November 3012, Chicago IL
The Limousine, in which J F Kennedy was assassinated is one of the best known vehicles among the American Nation. However, little who knows that the blue Lincoln was in service for another 13 years after the tragic events.
Many believe the limo was decommissioned or simply locked in the evidence garage. We have asked several people in Chicago if they knew that the limo was being still operated after the events. None knew. In fact, some Chicagoans did not know the big role the limousine played that day.
Nonetheless, the Presidential motorcade not only didn’t ditch the Continental, they upgraded the limousine with heavy armor, security system and bullet proof glass. It went back on the road just five months after the shooting.
Fifty years later the limo is still intact. Currently it is on display at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, MI. It still attracts a big number of visitors every year.
The Limousine went back to service and served every president after JFK until, Gerald Ford. On the other hand, the return of the limo was a little bit controversial. Lyndon Johnson insisted the car be repainted in black color. It is said the president never got comfortable riding the vehicle even though it was greatly remodeled and painted. The feel of the assassination was “still present”.
Kennedy’s limousine was custom build by the Hess & Eisenhardt Company of Cincinati, OH. It was first presented to the president in 1961. The convertible was an innovative car at the time. It’s straight and clean lines was a huge leap from the classic sixties look. The unusual color (deep midnight blue) made it stand out. The limo had a youthful look and was a perfect fit for a youthful president that J F Kennedy was.
Right after the tragic events of November 22, 1963 the limo was loaded into a cargo plane and flown directly to Andrews Air Force Base. There it was analyzed and some parts were taken apart. The original windshield was taken off as well as the parts that were hit by bullets.
After the military was done with the analysis of the damage the Continental was taken back to the Hess & Eisenhardt Company to be rebuilt again. The total cost for such a limousine was around 500,000 (around 3.8 million in today’s dollars).
A notable modification was a hatch sunroof which was requested by Richard Nixon. It was added so he could stand through it and wave to the crowds.
J F Kennedys limousine got national attention again when the movie Parkland was being filmed. The director had made and exact copy of the vehicle to shoot since he was not allowed to use the original one. As the JFK assassination anniversary approaches the limo is on the spot again. Either way, it is worth going to Ford museum to see the car that plays such a big role in the history of United States.
Article by Chicago Limousine Service.
