[smashnerd]

That is a 1938 Mercedes-Benz L10000 truck. A tri-axle with just a singular tyre each side (even at the rear). It had a GVW close to 18.5 tonnes and was the flagship of the Benz truck range. Following are some facts and observations :-

1. That never-ending hood houses a 12.5 litre, straight-6 diesel (trucks before the L series used petrol engines) making 150 BHP.

2. Check out that close to zero suspension-travel.

3. This is the meanest looking truck I've seen till date.

4. Check out the monster steering-wheel that goes to 75% of the windshield height.

5. Beginning from 1939, trucks started to sport short-nose designs and curvier lines making them less likely to appear in your nightmares.

[raj_5004]

i was really amazed by the looooooong hood, big steering wheel & the negligible suspension travel in the front making this look like a track car!

[smashnerd]

Originally Posted by raj_5004

i was really amazed by the looooooong hood, big steering wheel & the negligible suspension travel in the front making this look like a track car!

Since Germany had built up some serious Autobahn back then, the low suspension must not have been much of a problem. Even other roads must have been smooth and level, unlike the case here.

[raj_5004]

hmmm, the truck will have very little body roll it seems!

[james]

My god! thats big! the front looks like a pig's snout! :

[SirAlec]

That front ends seems and looks so much after thought.

Its seems they designed the truck first and later thought the engine is too long for the hood.

I am a great follower of these Benz truck though.

[smashnerd]

Originally Posted by SirAlec

That front ends seems and looks so much after thought.

Its seems they designed the truck first and later thought the engine is too long for the hood.

I am a great follower of these Benz truck though.

Well, I guess the looks of the thing are less important when Nazi Germany was plotting on invading Poland.

It's also weird to think they were running around with 150 BHP trucks back then whereas in India the average truck still has a 100/130/160 BHP motor.

[raj_5004]

Gosh! look at those numerous air vents on the bonnet!

[kadri007]

Amazing truck, I liked the concept of how the spare tyre being kept. Well designed and looks luxurious.

[smashnerd]

Originally Posted by kadri007

Amazing truck, I liked the concept of how the spare tyre being kept. Well designed and looks luxurious.

I wonder when an Indian truck (Foreign brands not included) will be this well designed right from the factory. I mean, that truck is from 1938! Look at the quality and finish. For e.g. :- the panel gaps and the beautiful fuel tank.

[hanmust]

Nice, interesting & informative thread, congrats on starting. I've some things to contribute here which I'll do in time. Kudos smashnerd

[smashnerd]

Originally Posted by hanmust

Nice, interesting & informative thread, congrats on starting. I've some things to contribute here which I'll do in time. Kudos smashnerd

@ hanmust - Looking forward to your contributions.

In the meantime, we can all take a look at the world's first truck. Built by none other than Gottlieb Daimler himself (lucky guy) in 1896.



It was the 42nd vehicle manufactured by Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft (DMG) in Cannstatt near Stuttgart. A 1200 kgs truck with a 1500 kgs payload capacity, powered by a 1.1 litre, 4 BHP, mid-mounted two-cylinder engine. It had a radiator built by a certain Wilhelm Maybach. The first one was ordered by British Motor Syndicate Ltd. London.

The brochure included 4, 6, 8 and 10 BHP engines and payload capacities upto 5000 kgs. Amazingly, it has what is found on most trucks today - a cab-over-engine layout. The next iteration of Daimler's truck moved the cab back and placed the engine under a bonnet over the front axle, thus creating the first conventional layout trucks.


In a case of role reversal, Mr. Benz (another lucky guy) made his first light truck later in the same year.



It had a 1.045 litre single-cylinder engine making 2.75 BHP with a max vehicle weight of 300 kgs.


Mr. Benz however, did manage to get the one-up on Gottlieb by making the first bus in 1895 (The bus came before the truck!?).



Called the Omnibus, it carried 8 passengers between Siegen, Netphen and Deuz upto four times a day. A full-ticket cost 70 pfennings.


So, you see, Mercedes-Benz has just as extraordinary a history to boast about in the history of heavy-hauling as they have in the history of cars.

[cogentr]

look at the design of that truck, look at the fit and the finish, the chassis, fuel tank, wheels and tyres, would give the modern day sedans a run for their money

[smashnerd]

Originally Posted by cogentr

look at the design of that truck, look at the fit and the finish, the chassis, fuel tank, wheels and tyres, would give the modern day sedans a run for their money

You're right. And that too on a truck from 1938!

[Sudan_NFS]

I think the wheels are alloy wheels and I am not sure how the drive will be seated with those huge steering in front of him.