My passion for vans, especially those perfect for camping adventures, runs deep. There’s a unique freedom in hitting the open road with a vehicle equipped with life’s essentials. I cherish my vintage ’77 Dodge Chinook, a $1200 gem that has carried us through 35,000 unforgettable miles across Mexico and the American West. Even earlier, a ’68 Dodge A100 served as my spartan camper, albeit less comfortable for my wife (no bathroom!). But throughout it all, Mercedes vans have always held a special place in my automotive dreams.
Growing up in Austria, I was utterly captivated by the charmingly rounded Mercedes L319 van and O319 bus. These early Mercedes Bus Van models were icons of their time.
The experience of riding in one of those panorama buses through the breathtaking Alps, sunroof wide open, remains a cherished highlight of my childhood. Ever since, I’ve longed for a Mercedes bus van of my own. Even in the US, I’d occasionally spot them, the last sighting just a couple of years back, before I started documenting my automotive finds. For the wandering spirits prevalent on the West Coast in the sixties and seventies, these Mercedes bus vans represented a significant upgrade from the ubiquitous VW bus. Mercedes produced them in various body styles, including pickups, from 1955 to 1968. Admittedly, powered by small four-cylinder diesel and gas engines borrowed from Mercedes sedans of the era, they were not speed demons – think a modest 40hp for the mid-fifties 180D engine. But when you’re soaking in the majestic Alps or the stunning Big Sur coastline through those panoramic windows, who needs to rush?
The Iconic Mercedes T2 Bus Van: A Journey to Venice
My first return to Austria in the summer of ’69 coincided with my obnoxious sixteen-year-old phase. Perhaps seeking a temporary escape, my parents sent me on a tourist bus trip from Innsbruck to Venice. Our transport was the then-modern successor, the Mercedes T2. This generation of Mercedes bus van was already making its mark.
While memories of Venice are a vibrant blur (let’s just say my passport didn’t survive the late-night red wine sessions with fellow young tourists), the journey in that T2 remains vivid. Navigating the steep, pre-freeway Alpine roads, the T2, with perhaps 55hp, was only marginally quicker than its predecessor, especially with a dozen or so passengers aboard. Fortunately, the border guards at the Brenner Pass, enjoying a pleasant August evening, waved us through without the usual formalities.
The T2 series, another significant chapter in the Mercedes bus van story, also offered a wide array of body styles. I recall seeing a remarkable old fire-engine red, ex-Feuerwehr (fire truck) T2 still running around Eugene until recently. And during my time in San Diego in 1976, the transit authority acquired a fleet of T2s for their smaller routes. However, being larger than its predecessor, Mercedes introduced the more compact T1 in 1977, the model family that includes the blue van featured in this article. Remarkably, the T2 continues in production today as the Mercedes Vario, with only minor modifications.
The Mercedes T1 Van and the Sprinter Evolution
Now, there was an even smaller predecessor to the T1, but it wasn’t initially a Mercedes. Hanomag, a company with a rich history in cars, light trucks, and tractors, launched a modern van in 1965, replacing the legendary Tempo. Like the Tempo, the new “Harburger” F25 featured a FWD design, allowing for a very low cargo floor.
Hanomag faced financial difficulties, leading to its acquisition by Mercedes in 1970. With the T2 growing in size, Mercedes recognized a need for a smaller model, positioned slightly above the VW bus. Thus, the three-pointed star graced the hood, and Mercedes engines replaced the outsourced Austin gasoline engine and Hanomag’s diesel options.
A camper version of this Hanomag-derived Mercedes bus van, possibly crafted by Westfalia, was a sight I occasionally encountered on the West Coast, fueling my van desires. Incredibly, a dilapidated one resided just two blocks from my home until about six years ago. I even contemplated buying and restoring it, but the allure of road trips outweighed the appeal of a restoration project.
In 1977, Mercedes introduced the T1, replacing the Hanomag-based model. Shifting to a traditional RWD setup, the T1 became a popular van and an excellent base for camper conversions. The blue van pictured here is in the early stages of such a transformation. Production of the T1 continued until 1995, when it was succeeded by the Sprinter.
The arrival of the Sprinter in the US market was exciting, and it quickly topped my list as a potential replacement for my aging Chinook, which, on a good day, manages a mere 12 mpg. I spent considerable time exploring interior layouts using Sportsmobile’s versatile components, quickly dismissing overly extravagant and impractical conversions like Airstream.
Modern Sprinter Dilemmas and the Vintage Mercedes Bus Van Appeal
However, recent years have brought concerning reports of costly maintenance and reliability issues with the sophisticated new diesel engines in Sprinters. Even UPS, a major fleet operator, reportedly expressed dissatisfaction. This has made me reconsider my options. Perhaps keeping the Chinook running is the answer, or maybe seeking out a vintage 207D Mercedes bus van, possibly with a more potent yet still classic Mercedes diesel engine. Unless, of course, I happen upon one of those beautifully rounded-front O319s – the original Mercedes bus van that stole my heart in the Austrian Alps.
