Political Cars: You Know them When You See Them

There are some cars that have been used to create a message and have been donned as political cars that we associate with world leaders.

When some of these cars find their way to the roadways it’s pretty easy to know that a politician is riding around in the car that you see. Let’s check out some of the most iconic cars that were used by political leaders.

Cadillac One

This car came a long way from the days of JFK to be the car that had everything the Secret Service wanted in the limousine that would carry the President of the United States around. This car was made in 2009 and nicknamed “The Beast” because of the heavy-duty build and strong armor that would protect the President in case of an attack. This particular model was replaced in 2018, but the Cadillac One set a serious precedent.

ZiL 41047

If you want a view of Soviet opulence on the road, the ZiL is the car to see. This car served the former USSR and only received some minor upgrades over the years. The 41047 model could be dated back to the 1950s and this car continued to ride along with very few changes. New models of this car have been ordered many times over to serve the leaders of many Communist countries.

Hongqi L5

The L5 model of the Hongqi is a brand new build that looks much like the first model from 1958. The L5 version is called “Red Flag” and it is the official car of the Chinese Communist Party. The car is 18-feet long and has a powerful 6.0-liter V12 under the hood. This is the most expensive car in China for those who would want to buy one for themselves.

1970s Lincoln Continentals

A fleet of Lincoln Continentals has served the government of North Korea for many years. This country is led by those that are big fans of American culture and products. The story behind these Lincolns is that they could have been smuggled into the country from a Japanese Ford dealership when they were new. These cars were used in the funeral procession of former leader Kim Jong-II.

Mercedes-Benz 600

From 1963-1981, the Mercedes-Benz 600 was the ultimate car for world leaders. It didn’t seem to matter if that leader was a tyrant, from an allied country, or royalty, this was the car that was chosen. This Benz was the symbol of pure luxury and was powered by a powerful 6.3-liter V8 engine that also had one of the most well-tuned suspensions in the market. This was one of the most expensive cars of its time and was the choice of many dignitaries.

Lancia Thesis

Even though Lancia didn’t make a lot of cars, it did make the Thesis which was used by the Italian government along with several other European leaders. These luxurious and impressive cars were unique compared to the other models that carried politicians. Unfortunately, this Lancia didn’t make it as one of the political cars we still see, the entire fleet was eventually sold off.

Renault 4

If it’s good enough for the Pope, it should be good enough for anyone else. While the Renault 4 just might be the holiest of cars and not one of the political cars on the road, this is the car chosen by the current Pope. It was a gift from an Italian pastor and it is a 1984 model that shows that the Pope is a frugal person while he drives himself around in this car.

Toyota Century

A car that represents both sides of the coin, crime and order, the Toyota Century is a car that has been used as a car that leaders use many times over. This large car uses a massive V12 engine to bring power to the drive and it is the car that carries the Prime Minister of Japan along with many other high-ranking government officials. Very few of these cars are available to the public and it can easily be one of the best political cars on this list.

Lincoln Continental Limousine

Maybe the most famous of the political cars in history was the 1961 Lincoln Continental Limousine. This car will live in infamy as the car that President Kennedy was riding in when he was assassinated. This car was certainly the symbol of modern driving at the time and, with the horrific event that took place, gave the Secret Service a reason to not allow the President to ride in a convertible ever again.