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Photo of a Mercedes-Benz T1

Mercedes-Benz T1

The Sprinter's forebear: 969,751 T1s built over 18 years.12

Researched November 9, 2026 from 28 sources

Also called

  • Bremer TransporterNamed for Bremen, the family's first production location.2
  • KaczkaPolish nickname inspired by its unusual front end and short hood.3

At a glance

0100200
40.23–103.53 hpPower
0100200
70–131 km/hTop speed
0150300
113–192 N·mTorque

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.2811

Layout
Front engine, rear-wheel drive; Iglhaut 4WD conversions210
Gearbox
4-speed manual; 5-speed from 1982; optional 4-speed automatic1
Built at
Bremen and Düsseldorf transporter plants, Germany2
Units built
969,751 in 18 years1

The story

Built to replace the Harburger Transporter in 1977, the T1/TN combined a short hood with rear-wheel drive. The Bremen-born family carried people as minibuses and became Westfalia's James Cook camper.245

1977: 252 factory variants at launch · Westfalia launches the James Cook19771980: 307E: 65 km from underfloor batteries19801981: 409 D adds a five-cylinder diesel19811982: Five speeds and stronger engines19821984: Bremen builds its last T1/TN19841989: Flat-roof van: 23% less fuel at 100 km/h19891995: 969,751 built; Sprinter takes over1995 Tempo Matador: 1949–1966Tempo MatadorMercedes-Benz T1 (601 / 602 / 611): 1977–1995601 / 602 / 611Mercedes-Benz Sprinter (T1N): Introduced 1995T1N 19501960197019801990200020102020
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones241920
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1949–1966Tempo Matador
1977–1995Mercedes-Benz T1 (601 / 602 / 611)
Introduced 1995Mercedes-Benz Sprinter (T1N)
1977252 factory variants at launch
1977Westfalia launches the James Cook
1980307E: 65 km from underfloor batteries
1981409 D adds a five-cylinder diesel
1982Five speeds and stronger engines
1984Bremen builds its last T1/TN
1989Flat-roof van: 23% less fuel at 100 km/h
1995969,751 built; Sprinter takes over
  1. 1977

    252 factory variants at launch

    The 207 D, 208, 307 D and 308 debut in April; the new TN is offered in 252 factory-built configurations.14

  2. 1977

    Westfalia launches the James Cook

    Westfalia's James Cook arrives with a high roof; the original layout puts the kitchen and wet bath at the rear.67

  3. 1980

    307E: 65 km from underfloor batteries

    With two 90-volt battery banks beneath the floor, the experimental 307E preserves cargo space and can travel 65 km.8

  4. 1981

    409 D adds a five-cylinder diesel

    The 407 D and 409 D take the range to 4,600 kg GVW. The 409 D's 3.0 L OM617 five-cylinder makes 87 hp.2

  5. 1982

    Five speeds and stronger engines

    The OM616 diesel rises to 71 hp, while M102 gas models offer 94 hp. Five-speed manuals replace four-speeds; a four-speed automatic is optional.1

  6. 1984

    Bremen builds its last T1/TN

    On July 19, Bremen completes its last T1/TN. Production is concentrated in Düsseldorf, which has also been building the family since 1980.9

  7. 1989

    Flat-roof van: 23% less fuel at 100 km/h

    The March relaunch brings diesels offered since autumn 1988; taller manual gearing for those engines cuts revs by 24%.129

  8. 1995

    969,751 built; Sprinter takes over

    The last T1 ends an 18-year run with 969,751 built. The new Sprinter replaces the family in 1995.12

Every generation

  • Tempo Matador
    Tempo Matador1949–1966
  • Mercedes-Benz T1
    601 / 602 / 6111977–1995
  • Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
    T1NIntroduced 1995

Power over the years

From 54 hp to 104 hp in 12 years.

050100150 19761978198019821984198619881990 hp 1977 · 54 hp · 207 D/307 D OM615 (Italy)1977 · 64 hp · 207 D/307 D OM6161977 · 84 hp · 208/308 M115 gas1980 · 40 hp · 307E electric trial1981 · 87 hp · 409 D OM617 five-cylinder1982 · 71 hp · 207 D/307 D OM616 upgrade1982 · 94 hp · 210/310/410 M102 gas1989 · 78 hp · 208 D/308 D/408 D OM6011989 · 89 hp · 209 D/309 D/409 D (Belgium)1989 · 94 hp · 210 D/310 D/410 D OM6021989 · 97 hp · 210 D/310 D/410 D automatic1989 · 104 hp · 210/310/410 M102 gas upgrade 104 hp 210/310/410 M102 gas upgrade 54 hp 207 D/307 D OM615 (Italy)
258
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
197754207 D/307 D OM615 (Italy)
197764207 D/307 D OM616
197784208/308 M115 gas
198040307E electric trial
198187409 D OM617 five-cylinder
198271207 D/307 D OM616 upgrade
198294210/310/410 M102 gas
198978208 D/308 D/408 D OM601
198989209 D/309 D/409 D (Belgium)
198994210 D/310 D/410 D OM602
198997210 D/310 D/410 D automatic
1989104210/310/410 M102 gas upgrade

Versions

10 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • 601 / 602 factory models

    Standard

    601 / 602 factory models

    1977–1995

  • 209 D / 309 D

    Standard

    209 D / 309 D

    1982–1988

    87 hp
  • 210 D / 310 D / 410 D

    Standard

    210 D / 310 D / 410 D

    1989–1995

    94 hp
  • 210 / 310 / 410 gasoline

    Standard

    210 / 310 / 410 gasoline

    1989–1995

    104 hp
  • 611 heavy-duty models

    Standard

    611 heavy-duty models

    1981–1995

  • Special

    Westfalia James Cook

  • Hymer S 700

    Special

    Hymer S 700

    94 hp

  • Special

    Iglhaut Allrad

  • Special

    Brabus T 1

  • Special

    Porsche SAVE rescue prototype

    1977

How to spot one

Look for

  • A short, projecting hood gives the front its distinctive snout.410
  • Slanted side-window edges give the cab an angular profile.1
  • Rising and falling body lines meet like an arrow at the front fenders.10
  • Twin rear tires identify the heavy-duty 4-series models.5

Year by year

  1. March 1989 facelift

    A slotless bumper appeared; high-roof vans gained front-pillar trim, while other bodies gained rain-gutter trim.19

Don’t confuse it with

  • Photo of a Mercedes-Benz T1
    T1
    Photo of a Mercedes-Benz T2 / Düsseldorfer
    Mercedes-Benz T2 / Düsseldorfer

    Mercedes-Benz T2 / Düsseldorfer

    The T1's short hood projects more prominently; the T2 is the bigger sibling.117

  • Photo of a Mercedes-Benz T1
    T1
    Photo of a Force Traveller
    Force Traveller

    Force Traveller

    The side profile retains the old van's doors, windows and roof, but the front end was redesigned.318

Prices

Value today $11.1K–$23.5K2324

Auction saleValue today
$0$10K$20K$30K 201520202025 Value today: $11,140–$23,500 2013 · $6,426 · 1992 310 D camper, H&H Auctioneers2022 · $17,656 · 1980 308 TN van, Bring A Trailer2023 · $22,500 · 1993 310 fire van, 17k km shown, BaT2023 · $11,140 · 1978 207D James Cook, 222k km shown, BaT2023 · $22,555 · 1993 310 TN van, Bring A Trailer2024 · $23,500 · 1985 309D Westfalia, 43k miles shown, TMU, BaT2024 · $13,750 · 1980 308 TN van, 33k km shown, BaT2026 · $7,259 · 1995 310 van, Mathewsons2026 · $10,234 · 1990 308D, Mathewsons $23.5K BaT, 2024
232425262728
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
2013Auction sale$6,4261992 310 D camper, H&H Auctioneers
2022Auction sale$17,6561980 308 TN van, Bring A Trailer
2023Auction sale$22,5001993 310 fire van, 17k km shown, BaT
2023Auction sale$11,1401978 207D James Cook, 222k km shown, BaT
2023Auction sale$22,5551993 310 TN van, Bring A Trailer
2024Auction sale$23,5001985 309D Westfalia, 43k miles shown, TMU, BaT
2024Auction sale$13,7501980 308 TN van, 33k km shown, BaT
2026Auction sale$7,2591995 310 van, Mathewsons
2026Auction sale$10,2341990 308D, Mathewsons
2026Value today$11,140–$23,500

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 10 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 13 stories from its legend
    • “969,751 T1s in 18 years”
    • “A 207 D finished second in the Liberty-Raid”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 3 generations

  • Market

    • 6 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 28 sources
  1. Die Geschichte der Mercedes-Benz Transporter, Teil 3.2 - Mercedes-Seite mercedes-seite.de
  2. Mercedes-Benz TN - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  3. Mercedes T1 - legendarny dostawczak • AutoCentrum.pl autocentrum.pl
  4. Our Achievements | Mercedes-Benz Vans Canada | Mercedes-Benz Vans mercedes-benz-vans.ca
  5. Mercedes-Benz T 1 – Wikipedia de.wikipedia.org
  6. Mercedes James Cook 309 D: Premium-Reisemobil im Test - AUTO BILD autobild.de
  7. Campingbus von 1985 für 37.000 Euro: Warum das beim James Cook kein Wucher sein muss promobil.de
  8. Mercedes-Benz 307E (1980): Strom für 65 Kilometer auto-motor-und-sport.de
  9. Jubilés Mercedes-Benz Vans: des décennies d’innovation media.mercedes-benz.fr
  10. Rencontre avec le designer du T 1 media.mercedes-benz.fr
  11. Mercedes-Benz T1 Transporter 1988-1995 210 D (95 PS) Erfahrungen autoplenum.de
  12. Hymer S 700 – Integriertes Wohnmobil Aus Alten Tagen – Camper Welten camperwelten.com
  13. Historie – IGLHAUT Allrad iglhaut-allrad.de
  14. This Humble Work Van Hides The Running Gear Of One Of The Greatest Off-Roaders - The Autopian theautopian.com
  15. Mercedes T1 Brabus: Vom Lieferwagen zum Luxuslaster autozeitung.de
  16. Seltener geht's nicht: Mercedes T 1 Transporter von Brabus - AUTO BILD autobild.de
  17. Test klasyczne vany Mercedesa kontra Sprinter z 2020 roku dostawczakiem.pl
  18. Acesta e Force Traveller, microbuzul bazat pe clasicul Mercedes T1, care se mai produce şi azi | PiataAuto.md - Site-ul lumii auto din Moldova piataauto.md
  19. Tempo Matador — Wikipédia fr.wikipedia.org
  20. Harburger Transporter – Wikipedia de.wikipedia.org
  21. Kaczka jako wóz serwisowy zespołu rajdowego Gazmot Motorsport dostawczakiem.pl
  22. Mercedes-Benz in Kinofilmen und TV-Serien (Teil 2) - Mercedes-Seite mercedes-seite.de
  23. No Reserve: 1978 Mercedes-Benz 207D Westfalia James Cook for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $11,140 on December 12, 2023 (Lot #130,439) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  24. 1985 Mercedes-Benz 309D Westfalia Camper for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $23,500 on September 25, 2024 (Lot #164,167) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  25. No Reserve: 1993 Mercedes-Benz 310 TN Van for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $22,500 on June 30, 2023 (Lot #112,129) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  26. Mercedes-Benz 310 For Sale & Price Guide | TCV theclassicvaluer.com
  27. Mercedes-Benz 308 For Sale & Price Guide | TCV theclassicvaluer.com
  28. No Reserve: 1980 Mercedes-Benz 308 TN Van for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $13,750 on February 22, 2024 (Lot #137,238) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  • mercedes-seite.de
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • autocentrum.pl
  • mercedes-benz-vans.ca
  • de.wikipedia.org
  • autobild.de
  • promobil.de
  • auto-motor-und-sport.de
  • media.mercedes-benz.fr
  • autoplenum.de
  • camperwelten.com
  • iglhaut-allrad.de
  • theautopian.com
  • autozeitung.de

Photo credits

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