Jaray‘s omnibus
There is no doubt that bus construction in Germany received a major boost in the mid-1930s with the inauguration of the first highway sections. The German government wanted to connect the major cities with long-distance bus routes. Promising themselves lucrative sales, the well-known manufacturers reacted quickly and offered buses with a streamlined look.
The most modern substructure for coachbuilders available form 1935 with the chassis of the Mercedes-Benz Lo 3100. Waggon-Fabrik AG Uerdingen also chose this chassis for its streamlined bus, the body of which was designed by the well-known stylist Paul Jaray. It is not known whether the Swiss by choice was the driving force behind the project or whether the body factory commissioned the designer. Paul Jaray’s striking lines, all based on the shape of a drop, can also be clearly seen on the bus, which was put on its wheels in 1935. The bus was powered by a 95 hp petrol engine; the second model, which was built in 1936, was fitted with a diesel engine with 120 horsepower.
The bus body, made entirely of sheet metal with seating for 24 passengers, was most likely produced in two units.
