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1978 Mercedes 207d Tn "Sprinter" Campervan

Location: Santa Barbara, California, United States
Condition: Used
Make: Mercedes-Benz
Model: Sprinter
Year: 1978
Mileage: 184941
Vehicle Title: Clean

1978 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Description

We are selling our Clementine (see instagram @omadrln).
She is a 1978 Mercedes 207D diesel vintage "sprintervan", the original van that the Mercedes Sprinter is based on, it is also known as the Mercedes T1 or T1N. She is a 4cylinder and 4 speed, manual transmission workhorse. She is slow and you definitely cruise in the slow lane at around 55-60mph, slower up hills, but you get endless thumbs up and super high ratio of smilespermiles. She gets really good fuel economy, we've averaged in the 20's on most trips, as high as 26mpg. We had a friend who has a similar one (same year and engine) and he had the radiator rebuilt and got her cruising speed into the 70s mph. Also, a friend recommended putting in a turbo and also larger wheels/tires.
The back seats (storage below them) turns into the bed (about queen sized) and there is a removable dining table. Lots of space for bikes or surfboards or even kayaks. The kitchen has a two-burner stove and sink. There is a fresh water tank and a black water tank. There is a bathroom & toilet but no shower. There is a lot of storage space. Upper cabinets run all around the back of the van, and lots of other cabinets as well. The walls are covered with wall paper that is pealing a bit in spots but is super clean and could be switched out or maybe paint the entire van whatever color you like. There are reading lights in the upper cabinets for the seating area and also a fantastic fan in the roof for ventilation. The exterior is the original orange paint, somewhat faded but pretty rad. The 2nd owner did a poor job of matching the paint on some spots where he painted over some scratches from his Alaska trips, and also the front corner was professionally repainted after somebody hit him while parked in Santa Barbara.. There is some rust here and there (on the rain gutters, wheel wells, and little spots here and there, that I would address if you ever decide to paint her.
We've owned her for about 3years and are the 3rd owners. The 2nd owner put the most miles on, traveling to Alaska, through Central America and throughout the USA... She is the original vanlife rig. We've upgraded all her systems (solar, water pump, fridge is brand new, electrical, batteries, solar charge controller, etc).
Check out the Wiki for more info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_TN
She runs so well and is super solid, starts every time with no problem. We replaced the oil and filters and fuel fitlers over the years, but she has not needed anything else. We've taken her up 4x4 roads that she has handled superbly well, it's a stick shift manual transmission, which gives the driver so much control off-road. Would be even better with some off-road tires.
Bottom line is she is a vintage van and she is looking for a new home, we got a 4x4 truck that we are using a lot more and are not using her as much as she deserves. Time for you to have a turn at Vanlife.
Happy to answer questions or show it to interested buyers.
Thank you for checking it out.

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