State and Parade Limousines

Pope John Paul II was riding in a Fiat Campagnola when an attempt was made on his life in 1981 by Mehmet Ali Agca, a Turkish gunman who may have been working for the Eastern Bloc. Today, the "Popemobile" has replaced the sedia gestatoria, which has the same purpose as the Fiat: to make the Pope visible to all the pilgrims during his entry and exit from events but offer the Pontiff better protection.

The Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.3 started out as a private venture in 1966 by company engineer Erich Waxenberger, which culminated in the world's first "Super Saloon" or Q-car.

The Citroen DS (also known as Daesse, or Goddess, after the punning initials in French) was an automobile produced by the French manufacturer Citroen between 1955 and 1975. The DS is well-known for its futuristic, aerodynamic body design, and for its innovative technology (including its hydropneumatic suspension system).

Dubbed X-100 by the US Secret Service, the Presidential Parade Vehicle began life as a stock 1961 Lincoln Continental four-door convertible. Ford Motor Company and Hess & Eisenhardt, custom automobile builders of Cincinnati, Ohio, worked together to create the most modern open parade limousine of its day.

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Between 1964-1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson was frequently seen riding in a 1964 Lincoln Continental Presidential Parade Vehicle. This powerful looking car with its shiny black paint and unique 'glass house' roof began its life as a much different automobile.

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Dubbed X-100 by the US Secret Service, the Presidential Parade Vehicle began life as a stock 1961 Lincoln Continental four-door convertible. Ford Motor Company and Hess & Eisenhardt, custom automobile builders of Cincinnati, Ohio, worked together to create the most modern open parade limousine of its day.

In 1930, German car maker Mercedes decided to produce a limousine "fit for a king." Forever known as the 'Grand Mercedes', the 770K Mercedes Limousine was eventually pressed into service by noneother than Adolf Hitler, soon after he became Reich Chancellor of Germany in 1933.

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In 1930, German car maker Mercedes decided to produce a limousine "fit for a king." Forever known as the 'Grand Mercedes', the 770K Mercedes Limousine was eventually pressed into service by none other than the German Chancellor, soon after he became Reich Chancellor of Germany in 1933.

Konrad Adenauer became the first Chancellor of Germany after the Second World War, from 1949-1963, a period which spans most of the preliminary phase of the Cold War. During this period, the post-war division of Germany was consolidated with the establishment of two separate German states, the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) and the German Democratic Republic (East Germany).

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The Citroen DS (also known as Dyesse, or Goddess, after the punning initials in French) was an automobile produced by the French manufacturer Citroen between 1955 and 1975. The DS is well-known for its futuristic, aerodynamic body design, and for its innovative technology (including its hydropneumatic suspension system).

The Mercedes-Benz 300D was specially made for the Sovereign Pontiff, Pope John XXIII, in 1960. Produced under the stringent directions of the Vatican Protocol, the 300D featured a Landaulet body set on a lengthened chassis.

The Benz 11/40 PS was a car model of Benz & Cie.. The car was equipped with a six-cylinder in-line engine with 2860 cc displacement, and 40 hp (29 kW) at 2250 min. The engine's power is transmitted via a leather cone clutch to a four-speed transmission, and from there via a cardan shaft to the rear wheels

In 1930, German car maker Mercedes decided to produce a limousine "fit for a king." Forever known as the 'Grand Mercedes', the 770K Mercedes Limousine was eventually pressed into service by noneother than Adolf Hitler, soon after he became Reich Chancellor of Germany in 1933.

In 1930, German car maker Mercedes decided to produce a limousine "fit for a king." Forever known as the 'Grand Mercedes', the 770K Mercedes Limousine was eventually pressed into service by none other than Adolf Hitler, soon after he became Reich Chancellor of Germany in 1933.

In 1930, German car maker Mercedes decided to produce a limousine "fit for a king." Forever known as the 'Grand Mercedes', the 770K Mercedes Limousine was eventually pressed into service by none other than Adolf Hitler, soon after he became Reich Chancellor of Germany in 1933.

In 1930, German car maker Mercedes decided to produce a limousine "fit for a king." Forever known as the 'Grand Mercedes', the 770K Mercedes Limousine was eventually pressed into service by noneother than the German Chancellor, soon after he became Reich Chancellor of Germany in 1933.

In 1930, German car maker Mercedes decided to produce a limousine "fit for a king." Forever known as the 'Grand Mercedes', the 770K Mercedes Limousine was eventually pressed into service by noneother than the German Chancellor, soon after he became Reich Chancellor of Germany in 1933.

Long before Hitler's rise to power, Daimler-Benz worked on the development of a heavy off-road sedan for the Reichswehr (German military). In 1934, a three-axle car was created, called the "Type G4". Because it was too heavy and too costly for the Reichswehr, the car would probably have faded into history if not for Hitler and other important figures of the time.

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Long before Hitler's rise to power, Daimler-Benz worked on the development of a heavy off-road sedan for the Reichswehr (German military). In 1934, a three-axle car was created, called the "Type G4". Because it was too heavy and too costly for the Reichswehr, the car would probably have faded into history if not for Hitler and other important figures of the time.

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In 1930, German car maker Mercedes decided to produce a limousine "fit for a king." Forever known as the 'Grand Mercedes', the 770K Mercedes Limousine was eventually pressed into service by noneother than Adolf Hitler, soon after he became Reich Chancellor of Germany in 1933.

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