STRETCHING THE LIMITS: A SHORT HISTORY OF THE LIMOUSINE
There’s something about a limousine that instantly signals status. Maybe it’s the way it glides silently through traffic, or the tinted windows that separate its passengers from the rest of the world. Whatever the reason, limousines have long been the chosen transport for the rich, the famous, and the powerful. But where did they come from, who built the first one, and what are some of the most iconic limos to ever roll down the red carpet - or up to the White House? The word “limousine” traces its roots to the Limousin region of France, where shepherds once wore cloaks with hoods that resembled the covered compartments found on early cars. The term was eventually adopted to describe a car with a covered rear passenger compartment and a separate driver’s seat, often open to the elements. This configuration became the foundation for the modern limo: a chauffeured vehicle that separates the working driver from the pampered passengers. It boggles the mind why rich people who can afford any car they want would rather be driven than actually drive themselves. The first official limo, as we know it today, is credited to a vehicle built in 1902. While several manufacturers experimented with designs that had partitioned compartments, it was a French coachbuilder who created what’s widely accepted as the first purpose-built limousine - a car with a permanent roof and a dedicated driver’s compartment up front. But it wasn’t until 1928 that the first stretch limousine hit the road, built by a company called Armbruster in Fort Smith, Arkansas. It was originally created to transport big bands like the Glenn Miller Band and all of their equipment. Yup, before limos became VIP transport, they were music industry workhorses.
By the 1930s and 1940s, limousines became the go-to for movie premieres and red carpet appearances. Cadillac and Lincoln dominated the market, offering long-wheelbase luxury sedans with plush interiors, privacy glass, and onboard amenities unheard of at the time, like cocktail cabinets, fold-down jump seats, and telephones. Stretch limos became symbols of celebrity excess and ultimate success, famously used by the likes of Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, and Frank Sinatra. By the 1980s and ‘90s, the stretch limo became a cultural icon - a sort of mobile nightclub with disco lighting, champagne fridges, mirrored ceilings, and enough leather seating for a Rolling Stones reunion. These were the limos of prom nights, rap videos, and casino heists.
If there’s one limo that stands above, it’s the custom-built Cadillac used by POTUS - President of the United States, affectionately known as The Beast. That could go for the car and its intended occupant (we laugh). The Beast is all about survivability and safety, along with a lil luxury. The current version debuted in 2018 during Trump’s first presidency, built by General Motors on a heavily modified Cadillac platform. The car reportedly weighs between 7 and 10 tons thanks to military-grade armour, run-flat tyres, bulletproof glass that can withstand assault rifles, and a completely sealed cabin capable of withstanding chemical attacks and bombs. The doors alone are said to be as thick as those on a Boeing 757. Inside, it carries a range of secure communication systems, night vision cameras, a supply of the president’s blood type, and even tear gas grenade launchers. The presidential seal is embroidered into the leather, and there’s a secure line to the Pentagon. There’s a fair bit more, but that’s as classified as the Epstein list. Limos are favoured by royalty and heads of state around the world; Queen Elizabeth II famously rode in a bespoke Bentley State Limousine, a one-off built for her Golden Jubilee in 2002. With a raised roofline, rear-hinged coach doors, and a bulletproof exterior, it was built to blend traditional elegance with modern protection. Then there’s the Popemobile, which is technically a limousine of sorts with its elevated rear platform and bulletproof glass dome designed to give the boss man maximum visibility and protection.
No limo article would be complete without mentioning the longest limousine ever built. That record belongs to “The American Dream,” a 30-metre-long monstrosity on 26 wheels, originally constructed in the 1980s by Jay Ohrberg. It had a jacuzzi, a mini-golf course, a helipad, and even a putting green. After years of neglect, it was fully restored in 2022 and once again holds the Guinness World Record for the longest car in the world. And yes, stretch limos have also been made out of Ferraris, Lamborghinis, and even a Hummer H2 that’s so long it looked like it needed two postal codes. You name it, someone’s stretched it…
Take a look at the YouTube video that shows you a bunch of the coolest limos seen through the ages, up to the most current stuff - a great, short, 2-minute review short enough to watch on the loo in the morning: The World's Most Luxurious Limousines 1959–2025 | History of Luxury on Wheels | Robo Wheels
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