1923


1923 - 1978 MERCEDES BENZ 0305

1978 MERCEDES BENZ 0305

Vehicle Background:
This bus is one of 199 identical vehicles purchased by the former Public Transport Commission (now State Transit) in 1977 and 1978. The new design 10.67 metre body built by Pressed Metal Corporation Ltd, featured tinted window glass, fresh air jet ventilation to each seated passenger and melamine laminate sheeting on interior panelling. The seat backs also were manufactured with the melamine in an endeavour to reduce the effects of graffiti. The drivers seats were hydraulically sprung and the vehicles were built to accommodate 69 passengers (seating for 42 and room for 27 standing).

Safety features included dual circuit air brakes, fail safe spring operated parking brake, hydraulic transmission retarder and an exhaust brake.

The fleet of 199 vehicles eventually became known as the MK I's when the MK II's commenced service in late 1978. The first of the type had fleet No and registration No 1766 while the last was No 1965. The fleet was allocated equally to 4 bus depots. The first 50 were allocated to Randwick, while another 50 were sent to Pagewood and a third 50 were placed in service at Waverley. The last 49 were allotted to Kingsgrove. One chassis out of the batch was bodied with the prototype VOV design body. This bus was numbered
No 1951 and was the forerunner of the MK II series. Full production of this series commenced at number 1966.

No 1923 entered service on 4 May, 1978 at Kingsgrove Depot. At mid life refurbishment the whole fleet of 199 buses were repainted into the MK II colour scheme. The bus was withdrawn from service on 10 January, 1992 after travelling approximately 580,000 kilometres.

This bus was transferred from the State Transit Authority to the Bus and Truck Museum on 15 May, 1992 for preservation and display. The State Transit Authority (S.T.A.) has since vested ownership in the name of the
Association.

SPECIFICATION

ENGINE: Rear underfloor horizontal 6 cylinder 11.1 litre capacity, diesel. 200 H/P at 2200 RPM.

GEARBOX: Fully automatic 3 speed (W3D,080) with inbuilt hydraulic retarder.

SUSPENSION: Air bag.

WEIGHT: 8.74 tonnes.

Sydney Bus and Truck Museum Home PageContact Sydney Bus and Truck MuseumSydney Bus and Truck Museum LinksMembership of Sydney Bus and Truck MuseumAustralian Bus & Commercial Vehicle HerirageSydney Bus and Truck Museum ShopSydney Bus and Truck Museum Recent EventsSydney Bus and Truck Museum FleetVisiting Sydney Bus and Truck MuseumAbout Sydney Bus and Truck Museum LimitedSydney Bus and Truck Museum Home Page

l>