Make: | Mercedes-Benz |
Model: | Other |
SubModel: | Doka 416 |
Type: | Crew Cab Pickup |
Trim: | Doka |
Year: | 1980 |
Mileage: | 63,000 |
VIN: | 41614110028928 |
Color: | Silver |
Engine: | OM352 5.7 litres inline 6 diesel |
Cylinders: | 6 |
Fuel: | Diesel |
Transmission: | Manual |
Drive type: | 4WD |
Interior color: | Seats are black and red original seats are cloth and grey |
Drive side: | Left-hand drive |
Vehicle Title: | Clear |
Item location: | New Glarus, Wisconsin, United States |
The Mercedes-Benz Unimog is two parts truck and one part tractor, used throughout the world for some of the most demanding and unique jobs in some of the worst places, ranging from back hoe to the simple 3-way dump truck seen here. With legendary Mercedes-Benz build quality, grossly over-built mechanicals, and a function-over-form look that's completely industrial and totally cool, there's simply nothing else like it on the planet.
This is an ultra-rare long wheelbase late-production 1980 Unimog 416 DOKA with a crew cab, featuring the "round" cab popular with collectors and enthusiasts. There are less than a few dozen known in the US and surely no more than several hundred left in the world from this era and in this condition, so if you want the ultimate Unimog, this is probably it. It started its life in the service of the Belgian military and was imported to the US following its retirement in the early 2000s. It spent some time out west, including a stint at a winery in California, whose obviously owner wanted to have a vehicle he could use to transport guests all over his property, and there's nothing better suited to that task than a Unimog. For safety, it was comprehensively upgraded with all-new performance seating, including a 3-across bench in back with 4-point harnesses for all five passengers. A full roll cage was installed in the cab in case worse came to worst and a gigantic 24-volt Superwinch was installed on the nose, a unit stout enough to drag the Queen Elizabeth II out of her berth!
In short, this Unimog is the ultimate do-anything truck. Once you look at the incredible hardware under this Mercedes, you'll never look at off-roading tools the same way again. Fit and finish are, obviously, exemplary and the silver paint is right for a Mercedes-Benz of any kind and gives this one a somewhat sleek appearance, making it seem like much more than a rudimentary tool. All four doors fit well and it's obvious that every single component on the truck was built for maximum serviceability and ease of use. The hood lifts off for easy access to the diesel powerplant underneath, there are running boards and grab handles for (relatively) easy ingress, and there's nothing on this truck that wasn't designed for a purpose. The snorkel air cleaner allows the Unimog to slog through water more than three feet deep, the powerful auxiliary lights are like flamethrowers, and there are even accessory jerry cans for fuel and a set of on-board wheel chocks in their own spring-loaded carrier. You can see the brilliant Mercedes engineers at work in every single component, as nothing is merely "adequate" for its job.
Of note, this truck carries a 3-way dump bed, which is hydraulically actuated and can dump to either side or to the rear using a unique and insanely simple pin system and single telescoping hydraulic cylinder. The hydraulics are fully functional and in excellent order, a very rare find on any Unimog and usually an extra-cost thing with most sellers. It also features both mechanical and hydraulic power take-off units, meaning that there's a bewildering array of accessories available to transform this pickup truck into a tractor, a well-digger, or just about anything you can imagine. If you're already familiar with Unimogs, you know what I'm talking about, and if you're unfamiliar with these amazing machines, trust me, it's even cooler than you think it is. Experts will be relieved to see that the rocker boxes under the doors are solid, the doors themselves don't have any structural rust or damage, and even the frame of the dump bed has only light surface rust on some of the high-wear areas.