Welcome to Found Off The Street, our look at cars found on the cape that rust liked so much it decided to summer there; Cape Cod, MA. Today we have a 1964 Mercedes Unimog.
Last week in Found Off The Street we got a look at a 1959 Ford Fairlane that managed to avoid a life of abuse to stay in one piece. This week's 1964 Mercedes Unimog survived a life of abuse by design. Even though this Unimog is primarily a fair weather driver these days it is still one of the most capable off road vehicles ever produced, and ready to prove it at a moment's notice.
Unimogs were first created in the wake of World War 2 as agricultural implements with Power Take Offs and they quickly became famous for their off road capability. Although not initially a Daimler Benz design they took over production in 1951 and still produce a version of the Unimog currently. The name is an acronym formed from the German phrase "UNIversal-MOtor-Gerät" (Gerät roughly translates to machine). The model seen here is a 404 which was first introduced in 1955 and produced through 1980.
This particular Unimog is a 1964 model that has the gas 2.2 liter Mercedes Benz engine producing 80 hp. That 80 hp manages to propel a Unimog to 59 MPH, going downhill with fingers crossed on a long straight section of road. It isn't a real surprise that something designed as a farm implement isn't going to win any stop light battles. The top speed is not an indicator of the true power of a Unimog, the systems of gears and 4wd provide it with the torque and to climb up or down almost anything.
Seeing old Unimogs in America is not a common sight. They were never sold in America and the few that are here were imported privately at one point or another. Many Unimogs were used in military functions by different countries as this one obviously was. This one has a machine gun holder in the center console and wooden benches on either side of the bed to go with its olive drab paint job.
According to an employee of the current owner, this Unimog was primarily used for access to a beach camp which is where it was found for sale. Future plans for this Unimog include a mild restoration to erase the signs of use over the last 46 years and continued fair weather enjoyment. Although Unimogs have long held a prominent spot in my endless storage/endless money fantasy garage, catching a glimpse of this one every once in a while will have to do for now.