Trucking Milestones: 1979 – eight 2632s dare to venture into the Sahara

Series: Trucking Milestones

A true test in Mauritania.

In 1979, Mercedes‑Benz organises an aid convoy for the drought-plagued population of Mauritania. A monumental risk.

Thankful population: the eight 2632s provided the people in far-flung regions of Mauritania with grain.
Thankful population: the eight 2632s provided the people in far-flung regions of Mauritania with grain.
Thankful population: the eight 2632s provided the people in far-flung regions of Mauritania with grain.
Thankful population: the eight 2632s provided the people in far-flung regions of Mauritania with grain.
Thankful population: the eight 2632s provided the people in far-flung regions of Mauritania with grain.
Thankful population: the eight 2632s provided the people in far-flung regions of Mauritania with grain.
Thankful population: the eight 2632s provided the people in far-flung regions of Mauritania with grain.
Thankful population: the eight 2632s provided the people in far-flung regions of Mauritania with grain.

Mauritania in 1979. A devastating drought has laid waste to the Saharan nation in West Africa. Many people are reliant on supplies from aid deliveries, in particular in the eastern, more nomadic part of the country. However, the region can only be reached over extreme desert slopes.

For those responsible at SOMAREM – which represents Mercedes‑Benz in Mauritania to this day – it was clear that the people needed help. A convoy is put together consisting of eight new-generation 2632/6x6s with articulated trailers with loads of grain from international aid campaigns.



Mighty challenges.

The organisers are aware of the risks: never before had an NG 2632 made such an extreme journey in Mauritania – previous convoys had always got stuck. Under the scorching sun, the vehicles would have to conquer deep sand, rock terrain and inclines, as well as trenches filled with shifting sands that can only be traversed with the help of sheets of steel laid underneath.

The monstrously strong V10 engines of the 2632 made a success out of the “Mauritanian Mission” – that was the title given by Transport magazine at the time. The helpers are greeted with thanks wherever they stop. Even in the smallest of tent camps, the residents share water and food with their guests. The convoy thus made it into the Mercedes‑Benz history books twice: as a humanitarian mission and as a successful test drive under the harshest conditions.


Photos: Daimler

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