Judging from pictures posted on the Internet, Ford’s SYNus concept car seems to reflect the fact that its creators derived their inspiration from the familiar look of armored cars. Such vehicles do not have smooth, flowing lines. They look a bit like a box on wheels.
The occupants of such a vehicle can never know when they might be the targets of armed men. Therefore, they require mobile protection. Their car’s shutters, which can cover both side and front windows, help to offer that needed protection.
Many of the car’s special features cannot be seen by those who note its box like shape. For example, they cannot see all of its armor. That armor includes an extra strong gauge, one made with carbon fiber composites.
The brakes too have been made extra strong. They have heavy-duty drums and discs, along with iron hubs and pads made from composite materials. Armored cars must be ready to “stop on a dime.” Therefore, the composites in the brake pads increase the brake’s coefficient of friction.
Celebrities, famous people, and dignitaries all want protection when driving out and about among humanity. They want to feel safe, and one of the best ways they can protect themselves is through having a bulletproof car. This way you, your family and friends will be protected from harm as you drive to many places and see many things. Most people are the most vulnerable as they drive in their car. By having and driving a bulletproof car you will be safer. There are many ways to obtain a bulletproof car, and most of these types of cars are obtained through companies who make custom cars.
Usually the people that want and or need these types of cars are: celebrities, heads of state, religious leaders, industrialists and corporate executives. We often think of bulletproof cars in the United States for someone from the White House like the President and Vice President, and maybe the cabinet members. In these times we now must worry about terrorist attacks. Vehicles of all sorts can be made into a bulletproof vehicle. These can include the usual suspects such as Cadillac, Lincoln Town Cars, and Limousines. These days most all types of vehicles can be made bulletproof.
What do you think of when thinking of armored car companies? It is possible that the first thing that could come to mind is security. This is because usually armored car companies provide security to other companies. This is because other companies might wish to have an armored car company protect some rare or expensive object. An example of an expensive item is a diamond. Gold is another expensive item that might need protection with some armored car companies. Did you know that armored car companies are used for expensive and rare objects?
We have already thought that armored car companies are used to protect expensive and rare objects. This seems to be a correct belief as to the use and function of armored car companies. However, we might not know specific information regarding a particular armored car company.
It could be the case that the best known armored car company is Brink’s armored car company. The Brink’s Company is a security and protection company. It is located in Richmond Virginia. This company is in the security and logistics industry. The Brink’s Company has 650 branches and 7,800 vehicles. In addition, this security company operates in over 150 countries. It is also interesting to note that The Brink’s Company was founded in 1859. It seems that this security company would be an excellent company to use for protecting expensive and rare objects.
Businesses in five different industries rely on the convenience and security enjoyed by those that are willing to pay for the services of an armored car. An examination of how each industry benefits from such services underlines the many advantages that are linked to an investment in armored cars.
Retailers have several reasons for requesting regular visits from a vehicle that features some type of special armor. Because such visits aid a business’ money management, they let employees focus on the most important aspects of a money-making endeavor. The employees at a retail establishment can spend more time serving the customers, when their boss has invested in a vehicle that brings more than safety. That four wheeled item also insures better money management.
Once an armored car drives away from a retailing business, it completes more than a simple transfer of cash. The personnel working for that cash carrying business have the ability to track each dollar that they receive. That ability helps to guarantee the safety of the transported money.
Like retailers, financial institutions use armored cars in order to benefit from their added services. By scheduling a regular visit from a secure vehicle, an institution such as a bank can more easily outsource its processing activities.
Armored cars can provide a measure of security and protection when you are on the road. If you live in a dangerous area or have concerns about your safety, purchasing a used bullet-proof car can ease your mind about going out into the world. But a brand new armored vehicle is prohibitively expensive. Even retrofitting a regular car with bullet-proof glass and metal armor costs upwards $100,000 or more. An alternative is to purchase a used car which will save you money but still give you the protection you seek. There are several places where you can find used armored cars for sale.
Private Owners – If a private owner is looking to upgrade their cars then they will probably want to get rid of their old car first. Because of their high price tag, they may have difficulty unloading it onto a dealership who may not want to give them what the car is actually worth with the enhancements. Those who hang around high rollers can ask people in their network about who is selling their armored cars. Another option is to go to estate sales of rich people and see if they are selling an armored that belonged to the deceased. You can also check classified ads for listings of used armored cars for sale.
The most common type of bulletproof vehicle that people see on the streets is armored trucks. These vehicles are specially constructed to withstand gunfire from powerful weapons and even bomb attacks if need be. Although armored vehicles were designed for war when they first come out in the early 1900s, today both businesses and private individuals use these vehicles as well. They are expensive to make, costing anywhere from $100,000 and up which means only the wealthy or well funded can afford them. However, there are several reasons why a person or a business would want to make the investment and purchase one.
The primary reason businesses use armored trucks is to transport high prices valuables. Most often when you see an armored vehicle it is carrying cash but other important things are transported too. This includes precious stones, like diamonds, or precious metals, such as gold. It may also include top secret products that the company doesn’t want to fall into their competitors hands. This could be weapons, experimental pharmaceutical drugs, or design prototypes. All of these reasons are also true for individuals. However, private citizens may also hire an armored vehicle to transport themselves or VIPs that need to be protected.
The military use armored trucks all the time and for a variety of reasons. The trucks they use, though, don’t necessarily look like the ones you see speeding down the highway in front of you. Military vehicles are armored for battle and can usually withstand bombing as well as deadly gunfire. They tend to be bigger and heavier than commercial or private vehicles. In addition to being used in war zones, bulletproof vehicles are also used to transport diplomats, military personnel, and prominent government figures that may be susceptible to an attack from the enemy.
Most people don’t need bulletproof cars. They will make it through their life without ever coming in contact with anyone wielding a gun. If you are in the market for one, however, there are certain things you need to know about them to assist you in making a wise purchase. First and foremost, there are two types of armored cars. There are those which were manufactured in an auto plant and then there the one there are retrofitted with armor and bulletproof glass. One thing you should keep in mind about the difference between the two is that the manufacturers specs guarantees you are getting the enhancements you are paying for while you need to take the buyers word for it if the car has been retrofitted.
There are different levels of armoring on bulletproof cars. The level a vehicle belongs to is determined by the type of ammunition it can withstand. For example, a level four armored car can take fire from a variety of handguns and a shotgun with no problem. However, you may not be so lucky if you come in contact with an armor piercing rifle. The level you need will depend on where you plan on using the car. If you are going to be driving around the United States, then a level 4 is probably good enough. If you are going to be in a Middle Eastern country, however, then you will probably want to go with something higher.
Bulletproof glass is glass that has been specially designed to withstand the onslaught of bullets from a wide range of firearms. Although it looks like normal glass, it is actually a layer of polycarbonate thermoplastic or laminated glass sandwiched between two layers of regular glass. When a bullet is fired into the window, the energy impact is absorbed by the glass. The force of it may crack the window, but it will not penetrate through. One way bulletproof glass also exists which allows the occupants in the vehicle to shoot at their aggressors while stopping any bullets that are coming in their direction.
Bulletproof glass is just one component of an armored car. It can withstand numerous rounds of bullets. Most of the ones on the market are only made to deflect bullets from a handgun or shotgun. Anything larger than that and you will have real trouble on your hands. There are other types of glass that offer more protection. A company may use a heating and cooling process to temper the glass to give it added strength. This comes in eight layers of protection that can stop increasingly bigger bullets. Unless you are planning to go into a war zone, however, you probably won’t need it.
The idea of armored cars is not new. However, the definition has certainly changed over the years. In the beginning, an armored vehicle was considered one that contained armed passengers who were there to protect the cargo the vehicle was carrying. For example, transport caravans were often escorted by armed men who would fend off would be hijackers. Later, the vehicles themselves were fitted with weaponry that was used to defend against an attack. Spanish galleons often had cannons built in to fend off pirates while they sailed on the open seas. It wasn’t until around World War I that the armored vehicles, as they are known today, were created.
As one would expect, the military was the first to employ armored vehicles in the modern sense. The Motor War Car was the first manufactured car that hit the scene in 1902. It was developed by F.R. Simms and featured Vickers armor that was 6 mm thick, two Maxim guns, two turrets, a 16 hp engine, and could charge through a war zone at 9 mph. Seeing the benefits of this new technology, other countries quickly followed with their own developments and usage of armored cars. For example, the British RAF used armored cars made by Rolls-Royce called the Pattern Mk.
