Mercedes-Benz Bus History - Daimler

Compared with the unsophisticated driver’s position of the O 302, the
O 303 had a veritable cockpit. The large surface of the instrument
panel was curved, but the instrument setup –a large speedometer and
instrument cluster and a smaller rev counter in between – was rather
conventional.
The Mercedes-Benz O 303 reached the end of its days with a
manageable but very versatile range of coaches. The variants KHP-A
and KHP-L, with six lengths, covered the interurban lines and
combination service sector. The RHS could be had in two short
variants as a club bus; the two lengthier variants served as raised-floor
touring coaches. The RHD high decker was available in two lengths.
And there were editions of the O 303 alternatively with rear or center
door for the passengers and different seats.
Up to date 18 long years
The O 303 as a reliable and conservative vehicle was perfectly
welcome to coach operators: with lavishly equipped special models
with paint jobs somewhere in between elegant and smart, the
Mercedes-Benz O 303 was kept alive and fresh over a lifetime that
must be some kind of a record. In 1992, after 18 long years, it finally
went into well-deserved retirement. Actually, for this derivative of the
O 302 this was enough for two bus lives. Even more than a dozen
years later one still comes across very well preserved O 303 coaches
on roads and in bus parking areas. And while at the end of its long
career the signs of ageing definitely were perceptible, as an oldie
approaching classic status it now cuts a very sympathetic figure.
The countable result at the end of a long career was even a new world
record: 38,018 buses, about two thirds completely built-up buses and
one third chassis, came into the bus world in almost two decades.
Daimler Communications, 70546 Stuttgart/Germany
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