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Presidential Vehicles is an exhibit at The Henry Ford featuring five limousines used by 11 different presidents. It’s located next to the Driving America exhibit at the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation in Dearborn, Michigan.
1902 Brougham
The oldest vehicle in the collection is a 1902 Brougham used by Theodore Roosevelt. It was in service from 1902 to 1928. After Roosevelt, it was given to the White House housekeeping department to make grocery runs and run other errands.
1939 Lincoln
Next is the Sunshine Special, a 1939 Lincoln used by Franklin D. Roosevelt. It was the first car built specifically for presidential use and got its nickname because Roosevelt enjoyed riding in it with the top down. After the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, the car was fitted with armor and bullet-resistant tires and gas tank. It was in service until 1950 and also carried Harry S. Truman.
1950 Lincoln
Truman continued riding in a 1950 Lincoln, which was also used by Dwight D. Eisenhower from 1952 to 1960. Eisenhower added the plastic bubble top, and after his presidency, the car was used as a spare for the next two presidents until it was retired in 1967.
1961 Lincoln Continental
The most important car in the collection is a 1961 Lincoln Continental. John F. Kennedy was sitting in the back seat of the car when he was assassinated in Dallas, Texas, on November 22, 1963. Lyndon B. Johnson had the car rebuilt with a permanent roof, titanium armor, and bulletproof glass. It was used until 1977 and also featured during the presidency of Richard Nixon.
1972 Lincoln Continental
The fifth and final car in the collection is a 1972 Lincoln Continental. It was used by Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, and George H.W. Bush until it was pulled from service in 1987. Reagan was getting into the car on March 30, 1981, when he was shot by John Hinckley, and the car carried him to the hospital.
