Penn's Addiction
Like many men, Penn has one great love (besides
being in love as his friends would claim). This addiction
has a name and it is *Automobile*. Penn is
no great follower of sports, but the graceful curves of a classic
car rivals the graceful curves of a woman in his
books, and not surprisingly, he once chose his cars over
a woman's love. He usually drives a heavily
armoured Mercedes CL500 when he's in the city - he's made
a few enemies with his work and deceptions in the
name of his empire - The Firm.
So let us begin with this Mercedes...
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Penn's usual city car - a Mercedes-Benz CL500.
Thanks to his ruthless nature in business dealing, this car is heavily
armored and has had certain modifcations made to it to ensure his safety.
Instead of the usual V8 24 valve SOHC engine, his
car has a V12 powerplant to drive it. Painted in Mercedes midnight
blue, it is a bit sluggish on the uptake thanks to the wieght of the armor
but it still has the impressive handling and styling that Mercedes delivers. |
| Inside, the CL500 is the epitome of understated
luxury. Burl walnut trim and natural leather seats and styling in
ash complete the Mercedes mystique.
Penn has spared no expense on his car, adding all
the options he feels are due him and the sticker price on this car brand
new is around $150,000. |
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The wide stance of this car gives it its superior
road handling qualities, allowing for a near infinite varitey of tactical
escape maneuvers. Penn is well trained to get himself out of almost
any situation he may get into while driving, having taken several defensive
driving courses as well as a high speed driving course similar to those
that US Secret Service agents must complete.
Penn owns one CL500, though he is considering ordering
a second one to ensure his safety. |
Penn appreciates the quality of Mercedes - luxurious
without being ostentatious.
It is his favorite auto maker, which is why he
owns a second Mercedes for his
country life. As befitting a summer's outing,
the second car is a convertible.
Penn owns two of the Mercedes SL600 cars - both
in midnight blue, both with Charcoal Nappa leather interiors, both capable
of going 0-60 in 6.1 seconds.
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Again, the cars come with all the extras, boosting
the sticker price to nearly $190,000.
All three of Penn's Mercedes come in the same shade
of midnight blue, a dark rich colour that is the perfect backdrop for a
starry night racing the shadows of the moon with the wind in your hair
and the hair of a special someone. |
| Both cars have 17" 5 spoke aluminum alloy wheels
and the same sleek, low to the road profile to handle dangerous curves.
Both can be found on the grounds of his summer
home - Wolfsschanze - but only one is ever driven. The 2001 model
is the one he drives, a 2000 model sits in the garage under a tarp - a
reminder of a wild night and a trophy prize lost. |
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Of course, there are times when you want something
red and sleek to drive, variety
being the spice of life. Never one to deny
himself anything, Penn has two cars to
fulfill every little boys dream of a red ragtop
- one American classic, one British classsic
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A 1966 red Mustang convertible with a white ragtop...
Its classic styling the very image of the American
Dream.
What more needs to be said? |
| A 1960 red MGA 1600 with a black ragtop...
Her sweeping lines and timeless styling evocative
of earlier times.
The absolute pinnacle of British steel....
Again, what more needs to be said? |
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Penn's cars are thoroughbreds, every last one of
them meant to run full speed.
But he has one that's meant to spread her wings
and fly....
This is a F1 FW19 Williams Renault race car similar
to the one Penn possesses. This car is marked with the number 3
of Jacques Villeneuve, but Penn's car is marked
with the number 5 of Damon Hill, his all-time favorite Formula
One driver. Capable of speeds of over 200 mph on
the flying straights, the FW19, with its handsome Rothman's blue
and white livery dominated the track in the late
1990's.
Many automotive innovations lead directly back to
the racetracks of Formula One and this car was Formula
One at its finest. Aeronautically styled,
this four wheeled champion looks fast just standing still.
