The Presidential limousine may seem like a recent invention, something that came about within the past few Presidential terms. This, however, is a misconception. Officially, the first President to ride in what has become known as the Presidential limousine was Woodrow Wilson. Taking the streets during a parade celebrating the US victory in World War I, he was honoring the end of the war and, unknowingly, starting the beginning of a transportation tradition.
Following Wilson, Calvin Coolidge used a 1928 Cadillac town car during his administration, but proceeding presidents had something even better. In 1938, the US government received two Cadillac convertibles, which stretched 21.5 feet long and weighed nearly eight thousand pounds. They were named after ocean liners and called the "Queen Elizabeth" and the "Queen Mary." These vehicles included nearly failsafe generators, two-way radios, and a full arsenal of ammunition. Harry Truman, Franklin Roosevelt, and Dwight D. Eisenhower, using these two Cadillacs during their respective reigns, were the first Presidents to ride in both style and heightened safety.
After the attack on Pearl Harbor, the heightened safety got even taller and an armored limousine that was originally owned by Al Capone was used. The Department of Treasury took possession of this limo after Capone was found guilty of tax evasion and placed it in an impound lot. Amid the horror of the Pearl Harbor attacks, it was believed to be the safest mode by which to take FDR to congress, allowing him to deliver his "date that will live in infamy" speech to the thousands of Americans listening at home.
Once Al Capone's limousine was put to rest, a 1939 Lincoln V12 convertible named the "Sunshine Special" was built for Roosevelt. Used until 1950, it is now on display at the Henry Ford Museum.
Another specially designed limo, named the "Bubble Top" was used by Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, and Johnson. After fifteen years, it was retired in 1965 and - following in the tire tracks of the "Sunshine Special" - is now also on display at the Henry Ford Museum.
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