Plaxton-bodied Mercedes at Scottish Show
Page 25
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
• The first Mercedes-Benz passenger vehicle to be fitted with a British body will be exhibited at the Scottish Show opening next Friday by Callenders Engineering Ltd. Plaxtons of Scarborough built the body—an 11m Panorama Elite with 48 seats—on the Mercedes-Benz part of the vehicle and this comprises the sub-frame and integral-floor assembly carrying the suspension and all running units.
Complete 0-302 coaches have been shown in the UK before, and at one time there were plans for them to be imported here, but it is said that British operators' preference for composite construction with a separate chassis and body as against the standard 0.302 integral design was the deciding factor in the co-operation between Daimler-Benz and Plaxton. Apart from the body, the 0.302 has the normal specification with full air suspension, OM 360, 185 bhp diesel mounted vertically and longitudinally at the rear, power steering, spring parking brakes and five-speed synchromesh gearbox. A 210 bhp diesel will be offered and a Webasto independent oil-fired heating unit is fitted to allow the interior and engine to be pre-warmed: this can also be used to boost the normal vehicle system when required.
With the use of a basic Mercedes-Benz sub-frame and floor assembly, the standard luggage compartments are retained. The total volume provided is Just under 200 cu.ft.
Basic price of the Plaxton body is quoted as £5,150, which with the price of the MercedesBenz content brings the total cost to about £11,100.