FOR TRUCK'S SAKE
Octane|June 2023
Mercedes-Benz’s W115 saloon was renowned around the world as a taxt. But in Argentina it became more useful as La Pick-up. Melanie May investigates
FOR TRUCK'S SAKE

WHAT IS IT they say about necessity being the mother of invention? The proverb could be rewritten to explain the existence of many a fascinating classic car. Or, indeed, truck. So before we get behind the wheel of the somewhat unexpected pick-up before us, it's worth considering why it exists in the first place.

Mercedes-Benz has a long history in Argentina. After World War Two, the country saw rapid industrial and agricultural development, but the transport infrastructure was poor the car fleet was almost obsolete and the rail network was insufficient to satisfy demand. Mercedes was quick to capitalise on the growing need for vehicles when, in 1951, it opened the González Catán facility in Buenos Aires Province, the first Mercedes factory outside Europe. The company builds the Sprinter van there to this day.

Fast-forward to the 1970s, a time of liberation for many, and there was a severe restriction on imports thanks to taxes on manufactured products: a stiff 95% on passenger cars and 65% even on utility vehicles.

Therefore, to avoid costly import taxes, manufacturers brought vehicles into Argentina as CKD (Complete Knocked Down) kits and assembled them locally. Furthermore, because the tariffs were lower on utility vehicles, many factories converted normal cars to commercial usage and sold them as station wagons and pick-up trucks.

Yet this was not the only reason for creating more trucks. In the 1970s, agriculture made up a significant part of Argentina's economy and commercial vehicles were in high demand. It was the combination of these factors that led Mercedes-Benz Argentina to import CKD kits of the W115 saloon and convert them into 'stroke-eight' pick-ups - the W114 and W115 series of cars were nicknamed strich acht because they had come to the market in 1968.

This story is from the June 2023 edition of Octane.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the June 2023 edition of Octane.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM OCTANEView All
Nathalie McGloin
Octane

Nathalie McGloin

The only female tetraplegic racing driver in the world and co-founder of Spinal Track, charity supporting disabled drivers

time-read
5 mins  |
250 - April 2024
Atomium
Octane

Atomium

An iron molecule, 100m tall and scaled-up 165billion times, was the future in ’58

time-read
3 mins  |
250 - April 2024
The Valjoux 7750
Octane

The Valjoux 7750

Rendered obsolete in the late 1970s, Edmond Capt's wonder movement is not only back, but selling 200,000 units a year

time-read
3 mins  |
250 - April 2024
Lucy O'Reilly Schell
Octane

Lucy O'Reilly Schell

The first American woman to compete in a Grand Prix was also a distinguished rally driver and team owner

time-read
4 mins  |
250 - April 2024
OCTANE CARS
Octane

OCTANE CARS

OWNING+ DRIVING + MAINTAINING

time-read
9 mins  |
250 - April 2024
OUR MAN IN JAPAN
Octane

OUR MAN IN JAPAN

James Elliott joins an exclusive Japanese classic tour in an exquisite Alfa Romeo Junior Zagato 1600

time-read
9 mins  |
250 - April 2024
LONG-TERM LEGENDS
Octane

LONG-TERM LEGENDS

These two SS100 Jaguars have been in the hands of well-known and dedicated enthusiasts for five decades and more. Chris Mann divulges their entertaining histories

time-read
8 mins  |
250 - April 2024
Micky Pople
Octane

Micky Pople

Octane meets the 95-year-old and talks about his life with the stars as one of Bristol's Filton Fliers'

time-read
8 mins  |
250 - April 2024
LEADING FROM THE MIDDLE
Octane

LEADING FROM THE MIDDLE

The René Bonnet Djet was the world's first mid-engined production road car. Glen Waddington enjoys a momentous French Lotus rival

time-read
8 mins  |
250 - April 2024
BACK AGAIN FOR MORE
Octane

BACK AGAIN FOR MORE

This Le Mans-winning Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Zagato Spider appeared in the very first issue of Octane. More than 20 years on, Robert Coucher acquaints himself and finally gets behind the wheel

time-read
10 mins  |
250 - April 2024