While Mercedes-Benz’s Sprinter and Unimog modelshave become a common sight wherever there is work to be done across the globe, the Stuttgart marque did not emerge from the post-war period with a new commercial vehicle design. In 1955, however, the L 319 and its companion bus, the O 319, were introduced at the Frankfurt International Motor Show in Germany. Built on a ladder frame with a cab-over-engine design, the sturdy vehicle offered up to two tonnes of payload capacity and was powered by an inline four-cylinder engine in either diesel or petrol configuration.

The suspension featured rigid front and rear axles with leaf springs and telescopic shock absorbers. In order to handle the heavy loads, the rear end was supplemented with coil springs. A variety of body styles were offered on various wheelbase options including pickups, panel vans, flatbeds, and multi-row people movers with side-roof windows. The exterior design of these vehicles all featured a friendly rounded shape with a snub nose, wide set headlamps, and a large longitudinal grille with a prominent Three-Pointed Star in the centre.

The L 319 on offer, a 1964 flatbed truck, is a wonderful example of this German workhorse. The truck was the recipient of a restoration completed in 2019, featuring many new parts made by hand due to the rarity of genuine components, while using original parts wherever possible. This Mercedes-Benz is presented in a bright blue exterior colour. The more powerful iteration of the OM 621 diesel four-cylinder engine lies under the bonnet of this truck and provides 55 horsepower to the rear axle through a four-speed gearbox. Invoices on file list the expenses undertaken during this project and additional work orders going back to 1999 are available to view. This L 319 is additionally documented by a copy of the Data Card.

The perfect truck for anyone aiming to complete a comprehensive collection of Mercedes-Benz vehicles or getting work done in style, this Mercedes-Benz L 319 Pickup would be a worthy addition to any garage.