Peter Weissenhorn’s LA 312: an all-wheel drive vacuum truck

Classic vehicles

An international star from Mannheim.

In 1959 Peter Weissenhorn’s father started up his family business. His most important working tool in those days was a used Mercedes-Benz truck.

Peter Weissenhorn enjoys the routes he drives in the LA 312 – even if it only involves going to the classic vehicle meetings in the region.


The model series.

The LA 312: by the time the series was replaced in 1961, almost 7,000 vehicles had been delivered to customers. The trucks from Mannheim were increasingly being bought by foreign customers. Even in India, Brazil and Argentina, the trucks sold like hot cakes. The vehicles were exported either completely assembled or in kit form. 

A decisive factor in the success of this series was the OM 312 engine: this legendary inline six-cylinder unit impressed owners with its ability to cover incredibly high mileages. 


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