While the limos were increasingly becoming more secure, they were certainly fallible, especially when the roof was removed. This brings us to JFK.
Arguably the most famous Presidential limousine was John F. Kennedy's. A 1961 Lincoln Continental Convertible, known as an X-100, provided JFK with his final ride on November 22, 1963. Known for its lack of air conditioning, the top was removed during the Dallas parade (and many times before) to make the passengers more comfortable. This obviously provided a high security risk, one that did not go unnoticed by the assassin.
During Lyndon Johnson's term, a trio of 1965 Lincoln Continental Executive Limousines was used and Richard Nixon rode in a modified X-100 as well as a 1969 Lincoln limousine with a sunroof, which he requested.
In the next decade, a 1972 Continental with armored plates, bullet-proof glass, and a V8 engine was given to the US government and used by Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, and Ronald Reagan and eventually found its way into the Henry Ford Museum. George Bush (the first one) rode in a modified 1989 Lincoln Town Car.
Reagan was also given a Cadillac Fleetwood limousine during his presidency and Bill Clinton was given a Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham Presidential series during his. These vehicles were designed to offer optimal security.
The Cadillac Fleetwood given to Reagan is now in the Ronald W. Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in California and Clinton's 1993 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham is located in the Clinton Presidential Library in Arkansas. These are the last of the Presidential Limousines that will ever be put on display. The rest will be destroyed by the Secret Service.
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