Retro Van Life Road Trip (Part 1): Original 1962 Mercedes L319D Camper Conversion

The Mercedes Benz L319D was the original commercial van serving post-war Germany through to the mid 60s and was the genesis of what has evolved to become the modern Sprinter van. In this video, we acquire a 1962 L319D that was originally purchased at the Mercedes factory in Stuttgart by a German couple. Two years later, we believe the couple took the van to Westfalia, where it was converted into a Camper Van. The couple later immigrated to the U.S. in the early 70s and had their beloved L319D imported to join them. Follow along in this video as we meet the '62 L319D for the first time, get to know its features and capabilities, and take it on the longest journey of its life on over 1,000 miles of back roads as we travel from Los Angeles to bring the van back to its new home in Portland, Oregon.