
New Yorkers are armoring and bulletproofing Range Rovers, Mercedes G-Classes and Lambos — to drive to the Hamptons
NY Post
Welcome to Fear City.
Amid spiking crime and violent carjackings involving luxury vehicles in NYC — like last month’s “great first date” turned action movie, complete with guns shoved in the face of a $150,000 BMW-driving Romeo — well-heeled Gothamites worried about getting to the Hamptons this summer are clamoring for their own exclusive, secure “supercars.”
Among the most sought-after armored automobile suppliers is a former Austrian commando who helps give billionaires peace of mind by fortifying their homes, helicopters, superyachts and Range Rovers — to the tune of millions of dollars.
“People need to understand one simple fact: they need protection,” Matthias Fitzthum, CEO of Bespoke Home & Yacht Security, told The Post of the souped-up security measures he says any “ultra-high net worth” family would be crazy not to follow. “An alarm system isn’t protection — they need hardware to protect their family and themselves.”
“Families and executives are worried about ambushes or random acts of street violence while driving,” reads the company’s site, detailing cinematic scenarios usually reserved for James Bond movies not a leisurely drive to one’s summer compound.
“Armored cars have to withstand a pipe bomb exploding from point-blank range and weather rounds of bullets shot by AK-47s, AR-15s and 9mm pistols,” per the site, which notes “security remains a precondition to freedom.”