Mercedes-Benz O302

Mercedes-Benz O302
Preserved Mercedes-Benz O302 painted as the West German team bus for the 1974 FIFA World Cup
Overview
ManufacturerMercedes-Benz
Production1965-74
1972-76 (in Hyundai, Korea)
Body and chassis
Doors1
Floor typeStep entrance
Powertrain
EngineMercedes-Benz OM 352
Mercedes-Benz OM 327
Mercedes-Benz OM 355
Mercedes-Benz OM 360
Dimensions
Width9.6-11.9 metres
Chronology
PredecessorMercedes-Benz O321
SuccessorMercedes-Benz O303

The Mercedes-Benz O302 is a coach chassis manufactured by Mercedes-Benz between 1965 and 1974.

History

The Mercedes-Benz O302 was launched in May 1965 as a replacement for the O321. It was manufactured by Mercedes-Benz's Mannheim plant. Its body was designed to an austere Bauhaus style. The O302 was sold as both a chassis and as an integral bus with Mercedes-Benz supplying the body.[1]

Over 32,000 O302s were built over an eleven-year period, most as coaches but some were built as buses. It was superseded by the O303.[1][2]

A joint venture of Mercedes OTOMARSAN of Aksaray, Turkey (later became Mercedes-Benz Türk) derived O302T model from O302 and O305. Most appealing difference is box-shaped chassis and stronger engine. During their production time O302 and O302T was mostly preferred as city buses and coaches in Turkey. Some of them are still used as caravans or very light duties by the bus enthusiasts.

For the 1974 FIFA World Cup in West Germany, each team was transported in a coach painted in the team's colours.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c 40th anniversary of the Mercedes-Benz O302: One for all Daimler 18 April 2005
  2. ^ O303: Complex coach range from Mercedes Commercial Motor 13 December 1974
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