Popemobiles of the past and present

Dr Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, delivers a Mercedes-Benz M-Class to Pope Benedict XVI on December 7, 2012. The “Popemobile” was specifically produced for the Pope with a special-purpose body.

The Holy Father and his Mercedes: in 1930, Pope Pius XI, personally received his Mercedes-Benz Nürburg 460, which had been individually converted into the first "Popemobile."

Pullman sedan for the pope: In 1930, the Vatican received a Mercedes-Benz Nürburg as a present for the Holy Father.

When Mercedes-Benz handed over the first popemobile, a number of photos were taken of the car in the Vatican. This photo shows the Nürburg in front of the Castel Sant’ Angelo.

Mobile throne-chair: The interior of the popemobile had been fitted with, among other things, parament embroidery.

Portrait on St. Peter’s Square: The Mercedes-Benz Nürburg was internally known as the Rome Vehicle. The Pullman limousine traveled to Rome under its own steam before being handed over in the Vatican.

Saint for the popemobile: A medallion of Saint Christopher on the Mercedes-Benz Nürburg for the Holy Father.

Return to the Vatican: In 1984, Pope John Paul II received the lavishly restored Mercedes-Benz Nürburg.

As good as new: In 1983-1984, Daimler-Benz AG had the first popemobile completely restored by Mercedes-Benz.

Unique seat: In 1930, a single throne-chair in the rear of the Pullman limousine was created for the Holy Father.

Presto, adagio: The lettering on the control panel, used by the pope to convey instructions to his driver, reads like an opera score.

Historically correct down to the smallest detail: The popemobile of 1930 was restored at the museum workshop of Mercedes-Benz with the highest precision.

This Nürburg 460, first handed over to Pope Pius XI in 1930, established a long-standing tradition of Mercedes-Benz providing the Holy Father with cars.

Presto! When the pope conveyed this signal to his driver, the latter would accelerate the Mercedes-Benz Nürburg up to a top speed of 100 km/h.

Soft-top for the rear seat: The Mercedes-Benz 300 d, presented in 1960 to the Vatican as a new popemobile by Daimler-Benz AG, had been designed as a landaulet.

Ceremony in the Vatican’s garages: Pope John XXIII spoke about the relationship between the Vatican and Mercedes-Benz when the car was ceremoniously handed over in 1960.

White-walled tires and dark finish: The Mercedes-Benz 300 d provided an impressive basis for the popemobile of 1960.

Modern times: The pope’s chair in the Mercedes-Benz 300 d was surrounded with controls for air conditioning, two-way radio and other functions.

Running boards, extended wheelbase and a single seat in the rear: For use as a popemobile, the Mercedes-Benz 300 d had been extensively modified.

The Holy Father’s signet: The coat of arms of Pope John XXIII was attached to the side of the Mercedes-Benz 300 d.

Landaulet with long wheelbase: For the popemobile, the Mercedes-Benz 300 d was given a 450-millimeter longer wheelbase.