JFK Remembered: The Quick Fix

After President John F. Kennedy's assassination on November 22, 1963, a panel of experts from the Secret Service, the Army Materials Research Center, Hess & Eisenhardt and Pittsburgh Plate Glass met to discuss a new presidential limousine. Because of the pressing need for presidential transportation, the panel recommended that the 1961 Lincoln Continental limousine be rebuilt as an armored car.

After President John F. Kennedy's assassination on November 22, 1963, a panel of experts from the Secret Service, the Army Materials Research Center, Hess & Eisenhardt and Pittsburgh Plate Glass met to discuss a new presidential limousine. Because of the pressing need for presidential transportation, the panel recommended that the 1961 Lincoln Continental limousine be rebuilt as an armored car.

After President John F. Kennedy's assassination on November 22, 1963, the Hess & Eisenhardt Company of Cincinnati, Ohio, rebuilt the 1961 Lincoln Continental Presidential Limousine into an armored car. The car's permanent top, fitted with several large bullet-resistant windows, caused the interior to get quite warm. An auxiliary air conditioning unit, installed in the trunk, helped keep temperatures comfortable.

After President John F. Kennedy's assassination on November 22, 1963, the Hess & Eisenhardt Company of Cincinnati, Ohio, rebuilt the 1961 Lincoln Continental Presidential Limousine into an armored car. The most obvious change was the addition of a permanent top. The bullet-resistant windows, produced by Pittsburgh Plate Glass, included up to five layers of glass sandwiched with polycarbonate vinyl.

After President John F. Kennedy's assassination on November 22, 1963, the Hess & Eisenhardt Company of Cincinnati, Ohio, rebuilt the 1961 Lincoln Continental Presidential Limousine into an armored car. The most obvious change was the addition of a permanent top. The bullet-resistant windows, produced by Pittsburgh Plate Glass, included up to five layers of glass sandwiched with polycarbonate vinyl.

After President John F. Kennedy's assassination on November 22, 1963, the Hess & Eisenhardt Company of Cincinnati, Ohio, rebuilt the 1961 Lincoln Continental Presidential Limousine into an armored car. The most obvious change was the addition of a permanent top. The bullet-resistant windows, produced by Pittsburgh Plate Glass, included up to five layers of glass sandwiched with polycarbonate vinyl.

After President John F. Kennedy's assassination on November 22, 1963, the Hess & Eisenhardt Company of Cincinnati, Ohio, rebuilt the 1961 Lincoln Continental Presidential Limousine into an armored car. The floor was reinforced with 1/8-inch-thick steel plate to protect against blasts from grenades or mines. Other portions of the car were armored with 3/8-inch-thick titanium plate.

After President John F. Kennedy's assassination on November 22, 1963, the Hess & Eisenhardt Company of Cincinnati, Ohio, rebuilt the 1961 Lincoln Continental Presidential Limousine into an armored car. The back of the car's rear seat was plated with 3/8-inch-thick titanium, and the fuel tank was lined with urethane foam able to suppress an explosion.

After President John F. Kennedy's assassination on November 22, 1963, the Hess & Eisenhardt Company of Cincinnati, Ohio, rebuilt the 1961 Lincoln Continental Presidential Limousine into an armored car. Titanium armor, bullet-resistant glass and tires, and a permanent roof improved the president's security. The modified car returned to the White House in May 1964 and remained in service until 1977.

After President John F. Kennedy's assassination on November 22, 1963, the Hess & Eisenhardt Company of Cincinnati, Ohio, rebuilt the 1961 Lincoln Continental Presidential Limousine into an armored car. Titanium armor, bullet-resistant glass and tires, and a permanent roof improved the president's security. The modified car returned to the White House in May 1964 and remained in service until 1977.

After President John F. Kennedy's assassination on November 22, 1963, the Hess & Eisenhardt Company of Cincinnati, Ohio, rebuilt the 1961 Lincoln Continental Presidential Limousine into an armored car. Titanium armor, bullet-resistant glass and tires, and a permanent roof improved the president's security. The modified car returned to the White House in May 1964 and remained in service until 1977.

After President John F. Kennedy's assassination on November 22, 1963, the Hess & Eisenhardt Company of Cincinnati, Ohio, rebuilt the 1961 Lincoln Continental Presidential Limousine into an armored car. The most prominent change was a permanent top fitted with bullet resistant windows around the sides and in the roof. The rooftop windows could be covered with a black vinyl top.

After President John F. Kennedy's assassination on November 22, 1963, the Hess & Eisenhardt Company of Cincinnati, Ohio, rebuilt the 1961 Lincoln Continental Presidential Limousine into an armored car. The most prominent change was a permanent top fitted with bullet resistant windows around the sides and in the roof. The rooftop windows could be covered with a black vinyl top.

After President John F. Kennedy's assassination on November 22, 1963, the Hess & Eisenhardt Company of Cincinnati, Ohio, rebuilt the 1961 Lincoln Continental Presidential Limousine into an armored car. The most prominent change was a permanent top fitted with bullet resistant windows around the sides and in the roof. The rooftop windows could be covered with a black vinyl top.

After President John F. Kennedy's assassination on November 22, 1963, the Hess & Eisenhardt Company of Cincinnati, Ohio, rebuilt the 1961 Lincoln Continental Presidential Limousine into an armored car. Titanium armor, bullet-resistant glass and tires, and a permanent roof improved the president's security. The modified car returned to the White House in May 1964 and remained in service until 1977.

After President John F. Kennedy's assassination on November 22, 1963, the Hess & Eisenhardt Company of Cincinnati, Ohio, rebuilt the 1961 Lincoln Continental Presidential Limousine into an armored car. Titanium armor, bullet-resistant glass and tires, and a permanent roof improved the president's security. The modified car returned to the White House in May 1964 and remained in service until 1977.

After President John F. Kennedy's assassination on November 22, 1963, the Hess & Eisenhardt Company of Cincinnati, Ohio, rebuilt the 1961 Lincoln Continental Presidential Limousine into an armored car. The limousine received a permanent roof with bullet resistant windows, and the interior was trimmed with new upholstery and carpet. The swift rebuild was finished in less than five months.

After President John F. Kennedy's assassination on November 22, 1963, the Hess & Eisenhardt Company of Cincinnati, Ohio, rebuilt the 1961 Lincoln Continental Presidential Limousine into an armored car. The limousine received a permanent roof with bullet resistant windows, and the interior was trimmed with new upholstery and carpet. The swift rebuild was finished in less than five months.

After President John F. Kennedy's assassination on November 22, 1963, the Hess & Eisenhardt Company of Cincinnati, Ohio, rebuilt the 1961 Lincoln Continental Presidential Limousine into an armored car. The limousine received a permanent roof with bullet resistant windows, and the interior was trimmed with new upholstery and carpet. The swift rebuild was finished in less than five months.

After President John F. Kennedy's assassination on November 22, 1963, the Hess & Eisenhardt Company of Cincinnati, Ohio, rebuilt the 1961 Lincoln Continental Presidential Limousine into an armored car. The limousine received a permanent roof with bullet resistant windows, and the interior was trimmed with new upholstery and carpet. The swift rebuild was finished in less than five months.

After President John F. Kennedy's assassination on November 22, 1963, the Hess & Eisenhardt Company of Cincinnati, Ohio, rebuilt the 1961 Lincoln Continental Presidential Limousine into an armored car. The limousine received a permanent roof with bullet resistant windows, and the interior was trimmed with new upholstery and carpet. The swift rebuild was finished in less than five months.

After President John F. Kennedy's assassination on November 22, 1963, the Hess & Eisenhardt Company of Cincinnati, Ohio, rebuilt the 1961 Lincoln Continental Presidential Limousine into an armored car. The most prominent change was a permanent top fitted with bullet resistant windows around the sides and in the roof. The rooftop windows could be covered with a black vinyl top.

After President John F. Kennedy's assassination on November 22, 1963, the Hess & Eisenhardt Company of Cincinnati, Ohio, rebuilt the 1961 Lincoln Continental Presidential Limousine into an armored car. The most prominent change was a permanent top fitted with bullet resistant windows around the sides and in the roof. The rooftop windows could be covered with a black vinyl top.

After President John F. Kennedy's assassination on November 22, 1963, the Hess & Eisenhardt Company of Cincinnati, Ohio, rebuilt the 1961 Lincoln Continental Presidential Limousine into an armored car. The most prominent change was a permanent top fitted with bullet resistant windows around the sides and in the roof. The rooftop windows could be covered with a black vinyl top.

After President John F. Kennedy's assassination on November 22, 1963, the Hess & Eisenhardt Company of Cincinnati, Ohio, rebuilt the 1961 Lincoln Continental Presidential Limousine into an armored car. The most obvious change was the addition of a permanent top. The bullet-resistant windows, produced by Pittsburgh Plate Glass, included up to five layers of glass sandwiched with polycarbonate vinyl.

Arguably, no presidential limousine is as widely recognized as the 1961 Lincoln Continental in which John F. Kennedy was assassinated on November 22, 1963. When originally constructed, the car had no armor. After the tragedy, it was thoroughly rebuilt with titanium plating, bullet-resistant glass, and a more powerful engine to handle the added weight. This film tells the limo's remarkable story.