JFK, Reagan, Obama, Biden: A look at the official vehicles of American presidents

Ronald Reagan loved crowds, where he had the opportunity to say hello to the people who came to see him. The former actor was quick to flash his best smile.

Of course, the presidential limousine was also used for serious work. Here we see Reagan with his right-hand man James Baker in 1981.

Reagan and his wife presented themselves to the crowd on January 20, 1980, head out of the limousine, immediately after the swearing-in of the new president.

There aren’t tons of color photographs of President Kennedy riding in the presidential limousine. But this one is a faithful rendering of just how different the security around the president used to be!

This image was captured on November 22, 1963, a few minutes before President Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas. He died in the same car, just a few meters away.

Presidential travel became a little tighter in the 1980s and 1990s, particularly when George Bush took office. This presidential convoy on European soil is a case in point.

When it comes to greeting a crowd, nothing beats a little outing like this. President Bush even uses the limousine’s step to better be seen by his supporters.

His son, George W. Bush, also enjoyed the limousine ride when he became president.

That said, over time, security measures surrounding the management of the American president’s official vehicles have been added. There’s no room for improvisation.

Between the two Presidents Bush slipped the Democrat Bill Clinton! Here is the President waving before entering the official vehicle.

President Clinton was accustomed to wasting no time between trips. Here’s his helicopter landing very close to his limousine, ready to leave immediately.

Here, President Obama steps out of his official limousine to visit a military base. Note the thickness of the vehicle’s doors. Safety first!

Here again, transfers between presidential vehicles have improved over time. Right on the water’s edge, with surgical precision.

Will Kamala Harris ride in the presidential limousine?

… or will it be Donald Trump once again in the presidential vehicle following the next election?