The 1972 Mercedes Benz Unimog is a ‘truck on a tractor foundation,’ and was only sold in Germany.
If you’ve been wondering about the funky-looking Mercedes Benz monster truck parked at Ace Tire, you’re not alone.
Ace’s owner, Kyle Desrochers said it is a 1972 Mercedes Benz Unimog, which was originally sold in Germany. This one was imported to the United States and is what he called a “show-piece,” though it was once a work vehicle.
“It’s a truck body on a tractor foundation,” he said. “It’s pretty slow — it’s more of a work vehicle.”
The snorkel coming out of the right side of the hood, he said, is the air filter intake, while the small piece that extends out of the truck’s grill is “like a driveshaft for different attachments, for things that operate different hydraulic systems,” Mr. Desrochers said.
Though his shop’s specialty is tires, the owner said Ace is “actually doing some electric work on it and some other stuff.. we work on everything.”
Ace Tire and Auto Center is owned by Mr. Desrochers and his father, Rich. The pair purchased the business from 38-year owner Kenny Polverari in November 2013.
“I didn’t want to sell it to some chain,” Mr. Polverari said at that time. “I wanted to keep it basically the same, with the same feel, and I feel very comfortable leaving it with these guys.”