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11 Solid Cars Turned Into Ugly Limousines

Vukasin Herbez September 6, 2017

Admit it, nothing screams opulence and excess like a long white stretch limo with tinted windows. These cars have been around for decades, but somewhere in the U.S. in the 1980’s, it seemed like the market for them exploded. Suddenly, there were Lincoln Town Car “stretches” everywhere.

These ostentatious cars with TV antennas in the back were hauling businessmen, rock stars and other members of the elite around the country, sometimes to important meetings and sometimes to wild parties. In the 2000’s, stretches became even more outrageous, especially with the introduction of the custom-built Hummer, Lincoln Navigator and Cadillac Escalade limousines. They were more spacious and flamboyant than those sedan-based stretches. They also had even crazier interiors and more multimedia.

In all honesty, some limousines can be quite tasteless, but they always have some strange level of cool that goes hand in hand with their tackiness. When a cool car is the basis for a stretch limo, there’s no room for being tacky. These limos are the coolest ones around, so here’s an interesting countdown of 11 cool cars turned into even cooler limos.

1. Mini XXL Limo

They introduced the original Mini way back in 1959. It instantly became the best-selling car in Britain and a car that motorized the country. Over the years, the original Minis went through all sorts of crazy modifications and the imaginations of their owners were the only true limit. Somebody might have created a limo out of an old Mini, but it wouldn’t be as nearly outrageous as this one made of the new BMW Mini.

When the BMW Group introduced the Mini in 2001, it was a completely modern take on the classic design and overall shape of the British legend. As it grew in dimensions, a Los Angeles-based company thought it would be an amazing idea to stretch a Mini, and turn it into a Mini XXL. It is a limo so outrageously cool, it also has a hot tub for two in the trunk. The car debuted at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, and other luxuries included a retractable flat-screen TV, DVD player and a phone for the occupants in the back.

The Mini XXL had to get a third axis to hold the added weight of the hot tub, which makes it special because it is a six-wheel car. In all honesty, limos equipped with hot tubs are universally regarded as the tackiest, most tasteless rides, but not this one, because it comes from a highly-popular Mini car.

2. Ford F-650 Limo

In production since 2000, the Ford F-650 and F-750 trucks are the final steps in the F Series evolution. These gigantic trucks are usually used for quite utilitarian tasks, such as flatbed towing, construction, hauling heavy loads or loaded with all sorts of machinery behind its cabin. But, the F-650 was also offered in civilian form with a long list of options and amenities. That’s where many conversion companies saw great potential for turning this working man’s truck into an ultimate party stretch limo.

The results are as crazy as they seem because they took the already huge F-650 truck and stretched it to the point it looked like a compact passenger bus. But, unlike the plain interior of a bus, these stretch limos have everything you can imagine. They have TV screens, high-quality audio systems, and comfy seating. They also include fully-stacked bars, mood lighting, mirrored roofs and heavily tinted glass surfaces for complete privacy.

Apart from the fact it has strong blue-collar appeal, the Ford F-650 is also a cool car due to its colossal size, and to make a stretch limo out of one is utter madness. The final results are nothing short of amazing, but some people admit the interior can look a bit tacky. But, if you turn a blind eye and look at any F-650 stretch just from the outside, you’ll see one of the coolest limos around made from one of the most iconic American trucks ever built.

3. DeLorean Limo

With its brushed stainless steel body, gullwing doors and most importantly, a starring role in Back to the Future trilogy, the DeLorean DMC-12 is one of the coolest classic cars on the planet. Even though it isn’t mind-blowingly fast or powered by a big, thirsty American V8, people all over the world adore the DMC-12. One way to make a DeLorean even better is to make a replica of the Back to the Future Time machine, but a group of enthusiasts had something else in mind.

Rich Wiessensel, a DeLorean enthusiast who already has a collection of crazy and cool modified DMC-12s, commissioned the car. Besides the stock version and the limo, there is a DeLorean monster truck, a convertible, and even a hovercraft. Wiessensel’s limo has three pairs of gullwing doors, and it’s a sight when you see all of them wide open. When the doors are open, the limo resembles a private jet rather than a car. Like the original DMC-12, this limo is also powered by a V6 engine, and with all that added weight, it can’t hit the magical number of 88 MPH.

But, this limo can do something else, and that is to look incredibly attractive while cruising down the city streets or while it’s on display on numerous classic car shows with its owner, Mr. Wiessensel, who has good taste in cars.

4. Volkswagen Bus Limo

The Volkswagen T1 Samba bus is one of the most collectible and coveted people carriers in the world. These beautiful vans command high prices that are often worth of $100,000. Virtually all restorers, collectors and dealers keep them in a condition as close to the original as possible. But, there’s always a brave soul who begs to differ. While there’s not much known about the people behind this crazy project, there are some interesting numbers surrounding it.

This 1965 Samba stretch limousine features 33 windows, which is 10 more than the regular 23-window Samba bus. It can also accommodate up to 12 people, but due to the added weight, it has a 2.074cc engine. The interior has LCD screens, a high-quality audio system and LED lights. There’s also a rearview camera to make everyday driving easier.

This impressive VW limo was once located in Hawaii on the island of Maui. The owner listed it on eBay in 2015. The most incredible part of the story is that it sold for $220,000, two times more than the average price of a factory-spec VW Samba.

All in all, the T1 Samba is already one of the most wanted cars with a rich surfing and hippie heritage. But the stretch version is even cooler, especially in the VW color scheme, with a ragtop roof and a matching surfboard. When it comes to the VW Samba, having more windows is equal to having more fun.

5. Corvette Funfest C4

The Chevrolet Corvette is one of the most iconic American sports cars, and its C4 generation lived through the heyday of 80’s automotive excess. White Corvettes and white stretch limos were an everyday sight during the years of neon, gold and rock music. In a wild era where more was indeed more, Corvettes and limos always went hand in hand, but some brilliant minds decided to make a match made in 80’s heaven.

There’s not much official information on this special build besides that it made the cover of the 2010 Corvette Funfest program. What most people may not know is, unlike other limos, this stretch is V8-powered. The coloration is special too – it is white with a black to gray gradient.

This Corvette stretch limo can sit up to six people. It sold at the Mecum auction in Indianapolis in 2015 for between $20,000 and $30,000. Even though it is based on a low-slung thoroughbred sports car rather than a Lincoln or a Cadillac, the Corvette Funfest C4 has the exact looks of an 80’s stretch limo, complete with blacked-out windows and door sill lights.

While it’s neither the first nor the last Corvette-based stretch, this is an eye-catching car due to its pedigree of a cover star. It is easy to imagine it slowly cruising down the neon-clad streets of 80’s Miami Beach.

6. Chevrolet Suburban Limo

Another Chevy limousine on the list is a completely different kind of a stretch, but is equally cool, albeit in a contrasting way. This huge lifted red stretch limo is based on a 1994 Chevrolet Suburban SUV and is a true monster truck stretch. While the Corvette stretch limo would look the best in 80’s Miami, this eight-door fiery red Chevy Suburban would look great jumping through the swamplands of Florida, Mississippi, and Louisiana.

The cool factor with this Suburban monster stretch doesn’t come from the looks, the luxury, or the refinement, but rather from the sense of pure domination on any given surface or condition. As the Suburban is already a huge SUV, its super-sized stretch version is gargantuan. It’s safe to say that this Suburban stretch makes all modern Escalades, Navigators and Hummers look small, especially because it is four feet off the ground. That means this Suburban stretch can conquer basically any terrain, but it would be a pity to get those chromed rims dirty.

Even rednecks need limos, if not for the prom, then definitely for a wedding and those Kid Rock music videos. The stretched 1994 Chevrolet Suburban is the perfect limousine for any task.

7. Ferrari 360 Limo

Ferrari, an Italian manufacturer of superb sports cars, is all about its roots, and as such, it is reluctant when it comes to making sedans and SUVs. But, even the maker of the greatest cars in the world wasn’t immune to some cool conversions such as their Ferrari 360 Limo. They based their stretch limo on a Ferrari 360, a thoroughbred two-seater sports car powered by a mid-mounted 3.6L V8 engine that produces 400 horsepower.

But, in its limo form, it looks nothing like the Pininfarina-designed car that was coming out of the famous Maranello plant between 1999 and 2005. This superfast stretch limo can fit up to eight people, thanks to three rows of seats behind the driver’s and co-drivers’ seats and one big pair of gullwing doors. This limo might seem sacrilegious to most Ferrari purists, but the UK-based car renting company, Limo Broker, claims it’s one of their most popular models. Who wouldn’t want to share this cool Ferrari with a group of family or friends?

Although this Ferrari 360 stretch can’t go to 282 km/h like its factory-spec counterpart, four times more people can enjoy its glorious soundtrack from the inside. The Ferrari 360 is a sub-zero cool car and its limo version is even cooler.

8. Ford Mustang Limo

The classic Mustang is one of the quintessential American classics. It is the epitome of freedom and a car millions of people love. Whether in coupé, fastback or convertible form, the Mustang is a coveted classic, so people often modify it in endless ways. Most of the time, these mods include engine, brake and suspension upgrades to make the driving more dynamic and exciting, but there are always people who like to push things to another level.

That’s why a group of unknown engineers created a Ford Mustang limo. They based this stretch car on a white 1966 Mustang Coupé with a contrasting black vinyl roof. A trusty old 289 V8 engine with 3-speed automatic transmission powers it. Aside from being stretched, the car has its original looks and mechanics except for rear suspension and seating.

Amenities and creature comforts include air conditioning and power windows, which were both factory options on the original Ford Mustang, too. The result is a clean, cool-looking classic limo that people can’t help but notice. It is an attractive stretch limo because they based it on a classic, white Mustang.

They sold this custom Mustang limo at Specialty Sales Classics, but its current whereabouts are unknown. Wherever it is, somebody is enjoying driving in its comfortable back seat while the 289 rumbles into the sunset.

9. Mercedes-Benz G Class Limo

As one of the strangest and yet coolest cars on the market, the Mercedes-Benz G-Class looks unlike any modern SUV out there. That’s mostly because the G-Class almost hasn’t changed its exterior since its introduction in 1979. Since then, the G-Class has transformed from a utilitarian all-terrain vehicle into a luxurious SUV that can still tackle any mountain trail or backroad out there. Mercedes-Benz recently introduced a 6×6 AMG pickup version of this legendary car, but they also offer the Inkas Group’s stretched G63 AMG.

The stretched G-Wagon includes a luxurious interior and bulletproof glass, all without compromising off-road performance. The amazing handling of this limo comes from a 544 horsepower 5.5L twin-turbo V8 engine powering all four wheels of this luxurious box. The Inkas Group G63 AMG is a limo that can climb the steepest and most demanding terrains in the world, all while offering top-notch safety and world-class comfort.

These features make it not only unique on the wide stretch limo market full of unexpected and opulent conversions but also incredibly cool due to the legendary allure of its source car. The most mind-bending part of this incredible stretched car is the price – the Inkas Group G63 AMG costs worth of $1,000,000, but when you think about it, a limo that’s so safe, attractive and capable, it is worth the price.

10. Armored Truck Limo

There’s an old saying that everything is bigger in Texas. Many times, it’s true because Texas is the unofficial homeland of the largest pickups, such as the Ford F-750 for example. You can find the biggest guns, steaks and the widest brims of cowboy hats in Texas, too. Texas is also known for its huge ranches and oil fields, and where there are cattle and oil, there is also some serious money. In fact, there are regular limos, and then there are Texan stretches.

So, what exactly could be considered a Texan stretch limo? Is it a Cadillac with bullhorns in the front? No, that’s too played out and stereotypical. The real Texan stretch limousine is the armored truck limo. Yes, there’s a limo version of an armored bank truck and it looks as menacing as it sounds. As it’s made of the same materials as the regular bank truck, this stretch is completely bulletproof. Although most people aren’t sure exactly what its main purpose is, it sure looks amazing on the road.

Whether you’re transporting your most valuable possessions or you just want to enjoy a completely next level of safety and privacy, this is the limo for you. There’s just one thing you need to know: this sub-zero cool stretch also costs around a cool million dollars.

11. Trabant Limousine

Any list of strange and cool limousines wouldn`t be complete without the crazy Trabant limo. If you don’t know what is the Trabant, it is East Germany’s micro car with two cylinders and 25 horsepower. The car was small and light because they made it out of plastic, so the performance was decent. The sales were limited to communist East Europe and production lasted until 1990.

During that period, they produced over 3.6 million Trabants, which was quite an achievement for such a little car. After the fall of communism, western enthusiasts thought of the Trabant as a cool and wacky retro-looking car and soon start customizing it. One of the first modifications was turning it into a limousine bay by piecing two or more Trabant bodies together. In short time, they customized many Trabants. They are quite a popular show car in Eastern Europe.

If you find yourself in Berlin or Prague, one of the coolest way to see the sights is to rent a Trabant limousine to cruise the streets with family and/or friends.

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