Retro Classics 2013: Mercedes-Benz S-Class and brand clubs take centre stage

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Mercedes-Benz Classic and the brand clubs officially recognised in Germany are putting the fascinating history of the S-Class on centre stage during their joint appearance at Retro Classics 2013 in Stuttgart. The internationally renowned trade show for classic cars and motorised vehicle culture will be taking place this year at the Stuttgart Trade Fair from 7 March (preview) to 10 March 2013.The Classic Division of the world’s oldest car manufacturer and the brand clubs bearing the three-pointed star standard will have a strong presence on 2,400 square metres of floor space in hall 7. “This year, Mercedes-Benz Classic will be appearing with the officially recognised brand clubs in hall 7. This joint presence is of central importance for us, both in terms of content and from a spatial perspective, as it highlights the strong association between Mercedes-Benz Classic and the highly dedicated members of the brand clubs,” says Michael Bock, Head of Mercedes-Benz Classic.

S-Class showpieces from various historical eras

The unique tradition of the S-Class will come alive at Retro Classics 2013 with showpieces from all eras of the premium and luxury class vehicles from Mercedes-Benz and the predecessor brands. The showpiece selection underscores how deeply rooted the S-Class is in the brand’s history – far beyond the more recent model-series history since the 1950s.

Mercedes-Benz Classic have brought an absolutely spectacular showpiece out of the museum and to the exhibit: the 60-hp Mercedes-Simplex, model year 1904, which served as the touring car of businessman Emil Jellinek, the father of Mercedes Jellinek, the brand’s namesake. And from the company’s own collection, the exhibit features a 1929 Nürburg 460 (W 08) and a “Großer Mercedes” (large Mercedes) 770 (W 07) dating from 1931.

The brand clubs have added to the showpiece collection from Mercedes-Benz Classic with cars from the period before the Second World War, such as the Mannheim (W 10) or the 500 K (W 29) model, for instance. But showpieces from the more recent vehicle history will also be on display.

First-rate parts supply for fascinating vehicles

Mercedes-Benz Classic ensures and promotes an active passion for classic motor cars first and foremost with a first-rate parts supply. The parts catalogue currently lists 38,702 model-specific spare parts items plus some 15,000 identical parts; the latest addition to Mercedes-Benz Classic’s parts stewardship is the model 140 S-Class (1991 to 1998). Genuine parts are available from all Mercedes-Benz dealerships, authorised trade partners and via the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center – many items are even available within 24 hours. Mercedes-Benz genuine parts for vehicles from all eras are therefore a further focal point at Retro Classics in Stuttgart this year.

Retro Classics will be held this year for the sixth time at the Stuttgart Trade Fair next to Stuttgart airport. This will be the trade show’s 13th year in all. Retro Classics has long been considered one of the most important dates on the classic scene’s calendar, not only in the Southern German Baden-Württemberg region with its extraordinary historical motor car tradition, but throughout Germany and the rest of Europe.The exhibit will open in the afternoon of Thursday 7 March 2013, with a preview for the press and professional visitors. Once again the hosts are expecting several thousand guests over the next three days: last year, approximately 65,000 visitors came to the 12th Retro Classics, where over 3,000 classic cars were on exhibit.

Credits: Daimler AG

Copyright © 2013, mercedesgla. All rights reserved.

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Setra shines the spotlight on the S 6 at the Retro Classics show

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Fifty years after production stopped, at this year's Retro Classics (7 - 10 March 2013) Setra will be shining the spotlight on a coach model which featured largely in the success story of the long-standing brand from Ulm: the Setra S 6. A total of five examples of the S6, the compact coach with the world's first self-supporting frame, 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






Credits: Daimler AG

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