One of these cars rarely makes its way out of the Petersen Automotive Museum’s vault, where stored, and the other hasn’t seen the light of day since the Museum acquired it. Embodying the values of good and evil, not only aesthetically but historically as well, the Popemobile and Saddam Hussein’s Mercedes-Benz 600 sit feet away from one another in The Vault. With such very polar histories, who would have imagined that they’d end up here?
Mercedes-Benz 600
You’re probably wondering how Saddam Hussein’s Benz found its way from Iraq to a US auto collection. It was acquired not long after Saddam’s fall, in a private transaction by Mr. Petersen. Unlike most of the other cars in Saddam’s large garage, which were demolished, this stately vehicle was driven out of Iraq by a businessman – saving it for posterity’s sake. If you didn’t know better you may look at this 600, in its decrepit state, and think to yourself “Why’s this junky car in a museum?”. Despite its current shoddy looks, it is a Mercedes-Benz 600 landaulet – which in and of itself is quite a car to behold. Pope Paul VI During Parade in a Mercedes-Benz 600 Maybach Landaulet | Photo courtesy of Mercedes-Benz Most notably made as papal cars, the landaulets weren’t intended as everyday drivers, but rather parade cars. Used by popes and heads of state, they also became the car of choice for quite a few infamous leaders – think Kim Jong-Sun, Kim Jong-Il, Pol Pot, and Duvalier, and of course Saddam Hussein. Other than the car's significant and formidable presence, perhaps it was its price and exclusivity that drew attention from power-hungry tyrants. “The exclusive body design with the folding convertible top did not appear on the official price list, but the Mercedes-Benz 600 was regarded as the world’s most expensive production car of its day.”1 Only 59 landaulets were produced by Mercedes-Benz between 1963 and 1980 with Mercedes noting that, “with such a wide variety of interior equipment options and special features it would be difficult to find two identically-equipped 600 landaulets.” Hussein’s version was a four-door, long-roof one. Petersen curator Leslie Kendall explains, “This one’s unusual because it’s a long-roof landaulet which is the rarer version. In a short-roof the convertible portion extended only to the C-pillar. On the long-roof version it extends almost to the B-pillar. This is really the more formal way to do it.” The exterior sides sport handles and platforms for guards to use, who would’ve usually been walking next to the car during a parade. To return to base, or in emergency situations, guards would have hopped on the platforms - the trunk top is spattered with dents, caused by the guard's gun butts. Lengthy care was taken to legally bring it out of the original country and into the US. As of yet, with the events still being in recent memory, the Petersen has chose not to show this car – although it’s included during a Vault Tour. Due to its historical significance, it won’t be restored – even though its wear makes it hard to believe the odometer only reads 5204. “This car is about being the property of one of the most infamous dictators the world has ever known – during a very tumultuous time during the history of that region of the world,” says Kendall.
Custom "Popemobile" Cadillac De Ville
After the dark comes the light - at polar opposite of Hussein’s 600 is this specially-made Cadillac De Ville Popemobile created for one of the most beloved men of recent history. General Motors crafted this Popemobile for John Paul II on occasion of his visit to Mexico’s Estadio Azteca. Based off a commercial chassis, this Popemobile has a longer wheelbase then a limousine. As if the fact that it’s wearing the Pope’s coat of arms and more white than a wedding dress isn’t enough to make it stand out, this Cadillac is also unique from other De Ville’s because of the convertible top. Steps pop out as the rear doors open. And who can miss that central platform seating? The papal seat raises several inches at the flick of a switch. While ensuring that onlookers get a good view, it also exposes the Pope to possible danger. “By the time the car was ready, attempts had been made on his life,” notes Kendall, and John Paul II blessed it but wasn’t allowed to ride in it. You’d almost expect this one to float, but it is in fact powered by a regular Cadillac V8 engine. Not able to conspicuously drive the streets, Kendall once had a guy roll down his window to ask, “Hey, where did you rent that?”, on the way to an event which the Popemobile was showed at. While you can’t rent it, you can see it during the Petersen’s Vault Tour. Why is it that bad guys always get the cooler cars? Photos: Tim Sutton | Words: Kristin Cline1 Clark, John. “Maybach Landaulet History and Technical Specs.” eMercedesBenz, 21 February 2011. Web. <http://www.emercedesbenz.com/autos/maybach/landaulet/maybach-landaulet-history-and-technical-specs/attachment/maybach-landaulat-history-582696_1032301_3508_2654_papstwagen21_1960-tech-specs/>
