A high-end car collection deserves to have a similarly special transport truck to travel around in.
With that in mind:
The Pick of the Day is a one-of-a-kind 1971 Mercedes-Benz O317 Renntransporter truck listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a dealer in the Netherlands. This one-off replica exhibits the aesthetic of an original Porsche / Martini Racing transporter with exacting accuracy and modern-day restoration elements.
The O317 platform underpinned many commercial-grade Mercedes-Benz vehicles from 1957 through 1976. More specifically, this arrangement was predominantly found on two-axle, high-floor solo buses with a cab-over-engine layout. Facelifts were applied in 1959 and again in 1966, the latter bringing larger window edges and a second heat exchanger.
This custom-built vehicle transporter that has carrying capacity for four vehicles is themed in Porsche / Martini Racing livery throughout. The design was modeled as a tribute to the only two known remaining original Porsche Renntransporters in existence worldwide. The selling dealer, E&R Classics of Waalwijk, Nord-Brabant, outlines the story behind this special hauler which was treated to a decade-long restoration:
“What started as a simple idea between two comrades has grown into a huge project and an iconic classic. This Renntransporter was extensively restored from 2005 to 2016 and is the creation of a coachbuilder who built trucks for the Ferrari racing team.”
Power for this heavy-hauler comes from a direct-injected four-stroke OM346 six-cylinder diesel with OHV valve control and water cooling. While robust, this motor is also tasked with lugging around a vehicle with about an 18,000-pound curb weight (which comes out to roughly nine tons – and that’s unladen). This truck will not be winning any races, but it will certainly provide an opulent and unique tool for getting collector cars from place to place. Included in the equipment list is an electrically operated two-tone tail lift.
The listing states, “It was important that only original parts were used. You can imagine what kind of quest it was to find an original grille or the Mercedes-Benz OM346 motor. No wonder the project took no less than 11 years. Every part has been thought through, and no detail has been missed during the restoration.”
The asking price is $999,999 for this unique and extensively restored car-hauler. For United States buyers, note that trans-Atlantic transport to E&R Classics’ New Jersey location is available upon inquiry.
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
