Hife Restores 1965 Mercedes-Benz Coach for Andorra Heritage Events

Hife, the Spanish bus operator with a subsidiary in Andorra, has restored a 1965 Mercedes-Benz O302 coach from the former Hispano Andorrana fleet and placed it into service for special events.

The vehicle, originally registered in Andorra as 6440 and painted blue during its Hispano Andorrana years, was presented on Thursday at Hife's stand during Fitur, the international tourism fair in Madrid. Andorra's Minister of Tourism and Commerce, Jordi Torres Falcó, attended the event, where company executives showed him images and graphics detailing the nearly year-long restoration process in Spain.

Hife officials highlighted the coach's patrimonial value to the minister, noting the company's commitment to preserving Andorra's transport heritage as a cultural and touristic asset. A standout in the 1960s for innovations like individual reading lights and reclining seats, the bus served for decades on the vital Andorra–La Seu d'Urgell route before advancing technology sidelined it to Hispano Andorrana's sheds.

Following the company's bankruptcy, the coach went through judicial administration to a restoration group linked to former Minister of the Presidency and Economy Jordi Gallardo. It stood exposed for months on family-owned land near Cal Blau—now under development—amid plans to convert it into a fixed food truck, before disappearing. Hife, which entered the Andorran market after Hispano Andorrana's collapse with support from some of its former executives still involved in the local subsidiary, later recovered it.

Fully roadworthy, the exterior now features Hife's early colours, while the interior retains its original configuration. Catalogued as classic number 8 in Hife's heritage fleet, it is set for its debut at a July wedding and will be available for weddings, congresses, trade fairs, corporate events, and institutional occasions.