Mercedes Benz LA 312/42
Built: 1955 · Series: LA
More machines from model year 1955
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 LA – bonneted four-wheel-drive truck for municipal, fire and off-road duty, six-cylinder diesel engines from 4.6 to 5.6 litres, 73 to 95 kW, gross vehicle weight up to 14.8 tonnes
The LA designation on Mercedes-Benz trucks stands for four-wheel drive and denoted the off-road, bonneted versions of the classic light and medium L range, listed here under types from LA 911 to LA 1513; the numbers, following Mercedes' scheme of the time, give gross vehicle weight and engine output. These four-wheel-drive bonneted trucks were built at the Wörth am Rhein plant and, thanks to their off-road ability, mainly served fire brigades, municipal depots and the military.
Read on 3 more paragraphs
The register lists 19 versions with six-cylinder diesel engines from 4,580 to 5,638 cm³ and 73 to 95 kW, kerb weights from 3,495 to 11,860 kg, gross vehicle weights from 7,100 to 14,800 kg, lengths from 5,810 to 8,240 mm and widths from 2,200 to 2,500 mm.
As a base for fire, municipal and military vehicles, the LA was a widespread chassis in German-speaking countries for decades and served, among other things, as the basis for volunteer fire brigades' pump and crane trucks. The bulky bonneted layout with the engine ahead of the cab set it clearly apart from the cab-over trucks that later became standard.
Buying one of these four-wheel-drive trucks used, what matters is the condition of the transfer case and front-axle drive, corrosion of the chassis frame, and, on former fire vehicles, the completeness of the body fitted. The rugged OM 352 six-cylinder diesel is considered durable, and its parts remain well supplied through the Mercedes-Benz parts network; brakes and cab condition should also be checked.
Sources: SpecCodex register, model data: Mercedes-Benz LA, Mercedes-Benz Trucks (manufacturer)
Technical data
Engine
| Power | 73 kWcorrect |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 4,580 cm³correct |
Dimensions and weights
| Length | 7,270 mmcorrect |
|---|---|
| Width | 2,250 mmcorrect |
| Unladen weight | 4,000 kgcorrect |
| Gross vehicle weight | 8,500 kgcorrect |
Where this model stands
Power-to-weight ratio: 18.2 kW/t (73 kW / 4 t)
Stronger than 2% of the trucks in the register — out of 25,242 models with a stated power figure.
Calculated from the documented figures above — not a rating.
Frequently asked questions
How much power does the Mercedes Benz LA 312/42 have?
The Mercedes Benz LA 312/42 delivers 73 kW.
How much does the Mercedes Benz LA 312/42 weigh?
The unladen weight is 4,000 kg.
What is the gross vehicle weight of the Mercedes Benz LA 312/42?
8,500 kg.
What engine does the Mercedes Benz LA 312/42 have?
4,580 cm³ displacement.
What are the dimensions of the Mercedes Benz LA 312/42?
7,270 mm × 2,250 mm.
When was the Mercedes Benz LA 312/42 built?
Production years: 1955.
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 7 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
LA 1113 B
LA 1113 B MA
LA 1113-4X4/420
LA 1113/36
LA 1113/42
LA 1113BMA
LA 113 B
LA 1513
LA 311/42
LA 312/4200
LA 321
LA 321-4X4/4299-59
Sources: Traficom — Finnish 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.
