Portable Handrails and Portable Steps on a 1964 Lincoln Presidential Motorcade Automobile, circa 1965

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Artifact Overview

White House vehicles are custom-built to distinguish and protect the President of the United States. But sometimes, Secret Service agents have to adapt standard automobiles to fit their needs. Portable handrails and steps were mounted to this convertible before a motorcade. They allowed agents to ride along with a good view of their surroundings and close proximity in case of danger.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Photographic print

Subject Date

circa 1965

Location

By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center

Object ID

2011.241.14.43

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Edward L. Gies in Memory of Morgan L. Gies.

Material

Paper (Fiber product)

Technique

Gelatin silver process

Color

Black-and-white (Colors)

Dimensions

Height: 9.938 in
Width: 8.063 in

Inscriptions

Type-written caption affixed to back: This is a better view of the portable handrails and portable steps. Hand-written on back: Portable jump steps fits any 1965, 1966 linc[oln]