Which Classic Car Should President Obama Drive?

Filed in archive Romantic Notions on January 21, 2009

Like millions around the world I watched the Obama inauguration, one of several historical moments I've seen live on television during my lifetime. The moon landing was the most awesome, the World Trade Center attack the most horrific, and Tuesday's event the most inspiring. Does shooting photos of a TV screen make one part of history? I did that very thing when man stepped onto the moon and did it again during the inauguration. This being a classic cars site, however, I can be little more than an observer. Which led me to wonder... if Barack Obama were to acquire a classic car, what would it be? Following a few moments thought while reflecting on political history, I decided it could only be a Lincoln.

Ah, but which Lincoln? Should it be a Lincoln Continental, one of America's design icons? Or the pre-war V-10 Lincoln streamliner that was arguably the ultimate expression of art deco on four wheels? Many great custom bodies were built in the early-30's with a Lincoln badge, however my choice, built for President Roosevelt in 1942, can be seen in the image above, truly a presidential automobile. But what's yours? Please click on the Comments box and join in a community discussion of President Barack Obama's ultimate collectible. Surely it wouldn't be the truck-based armored Cadillac he rode in on January 20, 2009.