This week’s featured car is a bit different in
that it wasn’t spotted at our World Famous Cars and Coffee Folsom, but
rather in my neighborhood, whilst driving on my way to a landscape
supply business. It was back in October of last year, and the weather
was still quite nice. I was in my 1972 BMW 2002, when I had to pull off
the road and into a neighborhood side street in order to adjust the
passenger side side-view mirror. After having done that, I proceeded on
my journey, where there were three guys out chatting it up at the
corner stop sign (front yard). My windows were down, because of the
nice weather. While I was at the stop sign, Ryan gave me the thumbs up
for my car, and in return, I noticed the Mercedes across the street, and
said, “I like that one!” He told me that it was his, and so,
naturally, I got out of my car and it (conversation) went viral from
there – in a very pleasant way. Anyone who knows me, knows that that is
not an unusual occurrence for me.
Ryan
bought his 1959 Mercedes fire truck box Unimog from a lifelong friend
who imported it from Germany over 30 years ago. It served as a regular
fire truck in Germany – most likely used in forest fires, The dash
instruments are all in German, as shown in the photo, the doghouse is
totally exposed. There are 34,000 original kilometres on the vehicle. I
was surprised to learn that it runs on petrol rather than diesel. The
gas cap is the same size as that of an aircraft fuel cap – huge (see
photo). The engine is an Otto M180 80 HP, tranny is a 6-speed manual,
with 2 additional reverse and crawl speeds. Top speed in 6th gear is 95
KmPH. It has 4-wheel drive, shift lever is 2-wheel drive/4-wheel
drive/full lock all-wheel drive – no posi-traction. The truck is
equipped with 24-volt slave cables (also in photos). Total production,
which ran from 1955-1980 was 404 units. The truck was originally red.
Ryan
was visiting at his dad’s which is just around the bend from where I
live. Ryan was fixing to head out to Texas, within the hour, to where
he has relocated. He was back here to bring the Unimog back out to
Texas and get it restored. He reckoned that the restore would take only
two weeks. I made him promise to bring the truck back here and out to
our World Famous Cars and Coffee Folsom after the completion off the
restore, and he promised he would I have no doubt he will, as his dad
lives out here. His dad is
Ray Zarick, who is also a World Famous Cars and Coffee Folsom regular.
Ray comes out to Folsom often in his 1926 Model T Lakes modified
Roadster; but that’s another story, so stay tuned for that one.
One
final note on this – I arrived at my original destination, the
landscape supply company – three hours later after my outset.😂.
Story and photos by Carol Marcopulos
