Mercedes 508D

This is as cool as it gets, big head turner lots of waves as you pass other campers. No other van like this.
Ex Dutch Ambulance hightop LHD SWB L508D6.
I bought this as an immaculate 508D from Jacksons in Doncaster.
It had 3,000 Km’s on the clock when I bought it, and not a bit of rust anywhere.
Wax oiled underneath and in all the classic rust spots these vehicles were known for. The spec for these military vans was second to none. I have left as many of the original features from the Ambulance as possible to add to its Quirky feel. Buzzers, drip dispensing anchor hooks, neon lights, handrails and handles. Also in place are the external power points for auxiliaries to be connected. There are brilliant black out blinds fitted so that no early dawn sunrise or late night peepers can penetrate.

I travelled to Portugal and my father helped with the initial design. Some of the wood work from his original Mercedes camper was donated to this one. Over 10 years has passed and I’ve used it for travel and work, party’s and removals.

My Kids don’t need the safety of this nest when I work or we holiday anymore, so it’s time to let another gang enjoy.
My Intention was to finish the newer updated internal conversion last spring and have one last holiday in her in August last year. It Didn’t happen.
I lost my father in April and the enthusiasm to do anything. So it is now best to quit and let someone else enjoy. The internal conversion is 90% finished. The final cupboard and 12v fridge haven’t been installed, but it’s still usable as a camper.
I’ve got all the receipts and have with the help of my Partner maintained this well since I first registered her in the U.K. We have maintained her well and done regular servicing.
Millage is currently at 21,000 Miles (34,000 Km’s).
Not even broken in.
Fitted with the bomb proof OM314, these engines do over 500,000 easily. The 3.8ltr Diesel engine has the pulling power of a beast! 5 gears, including a crawler gear for the toughest mountain and a top speed of 59 mph…… approximately 23mpg on a steady road.
M.O.T is not till November 2022
It’s been Worked on and M.O.T’d by the same garage throughout my ownership and I can supply you with a list of all works carried out. I kid you not when I say it’s sailed through MOT’s every year with minimal costs. It was first registered in 1987 so in a few years it will be exempt from M.O.T’s and Tax.
Insurance is cheap approximately £250 a year.
It’s not registered as a camper, still as a panel van. My Insurance company are aware it’s a camper van in conversion and have never grumbled about it’s slow conversion and updating the insurance.

There is one small windscreen chip that was professionally repaired 8 years ago and is still strong. You can still get the windscreens so there is no issue here if the insurance needs to find one in the future.
Its a Devon Registered vehicle.
When I first Registered the 508 it was entered as a 3.5t vehicle. Before conversion as an empty shell it weighed approx. 2.9t. Interpret this as you will as to if you can drive it on a car License, I did, prior to passing my HGV, perhaps I was poorly advised! MAM is 4,600Kg.

If your of delicate build and not so strong do not be put off by the lack of power steering 99% of the time it’s not an issue. It’s a fact that the turning circle on these is better than many modern large 4×4’s.
The engine bay and underneath have been wax oiled and are mainly rust free. Having owned 5 Mercedes previously this is the best example of nearly rust free I have seen. The external paint job is NATO green anti radar paint, it is the perfect stealth colour in the woods.
There are a few small panel dents (hardly noticeable) and there is some rust starting on the body work the worst being on the bottom of the side door. I’ve been told ‘it adds to the Patina’ by my Respray mates and to ‘leave it alone’! That would be the new owners choice and not a reason to be put off in any way. I’m happy to send more detailed photos of the body work to potential buyers on request.
Most importantly there is no paint job/filler hiding previous rust repairs.
It’s set up to be off grid but also has an external 16Amp hook up. Big 70Ltr Fiamma water tank. L.E.D. Lighting. 2 x 12v leisure batteries. Charge controller with capacity to charge 2 independent battery circuits. Ideal if you don’t want the intended, future installed fridge to effect the power supply for the lights. Inverter. Flexible solar panel. Roof rack. Full sized awning in nearly new condition used for 6 weeks. Awning rail not attached to the body of the van for obvious reasons. Full sized sink. 2 burner gas hob, gas oven both newly installed last year. Internal gas locker vented to outside, fits blue camping Gaz bottle 907 (I made this decision as in my experience it was the easiest bottle to purchase Europe wide when I last travelled). There are 2 Gaz bottles so that you have a spare and never get caught out. There is also an internal switch over gas valve for an external bottle inlet for longer stays when a bigger bottle is the best option currently fitted with a regulator for a U.K. propane bottle. The gas pipe work has never been signed off but has test points built in the pipe work and stop valves and all gas lines are to regulations (Unbroken lengths no joins behind panelling to leak). The gas and water connections were installed by a qualified heating engineer.
I’m a stickler for Safety. It goes without saying get an annual gas check done, the vibration of the vehicle can potentially cause connections to loosen. A new working 5Kw Diesel heater has replaced the old Webasto as parts were hard to find. The original locker that the heater was housed in has been converted into a shoe store. I upgraded and replaced the two fire extinguishers in 2019. 4 genuine Mercedes seats with seat belts. You can carry 3 passenger legally.
The back doors are unique and fitted with parliament hinges, allowing them to open up to 270 degrees or fixed at 90.

Its 4 berth ideally 2 Adults and 2 Kids.
I’ve built the inside as practically as I can using varnished Ply. It gives it a solid feel. I’ve combined it with drawers and doors from IKEA as it was an obvious time saver. The bed is solid and can be arranged as seating and a table. Above the bed is a canvas storage/ bed canopy suitable to 10 years of age.
The foam cushions that make up the bed are firm from the first conversion and if I kept the van I would be replacing them with a slightly different cut design so that they would better fit the table seat layout better and a slightly less hard density. It’s personal choice.
The cab has another bunk, two metal poles support a canvas and the poles are cupped/ supported by wooden brackets. It’s so simple, comfy and effective. There is a curtain that pulls all the way around the cab windows making it feel like a small den. My kids loved it! The bed took the weight of my 16 year old and my smaller adult friends with out issue. All the internal walls and the moulded roof shell are original as is the Insulation. I saw no point in changing it as it was both practical and effective.

I have 4 spare tyres available of the same tread and size. There is also a small selection of light lenses and parts that will be included with the sale.

Thanks for reading.
Ellie 🌟