Favorite Cars of American Presidents Past & Present

The 2016 American election is now over and the country now has a new president in Donald Trump. Whether you approve of the result or not, there’s no denying that his win is a big and historic event. Now as the head of the United States, you’re probably never going to see President Trump behind the wheel of the car. For his protection, his automotive travels will likely be limited to a chauffeured bulletproof limousine.

However, like many presidents before him, President Trump is a car aficionado who holds a collection of some really cool and highly sought-after cars, among them a 1956 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud, 1997 Lamborghini Diablo VT, 2003 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, 2011 Chevrolet Camaro Indianapolis 500 Pace Car, and a 2015 Rolls Royce Phantom. Salivating yet? Then take a look at some of the favored rides of both remote and recent American Commander-in-Chiefs.

President Barack Obama (2009 – present) – 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid

President Obama is a staunch supporter of renewable energy and alternative fuels, so it makes sense that he would trade in his Chrysler 300C for a more fuel-efficient car. President Obama had the chance to personally thank the people behind his car when he met with Kansas Ford employees in 2013. "So I want to say thank you for building my car," he said at the event. "I may roll in in a Cadillac these days... but it's not my car ... I'm renting (it), just like my house."

Bill Clinton (1993 – 2001) – 1967 Mustang Convertible

Though Presidents aren’t allowed to drive themselves around, this didn’t prevent President Clinton from getting behind the wheel of his favorite car during his two terms. In 1994, during the Ford Mustang 30^th Anniversary event at the Charlotte Motor Speedway, Clinton drove his car for 250 yards along with other Mustang enthusiasts.

George H.W. Bush (1989 – 1993) – 1947 Studebaker

President Bush’s favorite car was equipped with an 'L' head six cylinder engine paired with a 3-speed manual gearbox. This powertrain pair was capable of shelling out 94 hp of on-road power, which was quite impressive in 1946, the year of its release. It’s worth mentioning that the 1947 Studebaker is favored by another American President, namely Jimmy Carter. Bush’s Studebaker is currently on display at the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum.

Richard Nixon (1969 – 1974) – 1950 Oldsmobile

In his famous Checkers speech, President Nixon mentioned that his personal car of choice was a 1950 Oldsmobile. Here’s an excerpt from that speech:

“I have just $4,000 in life insurance, plus my GI policy which I've never been able to convert and which will run out in two years. I have no insurance whatever on Pat. I have no life insurance on our youngsters, Patricia and Julie. I own a 1950 Oldsmobile car.”

It’s debatable whether Nixon truly loved his Oldsmobile, but he did like to exploit the fact that he owned one whenever he wanted to make himself relate to the common voter.

Lyndon Johnson (1963 – 1969) – Amphicar

If not the most eccentric car in this list, Lyndon Johnson’s Amphicar is guaranteed to have the best stories. President Johnson was known to pull pranks on passengers with this car, pretending that the brakes have failed and then proceed to drive the car directly into the water. You can imagine the shock on his victim’s faces when they learn that the car drives on water as well as it does on the road.

John F. Kennedy (1961 – 1963) – 1961 Ford Thunderbird Convertible

President Kennedy loved Thunderbirds so much, he requested 50 of them for his inauguration parade. Luckily, Ford was up to the task and did the President proud. Kennedy’s love for the Thunderbird continued into his presidency, even purchasing 1963 Thunderbird—this time a hardtop—shortly before his demise.

Harry Truman (1945 – 1953) – 1945 Ford Super Deluxe Tudor Sedan

President Truman’s Ford Super Deluxe sedan will always be remembered as the first car to be built at the end of World War II. The American car company halted production before then so that their assembly lines could focus on the war effort. The vehicle was presented to President Harry Truman on August 29, 1945.

Franklin D. Roosevelt (1933 – 1945) – 1939 Packard 12

President Roosevelt was no stranger to riding in luxury, given his fairly comfortable upbringing. So it’s no wonder that he picked the Packard 12, which was the finest luxury car at that time, to be his own Presidential car. Roosevelt’s Packard 12 was outfitted with bulletproof glass for the President’s enhanced safety, which coincidentally made it the first armored Presidential car. Amusingly, while the car was being built, Roosevelt kind of ‘borrowed’ Al Capone’s bulletproof Cadillac as a temporary replacement.

Herbert Hoover (1929 – 1933) – Cadillac-Series 452 B V16 Imperial Limousine

The Cadillac V-16’s coolness meter is upped by two things: One it was a V16. Two, it was designed by automotive designer extraordinaire Harley Earl, who was also the man behind the Buick Y-Job and the Corvette. The fact that the Cadillac V-16 was also the favorite car of the president to whom the Hoover Dam was named after certainly adds to the vehicle’s curb appeal.

William Taft (1909 – 1913) – 1912 Baker Electric Runabout

This list wouldn’t be complete without what’s considered to be the first Presidential car, and this honor goes to none other than President Taft’s Baker Electric Runabout. President Taft was the first American motoring president, and naturally, was the one who ordered the stables of the White House replaced with a garage. Truly advanced for the times, the Baker Electric was a popular car not only because it ran on batteries, but also because it didn’t need a hand crank to start, which was an ultimate convenience. The car wasn’t fast, as it ran on a measly top speed of 14 mph. But it was virtually maintenance-free, which more than made up for its speedy shortcomings.