To get the car on the road and the story out of the papers, aides first considered removing 40kg of steel armor plate. But reducing security was deemed unwise. They also thought about re-engineering the axle and suspension systems, thus qualifying the car for registration in another technical class. But that would be costly, and journalists were already peppering Bondevik's office with questions (thus far unanswered) about the car's price.
The solution, when it finally came, was elegant given the political imperatives.
"We have decided," Oestang announced, "to send the car back to the factory and have the back seat removed. It will be replaced by a more standard seat that weighs quite a lot less. The car will be returned to use in a couple of weeks and can then be approved."
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