Skip to main content

Unimog fire engine that served in the French Alps is available in the U.S.

File this under interesting one-off vehicles you could own. A 1987 Mercedes-Benz Unimog Doka U1300L with under 28,000 miles didn’t sell in an online auction, according to the listing on Bring A Trailer.

“Doka” refers to the double-cab model, although in the vehicle in question there are two jump seats you can’t stretch out in. This Unimog spent most of its service life as a fire engine in the French Alps, according to the listing. Now it has a clean Massachusetts title with full paperwork including maintenance records.

Recommended Videos

More: Get to da Unimog! Schwarzenegger’s military-grade Mercedes U1300 is up for sale

Please enable Javascript to view this content

The odometer reads 44,915 kilometers or about 27,908 miles. A 5.6-liter diesel six-cylinder motor has had recent service by the seller. The truck bed is 102 inches long and 91 inches wide.

You’ll have to provide your own fire hose and the secondary 1.4-liter Renault engine for the water pump needs a tune-up. All maintenance needs are disclosed and detailed in the listing, which is still online at Bring a Trailer.

The seller changed all fluids and filters and replaced portal axle oil. The clutch master cylinder has a leak and the seller noted there’s some sediment in the fuel tank. A new fuel tank is included in the sale. Generally, however, the Unimog appears good to go.

The front fenders, which the seller says are bolt-on, have some rust-through and there are some dings and bends on the right front bumper and the right fuel tank and step. The interior has brown cloth upholstery in front and black vinyl jump seats in the back.

The online auction ended March 30, 2017. The high bid of $24,000 didn’t meet the reserve so it wasn’t sold. The seller replied to comments on the listing.

If you’ve always wanted your own fire truck or a Unimog for rugged back-country service, this double-cab truck might be just what you’ve been looking for. There are loads of photos on the original listing.

Bruce Brown
Bruce Brown Contributing Editor   As a Contributing Editor to the Auto teams at Digital Trends and TheManual.com, Bruce…
Tesla Model Y Juniper vs Rivian R1S: Can Tesla’s newest take out a much more expensive vehicle?
Tesla Model Y 2025.

Tesla and Rivian actually have a lot in common. Both are relatively new companies in the grand scheme of things, at least compared to the legacy automakers that are now switching to EVs, but their actual vehicles are pretty different. The Tesla Model Y is the most popular electric vehicle in America, serving as a high-tech crossover for those interested in buying a Tesla. The Rivian R1S is Rivian's electric SUV, obviously boasting a larger body, but also putting tech first.

On top of the Tesla Model Y being the most popular EV right now, it's also in the midst of getting a major refresh in the form of the Model Y Juniper. We're still early on in the rollout of that refresh, though. While Tesla has released the Model Y Juniper in its base form in China, the version of the vehicle being sold in the US right now is the so-called Launch Edition New Model Y, which is a high-performance version of the Model Y Juniper that comes with a high price tag. For this comparison, we'll use the specs from the both the entry-level Model Y Juniper being sold in China, and the launch edition New Model Y being sold in the U.S. Keep in mind, however, that until the Model Y Juniper gets a wider U.S. release, only the previous-generation Model Y is being sold alongside the Launch Edition New Model Y

Read more
Tesla Model Y Juniper vs Kia EV9: Can the new Model Y beat a large SUV?
White Tesla Model Y Juniper at a Supercharger

America's most popular electric vehicle, the Tesla Model Y, is getting a major refresh. Tesla already launched the Tesla Model Y Juniper in China, but now it's bringing the vehicle to the US.

Of course, the new Model Y has to go up against a host of competitive electric vehicles, some of which are larger, some faster, and some even cheaper. The Kia EV9 has been hailed for being one of the few full-size electric SUVs that offers a high-quality driving experience without completely breaking the bank.

Read more
Tesla Model Y Juniper vs 2024 Tesla Model Y: what’s actually new?
Blue Tesla Model Y Juniper in the snow

The Tesla Model Y is the most popular EV in America, and it's about to get a major refresh. Tesla has announced the Model Y Juniper, the biggest refresh for the EV since its initial launch.

So far, the vehicle is only available China, but it will inevitably make its way to the U.S. too, and it's likely to do so sooner rather than later. Curious about what's new for the Model Y, and how much better than the previous-generation Model Y it really is? Here's a look.
Design
The Tesla Model Y Juniper has a number of design changes that make it unique, but it still looks like a Model Y in general. You're not going to look at the Model Y Juniper and think it's anything other than a Tesla.

Read more