Bill Clinton’s Old Cadillac Presidential Limo Is Heading to Auction
Here’s your chance to ride like the commander-in-chief—circa 1997.
The final Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham-based limousine used by former President Bill Clinton while he was in office will be sold by Mecum Auctions later this month. The third of three examples that were built for No. 42 is the first fully armored presidential limo to make it to the private sector.
When Clinton was elected president in 1992, Cadillac’s parent company, General Motors, made sure to outbid arch-rival Ford for the state car contract it had lost three years prior, according to The Drive. Its limo was based on the front-engine, rear-wheel-drive Fleetwood that debuted in 1993, the same year that the former Arkansas governor took over the highest office in the land. GM is said to have spent $6 million, or over $13 million in today’s money, developing and building the car. In addition to the example headed to auction, one is on display at the Clinton Presidential Library, while the other has never been released by the CIA.
Bill Clinton’s 1996 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham presidential limousine
Mecum Auctions
Clinton’s blast-proofed limo looks just like your standard mid-’90s Fleetwood, only bigger. The armored version is four feet longer and three inches taller than the stock version. It’s finished in a glossy coat of black, is outfitted with American flag mounts, and rides on a set of white-walled tires with special run-flat inserts. The bulletproof glass-protected interior features blue leather upholstery, Zebrano wood inserts, and a communication setup that includes a public address system and telephone.
The car is powered by a 7.4-liter V-8 that was hand-built by Jack Roush. The brawny mill is mated to a four-speed automatic and is capable of pushing the limo to a top speed of 142 mph. That’s an especially impressive figure when you consider the vehicle stretches 22.5 feet bumper-to-bumper. The limo also has just 627 miles on the odometer, suggesting that it’s in pretty good shape.
Inside the Fleetwood Brougham presidential limousine
Mecum Auctions
Clinton’s Fleetwood Brougham limo will go up for auction as part of Mecum’s annual Kissimmee sale, which runs for much of the next two weeks. The presidential lot is scheduled to cross the block on Saturday, January 18. No estimate has been announced, but considering its rarity and historical significance it wouldn’t be a surprise to see it command a high fee.
Click here for more photos of Bill Clinton’s Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham presidential limousine.
