It was built to protect the Pope from all danger and at 24-tonnes is not exactly lightweight.
But now the bulletproof Popemobile, built by Leyland Trucks to take Pope John Paul II around the country during his historic visit in 1982, will be pulled by hand around the streets of Leyland.
It is coming out of retirement to lead the procession at this year's Leyland Transport Festival and also to test the strength of teams in a charity truck pull.
Norman Danson, volunteer at the British Commercial Vehicle Museum in King Street, said: "He needed transport that people could see him out of. It had to be a bulletproof, as far as possible, secure vehicle and this is what they came up with.
"It has a special low reduction gearbox – not for speed but, in the event of trouble, it would accelerate away pretty fast considering its weight.
"It's a very popular exhibit – not the vehicle itself but the fact the Pope was in it."
Pope John Paul II arrived at London Gatwick airport on May 28 1982 and embarked on six-day tour of England, Wales and Scotland – the first and last time a Pope has visited the United Kingdom.
The eight-seat converted truck cost around £24,000 to build and took the Pope to cities including Manchester, Liverpool, Cardiff and York.
It has a top speed of 60mph and panoramic windows so people could get a glimpse of the Pope.
Norman added: "This is one of two.
"The other one was in Scotland but now that's just been sold to a fellow in Canada for £137,000.
"They were just built purely for the Pope's visit.
"It's so specially built, low-geared. It's just too heavy to use for anything else."
The hunt is now on for teams of eight to sign up for the sponsored truck pull which will take place over a 100-metre course, against the clock, in Hough Lane.
The money raised will be donated jointly to St Catherine's Hospice, at Lostock Lane, Lostock Hall, and Sue Ryder Care.
St Catherine's spokesman John Nickson said: "We've just had our big ladies' Moonlight Walk and we get people saying to us, what about something for the blokes? Well here you are.
"We're grateful for the museum for enabling this to happen."
To take part in the truck pull, phone John on 01772 695272.
The festival takes place on July 11 and 12.
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