The Complete History of the Presidential State Car

The First Was in 1901

The very first presidential state car took to the road on July 13, 1901, with William McKinley. During his term, it was a steam car from Stanley Motor Carriage. It did not last for long, however, as McKinley liked his image as a horseman who rode rough. When Theodore Roosevelt began using the presidential state car at the beginning of his term, the Secret Service bought a 1907 steam car from the White Motor Company to follow. This officially replaced the previous custom of the Secret Service following the president’s horse and buggy on foot.