By Jeff Glucker
Today, our 41st President is being laid to rest. George H. W. Bush died at the age of 94. Quite divisive while in office, like most presidents, Bush was a powerful philanthropist in his post presidency years. But we’re not going to take a deep dive into all of that here on Hooniverse. Instead, I find myself curious about the various vehicles of presidential motorcades over the years. During 41’s funeral procession I noticed a squadron of sidecar-equipped motorcycles and I had to learn more.
According to an older story in the Washington Post, the sidecars are hooked up to the DC Police Department bikes shortly after Columbus Day. Why? Not to look old-school-cool, but it’s a move for stability during the colder weather months. These sidecars remain hooked to the bikes until spring.
What are some other unique vehicles used during presidential motorcades?
Having seen 45’s motorcade twice in Fargo this year, I’m partial to this custom oddball which is apparently a mobile, secure communications hub:
(image from here: https://twitter.com/toddgillman/status/1009228967264563202 )
http://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/21635/the-presidential-motorcade-has-a-new-mysterious-and-sinister-looking-vehicle
You didn’t specify US President, so the Stutz Royal Limousine in Gambon would have to be the most unique.
https://www.microkhan.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/gabonlimo.jpg
Feh! Stutzes are for pretenders. British royalty travels in style.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f6/Le_Royal_Mews_de_Londres-007.JPG/1024px-Le_Royal_Mews_de_Londres-007.JPG
Actually saw that one or something close to it zipping around the streets of London when I was there in 2004 for my honeymoon.
Zipping?!?
Well the horses were at a fast trot. I’m assuming they were doing a dry run and not taking the queen for a pint at the neighborhood pub.
Let them Eat Cake !
Even some of our Prime Ministers have been treated to a State Funeral. The transport for this is a ceremonial gun carriage, pulled by sailors:
http://regimentalrogue.tripod.com/blog/bluejackets_drawing_gun_carriage_Churchill_funeral_rd530px.jpg
U.S. presidential funeral processions also have the casket on a gun carriage, but drawn by six horses. The casket is followed by a riderless horse with boots mounted backwards in the stirrups. The photo is of Kennedy’s funeral. Note the ’60 Imperial Ghia limousine on the right. There was no procession at the recent funeral of Pres. Bush – he stated beforehand that he didn’t want one.
https://apicciano.commons.gc.cuny.edu/wp-content/blogs.dir/184/files/2018/11/Kennedy-Funeral-Riderless-Horse.jpg
Look at all the fine suspension work. [/s] I’ll bet the thing rides worse than a go kart.
A Spijker is preferred: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5f/Gouden_koets.jpg/1280px-Gouden_koets.jpg https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Coach_(Netherlands)
FDR had a nice Packard ! https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/558d1086842e7990ab619de5a57ff015487d14767003b94456b8eac3b6e716ad.jpg
FDR also had an impressive and massive custom 1939 Lincoln. When the US entered WWII, the car was armor plated and updated with a 1942-style front end. 150 hp and drum brakes must have made driving this 9,300-pound beast interesting.
https://storage0.dms.mpinteractiv.ro/media/2/41/1815/3776081/7/1939-lincoln-v12-sunshine-special-president-roosevelt-01.jpg
Actually, today is 41’s memorial in DC, but he is being laid to rest tomorrow at his presidential library in Texas.
He is arriving on his own (actually belonging to a railroad but personalized for Bush) locomotive. I read recently that he had driven it before, making him the only president to have driven a train.
So his last ride (other than whatever carries him from the tracks to the gravesite) will be in something with 4,500 horsepower. Sounds like a good unique motorcade vehicle.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_Pacific_4141
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ee/Union_Pacific_4141.jpg/300px-Union_Pacific_4141.jpg
These;