Bova EL 26-581
Built: 1979-1981 · Series: Other models
More machines from model year 1979
Not the right version? The data comes from vehicle registers holding many near-identical versions side by side. Photograph the data plate — we read make and type from it. Open the scanner e-mail address required
Bova – other models: the collective page of touring coaches outside the named ranges, six-cylinder diesel engines from 8.25 to 12.58 litres, 12 to 18 tonnes gross vehicle weight, 10 to 12 metres in length
This page gathers vehicles from the Dutch coachbuilder Bova that the register could not assign to a named range. Bova was founded in 1944 in Valkenswaard and built touring coaches there for decades for European long-distance travel, and has been part of the VDL Groep since 2005. The vehicles gathered here sit in the classic touring-coach format: single-deck bodies with underfloor six-cylinder engines, a long wheelbase and luggage bays beneath the passenger deck, typical of European long-distance coach travel from the 1970s to the 1990s.
Read on 3 more paragraphs
The register lists 13 versions here with six-cylinder engines of 8,250 to 12,580 cm³, unladen weights from 8,320 to 11,690 kg, gross vehicle weights from 11,990 to 18,000 kg, lengths from 10,000 to 12,000 mm and widths from 2,490 to 2,550 mm.
Coaches of this size served cross-border scheduled and charter travel, a market in which Bova, alongside builders such as Setra, Neoplan and Van Hool, ranked among the established European suppliers before the brand became part of the VDL group.
When buying one of these coaches used, check the underfloor engine's operating hours, corrosion on the frame and luggage-bay flaps, the condition of the gearbox and brakes, and the seal of the roof and windows against moisture inside; drivetrain spare parts generally run through the respective engine manufacturers.
Sources: SpecCodex register, model data: Bova (weitere Modelle), Bova (manufacturer)
Technical data
Engine
| Cylinders | 6correct |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 8,250 cm³correct |
Dimensions and weights
| Length | 12,000 mmcorrect |
|---|---|
| Width | 2,550 mmcorrect |
| Wheelbase | 5,810 mmcorrect |
| Unladen weight | 11,690 kgcorrect |
| Gross vehicle weight | 15,300 kgcorrect |
Drivetrain and chassis
| Wheels | 4correct |
|---|
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Bova EL 26-581 weigh?
The unladen weight is 11,690 kg.
What is the gross vehicle weight of the Bova EL 26-581?
15,300 kg.
What engine does the Bova EL 26-581 have?
6 cylinders, 8,250 cm³ displacement.
What are the dimensions of the Bova EL 26-581?
12,000 mm × 2,550 mm.
When was the Bova EL 26-581 built?
Production years: 1979-1981.
What to check before buying
- Check the hour meter against the service records — a replaced instrument is the most common gap.
- Compare the data plate and chassis number with the papers.
- Check the weights in the papers against the figures here — attachments change them.
- Ask about parts availability for this build year — the running costs hang on it.
A general list for this type of machine — no substitute for an inspection or an appraiser.
We do not sell machines. We ask the dealers who carry this model and come back with price and lead time.
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This page carries 10 individual figures for this model. They come from 1 recorded source; every figure can be traced there. What we cannot document is not here — we leave gaps open rather than estimate them.
The technical data on this page comes from official vehicle registration records (RDW/Traficom), not from the manufacturer.
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Other models in this series
Sources: RDW — Dutch national vehicle register (retrieved August 2026) · How we check the data
Bus in 3D section
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