The word “limousine” is believed to have originated in the French region of Limousin. The concept of a limousine (a vehicle with a driver) dates back to the 18th century, when horse-drawn carriages were developed to transport the wealthy from one place to another. These carriages were gold-plated and pulled by the finest horses. Passengers had a closed compartment to sit in while the driver was seated outside, exposed to the elements. In 1902, the first limousine for cars was developed, replacing the horses with a motor vehicle that could hold between three and five people.
Its design included a covered passenger compartment with a roof that projected forward over the driver's seat at the front. The driver was seated outside, under a hood, and there was usually a partition (usually made of soundproof glass) between the passengers and the driver. Limousines are usually vehicles with a long wheelbase, providing extra legroom in the passenger compartment. They are often seen as majestic vehicles, and today they are no longer just for the super rich or upper echelon of society. From Royale Limos and INKAS Vehicle Manufacturing to large limousines, custom body manufacturers create sections from existing models. The 1916 definition of a limousine from the Society of Automotive Engineers of the United States is an enclosed car with three to five seats inside and the driver's seat outside.
This type of limousine was invented in Arkansas in 1928, but it wasn't associated with formal occasions as it is today. President Franklin D. Roosevelt's favorite vehicle was a limousine due to its ease of entry and comfort. When it comes to defense accessories, presidential limousines are ready for anything that comes their way. However, presidential limousines will always remain a class of their own. When Kennedy's limousine was modified for presidential use by a company before it was sent to the White House for the first time, it became an iconic symbol of success and prosperity.
It is also believed that the hoods of limousine carriages looked like the hoodies raised from the capes of shepherds limousines. The last limousine produced was the Cadillac Fleetwood in 1977, owned by Elvis Presley. Today, anyone can rent a limousine in San Francisco, California for any occasion or event. Driving a limousine is generally considered a sign of prosperity and success.
