Rad Fever Dream: This Mercedes-Benz Limo Dragster Powered by Turbojet

Retro tuner Mercedes vehicles have always possessed a certain allure, whether it’s the understated elegance of Lorinsers or the bold and extravagant features of a Koenig-Special. These classic machines often scream for more power, and the turbojet-powered, neon-hued Mercedes-Benz stretch limousine currently available for sale on Bring a Trailer takes this desire to its extreme.

Beneath its elongated W126 S-Class exterior, this car is a tube-chassis dragster that houses a 1953 Westinghouse J34 turbojet engine with a diesel-fueled afterburner protruding from the rear. The engine, originating from a Douglas A-4 Skyhawk fighter jet, was installed in the dragster during the 1990s. It finds its place snugly under an aluminum rear spoiler, barely contained. The listing boasts additional features such as a fire suppression system, two parachutes, and four-wheel disc brakes. Additionally, it comes with a 44-foot triple-axle trailer equipped with air conditioning, overhead lighting, a built-in storage compartment, and even an escape hatch through the roof. This machine means serious business.

Underneath its eccentric exterior, the dragster reveals a more conventional setup with a roll cage, bucket seat, and five-point harnesses to ensure driver safety. The dashboard is stripped down, sporting only the essential gauges for exhaust gas temperature, oil pressure, and engine RPM. Unfortunately, there is no transmission or differential, making it impractical for cruising to prom in this limo.

While it may not have the luxurious comfort of a 1000 SEL, it does have one clear purpose: speed. With this dragster, there’s no need to worry about a cathode-ray-tube TV becoming dislodged mid-launch.

The rad-era vibes emanate from the shiny polished multi-piece wheels, perfectly complementing the lightning-strike-themed bright magenta, orange, yellow, and white airbrushed paint job that takes us back to the 1990s. The intake ducts on both sides, feeding the mighty jet engine at the rear, add an authentic period-correct touch

The seller emphasizes that this is not a showpiece; they have invested considerable effort since acquiring the car in 2004 to prepare it for action. They have replaced various components, including suspension rod ends, wheel bearings, afterburner solenoids, brake pads, brake master cylinders, stainless steel brake lines, exhaust gas temperature probes, and the corresponding wiring harness. They have also performed maintenance tasks such as cleaning the motor igniters, fuel rail, fuel nozzles, and rebuilding the starter. The car shows signs of use with scratches and paint chips, prompting the owner to include additional dragster-style bodywork. However, these imperfections only add to its undeniable charm.

If I were to choose a standout vehicle for Radwood, this would undoubtedly be my top pick over any overpriced, never-used auction darling. Just look at it. I can almost hear the “Duck Tales” theme playing in the background, as I am certain that this is what Scrooge McDuck would have wanted to arrive in for prom, had it been an option. This limo is a long tube filled with concentrated ’90s nostalgia, making it impossible not to fall in love with.

As of now, the bidding has reached $3,000 with seven days remaining, and transporting it outside of Hawaii might present an additional challenge. However, all we can say is: Go for it. Check out the complete listing with more pictures here.

Related Posts

Jeep Wrangler “Flat Boy” looks like a Hot Rod with V12 power

Ladies and gentlemen drivers, we are gathered here today to witness the birth of a virtual build that can be described as follows: a Jeep thing that Jeep people wouldn’t understand. On a more serious note, the rendering sitting before us portrays …

Read more

Jeep Wrangler gets a Hot Rod makeover, showing off fierce new lines

Hearing the name Jeep Wrangler, of course we are immediately identical to the luxury SUV from America, the majority of which have a  “boxy”  design . But what if a Jeep Wrangler looks different, with an anti-mainstream modification? This also …

Read more

Top 6-Wheeler: Is the Hummer H2 the Best?

The extravagantly modified  Hummer H2  SUV, which has six wheels and a commanding presence on the road, is an improved off-road vehicle. Its longer  wheelbase  and extra axle provide better traction and stability, making it a competitive option …

Read more

1961 Chevrolet Corvette Bubbletop ‘Ramses II’ looks straight out of the Jetsons

While the aftermarket side of the industry pays a lot of attention to the C8 Corvette these days, the project we have here, which was recently taken out of the oven, is all about the C1 ‘Vette. We’re looking at a bubbletop car built by Don …

Read more

Classic Military Ride with 2009 Marine Corps Humvee

This 2009 Marine Corps Humvee (originally an armored vehicle) is said to be war-torn in Iraq with only 3,875 miles) & subsequently rebuilt by the US Government at the Red River Army Depot (RRAD) w/ a Brand New upgraded 6.5 naturally aspirated …

Read more

Shelby Cobra ‘Hardtop Honey’ Showcases Stunning Sculpted Design in Sleek Rendering

The Shelby Cobra realm already offers anything an aficionado could dream of, from the open-air original (with or without a hardtop) to the Coupe that was created to show Ferrari its generous posterior on the track (more on this below). Nevertheless, …

Read more

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *