Mercedes O302 - 'Tasmanian Princess'?

Darwin/NT & Tasmania Transport Discussion
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aussieneil
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Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2015 8:09 pm

Mercedes O302 - 'Tasmanian Princess'?

Post by aussieneil »

Hello all.

Can anyone shed any light on this Mercedes O302 I am considering purchasing? It has been partially converted to a mobile home, but its history is what I am trying to trace.

The red stripe above the window line may give a hint to its past. Maybe Redline? The seller says there is a hint of the name 'Tasmanian Princess' still evident under the grey primer. I have searched the archives here but can't find a reference to this vehicle at all.

After its time in Tasmania it apparently went to SA where it was used as a spare coach until the late 1990s.

Any recollections or details would be hugely appreciated!
Attachments
Front view
Front view
2019-03-18 16.43.06.jpg (100.09 KiB) Viewed 16323 times
Side view showing just a hint of former livery
Side view showing just a hint of former livery
2019-03-18 16.43.42.jpg (104.21 KiB) Viewed 16323 times
Last edited by aussieneil on Wed Mar 20, 2019 1:15 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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1whoknows
Posts: 3983
Joined: Tue Mar 09, 2004 12:55 pm
Location: Melbourne

Re: Mercedes 0302 - 'Tasmanian Princess'?

Post by 1whoknows »

Tasmanian Redline had five of these coaches. Is the Denning body number plate still there in the front step well?
456 was Redline 5 BD2812 ex Australian pacific 37. Sold to Yarrawonga
404 was Redline 13 AU 5682 ex Australian Pacific 31 sold to Boweys
418 was Redline 26 BF 3698 ex Parsons, Southport Qld as 577 NDE. Sold back to Qld
348 was Redline 34 BI 3213 ex Shoreline Perth Sold to Suncoast, Brisbane
There was also one bodied by Denning South Australia. No Denning body plate but the number may be on the silver compliance plate.
Body no was 020 12/73 Redline 14 BC 1675 ex Australian Pacific 38. Sold to Rambler Melbourne.

Do you know who the operator was in SA??
"Inside Every Progressive Is A Totalitarian Screaming To Get Out"
David Horowitz.
aussieneil
Posts: 23
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2015 8:09 pm

Re: Mercedes 0302 - 'Tasmanian Princess'?

Post by aussieneil »

Thanks for that detailed response. I'll contact the seller to see if he can find the body build number, or any more details regarding the South Australian operator who was the last to use it as a coach.

Apparently the coach was subsequently used by the Crusty Demons stunt motorcycle show travelling the east coast, towing an enormous trailer, before eventually being deemed overlength, when they sold the coach to the present owner who has owned it for about 6 years.

I used to enjoy driving the Martyrs Bus Service (Warburton, Vic) O302 (fleet #42 if I recall correctly) and hoped to one day convert one to mobile home use.
aussieneil
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Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2015 8:09 pm

Re: Mercedes O302 - 'Tasmanian Princess'?

Post by aussieneil »

Body number 610
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1whoknows
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Re: Mercedes O302 - 'Tasmanian Princess'?

Post by 1whoknows »

610 was new to Australian pacific. Then sold to Adams of Ballan, Victoria, then to an operator at Port Hedland.
The Tasmanian Princess name must date from its original APC ownership as they also named their coaches back then.
Probably means it was used regularly on their Tasmanian tour program.
But never been at Redline.
"Inside Every Progressive Is A Totalitarian Screaming To Get Out"
David Horowitz.
aussieneil
Posts: 23
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2015 8:09 pm

Re: Mercedes O302 - 'Tasmanian Princess'?

Post by aussieneil »

Huge thanks! Very much appreciated!
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1whoknows
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Re: Mercedes O302 - 'Tasmanian Princess'?

Post by 1whoknows »

Correction - Port Hedland should be Port Lincoln SA.
"Inside Every Progressive Is A Totalitarian Screaming To Get Out"
David Horowitz.
aussieneil
Posts: 23
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2015 8:09 pm

Re: Mercedes O302 - 'Tasmanian Princess'?

Post by aussieneil »

1whoknows wrote:Correction - Port Hedland should be Port Lincoln SA.
Yes, I did that 'translation' after further details came to hand! And it had the reg plates TUNA-00!

Cheers.
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