This van could fetch $200k at an auction with its modern updates.
RM Sotheby’s has this 1959 Mercedes-Benz O319 restomod available for purchase at their Arizona auction on January 18th and 19. This camper could fetch anywhere from $175,000 to $200,000 depending on the upgrades, according to the company. There is no reserve.
The O 319 was a bus version of Mercedes-Benz L 319 medium duty commercial truck. The engine is positioned in the front, despite the obvious similarities to the Volkswagen Transporter. Access to the engine is made possible by a removable panel found in the cabin. An automatic transmission drives the powerplant with a Gear Vendor overdrive, an extra oil cooler and an automatic transmission.
According to RM Sotheby’s, the bus was converted by an eccentric computer engineer over 15 years. He also made some other interesting improvements. This bus now has an air-ride suspension, instead of the original leaf springs. Each cabinet has its own lighting and comes with custom cabinets. An area separates the stove, sink, and refrigerator. The interior has a bed at the back and two separate audio systems. The frame rails support propane and water tanks.
Hidden solar panels are a great upgrade that owners can use while camping. This hidden solar panel can be used to keep your vehicle’s batteries charged while you are away from the grid, allowing for longer adventures in the wild.
Although the O 319’s extensive conversion is impressive, the auction estimate of $200,000 seems optimistic. The Mercedes-Benz Type 2 bus is more well-known than the O 319, but even these are difficult to sell at such high prices. $159,000. This is RM Sotheby’s record for Volkswagens. It includes a rare 23-window model and a 1967 Eriba Puck camp trailer. A beautifully restored 1962 Type 2-Westfalia Camper sold for $110,000 in 2015.