1966 Mercedes-Benz O319 10-seat Luxusbus
Seller Submission: 1966 Mercedes-Benz 10-seat Luxusbus
Says the seller: “One of very few examples are left of this ultimate 60s luxury company bus. This one is a highly optioned and low mileage example, with known history. ”
1966 Mercedes-Benz 10 seat Luxusbus
| Location: | Canberra, Australia | |
| VIN: | 319 074 20 001663 | |
| Chassis mileage: |  | 62275 |
| Engine type: | 121 941 20 000753 (numbers-matching) with 62275 miles |
How long have you had the car? Purchased by the current owner in 2004.
Describe the body condition: The biggest asset of this vehicle is the condition of the body. Removing the chequer plate on the sides revealed NO RUST. There are a lot of holes where the pop rivets were, this is a much easier repair when you look at some of the O319′s being restored in Europe.
Describe the mechanical condition: It has travelled only 62295mls from new and whilst it looks dreadful it is mechanically excellent, with very little wear. In 2005 we carried out a mechanical restoration including a brake system overhaul, reconditioned carburettor, new waterpump, new wheels and tyres and many other jobs. We have the original log books and service books.
Included documentation: Original service book, owners manuals, digital copies of dealership parts manuals, patterns for missing seats.
What makes this car special? When did you last see a genuine 10 seat Luxusbus on the road? It would be the ultimate show vehicle for a Coach company. Or maybe for a large family into Classic cars??
Asking Price: $37500.00AUD
For more info: Click Here for the seller’s website.
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Mercedes O319
| Location: | Canberra Australia |
|---|---|
| Price: | $37,500.00 |
| Body Type: | Van |
| Kilometers: | 62275mls |
| Year: | 1966 |
Description:
In all the years that we have run MB Spares we have had some very special vehicles in our care, many of which we have had the privilege to own. And, whilst this unlikely looking bus from the mid 60's looks like a pile of junk to most, it is possibly the most significant vehicle we have owned. It is one of very few remaining examples of the O319 Luxusbus. Of the 961 Luxus bus's built we know of only five that have survived and only two that are registered worldwide. You can see details of these five vehicles here.
The O319 and its more heavy duty brother the L319 van, which were built from 1956-67, were a small part of the German "Economic miracle" that transformed Germany as she recovered from WW2. Today these are very collectable especially the highly optioned versions like this example.
The full story of this vehicle is documented here along with a short history on the model and an extensive picture file. The short version is that it was ordered here in Australia for delivery in Stuttgart as a RHD vehicle. It toured Europe, in style, and then returned to Australia. After several owners an attempt was made to convert it to a campervan by an owner who had no idea of the significance of the vehicle.
It is a rust free low mileage example with some great options. It has the most desirable seating options and the most desirable engine option.
Options:
- Webasto fold back sunroof
- Reclining seats
- Panorama windows
- Curtains for panorama windows
- Sliding rear windows
- Becker AM/FM radio with two speakers
- Cooling fans
- Roof rack with fold down ladder
- Canvas cover for the roof rack
- Separate heater for passengers compartment
- First aid kit
- Fire Extinguisher
- Fog lamps
- Emergency pop out rear windscreen.
Mechanically it is very good, but It does require a full body and interior restoration. Please appreciate that it would be easy for us to paint the odd coloured bits white and polish it all up so it looked better in the pictures, but we would rather present the vehicle as honestly as possible.
The vehicle will be sold with a large inventory of NOS parts that we have collected over the last 5 years. An excel spreadsheet documenting these parts is available on request.
The picture of a restored vehicle on the right (click on picture to enlarge) is of the O319 owned by the Mercedes-Benz Classic Centre in Stuttgart. I have included it as an example of what it should look like.
Expressions of interested should be directed tojohn@mbspares.com.au
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My brother owns the bus that Kodak was using for VIP’s to tour their facility in Rochester, New York.
What makes this unique from other 319′s is the 11 seat luxury seats (2+3+3+3), panorama windows and the full size rag top (which seems to have been modified on this one.
The sad part is that it will be a real challenge to restore this one.
Trim pieces are virtually impossible to get, at least NOS, since MB in their infinite wisdom decided in the mid 80′s to destroy and trash all their back stock when they needed room for their W124 parts ………………
Other 319 stuff is still somewhat available in Germany but most likely getting a parts bus or 2 is the way to go. I can see a restoration easily going as high as 200k.
I think well worth it for this one unless you decide to restore aN O321 or O303, but that’s the next size up.
Great writing!