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Did you spot the North Korea general in the Merc 600?

  • 11-10-2010 5:29pm
    #1
    coylemj
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25,622 ✭✭✭✭


    Amidst all the tanks, armoured personnel carriers and rocket launchers, this North Korea general comes along standing up in a Mercedes 600 Pullman Landaulet, one of the heaviest cars ever built. When it was introduced Mercedes had to launch a new 6.3 litre engine as none of their existing engines was big enough to power it.

    You can see the car in the still before you press play, when you start the movie the car and the general appear at 1:02 for several seconds....

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-11509166


Comments

  • #2
    johnos1984
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,096 ✭✭✭johnos1984


    Those are North Korean built mock ups Lexus engines

    They imported originals when the were current however when the supply of spares was stopped the dear leader loved them so much he ordered they be stripped, copied and new ones built.

    They couldn't build everything including the AC system hence the air vents inside vent air directly from the engine bay and the driver ends up with a sooty face.

    I know that seems far fetched but its actually the truth. They are now fitted with Lexus V8's and V6 engines.


  • #3
    galwaytt
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,822 ✭✭✭✭galwaytt


    johnos1984 wrote: »
    Those are North Korean built mock ups Lexus engines......I know that seems far fetched but its actually the truth. They are now fitted with Lexus V8's and V6 engines.

    ....ok, bear with me on this: they couldn't import German parts (understandable, due to embargo's).........but they could import Lexus' parts ? :confused:

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  • #4
    neilthefunkeone
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,522 ✭✭✭neilthefunkeone


    Yes.. in this post.. http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056057429


  • #5
    johnos1984
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,096 ✭✭✭johnos1984


    galwaytt wrote: »
    ....ok, bear with me on this: they couldn't import German parts (understandable, due to embargo's).........but they could import Lexus' parts ? :confused:

    Thats a question I cannot answer. The information was given to me by a motoring journalist on another forum who lives in China and who frequently visitors NK.

    I assume they were imported through China. Parts for the original cars would be rare at best and it was just easier to fit a modern engine.

    I'll ask though and get you a proper answer if there is one.


  • #6
    unkel
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 66,122 ✭✭✭✭unkel
    Chauffe, Marcel, chauffe!


    See Neil's link to the thread about this with more details in the Classic Cars forum
    johnos1984 wrote: »
    They couldn't build everything including the AC system hence the air vents inside vent air directly from the engine bay and the driver ends up with a sooty face.

    Just like a Volkswagen Beetle from the 1930s :D :rolleyes:

    A bit of a relief that though. If they can't do something as basic as that, they sure as hell won't be able to build an intercontinental nuclear missile!

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  • #7
    johnos1984
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,096 ✭✭✭johnos1984


    galwaytt wrote: »
    ....ok, bear with me on this: they couldn't import German parts (understandable, due to embargo's).........but they could import Lexus' parts ? :confused:

    I have the answer to this now.

    Japanese second hand car imports carried on until 2007 and then there was a spat and Japan cut them off. Luxury imports from the West ended around the same time.

    Post 2007, most luxury cars entering DPRK are actually from the USA and routed through China.
    :)


  • #8
    MercMad
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,266 ✭✭✭MercMad


    There is nothing that is unavailable for a Mercedes 600.

    The factory supports parts for all of its cars. I wonder why they didn't use a Merc engine though?

    Are you saying that the entire car was copied ??


  • #9
    johnos1984
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,096 ✭✭✭johnos1984


    MercMad wrote: »
    There is nothing that is unavailable for a Mercedes 600.

    If you live in NK there is due to trade embargoes hence why Lexus engines are no longer supplied from 2007
    MercMad wrote: »
    The factory supports parts for all of its cars. I wonder why they didn't use a Merc engine though?

    The above reason
    MercMad wrote: »
    Are you saying that the entire car was copied ??

    Yes, mostly. The A/C system couldn't be copied for whatever reason hence they now have very poor ventilation, also they aren't as well built as the originals even if they look the same.

    Information is very difficult to find out about NK, the information I have about the cars came from a motoring journalist who works in China. Due to other work commitments he visits there frequently hence he was able to explain to me about the cars and their past.

    If you have any questions I'm happy to pass them on to try and get some answers


  • #10
    Drummerboy08
    Closed Accounts Posts: 12,102 ✭✭✭✭Drummerboy08


    johnos1984 wrote: »
    Due to other work commitments he visits there frequently hence he was able to explain to me about the cars and their past.

    Does he review nuclear missiles too....? If so what's the most comfortable one he's ever seen? Can you ask him that....? :D Only messing.

    Seriously, thats mad. I never knew that these weren't the real deal! Only in Korea....


  • #11
    johnos1984
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,096 ✭✭✭johnos1984


    Drummerboy08 wrote: »
    Does he review nuclear missiles too....? If so what's the most comfortable one he's ever seen? Can you ask him that....? :D Only messing.

    You know I must ask him what it is he actually does. I know he also some sort of academic in a university so i suppose it has to do with that. :)
    Drummerboy08 wrote: »
    Seriously, thats mad. I never knew that these weren't the real deal! Only in Korea....

    He has a lot of knowledge about the Chinese car industry and some of the more random stuff which is produced there which hasn't been made here for years, e.g. the Austin Maestro van

    A large fleet of BYD cars were also in the parade and have since been shipped back to China


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