The Coolest Cars of U.S. Presidents
By Michael Smith
The president of the United States is a position of impact, influence, and power. It should come as no shock that these men, the most powerful men in the world, have a fierce love of powerful cars. Over and over again; U.S. presidents have acquired some of the most iconic cars of their generations. Sadly, United States Presidents are not allowed to drive themselves for risk of leaving us without a leader. It must be bitter-sweet, achieving your goal as leader of the free world, but not being able to enjoy a drive in your car. Today, we will take a drive, a drive through history to take a look at the personal vehicles of some of our most loved presidents.
Herbert Hoover – 1932 Cadillac 452-B V16 Imperial limo
First stop on our ride through history takes us all the way back to 1932 to spy Herbert Hoovers’ Cadillac Imperial Limo. Herbs caddy was interesting for a number of reasons. Foremost, the insane 7.4 liter 16-cylinder engine. It produced 175 horsepower, and a whopping 300 ft lbs of torque (at idle no less) making it one of the most powerful cars of its time.
However, much like presidents themselves, its time of glory was short-lived. No; it wasn’t voters that killed the Cadillac limo, but the great depression. As the great depression rolled over the American economy, luxury cars with gigantic engines became difficult to afford. By the mid-thirties the V16s were no more, but at least it earned an honored place in history as having been owned by a sitting U.S. president.
Franklin D. Roosevelt – 1936 Ford Phaeton
FDRs’ 36 Ford Phaeton was as adaptable and clever as the man himself. At the age of 39, FDR contracted polio that left him paralyzed from the waist down. To accommodate his new disability and love of driving, he acquired a car unlike any other at the time – a 36 Ford Phaeton, custom designed to completely operate by hand. In fact, FDR had a couple cars modified this way, but his all-time favorite was this 36 ford. The controls were expertly designed by Fred Relyea, a local mechanic from the nearby town of Poughkeepsie. Through his modifications, the clutch and brake were operated by one lever, that when pushed half-way would engage the clutch, and when pushed further would engage the brakes. The throttle was controlled by a push\pull lever mounted to the right-hand side of the steering column. Also mounted to the steering column was a small device that dispensed pre-lit cigarettes to FDRs’ hand.
Seated securely in his custom ford, FDR enjoyed everything from giving press conferences to driving notable guests around his Hyde Park property at the highest speed he could muster. A few notable passengers of his were Winston Churchill, Fiorello LaGuardia, and Queen Elizabeth herself. In fact, the queen described his fast paced and downright ballsy driving style as “more terrifying than the bombs of London.” How’s that for an endorsement? Franklins beloved car was driven after his death by his wife Eleanor, and now resides in The Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library & Museum. Its resting odometer reads 19,143 miles.
Harry Truman – 1941 Chrysler, 1952 Chrysler & 1946 Ford Super Deluxe Tudor Sedan
Our next stop on our tour takes us to the garage of late president Harry Truman. Harrys’ presidency was filled with notable moments including the end of WW2, the bombing of Hiroshima, the Berlin Airlift and the creation of NATO. Similarly, his garage was filled with notable cars.
From his first car, a 1911 Stafford, to his last car, a 1972 Chrysler Newport, Harry took great pride in driving and maintaining his vehicles. He never allowed smoking in his vehicles and had them washed and detailed every few days.
Over the course of his life, Harry became a die-hard Chrysler fan. Evidence of this is seen in his other notable cars he owned throughout his life. This list includes a 1941 Chrysler, a 1952 Chrysler, and even a 1946 Ford Super Deluxe Tudor Sedan. His last car, the 72 Newport, was purchased only 6 months before his death. The car would be used by his wife Bess, until she passed in 1982. Today, you can find Harrys 72 Chrysler on display at his house in Independence, Missouri. Its parked in his garage, and true to Harry, it is immaculately clean with only 18,000 miles on the odometer.
Lyndon B. Johnson - Amphicar, Many Lincoln Continentals, 1934 Ford Phaeton & a Fiat 500 Jolly
Our trip through time now takes us to a large ranch in Stonewall, Texas. Home of former president lyndon B. Johnson. Lyndon was a man, larger than life, who inspired a fierce loyalty among his subordinates and peers. He was well known for his “interrogation style” conversations known in the press as “the Johnson method” which enabled his many political triumphs. President Johnson was associated with many things including the civil rights act of 1964, the voting rights act of 1965, and the civil rights act of 1968. Another thing he is associated with is the Lincoln Continental.
President Johnson owned several Lincoln Continentals over the course of his life. His favorite was a 1964 Continental Convertible, and he could often be seen driving it around his ranch. It sported 320 hp, and a V8 engine mated to an automatic transmission; which made for a powerful yet care-free cruising style. According to his assistants, LBJ was fond of taking the convertible on drives around his property while drinking scotch and soda out of a dixie cup. Once he ran out he would stop, hang the cup out the left hand window, and wait for a secret service member to give him a refill. Only thing is, LBJ would start to slowly roll forward as you approached the car, making you trot to catch up.
His sense of humor can be seen on display in his other cars too. LBJ owned a 1934 Ford Phaeton, a Fiat 500 Jolly that was particularly popular with the children of his staffers, a 1915 Fire Truck, and (possibly most famously) an Amphicar.
Built in West Germany from 1961-68 the Amphicar is the only civilian amphibious car ever mass produced. According to his assistant, LBJ would load this car up with passengers and then “accidentally” drive it into the lake. The whole time he would be screaming “The brakes won’t work, the brakes won’t hold, we’re going in, we’re going under!” Anyone who mistakenly abandoned the car would be laughed at as they had “abandoned their president to save their own skin”. What a legend.
JFK – 1961 Ford Thunderbird Convertible
John Fitzgerald Kennedy. You would be hard pressed to find a name that brings forth more emotion in the American public. From his run-ins with Cubas’ Fidel Castro, his numerous affairs, his impact on the civil rights movement, and his eventual assassination at the hands of Lee Harvey Oswald, Kennedy helped mold the country we see today. All well and good, but what kind of cars did he drive?
Simply put, JFK was a ford guy. John owned a corinthian white 1961 Thunderbird Convertible as well as a 1963 Thunderbird Hardtop in sandshell beige.
The 61 T-bird was the maiden vehicle of the cars third generation. Its new design sported a sharper front section, earning it the nickname “the bullet car”. It shared many design cues with the European Corsair of the time, albeit the thunderbird was far larger and came with an impressive 6.4l FE V-8 engine. This produced 300 hp and came equipped with a three speed Cruise-O Matic MX auto transmission. Notable design features include a pivoting steering wheel that could move out of your way to the right when exiting the vehicle.
The 63 T-bird came with all of these features plus an AM/FM radio, assisted door locks, and a drivers side mirror with remote control. All standard. The 63 was the final model year of the third generation T-birds, but its design and amenities would make it a heavy-weight in the luxury car market for years to come.
Ronald Reagan - 1962 Willys’ Jeep CJ-6 (Jeep CJ-8 Golden Eagle his wife bought)
Next up on our list is a of man mythic proportions, but simple tastes. The man, myth, and screen legend himself, Ronald Reagan. The 40th president of the U.S. had a wide ranging and storied career spanning across several disciplines including actor, screen actors guild president, military captain, senator, and eventually president of the united states.
Considering how elaborate his career path was, you might be surprised to learn his choice in vehicles was rather simple. Reagan, was a Jeep guy. In fact, his favorite vehicle was a 1952 Willy’s Jeep CJ-6. The same model he used in the military. This Jeep was a present from his wife Nancy in 1963. It was custom painted Red, and like many other Willys’ Jeeps; came standard with a 4 cylinder, 72 hp engine married to a T-90 three speed manual transmission. Not exactly a powerhouse, but we can all respect a well-loved machine that conjures forth nostalgia.
Over the years his CJ-6 would be battered, dented, and generally worked hard. As is the fate of all Texas ranch jeeps. In the spring of 1983 Nancy surprised him again with a slate blue CJ-8 Golden Eagle Scrambler. Nancy didn’t want foreign dignitaries to have to slum it around the ranch in the well-worn CJ-6. The CJ-8 came with a 4.2 liter inline six cylinder engine and 4 speed manual transmission; which made for a great vehicle to tour passengers around in. Still, Ron couldn’t be parted with his red CJ-6 and could be seen driving it every time Nancy wasn’t looking. Today you can find Reagans CJ-8 on display at the Reagan Ranch Center in Santa Barbara, while the red CJ-6 remains at home on the ranch in Texas. In 2016 it was inducted in the national register of historic vehicles, and was ferried to Washington D.C. for the awards event. It was the first time the jeep had left the property in 53 years.
Bill Clinton - 1967 Ford Mustang Convertible
The next stop on our tour takes us all the way back to the 90s’ where we will be checking out Bill Clintons personal rides. No, not the white house interns. We’re talking about his 1970 El Camino and his 1967 Ford Mustang.
An odd car in and of itself, the El Camino has a special place in the hearts of many. Its neither car, nor truck. Neither muscle, nor utility. It is however, memorable. This mullet on wheels came with a 396 cubic inch, 6.5 liter, V8 engine. This monster produced 350 horsepower. Bill even customized it himself, by adding green AstroTurf in the truck bed. Now, I know what you’re thinking, but it was actually there to prevent scuffs from hauling his golf clubs. Shame on you.
His Classic 1967 Mustang was a completely different beast altogether. This mustang had been completely retooled with a new spotless white interior, and a slick coat of ice-blue paint upon purchase. It featured a 120 HP inline six-cylinder engine, which is becoming a true rarity today as most inline sixes are being swapped out for V8s in an attempt to make an “Elanor” clone. Clinton must miss rocketing down the roads of Little Rock in his pony, but lucky for him he can visit her any time he likes at the Museum of Automobiles in Morrilton, Arkansas. She’ll be waiting Bill.
Donald Trump - Vast collection including: 1997 Lamborghini Diablo, 1956 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud, 2015 Rolls Royce Phantom Saloon, 2015 Mercedes Benz S600 Guard, 2013 Mercedes SLR McLaren, & a 2007 Ferrari F430 F1 just to name a few.
45th president of the United States, Donald Trump, is a YUGE fan of cars! Trump has a vast and eclectic collection of cars ranging from high octane power houses to gold gilded luxury vehicles. Donald Trumps’ vast wealth has enabled the politician and entrepreneur to own some truly wild rides including his 1997 Lamborghini Diablo, a 1946 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud, a 2015 Rolls Royce Phantom Saloon, a 2015 Mercedes Benz S600 Guard, 2013 Mercedes SLR McLaren, & a 2007 Ferrari F430 F1.
Trumps Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren was launched in 2003 as a collaboration between Mercedes and McLaren. This grand scale tourer produced 617 hp as a standard from a supercharged V8 engine.
His personal favorite, the 1956 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud, sports a 6.2 liter, 380 cubic inch V8 engine mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission.
Trumps 1997 Lamborghini Diablo, meaning “Devil” in Spanish, is a truly formidable machine. The Lamborghini comes with a 6.0 liter V12 engine mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. Top speed on these beasts exceeds 200 miles per hour. It can go from 0 to 100 miles per hour in 7.0 seconds flat. Later owners of the car would go on to make custom touches, such as a hood emblem that now reads “Trump”.
Joe Biden – 1967 Corvette Stingray
The last stop on our tour takes us to a place, I was sure until recently, didn’t actually exist. I’m talking about Delaware, home to the 46th President of the United States, Joe Biden. You may not believe it, but Joe Biden loves cars. The president was reportedly pretty bitter about having to leave driving behind when he earned the VP slot next to former president Barrack Obama.
Joe Bidens prize possession is his green-over-tan 1967 Corvette Stingray convertible. Biden is the first and only owner of the car, which he received as a wedding gift from his father-in-law who owned a car dealership. The Stingray features a 327 cubic inch V8 engine that produces a respectable 300 hp.
In the last decade the vette has been stripped and rebuilt by Bidens sons as a Christmas gift. In 2016 Joe even managed to garner some time behind the wheel; taking Jay Leno for a ride on a closed track. The old car performed well, as did the old president, who managed a couple burnouts at the behest of Leno.
Thus concludes our tour of Presidential vehicles. Whether left or right leaning, blue or red, republican or democrat, one thing seems to be true among these powerful individuals. All differences dissolve when confronted with the unifying power of a cherished vehicle. It seems cars and trucks don’t just transport you to a difference place; but bring people together as well.
Bonus fact: Jimmy Carter is the only president to ride a motorcycle. Others may have been pictured on them for photo ops; but Jimmy is the only real biker of the group.