While the latest presidential limousine has yet to be revealed, we do have a spy shot of it along with some guesses on its specifications.

Sunshine Special

Presidential Limousines

President William McKinley was the first president to ride in an automobile, but it wasn’t until 1938, when General Motors delivered two Cadillac convertibles (known as the “Queen Mary” and “Queen Elizabeth) that these vehicles had any kind of special equipment added to them (radio communications and heavy-duty generators).

Sunshine Special

Beginning in 1939, the first vehicle built expressly for presidential use was a 1939 Lincoln V12 convertible known as the “Sunshine Special.” Used by both President Roosevelt and President Truman, it remained in service until 1950, when it was retired.

JFK Limousine

John F. Kennedy Limousine

Since the 1930’s, official transportation for the chief executive has been either a Cadillac or a Lincoln. Throughout the years, the vehicles have become more complex as well as more protective of their occupants. Suffice it to say that John F. Kennedy would not have been shot had he been riding through Dallas on that November day in one of the current Presidential limousines.

Bush Limousine

Current Presidential Limousine

Cadillac One

While much of the information about Barack Obama’s soon-to-be -presidential ride is classified, information garnered from GM as well as former secret service personnel can give us a glimpse of how it was constructed and how it will be outfitted.

Unlike the current limousine, which is a specially-constructed 2005 Cadillac DTS with four wheel drive and armor plating, the new “Cadillac One” is, according to GM spokesperson Joanne K. Krell, “not a direct extension of any single (GM) model” and will not be designated with a model name.

The Chassis

Although the body will have the design cues of a Cadillac, it rests on what probably will be an all-wheel-drive platform that has been stretched and strengthened to accommodate large commercial-grade wheels and possibly a diesel powertrain. Mounted to those wheels will be special run-flat tires.

The Body

The body, built with a higher-than-normal roofline, will be fitted with a minimum of 5” of military-grade armor plating, while the windows, mounted in 8” thick doors and constructed of bullet-proof glass, will be fixed in place and will not open. Inside, the hand-sewn leather interior will be well protected from the elements, since the entire cabin is completely sealed to ward off the possible effects of a chemical attack.

The Goodies

It is, after all that, all about the options, and what would a presidential limousine be without all the latest and greatest secret communications equipment? According to GM, Cadillac One will be equipped with a CD player. But if past limousines are any indicator, you can also expect additional telecommunications equipment in the form of phones, satellite communications and internet connectivity. George W. Bush’s limo sported 5 antennas on the trunk lid, so this list is probably missing a few classified items, as well.

The Cost

Zillow.com, an online real estate web site, recently calculated the value of the White House as if it were a home that could actually be bought and sold. After running it through their program based on public data, recent sales in the area as well as its “premium historic value”, they came up with an estimated value of $308,058,000 – the most expensive home in the United States. And while we have no figures for Cadillac One, it also stands to reason that it is, undoubtedly, the most expensive limousine in the U.S.