This 1990 Mercedes Benz UNIMOG 427/20 U1450 is a well-preserved example with 3,950 kilometers (~2,500 miles) that is said to be entirely original aside from a new set of Michelin tires. The truck was imported by the selling dealer a few months ago and features a factory 6.0L six-cylinder turbodiesel and manual gearbox with 8 forward and 8 reverse gears. Cosmetics are in great shape with the pale yellow cab, bed, and wheels having few noticeable flaws, and the interior shows little signs of use. Described by the seller as appearing nearly new, the 427/20 is said to run as well as it looks with no known mechanical issues. The truck has been recently refreshed with new fluids and filters, and is being sold with a clean Pennsylvania title.

The 427 U1450 is a highly capable off-road vehicle and is well-known for its service in military and emergency applications over harsh terrain. The yellow paint is original per the seller, and its excellent condition suggests a well-cared for history of ownership. There are no significant areas of rust thanks to the model featuring enhanced corrosion protection on the chassis and body. The glass is in good shape with no nicks or cracks present, and all of the lights are working correctly with no broken lenses. The exterior rubber and plastics have been preserved nicely, hinting that the truck was stored indoors by previous owners when not in use.

The 427 has a four ton payload rating, giving it the ability to carry heavy cargo without sacrificing off-road capability. It is equipped with two PTO shafts that have a multi-point selection of compressed air or hydraulic fluid that can drive a wide array of attachments. The remarkably tight turning radius, power steering, extreme approach and departure angles, and slow crawling ability allow it to maneuver in confined spaces that other vehicles of this size can not begin to attempt.

The impressive ground clearance is made possible by portal gears allowing the axles and gearbox to be elevated above the center of the 20″ steel wheels. In addition, a flexible frame gives the tires an impressive range of vertical movement with stock models easily conquering boulders over one meter high. The two-circuit brake system is said to provide ample stopping power and is working as it should.

When the 427 was introduced in 1988 it offered the most comfortable and ergonomic interior for a Unimog at that time. Although the cabin is basic, it fits the utilitarian purpose and provides excellent visibility from its large upright windows. This interior appears clean and is fitted with air suspended seats, additional soundproofing, and a fully-functional air conditioning system. Note the headliner sections in matching tan upholstery and multi-directional vent hatch.

The dash is smooth with no visible cracks and the interior plastics are in good condition with knobs and switchgear controls showing no fading or UV damage. All of the instructional stickers are in place and look good aside from some cracking in the clearcoat on one of the metallic decals. A Kenwood AM/FM cassette head unit and Argus KD-6 DC/DC converter can be seen mounted between the two seats. The VDO gauges, lights, accessories, and stereo system are all working properly per the seller.

The cloth upholstery on the two seats appears to be in good condition with no tears or rips, though a few small marks are visible on the driver’s inside edge and on the passenger seat. Padded vinyl/foam flooring helps insulate the cabin from the engine heat and noise, and is protected by black rubber floormats.

The 427 has a manual gearbox with eight forward and eight reverse speeds. Unlike the 406/416 models, the shift setup is not 2 x 4 but is instead a straight 8-speed gearbox. Two auxiliary gearboxes provide high, low, and super low ratios with the high being 1:1, low at 5.76:1, and super low at 55.87:1 allowing a crawl ratio of lower than 4500:1. A few small chips to the interior paint are present around the floor of the driver’s seat, as well as the black plate that houses the shifters.

The 6.0L OM366 turbocharged six-cylinder diesel looks good inside the tidy engine compartment with new hoses, clean surfaces, and organized wiring.

The engine is said to run strong and have no current mechanical needs per the seller. The fluids have been changed and the filters have been replaced in preparation for the sale.

The undercarriage looks clean and dry with no serious corrosion, though some minor surface rust can be seen on some of the components along with a few chips on the black underbody paint.

Chassis #WDB4271121W164706 can be seen on the data plate along with the matching engine and VIN numbers. No service records have been handed down from the previous owners, although with just 3,950 kilometers shown on the odometer and the excellent condition, it is likely that simple routine maintenance is all that has been performed. This 427/20 would be an ideal candidate for an outfitted expedition build, or would make quick work of any hard to tackle jobs on the farm, vineyard, ranch, or in the backcountry.