As the commercial vehicle range had been lacking an entry-level model in the one-tonne class for some time, the L 70 series was created at the end of the 1930s, which also marked the start of the third generation of commercial vehicles. The Untertürkheim plant was responsible for development and the Mannheim plant for production, as Gaggenau was now working at the limits of its capacity.
The first model of the L 70 series to be launched in 1936 was the one-tonne L 1100, which was offered as a platform truck and as a panel van. Its chassis was a completely level, torsion-resistant, riveted ladder-type frame made of pressed steel beams. The engine – either a four-cylinder OM 138 diesel engine or an M 143 petrol engine with six cylinders and 45 hp (33 kW) each – with flange-mounted four-speed gearbox and dry clutch was mounted elastically and dampened against vibrations. Power was transmitted to the rear axle differential with helical bevel gears via a cardan shaft. While the rear axle housing was made of electric steel casting, the front axle with shock-free helical spindle steering was a drop-forged stub axle. Both axles were suspended from the chassis with strong semi-elliptical springs. The brake system consisted of a hydraulic four-wheel oil-pressure brake and a hand brake acting on the transmission.
In the following year, the L 1500, which was also available as a bare chassis with the model designation O 1500 as the basis for bus bodies, supplemented the range of vehicles in the L 70 series. Apart from the stronger tyres, it did not differ from its lighter sister model. There was also a municipal version of the L 1500 with a transfer case, the LD 1500 as the basis for turntable ladder bodies, and the L 1500 E, which was manufactured exclusively for the German military and fitted with ambulance bodies. It was the only model of the series that was only produced with the M 143 petrol engine.
Production of all civilian variants of the L 70 series and the L 1500 E ended in 1940. With immediate effect, only the revised L 1500 S and the L 1500 F were available with the new M 159 six-cylinder petrol engine with an output of 60 hp (44 kW). The L 1500 F was a special fire brigade chassis for what was known as the LLG light fire-fighting vehicle, which was now being produced in large numbers. In the course of 1941, the L 70 series was finally replaced by the further developed L 301 series.
