1939 Lincoln Presidential Limousine Used by Franklin D. Roosevelt

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Artifact Overview

This was the first car built expressly for presidential use. It was nicknamed the "Sunshine Special" because President Franklin Roosevelt loved to ride in it with the top down. After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 the car was returned to the factory where it was equipped with armor plate and bullet-resistant tires and gas tank. The "Sunshine Special" was retired in 1950.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Automobile

Date Made

1939

Subject Date

1939-1950

Creator Notes

Chassis made by the Lincoln Division of Ford Motor Company, Detroit, Michigan; body by Brunn & Co., Buffalo, New York.

Location

at Henry Ford Museum in Presidential Vehicles

Object ID

50.11.1

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Ford Motor Company, Lincoln-Mercury Division.

Material

Metal
Steel (Alloy)
Armor plates
Bullet-resistant glass
Glass (Material)
Canvas
Leather

Technique

Custom-made

Color

Black (Color)

Dimensions

Height: 73 in
Width: 76.5 in
Length: 245 in
Wheelbase: 161 in

Inscriptions

Siren on left front reads: DOUBLE TONE LONG ROLL SIREN/MADE BY FEDERAL ELECTRIC CO. CHICAGO ILL. On Glass sign above license plate: POLICE/DO NOT PASS one hubs: V-12 LINCOLN On Radiator front, in red: LINCOLN / 12
1939 Lincoln Presidential Limousine Used by Franklin D. Roosevelt