The world-famous Unimog, manufactured by Mercedes-Benz, celebrates its 60th anniversary this year – and it’s still in full production! That’s quite a feat for any vehicle, but this one’s special. It’s the nearest thing to a ‘Swiss Army Knife‘ of trucks that I’ve ever heard of.
From its inception, it’s been used as a military transport, mine-protected infantry carrier, anti-aircraft gun platform, commercial cargo vehicle, recreational off-road vehicle, farm tractor, logging truck . . . the list is literally as long as your imagination can make it. It’s probably the single most versatile truck in the history of motor vehicles.
I have fond memories of a Unimog derivative saving my favorite butt on a couple of occasions. This was the South African Army’s Buffel armored personnel carrier, with a V-hull making it resistant to landmine blasts.
It was hurriedly introduced in 1978, when landmines began to take a toll of conventional vehicles in the operational area. Despite the haste with which it was developed, it proved extremely effective. It was exported to several countries, and Sri Lanka produced its own version to fight the Tamil Tiger terrorists there.
To celebrate the anniversary, Mercedes-Benz has produced a Unimog ‘monster truck’. Wired magazine’s Autopia reports:
Based on the current U 5000 chassis, the “Concept Design 60 Years Unimog” (something got lost in translation) is an homage to extreme off-roaders past. With prominent fenders and a bright green hood, it’s also intentionally reminiscent of a poison dart frog. Mercedes-Benz said the comparison is accurate, as the both the frog and the ‘Mog are “extremely mobile both in water and on land.”
Like the first-ever example that rolled out of the plant in Gaggenau, Germany, on June 3, 1951, the 60 Years Unimog is an open-air vehicle, with seats the driver and passenger can easily hop into. Considering that the incredibly awesome Unimog is frequently seen in war zones and construction sites, it’s a safe bet a roof will be standard equipment for years to come.
The designers also made sure to highlight one of the Unimog’s most important features: an incredibly beefy suspension with massive coil springs. All that suspension travel allows the truck to seemingly defy the laws of physics by keeping all four wheels on the ground even at the most extreme angles. On the 60 Years Unimog, the springs are painted a shade of red that’s sure to make the marketing department and dealers smile.
There’s more at the link.
To those who aren’t automotive enthusiasts, I apologize: but the Unimog series gives me great big warm fuzzies. They’ve saved my butt on more than one occasion, and proved enormously useful in many of the things I’ve done across the continent of Africa over the years. I doubt whether any other vehicle could have stood up to the hammering I’ve seen these things take at the hands of semi-trained tribal drivers. I have enormous respect and affection for them.
Congratulations to Mercedes-Benz (or Daimler as it’s now called) for a very significant anniversary, and a magnificent product.
Peter
That is the one truck that I'd like to have. I met an importer once. He drove me around in one, and I fell in love. Not in love like a '47 Plymouth, but that's a WHOLE 'nother story….
I used to have a 404, ex Frnech Army 'mog. It was cool, and well designed, but, well, parts were a wee bit hard to come by. 😀