Update-2006 Cadillac DTS Presidential Limousine

By Vince Bodiford

  If you are like most of us, you were in front of your television set recently for the January 20 inauguration of George W. Bush. That is where I was - in my home taking in the events as they unfolded live on television.

  As I watched, a stunningly beautiful automobile appeared during the coverage. It had just driven into the portico of the White House, it was a brand-new Cadillac limousine. This was obviously a very special one - it was the brand-new presidential limousine. It had arrived to carry Bush and Clinton to the U.S. Capitol for the inauguration of George W. Bush.

  Taking in the sight of the immense, jet-black Cadillac on television, I was startled to hear my doorbell ring. It was the UPS driver with a delivery - a box from Cadillac. Not a very momentous occasion at my home or office - press kits are delivered from carmakers and auto industry companies sometimes several times a day. But this one was marked for guaranteed Saturday delivery. I’m happy that my curiosity was enough for me to open it immediately (some boxes wait days before being opened and read) - and inside was a small, but clever media information package from Cadillac about the new presidential limousine. I sat down to read the data and view the images that had just arrived from Cadillac as the new presidential limousine rolled out onto Pennsylvania Avenue for the first time.

  The remarkable vehicle is the latest accomplishment from Cadillac and the first chief executive limousine of the new millennium. It is also the first Cadillac to carry the division’s new wreath and crest emblem.

  Newly elected president George W. Bush was the first to travel in the Cadillac limousine, which shares the same exterior design with the 2001 DeVille cars.

  The new presidential limousine was designed and built by Cadillac and the GM Specialty Vehicle Group. The GM Cadillac Design Studio styled the body interior and exterior appearance. Although the vehicle shares its exterior design with the 2001 DeVille production cars, the vehicle is handcrafted from the ground up and is the most technologically advanced automobile in the world.

  Keeping with tradition, the exterior is painted deep jet-black clear coat. To maintain national security, the limousines are equipped with state-of-the-art protection and communication systems. Cadillac’s patented Night Vision infrared object detection system is also installed on the vehicle. The US flag is placed on the passenger-side front fender with a presidential standard flown opposite. Both flags are illuminated at night by small lights installed in the fenders.

  The vehicle interior is dressed with wood accents and rich blue leather and cloth. The presidential seal is embroidered to the center of the rear seat back, as well as on each rear door trim panel, and the presidential seal is affixed to the exterior rear doors. Special halo lighting creates a perfect interior environment for the chief executive. A rear seat package featuring a concealed, foldaway desktop can be deployed when conducting affairs of state. The rear seats have an adjustable reclining feature and Cadillac adaptive seating system for added comfort, and a rear area premium sound system complete with 10-disc CD changer. There is no doubt that this otherwise armored personnel carrier is all Cadillac luxury and comfort.

  The sight of the president waving from a Cadillac has become a tradition in Americana. “It is a great honor for Cadillac and GM to be associated with the highest office of the United States and to serve our country in this way,” says Cadillac general manager Michael J. O’Malley. “In fact, Cadillac has been building limousines and special vehicles for U.S. presidents, diplomats, ambassadors and foreign dignitaries since the early 1900’s”

  One of the first chief executives to ride in a Cadillac was President Woodrow Wilson, who rode through the streets of Boston during a World War I victory parade. A lavish 1928 Cadillac town car was used extensively throughout the Coolidge administration.

  In 1938, two Cadillac convertibles dubbed the “Queen Mary” and “Queen Elizabeth” were delivered to the U.S. government. Named after the great ocean liners of the time, the 21-feet, 7,660 pound vehicles were equipped with a full ammunition arsenal, two-way radios, and heavy-duty generators. Durable and reliable, the two “Queens” served presidents Roosevelt, Truman and Eisenhower.

  President Eisenhower, who was also known as a car buff, had ridden in one of the first Eldorado’s during the 1953 Inauguration Day Parade. That vehicle was unique as it had the first wrap-around windshield, which quickly became the standard in domestic and foreign automobiles.

  In 1956, the Queen Mary II and and Queen Elizabeth II convertibles replaced the original series. The vehicles were 21-feet long and weighed 7,000 pounds. Like their predecessors, these vehicles were fully armored with state-of-the-art communications at that time. Moreover, the vehicles were fitted with narrow rims inside the tire in case the tires were shot out. The Queen II’s served not only president Eisenhower, but also Kennedy and Johnson. Both were retired in 1968.

  Other presidential limousines followed, built by coachbuilders on domestic chassis. The successive Cadillac presidential series was the favorite of presidents Nixon, Ford, Reagan and Bush.

  The predecessor to this new and current limousine was the Fleetwood Brougham - Presidential series delivered to the Clinton administration in 1993, replacing the high-roofline coach-built Cadillac series used by presidents Bush and Reagan.

  Unlike the previous coach-built models, the presidential Brougham was designed, developed and manufactured completely within General Motors. Moreover, the vehicle was designed to provide unquestionable protection. Minimizing exposure to external threats, no sunroof or running boards were installed on the vehicle. The vehicle is still in service today and was used in the Bush Inaugural parade motorcade.

  Additional Cadillac and GM vehicles were seen in the Inaugural parade. The newly elected vice-president and other government officials rode in new Cadillac limousines, used extensively by the U.S. government. Also traveling in the parade were two previous model Cadillacs and two Chevrolet Suburbans. Suburban is the support vehicle of choice used by the Secret Service in presidential transportation and motorcades.

  The new 2001 Cadillac Presidential Limousine is the finest and most technologically advanced vehicle ever constructed. General Motors president and CEO Rick Wagoner said, “Cadillac is proud to write this latest chapter in American automotive history with the introduction of this new presidential limousine. We are pleased that our historic relationship with the U.S. Government and chief executive office will continue into the new millennium.”

IMPORTANT EDITORS NOTE: Information here concerning the presidential vehicle were obtained from the Cadillac division of General Motors, and released with the prior approval of the United States Secret Service, and no sensitive or classified information regarding the presidential vehicle is used. All photographs of the presidential limousine were provided courtesy of the Cadillac division of General Motors, used by permission.