Complete Description
- Unique bodywork
- High-quality restoration, over €40,000 in invoices
- Petrol version
- No reserve
Introduced at the 1955 Frankfurt Motor Show, the L319 complemented the Mercedes-Benz range of light commercial vehicles from 1 to 2 tonnes. It was available with a petrol or diesel engine, as well as a wide choice of factory-fitted bodywork, but could also be supplied as a chassis.This was the case with our example, which was fitted with a superb bodywork featuring six lateral doors (including a double door at the back) built by Carl Metz GmbH in Karlsruhe.
It was ordered new by the local council of Willaringen in Germany for its fire service and was registered on the 4 November 1963, as evidenced by its original registration document. It is fitted with a petrol engine, which is more powerful and better suited for fire duties. Used for short journeys, it was kept and serviced by the fire department until 1992, when it was reassigned to the hydroelectric plant in Freiburg. It was subsequently owned by another German local council. It had 10,988 km on the clock when it was purchased in 2019 by the current owner, who believed it to be the mileage since new. The vehicle was extensively restored, as evidenced by a portfolio of pictures and invoices totalling over €40,000. Bodywork, chassis, running gear, electrical system, upholstery… nothing was left out. The bodywork was repainted in a stunning Mercedes ‘Canvansit Blue’ and the upholstery was completely redone in Havana leather. All lights, buttons, chromes and badges were removed, cleaned, restored and refitted. The spacious rear compartment can be fitted out according to the future owner’s preferences. A roadworthiness test will be required to register the vehicle in France, although this may not be necessary in other countries such as Germany, where it was previously registered. Simply stunning, this LF319 comes with a clear history and has benefited from an extensive restoration; its unique bodywork will convince you that this is the truck you need, whether you wish to convert it into a campervan, a support vehicle, or simply leave it as it is today.
