Trucks on Display
Below is a sampling of the many trucks on display in our Trucking Hall of Fame® Exhibit Hall. Check out our app for more information, photos, and an audio recording for each truck. Click here to download.
1963 Mercedes Unimog
Engine Type:
6-Cylinder Mercedes Benz M180 2.2 Liter
Transmission Type:
6-Speed
Truck Information:
In 1944, when World War II was declining and Germany was facing food shortages, Daimler-Benz and Albert Friedrich had the idea to create an agricultural tool that could help plant and harvest crops as well as drive them into town. This versatile off-road truck was later called the “Unimog,” an abbreviation for the Universal Motor Geraet (or universal motorized vehicle). The first blueprint for a “do-it-all” farming vehicle was presented to the Daimler-Benz board of directors in September of 1945, but little interest was shown. Despite this, the engineering plans were presented before the Production Control Commission (a group headed by the American military) which granted approval to proceed with the construction of 10 prototypes for testing. The Unimog entered production in 1947 following a successful test period. By 1954, no fewer than 66 different agricultural appliances could be attached to the Unimog. Of the Unimog, Daimler-Benz said, “No other commercial vehicle in the world can function as a tractor, towing vehicle, truck, fire-fighting and exploration vehicle, bus, and working machine.” Today, over 400,000 Unimogs have been delivered to customers worldwide. Modern Unimogs have more creature comforts and options, but the design is still the same. This one was designed for the German military; it has two long fold-down benches on either side that will hold about eight people each. The benches fold down for troops, and up for cargo. It's an all-wheel-drive vehicle. The axles on this truck are higher than the center of the tires; they are driven by gears at the end of the axle hub. With the higher ground clearance, this truck can go through water. If it gets stuck there is a nice, easy place to hook up a chain and pull it out. The small downward shining lights give the driver just enough light to drive by, but not so much than enemy aircraft could see the truck from above. Top Speed: 55 MPH (90 KPH)
6-Cylinder Mercedes Benz M180 2.2 Liter
Transmission Type:
6-Speed
Truck Information:
In 1944, when World War II was declining and Germany was facing food shortages, Daimler-Benz and Albert Friedrich had the idea to create an agricultural tool that could help plant and harvest crops as well as drive them into town. This versatile off-road truck was later called the “Unimog,” an abbreviation for the Universal Motor Geraet (or universal motorized vehicle). The first blueprint for a “do-it-all” farming vehicle was presented to the Daimler-Benz board of directors in September of 1945, but little interest was shown. Despite this, the engineering plans were presented before the Production Control Commission (a group headed by the American military) which granted approval to proceed with the construction of 10 prototypes for testing. The Unimog entered production in 1947 following a successful test period. By 1954, no fewer than 66 different agricultural appliances could be attached to the Unimog. Of the Unimog, Daimler-Benz said, “No other commercial vehicle in the world can function as a tractor, towing vehicle, truck, fire-fighting and exploration vehicle, bus, and working machine.” Today, over 400,000 Unimogs have been delivered to customers worldwide. Modern Unimogs have more creature comforts and options, but the design is still the same. This one was designed for the German military; it has two long fold-down benches on either side that will hold about eight people each. The benches fold down for troops, and up for cargo. It's an all-wheel-drive vehicle. The axles on this truck are higher than the center of the tires; they are driven by gears at the end of the axle hub. With the higher ground clearance, this truck can go through water. If it gets stuck there is a nice, easy place to hook up a chain and pull it out. The small downward shining lights give the driver just enough light to drive by, but not so much than enemy aircraft could see the truck from above. Top Speed: 55 MPH (90 KPH)
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