Fifty years after production stopped, at this year’s Retro Classics (March 7-10, 2013), the Mercedes-Benz Setra will be shining a spotlight on the coach model that played a large part in the success story of the long-standing brand from Ulm – The Setra S 6. A total of five examples of the S6 will be on show in Hall 8 of the Stuttgart Trade Fair. In addition to buses belonging to the firms Rast-Reisen, Schranner, Kronberger and Fischer, Daimler’s Ulm-based bus brand will also be exhibiting an S 6 from the Setra classic collection in Neu-Ulm.
Production of the Setra S 6 stopped fifty years ago
The third ever coach from Setra premiered at the Geneva Motor Show in1955. The 6.7-metre-long and 2.25-metre-wide coach became the basis for all compact buses of the brand to follow. A total of 1172 examples of this model, which can still be admired at many classic vehicle events, were manufactured up until 1963. The technically outstanding features include four independent wheel mountings with double wishbones, which is unique to this day, rubber springs with telescopic shock absorbers and a steering column gear shift. A low centre of gravity and the ideal ratio between wheelbase, overhang and track width ensured stable road-holding at all times. The S 6 was powered by a 517 D 4K Henschel four-cylinder diesel engine, the output of which was boosted in later years from the original 85 hp to 100 hp with the aid of a belt-driven compressor.
International exhibition with 65 000 visitors
Retro Classics has become truly established as an international exhibition for classic vehicles, spare parts and restoration. Last year, 65,000 visitors flocked to the halls of the Stuttgart Trade Fair. This year it will be held on Thursday 7 March from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., on Friday 8 March from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 March from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. One-day tickets cost 16 € for adults and reduced rate tickets are 12 €.
Technical data
- Setra S 6 (Setra classic collection)
- Built in 1962
- Chassis no. 56 307
- Seats 24
- Engine Henschel 4-cylinder 517 D 4 K
- Displacement 4.08 l
- kW/hp 66/90
- Top speed 100 km/h
- Transmission ZF S 5-33
- Height 2630 mm
- Length 6700 mm
- Width 2250 mm
