When thinking about the various trappings of wealth , you probably ideate huge mansions , tremendous swim pools , fancy clothes and , of course , beautiful limousines carry with expensivealcoholand country - of - the - artistic production electronic gadgets . While limousines were once a luxury bask chiefly by the extremely deep , today they ’re a staple fiber of airport transport and a favored way to go far at evening gown , dances and weddings .
What just is a limo ? For many people , the word " limo " bid up the simulacrum of an improbably longcarwith plenty of dark - tint windows . Actually , a limousine can be as wide-eyed as a dainty Lincoln Town Car . There ’s no standard limo make or model – instead , the word look up to a vehicle that has a large compartment in the back one-half of the automobile than your average automobile . To call a car a limo , you really just need a nice car that has a lot of leg room in the rearward compartment . It also helps if you have a gadget driver , or chauffeur , driving the machine for you while you loosen in the back .
The word " limo " comes from a town in France foretell Limousin . The original limo was n’t a vehicle at all – it was a piece of article of clothing . Shepherds in Limousin created a raincoat with a hood to protect them from the constituent . They call this hooded cloak a limo . Eventually , coach - builders in Paris began to call get across carriage limousines ( some speculate the first coach - builder to do so was from Limousin ) . flush passenger could baby-sit under cover while a driver handled the horses [ author : Lancashire Limos ] .
As the horseless carriage became popular , the terminus was give to car driven by a hire gentleman to transmit rider , who sat comfortably in the back . Limousine service sprang up in places likeNew York City , where entrepreneurs foresaw a market for visitors who wanted to travel in luxury . As early as the 1920s , man of affairs began to create limousine company , some of which still exist today [ source : Limo Broker ] .
In this article , we ’ll look at some of the democratic vehicles used as limousines straight off the factory ancestry . We ’ll also look at how self-governing companionship convert stock vehicles into stretching limousines . We ’ll sample some of the comforts you may find in most limousines , as well as a few more alien choice . Finally , we ’ll reckon at some fact and physique regarding limousines and chauffers .
In the next section , we ’ll learn about the vulgar vehicle used as limousines .
Limousine Manufacturers
While the limousine is n’t a specific manikin ofcar , several car company created vehicles that are well - suited for limo service . Early luxury railcar include vehicles from LeBaron , Fleetwood , Willoughby , Derham and Fisher . Early Cadillacs also saw use as limousines . You could hire out much any luxury automobile with a machine driver and call it a limousine .
Bentleybuilt 20 specialized Arnage limousine , making them one of the most rare limousine models in the world . Bentley allowed those who buy one of the limo practically unbounded options to tailor-make their car . Their choice ranged from the coloring of the interior and exterior to custom - madedrinkscabinets and their choice of electronic gadgetry . Bentley is more of an exclusion to the rule , though – most car company do n’t even come close to offer that kind of customization .
TheLincolnTown Car is still a very popular choice for luxury car limos . These cars are famous for feature a roomy interior and a smooth ride , and so are often used by limousine services . Conversion society frequently opt the Lincoln Town Car when building reach limo .
Many limousine troupe also declare oneself services using a Cadillac or Mercedes - Benz . These manufacturers have built a reputation on comfort and style . For many year , Cadillac was the only domestic car company make limousine – effect during the Great Depression and World War II severely impacted the limo industry , and Cadillac was the only domestic company able to survive in that market .
Many limousine services also habituate authoritative automobiles . you may happen limousine companies offer customer a chance to ride in a voluptuous Rolls - Royce in almost every major city . Rolls - Royce work up cars with graceful and inscrutable name calling like the Silver Cloud , the Phantom and the Wraith . Some of these simulation even leave alone the driver ’s compartment bring out , harkening back to the Clarence Shepard Day Jr. of horse - drawn manager .
Most masses think of amazing stretch limousine with lavish interiors when they talk about limos . Enterprising limousine company have capitalize on that image by convert everything from Lincoln Navigator SUVs toMINI CooperstoLamborghinisin an cause to entice customer and please erratic celebrities . Some go to even further extremes and utilize vehicles never meant for the street .
In the next incision , we ’ll look at the spiritual rebirth process to turn an average car into a stretch limousine .
Limo Conversion
A company call in Armbruster built the first stretch limousine in 1928 . They build thecoach– otherwise known as the compartment where the passengers sit – specifically to enthral orotund groups of affluent the great unwashed . Armbruster and other companies build these cable car from the ground up rather than change over an existing fomite ; thecarswere always mean to be longer cars that could hold more passengers than your average automobile .
Eventually , Armbruster merge with a ship’s company called Stageway Coaches and break off building its own cars . The unexampled company began to convert Cadillac andLincolncars into stretch limousines , mainly for funeral processions . As stretch limousine became more democratic , other company start to enter the market place , converting everything from classic luxury fomite to gamey - end sport car and SUVs .
Some companies apply more sophisticated tool than others , but the actual serial publication of whole step persist pretty much the same among companies . First , they strip the interior out of the cable car and protect everything stay with fervour - resistant paper – include any looking glass . Next , mechanics ride the car on a solidifying of rails . you could adjust the rails to elevate the car off the ground . The rails help keep the front and back of the car line up properly . ordinarily one side of the rails rests on a wheeling dolly .
Mechanics then cut the car in one-half – the most all-important part of any conversion . Some auto-mechanic uselaser - guidedmachinery to make precise cuts while others rely on the skilled hand of an experient shop mechanic . The back half of the car mounted on the rail ' dolly incision is pulled back .
Next , mechanics weld a base to the front and back one-half of the car , extending it to its ultimate length . They weld in impermanent brace to keep the frame from twine or warp – any errors in this step could induce the fomite to become unsafe or even impossible to repel . automobile mechanic extend the drive line from theengineback to the rearward axle by link multiple movement line together . They extend the electric component using connectors between the original wiring and the new wiring that will extend the distance of the railcar .
Once the mechanics put the base of operations in place and extended thedriveline– the parts of the power railroad train – pillar posts are installed where new doorway will seize to the body of the limousine . Thefloor pan(the floor of the limousine ) is installed , cover up up the driveline and framework . Mechanics must also reenforce thebrakes , interruption andsteeringmechanisms for the cable car – adding more pile to the elevator car means that it becomes more difficult to control and hold on due to inactiveness .
Next , a prefabricated outside is installed over the limo ’s frame and the fomite is fit out with a raw Interior Department , including any too-generous amenity . Finally , the limo goes into the paint shop , where painters give it a uniform , brand new key job .
In the next surgical incision , we ’ll await at some of the amenities you’re able to retrieve in the world ’s most deluxe limo .
Limousine Amenities
Most limousine companies ( and car manufacturers ) feel that doubling the distance of the original fomite is about as long as you could go before a cable car is no longer capable to pass the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards ( FMVSS ) , though some push this a fiddling further than others . In an industry where owners have to differentiate themselves from the competition , the only option , apart from hold up longer , is to make the interior as opulent , technologically ripe or outrageous as possible .
much every limousine has a legal profession or drinks console contain enoughalcoholto keep a rambunctious bachelor company going for hours . Some bars include fancy glasses made of crystal , polished counter lined with neon lights and even a sink with running water . Some limo bar can giveLas Vegasclubs a run for their money in terms of glitz and excessiveness .
Another heavy focusing in limousine amenities is the entertainment system . you’re able to rent a limousine withplasma projection screen televisions , videodisk players , surround - strait systemswith theatre - qualityspeakers , satellite radioandvideo secret plan consoles . Some company convince omnibus into limousines and even include a dance trading floor or karaoke system of rules .
Other augury of inordinateness in the limo industry scope from mirrored ceilings to crystal pendent . Some limo interiors are fill with flash light and neon tube . Many have funky seat upholstered in leather or other expensive materials . Bentley’slimousines contain handcraft cabinet workplace , expensive veneers and expensive communications systems so that you may stay in touch with the office even as you ride in complete luxury .
Many limo admit intercommunication system system so that rider can communicate with the limo driver without turn down a privacy barrier . Most limos also havetelephonesinstalled so that you may call your good acquaintance and ask , " Guess where I ’m call you from ? "
In the next subdivision , we ’ll look at some facts and figure in the world of limousines .
Limousine Facts and Figures
You might be surprised to find out that you may need a special license in edict to operate a limo or that manufacturers have to pay a " gasolene gulper tax " –“intended to discourage the product and purchase of fuel - inefficient cars " [ rootage : U.S. Environmental Protection Agency].The facts and public figure below can aid sort out gas milage , safety and costs associated with owning or charter a limo .
Licensing
There is n’t a standardized licensing requirement for chauffeurs from one state to another . Some states require chauffeurs pass a specific exam to become licensed , while others simply ask the applier to satisfy out a manikin . Many states do n’t require anything more than a standard license , though some might call for that the chauffeur implement for a commercial license if the limousine is get going to carry big numbers of passengers at one time .
Safety
Limousines have to meet the same safe standards as other vehicle . In theory , every conversion workshop has to put every vehicle variation through a electric battery of tests , including crash tests , to ensure the safety of the driver and passengers . The government sporadically inspect vehicle and bespeak proof from limo companies that their vehicles have been tested .
Gas Mileage
In general , limousines get lousy gas milage , though it depart from vehicle to vehicle ( and even aLincolnstretch limo from one company might get immensely unlike gas mileage from a different company ’s stretch Lincoln ) . Limousine ship’s company have to pay a " gas gulper revenue enhancement " on each fomite [ generator : U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ] . Essentially , this is compensation to the government for all the pollution the limousine will create over its life of service .
Cost
In a similar nervure , the price of limo vagabond from bargain buys to exuberant purchases . A custom - built Arnage limo might be more than $ 300,000 , while a used stretch Lincoln might go for less than $ 30,000 . Conversions can range almost as much look upon the base vehicle , the length you want to stretch it , and the agreeableness you take to include .
Services and Dealers
There are century of limo services in theUnited Statesthat rent limousine and cater driver to the ecumenical world . There are also one C of private operators who either lease themselves out to anyone or become a personal driver for a wealthy someone . Before you engage a limousine – or purchase one for yourself – it pays to do some enquiry on the limousine company . ensure the company test its fomite and , if potential , find out what the certification process is for its drivers . repute in the limo industry is very important , so attempt to pick a society with a unspoiled one . That means , when you ’re riding in the back with several of your friends , all you ’ll have to worry about is what everyone wants to drink .
To learn more about limousine and related subjects , check out the connectedness on the next Sir Frederick Handley Page .
