Henry Ford Museum is Home to Historic Presidential Limousine

DEARBORN, MI - The Lincoln limousine used by Presidents Nixon, Ford and Reagan, and which transported Reagan to the hospital after an assassination attempt on March 30, 1981 — 35 years ago this month, is permanently displayed at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn.

The 40th President of the United States was shot and wounded by 25-year-old drifter John Hinckley, Jr.—trying to gain the attention of actor Jodie Foster—in 1.7 seconds emptied a six-shot, .22 caliber revolver at the president. Hinckley had seen the movie “Taxi Driver” at least 15 times. He thought assassinating the president would prove to Foster that he loved her.

The historic vehicle, whose speed may have saved the life of a president, was built by the Lincoln Division of Ford Motor Company and makes its retirement home with other Lincoln presidential limousines at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn. This was a fairly unlucky vehicle - it is also the car in which President Ford was riding when an attempt was made on his life.

Powered by a 460-cubic-inch V8 engine that developed over 200 horsepower, this presidential limousine was the last built with roof openings through which a president and spouse could stand and wave. It weighs 13,000 pounds.

The limousine was used by five presidents in all: Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush. You can view the vehicle on display inside the Henry Ford Museum; it is the last of the presidential limousines to be preserved since all others are now destroyed for security reasons.

Photo via highline-autos.com