Limousines used to be before automobiles
The concept of the limousine came much earlier than the automobile. The origins can be found in the horse-drawn carriages of the 18th and 19th centuries. At that time, wealthy people traveled in horse-drawn carriages with luxury, space and comfort. These carriages were often plated in gold and pulled by the finest stallions, serving as a status symbol for the rich and powerful of this world. And at the time, it was the best way to get around.
As for the name “limousine,” the best-known theory has to do with the Limousine region of France. Local shepherds wore a special hooded cloak. And the original design of the vehicles – with passengers inside the enclosed part and the driver outside – is said to have resembled the hood of Limousine’s cloak.
The turbulent ’20s and the Golden Age of Hollywood
Soon after the debut of the internal combustion engine, automobiles began to supplant horse-drawn carriages. After all, cars were faster, and there was less jolting in them. But the wealthy quickly realized that driving a car wasn’t actually as much fun as riding in the back of a carriage. Especially if you’re traveling from party to party and someone has to be driving.
And first, to ensure that the fun didn’t stop, the wealthy hired chauffeurs to take them from point A to point B. And for privacy, these chauffeurs were often separated from passengers by a partition inside the body, which was a significant innovation, since most cars then had no roofs. At the same time, luxury automakers, especially in the United States, realized the need for exclusive and luxurious vehicles. They began producing extended cars that incorporated the spaciousness and elegance of the original limousine.
But if we talk specifically about long limousines, they were first built to transport musicians of large orchestras and all their equipment. These vehicles were originally called “big band buses”. Famous musicians such as Glenn Miller and Benny Goodman were among the first to enjoy the spacious interiors of these early extended limousines.
And it was after that that aristocrats and partygoers decided that they would also like to ride in spacious limousines. For one thing, they could accommodate more people than a standard sedan. Secondly, the longer your car, the richer you seem. That said, driving these long limousines required a great deal of skill. That’s how the limousine driving profession was born.
Then in the 1930s, the Golden Age of Hollywood played a crucial role in popularizing the limousine. Movie stars and celebrities seeking privacy and luxury have chosen this car as their favorite means of transportation. That’s why early limousines featured luxurious interiors, plush upholstery, polished wood accents and amenities that were customized to meet the needs of discerning customers. And major automakers began producing limousines on a large scale, making them more affordable for the elite. This period marked the beginning of the limousine’s association with glamor and luxury.
Presidential limousine
The next stage of limousine development is a means of transportation for presidents. Woodrow Wilson was probably the first head of state to use a limousine as a means of transportation. By then, the driver had literally been dragged out of the cold and his seat had been moved to the car, with a partition between driver and passengers. Nevertheless, the association between an elongated car and a head of state did not appear in the popular consciousness until the 1970s thanks to the Lincoln Continental. This presidential limousine was used by Ronald Reagan during his campaign. Around the same time, automobile giants such as Mercedes, Rolls-Royce, Chrysler, and Cadillac debuted in the limousine marketplace. Of course, these cars were also only available to the rich and powerful.
As for the Lincoln Continental, this customized limousine featured a sleek and elegant design befitting a presidential candidate. It boasted a dark blue exterior with chrome accents and a spacious interior to accommodate not only Reagan, but his entourage as well. In addition, the limousine was outfitted with state-of-the-art safety features such as bulletproof windows, reinforced body panels and a communication system to ensure the safety of the future president.
A limo for everyone
The modern limousine industry is a product of the 1980s, when economic growth fueled society’s taste for luxury travel. For this reason, limousine production has continued to grow. And their manufacturers began offering customized designs, allowing customers to tailor their cars to their personal tastes and requirements. From luxurious interiors and audio-visual systems to advanced communication and entertainment features, limousines have become a combination of comfort, convenience and luxury.
This is how we’ve come to the point where limousines are more popular than ever before. Today they are synonymous with red carpet events, VIP transportation and the epitome of luxury travel. But thankfully, they’re not just for the rich anymore. Renting a limousine for a trip around town with friends or for a special event, such as a wedding, is affordable for everyone.
