Mercedes-Benz L 1500 A

[Hans Rinsma]

The Schell Plan, which as early as the beginning of the War envisioned the unification of the German vehicle manufacturing industry, determined that five companies would be involved in the developments and manufacture of the light all-terrain transport vehicle.
Outside the framework of the plan, Daimler-Benz completed the Mercedes-Benz
1.5 Ton they just didn't commit to the Schell Plan.
The Mercedes L 1500 and 1500 S (Standard, or 2-wheel drive), with rear-wheel drive (4x2) primarily found use with the Feuerwehr.
L 1500 A ( Allrad, or 4 wheel drive ), this type was used almost exclusively as a troop transport Kfz.70, also used as Kfz.15 and other roles.

On the picture is the early proto-type L 1500 Allrad, different are : mudgards, placing of the headlights and the toolboxes.

[Hans Rinsma]

Mb L 1500 A

The proto-type in Off road testing

[Hans Rinsma]

Mb L 1500 A

The Chassis of a L 1500 Allrad

[Hans Rinsma]

Mb L 1500 A

The standard version of the L 1500 A with the early type wheels

[Hans Rinsma]

Mb L 1500 A

The production of the 2 versions, the L 1500 S and the L 1500 A, started at June 1941 untill July 1943 for the L 1500 Allrad, and untill July 1944 for the L 1500 S.
The total production was 9000 examples : 4900 Allrad and 4100 S type
Production was in the Mercedes-Benz Works of Untertürkheim near Stuttgart Germany.

Picture showing the other side of the L 1500 A.

[Hans Rinsma]

Mb L 1500 A

The preparation for building the L 1500 was started immidiately, when the coming need of such a vehicle was recognized by the Mercedes-Benz Works.
The production of the till then most produced 1.5 ton, the small Opel-Blitz, should be stopped in favour of the more urgent need for 3 tons Opel trucks.
The extraordinary quick development of the L 1500 was possible, because the fitting Engine for this type was allready build and tested for the Mercedes-Benz passengercar type 260, which was used as Prototype since 1938.

On the picture the L 1500 A as signal-communications vehicle.
To be noticed the other type of wheels, which were common for the later type L 1500 A.

[Hans Rinsma]

M.b. L 1500 A

The Mercedes-Benz L 1500 A, as also the L 1500 S, proved themselves during the unbearable warconditions as very exceptional good.
The German Wehrmacht had been missing a very good Vehicle type, when the Mercedes-Benz Works should have been following the limitations of the Schell-Plan.

On the picture a L 1500 A with a wood-gas generator.

[Hans Rinsma]

M.b. L 1500 A

We found in Norway some years ago three Mercedes-Benz 1500A and bring them home in the Netherlands.

On the picture the best of the three, on the door the grey wehrmacht paint with the german classification.

[Hans Rinsma]

M.b L 1500 A

In the winter in Norway the other Mercedes-Benz L 1500 A.
Afther the war the car was used as a little truck, the original body was removed and a cabin from an RSO ( Raupen Schlepper Ost ) and loading platform was build on the original chassis.
The front was original Mercedes also the front mudgards.
On the loading platform you see the original Kübelwagen-floor, we need that by the restauration.

[Hans Rinsma]

Mercedes-Benz L 1500 A

The other Mercedes-Benz L 1500 A in the snow in Norway, it is the same story, the car was afther the war driving a round as a 4x4 truck.
The cabin is also from the second world war but it is Britisch, a Austin.
The mudgards, engine and the complete chassis are original Mercedes-Benz.

[Hans Rinsma]

Mercedes-Benz L 1500 A

We start the restauration of one of the Mercedes-Benz L 1500 A and choose this one, becouse the condition of the chassis.
On the picture we have removed the loading platform and the Austin Cabin.

[Hans Rinsma]

Mercedes-Benz L 1500 A

We remove the body parts , the axles and the engine , gearbox etc.
Behind the chassis you see the other complete Mercedes-Benz L 1500 A , remember the first pic . I show you from Norway.
Afther all the during years that we restore the chassis with all of the components the complete car is a beautifull exsample.

[Hans Rinsma]

Mercedes-Benz L 1500 A

The chassis, ready for sandblasting , today the chassis is in the primer, the suspension and the axles are better as new.
The coming summer we plan the restauration of the body and hope to take the chassis on it's first drive.

[Hans Rinsma]

Mercedes-Benz L 1500 A

Afther several years we hope to start a second live for our Mercedes-Benz L 1500 A .
We think it is fun to drive.

On the photo a Luftwaffe Mercedes-Benz L 1500 A in North Africa.

[Hans Rinsma]

Mercedes-Benz L 1500 A

Russia 1943