Merc van is 'Lear jet on wheels'
01 January 2003: It's the kind of conversion that any 'road-warrior' journalist can dream of. But in this case, it's the brainchild of British property developer Robert Weston, who has had a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van converted to what he terms as a 'Lear jet on wheels'.
The long-wheelbase panel van with windows has been transformed into a stunning mobile hospitality and conferencing unit by specialist bodybuilder Vantagefield International, a Wembley-based company best known for its stretched Mercedes limousines an sumptuous, truck-based mobile 'hunting lodges' it creates for wealthy Middle Eastern clients.
Behind the driver are six aircraft-style reclining seats, four of them facing each other, with folding tables. Trimmed in a combination of royal blue Alcantara and light grey leather – Weston Homes’ corporate colours – the seats are all equipped with head and foot rests, and have their own halogen spot lamps and power supply.
The Sprinter positively bristles with the latest communication and entertainment systems, including 15" flat screen TVs mounted in the tops of the bulkheads at both ends, DVD and high-powered, surround sound Bose hi-fi, plus telephones and a fax. Using a laptop computer, presentations can be displayed on to both screens.
Glass or solid divisions can be raised electrically to separate the driver from the rear of the vehicle, while a second bulkhead, towards the back houses a refrigerator and freezer, coffee and tea machine, and display sections for crockery and glasses – engraved, of course, with the Weston Homes logo!
The fridge-freezer rebates into a separate section at the very back of the Sprinter which, although relatively small, still offers enough storage room for eight sets of golf clubs and shoes, plus hanging rails.
Finally, Vantagefield has finished off the vehicle in luxurious fashion by fitting soft Wilton carpets – but only after applying additional sound-proofing – more Alcantara to the walls and roof, and copious amounts of burr walnut veneer trim.
Weston's own car is a V12-engined Mercedes S-Class and he says he wanted a van that 'offered the same high standards of engineering, comfort and quality'.