Bill Gates asked Mercedes for a bulletproof wagon but got a no so he made alternative arrangements

If you’re as rich as Bill Gates, having a bulletproof car might be on your agenda.

After all, security is a huge concern for billionaires.

However, you might be surprised that when Gates reached out to Mercedes-Benz to procure a bulletproof vehicle, his request was actually denied.

As it turns out, there are actually things money can’t buy.

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Terry Haigh, a former sales manager at a Mercedes-Benz dealership in Bellevue, shared this story in VINwiki’s recent video.

Haigh said that in the late 1980s, Gates sent a representative to the dealership with a very special request.

While Gates may occasionally indulge in certain luxuries, like a hydrogen-powered superyacht, this request was actually quite a practical one.

The representative wanted to order a bulletproof station wagon for Gates’ children on behalf of the billionaire.

The dealership obviously didn’t have any armored vehicles lying around, so it contacted the Mercedes-Benz office in Germany to inquire about the possibility.

Mercedes declined the request, stating that the liability was too great, especially if something were to happen to the children in a vehicle modified by the company.

This was a surprising decision, given the company now offers armor options on its civilian vehicles, like the Mercedes-Benz S680 Guard 4MATIC.

Perhaps Gates should have contacted a third party like Brabus if he really wanted a bulletproof Mercedes.

Not easily discouraged, Gates’ representative walked across the street to a Volvo dealership.

After asking whether it was possible to bulletproof a Volvo 240DL station wagon, the dealership agreed and modified the vehicle to meet the request.

However, the added weight of the armor had unintended consequences.

The driver’s side window motor frequently failed under the strain of the heavier glass, requiring regular replacements.

Despite these issues, the Volvo 240DL served its purpose as a discreet and secure vehicle for the Gates family.

In the modern day, it’s probably easier for him to find armored options, given the popularity of bulletproof Lamborghinis in cities like New York.

You can watch the video below for more car stories involving Bill Gates:

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