Now this would be the rig to take to Glacier National Park, with all those panoramic windows; but maybe not the desert. jjd241 turned me on to it, as it’s the featured vehicle of the day at bringatrailer. Does this ever bring back the memories: Innsbruck was crawling with these in the late fifties and well into the seventies. This one was converted to a motorhome by a Swiss back in in 1976, and it shows in the attention to detail.
This is a medium-sized bus, about 30 feet long, which was popular with the tour operators in Alpine regions, for obvious reasons. Well, not just there; the OH 321 was one of the most popular buses during its long reign from 1954 until about 1970 or so.
Mercedes built the central back-bone chassis, and various coach builders added their bodies. This one is by Vetter. The engine is out back, oriented longitudinally, a Mercedes OM 322, a 5.7 L (non-turbo) six with 126 hp; not bad, for the times. Who’s in a rush, when the scenery is so good?
The 70’s era conversion is a period piece in its own right,
right down to the avocado sink.
The bus is for sale, in Switzerland, and here’s the listing with scads of detailed pictures, including the magnificent VDO clock on top of the windshield. I could sure see myself behind the wheel of this…
Saw the interior and this was first thing that came to mind…….
Very cool.
Nice stuff!
That is awesome! I’d own that in a heartbeat.
Is that in a GMC Motorhome?
Yes it is. Good eye.
I might be tempted to do an article on them.
My hometown (Millburn, NJ) had two of these babies from 1980 to the late 90s when they were phased out. These were really pretty sweet when new.
Let me clarify: 2 of these GMC rigs as ambulances.
Great bus, will keep my Eleganza 2 though, parts would be way harder to get – locating and paying for that is
Paul, this ’61 doesn’t look entirely different from the current variation of MB Bus (granted the lines on the 61 are waaaaaaaay sexier). here’s a Buenos Aires 39 line unit. very similar, right?
There’s been many generations of MB buses. Many of the tour buses/coaches used to be built by coach builders, like this one, and MB used to focus on transit buses. The transit buses had a different chassis. But there are similarities in the looks over many years.
Here’s that BA line.
And here’s my favorite bus:
Hang on a minute, lads, I’ve got a great idea!
Be sure and get the heavy-duty load leveler option.
LOL !
Agreed, this is the greatest bus of all time. It’s such a shame that no one thought to preserve it. It went back into service as an everyday bus/coach and was eventually scrapped in about 1990.
How much would it cost in USD?
It listed for auction, with an estimate of €20,000-23,300. At today’s exchange rate, that’s $26,480-30,850.
Paul will be right back – he is out putting a For Sale sign on the Chinook.
Keep going back to that last picture of that ivory MB steering wheel. Love that.
Absolutely fabulous, a dream come true. Please don’t ship it here, ship me and Lily there, behind that wheel.
Blaupunkt with longwave and shortwave bitte?
What a clock! Seriously, what a dream, this bus, the Swiss Alps, the wine, the life….
PS: Surely this Mercedes has a wine cellar?
The clock says “Made in Germany”, not “Made in West Germany”.
Of course it does and it’s loaded down w/ Reisling!
Love it I recall a shorter version Mercedes bus somebody had in Cygnet Tas same style but about 25 foot and converted.
Sweet. From the side it looks like the love child of a Blue Bird coach and an Olds Vista Cruiser.
If I had this thing I’d drive it to work every day. I could run out to the parking lot at lunch and take a nap.
When I saw this on B.A.T I knew this crowd would get a kick out of it. Pick it up in Switzerland and take the “Grand Tour”. Give me the purchase price and a few thousand Euros a month and you’ll never see me again!
That is just plain gorgeous!
must have… must have..
I usually am a fan of MB heavy vehicles (the OM312 diesel truck is a lifelong desire), but their buses don’t speak to me like the old look GM buses with fluted aluminium sides and Detroit Diesel engines. I’ll give this one a pass.
I agree about the Detroit Diesels.
That is one of the best engine noises IMHO.
In Dublin We had Bombardier Double Deckers powered by the “screaming Jimmy” known as the KE type bus
They were green.I loved their engine noise..An unusual looking bus.They had single decker express which also had Detroit and single decker city buses which had Cummins power.
If you go to youTube and type in CIE Bombardier there are some videos there.
or type in KE double decker.
Here’s the Wiki Article
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GAC_Ireland
Should be KD type was the double decker.My bad
Another surprising Mercedes from the 1950’s – a race car transporter, the ‘Blue Wonder’, capable of cruising at 100 mph..
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-drive/car-life/galleries/in-pictures-the-fastest-car-transporter-of-the-1950s/article4438184/