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- 1964 Lincoln Convertible Presidential Motorcade Automobile, September 1964 - 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.

- September 28, 1964
- Collections - Artifact
1964 Lincoln Convertible Presidential Motorcade Automobile, September 1964
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.
- Presidential Motorcade, Berkeley, California, March 1962 - United States Secret Service agent Morgan L. Gies was responsible for White House vehicles from 1941 to 1967, serving five presidents. This photograph from his personal collection shows a motorcade with President John F. Kennedy riding in his 1961 Lincoln Continental. Agent Gies is driving the follow-up car directly behind the President's limousine.

- March 23, 1962
- Collections - Artifact
Presidential Motorcade, Berkeley, California, March 1962
United States Secret Service agent Morgan L. Gies was responsible for White House vehicles from 1941 to 1967, serving five presidents. This photograph from his personal collection shows a motorcade with President John F. Kennedy riding in his 1961 Lincoln Continental. Agent Gies is driving the follow-up car directly behind the President's limousine.
- Lift Created for Franklin D. Roosevelt to Board the Presidential Railcar, "Ferdinand Magellan," circa 1943 - Franklin Delano Roosevelt was diagnosed with polio (later suggested to have been Guillain-Barre syndrome) in 1921 and experienced permanent paralysis in both legs. Though he tried to keep it private, Roosevelt used a wheelchair throughout his presidency (1933-1945). This lift allowed him to board the railcar <em>Ferdinand Magellan</em>, which was equipped for presidential use during World War II.

- circa 1943
- Collections - Artifact
Lift Created for Franklin D. Roosevelt to Board the Presidential Railcar, "Ferdinand Magellan," circa 1943
Franklin Delano Roosevelt was diagnosed with polio (later suggested to have been Guillain-Barre syndrome) in 1921 and experienced permanent paralysis in both legs. Though he tried to keep it private, Roosevelt used a wheelchair throughout his presidency (1933-1945). This lift allowed him to board the railcar Ferdinand Magellan, which was equipped for presidential use during World War II.
- Loading the 1956 Cadillac Presidential Limousine into C-130 Hercules Transport Plane, 1964 - Around 1960, the United States Secret Service began using one of Lockheed's versatile C-130 Hercules transport aircraft to carry presidential vehicles. This was faster and more direct than shipping state cars ahead of the President via railcar or boat -- though loading lengthy automobiles into the plane's cargo compartment was a persistent challenge.

- August 21, 1964
- Collections - Artifact
Loading the 1956 Cadillac Presidential Limousine into C-130 Hercules Transport Plane, 1964
Around 1960, the United States Secret Service began using one of Lockheed's versatile C-130 Hercules transport aircraft to carry presidential vehicles. This was faster and more direct than shipping state cars ahead of the President via railcar or boat -- though loading lengthy automobiles into the plane's cargo compartment was a persistent challenge.
- Preparing to Load the 1950 Lincoln "Bubble-Top" and 1956 Cadillac Presidential Limousines into Cargo Hold of C-130 Hercules Transport Plane, circa 1960 - Around 1960, the United States Secret Service began using one of Lockheed's versatile C-130 Hercules transport aircraft to carry presidential vehicles. This was faster and more direct than shipping state cars ahead of the President via railcar or boat -- though loading lengthy automobiles into the plane's cargo compartment was a persistent challenge.

- circa 1960
- Collections - Artifact
Preparing to Load the 1950 Lincoln "Bubble-Top" and 1956 Cadillac Presidential Limousines into Cargo Hold of C-130 Hercules Transport Plane, circa 1960
Around 1960, the United States Secret Service began using one of Lockheed's versatile C-130 Hercules transport aircraft to carry presidential vehicles. This was faster and more direct than shipping state cars ahead of the President via railcar or boat -- though loading lengthy automobiles into the plane's cargo compartment was a persistent challenge.
- Lockheed C-130 Hercules Airplane Used to Transport Presidential Vehicles, Andrews Air Force Base, circa 1960 - Around 1960, the United States Secret Service began using one of Lockheed's versatile C-130 Hercules transport aircraft to carry presidential vehicles. This was faster and more direct than shipping state cars ahead of the President via railcar or boat -- though loading lengthy automobiles into the plane's cargo compartment was a persistent challenge.

- circa 1960
- Collections - Artifact
Lockheed C-130 Hercules Airplane Used to Transport Presidential Vehicles, Andrews Air Force Base, circa 1960
Around 1960, the United States Secret Service began using one of Lockheed's versatile C-130 Hercules transport aircraft to carry presidential vehicles. This was faster and more direct than shipping state cars ahead of the President via railcar or boat -- though loading lengthy automobiles into the plane's cargo compartment was a persistent challenge.
- Loading the 1956 Cadillac Presidential Automobile onto USS Taconic, March 1957 - When the President travels abroad, United States Secret Service agents ensure that state cars arrive ahead of him. In this photograph, USS <em>Taconic</em> takes on President Dwight D. Eisenhower's Cadillac for a visit in Bermuda with British Prime Minister Harold MacMillan. The Secret Service began using transport aircraft to carry presidential vehicles a few years later.

- March 01, 1957
- Collections - Artifact
Loading the 1956 Cadillac Presidential Automobile onto USS Taconic, March 1957
When the President travels abroad, United States Secret Service agents ensure that state cars arrive ahead of him. In this photograph, USS Taconic takes on President Dwight D. Eisenhower's Cadillac for a visit in Bermuda with British Prime Minister Harold MacMillan. The Secret Service began using transport aircraft to carry presidential vehicles a few years later.
- 1939 Lincoln Presidential Automobile "Sunshine Special" aboard Military Transport Ship, September 1947 - When the President travels abroad, United States Secret Service agents ensure that state cars arrive ahead of him. This military transport ship carried the "Sunshine Special" limousine overseas for one of President Harry S. Truman's international visits in 1947. Around 1960, the Secret Service began using transport aircraft to carry presidential vehicles.

- September 22, 1947
- Collections - Artifact
1939 Lincoln Presidential Automobile "Sunshine Special" aboard Military Transport Ship, September 1947
When the President travels abroad, United States Secret Service agents ensure that state cars arrive ahead of him. This military transport ship carried the "Sunshine Special" limousine overseas for one of President Harry S. Truman's international visits in 1947. Around 1960, the Secret Service began using transport aircraft to carry presidential vehicles.
- President Harry S. Truman and Military Officials in 1939 Lincoln Presidential Limousine, circa 1949 - United States Secret Service agent Morgan L. Gies was responsible for White House vehicles from 1941 to 1967, serving five presidents. This photograph from his personal collection shows President Harry S. Truman (wearing a white hat) in the back seat of a 1939 Lincoln presidential limousine around 1949.

- circa 1949
- Collections - Artifact
President Harry S. Truman and Military Officials in 1939 Lincoln Presidential Limousine, circa 1949
United States Secret Service agent Morgan L. Gies was responsible for White House vehicles from 1941 to 1967, serving five presidents. This photograph from his personal collection shows President Harry S. Truman (wearing a white hat) in the back seat of a 1939 Lincoln presidential limousine around 1949.
- 1939 Lincoln "Sunshine Special" at Andrews Air Force Base, outside Washington, D.C., circa 1942 - White House staff ordered this limousine for President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. A world war was looming, so added security was crucial. Custom features made it easier to lift the president -- paralyzed below the waist from an earlier illness -- in and out. And the convertible top allowed the president to greet crowds when he rode out in public.

- circa 1942
- Collections - Artifact
1939 Lincoln "Sunshine Special" at Andrews Air Force Base, outside Washington, D.C., circa 1942
White House staff ordered this limousine for President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. A world war was looming, so added security was crucial. Custom features made it easier to lift the president -- paralyzed below the waist from an earlier illness -- in and out. And the convertible top allowed the president to greet crowds when he rode out in public.