Mercedes Benz LP 312
Built: 1959 · Series: LP
More machines from model year 1959
Not the right version? The data comes from vehicle registers holding many near-identical versions side by side. Photograph the data plate — we read make and type from it. Open the scanner e-mail address required
Mercedes-Benz LP – the Pullman cab and its type logic: first digits give gross weight in tonnes, next digits output in hp divided by ten, four- and six-cylinder engines 59 to 113 kW
The Mercedes-Benz LP series covered medium and heavy cab-over trucks through the 1960s to 1980s; "L" stands for Lastwagen (truck) and "P" for the so-called Pullman cab, the flat cabin form without a projecting bonnet. The type designation follows a fixed scheme: the first two digits give the gross vehicle weight in tonnes, the following two the engine output in metric horsepower divided by ten – the LP 608, for instance, denotes 6 tonnes gross weight and around 80 hp, the LP 1619 16 tonnes and around 190 hp; a further digit after the slash often gives the wheelbase in centimetres.
Read on 3 more paragraphs
The register lists 39 versions with four- to six-cylinder diesel engines from 3,758 to 9,506 cc, outputs from 59 to 113 kW, kerb weights from 3,170 to 10,940 kg, gross vehicle weights from 5,780 to 16,000 kg, lengths from 6,250 to 10,290 mm and widths from 2,180 to 2,550 mm.
The LP series was widespread in Europe as a rugged construction, municipal and distribution truck and formed the backbone of Mercedes's commercial-vehicle range before the NG and SK series arrived; some chassis also served as the base for motorhome and fire-service bodies.
When buying a used example, check for rust in the frame and the Pullman cab, particularly at its mounting points, the condition of the injection pump and intercooler on turbocharged engines, and wear on leaf springs and brake drums after decades of site work; spare parts remain readily available through Mercedes-Benz Classic and the independent truck parts trade.
Sources: SpecCodex register, model data: Mercedes Benz LP, Mercedes-Benz Trucks (manufacturer)
Technical data
Engine
| Cylinders | 6correct |
|---|
Dimensions and weights
| Length | 6,980 mmcorrect |
|---|---|
| Width | 2,500 mmcorrect |
| Wheelbase | 3,600 mmcorrect |
| Unladen weight | 5,280 kgcorrect |
| Gross vehicle weight | 7,400 kgcorrect |
Drivetrain and chassis
| Wheels | 4correct |
|---|
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Mercedes Benz LP 312 weigh?
The unladen weight is 5,280 kg.
What is the gross vehicle weight of the Mercedes Benz LP 312?
7,400 kg.
What engine does the Mercedes Benz LP 312 have?
6 cylinders.
What are the dimensions of the Mercedes Benz LP 312?
6,980 mm × 2,500 mm.
When was the Mercedes Benz LP 312 built?
Production years: 1959.
What to check before buying
- Check the hour meter against the service records — a replaced instrument is the most common gap.
- Compare the data plate and chassis number with the papers.
- Check the weights in the papers against the figures here — attachments change them.
- Ask about parts availability for this build year — the running costs hang on it.
A general list for this type of machine — no substitute for an inspection or an appraiser.
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This page carries 9 individual figures for this model. They come from 2 recorded sources; every figure can be traced there. What we cannot document is not here — we leave gaps open rather than estimate them.
The technical data on this page comes from official vehicle registration records (RDW/Traficom), not from the manufacturer.
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Other models in this series
LP 1013
LP 1113
LP 1113 B
LP 1113/4200
LP 1313
LP 1313/4200
LP 1319
LP 1413
LP 1418
LP 1619 B
LP 1619/48
LP 1619/52
Sources: RDW — Dutch national vehicle register (retrieved August 2026) · How we check the data
Truck in 3D section
Turn the model, look inside and click an assembly — each one is explained.
