20th German tour of historic commercial vehicles.

From 31 August to 6 September 2024, it was once again time to turn the engines on and hit the road – the 20th German tour of historic commercial vehicles was about to begin! This year under the motto “Tour of the Legends”.

The line-up included: eight truck and bus icons from Mercedes-Benz and Setra. The Fehrenkötter haulage company and the ETM publishing house hosted the anniversary tour, and the RoadStars community was right in the thick of things, rather than just being there.

The tour set off from Brilon in the Sauerland region and wound its way over 1,200 kilometres across Germany to its destination in Munich. The route travelled through beautiful landscapes, over gentle hills, past historic cities, and even over a challenging pass in Austria, which took the trucks to an altitude of 1,600 metres.

RoadStars members had the unique opportunity to take a spot in the front passenger seat as co-pilots of these historic vehicles. An experience that no one will forget in a hurry!

The condition of the truck was sobering. “At least the engine was still running,” recalls Ludger Henke. Otherwise, the vehicle, which had been on the road for a beverage company from Rhineland‑Palatinate in its first life, had suffered for many years. And it showed too. The company’s own workshop carried out the restoration over two years. The floor in the cab was worn through and had to be completely replaced. Various sheet metal works were also time-consuming.

For the lucky winners, the tour was a real highlight: “I’ve been a truck fan for as long as I can remember. So being able to take a ride in such a classic is quite simply the best,” said a co-pilot enthusiastically. The atmosphere was great, the trucks ran like clockwork, and the weather also played its part – perfect conditions for an unforgettable tour.

The “Tour of the Legends” finished in Munich, leaving a smile on everyone’s face. The RoadStars community was enthusiastic about the opportunity to experience their passion up close and to see the historic trucks and buses in action. The German tour of historic commercial vehicles is not just an event – it is a declaration of love for the history of the commercial vehicle and the enthusiasm that unites us all.

The line-up included real treasures from the history of commercial vehicles:

• Mercedes-Benz LAK 315 and O 3500:
  These long-hooded trucks are the public’s absolute favourites and exude the charm of the Economic Miracle years.
  

• Mercedes-Benz LP 333:
  This “thousand-footer”, a three-axle veteran, is a real eye-catcher with its quirky design and two steered front axles.

• Mercedes-Benz LP 323 and LP 1620:
  With their luxurious Pullman cab and unmistakable cab-over-engine style, these classics promise pure driving pleasure.

• Mercedes-Benz L 1113:
  The popular short-hooded truck which has been celebrated for decades for its reliability.

• Setra S6:
  This small, yet fine club bus is sure to quicken the pulse of all bus fans.

• Mercedes-Benz 814:
  A modern classic with a striking design that heralded the “light class”.