Mercedes on the Roads

The recent arrival of the Mercedes badged Sprinter [see post of January 30] is a reminder of several attempts over the years to launch Mercedes trucks in North America. None of the attempts lasted very long (although some of the trucks certainly did stand up) but that was before Daimler owned the Freightliner operation.

Now with that large infrastructure in place the three pointed star may be here to stay or even to proliferate.Certainly if Volvo trucks are any indication the name/brand has certainly become a household word fairly quickly.
Here are a few domestic Mercs:

1. O'Keefe Breweries in Quebec ran a number of these low profile light tilt cabs. It was easy for the driver to get in and, they had diesel engines, and with the set back axle could get in and out of tight spots. 1989.

2. The conventional was once common, particularly for small reefers and delivery vans. This Model 1317 diesel wound up as a reefer service van. Part of the roof was cut away at the rear to allow access to trailer and container mounted reefer units. Turning the three pointed star upside down was also a favourite prank. 1997.

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There have also been Mercedes visitors to Canada from time to time too:

3. Every year one or two adventurous German tourists, with their pristine (and sometimes restored) Mercs arrive by ship and embark on cross continent trips. This Mercedes 710 was spotted in 2003. [see also my previous feature of Peter on the Road]

4. The German military used to have training bases in Canada. This Mercedes Unimog ambulance was on its way back to Germany and would be loaded aboard ship in Halifax. 1993.

5. In the same shipment was this utility Unimog.

6. A de-militarized "Moggie" has been available in Canada for a number of years. This one was from 1993. Their goat like climbing ability suited them for ski-hill maintenance and other such duties. [See also my first post in January 2010]

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