We know exactly where to stay if we ever visit Norway.
While vintage Volkswagen vans seem to be in fashion right now, people tend to forget about the beloved L 319 of Mercedes-Benz. Later, it was rebranded as a range L 405 to L 408, but this L 406 is unique. It was the personal vehicle of the Gothenburg fire chief for 20 years. However, it is not unusual for an L to become a bed & breakfast in Scandinavia.
This old Merc was driven for decades and finally found its way to Bente Pal and their small Norwegian town. They chose to not rack up miles on the van or have it undergo a restoration. Instead, they decided to live a more relaxed lifestyle for the L 406 The van’s elevated roof and large windows made it feel spacious and open inside. A thick coating of pink paint was applied to the exterior and it transformed into a cozy bungalow.
Although we don’t have all the details, it appears to be quite comfortable. The bed can accommodate two people and has a comfortable sitting area. The van has typical house decor. However, we love the fact that the key is still in the ignition and the dash is there. We suspect that it is not safe for road use based on the paint rust exterior, but we love the key as a bittersweet reminder about the old Merc.
It is now a permanent fixture in the couple’s backyard, and serves as an Airbnb guesthouse. It used to. We posted the story about this van on Daimler’s website. However, we couldn’t find any Airbnb listings for “Pink Swedish Firetruck.” This van has captured our hearts.