Re Car Show Treat

Yesterday I attended a local car show,a real mix of rods, trucks motorcycles, even a 1940 something Seagrave Fire engine complete with dual ignition [mag and distributor].AS I was doing the rows, I was stopped in my tracks by a exquisite black 1956 Chrysler Imperial limosine. It had two flags on the front fenders and one was the presidential flag. It had a federal plate on the front that was serial #100.It had the Presidential seal on the door and in the center of the back seat. I asked myself if this was a clone or what am I looking at? I found the owner and asked was this truly the car that President Eisenhower used? Certainly was. Apparently Ike got ownership when he left office. They were moving to a new Lincoln car for President Kennedy. Ike's wife Mamie had one that matched but a civilian version. When Ike died his will gave both of the Imperials to his long time driver/chauffer. The present owner got it next. He said he could have had both of them but finances held him off the civilian one which is now in a museum in Florida. He asked me if I saw the bullet mark in it? He said look on the drivers side descending roof metal 6 inches from the rear door window glass opposite where a persons head would be when sitting in the back seat. Sure enough, a dent in the metal. He said it was an assassination attempt on Heilee Salesse when he came to this country for a Presidential visit. He explained the whole car was bullet proof with a special frame and a Hemi engine to move it all. As I left the show I could not have but wondered what the world would be like today if they had only held off going to the open Lincoln for President Kennedy and stuck with this magnificent old Hemi powered Imperial with the bullet proof top. Still thinking about this unexpected treat. Mike

Very interesting day you had.....What a treat to see that BIG Imperial......I remember when Ike was riding in that rig, and it was impressive back then! As I recall they didn't have the big Hemi yet, and the displacement was about 360 cu in or so. I remember seeing the cross ram dual quad manifold and wondering how many gallons per mile were required to make the wheels turn. That was a long time ago, when men were men and women were damned glad of it. Now we had a 700hp Hellcat and the sexual orientation is totally up in the air.....Oh well...Thanks for the post!

Name the American Presidents ! ^^^

Wonder what the MPG of that thing is...I figure about 5-8 MPG...

Nice SM--sounds like a great day.