Mercedes Benz 0302 body styles

Forum rules
  • A topic icon must be used with the thread title of all threads.
  • No more than 10 photos per post with a maximum of 50 in any one page in a thread.
  • Maximum photo width 1000 pixels.
  • For full photo rules and how to attach photos see viewtopic.php?f=10&t=28459
  • Thank you :)
User avatar
Centralian
Posts: 2432
Joined: Mon Mar 22, 2004 11:03 pm

Mercedes Benz 0302 body styles

Post by Centralian »

Tas Bus Nut asked at another post how one could tell the difference between the various bodies that appeared on the M-Benz 0302 chassis, as they all looked alike. Here's a selection of various bodies on the M-Benz 0302 chassis, can you distinguish the various builders. I'll provide details for any that aren't identified after a few days.

First of all, the chassis came with the front and windscreen as part of the chassis as seen in the first picture, with a fully imported Manheim bodied vehicle next to it. A number of tour operators went with the fully imported Manheim bodies, while others bodied locally. Good luck with your spotting skills.
M-Benz chassis.jpg
M-Benz chassis.jpg (44.76 KiB) Viewed 15658 times
Image Number 1 with a body by ?
Image Number 1 with a body by ?
0302.1.jpg (74.38 KiB) Viewed 15664 times
Image Number 2 with a body by ?
Image Number 2 with a body by ?
0302.2.jpg (74.55 KiB) Viewed 15658 times
Image Number 3 with a body by ?
Image Number 3 with a body by ?
0302.3.jpg (70.26 KiB) Viewed 15658 times
Image Number 4 with a body by ?
Image Number 4 with a body by ?
0302.4.jpg (60.31 KiB) Viewed 15658 times
Image Number 5 with a body by ?
Image Number 5 with a body by ?
0302.5.jpg (62 KiB) Viewed 15664 times
Image Number 6 with a body by ?
Image Number 6 with a body by ?
0302.6.jpg (58.55 KiB) Viewed 15658 times
Image Number 7 with a body by ?
Image Number 7 with a body by ?
0302.7.jpg (55.79 KiB) Viewed 15664 times
Image Number 8 with a body by ?
Image Number 8 with a body by ?
0302.8.jpg (73.79 KiB) Viewed 15664 times
Image Number 9 with a body by ?
Image Number 9 with a body by ?
0302.9.jpg (66.39 KiB) Viewed 15658 times
Last edited by Centralian on Wed Nov 16, 2011 8:41 am, edited 1 time in total.
Think for yourself, while it's still legal !
User7526
Posts: 332
Joined: Mon Sep 13, 2010 7:49 am

Re: Mercedes Benz 0302 body styles

Post by User7526 »

I'll try my luck here!

1 Mannheim
2 PMC Sydney
3 CCMC
4 Superior
5 Domino
6 Denning
7 CCMC
8 Denning
9 Mannheim

Let me know when you're ready, I'm wondering if I've failed or not!!!

Peta.
David10
Posts: 404
Joined: Sun Dec 27, 2009 5:08 pm

Mercedes Benz 0302 body styles

Post by David10 »

1) Mannheim
2) PMC
3)Superior
4)Domino Hedges
5)GBW
6)Denning
7)CCMC
8)Denning
9)Ansair
Last edited by David10 on Sun Nov 13, 2011 5:12 pm, edited 1 time in total.
THE INFORMANT
Posts: 453
Joined: Tue Mar 23, 2004 6:03 pm
Favourite Vehicle: Denning Phoneix
Location: Warrigal Charters Illawarra's Premier Charter bus operator setting the Standard
Contact:

Re: Mercedes Benz 0302 body styles

Post by THE INFORMANT »

The reason they all looked similar was the front header was the same on most of the units. If you look in the first Picture to the right you can see an unbodied Chassis with the Header showing. Need an image of Watts Wollongong TV510 The best looking 0302 i have ever seen- But i am a bit bias in that regard
"I am the Crackmister"
User avatar
boronia
Posts: 21566
Joined: Sat Mar 06, 2004 6:18 am
Favourite Vehicle: Ahrens Fox; GMC PD4107
Location: Sydney NSW

Re: Mercedes Benz 0302 body styles

Post by boronia »

David10 wrote: 1) Mannheim

9)Ansair
I don't believe that Ansair built any of these.

They did replicate the Mannheim bodies on the later O303 chassis though.

Technically, the imported bodies were not built by "Mannheim". It was actually a Mercedes factory located in Mannheim.
Preserving fire service history
@ The Museum of Fire.
User avatar
Hornibrook
Posts: 2473
Joined: Mon Mar 03, 2008 7:04 pm
Location: Brisbane

Re: Mercedes Benz 0302 body styles

Post by Hornibrook »

boronia wrote:
David10 wrote: 1) Mannheim

9)Ansair
I don't believe that Ansair built any of these.

They did replicate the Mannheim bodies on the later O303 chassis though.

Technically, the imported bodies were not built by "Mannheim". It was actually a Mercedes factory located in Mannheim.
Correct, Ansair didn't do O302's. And I believe the last one is a Mannheim, the look of "openness" gives it away.

4's confirmed as a Domino body.

Don't think 6's a Denning, well it aint on the Denning list put it that way.
User avatar
boronia
Posts: 21566
Joined: Sat Mar 06, 2004 6:18 am
Favourite Vehicle: Ahrens Fox; GMC PD4107
Location: Sydney NSW

Re: Mercedes Benz 0302 body styles

Post by boronia »

The curved side windows are the give away for the Mannheim built bodies, so 1, 2 and 9. AAT had quite a few of these in the late 70s.

2 and 9 both later went to Murrays.

Local bodies all had flat windows.
Preserving fire service history
@ The Museum of Fire.
User avatar
CB80
Posts: 3731
Joined: Sat Aug 13, 2005 5:13 pm
Favourite Vehicle: Leyland Tiger
Location: Melbourne.

Re: Mercedes Benz 0302 body styles

Post by CB80 »

boronia wrote:Local bodies all had flat windows.
If that's true then pictures 1, 2 and 10 must be Mercedez-Benz/Mannheim bodies.
User avatar
Mr Scania
Posts: 474
Joined: Thu Mar 11, 2004 8:24 pm
Favourite Vehicle: Scania
Location: Bass Hill

Re: Mercedes Benz 0302 body styles

Post by Mr Scania »

According to Ernie the Pleasure Tours unit is a Denning body.
It was a stock unit from Mercedes.
User avatar
boronia
Posts: 21566
Joined: Sat Mar 06, 2004 6:18 am
Favourite Vehicle: Ahrens Fox; GMC PD4107
Location: Sydney NSW

Re: Mercedes Benz 0302 body styles

Post by boronia »

CB80 wrote:
boronia wrote:Local bodies all had flat windows.
If that's true then pictures 1, 2 and 10 must be Mercedez-Benz/Mannheim bodies.
Yes no. 10, not 9. :oops:

I just trusted the earlier posters and assumed there were only 9 photos.l Should have known Peta can't count :P :P
Preserving fire service history
@ The Museum of Fire.
User7526
Posts: 332
Joined: Mon Sep 13, 2010 7:49 am

Re: Mercedes Benz 0302 body styles

Post by User7526 »

boronia wrote:

I just trusted the earlier posters and assumed there were only 9 photos.l Should have known Peta can't count :P :P

Boronia, if you read the introductory text you will see/read that the initial photo with a chassis cowl and completed vehicle in it is explained as a Mannheim body. Another 9 images are then shown for us to try our skills out and that is what I have done in my first reply to this thread. Maybe if you read the text properly instead of putting me down next time huh??? I can count, I have the test results to prove it!

Peta.
User avatar
boronia
Posts: 21566
Joined: Sat Mar 06, 2004 6:18 am
Favourite Vehicle: Ahrens Fox; GMC PD4107
Location: Sydney NSW

Re: Mercedes Benz 0302 body styles

Post by boronia »

CB80 wrote: If that's true then pictures 1, 2 and 10 must be Mercedez-Benz/Mannheim bodies.
OK Peta, lets blame this guy for "renumbering" the photos. I didn't read the small print in the captions.
Preserving fire service history
@ The Museum of Fire.
User avatar
Centralian
Posts: 2432
Joined: Mon Mar 22, 2004 11:03 pm

Re: Mercedes Benz 0302 body styles

Post by Centralian »

Sorry for confusing the issue, image No 1 is actually the second photo because I've already identified the first one as Manheim. All the fleetlists I've seen refer to the imported body as Manheim, classic European Mercedes 0302 style.

The bodies as I have them recorded are: 1 - Manheim; 2 - PMC; 3 - Superior (the boomerang behind the rear window);
4 - Athol Hedges; 5 - Domino (might be name variations though at the time of build); 6 - Denning; 7 - CCMC;
8 - I thought was either Denning or GBW; 9 - Manheim.

I agree that Watts 0302 tag axle was a good looking unit, couldn't find my image of it in time to share.

I wonder if there are any 0302's still out there rusting away, let alone still on the road. Cobb & Co were a big operator of them, and Roberts Brisbane Water had a few. If I recall correctly a couple were imported by someone that were ex US military in Germany and converted to right hand drive.
Think for yourself, while it's still legal !
User avatar
boronia
Posts: 21566
Joined: Sat Mar 06, 2004 6:18 am
Favourite Vehicle: Ahrens Fox; GMC PD4107
Location: Sydney NSW

Re: Mercedes Benz 0302 body styles

Post by boronia »

IIRC Roberts were the first to import one.
Preserving fire service history
@ The Museum of Fire.
Maladjusted
Posts: 891
Joined: Sun Mar 07, 2004 10:17 pm
Location: Brisbane

Re: Mercedes Benz 0302 body styles

Post by Maladjusted »

"Centralian" wrote
If I recall correctly a couple were imported by someone that were ex US military in Germany and converted to right hand drive.
Yeah great trucks they were too. Don't know if Simes brought them over themselves, but put a tag axle in, an OM402 in the bum and bodied by Superior, were done around 1986.
Trev & Pat Deacon in Thornlands, Brisbane bought three of them off Simes, much to Pats' and their Bribie Island Managers disgust! One did only have the two axles though with Hydraulic brakes (Yuk!!) They were hard to buy parts for as Merc didn't want to know them with a Ch * like 302 233/10/016564. Would have thought they understood the German numbering system, nobody else did.
They also had an Ansair bodied 303 which was a real beaut to drive on the rough roads, made them feel like a motorway. I still have the OM422 V8 Motor under the house here. Should finish it off even though the bus is long gone.
Who bleedin thanked me? I was just doin my job
User avatar
Mr Scania
Posts: 474
Joined: Thu Mar 11, 2004 8:24 pm
Favourite Vehicle: Scania
Location: Bass Hill

Re: Mercedes Benz 0302 body styles

Post by Mr Scania »

Oz Experience also had a small fleet of them in the beginning.
User avatar
boronia
Posts: 21566
Joined: Sat Mar 06, 2004 6:18 am
Favourite Vehicle: Ahrens Fox; GMC PD4107
Location: Sydney NSW

Re: Mercedes Benz 0302 body styles

Post by boronia »

Mr Scania wrote:Oz Experience also had a small fleet of them in the beginning.
Clapped out ex Murrays units.
Preserving fire service history
@ The Museum of Fire.
User avatar
makeminea2stroke
Posts: 99
Joined: Sun Nov 02, 2008 10:27 pm
Favourite Vehicle: Denning Landseer

Re: Mercedes Benz 0302 body styles

Post by makeminea2stroke »

Hi

Here a few pics
Attachments
0302 Claimed Denning body from motorhome site
0302 Claimed Denning body from motorhome site
Merc 0302 Denning body.jpg (4.64 KiB) Viewed 15419 times
0302 PMC Dash area
0302 PMC Dash area
Merc 0302 dash.JPG (42.08 KiB) Viewed 15413 times
PMC Body
PMC Body
Merc 0302 PMC body.JPG (65.1 KiB) Viewed 15413 times
THE INFORMANT
Posts: 453
Joined: Tue Mar 23, 2004 6:03 pm
Favourite Vehicle: Denning Phoneix
Location: Warrigal Charters Illawarra's Premier Charter bus operator setting the Standard
Contact:

Re: Mercedes Benz 0302 body styles

Post by THE INFORMANT »

Mr Scania Ernie's Merc was his Flagship coach for many years- Would be interested to find out what happened to it as it seemed to disapear when the operation was moved to Sydney.
"I am the Crackmister"
User avatar
mcpaton
Posts: 235
Joined: Sat Jul 31, 2004 4:21 pm
Location: Townsville, Qld
Contact:

Re: Mercedes Benz 0302 body styles

Post by mcpaton »

Was supplying a front with the chassis a popular feature back in the day?

I am quite fond of the front of the MAN SR240 shown in this picture:
Image
which has a Denning Majestic body, but the same front is shown on this body made by someone else:
Image

I have a stack of photos of the same front on different bodies... always wondered why they looked the same.
User avatar
Looselion
Posts: 820
Joined: Sat Jul 12, 2008 11:54 am
Favourite Vehicle: 3 1/2 window Flxible Clipper
Location: Queensland

Re: Mercedes Benz 0302 body styles

Post by Looselion »

Between 1965 and 1976 Daimler Benz produced a total in excess of thirty two thousand 0302's, with that output split almost equally between chassis' and full factory completed buses/coaches. So far as I'm aware this still remains a World production record for a single bus model range.
User avatar
Bedford-29
Posts: 4942
Joined: Mon Sep 20, 2010 1:31 pm

Re: Mercedes Benz 0302 body styles

Post by Bedford-29 »

Anyone know if a picture exist of the 0302s that Roberts Brisbane Water Coaches had. The ones they had imported from Germany as there was something in the local newspaper about there arrival.
Previoulsy known as United Diesel 15
User avatar
Looselion
Posts: 820
Joined: Sat Jul 12, 2008 11:54 am
Favourite Vehicle: 3 1/2 window Flxible Clipper
Location: Queensland

Re: Mercedes Benz 0302 body styles

Post by Looselion »

One of the Brisbane Water 0302's was made available ( I now can't recall whether directly offered by the Roberts people or through the MB marketing division... ) to Rex Law of Redline for an on-road assessment. This was soon after arrival of these imported coaches and from memory occurred in 1966, with Rex, Fred Carah and myself on board from Redline. *** A memory prompt now suggests this took place in 1968 ***
The outcome was favourable and led to further consideration of the type for eventual standardisation of the Redline fleet, alongside parallel investigation of variants of the Belgian built Silver Eagle.
Last edited by Looselion on Thu Nov 17, 2011 1:40 pm, edited 2 times in total.
User avatar
boronia
Posts: 21566
Joined: Sat Mar 06, 2004 6:18 am
Favourite Vehicle: Ahrens Fox; GMC PD4107
Location: Sydney NSW

Re: Mercedes Benz 0302 body styles

Post by boronia »

I think one of the Robert's units ended up at Clipper Tours. It may have had on offside emergency exit door.
Preserving fire service history
@ The Museum of Fire.
User avatar
Centralian
Posts: 2432
Joined: Mon Mar 22, 2004 11:03 pm

Re: Mercedes Benz 0302 body styles

Post by Centralian »

Here's TV 515 with Roberts Brisbane Water Coaches and also a related newspaper article. I have to correct my info in the first image as this article says Roberts received the first fully imported chassis and body in 1968. My image was taken about 1972 so obviously not the first. Oops !
TV 515 in old fleetlists shows a build date of 4.1969.
TV 515 in old fleetlists shows a build date of 4.1969.
515.jpg (84.33 KiB) Viewed 15265 times
article.jpg
article.jpg (66.62 KiB) Viewed 15271 times
Think for yourself, while it's still legal !
Post Reply

Return to “Photos - General/Miscellaneous/Various”