You don't have to be a U.S. president to ride in a
well-armored car. In fact, more and more ordinary citizens are
placing orders for Cadillacs, BMWs or Mercedes-Benzes that provide
them with almost the level of protection currently enjoyed by the
occupant of the White House.
The demand is growing for steel armoring; bullet-proof glass;
and reinforced roofs, body panels, floorwells and wheel housings on
private cars, which look almost indistinguishable from standard
models. German manufacturers build armored sedans on their assembly
lines, but most U.S. automakers send the cars for conversion to
companies such as Scaletta Moloney Armoring Corp. (www.scaletta.com),
where 40 percent more inquiries have been received since the
September 11 attacks and where actual orders have increased 25
percent.
BMW has sold armored cars since 1999, when it introduced two
light-armored luxury sedans: the $99,400 740il Protection model and
the $124,400 750il (above) Protection with a V12 engine. Both can
resist an attack from a .44 Magnum, while Mercedes-Benz's
$153,000 S500 (below) Guard sedan is certified to B4 ballistic
protection. The S500's fuel tank is self-sealing against
threat, and labyrinth construction prevents penetration of door and
body seams. GM is also considering production on the armored
DeVille now showing as a concept car at auto shows.
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High-end sedans aren't the only vehicles you can order
armored. Scaletta Moloney has converted Ford Explorers and
Expeditions and a GMC Suburban, though you might want to draw the
line at a Daewoo.
Go online and you'll find several companies offering this
specialized protection, but keep in mind that responsible
installers of armor should use materials that have been properly
certified by recognized agencies such as Underwriter's
Laboratories. Reputable armorers should also have product liability
insurance in case of any armor systems' failure.
Editor and consultant Jill Amadio has been reporting on the
automotive industry for 24 years.