Benz Camper??? what is this beast?

[Fredmburgess]

Greetings all,

I don't mean this in a bad way, but this is about the ugliest vehicle I've ever met. So, of course, I bought it and brought it home! I assume someone in here knows what this is. I can see that it's a Mercedes Benz vehicle with a camper conversion...but that's about all! Any history, experience, desire to give it a home (my wife isn't home yet and will NOT be amused to find it in the driveway...but that's part of the fun!)

***Ok, so I'm too dumb to know how to post a photo. Email me and I'll send you some. *** Can someone tell me how to post the photos with a link - I could use a little computer help! Thanks, FMB

Fred Burgess
(fredmburgess@aol.com)
'84 300D turbo (until Aaron comes to get it)
Assorted VW's
BMW-R1100RT (yeehah!)

[cth350]

It's one of the euro-only things. They're out there. Tell me the model year, model & engine number as best you can and I can point you in a direction. Several guys in Australia on the vet's list have them.

-CTH

[Fredmburgess]

Thanks! I haven't actually got the thing home yet, don't even know the year yet, but, plate in engine compartment identifies it as a type 409, model 28+. I had heard that it was a European model and that there were only 10 or so imported. Looks like mid 60's. I can send you a picture if it helps!

Thanks! F

[cth350]

Just taking a wild stab (by checking a euro model xreference book), your "409" is either a 309 chassis or a 611 chassis. (or a 601 chassis). The engine would be an M115 (4 cylinder gas) or a 617 (4 cylinder deisel). Either of those are early-mid 70s.


Visit http://www.mbspares.com.au and send a message to John Green. He will know far more about this camper than me.

-CTH

[cth350]

David, Know anybody with a 409 camper ? A fellow on www.peachparts.com just got one and is looking for info. -CTH

Hi Charles,

No, I can't say I do. But isn't the main difference in the "Big Boys", the GVW? Aren't the old 309, 409, 509 & 609 basically the same? Springs & wheelbases vary according to rating (3 ton, 4 ton, etc.), but they all use dual rear wheels, and the MB Truck diesels. 4.0 Liter 4-cyl (90 Hp, hence the last number in the descriptor), and much later the 6 Liter 6-cyl?

I believe that it is only when you drop down into the light "Transporter" series (like mine) that there is tremendous variability, depending upon age: front wheel drive; rear wheel drive, 4 engines, 4 & 5 cyl MB diesels, 4 cyl Austin Gas, MB 4-cyl gas; 4 or 5 speed transmissions; two wheelbases; 2 van heights; side sliding door, no door; windows any way you want; single or dual rear wheels; van or P/U, std. cab, cab & a half, double cab. And in the later years, you could even get them with 4-wheel drive. Dizzying array. And it gets worse with the latest MB/Freightliner "Sprinter".

Now, once upon a time, MB sold the 508 in this country to UPS. And, some manuals were printed in English and were (said to be) available thru MB-USA in NJ at reasonable (closeout) prices. Worth a shot if they are still in stock.

Tell the buyer that they are a world-class truck ... he can probably get parts easily on every other continent on the globe. If he has the misfortune to own it here ... well, we all pay a price for technical excellence. It is good that it is a camper ... when it stumbles in Idaho he will have some place to stay for a couple of weeks while he is waiting for parts to be shipped in-country. The good news is it will probably last forever ... the bad news is that with the normal gearing, the top speed is in the 50-55 mph range, and getting anywhere will take that long. He can expect to be passed by VW bugs (going up-hill), and probably by UNIMOGS, which are not renowned for their highway cruising capability. Every trucker you encounter will salute your presence with air-horn fanfares, and tell you he thinks your ride is "Number 1", in their own special sign language. But there isn't a 10-speed (bicycle) made that won't disappear in his rear-view mirror. You'll know when it is running ... I recommend a CD player and headphones for normal around-town work; highway cruising is best endured with aspirin and ear plugs!

Keep well, and happy motoring,

Dave Borden d_borden@msn.com

years ago, but the basic chassis was one of those being assembled right here in Hampton, VA in the early '80s -- James City County, Virginia even bought a number of the bus versions for the public transportation system then.

[kerry]

If you go to this site, www.campersite.nl you'll see a lot of these type of campers for sale. You can also find them at www.mobile.de Some are home built, some are commercial. There are a lot more homebuilt motorhomes in Europe. I own a 1984 Mercedes 307d motorhome in the UK. 616 4 cyl engine with a 5 spd. Top speed on motorway around 62-65mph.

[kelf]

Hi all,

I ended up purchasing that creature - and Fred's right about the looks... maybe it's an acquired taste. (Here's a sample picture -
http://www.mb319.de/bilder/original/25.425x314.jpg )

It appears to be an O319 bus, year 1966. VIN is 31905310005492. The engine # looks like M121.941 . I've seen mention of an M121.940, made at the same time - would this be the same engine? I'm thinking it might be easier to hunt for car parts than bus parts.

Believe it or not, my girlfriend grew up with this camper. Her family had it for 22 years and put 150,000 miles on it all over the US & Canada & Mexico. They sold it about 6 years ago to someone who also cruised around the US in it. Unfortunately it's been sitting for about 5 years, and has taken a lot of water through the poptop and skylights, so much of the camper woodwork is ruined. Heavy body rust, doesn't run, no brakes - feels like a major project coming on.

Also believe it or not - it's been based within about a 20-mile radius for its entire life. The original owners purchased it new & had VW outfit it for the camper, and they lived about 10 miles from me.

I found the 319er Club -

http://home.knuut.de/319erufi/319erclub.html

and another great site - http://www.mb319.de

but does anyone know of any owners (or experts) a little closer to home?

Kelly Williams
Mount Joy, PA

[cth350]

Same basic 4 cylinder M121 motor as the passenger car. A few minor differences (thus the different 6th digit). I couldn't tell you what they are without looking at the parts fiche here.

-CTH

[Fredmburgess]

Great, so the brave little toaster found the perfect home! Just so someone saves the darn thing - too ugly to let it just rot! But, Kelly, you didn't say how much you paid! She wanted $1000 when I talked to her and it fell through after that (ok, and because it's too big to hide in my garage or yard!). Good luck with it! Fred

[skalie]

There's a bunch of germans who run a Yahoo Group called Hanomag/Mercedes.

They specialise in front wheel driven, but they will answer questions about any old time Mercedes buses pretty readily and in English.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hanomagmercedes/

They'd probably be willing to post over a few hard to get parts if need be.

[kerry]

Fred:
If you still want one, here you go:
http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1730088299

[kelf]

Here's the creature itself... (if my picture attachment works - the "Preview Reply" isn't previewing for me)

[kelf]

Well... the only good news is that I've confirmed that the starter solenoid is operational. But... when we removed the radiator, clear water came out... When we put a breaker bar on the crank, the engine is frozen solid... When we pulled the oil pan drain plug, a whole lot of water came out, followed by a lot of horridly gloppy black stuff and a little oil.

Cracked block, maybe?

Now I'm wondering if there's any other MB 4cyl that will bolt into this one's place - it's the same as a 190 engine, I think - an M121. Has anyone ever swapped anything into a 190 or a 200?

[cth350]

You can drop any 4-cylinder motor into it, even an M102. For all motors other than than a 102, you can keep the same 4-speed.

Your most outrageous choice is a 230E from a parts car.

-CTH