"We have resolved to endure the unendurable and suffer what is insufferable."
- Japanese Emperor Hirohito, after the Hiroshima bombing, August 1945
In 1935, then emperor of Japan, Hirohito, bought an exclusive armored version of the Mercedes Benz type 770K "Big Mercedes" and used it henceforth as a state coach for official public appearances.
Apart from an inconspicuously eye-catching two-tone paint finish, the car came equipped with extremely exclusive appointments. It bore the emblem of the Tenno on the doors and had a gold plated radiator grill - of course, a custom-made product for the spiritual leader of Nippon.
In 1971, the majestic car returned to Untertürkheim, Germany. Since then it is one of the main attractions of the Mercedes-Benz Company.
Pictured here is a splendid 1:43 scale diecast replica of a 1935 Daimler-Benz 770K Grand Mercedes Parade Limousine that was used by Japanese Emperor Hirohito. Sold Out!
Dimensions:
Length: 6 inches
Width: 2 inches
Release Date: July 2006
Historical Account: "The Shôwa Emperor" - Born on April 29th, 1901, Hirohito was the 124th Emperor of Japan according to the traditional order of succession, reigning from 1926 to 1989. Since his death in 1989, he has been known as Emperor Shôwa in Japan, the posthumous name given to him by order of the Japanese cabinet dated January 13th, 1989.
Although he is widely referred to as Hirohito, or Emperor Hirohito outside of Japan, past emperors are only referred to in Japan by their posthumous names. His reign was the longest of any historical Japanese emperor, and he oversaw many significant changes to Japanese society. |
