Top 5 Most Iconic Limousines of the Presidents of the USA

2. Lincoln Continental 100-X

By the early ’60s, presidential limousines were an integral part of presidential security. So, the Secret Service requested a special car for the newly-elected president, John F. Kennedy. The Lincoln Motor Company got the job and delivered a special open-top version of their Continental sedan with a stretched wheelbase. They added special armor plating, a tuned engine, bulletproof tires and three removable tops. One was a soft top, one was a see-through glass top and the third was metal.

Unfortunately, none of them were in place on November 22, 1963, when President Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas. The car remained in the White House garage and served for a few more years, but only after a major redesign. They placed a fixed roof on this elegant convertible. Interestingly, the 100-X was one of the few presidential cars they didn’t paint black. This Lincoln was dressed in dark blue.

3. Lincoln Continental

In the early ’70s, the White House received a new Lincoln Continental. And again, they built it under special requirements by the Secret Service. This time, they fully enclosed the car was with just an opening. That was just in case the president got the clearance to stand and greet the public. The days of open-top cars were gone after the ill-fated 100-X. So, no U.S. president would ever ride in a convertible again.

The interesting thing about this Continental is that they built it for two years, starting in 1972. Also, this was the only car that was the witness to two assassination attempts. The first was in 1975 when Sara Jane Moore tried to kill President Gerald Ford. And the second was in 1981 when John Hinckley shot Ronald Regan.

4. Cadillac Fleetwood

After several decades of Lincolns, in the early ’80s, Cadillac returned as the limousine of choice for the White House. Again, the Secret Service demanded a total redesign with no roof openings and full bulletproofing. But, this time, it came with a raised roof and special protective glass.

The reason was a change in the safety policy that forbade the president from mingling with the crowd. The raised roof with more glass would give the public a chance to see the president. Yet, they would still not be able to come too close. Cadillac delivered the chassis and the Hess & Eisenhardt coachbuilding company did the rest.

Interestingly, this limousine was big with a 500 CID V8 engine in the front. However, Cadillac stopped producing that engine in 1976. But, since the presidential Fleetwood was so heavy, they needed this enormous powerplant to move it with authority.

5. Cadillac One

Although the current U.S. president Donald Trump just received a new Cadillac limousine, no one knows the details since they are still secret. However, former President Barack Obama used the latest model in the form of the Cadillac. Cadillac presented the car in 2009, no longer basing the One on a car platform. Instead, they used a GM medium truck chassis to withstand the enormous weight and dimensions of the car.

The extreme bulletproofing is the norm, but this time, Cadillac and the Secret Service went a step further. They equipped the car with air tanks to provide air for the passengers as well for the engine. And that means it can drive through the fire and theoretically, even under water.

Also, inside the car, you will find weapons as well as emergency blood supplies with the president’s blood type. But no one knows the exact specifications and engine power. However, most experts claim the car weighs close to 20,000 pounds ready to go.

These are the top five most iconic limousines of the presidents of the USA. Over time, they have become more secure and safe for transporting presidents. Sadly, the limousine President Kennedy rode in wasn’t as safe as the ones of today.