A unique wood-powered Mercedes-Benz L500 truck: a rare 1937 production vehicle restored (photos)

A restored 1937 Mercedes-Benz L500 Wood Carburetor—a unique production truck that runs on firewood—has been featured online. The vehicle was restored by specialists at the Mercedes-Benz Trucks Classic division, after which it became part of the company’s collection of historic vehicles.

How the Mercedes-Benz L500 Truck Runs on Firewood

The model’s main feature is the Imbert gas generator mounted behind the cab. This device converts firewood into wood gas, which is then used as the primary fuel. The technology resembles the principle behind vehicles with LPG systems but is based on the processing of wood.

The process involves:

• loading firewood into the gas generator

• smoldering the wood with limited oxygen supply

• the release of combustible wood gas

• purifying and feeding the gas into the engine cylinders

Such systems were common in Europe in the 1930s and 1940s, when gasoline was scarce and expensive.

Technical Specifications of the Mercedes L500 Wood Carburetor

The truck is equipped with a 2.2-liter inline-six engine producing 40 l. s. The model’s top speed reaches approximately 65 km/h. You can identify the gas-generator version by the additional radiator at the front, the external gas scrubber, and the distinctive superstructure behind the cab.

Design Features:

• 2.2-liter Mercedes engine

• 40 liters of power

• top speed of up to 65 km/h

• Imbert gas generator module

• Modified fuel system

Complete restoration of a rare truck

Specialists at Mercedes-Benz Trucks Classic carried out a comprehensive restoration:

• restored the body and original exterior components

• completely overhauled the gas generator

• refurbished the engine

• restored the interior to a condition as close as possible to factory specifications

The vehicle is now on display in the brand’s collection and is used for historical presentations.

Why Mercedes produced wood-powered trucks in the 1930s

In Germany during the 1930s and World War II, there was a shortage of oil. Gasoline was expensive and hard to come by, so wood-powered vehicles became a popular solution. Gas-generator trucks made it possible to significantly reduce operating costs and avoid dependence on limited fuel resources.

Similar projects existed in other European countries as well. Moreover, in Ukraine, homemade gas-generator vehicles built by enthusiasts can still be found today.

The restored Mercedes-Benz L500 Wood Carburetor is a unique example of the alternative technologies of its time and a reminder of how the automotive industry adapted to fuel shortages nearly a century ago. The fully restored truck has become a valuable historical artifact, demonstrating Mercedes-Benz’s engineering capabilities under conditions of limited resources.