Have you ever wondered what the tallest limousine in the world is, or how tall it is? A lot of the hype and excitement in the limousine service industry surrounds the idea and practice of stretching it. Every year, it seems, some new breed of limousine is created by stretching cars to various lengths. A California limousine company, though, has done a fantastic, indeed a record-breaking job of thinking outside the box. This company has created the world's tallest limousine. Learn more about this fantastic vehicle and the creators. How on earth did they accomplish such a feat? You'll soon find out.

It was late autumn when California Limousine service artist Gary Duval of Colton, California and Shirley Duval of Australia released the highest limousine in the world. Other reports have both of the Duvals from Australia or both from California, USA and neither source is confirmed.

However, according to the Guinness Book of World Records, Gary Duval is from California and Shirley Duval is from Australia. Since they're pretty strict about things, we can generally assume that they wouldn't lead us astray.

Just how high is this masterpiece? You might be wondering, in fact many people do. The fact is that this white vintage stretch sedan sits three and a third meter off of the ground.

In the United States, and other areas that aren't hip to the metric system, that's almost 11 feet tall. To be precise, it's 3.33m (short for meters) or 10feet and 11 inches.

One more inch and it would have been 11 feet tall. To get a good feeling for how tall this is, the average person is about half that size. So you (if you're of average height) could stand next to it and still only be half as tall as the world's tallest limousine. That's right, the highest limousine in the world is probably twice as tall as you are.

If you think that building such a vehicle would be an engineering masterpiece, then you are absolutely right. In fact, the creation this limousine service crew consisted of teams of people who put in over four thousand hours of work to complete the job. Rome wasn't built in a day and this vehicle took a very long time to build.

Coordinating the installation of two engines and eight monster truck tires was definitely a complicated activity. Imagine; one limousine that needs two engines. With four enormous matching tires on each side, this vehicle is sure to confuse everyone it drives past. The wheels are controlled by independent suspension systems so this thing rides smoothly, wherever it goes. It can probably go just about anywhere.

That's about it for the highest limousine in the world. Chances are, your local limousine service company won't be renting one of these, but it's a great conversation starter. Enjoy quoting these facts; Gary and Shirley Duval built the world's tallest limousine in Colton California, with eight monster truck tires and two engines. It's almost 11 feet tall.

Regal Limousines & Car Service has unveiled a unique stretch limo for physically handicapped individuals.

The Sterling Access, designed by Guy Ninio at Silverado Coach Company in Los Angeles, debuted at the International Limo Digest Show 2007 in Atlantic City.

The new limo is available through Regal Limousines, based in Sayreville, N.J.

With the doors shut, the limo looks like any other luxury stretch. A concealed fifth door, with a specially designed seat, allows physically handicapped passengers to easily transfer from a wheelchair to the seat. The seat supports more than 500 pounds.

The inside is similar to most limos, but has an extra control panel above the handicapped passenger seat to provide complete access to all controls.

The innovative limo was built by the LCW Automotive Corp, based in San Antonio, Texas.

Tampa, Florida -- There are charges a Hillsborough County agency is violating a state statute in order to accommodate the Official Limousine Company of the Super Bowl.

When high rollers -- and there are plenty of them in town this week -- come to the Super Bowl, they like to travel in style and for many that means being shuffled around town in a limousine.

The NFL has named Cary International as the official limousine company of the Super Bowl. Avis Rent a Car owns 45 percent of Cary. That's where Clearwater based Limo South comes in.

Michele O'Hara of Limo South says the service is doing everything other companies in the area are doing. Limo South is bringing in extra equipment to take care of its clients.

O'Hara says her company is working with the Washington-based Cary Limousines to provide vehicles for the Super Bowl. O'Hara says her company is doing exactly what the Hillsborough Public Transportation Agency, or PTC, told them the must do. The PTC regulates limos in Hillsborough County.

According to O'Hara, her company is a Cary International franchise. Cary will operate under Limo South's PTC-issued permit. O'Hara says they are following all the rules and regulations and are doing exactly what they are supposed to do.

But Moshe Leib, the owner of TB Limo, says the PTC is breaking its own rules by allowing Cary to operate under Limo South's license. Other local limousine companies agree with Leib.

Those companies say there is nothing in the PTC rules that allow an out of state company to use a Florida company's license to operate. State law says the commission may not exercise any power that has not been expressly granted by the statute. Leib says the law is a limo company must have a license to operate.

The public transportation commission says it is following its procedures for licensing limos by inspecting all the vehicles that Cary is bringing in for the Super Bowl. The PTC is requiring all drivers have a Florida drivers license.

But the agency can't explain how Limo South (which is registered with the state and even the PTC as Limo South, not Cary) is following the rules. Clearly it is a separate company from Cary.

Leib says the PTC is bending the rules because they are being pressured by the NFL and the Super Bowl host committee.

While the host committee might want to plead ignorance about the PTC rules, Leib says that rings hollow. That's because the committee hired Greg Cox to act as the transportation liaison for the Super Bowl. Cox resigned in disgrace as the executive director of the PTC is 2007. If he didn't resign, he would have been fired.

Meantime Limo South says it is merely trying to provide limo service for the Super Bowl and it is following all the PTC told it to.

It might be cheaper and greener and a great way to meet new people - but that doesn't mean New York cab riders are eager to share hard-earned taxis with total strangers.

"I feel I should be more open to it," said Allia Zobel Nolan as she waited outside Grand Central Terminal Thursday. "But I feel there's less chance of something bad happening on my own."

Nolan, the daughter of a taxi driver, said she's shared cabs from Manhattan to her home in Norwalk, Conn. She said she's a little worried about climbing inside one with someone she doesn't know.

"I'd feel safer if I was by myself," she said.

While Nolan was waiting for her cab, the city Taxi and Limousine Commission approved three pilot programs - including one allowing cabs carrying a passenger to pick up another fare.

The second proposal permits group rides of up to four passengers from transit hubs like Grand Central or Penn Station in the morning rush hour. The cabs would stop along a designated route, with a flat fare of $3 or $4 a person.

Proposal No. 3 sets up stands for livery cabs in areas with limited transportation.

The latter two programs could be in effect by the fall, while the car-sharing plan will take longer to implement - and possibly sell to the public.

Jessica Everette, 24, of Howell, N.J., also voiced security concerns about splitting a taxi while waiting outside Penn Station.

"I don't usually come here by myself, but that would probably make me wait for another cab," Everette said.

Others were more open to it.

Carlos Arellano, 31, of the Bronx, said he didn't mind sharing his space, especially in a city where subway riders are often packed like sardines.

"I mean, it's New York - everywhere you go, whether it's on the subway or walking in the streets, you are with people," he said. "So I don't think it's an invasion of my privacy."

Robert Stoddard, 54, visiting from Washington, said it might be better for his wallet.

"Whatever makes the ride more efficient and less expensive would be great," he said.

Donna Kelsh, 55, of Chelsea, thought it was a great idea for the environment.

"I wouldn't do it all the time, but to be able to exercise that option would be terrific," she said.

lmcshane@nydailynews.com

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2009/05/29/2009-05-29_safety_concerns_drive_riders_tepid_reaction_to_tlc_taxisharing_plan_.html#ixzz0I8s6duLm&C

Hesperia limousine owner might be 'Octo-Dad'?

A Hesperia California limousine service owner wants a DNA test to see if he is the father of Nadya Suleman’s children, including the newborn octuplets.

Denis Beaudoin, age 35, who claims to be the former boyfriend of Nadya Suleman and has donated sperm three times to the woman nationally dubbed, “Octo-Mom.” He says this was during their three-year relationship in the late ’90s because she claimed to have ovarian cancer.

He had requested a DNA test and said that whether it is or it isn’t, he still extends his hand in help.

Beaudoin is the owner of A Touch of Class Limousine in Hesperia and a divorced father of two.We are told by a celebrity news agency that Beaudoin will not give interviews but is selling interview text and photos. A agent stated that the text would cost a $100 fee. A headshot of Beaudoin would also ring up $100.

This information was gathered from an article from the associated press.