Donald Trump will travel in armoured limousine known as The Beast
Donald Trump didn’t just win the keys to the White House but also to the armoured limousine known as The Beast. We look at the impressive sets of wheels used by US presidents past and present.
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Before Donald Trump crosses the threshold of his swanky new home, the White House, he might want to take a look at what’s parked in the driveway.
As a former American leader, Trump will be familiar with both the accommodation and transportation options now at his disposal.
But for those of us not so privileged, we take a look at one of the coolest cars on the planet – and the rides of US presidents in the past.
THE BEAST
This nine ton, heavily armoured Cadillac limousine seats seven.
The Beast is based on a Chevrolet Kodiak truck but given its armoury of security equipment, it’s like nothing else in the world.
While the exact specifications of The Beast are a closely guarded secret, according to The Telegraph in the UK, the following details have slowly been reported since the current model hit the road in 2018.
At a cost of around A$2.35 million, this custom car can fire tear gas, is stocked with vials of the president’s blood and will deliver an electric shock to anyone who tries to open its door handles while it is occupied.
The glass is 7.5cm thick and the body an eye-watering 20cm wide hunk of solid metal.
It also boasts a communications system which allows the president to launch a nuclear attack.
Also known as Cadillac One, it is among at least 10 fortified limos in the presidential motorcade.
According to the Secret Service website, it is “safe to say that the presidential car’s security and coded communications make it the most technically advanced protection vehicle in the world.”
Wherever the president goes, The Beast goes too after being securely loaded onto a plane.
Former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull was fortunate enough to go for a ride in the previous iteration of The Beast in 2017 when Trump offered him a lift while they were at a meeting of world leaders in Hamburg.
This year alone, The Beast has accompanied current US President Joe Biden to Germany and England among other destinations.
The first iteration of The Beast came into service in 2001 when George W Bush took office.
Barack Obama also had the pleasure of riding in The Beast.
CADILLAC FLEETWOOD 1983
The Beast’s predecessor was so popular with presidents that it was used for the best part of two decades.
Ronald Reagan, George Bush Senior and Bill Clinton were all ferried around in this impressive state car which was so heavily armoured its top speed was just 96km/h.
The Cadillac boasted night vision capabilities, a tear gas cannon, an armoured fuel tank filled with foam to prevent an explosion and on-board oxygen tanks.
It was rumoured to be packing rocket propelled grenades but the White House never confirmed this detail.
JFK’S DEATH CAR 1961
The Lincoln Continental is the infamous presidential car President John F Kennedy was riding in when he was assassinated.
Incredibly, the car was completely overhauled with additional security installed and it was continued to be used by US presidents until 1977.
Lyndon B Johnson, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter all rode in the ominously nicknamed Death Car while in office.
LINCOLN COSMOPOLITANS 1950
Both Harry S Truman and Dwight D Eisenhower favoured this model while in office.
They were modified not only to incorporate extra security features but also to accommodate the tall silk hats which were in fashion at the time.
THE SUNSHINE SPECIAL 1939
President Franklin D Roosevelt’s Lincoln Motor Company V12 convertible was the first car to receive a nickname.
The 10 seater convertible was so dubbed because of Roosevelt’s love of riding with the top down.
Despite the wind is the president's hair, this car was the first to be outfitted by the Secret Service.
Modifications to keep the presidents safe included a platform that Secret Service agents could stand on as they clung to the outside of the car.
PIERCE ARROWS 1911
William H Taft was the first US president to purchase two Pierce Arrows and the luxury cars remained a firm favourite for decades after.
Woodrow Wilson loved the vehicle so much his administration bought another three and when he left, he paid out of his own pocket to be able to keep one of them. Taft also rode in a White Motor Company steam car like his predecessor.
WHITE MOTOR COMPANY STEAM CAR 1907
McKinley’s successor Theodore Roosevelt refused to ride in the car altogether, as he reportedly felt it interfered with his image as a skilled horseman.
The driver of his steam powered car therefore followed him around on his horse and buggy.
STANLEY MOTOR CARRIAGE COMPANY STEAM CAR – 1901
President William McKinley was the first American leader to ride in a car.
However, more often than not the steam powered vehicle actually followed him as he rode in his presidential horse and carriage.
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