Author Topic: Papal Cars and Popemobiles (Read 8139 times)

islander · « **on:** November 12, 2012, 11:44:25 AM »

mercedes benz rules!

Papal Cars and Popemobiles

jalopnik.com/5054965/the-evolution-of-the-popemobile

Being the living incarnation of two thousand years of religious tradition has got to be rough on a guy. Popes of the modern era have been burdened with the additional task of traveling to tend to the flock, heading out from the confines of the Vatican City to exotic places like Venezuela, Africa and Hamtramck. Look it up.

Anyway, the task would be insurmountable if not for Poppa's trusty and reliable sidekick, the Popemobile. Serving duly as a perch from whence to greet the masses â€” and as protection from said masses for the Holy See, the Popemobile has gone through many iterations, some of which you'll have a hard time believing.

Popemobiles come in two varieties. The locally made, customized versions, often hewn from the host nation's finest home-grown automobile and turned into a rolling vista fit for a king â€” or at least the head of a sovereign nation.

Then there are the official Popemobiles, now the only kind after the attempt on John Paul II's life in 1981. Some are made for daily open-air service in St. Peter's Square and others are bullet-proof Popequariums which travel with the high pontiff to locations far and wide.

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islander · « **Reply #1 on:** November 12, 2012, 11:48:27 AM »

1930: MERCEDES BENZ NUERBURG 460, AND 1960:

The 1930 Mercedes-Benz NÃ¼rburg 460 is the first car acknowledged as a formal Popemobile, built specifically for Pope Pius XI as a gift from Daimler Benz AG. The big Benz was equipped with a central rear-mounted throne and custom interior, which the Pope called â€œa masterpiece of modern engineering.â€

The 300D Landaulet was the first new Popemobile in thirty years, with Mercedes spanning the gap during the tumultuous period. The 300D was stretched some 450 mm, with hard top up front and soft top in the rear layout of the Landaulet body style allowing il Papa to take in the sunshine and wave to the crowds. This car retained the single-throne seat setup in the rear, but added amenities like air conditioning and a two-way radio to the driver.

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islander · « **Reply #2 on:** November 12, 2012, 11:51:25 AM »

1964 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL; 1965 MERCEDES-BENZ 600

Everybody knows you have to roll in style when you visit New York City, so a stretched 1964 Lincoln Continental was in order. Also customized in the Landaulet style, in this case the Pope's throne seat was equipped with a hand crank which elevated the Pontiff 12 inches into the air so the crowds could get a better look.

The Landaulet version of the 1965 Mercedes-Benz 600 was delivered to Pope Paul VI. The car was equipped with an enormous folding top as well as a huge set of rear doors and an additional two and three-quarter inches of head room.

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islander · « **Reply #3 on:** November 12, 2012, 11:53:32 AM »

1966 MERCEDES-BENZ 300 SEL; 1967 MERCEDES-BENZ 300 SEL

In the 1966 Mercedes 300 SEL, the basic concept of the previous car was retained. However, the papal seat was set with a sliding mechanism which allowed the Pope to slide to the side, allowing added seating in the rear for a Papal aide.

The 1977 model was more of a Papal limo than a Popemobile, as it was equipped with occasional seating for up to six, in addition to the longer doors and elevated roof line.

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islander · « **Reply #4 on:** November 12, 2012, 11:55:50 AM »

1979 FCS STAR; 1979 FORD TRANSIT

Following his elevation to the Papacy, Karol JÃ³zef WojtyÅ‚a returned to his native Poland as John Paul II, with an impressive Popemobile in tow. The FCS Star is a Polish-built industrial truck normally outfitted for firefighting duty, but for his home swing, it was converted to the baddest Popemobile ever.

The platform rode atop the chassis and remained open to the crowds. In fact, the design was one developed with the guidance of JPII himself. Seriously, epic Pope win.

JPII was a busy guy, making tours of many points of the globe to greet the flock. When he visited Ireland in 1979, the first time a Pope had set foot On that soil, a Ford Transit, of all things, was converted for Pontiff-toting duties. It was outfitted in the papal colors of yellow and white with a tall cabin with large windows in addition it was fitted witH silk-and-teflon carpet said TO HAVE cost over a thousand dollars a yard.

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islander · « **Reply #5 on:** November 12, 2012, 11:57:53 AM »

1980 MERCEDES G230; 1981 PEUGEOT 504

During a trip to Germany in 1980, Mercedes provided a customized Mercedes G230 which would become the guidepost for Popemobiles to come. With a transparent superstructure and elevated viewing position, the G230 made crowd-surfing with the Pope look good.

Believe it or not, there was a Peugeot 504 converted for holy-rolling. The 504 was used by John Paul II in a visit to Lyon, France, and still exists in a Peugeot Museum in Sochaux. Go make a pilgrimage to see it.

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islander · « **Reply #6 on:** November 12, 2012, 12:10:06 PM »

1982 SEAT; 1982 RANGE ROVER

The Spanish PapamÃ³vil in 1982 was an all-open-air Seat designed with a grab handle in front so El Papa could stand and greet the crowds. This may also be the smallest Popemobile ever.

The first bullet-proof Popemobile was built following the first assassination attempt on John Paul II in 1981. A Range Rover 230G was adapted, with the cabin enclosed in bulletproof glass for a visit to the UK in 1982.

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islander · « **Reply #7 on:** November 12, 2012, 12:12:46 PM »

1982 LEYLAND 4-TON; 1985 MERCEDES 500 SEL; 1997 MERCEDES S500 LWB

This most massive of Popemobiles was built by Leyland Truck for the Pope's visit to Scotland as well as additional travels around the UK in 1982. The 24-ton monster has a cool glass room at the top of the vehicle and logged 11,000 miles during its services. Our personal favorite of the Popemobiles was donated to the British Commercial Vehicle Museum, in Leyland, Lancashire in 1988, but was sold at auction in 2006 for the bargain price of $70,000.

The Vaticanâ€™s fleet of limo-style Popemobiles grew in 1985 with the inclusion of the first fully armored car, a Mercedes-Benz 500 SEL. Just because it was armored doesn't mean it wasn't crowd-friendly. The sunroof opened, a windscreen elevated, and the floor lifted to a platform position below to allow the Pontiff to do his crowd-waving thing. This car is actually still in use and ferries Pope Benedict XVI during official outings.

In 1997, a new papal limousine was a thoroughly updated Landaulet Mercedes S500 LWB, complete with electro-hydraulic top, two rear-facing occasional seats, and a center-mounted throne which can power-elevate half a meter when the top is down.

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islander · « **Reply #8 on:** November 12, 2012, 12:14:38 PM »

1999 MEXICO BUS; 2002 MERCEDES ML430

In a visit to Mexico during 1999, JPII rode in a glassed-up bus through unprecedented crowds of onlookers. Following his death in 2005, this Popemobile was put on permanent display in Mexico City at the Basilica of Guadalupe, where the faithful made pilgrimages to pay respect in lieu of a trip to Vatican City.

The thoroughly modern Mercedes ML 430 Popequarium has been the standard bearer until recently. The fully enclosed, bullet-proof, air-conditioned, platformed car served major duty during the last years of John Paul II.

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islander · « **Reply #9 on:** November 12, 2012, 12:16:06 PM »

2004 FIAT CAMPAGNOLA

In his last years, John Paul II used a Fiat open-top SUV for transit within Vatican City, primarily during events at St. Peter's Square, usually accompanied by a phalanx of burly security guards.

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islander · « **Reply #10 on:** November 12, 2012, 12:17:59 PM »

2007 MERCEDES-BENZ G500

That Fiat didn't have a terribly long run, as it was supplanted by a far more stylish Merecedes G500 at the end of 2007. This one is the first that can be converted from open-air duty to enclosed bullet-proof class as well.

In 2007, the Vatican unveiled the open-top Mercedes-Benz G-Class for papal use in St. Peter's Square. It was created over a two-year development period in close consultation with the Vatican for fine-weather use.

It is equipped with a folding windscreen and hand-rails, and like its predecessors it is painted in 'Vaticanmystic white'. The interior is white, and is accessed via steps lined in red at the rear.

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islander · « **Reply #11 on:** November 12, 2012, 12:19:33 PM »

Left, another view of the current Popemobile for in-house use; right, the clunky GMC Sierra used for the Corpus Domini processions since 1984. It was first used for John Paul II's travels during a visit to Canada in 1984.

http://freeforumzone.leonardo.it/

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islander · « **Reply #12 on:** November 12, 2012, 12:28:28 PM »

The Popemobile surrounded by Men In Black at St. Peter's Square. The Pope regularly addresses huge crowds from different countries, and blesses them in their native language (French, Italian, English, German, Portuguese).

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islander · « **Reply #13 on:** November 12, 2012, 12:34:13 PM »

The Filipino Popemobile

The Popemobile, is an informal name for the specially and certainly the most eminent vehicle in the world. It transports the Pope to his numerous destinations and outdoor appearances.

Uncovered Popemobiles are most frequently used for events inside Saint Peterâ€™s Square. The vehicles are designed to protect the Pope at the same time as allowing him to be visible to the crowds.

The Philippines automobile manufacturer Francisco Motors produced the custom Popemobile for the 1995 Papal visit. It was paid for by voluntary contributions from the private sector, and as with the Irish vehicle had bulletproof windows, bombproof parts, and it was inspected by the Swiss Guards.

http://santocristodebungadparish.org/

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islander · « **Reply #14 on:** November 12, 2012, 01:57:55 PM »

1981 Popemobile, Philippines

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taga tigbao · « **Reply #15 on:** November 12, 2012, 01:58:07 PM »

Naa koy nabasahan sauna nga may pictures nga ang Pope ginapas-an sa mga tawo. Murag pareha anang santos nga pas-anon kung way karo ang barangay.

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islander · « **Reply #16 on:** November 12, 2012, 02:51:35 PM »

that is true, until one pope stopped the practice.

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islander · « **Reply #17 on:** November 12, 2012, 02:52:05 PM »

the sarao-made popemobile as used in baguio city:

(i wonder who's driving; it musn't be the future senator panfilo lacson!)

(jaime cardinal sin was a seated passenger! note: if i got it right, the one standing next to this beloved of popes is a close-in security blackbelter cardinal... i don't know how true. it's a story of my older brother who's fond of inventing great stories...)

Sarao Motors is a Jeepney assembly plant that produced the customized popemobile used by Pope John Paul II in 1981.

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islander · « **Reply #18 on:** November 12, 2012, 03:42:15 PM »

this was the popemobile before there was a popemobile.

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islander · « **Reply #19 on:** November 12, 2012, 03:44:30 PM »

All Popemobile registration plates read â€œSCV 1â€³. â€œSCVâ€ abbreviates both â€œStato della CittÃ del Vaticanoâ€ and â€œStatus Civitatis Vaticanaeâ€, the Italian and Latin names for the Vatican City.

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islander · « **Reply #20 on:** November 12, 2012, 03:47:25 PM »

The residents of Otuma, Mexico decorate a donkey as a Popemobile.

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islander · « **Reply #21 on:** November 12, 2012, 03:53:56 PM »

well, someone simply thought of interviewing the donkey popemobile instead of the popemobile itself.

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hubag bohol · « **Reply #22 on:** November 12, 2012, 03:58:37 PM »

Kakyut sa dangki. Morag si Platero...

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islander · « **Reply #23 on:** November 12, 2012, 03:58:58 PM »

A dog runs through a parade route after the Popemobile passed in Guanajuato, Mexico, on March 24, 2012. Pope Benedict XVI was on a visit to Mexico at the time. (Yuri Cortez/AFP/Getty Images)

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islander · « **Reply #24 on:** November 12, 2012, 04:01:43 PM »

Kakyut sa dangki. Morag si Platero...

oh, no. you unwittingly reminded me of THAT book. pwerting hilak tawon nako aning gabasa.

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hubag bohol · « **Reply #25 on:** November 12, 2012, 04:04:32 PM »

A dog runs through a parade route after the Popemobile passed in Guanajuato, Mexico, on March 24, 2012. Pope Benedict XVI was on a visit to Mexico at the time. (Yuri Cortez/AFP/Getty Images)

Kakyut sa dogi. Morag si Sakiyos...

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islander · « **Reply #26 on:** November 12, 2012, 04:08:57 PM »

Kakyut sa dogi. Morag si Sakiyos...

who dat? did you mean zacchaeus, the tax collector?

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hubag bohol · « **Reply #27 on:** November 12, 2012, 04:13:59 PM »

Di ba kyut? Similarli sitwitid pood...

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islander · « **Reply #28 on:** November 12, 2012, 05:28:16 PM »

whaddaya mean? wa na ko ka-gets. way gid ko kaila ni sakiyos gawas sa iyang pagka-empleyado ug mga ninuno sa BIR.

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islander · « **Reply #29 on:** November 12, 2012, 05:31:19 PM »

Pope Benedict XVI slapped with charges for not wearing seat belt

By editor on November 29, 2011

Just because the pope gets to ride in the popemobile doesnâ€™t give him license not to wear a seat belt.

So says an unnamed German man who filed charges against Pope Benedict XVI for allegedly failing to use a seat belt while touring Germany on an official visit in September.

Attorney Christian Sundermann confirmed that the complaint was filed with authorities in Freiburg, the southern German city that was Benedictâ€™s last stop during his German visit, according to the newspaper Der Westen.

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islander · « **Reply #30 on:** November 12, 2012, 05:38:36 PM »

The unnamed plaintiff, from Dortmund, argues that the pope was seen several times during the visit without a seat belt. The complaint offers several eyewitnesses, including the archbishop of Freiburg, the head of the German Conference of Bishops and the premier of the state of Baden-Wuerttemberg, where Freiburg sits.

The complaint refers to a â€œMr. Joseph Ratzingerâ€ â€” the German-born popeâ€™s given name â€” and sightings of him on Sept. 24 and 25 riding in a vehicle without a seat belt â€œfor more than an hour.â€

Sundermannâ€™s office has also entered a YouTube clip of the visit, which shows Benedict touring in a German-made Mercedes-Benz popemobile without a seat belt, as possible evidence.

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islander · « **Reply #31 on:** November 12, 2012, 05:56:36 PM »

The popeâ€™s German citizenship has prompted some questions of whether he would be subject to German law, or whether he enjoys diplomatic immunity as the head of a foreign state.

http://www.cathnewsusa.com/

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