The 1950s: the post-war boom years and the era of rock'n'roll. In 1955, the S 6 Setra was launched on the market... it was a bus that truly embodied the spirit of the time.

While a whole generation was idolising James Dean following his starring role in the film “Rebel Without a Cause”, the première of the Setra S 6 at the Geneva International Motor Show was causing a sensation in the automotive industry. To this day, the S 6 is still the smallest Setra ever built – its innovative ideas made it well ahead of its time... the designers at Kässbohrer knew exactly what they were doing!

Starting with the independent suspension on all four wheels with rubber suspension in keeping with the Neidhardt principle. In addition, there was a drive block in which a four-cylinder diesel rear-mounted engine was connected to the ZF five-speed transmission and the axle drive to form a compact unit, rounded off by the steering wheel gearshift mechanism. Even at travel speeds of up to 100 km/h, this created a level of ride comfort that easily matched that of a passenger car, something which was previously unthinkable in a vehicle class dominated by front-engine bodies with a 1.5 to 2.5‑tonne base. No wonder then that, in the same way James Dean mesmerised cinema-goers everywhere, the S 6 also captivated the automotive world at the Geneva Motor Show.

The S 6 continues to inspire bus enthusiasts to this day, and its innovative technology made it truly unique. But that's not all: its perfect proportions and fashionable design also enchanted all who set eyes on it. The flowing lines on the body and in the interior, combined with the carefully crafted details, lend the S 6 a timeless elegance that continues to captivate all those who see it to this day.

The Setra S 6 continues to awaken special memories this day, as it was emblematic of the economic boom taking place in the German Federal Republic at the time. The beautiful S 6 took day-trippers to the mountains, was used by music clubs headed to folk festivals, and was the coach of choice for long holiday trips to dream destinations in Italy or the French Riviera. For bus operators, investing in the S 6 was a no‑brainer when it came to value for money, as it would nearly always reach full capacity.

So it’s no wonder that a total of 1,172 units of the S 6 were sold across the entire decade of the 1950s. This makes it one of the Setra brand’s best-selling club buses in the world, and the models that are still available remain real eye-catchers to this day. They can often be seen serving as a stylish mode of retro transport at weddings, a testament to their timeless design and enchanting enthusiasts everywhere. Two particularly beautiful examples are now highlights of the classic Setra collection in Neu‑Ulm, where they captivate true aficionados and more casual admirers alike.