U.S. history buffs have the rare opportunity to experience a ride in an actual presidential limousine — but it comes at a hefty price.
The rides are available at the Harry S. Truman Little White House in Key West, Florida, where one of the nine limos Truman used during his presidency is on the grounds.
“President Truman made 11 presidential visits to Key West totaling 175 days of his presidency, essentially running the United States right here from the Key West Little White House,” Clinton Curry, director of operations for the Little White House, said in a press release.
The vintage 1950 Lincoln Cosmopolitan stretch limo was recently acquired by the Key West Harry S. Truman Foundation from a private collector. It has 32,000 miles on the odometer and features a hydraulic privacy shield, security elements, and other features that made it safe for the president.
“This limo is one of nine that were situated at different cities throughout the United States for use by the president when he would travel to different locations, because back in that period, of course, the presidential limousine did not travel on the presidential plane,” said Curry.
Truman was the 33rd U.S. president, serving from 1945 to 1953. He was vice president for just three months in 1945 before the death of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, thrusting him into the presidency. Despite hailing from Missouri, Truman had an affinity for Florida and spent 175 days of his presidency in Key West at what was dubbed the Little White House.
The limo is just one of many artifacts found at the Little White House. Visitors can take a guided tour through the former home-turned-museum. But for those who want more than the standard treatment, a special VIP White Glove Tour gives them complete access, including to the limo.
For a price of $500 plus tax, a group of up to six adults gets taken to rooms not shown on the regular tour, photo opportunities at Truman’s desk and poker table, a botanical tour of the grounds, the chance to don white gloves and hold actual presidential artifacts, and more.
The tour ends with a ride in the limo through the streets of Key West’s Old Town.
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