The new range of Mercedes 'short nosed' conventional trucks were revealed in 1959. Initially there were three models - the medium-duty L 322 and L 327, and the heavy-duty L 337. All of which were available with either the aforementioned short nosed design with the "L" designation, or the relatively new forward control "LP" cab. The advantages of the short nose models over the classic long-bonnets are described more in-depth in the L 337 / LP 337 page. Aside from the obvious payload and weight ratings, the biggest differentiation between the heavy and medium-duty series was the bonnet's length. The medium-duty models did not require extra space to accommodate a larger engine, unlike the heavy-duty models who were expected to pull more weight.

The 322-series was the successor to the short-lived 321-series which had only lasted in production for two years before its replacement in 1959. The 322 was available in a vast amount of configurations, with customers able to specify either a conventional L 322, or forward control LP 322. Flatbeds, tippers, articulated tractors, and all-wheel drive versions were all options in various wheelbases and payloads within the 6-7 tonne sector. As with all models across the Mercedes range, the tippers, tractors, and all-wheel drives were designated as LK, LS, and LA respectively.

Power came from the 5.1 litre OM 321 six-cylinder diesel engine which developed 110 hp at 3,000 rpm. For operators who wished for a little more power, the engine was available with turbocharging which added an extra 16 hp over the standard variant. All models used the same 5-speed manual gearbox.

Wheelbases and payload capacities were as follows: 3.6, 4.2 and 4.8 metres at 6.5, 6.7 and 6.6 tonnes respectively for the standard L 322, and 3.6 metres at 6.0 tonnes for the LK tipper. The LAK all-wheel drive tipper had a wheelbase of 3.6 metres and a payload of 5.95 tonnes, and the LA all-wheel drive model's wheelbase was either 3.6 or 4.2 metres at 6.5 or 6.25 tonnes. When it came to the forward control variants, the LP's wheelbase was available at either 3.2, 3.6, 4.2 or 4.8 metres at 6.8, 6.3, 6.5, and around 6.7 tonnes respectively. The LS and LA tractors both had a 3.6 metre wheelbase, whereas the LPS tractors' wheelbases were available at either 3.2 or 3.6 metres. Each model had a permitted maximum weight of 10.5 tonnes, and various techniques were used to reduce unladen weight as much as possible to achieve an impressive payload to gross weight ratio.

In 1963, in keeping with Mercedes new nomenclature system, the L 322 series was renamed to the L 1113, which indicated the 10.5 tonne GVW and the approximate horsepower figure divided by ten.

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