Now, here’s an item that preparationists have not spotted: your own armored car. This would have warmed the cockles of Bugsie Siegel’s heart.
A bulletproof Kia. Just what the doctor ordered — if the doctor lives in Brazil.
Sao Paulo does not live up to its namesake: St. Paul. It’s more like St. Valentine, as in St. Valentine’s Day Massacre.
This is an armor-plated car. It’s filled with Kevlar.
The kit is called Armura. Pretty good name, I think. It gets right to he point. The hollow point.
The kit can be used on almost a dozen brands.
“We wanted to bring a solution to a family that wants protection but doesn’t have money to afford classic car armor,” said Carlos Benatto, business manager for DuPont Armura.
Armura, sold only in Brazil, protects against bullets up to .38 caliber. Sales rose 70 percent in the first quarter of this year compared with 2011.
The kits cost $12,000. It takes two weeks to install. It adds 200 lbs. All in all, buyers think it’s money well spent.
There are 100 mechanics in Brazil who know how to install the kits.
DuPont’s bet that customers would like the convenience of one kit designed to seamlessly integrate with their cars is also paying off not only because Armura can be installed in 11 vehicles, including Toyota’s Corolla and the Chevrolet Cruze made by General Motors.
DuPont said it is also talking to automakers about installing Armura in new vehicles.
Brazilians spend in the range of $8 billion every year on private security.
Armura’s success in Brazil has exceeded DuPont’s expectations, so the company is planning to bring the kit to at least two other countries, but it would not name them.
I can think of one.
My concern is that it only stops up to a .38 caliber bullet. Most people use at least a 9MM. I carry a .40 caliber myself. If someone is using a high powered rifle what good is the armor?
.38 Special is a pretty anemic cartridge. For my own home self-defense, I keep a .44 Magnum loaded and ready to rock and roll if needed, and a 30-06 M1 Garand, complete with 300 rounds of FMJ ready on a moment's notice. I would want a much better armor than one only good up to .38 Special. I would want at least .44 Magnum protection. I don't know of any assassins who are going to do a drive-by on your car with a .22 Long Rifle. An ordinary steel car panel, as found in any older car such as a 1965 Oldsmobile or similar, can stop .38 Special. If I wanted protection against .38 Special, I would simply go find someone with an older car for sale, made back when they put real steel in the door panels. That would be adequate protection for .38 Special.