MAJESTIC MERCEDES

In its striking red livery, it’s a regular on the show circuit, but not many people realise how rare Dominic Newby’s Mercedes 1622 really is. I’ve often argued that there are not enough restored Mercedes trucks on the show circuit, but slowly, and surely, the big Germans are beginning to gain popularity and more old Mercs, some of the wrecks, are being recovered and restored.

A rare beast

One that was never a wreck, but is now in showpiece condition, is Dominic Newby’s 1622 4x2 tractor dating from 1976. It’s a rare beast in the UK, because this model was never sold here. Back then, you had the choice of the underpowered 1619 or the 1626; the latter deemed ideal for 32-tonne work in the UK. The 1622 was only offered on its homeland and France, and so were only left-hand drive.

Under the