Franklin D. Roosevelt
Harry Trueman
Born in 1939, the White House Staff sent along no less than five pages of specific instructions for the safety and security of my precious cargo. With war looming, extra caution was needed and then after Pearl Harbor was bombed in 1942, even more security features were added! I was modified to be bulletproof, with armor plating in the doors, bullet-proof tires, inch-thick windows and storage compartments for sub-machine guns.
My powerful V-12 engine would pull through the worst and my siren and 2-way radio were always on stand by for any emergency.
The Ford Motor Company leased me to the office of the president for $500 a year. I served my country until 1948 and I've been here on permanent display in the museum ever since.
By the time I was built, President Franklin D. Roosevelt already had become paralyzed from (at that time,) incurable polio and I was constructed lower to the ground so that his aides could lift him in and out easier. Also the back doors were hinged at the rear making a wider opening.
He loved having my top down, enjoying the sunshine and making himself visible to people hoping to catch a glimpse of this very special man.
I was the first of more than 50 Lincolns to be built for special White House duty. I have platforms on my tail so the security men could ride along in safety, gripping the chrome handrails you'll notice, just below my canvas top.
A special vehicle that turned the heads of the nation's people and built fit for a special passenger. Polio or not, President Roosevelt was an incredible man and I was honored to present him sitting tall!
This amazing car is on permanent display at The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn Michigan as part of a five vehicle display of Presidential vehicles.
These photographs were shot with my Nikon P-90 digital camera and downloaded directly from the camera and then to this blog. My aim is to take my reader along with me on the journey, so although I am aware of my framing of the shot, content and quality, I am most interested in sharing the experience.
3 comments:
that is a wicked cool car...they dont makem' like that anymore...and the stories it could tell...
It is a magnificent car. I got to visit that museum many years ago and was very impressed. Although it is not so far away from Ohio, I've never gone back there. I would recommend it though to anyone interested.
Awesome car!
Post a Comment