The Mercedes Vario is 25 this year!

colm_mcm

Passed an 11 reg vario today in galway and it struck me that its been around a Hellof a long time.

The vario's predecessor the T2 was launched back in 1967 (an astounding 44 years ago) and was facelifted 30 years ago and slightly revised in 1986,

1986 saw a redesigned front end which is still basically the same as todays model.


10 years on production in dusseldorf was moved and the vario name was added along with another facelift.


I remember our school bus was a new t2 in the mid 90s, it struck me that it was quite an antique at the time (over 15 years ago)

It's a very popular van to be converted to mini bus or coach and seems to fill a niche for a heavy duty van.

VolvoMan

For many years they were CityImps on the streets of Dublin.

ofcork

Mercedes themselves are 125 years old this year.

colm_mcm

Holy cow, these are the prices!


Variant Price Vario
813/816 Chassis Cab € 51,000
Vario 813 Vario Van € 57,500
Vario 816 Vario Van € 58,500
Vario 813/816 Chassis Cab € 51,000
Vario 813 Bus Conversion € 56,700
Vario 816 Bus Conversion € 57,800

(© Newgate Motor Company 2008)

Max_Damage

The old ones were far superior machines compared ot the newer ones, although the bodies didn't hold up well against rust.

peasant

The Iveco Daily is 33

Absurdum

Happy birthday~

colm_mcm

They're all different models though peasant. My point is the current vario is the 1986 model with updates along the way.

darragh o meara

Pure workhouse of a van. Was my favourite merchant van when I worked for them. I've seen them with galactic mileage and apart from scheduled maintenance they didn't take a whole lot more.

bazz26

Didn't know they still made these vans, not many new ones around especially at those prices. Always thought the Vario was superceeded by the Sprinter and Vito which are rubbish in comparision.

bijapos

The old 608 is one of the greatest vehicles ever made, I drove a few of them down to Africa, unbelievably robust. Direct injection diesel engine too.

darragh o meara

Yeah they still make them the sprinter and Vito vans were added to the lineup as smaller alternatives. The vario was ideal for people who needed lots of room but not enough to justify a truck, it's a middle ground between a sprinter and a truck.