OK, I admit it, once upon a time I was an AA Patrol. In those far-off days, I was entrusted with either a Mk.1 Escort or a Bedford HA, and either a Ford A-Series beavertail or a six-cylinder petrol Land Rover Series 3 Safari and trailer for Relay recovery. Unlikely as it seems today, the A-Series represented a touch of sophistication as I had arrived just as the last Bedford J-Type went out service.
Things are rather better for today’s roadside recovery technicians, though, especially if they are lucky enough to work for the Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance network, operated by Mondial UK.
These are two of the latest fleet of response vehicles currently entering service, and now on show at MB UK’s headquarters. The 28 Vito 115CDI compacts come with full Bott racking and the latest Rapid Deployment Trailer, but it’s the R320CDI that should have volunteers jostling for a job on the recovery rota. Converted by James Alpe of Clitheroe, the 32 long-wheelbase R-Series have permanent 4x4 and air suspension, a vast array of Sortimo storage including space for seven spare batteries (and some 25Amp fuses). The passenger compartment has full tea and coffee making facilities and a wide selection of reading material to entertain stranded car occupants.
