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The Barackmobile: Obama's Presidential Limo

"Cadillac One" is an Elegant Display of Design and Security

© Alex Sharp

Jan 17, 2009
Cadillac One: The Barackmobile, Courtesy of the U.S. Secret Service
GM created a customized limo that is flashy enough for a parade, impressive enough for a world leader, and secure enough for the 21st century.

When CEO Rick Wagoner begged congress for millions in taxpayer money for GM,people were unimpressed. The New York Time's Bill Vlasic wrote that Wagoner, "is seen as the leader of a company that has lost $20 billion." ("Chief Fights for G.M.’s Future and His Reputation", 11/18/08, B1.) GM has restored some of Wagoner's reputation by creating a gorgeous car for President Obama.

Cadillac One's Design

GM and the Secret Service have been quiet about the details of the new presidential limo, but the Secret Service issued a press release that revealed two pictures and some information.

  • The limo will make its first appearance as part of the inauguration on January 20, 2009.
  • Building and adding to the presidential fleet is an inauguration tradition.
  • The Secret Service views the limousine as a "valuable asset" in offering the president and his companions "the highest level of protection".
  • The vehicle is an "armored presidential limousine".
  • The car has secure and coded communication systems.

General Motor's press release, "An American Tradition Continues: New Presidential Era Begins With a New Cadillac Presidential Limousine", offers more details:

  • The car has purpose-built format (meaning it is built to specific design requests).
  • The limo's grille and front and rear lighting are similar to the Escalade.
  • The Cadillac One has already survived an "extreme testing regimen".
  • The presidential seal appears in center of the rear seat back panel and on each rear door. Presidential seals are also affixed to the exterior rear doors.
  • The U.S. flag and the Presidential flag will be displayed on the front fenders, with LED spotlights highlighting the flags at night.

The Newest World Leader has the Newest Car

The make and model should be easy for Barack Obama to remember when he needs to order replacement parts, because it is the first presidential car to be named, simply, "2009 Cadillac Presidential Limousine". It is a long drive from the Packard that Warren G. Harding rode to his inauguration.

Other world leader's might have a little auto-envy. In addition to the Prime Minister motorcade vehicles, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown uses a 2002 Vauxhall Omega, as The Independent's Ben Russell reported ("Brown Breaks Promise to Drive 'Green' Ministerial Car", 12/08/2006). French President Nicolas Sarkozy usually travels in a 2001 Cadillac DeSeville limo.

The Need for an Armored Presidential Vehicle

Ever since President Kennedy's assassination, open vehicles have shunned for presidential rides. Latvia's prime minister was injured when a minibus ran into his Mercedes (which was part of a motorcade) in 2008, and former Pakistani leader Benazir Bhutto was assassinated in her motorcade by a suicide car bomber in 2007. In addition to safety requirements, communications are also secured within vehicles. The Secret Service considers Cadillac One to be "the most technologically advanced protection vehicle in the world".

Instead of bringing an 11 page slide show to his plea for taxpayer money, perhaps Mr. Wagoner should have just brought a picture of Cadillac One, the presidential limousine designed especially for the 44th president. The few available pictures have shown that, given the need, money, and time, at least the Cadillac division of General Motors can work wonders.


The copyright of the article The Barackmobile: Obama's Presidential Limo in Sports/Custom/Classic Cars is owned by Alex Sharp. Permission to republish The Barackmobile: Obama's Presidential Limo in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.


Cadillac One: The Barackmobile, Courtesy of the U.S. Secret Service
Limo's Door with Presidential Seal, Courtesy of the U.S. Secret Service
The Barackmobile, Courtesy of the U.S. Secret Service
The Barackmobile Grille Mirrors the Escalade, Courtesy of the U.S. Secret Service
GM's Impressive Inaugural Car, Courtesy of the U.S. Secret Service


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Comments
Jan 17, 2009 4:32 PM
Guest :
We need to utilize everything in out power to reduce our dependence on foreign oil including using our own natural resources.OPEC will continue to cut production until they achieve their desired 80-100. per barrel. The high cost of fuel this past year seriously damaged our economy and society. Oil is finite. We are using oil globally at the rate of 2X faster than new oil is being discovered. We need to take some of these billions in bail out bucks and bail ourselves out of our dependence on foreign oil. Jeff Wilson has a really good new book out called The Manhattan Project of 2009 Energy Independence Now. He explores our uses of oil besides gasoline, our depletion, out reserves and stores as well as viable options to replace oil.Oil is finite, it will run out in the not too distant future. WE need to take some of these billions in bail out bucks and bail America out of it's dependence on foreign oil. The historic high price of gas this past year did serious damage to our economy and society. WE should never allow others to have that much power over our economy again. I wish every member of congress would read this book too.
www.themanhattanprojectof2009.com

Jan 25, 2009 3:01 PM
Guest :
Perhaps Persident Obama should send some of that armor plating to our men and women in Iraq. While he has more security (and amenities) than any other president in history our men and women are dieing every day due to a lack of adequate protection.
Feb 9, 2009 1:23 PM
Guest :
Our men and women aren't "dying every day due to a lack of protection". That is patently absurd.
They are dying because that is the nature of war. It has always been that way and it will always be that way. It's one of the reasons that war should be avoided. But, of course, not at all costs. War is sometimes the better option. The very fact that we can voice our opinion, comes about as a result of a war that was fought because it was the better option. And people died then too.
3 Comments
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