The Complete History of Presidential Rides

From Washington's warhorse to Obama's Cadillac.

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Image via Complex Original
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The President is our head of state—our numero uno representative to the world—as such, when he needs to show up somewhere, he needs to be able to do it with a bit of style. That's where things like Ulysses S. Grant's "Butcher Boy" and Air Force One come in; getting the commander-in-chief to where he needs to be in a way that befits the office.

We've rounded up all of the cars, the planes, the yachts, the helicopters, and even some of the more notable horses to celebrate our freedom to elect our own executive, rather than some dude being born into it or placed in the position by a junta. For just a moment, let's all stop bickering about politics and celebrate today with some nice rides.

Related: 25 Awesome Stretch Limousines

Related: 50 American Sports Cars That Don't Suck

Nelson, Blueskin, and Magnolia

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Cleopatra

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Sam Patches and Truxton

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The General

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Old Whitey

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Old Bob and Old Abe

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Cincinnati, Butcher Boy, and Julia

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USS Despatch

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USS Dolphin

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USS Sylph

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Bliestein and Little Texas

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Stanley Steamer

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USS Mayflower

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White Motor Co. Model M Steamer

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Baker Electric

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2 Pierce Arrow Model M Tourers

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1916 Cadillac Series 53

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1921 Packard Twin-Six

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1928 Cadillac Town Car

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USS Sequoia

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Al Capone's Armored Cadillac

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1932 Cadillac 452

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Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth

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Lincoln V12 Convertible "Sunshine Special"

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Ferdinand Magellan Railcar

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Douglas Dolphin Amphibian

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Boeing 314 Flying Boat "Dixie Clipper"

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Douglas C-54 Skymaster "Sacred Cow"

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2 1950 Lincoln Cosmopolitan Limousines

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USS Williamsburg

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Lenore II/Barbara Anne/Honey Fitz/Patricia

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President: Harry S. Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon

This yacht is the only presidential yacht to have been built as a pleasure cruiser; all of the others were decommissioned warships and patrol vessels. As a result of it not having an official name from the Navy or Coast Guard and USS status, all of the presidents who used it gave it a different name.


  • Truman called it Lenore II

  • Eisenhower called it Barbara Anne

  • Kennedy called it Honey Fitz 

  • Nixon called it Patricia

In 1970 she was sold to a private buyer.

Douglas C-118 Liftmaster "Independence"

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1953 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible

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1955 Cadillac Series 75

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1914 Rauch and Lang

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2 Lockheed C-121 Constellations

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2 Aero Commanders

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Bell UH-13J Sioux

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Sikorsky H-34

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2 Boeing 707s

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Sikorsky VH-3A

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USCG Cutter Manitou

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1961 Lincoln Continental Convertible SS-100-X

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Custom 1972 Lincoln Limousine

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C-137 Stratoliner

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3 1965 Lincoln Continental Limousines

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Amphicar

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2 1972 Chrysler Imperial LeBarons

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1972 Stretched Lincoln Limousine

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New Boeing 707

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1976 Cadillac Series 75

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Sikorsky VH-3D

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1983 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham Series 75

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Marine One (Sikorsky VH-60N)

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1989 Lincoln Town Car

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2 Boeing VC-25s

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Presidential Series Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham

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1967 Ford Mustang

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2001 Cadillac DeVille

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2005 Cadillac DTS

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The Cadillac Beast

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Ground Force One

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