Here’s how regular cars are turned into stretch limos – Jalopnik

Turning an ordinary car or SUV into a stretch limousine is not a simple cut-and-paste job. If it were that easy, we’d probably all be driving a stretched version of whatever car we like. There’s a reason why stretch limos usually start with vehicles from Ford, Lincoln, Chrysler, and Cadillac, as limousine manufacturers must adhere strictly to Ford Qualified Vehicle Modifier (QVM), Cadillac Master Coachbuilder (CMC), and other coachbuilder programs from exotic automakers like Mercedes-Benz.

In other words, when shops convert normal cars into luxury limousines, they must work with the manufacturer to ensure the road legality and safety of the conversion. This includes the design, engineering, manufacturing and quality control aspects of the entire construction. That’s why you can’t just turn a new Toyota GR Corolla into a limousine, because tinkering with the original car’s intended length and wheelbase will make it more unstable as it gets longer.

The Ford QVM program requires conversion specialists to meet applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Additionally, the store must meet all industry guidelines for the conversion. Next comes product liability, as all Ford-certified QVM stores must carry a minimum of $5 million in product liability insurance. That should give you peace of mind that your brand new limousine won’t buckle, fold, or turn into a death trap in the event of an accident. As you can see, there are a lot of certifications and paperwork required to build a stretch limousine, but the actual construction process makes the whole bureaucracy seem like a walk in the park.

All that extra length and weight will undoubtedly affect how the vehicle stops or turns, so the upgrades are absolutely essential. In most cases, the drivetrain and transmission remain untouched, but deep pockets can open the doors to more performance, suspension or chassis modifications (like what you’d find in a Hummer H2 limousine, for example).

The best thing about having your limousine built by QVM or CMC approved manufacturers is the no-compromise approach to the materials used in the conversion. This includes factory-specific composites, high-strength marine aluminum, galvanized steel, non-conductive sealants and stainless steel fasteners. It even includes upgrading the existing air conditioning with new evaporators and aluminum or copper tubing to ensure occupants don’t sweat while driving in the sweltering heat of the summer months. In addition to all this, all exposed metal parts are coated with etching primer for year-round rust protection.

The thing is, limousines can be as flashy as their owners want them to be. It’s worth noting that the seats are also different from a stock car. The front and rear seats feature multi-density foam, reinforced straps and new tension springs for extra comfort and longer life. You can also select custom upholstery to give your finished ride a truly perfect look. Converting a standard car to a limousine usually takes 21 days, but most construction work can take months depending on the level of customization and complexity of the project.