A car can define an era. The earliest presidential vehicles marked progress, while later ones became symbols of security. Each car here has served a leader who helped shape history. These vehicles carried them to places where policies were made and global impacts were felt—but the story doesn’t end there. Here are a few of those iconic rides that cruised through the history of American power.

1939 Lincoln K-Series Sunshine Special (Franklin D. Roosevelt)

Presidents had used cars before, but none were built just for them. Franklin D. Roosevelt changed that with the Sunshine Special. Designed for visibility and comfort, it had extra-wide running boards for security. After Pearl Harbor, it got bulletproof glass and armor, which set a new bar for presidential protection.

1909 White Model M (William Howard Taft)

Horse-drawn carriages were on their way out when William Howard Taft modernized White House travel. He introduced automobiles, one of which was the White Model M, a gasoline-powered touring car. Its efficiency and reliability made it clear—cars weren’t just a novelty. They were the future of presidential transportation.

1936 Packard Twelve (Franklin D. Roosevelt)

A presidential car needs to make a statement, and the Packard Twelve did just that. Franklin D. Roosevelt loved its smooth ride and refined style. While it wasn’t armored, its powerful V12 engine made it stand out. Accessibility was key, too, as Roosevelt’s polio made easy entry and exit a key factor in choosing the car.

1938 Cadillac “Queen Mary” (Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower)

The Cadillac’s size alone made it impossible to miss. Nicknamed “Queen Mary” after the famous ocean liner, it served three presidents during its time. With early armor protection and bulletproof glass, it was built for security. A true parade car, it blended safety with grand public appearances, marking the start of a new era in presidential vehicles.

1928 Cadillac Series 341-A (Calvin Coolidge)

Presidential cars weren’t always designed for protection. Calvin Coolidge’s Cadillac Series 341-A focused on status and comfort, featuring a smooth V8 engine and a luxurious interior. The car exuded executive power, and while it lacked armor, it helped establish the idea that a president’s car should leave a lasting impression.

1942 “Al Capone” Cadillac (Franklin D. Roosevelt)

A president riding in a mobster’s car sounds like fiction, but it happened. After Pearl Harbor, Franklin D. Roosevelt needed an armored car immediately. The answer? A confiscated bulletproof Cadillac was once owned by Al Capone. It was a short-term fix. However, it proved just how vital armored vehicles were for security reasons.

1950 Lincoln Cosmopolitan (Harry S. Truman)

A clear roof on a Commander-in-Chief’s car was a bold choice. Harry S. Truman’s Lincoln Cosmopolitan featured a removable Plexiglas “bubbletop” for public events. It lets the crowd see their leader with some protection. Eisenhower later used it, too, but changing security needs eventually made the design obsolete.

1956 Cadillac Series 75 (Dwight D. Eisenhower)

Post-war America was booming, and so was its presidential fleet. Dwight D. Eisenhower’s Cadillac Series 75 was spaciously elegant and perfect for official duties. Though not heavily armored, it looked the part of the station, and it put the modern United States on the global stage.

1961 Lincoln Continental (SS-100-X) (John F. Kennedy)

Few cars are remembered like this one. John F. Kennedy’s Lincoln Continental, custom-built for public visibility, was an open-top beauty—until tragedy struck in Dallas. The events of November 22, 1963, changed presidential security forever. Open designs disappeared, and the era of fully armored vehicles began.

1967 Lincoln Continental (Lyndon B. Johnson)

Presidential cars were never the same after JFK’s assassination. Lyndon B. Johnson’s Lincoln Continental became a fortress on wheels. Heavily reinforced with steel and bulletproof windows, the official shift to fully enclosed, armored state vehicles began. Security, not style, now dictated every decision.

1972 Lincoln Continental (Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan)

Protection was the top priority when this Lincoln hit the road. It weighed 10,440 pounds; it featured reinforced armor and advanced security. Reagan was inside when gunfire erupted in 1981, and the vehicle took two bullets. After serving four presidents, it retired in the early 1980s as one of the longest-used limos.

1983 Cadillac Fleetwood (Ronald Reagan)

Every presidential vehicle gets an upgrade, and Reagan’s Fleetwood was no exception. Armor plates and bulletproof glass provided protection, while a secure phone system kept him connected. Though designed for safety, Reagan often opted for an open-roof Jeep at his ranch, a choice that kept his security detail on edge.

1993 Cadillac Fleetwood (Bill Clinton)

Technology had become as important as armor by the 1990s. Clinton’s Fleetwood featured encrypted satellite phones and real-time GPS tracking. A raised roof allowed quick entrances and exits during public appearances. By this point, presidential vehicles had moved on from just being protective rides—they were mobile command centers.

2001 Cadillac DeVille “The Beast” (George W. Bush)

Terrorism threats made more modifications to presidential security, and Bush’s Cadillac DeVille set a new standard. Five-inch-thick armor, self-sealing fuel tanks, and a separate oxygen system made it one of the safest cars ever built. Nicknamed “The Beast,” it was a custom-built, fully armored limousine that focused solely on survival.

2009 Cadillac “Cadillac One” (44th President)

Advancements in security meant that Obama’s Cadillac One introduced features never seen before. Night vision and tear gas dispensers became essential. The cabin was hermetically sealed against chemical attacks, and its bulletproof doors weighed as much as those on a Boeing 757. It was designed for endurance under extreme conditions.

2018 Cadillac Presidential Limo (45th & 46th Presidents)

Decades of innovation led to one of the most advanced vehicles in history. This limo, believed to be equipped with extensive medical supplies, was designed to withstand armor-piercing rounds and explosions. Reinforced wheels ensured it remained mobile even after tire damage. While many of its security features are still classified, it continues the legacy of “The Beast.”

1932 Cadillac V-16 (Herbert Hoover)

Hoover’s 1932 Cadillac 452-B V-16 Imperial Limousine was pure luxury—powerful and prestigious. With its advanced V-16 engine, it was built for elegance, not security. At the time, presidents rode in style, not armor, making this Caddy a statement of status rather than protection.

1948 Lincoln Continental Cabriolet (Harry S. Truman)

A president driving his own car seems unthinkable now, but Truman did just that. His Lincoln Continental Cabriolet, a sleek post-war luxury vehicle, lacked armor or security upgrades. Growing safety concerns soon changed this. From this point, all future presidential cars were fully reinforced and government-issued.

1986 Cadillac DeVille (Ronald Reagan)

By the mid-1980s, security threats extended beyond bullets. Reagan’s Cadillac DeVille was reinforced against chemical and biological attacks, a major concern during the Cold War. His team made sure that every detail of the car was built for survival and ready for any scenario that posed a threat to him.

1995 Chevrolet Suburban (Bill Clinton)

Clinton’s use of the Chevrolet Suburban was a departure from traditional limousines, highlighting a more utilitarian side to presidential transportation. Though not as armored as future models, this vehicle was equipped with modern communication tools and proved to be a practical choice for the road, adapting to the growing security threats.