Pricey Wheels: What to Know About ‘The Beast,’ the Presidential Limo
If you think car prices are high, consider the cost to replace the presidential limo.
The U.S. Secret Service recently met with General Motors executives to discuss the development of a new presidential limousine. While GM representatives declined to comment on current government contracts, the Homeland Security Department and the Secret Service awarded the company a $14.8 million contract in September for the development of the next-generation ‘Beast.’
A Fortress on Wheels
The current presidential limo is a custom-built 2018 Cadillac, modeled after the Cadillac CT6. The 22,000-pound vehicle is built on a heavy-duty truck chassis, powered by a diesel engine, and features eight-inch-thick armor.
In an exclusive episode of “Jay Leno’s Garage,” Leno explored ‘The Beast’ with Secret Service agents. They offered insights into the vehicle’s security features. The Secret Service transports at least two of the vehicles wherever the president goes, using C17 or C5 aircraft to move them. The agents also noted that each limo has an estimated eight-year lifespan, after which they are destroyed.
History and Legacy
Presidential limousines and Cadillacs have a long history, dating back to 1919 when President Woodrow Wilson rode in a 1916 Cadillac limousine. Cadillacs have served multiple presidents since, including Roosevelt, Truman, Eisenhower, Reagan, and Clinton.
“In 1919, President Woodrow Wilson rode in a Series 53 1916 Cadillac limousine during a parade in Boston to celebrate the end of World War I,” GM said.
“Two Cadillac convertibles — dubbed the “Queen Mary” and “Queen Elizabeth” — served Presidents Roosevelt, Truman, and Eisenhower. First used in 1938, the 21.5-foot, 7,660-pound vehicles were equipped with a full ammunition arsenal, two-way radios, and heavy-duty generators.”
In 2009, a re-engineered version of the Beast, code-named “Cadillac One,” and featuring design cues from the Cadillac DTS, debuted to transport President Obama.
The Secret Service has always looked to enhance their protective operations. “Director Curran’s visit to the General Motors Tech Center in Warren (Michigan) was to discuss new advancements that could benefit the next generation of armored SUVs. The U.S. Secret Service employs a variety of vehicle platforms,” said Nate Herring, lead public affairs specialist for the Secret Service.
The Name and the Family
Presidential limousines have been nicknamed “The Beast” since 2001.
President Trump has a personal connection to Cadillacs, with his father, Fred Trump, being a fan.
Trump said in a September 2024 speech in Michigan that his father, Fred Trump, liked Cadillacs. “I learned so much from him, and he loved Cadillac,” GM said on its website.
The wood surrounding the presidential seal inside the limo comes from a chestnut tree planted by George Washington.
