatbed. The passenger compartment behind the cabin was retained, however.
We’ve seen other, similar Unimogs converted into campers. Given that this one still has plenty of room inside, we’d be happy with the additional cargo capacity of a flat bed. It offers the best of both worlds.
Besides, this is, after all, a one-and-a-half-ton truck. We’d expect it to earn its keep hauling parts and towing home wayward project cars.
Another interesting -and potentially useful – feature of this Unimog is its onboard air compressor, which is driven by the engine. This Unimog could be the ultimate support vehicle for your Mercedes-Benz weekend race car.
According to the ad, this Unimog has covered a mere 40,191 kilometers – that’s just under 25,000 miles. That’s an impressively low figure for any vehicle this age, let alone a Unimog. It helps to explain, though, why this truck looks so good for its age. At 54 years old, it looks no worse for wear than your average 15-year-old economy hatchback.
Also surprising is its drivetrain. No diesel here, just the tried-and-true M180 inline six-cylinder also found in the classic W180 and W105 sedans. That durable inline six is connected to a fixe speed manual, and send power, naturally, through all four wheels. No surprises there.
At just $19,000, this classic Mercedes-Benz Unimog 404 has us considering a trip to the Rockies. While it’s merely a pipe dream, it’s entertaining to think of all the uses we’d have for one of these. What would you do with your very own Mercedes-Benz Unimog? Let us know in the comments section below or in our forums!
Photos: Vintage Car Collector
Join the MB World forums now!
