The first Eagles Coaches were built in Germany by Kassbohrer in 1956. The Eagle coach was the result of a contract between Continental Trailways in the United States and the Karl Kassbohrer bus and coach building firm in Germany. Continental Trailways was looking for something to compete with Greyhound's Scenic Cruiser. Unable to find a North American manufacturer who would start production on their terms, Continental started looking overseas. Ireland was considered first, then England (Rolls Royce). Continental even considered buying Neoplan. Kassbohrer had the connections to M.A.N. for diesel motors and Z.F. for transmissions. Continental watched as Kassbohrer designed the new bus and approved every line on the new drawings. Continental acquired the "Eagle" Insignia from American Bus Lines which they had purchased.
Kassbohrer was the pioneer for articulated buses in Europe and their patented trailer had dominated the market for a decade or so. One result was the export in 1956 of two articulated coach for Continental Trailways to the U.S.A., built on an "under floor" Henschel Chassis with Kassbohrer bodywork and trailer. Also in 1956, Kassbohrer started building a high specification 40 foot 3-axle coach specifically designed for Continental Trailways.
In May, 1957 President Moore of Continental Trailways visited the Kassbohrer factory. He is seen here with Otto Kassbohrer (to the left in the picture) at a ceremony to name his new fleet. These Kassbohrer Setra Coaches were called "Golden Eagles". Two hundred of these high-deck Eagle coaches were contracted.
Fifty coaches with M.A.N engines & Z.F. automatic transmissions were delivered in 1957 and the "Golden Eagle" coach was a success.
In 1958 a luxury high-deck version of the Setra articulated coach was supplied to the USA. This picture shows one of these vehicles on the Aichelberg, a steep and scenic section of the German Autobahn, during a test run. At least four of these 1958 Golden Eagles were delivered with this articulated design. They featured under floor Rolls Royce engines and a Kassbohrer trailing section, but had the same body design as the other Golden Eagles.