U.S. Presidents Cars: Throughout the history of the United States, 19 out of the 46 Presidents have been car owners and enthusiasts, making for more than a century of automotive history tied to the occupants of the White House.
While some Presidents had more extensive car collections than others, several notable figures such as JFK, Donald Trump, Lyndon B Johnson, and Joe Biden, have all shared a passion for cars.
From high-end luxury vehicles to sporty cars, these cars owned by the Presidents have become iconic and some have even gained classic car status thanks to the popularity brought by the POTUS. Here is a list of the 10 most excellent cars ever owned by a President of the United States.
10. John F. Kennedy – 1961 Ford Thunderbird
During John F. Kennedy’s inaugural parade, his recently acquired Ford Thunderbird Convertible was a notable feature. This particular Thunderbird was a third-generation model, also known as the ‘bullet-bird’, and boasted a 300 HP 390 CID V8 engine and a three-speed automatic transmission.
JFK collaborated with Ford to create a limited edition of 50 Thunderbirds to commemorate the occasion, dubbed the ‘Presidential Edition’ or the ‘Mahogany Thunderbird Convertible’.
These cars were painted in a particular Corinthian white color, unique to the Presidential Edition, and showcased the Thunderbird’s elegant design. JFK’s Thunderbird is now considered a classic car, known for its striking appearance and rare paint job.
9. Herbert Hoover – 1930s Cadillac V-16
The Cadillac V-16 owned by the 31st President of the United States was a massive luxury car of its time, but its high cost made it difficult to sell. This vehicle was equipped with an enormous 7.4-liter 16-cylinder engine that produced 175 HP, making it both powerful and elegant.
Unfortunately, the car’s sales plummeted due to the Great Depression of the 1930s, and the model was discontinued after just a few years.
Despite its short-lived production, the V-16 is considered one of the most impressive cars of the prewar era, and its association with the US President only adds to its legacy.
8 Bill Clinton – 1967 Ford Mustang Convertible
Before taking office as the 42nd President of the United States, Bill Clinton had his 1967 Ford Mustang completely restored. The convertible boasted a 120 hp 200-cubic inch I-6 engine and a striking ‘Clearwater Aqua’ paint color.
Clinton often spoke about how difficult it was to part with the car when he became president. Fortunately, the Mustang was not lost to a collector, and after being recovered from the Museum of Automobiles, it was restored and given as a gift to Clinton’s nephew Tyler for his 16th birthday. This marked the end of a fascinating story and a remarkable car.
7. Joe Biden – 1967 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray C2
It is widely known that the current President of the United States has a deep passion for cars, and his 1967 Stingray is a prime example of that.
He has owned this car since new, after it was given to him as a wedding gift by his father, who was a Chevrolet dealer. After more than 50 years of ownership, the current POTUS had the car fully restored to its former glory.
Biden’s Stingray is painted in a striking ‘Goodwood Green’ color and is equipped with a carbureted 327 V8 engine, capable of producing approximately 300 horsepower. The C2 is an iconic American classic car, and with the care and attention given to it by the President, it easily ranks as one of the coolest cars on this list.
6. Donald Trump – 1997 Lamborghini Diablo
Donald Trump is known for many things, but not many people know about his impressive car collection. It’s no secret that Trump enjoys the finer things in life, and his 1997 Lamborghini Diablo was no exception. This unique car was purchased new by Trump and painted in a special ‘Le Mans’ blue color, making it the only one of its kind.
Equipped with a powerful V12 engine that produced almost 500 horsepower, the Diablo was a rare and fast car. Although it was sold before Trump became president, its cool factor cannot be denied. The car’s current whereabouts are unknown, but regardless of one’s opinion of the man himself, it’s hard to deny that his one-of-a-kind Diablo is a truly impressive machine.
5. Lyndon B. Johnson – Amphicar
The Amphicar owned by Lyndon B. Johnson may seem like an odd choice for the coolest car on this list, but its unique capabilities make it stand out. The Amphicar was designed to drive on both land and water, with only around 4000 ever made, making it a valuable collector’s item.
Johnson was known to enjoy taking his Amphicar out for a spin, and he famously pranked his secretary Joseph Califano Jr. by pretending the car’s brakes had failed and driven into the water.
According to the story, Califano Jr. was ready to jump out of the car until he realized it could float. Johnson would retell the story often, adding to the car’s cool factor with a funny anecdote.
4. Thomas Woodrow Wilson – 1923 Rolls-Royce 40/50hp Silver Ghost
For over a century, Rolls-Royce has been producing some of the most lavish and costly cars in the world, and the Silver Ghost was no exception. In an unusual turn of events, an anonymous supporter gifted the car to the then-US President, Woodrow Wilson, on his birthday, complete with modifications to the windshield and roof to accommodate his iconic top hat.
The car boasted a 453.3 cubic inch straight-six engine with a four-speed manual transmission, and its chassis was renowned for its durability and low upkeep costs. With its stunning design and reputation as one of the priciest vehicles ever made, the Silver Ghost was undoubtedly the most remarkable and impressive birthday present a president could receive.
3. Franklin D. Roosevelt – 1939 Packard Twelve
Franklin Roosevelt’s Packard Twelve, a rare phaeton model, was purchased near the end of his second term as governor and served as a symbol of luxury and sophistication of its era. With its classic features such as rolling fenders, white-wall tires, and a powerful engine, the Twelve certainly looks like a quintessential prewar vehicle.
As its name suggests, the Twelve boasted a 12-cylinder engine that delivered 160 HP. In addition to its impressive performance, the Packard Motor Car Company car was customized with some unique and stylish details such as a special insignia for the New York governor’s fleet, a beautifully crafted leather interior, and a dual side mount system.
Perhaps the coolest thing about this car is that it has been restored and is once again cruising on the road, after receiving some much-needed attention in 2017.
2. Ronald Reagan – 1952 Willys M-38A1
Jeep enthusiasts know that President Ronald Reagan was a fan of the brand, and one of his coolest rides was a Willys Jeep M-38A1. This particular model was produced for only one year under the Willys name and was the first Army jeep to feature the Willys Hurricane F-Head 134 inline-four engine.
Although it’s not the most comfortable ride, the M-38A1 is a rare and sought-after vehicle due to its stylish design and military pedigree.
After being purchased by the Secret Service on behalf of Reagan, the car was owned by the 40th President from 1982 until it was donated in 1996. Despite its age, the car still exists today and is admired by many for its unique character and undeniable cool factor.
1. Franklin D. Roosevelt – 1936 Ford Phaeton
Another noteworthy classic car from Roosevelt’s collection is his 1936 Ford Phaeton, which cannot be left off the list. The car had a beautiful dark blue exterior and cream leather interior, making it a sight to behold.
At the time, the car would have only set the President back $850, a far cry from the exorbitant prices classic Fords fetch nowadays. Roosevelt had the car modified so he could control it with his hands, allowing him to continue driving despite his disability.
The Phaeton has been preserved and is now on display at the Presidential Library and Museum, having clocked a total of 19,143 miles during its lifetime.
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