10 Iconic Cars US Presidents Drove – Jalopnik

Presidents are sometimes scrutinized for his or her political affect and rightfully so. But have you ever ever stopped to marvel about which autos our commanders in chief have piloted? We usually are not speaking about limos match for Oval Office responsibility. Instead, we’re taking a more in-depth take a look at 10 of probably the most iconic automobiles U.S. presidents drove on their very own accord.

Now, each time politics are concerned, people are a bit on edge. In that regard, we need to make clear that that is merely a take a look at the vehicles, not an interpretation of the insurance policies or partisan viewpoints of any particular person talked about. That stated, we did check out how every president influenced visitors legal guidelines in addition to the automotive business as an entire.

For reference, the checklist is offered in chronological order, beginning with the earliest president to make the lower: William Howard Taft and his 1912 Baker Electric.

William H. Taft was in workplace from 1909 till 1913 and is credited with being the primary president to determine a White House automobile fleet, changing the property’s horse stables with storage stalls. As for his affect on the automotive realm, properly, he endorsed the Good Roads Movement, which was truly spearheaded by — look forward to it — bicyclists. The purpose was to bridge rural communities and cities with high quality, well-paved roads. Taft’s affinity for the auto had a constructive affect on the motion.

When it involves the automobile assortment Taft dropped at the White House, our standout choice goes to the 1912 Baker Electric Victoria, which was utilized by 5 totally different First Ladies, from Helen Taft to Grace Coolidge in 1928. No, it may possibly’t dash to 60 miles per hour in below two seconds like a Lucid Air Sapphire, the quickest automobile MotorPattern has ever examined, however we expect it is cool to see the prominence of an electrical car from over 100 years in the past. It spoils the stigma towards battery-powered propulsion, which is oftentimes chided as some type of new-school tomfoolery.

To make clear, the mannequin proven within the picture above just isn’t the car that was bought by President Taft.

We did say we weren’t counting limos that had been pushed by chauffeurs and used to move presidents. But that wasn’t the case with Herbert Hoover’s 1932 Cadillac 452-B V-16 Imperial Limousine, which he purchased himself. As the identify suggests, the mannequin was motivated by a 452-cubic-inch 16-cylinder engine that produced 165 horsepower. Only 49 of those machines are stated to have been made, and Hoover reportedly bought his throughout his final 12 months in workplace. Ironically, this Great Gatsby-esque Cadi was a stark distinction to the struggles related to the Great Depression, which started whereas Hoover was in workplace.

Fittingly, because the proprietor of a extremely unique Cadillac, Hoover was influential in making a set of uniform car codes in 1930, which included acts for motorized vehicle registration and anti-theft measures in addition to licensing and normal visitors regulation.

For those that have an interest, precise photographs of President Hoover’s Cadi might be seen by way of this Bonhams public sale itemizing. Notably, the 452-B was auctioned off for $87,750 again in 2007. That’s fairly a little bit of coin, however as we all know, no person does land yachts like Cadillac. 

Franklin Delano Roosevelt moved into workplace after Herbert Hoover, and he signed the Hayden-Cartwright Act of 1934, which secured federal funding for freeway growth. Like Hoover, he additionally personally owned a 1933 Cadillac in addition to a 1936 Packard. The car we picked, although, is his 1936 Ford Phaeton, as he had it outfitted with hand controls since his legs had been paralyzed by polio. We felt this was significantly badass, because it flew within the face of guidelines put in place by the Secret Service, which prohibited presidents from driving automobiles themselves.

Curiously, FDR is commonly related to one other, quite notorious Cadillac. A fable, which has since been reportedly disproven, alleged that Al Capone’s limo was confiscated after which used as the primary armored presidential limo. To make clear, FDR by no means used a bulletproof 1928 Cadillac Series 341A Town Sedan that had been seized by the federal government. 

Another automobile that FDR is precisely related to, although, is a 1939 Lincoln V12 convertible, also called the Sunshine Special. It is credited with being the primary presidential limo that was constructed to specs dictated by the Secret Service. It was then modified additional after the assault at Pearl Harbor, which is when the bulletproof glass and different protecting measures had been put in. 

William Howard Taft wasn’t the one president to personal an electrical automobile that was constructed within the early twentieth century. Dwight D. Eisenhower, who held workplace from 1953 to 1961, was the oblique proprietor of a 1914 Rauch & Lang. We say oblique because it was truly bought by his in-laws, John and Elivera Doud. As such, it was Ike’s go-to mule when he and his spouse visited her mother and father in Denver, Colorado. 

Rauch & Lang constructed its first electrical automobile in 1904, and by 1914 manufacturing was as much as 1,000 models per 12 months. At the time, there have been roughly as many steam and electrical automobiles being constructed as there have been gasoline-powered ones. Compared to the alternate options, the electrical fashions had been sometimes quieter and simpler to make use of as they did not have to be cranked by hand with the intention to begin, making them a well-liked alternative for feminine drivers.

There’s a principle that the Eisenhower administration’s implementation of the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 might have probably contributed to the dominance of gas-powered autos over EVs. This is a bit ironic given his penchant for electrified propulsion. 

The autos on this checklist are offered in chronological order beginning with the earliest president. However, if it had been a ranked checklist, then Lyndon B. Johnson’s Amphicar would undoubtedly be a powerful contender for most unusual. Just so you already know, the pink Amphicar pictured above could have a patriotic flag waving on the again, however no, none of these people is President Johnson. His car was lagoon blue.

The rear-engined convertible was conceived and in-built Germany and was designed by the identical man who gave us the Mercedes-Benz Gullwing’s door, Hanns Trippel. As the identify suggests, the Amphicar is an amphibious vehicle that can be utilized on each land and water. Apparently, President Johnson used the automobile to prank individuals, together with his advisor, Joseph A. Califano Jr., by pretending the brakes had failed earlier than careening right into a lake. We’re undecided about crusing the seven seas in with this automobile, nevertheless it might make for a quite distinctive fishing expedition.

Speaking of security, Johnson was the final president permitted to drive on public roads. Presidents and former presidents should now be pushed round by Secret Service brokers skilled in evasive maneuvers. He additionally signed the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966 and the Highway Safety Act of 1966. The determination to step in and place rules on personal corporations was preceded by a quite fascinating collection of occasions, together with a lawsuit filed by Ralph Nader towards General Motors. For all you younger’uns on the market who’re in all probability unfamiliar with these issues, we encourage you to fall down that rabbit gap of American historical past.

During the supply of Richard Nixon’s “Checkers” speech, through which he refutes accusations about his funds and items, together with a canine named Checkers, Nixon references his 1950 Oldsmobile in an try to relate to the frequent man. The particular mannequin in query is an Oldsmobile 98, which was solely supplied with the 303-cubic inch Rocket V8 engine. Back then, a 1950 Oldsmobile 98 retailed for lower than $2,300. Today, the Hagerty valuation instrument places the sedan fashions within the $12,000 to $14,000 vary, although convertibles are over the $30,000 mark. Even so, the 98 might be thought of a modest car by each yesterday’s and as we speak’s requirements.

His rhetoric conveyed a way of retaliation towards the elite, which could sound just like sentiments expressed by our present commander in chief, however not like President Donald Trump, Nixon definitely didn’t come from wealth. 

Another main distinction between the 2 is the affect every has had on the automotive business, particularly with regard to emissions rules. While Trump has rolled again gasoline financial system requirements and put a pause on the pursuit of electrification, Nixon is credited with the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency and signed the Clean Air Act of 1970. 

Ah sure, the Bi-Drive Recreational All-Terrain Transporter. Did you already know that is how the Subaru BRAT acquired its identify? How about the truth that its rear-facing bed-mounted seats had been a method to keep away from the “chicken tax,” which was carried out by the aforementioned Lyndon B. Johnson and imposed a 25% tariff on imported pickup vehicles? The additional seats allowed the car to be categorised as a passenger automobile. Did you additionally know that Ronald Reagan was the proud proprietor of a Subaru BRAT, which he cherished to drive on his ranch in California? 

According to a Jalopnik article printed practically 14 years in the past, an settlement was made through which Reagan kind of turned a secret Subaru take a look at driver. Thanks to a connection between Richard V. Allen and somebody he knew at Fuji Heavy Industries, Reagan was capable of make the most of the BRAT on his property below one situation: Performance stories needed to be submitted each six months. Not a foul trade, when you ask us. (Hey Subaru, we not solely dare you to construct these STI ideas, however we additionally provide our providers when you’re searching for extra secret take a look at drivers.) 

Ironically, Reagan’s administration negotiated a Voluntary Export Restraint (VER) with Japan, which restricted the variety of Japanese automobiles exported to the U.S. in an effort to guard American automakers.

Bill Clinton’s identify has just lately been reintroduced to the limelight, however we’re right here to speak about what’s actually vital: his 1967 Ford Mustang convertible. Although sitting presidents usually are not allowed to pilot their autos on public roads, Clinton did get to drive his convertible within the presence of the general public throughout a thirtieth anniversary occasion for the nameplate at Charlotte Motor Speedway in 1994. His Mustang seems to be fairly just like the one above, because it’s blue with a white prime and white inside. Mechanical options embrace a six-cylinder engine and automated transmission. 

The Mustang was initially bought by his stepfather, Jeff Dwire, as a present for Bill’s little brother, Roger. Clinton bought it from his brother years later. It won’t be something flashy, however in the course of the aforementioned thirtieth anniversary occasion, Bill advised a reporter that his Mustang was the factor he regretted abandoning probably the most when he made his solution to the White House. He joked that the opposite drivers in his house state, Arkansas, had been higher off with out him behind the wheel. Now we’re not saying Clinton was a pace demon, however he did signal the National Highway System Designation Act of 1995 into legislation, which repealed the 55 mph federal pace restrict and shifted management over pace limits to the states. Coincidence? Maybe, possibly not.

Notably, Clinton’s Mustang just isn’t the one American icon to make this checklist. The subsequent nameplate has a fair richer historical past, and, like this Mustang, it too is a 1967 mannequin 12 months convertible. 

The subsequent car on the checklist is Joe Biden’s 1967 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray convertible, which is supplied with a 327-cubic-inch V8 and 4-speed handbook transmission. Now, that is a wholly subjective name, but when we needed to choose the best-looking automobile on this checklist, then we would be very tempted to make the previous president’s Corvette our alternative. It’d be a shoo-in if it had been a coupe, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a top-three choose both manner. 

Biden has truly owned the Goodwood Green ‘vert since 1967, because it was a marriage present from his father, although he reportedly does not get to drive it fairly often. That stated, you might recall seeing a video through which Biden misplaced a drag race after lining his C2 Corvette up towards a C7 piloted by Michael Powell. 

If you are a fan of V8-powered sports activities automobiles, you then seemingly haven’t got a powerful appreciation for the stricter emissions requirements imposed by Biden’s administration, nor its push for electrification. However, the earlier administration’s ambitions to achieve 50% electrical car gross sales by 2030 has been lower on the knees by the present administration, which we’ll get into subsequent. 

Last, however definitely not least, now we have Donald Trump’s 1997 Lamborghini Diablo VT Roadster, which bought for $1.1 million at public sale. This custom-ordered Diablo VT Roadster is alleged to be the one Blu Le Mans unit constructed for the 1997 mannequin 12 months. It encompasses a 5.7-liter V12 together with a 5-speed handbook transmission. The engine’s 492 horsepower and practically 430 pound-feet of torque had been despatched to all 4 wheels. Politics apart, that is an objectively superior vehicle.

Notably, solely 132 Diablo VT Roadsters had been produced for the U.S. market. This car is alleged to have just a few private touches, together with a “Donald Trump 1997 Diablo” plaque on the door in addition to a “Trump 2016” decal on the rear window. Trump now not owns this Diablo. He bought it in 2002. It modified arms twice earlier than crossing the block on the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction in 2024. At the time, the sale was stated to be a brand new world document. 

In one more flip of irony, gross sales of latest Lamborghinis are being stifled by commerce insurance policies carried out by Trump’s present administration, as tremendous wealthy Lamborghini consumers are getting scared off by the tariffs. As of this writing, it seems that there’s nonetheless a 27.5% tariff on Lambos together with another car that is imported from Europe. There’s been discuss of it being lower to fifteen%; nevertheless, that is contingent upon a discount in tariffs on sure items that European nations import from the U.S. In addition to the tariffs, Trump has additionally closely influenced the automotive business by eliminating federal electrical car tax credit and introducing a tax measure that enables new automobile consumers to deduct the curiosity they pay on their new automobile loans so long as the car was primarily constructed within the states.