If you are a fan of automotive history, then perhaps one of the most fascinating rabbit holes to dive down is that of presidential limousines.  From President Taft’s purchase of two Pierce-Arrows, a Baker electric car, and a White steam car to the famous “Beast” of today, a study of the President’s transportation neatly parallels our progress as a nation.  This 2002 Cadillac DeVille six-door limousine for sale on Facebook Marketplace in North Adams, Michigan was never in the Presidential fleet.  It is, however, a low mileage representation of one of the many official vehicles we have seen in Presidential service.  It even has a set of strobe lights in the front if you feel particularly dignified during your jaunts around town.  Are you willing to plunk down the $9,750 asking price for your own stately limousine?  Thanks to Chuck F. for the high-roof tip!

Regardless of your feelings for the person serving as President, a deep dive into the various vehicles that have served in the Presidential fleet is fascinating.  Moving the President around is a huge job fraught with security issues.  The transportation used must be up-to-date, reliable, and safe under reasonable circumstances.  Those reasonable circumstances have changed considerably since President William McKinley became the first President to ride in an automobile when he enjoyed a quick jaunt in a Stanley steam-powered car in 1901.  The first automobile officially purchased for the White House was a 1907 White, which was steam-powered as well.  Teddy Roosevelt was President at the time.  However, he never rode in the car due to his desire to keep up his cowboy image, and the car was used by the Secret Service to follow his horse-drawn carriage.

The list of makes used in the early days of Presidential limousines isn’t very familiar to modern Americans.  White, Baker, and Pierce-Arrow were early Presidential favorites, with Cadillacs first appearing during Herbert Hoodver’s administration.  Franklin Delano Roosevelt loved automobiles, and a few Ford phaetons were added to the roster during his tenure for personal use.  Roosevelt suffered from the damaging effects of polio, so, despite objections from the Secret Service concerning a President driving, he had the cars outfitted with special controls allowing him to enjoy the freedom of the road.  By this time, it was an honor for automakers to provide transportation for the President.  That honor has been shared between Lincoln and Cadillac since before World War II.  Among the more famous Presidential limousines was the “Sunshine Special,” which was a 1939 Lincoln that served until after the war.  It was also the first Presidential limousine to be armored and fortified against attacks.  These changes were made after the peace was savagely broken at Pearl Harbor in 1941.

To the dismay of anyone who had heard about Archduke Franz Ferdinand, many of the cars in the Presidential fleet were convertibles.  Used in parades and processions, the open tops on these cars provided no protection whatsoever to the occupants of the vehicle.  Yet the desire to make the President visible during public appearances overrode any concerns the Secret Service may have had until that fateful day in Dallas.  Since then, the Presidential limousines have become much more secure each time they have been upgraded or replaced.  The latest iteration, dubbed “The Beast,” isn’t based on a production car at all.  It is built on a heavy-duty truck chassis and only resembles a production Cadillac.  While most of its features are classified, this latest limousine is hardened against some of the horrible attacks that are possible in the modern world.  As a vehicle, the engineering behind it is fascinating.  As Presidential transportation, it is disappointing to know that its capabilities may one day make the difference between life and death.

If you want the look of Presidential transportation without the price and capabilities, then this 2002 Cadillac DeVille six-door limousine may be the car for you.  Chances are this car was ordered by either a funeral home or a limousine service.  Now, it serves as everyday transportation for the seller and has been driven a scant 45,000 miles.  The seller tells us that it rides great, with the car feeling as if you are floating down the road.  Pictures reveal a vehicle that has been well taken care of.  The leather covering all three rows of seating exhibits a bit of sun bleaching but is free from rips and tears.  The exterior is also in great shape and polished to a high shine.  We are told that the car also has an additional heating and air conditioning system for rear passengers and that it gets 20 MPG.  It even has a set of strobe lights embedded in the front fog lights in case you want to clear traffic ahead of you.

While this distinctive DeVille won’t likely withstand being hit by an RPG, it does have that Presidential limousine look to it.  It could serve as the centerpiece of a specialized limousine service where the driver and another individual could dress up as Secret Service agents and cart their charges around with a set of fender flags flying proudly up front.  If you want to complete the look, maybe add a pair of black Chevrolet Suburbans and a gaggle of suit and sunglasses-wearing actors to drive them.  With all the other car service gimmicks out there, this car could be a hit with customers with a devilish sense of humor!

What would you do with this DeVille if it were yours?  Have you ever seen one of the Presidential limousines in action or at a museum?  Please share your thoughts and memories in the comments.