1997 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Landaulet 500

Vehicle Overview

Mercedes-Benz was known for producing one-off vehicles for special occasions, and the A140 was one of the finest examples that ever left the assembly lines of the three-pointed-star brand.

Such a unique vehicle was built for a unique person: Pope John Paul II in 1997. This custom limousine was made to transport the Holy Father based on the long-wheelbase version of the S Class W140. But it was more than just a vehicle with a similar shape and size. It went through a complete change and upgrades that made it appropriate for the highest-ranking person in the Catholic Church.

While it wasn’t specified if the car was armored, the external design was altered for the A170. At the front, it featured the same headlights and tilted grille, but on the fenders, it sported flag-poles. The front doors were carried over from the rest of the S-Class range, but the metallic roof ended behind the B-pillar. Behind it, a canvas roof covered the rear-passenger area when needed. It could’ve been retracted between the cabin and the trunk. The rear doors were regular, sporting frames for the windows but without the safety arch above them.

Inside, Mercedes-Benz installed its best materials available. At the front, the two bucket seats were used for the driver and the security officer who sat on the right. In the back, the automaker installed a single central wide seat covered in leather and with two armrests. A pair of rear-facing jump seats were mounted on the panel that separated the front and rear areas of the cabin.

Under the hood, Mercedes-Benz installed the five-liter V8 engine from the S500 paired with a five-speed automatic gearbox that provided very smooth gear changes.