Presidential Limousines over Two Decades, Showing the Converted 1961 Lincoln Continental in 1968

THF111219 / Presidential Limousines over Two Decades, Showing the Converted 1961 Lincoln Continental in 1968
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Artifact Overview

Ford Motor Company's Lincoln-Mercury Division featured three different Lincoln presidential parade limousines in this 1968 press release. The 1939 Model K (bottom) transported Presidents Roosevelt and Truman from 1939-1950. The 1950 Cosmopolitan (middle) carried Presidents Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy and Johnson from 1950-1967. The 1961 Continental (top) served Presidents Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford and Carter from 1961-1977.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Photographic print

Date Made

1968

Subject Date

1968-10-14

Creator Notes

Photographer is not identified.

Location

By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center

Object ID

P.O.19598

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Ford Motor Company.

Material

Paper (Fiber product)

Technique

Gelatin silver process
Printing (Process)

Color

Black-and-white (Colors)

Dimensions

Height: 10.125 in
Width: 8 in

Inscriptions

Printed on press release: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / WASHINGTON -- Lincoln Continental continues its title as the "Car of / Presidents" with announcement that a new Presidential Limousine has been / delivered to the Secret Service. The new specially - built Lincoln Continental / Executive Limousine supplements the 1961 Lincoln Continental Presidential / Limousine (top photo) presently in service at the White House. Center photo / shows the oversized 1950 Lincoln which President Truman used. When President / Eisenhower took office he suggested that a clear plastic roof be fabricated so / that the President could see and be seen in bad weather -- thus was born the / famous Lincoln "Bubbletop." At the bottom is the "Sunshine Special," a / specially - built 1939 Lincoln used by President Roosevelt. Lincolns have served / the White House since the term of Calvin Coolidge. / Public Relations Department / Lincoln-Mercury Division / Ford Motor Company / 3000 Schaefer Road / Dearborn, Michigan 48121 / Telephone: (313) 322-2250 / 10/14/68 / (68-7347)
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