This 2020 Sprinter-based, off-road van concept from German manufacturer Hymer looks capable outside and like a stylish apartment inside. It features an indoor kitchen and fridge, a folding desk/workspace, stairs to leading to an insulated, pop-up sleeping loft, a very cool convertible bathroom/shower area, and a rear tailgate deck with a slide-out grill/outdoor kitchen. It’s amazing how far RVs have come. I could go for something like this.
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Archives for posts with tag: german
This is another German Pajero (Montero) video, this time of the Gen 1 model. I like seeing this period videos of the trucks in action.
One of the interesting things they say is that, at the time, Mitsubishi had been participating in the Paris-Dakar Rally since 1983.
I really like this German review of the second generation Montero/Pajero. The Gen2 Montero (1991–1999) represents, for me, the sweet spot in the line-up: modern creature comforts, off-road capability, and relative simplicity. I drive one and really enjoy it.
The video does a great job showing all of truck’s features. The only downside is that it’s in German. Since I speak German though, I did learn a couple of things. For example, the Gen 2 Montero has a viscous coupling between in the axles in 4H (all-wheel drive) mode. That means that even though the center diff. isn’t engaged, power will still be transmitted to both axles should a wheel on one axle lose traction. Of course, the center diff. can be locked in 4HLc (4×4 mode). Another thing, the rear seat armrests are height adjustable. Who knew?
Also featured is footage of the short wheelbase Montero, which I don’t think was available in the U.S.
A pretty amazing thing showed up on Bring a Trailer yesterday: a Dutch company that sells vintage G-Wagens from German fire departments. They’re all incredibly low mileage, reasonably priced, and — if I know anything about Germans — extraordinarily well maintained.
Take the 280 GE above example. It’s covered only 21,000 kms since 1983. That’s only a hair over 13,000 miles! The price? 19,900 Euros. You’d pay a mere $26,259 at today’s rates.
This one is equipped with a gasoline-powered, 6-cylinder, fuel-injected, M110 engine, mated to a manual transmission, of course. The ad doesn’t state whether the emergency lights and siren are functional but that awesome fluorescent red paint seems to be working just fine.
It’s over 25 years old, so importing it to the U.S. should be hassle free. And this isn’t the only one on the site.
Link trail: Bring a Trailer post > Original ad
Update: Here’s a video of a similar one in action. Read the rest of this entry »
If you’re looking for an interesting rally vehicle, you could do worse than this 1987 VW Vanagon in full German ambulance spec. The ad on The Samba states that the sirens and lights work, and that the original stethoscope, medical kit, and rubber gloves are included.
Mechanically, it features a euro-spec 2.1L, carbureted, water-cooled engine, a manual transmission, and Syncro ride height (though it’s not a Syncro).
This unique German vehicle is listed in Grass Valley, CA for $6000 obo.
Link trail: Bring a Trailer > The Samba Read the rest of this entry »
If you haven’t seen this video yet, it’s really great. Gunther Holtorf set out with his wife from Germany in 1989 for a road trip. They just kept going. Since then he’s driven over 500,000 miles and visited countries all over the world, including the places one normally wouldn’t think of driving to, like North Korea and Iraq. He’s been on the road now for 23 years.
To watch it, click the video still above or the BBC link below.