Lincoln the presidents’ choice

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 19/12/2014 (4284 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

When the conversation turns to limousines used to ferry movie stars, dignitaries and royalty, the usual marques come to the forefront, such as Rolls Royce, Bentley, Cadillac and Mercedes. The discussion usually gets around to, and focuses on, the Lincoln limousines used during the Kennedy administration in the early 1960s.

Hess & Eisenhardt began supplying the United States with limousines in 1942 with The Phoenix, an H-Series seven-passenger Lincoln Continental limousine. It was originally supplied to U.S. president Franklin D. Roosevelt and later was utilized by president Harry S. Truman.

While there were other Lincolns used for presidential transport, in earlier and later administrations, none equal the timeless design of the 1961 Continental. Clean, with sharp-edged styling, the 1961 Lincoln was one of the few automobiles ever awarded a medal for excellence by the Industrial Design Institute.

President John F. Kennedy had a real soft spot for these design-setting Lincolns, especially the convertibles, and the White House garage was known to house several Lincoln limousines as well as a pair of convertibles for impromptu and possibly clandestine outings.

While the Hess & Eisenhardt prepared Lincoln SS-100X was the car most used, and unfortunately bears the infamy of being the vehicle in which Kennedy was riding in when assassinated in Dallas, Texas on Nov. 22, 1963, there were other noted Lincoln limousines used during his administration.

The 1962 Lincoln Continental 297X was Jacqueline Kennedy’s personal transport. Called the “bubble- top” it featured a full Plexiglass rear roof section. The clear top afforded the first lady and passengers a panoramic view of the city and allowed the public to catch a glimpse of the trend-setting and fashionable Jacqueline as she motored past.

Another notable vehicle was the 232X hardtop limousine. The 1962 Lincoln Continental Town limousine 232X was again a prepared vehicle by Hess & Eisenhardt and featured full amenities for the day along with a raised-vinyl-covered roof. Other equipment included a radio telephone mounted in the rear centre armrest, glass-partition panel between the front and rear seats, inboard-mounted, flashing red headlamps and front chromed flag stanchions. Powered by Lincoln’s 430 cubic-inch V-8 cranking out 315 horsepower with a three-speed automatic transmission. Power steering, brakes, windows, door locks and seats were all standard and the limo had dual air-conditioning systems.

The 232X is most noted as the workhorse of Kennedy’s final years in the White House and participated in transporting many dignitaries to and from many historical firsts in the 20th century. Passengers ranged from president Lyndon B. Johnson to Prince Rainier and Princess Grace of Monaco, Chief Justice Earl Warren, Lee Iacocca and the families of Eleanor and Henry Ford II.

From the Cuban missile crisis to the introduction of the space race, it often carried Kennedy and others to social engagements to deliver messages of hope and prosperity to Americans and the rest of the world. On Nov. 15, 1963, Kennedy would use the car in New York city to attend two conferences, the American Federation of Labour and Congress of Industrial Organizations, (AFL-CIO) and the Catholic Youth Organization. Seven days later, Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas riding in the open-air 100X.

The 1961 Continental 100X remains on permanent display at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Mich., the 232X 1962 Continental Towne limousine can be seen at the Auto Collections Museum at the Imperial Palace in Las Vegas, Nev. All three of the fourth-generation Continentals would receive upgrades and modifications, while they remained in service well into the 1970s, they stand today as some of the most important vehicles in the history of the 20th century.

During the past 50 years, distinguished coach builders have evolved into armoured-car producers, offering vehicles that protect passengers from everything from gunfire to explosive charges. The days of open parade cars are long gone as safety and security are the presidential vehicles’ main duties.

classicdargis@mymts.net