The Mercedes-Benz L3500 is derived from the first post-war truck from the Mannheim plant, the L3250 model from 1949. Strong competition from Borgward and Magirus-Deutz offering 3.5-ton cars resulted in the need to increase the load capacity by another quarter of a ton. Thus, in 1950, the very successful Mercedes-Benz L3500 truck appeared. In the years 1950-1961, nearly 146,000 of these vehicles were produced (an additional 37,000 in the cab-over-engine version), both in the parent factory in Germany, as well as in Brazil, Argentina and India. The source of success turned out to be the very successful, reliable OM 312 diesel engine. In addition to the standard S version, trucks with two-axle drive LA3500 and L4500 with increased load capacity were also produced. From 1955, after a change in the Mercedes car marking system, the L3500 was known as L311.
Technical data:
Length / width / height: 6.52 / 2.29 / 2.5 m
Load capacity: 3.5 t
Drive: OM 312 diesel engine, in-line, 6-cylinder, 4.58 l capacity, 90 HP
Fuel tank capacity: 140 l
Maximum speed: 80 km/h
