A armored presidential limousine from the 1990s, featuring a PA system, sleek interiors, and a top speed of 142 mph, is up for auction.
The luxury vehicle, a Cadillac Fleetwood, is one of three fully armored Presidential limousines that were constructed for President Bill Clinton in 1996, according to information obtained by Knewz.com.
The CIA never released the second vehicle of its type, and the third ended up in the Clinton Presidential Library and Museum in Arkansas.
According to Mecum Auctions, the company that is bidding on the presidential transport, this is the first completely armored presidential limousine “to have made its way into the private sector.”
American motorsports legend and automaker Jack Roush hand-built the presidential vehicle’s 454 CI 7.4 liter V-8 engine.
The vehicle has fire suppression and oxygen systems on board, as well as 3-inch thick bulletproof door glass.
Additionally, the limousine has been blast-proofed to B6 level, which means that its armor can withstand penetrator shots, 30.06 AP rounds, and 7.62mm NATO FMJ rounds.
Additionally, it is theoretically possible for the presidential limousine to survive two DM51 handgrenades that are exploded simultaneously on top and underneath the car.
Additionally, the presidential limousine has unique tires with run-flat inserts that are “bolted into wheel rim wells and support the tire when flat, absolute zero air,” enabling it to travel a limited distance without incident.
It is important to note that the United States Secret Service claims that the Second World War saw the introduction of armored presidential vehicles.
Franklin Roosevelt became the first president to use an armored vehicle in December 1941. The car was seized by the Treasury Department in 1932 on an income-tax evasion accusation after having previously belonged to notorious mobster Al Capone, according to the Secret Service.
“In reality, the car’s body was still vulnerable because its armor was merely made of bulletproof glass. The car was in operation until early in 1942, when presidential fleet limos, including the 1939 Lincoln “Sunshine Special,” were armored.
Equipped with high-end blue leather seats and a fluorescent halogen lighting system, the car’s interior is just as sophisticated as its look.
According to some reports, three flush folding seats can fit up to six people in the backseat.
A little Thomas television and a throwback video player make up the limo’s old entertainment system.
In addition, the vehicle has a siren, emergency lights, a telephone, and a public address system.
“Whatever advanced communication systems used to be present have long since been removed, but the oxygen, fire suppression, and public address systems are still intact,” according to reports.
The presidential limousine is four feet longer than a typical Cadillac Fleetwood, measuring 270 inches from bumper to bumper, according to the auction house’s website.
The limousine is nine inches longer than Ronald Reagan’s Cadillac, according to reports.
According to estimates, General Motors spent $6 million, or $13 million in today’s currency, to create the three fully armored Presidential Limousines for President Clinton at the time.
On January 18, the armored presidential limousine will be put up for auction at the Mecum Auctions event in Kissimmee, Florida.