Imagine you are on the highway and a stretch limo passes by. You won’t be able to take your eyes off it. And when you stare at the majestic vehicle, you won’t be alone. Anyone in the vicinity is bound to stare at it a bit and appreciate its majestic aura because that’s what a limo, especially a stretch limo, deserves. Even if it’s not a stretch limo, any other limo too would attract your eyes and attention because the vehicle has become synonymous with class and style. The good thing is that you can now rent a luxury limo service in San Francisco, CA as and when you need because they are no longer the domain of just the uber-rich. Even a common man can rent it for special occasions – be it something personal like a wedding, anniversary, or the birth of a baby, or business events like a conference, client meeting, trade show, etc. No matter what the event or occasion is, riding a limo is usually seen as a mark of prosperity and success, and even showcases your willingness to take the event or occasion to the next level. If you have used both a standard car service in San Francisco, CA and a private limousine service in San Francisco, CA, perhaps you already know the difference. After all, you can’t deny that there’s something special and classy about a limousine. Yet, probably no one or just a handful of people think how these majestic vehicles have reached the stage where they are today, or how it all began, or where it began.
1- The origin of the limo
As unbelievable as it might sound, the basic concept of limousine (that of a chauffeured vehicle) could be traced back to the 1700s. When you opt for a limo for rent in San Francisco, CA today, you probably wouldn’t have thought how your majestic vehicle was far from its glorious days when it was first conceptualized. During the 1700s, a horse-drawn carriage was developed with the aim of transporting the rich from point A to point B. These carriages were gilded in gold and only the finest animals were used to pull them. The passengers had an enclosed compartment to sit while the driver sat outside, unprotected against the elements. In 1902, the first automobile limousine was developed. Thus, the high breed horses were replaced by a polished motor-powered vehicle that could seat between 3 and 5 people. Its design included a covered compartment for the passengers with a roof that’s projected forward over the driver’s seat in front. The driver sat in the open, under a hood. There used to be a partition (usually made of soundproof glass) between the passengers and the driver, perhaps to show their class difference. This permitted the passengers to keep their conversations private. If they needed to talk to the driver, they could roll the partition down, talk, and then roll it back.
Those wondering how the word “limousine” came into existence will have to go back in time to France’s Limousin region. The locals (or shepherds, as some accounts say) of this region used to wear a cloak that had a raised hood to protect them from the elements. Since the hood over the driver in the early limo physically resembled the cloaked hood worn by those in the region of Limousin, the vehicle was christened a “limousine”, which is the feminine adjective of the masculine form “limousin”. According to an alternate etymology, the driver of this vehicle used to wear a hooded cloak like the French people in Limousin to stay protected against the weather. This gave the vehicle its name. You can find old images of such vehicles like that of the 1908 Studebaker-Garford B limousine or the 1912 Vauxhall. A glance at these images would give you a better idea of how these vehicles looked during those early days.
Now that you know about the limousine’s French origin, let’s move forward to take a look into how the vehicle evolved from what it was in 1902.
2- The stretch limo
Most people usually associate the stretch limo with the term “limousine”. However, the vehicle didn’t come into production until the late 1920s. It was in 1928 when the first stretch Limousine was built in Fort City by Armbruster – an Arkansas company. It’s interesting to know a little bit about the company that gave us the first limo.
Three men in Fort Smith, Arkansas namely Tom Armbruster, Walter Walkford, and Charles Kaiser started Armbruster & Company in 1887 which was in the business of building and restoring horse-drawn wagons. As horse-drawn carriages started being eclipsed by the automobile that was powered by a motor, the three men shifted their focus to stay in line with the changes. They adapted their construction techniques and started providing auto repair, trim and paint to a steadily growing number of local automobile owners. By 1920, Armbruster & Company was a flourishing auto body repair depot. In and around Fort Smith, the company enjoyed a great reputation. Its high-quality work’s praises reached even Tulsa (in Oklahoma), which was situated about 120 miles away.
As changes happened in the transportation industry, the nature of business of Armbruster changed too. Between 1921 and 1923, a Fort Smith-based bus company (called Jordan Bus Lines) asked if Armbruster could stretch a regular vehicle so that it could be used to make short transportation runs for professional purposes. Though Armbruster had never “stretched” a regular vehicle, it was intrigued by the idea and accepted the challenge. According to images stored in the company archives, it was in early 1923 when the first Armbruster stretch unit was completed. Thus, the first stretch limo was born.
After the first stretch limo was built successfully, it led to more. By the 1930s, customized stretched limos became one of Armbruster’s regular production offerings. Armbruster’s business too got a boost after it built the first stretch limo. It was able to develop a small regional market for its multi-door auto-coaches with an extended wheelbase and built these vehicles (approximately 20 per year by employing between 6 and 12 men) through the start of the Second World War. The company was virtually invincible in the market with no real competition till the late 1940s. It’s interesting to note that Armbruster was the only company that created multi-door limousines (along with Chevrolet-based airport buses) in any quantity that was required by its clients or the market.
When you dial a luxury car rental in San Francisco, CA today to get a stretch limo, thinking how it was born in the first place could sound surprising. And if you are wondering what happened to Armbruster, you would be happy to know that the company still exists (as Armbruster Stageway) and is known for its innovative designs in limousines along with its funeral coaches.
3- For what purposes was the stretch limo used?
The first stretch limo and its predecessors were used to transport big bandleaders to different regions of the United States along with their bands as well as their equipment. So, these vehicles were nicknamed as “Big Band Buses”. Glenn Miller and his Orchestra as well as the Benny Goodman Orchestra were some of the famous bands that used the stretch limos in those early days. Soon, other musicians and bandleaders followed as they realized how easy it was to travel with the entire band and instrument at one go. This was also the period when Hollywood’s Golden Age was beginning and big stars like Rudolph Valentino and Greta Garbo started stepping out from limousines onto red carpets. This fueled the desire to have more luxurious elements in these vehicles. Following into the footsteps of movie stars and bandleaders, other industries too started joining the bandwagon of using limos. In fact, the convenience and efficiency of the stretch limo didn’t go unnoticed by other industries as everyone started waking up to its benefits. The fact that a large number of people could be transported at one go along with their luggage was something that several industries needed to accomplish. So, others too joined the bandwagon soon and started using stretch limos for transport.
By the 1930s, hotels and airports started using limousines to transport their guests and passengers. Though considered to be designed just for the wealthy people during its earlier days, limousines slowly became a preferred vehicle among tour guides as well as transport groups too. While only a handful of big movie stars used the stretch limo earlier, it was time now for the limo to be used more extensively. The movie industry acquired these spacious vehicles to transport film stars and the entire film crew along with their equipment to movie sets.
By 1940, manufacturers such as Cadillac, Packard, and Lincoln were producing stretch limousines, which were used to transport well-heeled folks from one place to another. Unlike modern-day car rental, San Francisco, CA or private limousine service in San Francisco, CA for your airport transfer, the “airport stretch coaches” of those early days had none of the amenities that you will get today. Yet, those earlier versions succeeded in getting the job done and even offered extended leg space for about 3 passengers. Later editions came equipped with 2 “jump seats” that faced the rear, which increased the passenger capacity to 5. Before long, third-party coachbuilders and manufacturers introduced stretches for funerals where the vehicle had 2 or 3 rows of forward-facing seats.
It was during the late 70s and early 80s when tremendous growth was noticed for the stretch limo service business. By that time, the vehicle has become a true status symbol not only for the rich and famous but even for those who had suddenly come into a huge amount of money. These people were often seen attending glamorous events in these luxurious stretch limos. From musicians and bandleaders to artists, film stars, and high-powered executives, the crème de la crème of society would often get chauffeured in a limo to different places in style, thus oozing unmatched style and enjoying the power of money that they had.
4- Decline in the limo business
For decades, the limousine dominated the luxury car service industry. However, the crash of 1987 hit its fate pretty hard as its market share experienced a steady downward spiral. When the stock market crashed in 1987, it made the American economy to slowly dissipate. The real estate was mostly depressed and thousands of Wall Street bankers and executives were laid off. All these factors worked together against the market share of limousine. It was noticed that people were no longer keen on spending the additional amount out of their pockets to have this luxury mode of travel. This was primarily the reason that caused the decline of the limousine industry. Year after year, the vehicles’ sales dropped steadily, especially for those who were in the business of converting Cadillacs and Lincolns into a stretched limo. And this wasn’t happening in any particular region. The demand for limos took a major hit across all major US cities like Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, etc. Within a short period, businesses such as the ATC went bankrupt. Others like Dillinger-Gaines were clearly shaken by the decline but managed to sustain by diversifying their services.
In the early 90s, almost 5,800 limos were produced in the United States. This was a reduction of almost 1,200 from what was produced a decade earlier. If you are wondering what happened to the other big names in the limo business, here are some facts to know. The last factory-built limo by Cadillac dates back to 1987. Packard exited the stretch limo business in 1939 while Lincoln followed suit in 1954. However, Lincoln continued to maintain some form of ties with the limo business by offering Lincoln Premier cars, which were special order editions, to famous people like Elvis Presley. These cars came equipped with a pricey audio system, VHS player, bar, and refrigerator. Starting in 1939 with its Sunshine Special (created for President Roosevelt), Lincoln also provided presidential stretch limousines for U.S. Presidents.
5- Presidential limousines
Though a car rental in San Francisco, CA won’t give you the chance to board a presidential limousine, you (just like everyone else) would surely be in awe of the present president’s limo when viewing its images. You can even see some of the earlier presidential limos from close quarters in the museum.
5.1- The Sunshine Special
In 1939, a new 7-passenger limousine was leased for President Roosevelt by the White House from Packard. Since the vehicle had narrow doors, Roosevelt found it difficult to climb into the car. It’s important to note here that in 1921, Roosevelt contracted polio when he was 39 years old. The disease made him lose almost all use of his legs. This was the reason why he needed a car that was easily accessible to him. By keeping Roosevelt’s physical limitations specifically in mind, a bespoke vehicle was commissioned. The result was a 1939 Lincoln K series limousine, which was perhaps Roosevelt’s most celebrated automobile. It was leased from the Ford Motor Company and affectionately called the “Sunshine Special”, perhaps because it came equipped with convertible top, which Roosevelt preferred to put down so that he could enjoy the sun.
This vehicle had a massive 160-inch wheelbase. Brunn Coach based in Buffalo (New York) built its armored body. This presidential limo was powered by a V-12 414 cubic-inch engine that produced 150 horsepower. It was specifically designed and modified to ensure it was easy for the president to use while retaining his presidential dignity, which made it quite special. The “Sunshine Special” had wider rear doors for better maneuverability, step plates, forward-facing jump seats, handles meant for use by the Secret Service agents, and even a police light and siren system. These and some other modifications cost almost half the value of the car, which was more than $13,000. The cost to build this limo in today’s economy, after modifications, would be over $220K.
Since the “Sunshine Special” was a convertible, it helped Roosevelt get noticed by the crowds. This limo soon became Roosevelt’s favorite vehicle because it wasn’t just easy to get in and out of it but was extremely comfortable to ride in as well. At the same time, it showcased the formality of a presidential vehicle. Yet, there was a problem. Though this vehicle provided President Roosevelt with formality, comfort, and visibility, it lacked security. So, it was sent to the factory to be overhauled and get fitted with greater protective measures. When it came back, the “Sunshine Special” had several new features. It was equipped with steel armor, bulletproof glass, a radio system, and a gun case. It also had specially crafted rear bumpers, which gave the Secret Service agents a place to stand. The U.S. government also commissioned a new armored limousine belonging to the 1942 Lincoln H-series in addition to retrofitting the rest of the existing cars in the presidential fleet with bulletproof glass and armor. This made the “Sunshine Special” and its counterparts completely equipped to provide the U.S. President his desired level of comfort and visibility as well as security needed during the war (World War II). Roosevelt continued to use the “Sunshine Special” and those other vehicles throughout the remainder of his presidency. The “Sunshine Special” continued to be used by successive presidents even after Roosevelt’s death and stayed in service until 1950. Then, it was retired from service and handed over to Dearborn-based The Edison Institute, which was later renamed as The Henry Ford Museum. Today, you can take a close look at this famous limo by visiting this museum.
5.2- The 1950 Lincoln Cosmopolitan
Though it was ordered by Harry Truman, this presidential limo went on to transport Dwight Eisenhower and John F. Kennedy as well and was in service from 1950 to 1961. Legend had it that President Truman didn’t like General Motors’ products because the company refused him their use during his presidential campaign (1948). When it was time for the “Sunshine Special” to be replaced, Truman decided to entrust the job to Ford’s Lincoln division. As a result, Ford was commissioned to build a stretched 1950 Lincoln Cosmopolitan. The contract to build the stretched four-door convertible was given to Raymond H. Dietrich in 1949. The vehicle was built to have a 145-inch wheelbase. It was delivered to the Secret Service against a nominal lease fee. A total of 19 of these vehicles were built, 10 of which were for White House service while 9 were for other VIP and government use.
Nicknamed the “Bubbletop Limousine”, it was perhaps the most remembered as President Eisenhower’s lone parade car. It was on Eisenhower’s suggestion that the vehicle was equipped with a unique removable Plexiglas ‘bubble top’ in 1954, which allowed the President to remain visible even in rainy weather. This presidential limo continued to be used by the White House until the early days of President Kennedy’s government in 1961, when it was retired and sent back to Ford Motor Company. The last official government use of the 1950 Lincoln Cosmopolitan was on October 31, 1965 when it was borrowed by President Lyndon B. Johnson for a trip to the New York City.
5.3- The 1961 Lincoln Continental SS-100-X
This was the limo famously linked to President Kennedy’s assassination on November 22, 1963. This vehicle was commissioned as the presidential state car into the United States Secret Service duty during John F. Kennedy’s Administration. It became famous as “the Kennedy Lincoln”. However, this limo became notorious too as John F. Kennedy was assassinated while riding it.
Surprisingly, the 1961 Lincoln Continental SS-100-X powered by a 430-cubic-inch 350 horsepower V-8 engine wasn’t modified for ballistic protection initially. The most unique feature of this limo was its range of different stainless steel and glass removable tops. Though all of these weren’t bullet-proof, they could be used in all types of motorcades and processions under different weather conditions. In 1962, it got a front grille refresh. A significant design flaw of this presidential vehicle was that it was so big and long with its glass overhead that the interiors would become a greenhouse in warm weather or under the sun. Since the vehicle had a weak stock air-conditioning unit that only blew in the front side, it ended up suffocating passengers sitting in the back, particularly when the glass partition was pulled up for private conversations. This was a major complaint from President Kennedy and his companions. It was also the reason why Kennedy often insisted to having the top down when traveling, as he did on that fateful and warm sunny day on November 22, 1963.
Some even say the gunman was assisted to some extent by the car’s special feature where a hydraulic lift fitted into the rear seat, when lifted, made the back seat more clearly visible while the car was in motion. This combined with the president’s back brace (which he wore for his troubling back) that gave him a stout stance made Kennedy an easy target for the sniper. Most would have thought the SS-100-X would be retired from presidential service after this tragic incident. However, just the car’s bullet riddled windshield was sent to the National Archives while the car itself was sent back to Hess and Eisenhardt to get it fitted with what was termed “the Quick Fix.” In those days, Hess and Eisenhardt’s facility specialized in building and adapting automobiles into security vehicles. It was this company that got Kennedy’s limo heavily modified for presidential use before it was sent to the White House for the first time.
The S-100-X car was reconstructed from the ground up and got titanium ballistic armored plating as the final point. This would be the last car with an open roof that a U.S. President would ever ride since the days of using a state car like Roosevelt’s “Sunshine Special” were finally over. The S-100-X car was reinforced with the world’s largest piece of bulletproof glass available at that time, which was fitted into a new steel roof that was permanently attached and toughened against attack. Even the car’s gas tank was toughened to thwart explosion or puncture. The presidential car was also fitted with run-flat tires, which was probably the first time they were added to a car anywhere in the world. The rims got replaced with aluminum, thus ensuring the car would keep running in case of a code red or code black where the first referred to an attack on the president while the latter stood for an attack on the motorcade. Since a PA system was installed in the car, the president could now use it to speak to the crowd with a microphone. Thus, he would never need to roll down a window to talk to someone. Several new features added to the S-100-X as “Quick Fix” could be called progenitors to what was later used on the state car of President Barack Obama’s 2009 GMC TopKick heavy-duty truck, which was customized to make it appear like a 2009 Cadillac sedan.
In 1967, though another Lincoln replaced the SS-100-X, the latter was still used by both Presidents Johnson and Nixon until it got retired in 1977 and was sent to the Henry Ford Museum. It’s interesting to note here that despite the notoriety achieved by SS-100-X, the 1972 Lincoln Continental of Ford Motor Company protected both President Ford (in 1975 from the bullets of Sara Jane Moore) and President Reagan (in 1981 against John Hinckley’s attempt).
5.4- The Cadillac Fleetwoods
After Lincolns had done their presidential duty for decades, Cadillac got a chance to join the league of presidential limos in the early 1980s. Despite having a somewhat awkward appearance, the Cadillac Fleetwoods provided the president with excellent visibility as their huge greenhouses used bulletproof glass that was 60 mm thick. It was a 1983 Cadillac delivered on January 30, 1984 that was the first of its line to become a presidential state car. Compared to the stock Fleetwood, this car was 3 inches taller and 17 inches longer. It came equipped with an armor and bulletproof glass and had a raised roof along with a huge rear greenhouse, all of which made it a unique model. The car was fitted with oversized wheels and tires to handle the additional weight of the armor. It also had an automatic leveling system along with heavy-duty brakes. Since powerful air-conditioning systems were put into use, the cabin was ensured to stay comfortable and cool for the president to travel in.
A 1993 Cadillac Fleetwood was used by President Clinton as his presidential state car. You can take a look at it by visiting Clinton Presidential Library and Museum. However, you would be able to only marvel at its exterior as the car is displayed in a locked state in the museum at Little Rock, Arkansas. It was once told by the museum curator that though they could dust the outside of the car, they would need to get in contact with the regional Secret Service office if they needed to get inside the vehicle. This state car too, like its predecessors, featured the armor and bulletproof glass. Though it seemed the president, while riding it, would be completely cut off from the outside world, the reality was that he was well-connected, thanks to having modern communication capabilities at his fingertips including satellite communication, phones, and the Internet.
The 2005 Cadillac DTS custom (used by George W. Bush) and the 2009 Cadillac Presidential Limousine (used by Obama) were some other famous limos that served the Commander-in-Chief.
5.5- The Beast
Over the years, a lot of changes have happened to the limos that were called for presidential duty. On September 24, 2018, Donald Trump’s presidential state car called “The Beast” debuted. It’s a unique Cadillac that comes fitted with dozens of defense mechanisms to ensure the President’s safety. To begin with, the windows of “The Beast” are constructed with more than five layers of polycarbonate and glass, thus making them withstand bullets and not open up. The lone window of this car that opens is the driver’s, but that too is just by three inches.
Just like the car’s windows, its doors too are bulletproof. These 8-inch thick doors are armor-plated, weigh the same as doors of a Boeing 757, and are completely sealed to protect those seated inside against a chemical attack. The tires are puncture- and shred-resistant, and come equipped with steel rims that make The Beast capable of escaping even if its tires get damaged somehow.
Inside the vehicle’s body (made up of aluminum, steel, ceramic, and titanium) are reinforced steel plates that protect it from bombs.
When it comes to defense accessories, this presidential limo seems ready for almost anything thrown its way. Inside this vehicle, there are pump-action shotguns while tear gas grenade launchers are fitted on the front. There’s a rear firefighting system and smoke screen dispensers too. The Beast also stocks up bags of the President Trump’s Rh-negative blood type, which could be promptly used if he ever needs a transfusion. The vehicle comes equipped with its own oxygen supply and panic button too, which Trump can access from the rear. Additionally, this presidential limo features night vision cameras on the front.
Some specific features of this car are custom-made just for Trump. To begin with, there’s a personal seat in the rear that’s fitted with a satellite phone and a direct line to the Pentagon and the Vice President. Additionally, there’s a glass partition to separate the passengers and the driver. The switch to lower it is made available only to Trump. Thus, it won’t be an exaggeration to call “The Beast” a safe house on wheels.
You may be tempted to search for presidential limos (or similar variants) on hire when you browse car rental, San Francisco, CA but you won’t have any luck as presidential vehicles are no longer released even to museums. Rather, they are destroyed after being retired from presidential duty for safety reasons. Bullets and explosive rounds are used by the federal agents to destroy these cars after they have run their course. While bullets are used to show the vehicle’s effectiveness against such weapons, explosive rounds are used to destroy the vehicle completely and thus, destroy all the secrets related to every aspect of it – right from manufacturing to its armoring and other defensive abilities.
Now that you know about the presidential limos, don’t go looking for them in the user-car market because you won’t get one and you know why. Even if a car hire in San Francisco, CA guarantees you a ride in a presidential limo, take it with a pinch of salt because you already know the truth. You’ll find depictions of the presidential limos in several movies too (such as White House Down – the 2013 thriller) but the details, though similar to some extent with their real counterparts, would never be the exact versions since the Secret Service releases not many details to the public. This is done to safeguard the president and ensure such details don’t fall into the wrong hands, who could find loopholes and exploit them to harm the president.
6- Today’s limousines
Whether you hire a private limousine service in San Francisco, CA for your personal needs or a luxury car service in San Francisco, CA for your business needs sometime in the future, you would be able to appreciate the facilities on board of the chauffeur-driven vehicle more. That’s because you now can compare how far the modern limo has come in terms of its sleek design, comfort factor, on-board facilities, and the style quotient.
Though presidential limos would always remain a class apart, modern limos are no longer just for the uber-rich or the society’s upper tier as they were during their early years. From salaried professionals to new entrepreneurs to even youngsters going to attend a prom, everyone can now contact a luxury limo service in San Francisco, CA such as Pacific Town Car (PTC). From generating envy and awe (perhaps in equal measures) in the onlookers and traveling in utmost comfort like a royalty to arriving at your destination in style and feeling refreshed even if it’s a long ride, traveling in a limousine is an experience that can never be matched by any other vehicle used for ground transportation.
From giving you ample space to stretch your legs and relax in its interiors to having your bags and baggage settled well, a limo is very different from your usual car rental, San Francisco, CA. If you have rented a taxi or hailed a cab via ride sharing apps, you’ll feel the difference the moment your limo, which you have rented from a private limousine service in San Francisco, CA like Pacific Town Car (PTC) pulls up in front of your building or arrives for your airport transfer (pick-up or drop-off). From a courteous chauffeur who would help you get settled comfortably and give you a helping hand with your luggage to plush and spacious interiors with air-conditioning, comfortable seats, etc., a limo ride will be an experience to remember for sure. Some limos may even come equipped with ambiance lighting, phone chargers, TV, DVD player, and a mini bar to give you adequate entertainment options while setting the mood right in case you would like to a have a party on wheels.
When it comes to safety, the experienced chauffeur behind the wheel of a modern limo would ensure the passengers are away from harm. Be it a sudden roadblock or some hooligans trying to create a menace, the limo drivers, who are trained for passenger safety, will reroute or take other necessary steps to ensure you reach your destination safely and without losing much additional time. If you have never taken a limo ride until now, it’s time to appreciate the chequered history of this vehicle by getting a limo for rent in San Francisco, CA to check this off your bucket list.