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How To Trap A Rabbit
black mamba
Registered Users Posts: 8,321 Major grins
Well, I'm not sure about actually trapping a rabbit, but I can guarantee you that this thing was instrumental in gathering up more sweet, little bunnies than you could probably count. This was Hugh Hefner's personal ride for a long time. Of all the Mercedes-Benz 600 limousines owned by famous people, I dare say this one saw more excitement than all the rest put together.
The Mercedes-Benz 600 is, in many quarters, considered the epitome of limousine design and manufacture. First introduced in 1964, The 600 ascended to the highest ranking among those fortunate enough to be able to buy one. This one here, below, is a 1965 model built especially for Pope Paul VI. It is one of the very few built as a partial convertible.....referred to as a Landaulet model. This car served the Vatican for over two decades and three Popes.
The 600 came in basically 2 size variants. A long wheel base model ( LWB ) and a short wheel base model ( SWB ). The LWB cars were almost always built as a limousine type, with a divider separating the driver and the passengers. The SWB models were intended for those owners who preferred to do their own driving. These cars had a very complicated ( read expensive ) hydraulic system that powered most of the options, as well as the air suspension set-up. The car here is a 1972 SWB model that is as finely restored as any I've ever seen. Production of this magnificent car ceased in 1981.
The Mercedes-Benz 600 is, in many quarters, considered the epitome of limousine design and manufacture. First introduced in 1964, The 600 ascended to the highest ranking among those fortunate enough to be able to buy one. This one here, below, is a 1965 model built especially for Pope Paul VI. It is one of the very few built as a partial convertible.....referred to as a Landaulet model. This car served the Vatican for over two decades and three Popes.
The 600 came in basically 2 size variants. A long wheel base model ( LWB ) and a short wheel base model ( SWB ). The LWB cars were almost always built as a limousine type, with a divider separating the driver and the passengers. The SWB models were intended for those owners who preferred to do their own driving. These cars had a very complicated ( read expensive ) hydraulic system that powered most of the options, as well as the air suspension set-up. The car here is a 1972 SWB model that is as finely restored as any I've ever seen. Production of this magnificent car ceased in 1981.
I always wanted to lie naked on a bearskin rug in front of a fireplace. Cracker Barrel didn't take kindly to it.
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I wonder if the chauffeur for Huge checked ID's to ensure the overall safety of his client. Would that be thoughtful or just asking to lose your
job?
I'm given to wonder Tom why the pope vehicle wasn't white. A curious
thing to me. Power over purity in color selection. I'm sure there was some
wisdom to the magic in that choice. Hmmm
from the start.
http://imagesbyjirobau.blogspot.com/
Thanks for looking in.
I once rode in one of these great machines. Unfortunately, at the time it was in pretty ragged shape. A friend had purchased it with the idea of doing a complete restoration. The expense of doing so got so out of hand ( each one of the 600's was essentially a custom-made car....finding parts became a nightmare, and very expensive) that he had to sell the car and move on to something more affordable.
Tom
That's an interesting postulation about the color selection made by the Vatican....going with black. What research I've been able to do indicates that very few 600's left the factory painted white. The car is, as you see, a large vehicle to start with. Light colors would make it appear even larger. I suspect that many folks chose a darker color to downplay the size of their indulgence....and help reduce the seemingly ostentatious nature of their ride.
Take care buddy,
Tom
It is vain to do with more what can be done with less. - William of Occam (c. 1288-1348)
Thanks for the comment.
In this case, I didn't get a close-up shot of the wheels. I see them as a reflection of the overall visual character of the car....simple, under-stated, yet very elegant.
When the local Lions Club here drove cars thru the Kruse Auction block (now RM Auctions America) I drove a 196? Mercedes Limo. The owner came up and said, "Know how to start this?" I just shook my head no. "Well, you turn this key here, and you.... and then you.... and then....", that's what I heard.
When I got the car up on the turn table, Dean Kruse was telling me to "turn the car off". I didn't, then one of the callers came over and told me, "I have noooo clue how to start it back up" but I did as they said and turned it off. When time to drive off, Dean was shouting, "Drive the car out!" It didn't go... he made me turn it off.... I was pushed off and out of the building.
Thanks for the photos and reviving some memories (mid 1990's).
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It is vain to do with more what can be done with less. - William of Occam (c. 1288-1348)
Lauren
Lauren Blackwell
www.redleashphoto.com
Good to hear from you, Lauren. I trust that you and your new camera are becoming good buddies about now.
I was always a BMW guy, owned 5 of them over the years....never was attracted to any of the Mercedes cars. I have to admit, though, that some of those Mercedes AMG variants of recent years do appeal to me. There's one big downside to these cars.....BMW or Mercedes, or others of this class: when they need heavy service and are out of warranty, you'd best be prepared to bend over.
See you,
Tom
Lauren Blackwell
www.redleashphoto.com
A good friend of mine is a Ferrari, Aston Martin, Maserati, Porsche, GM, and Toyota certified tech as well as an ASE master technician. His experience with how labor intensive even some simple maintenance is on the VW/Audi products steers him completely clear of owning these.
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