Back in Service
A rare American-market 1960 Mercedes-Benz O319 Omnibus returns to duty in Cincinnati
Article Ted Zombek – Images Ted Zombek, Richard Dewert, Daimler Archives
Mercedes-Benz was very well represented in the market for heavy trucks and large motor coaches in the late 1940s and early ’50s, but the light-duty segment had been largely neglected by the firm. Marking a change of strategy for the company, the small L319 truck was presented at the IAA motor show in Frankfurt in 1955 – the first light-duty transport vehicle to wear the star. This very versatile load-carrying platform was available in many configurations. Breaking new ground in chassis design, this LKW (Lastkraftwagen) delivery van, with large volume in a compact space, was ideal for tradesmen use, product delivery and other light commercial duties.
The O319
The O319 Omnibus was developed in parallel with the utility van version. Offered both as a commuter bus for city mobility and as luxury coach for touring, the O319 reflected the design aesthetic of 1950s Germany. As with its work-a-day brother, the L series, the bus was introduced with a 1.8-liter diesel engine with a modest 43-horsepower.
A 1.9-liter gas engine with an output of 65 horsepower was also available. These engines were primarily used in the popular Mercedes-Benz W120/W121 sedans of the period.
This was an advantage for dealers and service mechanics because so many parts were interchangeable. One of the design details that made the 319 series easy to service was the forward or cab-over-engine placement of the engine. It was a simple matter to remove the grille and unbolt the front-chassis cross member to slide the engine out for major servicing. Additionally, the forward-engine design allowed for an easier entry for passengers and driver alike.
Passengers riding in the upscale touring-coach versions were treated to a comfortable ride and great views. The upper row of windows – and in some cases, a gigantic Webasto sunroof – provided a panoramic vista as the bus passed through the scenic European countryside. This luxury made up for the fact that, with a top speed of 55 mph, the 4-cylinder O319 was not a particularly speedy coach. A sense of luxury was also imparted by the aircraft-style seating that accommodated 10 people.
The O319 was immediately enlisted throughout continental Europe, serving as a dependable intercity and intracity transportation vehicle in many countries. However, curious marketing managers at Mercedes-Benz wanted to know whether this motor coach would be accepted in the United States – a country where long distances separated most cities and highway speeds were, well … higher. Volkswagen had already established a presence in America with multiple versions of its transporter and minibus models. The Mercedes-Benz concept was about 25 percent larger than the VW and capable of carrying a greater commercial payload – and more people.
Coming to America
Circa 1960, a decision was made in Stuttgart to send a number of O319s to select agents in U.S. large-metropolis areas. While the actual number isn’t known, it is believed that approximately 200 of these Omnibuses made the trip to the United States. Some of these buses ended up in the hands of hoteliers and large corporations that wanted to impress their customers with their own dedication to quality.
Chassis No. 31907163, built at the Mannheim plant, was a test-market bus shipped to the United States in 1960. It was delivered to the local Mercedes-Benz dealer near Minneapolis, Minnesota, and came equipped with a 6-cylinder, 105-horsepower (SAE) M180 engine and luxury seating styled after DC-3 airliner seats. This particular bus served as a dealer-demonstrator for about two years. It proved to be a capable hauler and showed that Mercedes-Benz could build a fine small motor coach, but the buying public showed little interest.
Around 1962, the bus was purchased by the University of Minnesota, which used it to transport women’s sports teams. According to campus reports, during one unnerving 300-mile trip home from a volleyball game, the bus lost its hydraulic brakes, leaving only the hand brake for stopping. The bus was used for 10 years or so until Title IX became law and the U of M had to provide equal transportation for both men’s and women’s teams.
After its tenure with the university, a medical student in the St. Paul area bought the bus and used it for family transportation for a decade. As the bus aged, parts and maintenance became very costly. As a result, the O319 was parked, left to sit out its remaining years.
Revitalizing a classic
In 2013, long-time Mercedes-Benz enthusiast Richard DeWert was attracted by an ad on Craigslist in Minneapolis; the Ohio resident had been searching for a VW bus to restore, but the O319 caught his eye first. DeWert admitted that “his eyes were bigger than his stomach” when he first considered this project. But after researching the history of the O319 Omnibus, he decided that this was a worthwhile undertaking. However, when DeWert’s wife Ann saw the old bus arrive at their home on the back of a truck, she was ready to call for psychiatric help for her husband, as he surely must have lost his mind.
The years of sitting unattended had taken a heavy toll on this once-proud example of German engineering. Even though DeWert was no stranger to the restoration process, the sheer size of the bus increased the amount of time and resources needed for refurbishment. And its size presented another problem: there had to be sufficient space to work on it. Fortunately, DeWert’s shop in Cincinnati could accommodate the O319. On a positive note, the bus’s generous ground clearance meant that DeWert could work beneath the vehicle without a lift.
After arriving in Cincinnati, the process of research, disassembly and cataloging began. The O319 was reduced to bare bones to assess its restoration needs. One detail discovered was an outline lightly pressed into the roof where a Webasto sunroof could have been installed. New floors – front and rear – were required, as well as some structural repairs. The front cab area floor was steel while the passenger compartment floors were structural-grade composite wood. These were properly replaced.
The mechanicals were completely removed for inspection and restoration; the engine was shipped to Metric Motors in California for a complete rebuild; gearbox and rear axle were checked for soundness and refinished, as were the brakes. As the bodywork was being done, DeWert made sure to protect hidden areas of the structure from corrosion.
A local body shop applied an epoxy primer and the two-tone paint. When shop workers were finished, they were not eager to ever see the O319 again.
As the bus was slowly coming together, DeWert became somewhat of a celebrity in the neighborhood, earning the title of “The Bus Boy.” People stopped to check on the progress and local children wanted to play in the little bus. One of the memorable details on this luxury touring coach is the comfortable passenger seating. During the restoration, the stylish aircraft-inspired passenger seats were found to be sound, as was their original upholstery; only the worn driver’s seat needed to be recovered.
After restoration of this deluxe O319 was finally completed, Richard and Ann drove it to Mercedes-Benz Club of America Cincinnati Section’s 55th anniversary celebration held in summer 2016. Curious club members who had never seen this side of Mercedes-Benz design immediately surrounded the bus. Its oddly cute front-end drew smiles from everyone who saw it. And the level of commitment and skill shown by DeWert impressed all who saw the bus.
Specifications
1960 Mercedes-Benz O319
American Test-Market Omnibus
TYPE: Two-door 10-passenger luxury coach
ENGINE: 2.2-liter I-6
HORSEPOWER: 105 (SAE) at 5,000 rpm
TORQUE: 133 lb-ft at 3,300 rpm
TRANSMISSION: 4-speed synchronized manual
LENGTH: 190 in WHEELBASE: 112.2 in WIDTH: 81.6 in HEIGHT: 85.4 in
PAYLOAD: Up to 3,600 lb GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT: 7,200 lb
TOP SPEED: 60 mph (estimated)
Richard DeWert’s motorman cap on driver’s seat.
The original fabric still covers DC-3-style seating for 10.
The O319 appears to greet passengers and onlookers alike with a benign expression. After more than five decades, the little bus still seems perched on tiptoe and eager to serve.
Chassis No. 31907163 was a test-market bus, brought to the United States with a 6-cylinder, 105-horsepower (SAE) M180 engine.The interior and frame, shown below, during restoration. The original fabric still covers DC-3-style seating for 10.
Original sales brochure details seat configurations and engine choices for the versatile O319 Omnibus, built 1955-1967. Resplendent in maroon and tan with panoramic windows, the brochure’s cover depicts a deluxe touring model similar to Richard DeWert’s blue coach.
