In war, only certain type of series are built throughout all manufacturers. Daimler-Benz so has the misfortune that their model not and that of the competitor Opel is well on the short list. At the very end of the war Daimler is forced to build Opel Blitz. Their own trucks are simply too heavy, too inexperienced for a quick new construction.

As much as this situation represents a mean disaster for the factory, it still brings unexpectedly goods. Because after the war, Opel can tie no longer in its old success in the market of 3-ton trucks. The manufacturing facilities in Brandenburg are totally destroyed and moreover under Russian control. So there is for Daimler one less competitor.

This goes even further. When as usual after the war, all remaining stocks of Opel petrol engine are assembled and delivered, are left over the manufacturing equipment. What could be more logical to develop a successor which is precisely to manufacture with these equipments. Thereby of course the thirsty six-cylinder engine from Opel should be replaced through a diesel engine.

There it is not surprising when the new Mercedes L 3250 contains a lot Opel. And after it is brought to 3.5 tons of payload according to its remaining competitors Borgward and Magirus, its success will be foreseeable. It has now a strong and for the time modern pre-chamber diesel engine and a nearly unbeatable ratio of payload to kerb weight.

The war and postwar periods with square cabs from sheet metal and even plywood are history. Rounder shapes characterize the new design, even for the slightly tapered hood. Of course, lightweight and medium- weight trucks in that time were hydraulically braked and changing gears unsynchronized. Only later follow synchronization and hypoid drive. 04/17

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