Mercedes Benz

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

- 60 years of Setra buses – the idea of the self-supporting body wins through
- 100 years of bus expertise from Ulm/Neu-Ulm
- Four historical buses from 1911 to 1976 in hall 8

Stuttgart/Neu-Ulm, Germany Jan 31, 2011 – Setra Buses, Daimler AG's Ulm-based bus brand, will be celebrating the brand's 60th anniversary and the beginning of bus production in Ulm 100 years ago when it appears at Retro Classics 2011 in Stuttgart (11 – 13 March), presenting four historical buses in hall 8 (commercial vehicles).


The first Setra bus from 1951

The highlight at the exhibition stand will be the first Setra bus ever to be produced, bearing the chassis number -001. This vehicle was presented to bus companies for the first time at the Frankfurt International Motor Show in 1951. The defining characteristic of this vehicle was that it did not use a truck frame as its base. Instead, a self-supporting frame was lined with sheet metal to form the vehicle's body. Other features of the first Setra include a six-cylinder Henschel rear engine rated at 74 kW (100 hp), underfloor luggage compartments and a fully synchromeshed five-speed ZF manual transmission.

S 215 HD dating from 1976 - the prototype of the Setra 200 model series

The 200 series in the Setra brand's 25th year opened another successful chapter. This generation of vehicles introduced cross-flow ventilation, whereby fresh air was channelled draught-free into the passenger compartment along the entire length of the vehicle. The exhibit is the prototype of the 200 model series and is fitted with an OM 403 10-cylinder V engine from Mercedes-Benz rated at 235 kW (320 hp).

First Kässbohrer bus on Saurer chassis from 1911

It was 100 years ago, in February 1911, when Kässbohrer undertook its first step in the field of bus construction. The first Kässbohrer bus was built on a Saurer truck chassis for the city of Ulm's first bus service running from Münsterplatz to the suburb of Wiblingen. The exhibit is a fully functional replica of the lost original. The vehicle possesses a four-cylinder Saurer petrol engine with an output of around 29 kW (40 hp). The wooden body has 18 seats plus space for around ten standing passengers.

Bus on Opel Blitz chassis with Kässbohrer trailer, built in 1956

The compact bus dating from 1956 was built on the chassis of the Opel Blitz, which was highly popular among bus companies at the time. With the introduction of the Setra S 6, compact buses were also produced in self-supporting design from the mid-1950s. The exhibit is fitted with a six-cylinder petrol engine rated at 46 kW (62 hp). A Kässbohrer luggage trailer compensates for the lack of space in the luggage compartment.

Retro Classics 2011 is an international trade show for vintage vehicles, replacement parts and restoration which is to take place at the Stuttgart exhibition site from 11 to 13 March (preview on 10 March), with over 1000 exhibitors. Opening times are Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday/Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission costs € 16 for adults, concessionary rate € 12.


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