Wednesday, April 10, 2019
Uniformity
A 1996 issue of Collectible Auto included a letter from a fellow who had written an article for some car club newsletter back in 1958. He had gone to the trouble of asking all the governors of US states and Canadian provinces about their official and personal cars.
The results show a remarkable uniformity, but not really surprising for '58. Lincoln had never been a serious maker of limos, Packard stopped around 1950, and Chrysler stopped after '54. Caddy was the only choice unless you could afford custom-built.
Official cars of governors:
Cadillac 29
Buick 5
Lincoln 4
Olds 4
Imperial 3
Chrysler 2
Ford 2
Chevy 1
Mercury 1
Packard 1
Nash 1
Personal cars of governors:
Buick 9
Caddy 4
Chevy 4
Ford 4
Chrysler 3
Olds 3
Edsel 2!!!
DeSoto 2
Imperial 2
Austin 1
Hudson 1
Lincoln 1
Mercury 1
Nash 1
Packard 1
Rambler 1
Willys 1
A couple of safe bets: The official and personal Nash were in Wisconsin. The Austin was in Canada.
Missing major brands: Studie and Pontiac and Dodge and Plymouth. Studie is understandable, but Pontiac and Dodge were both considered 'appropriate' cars. I'd expect to see them on the personal list.
Two Edsels are surprising, since it was new in '58 and immediately recognized as an undignified choice for a respectable man. Driving a cunt on wheels wasn't a reliable way to get votes. I'd like to know who owned the Willys. Was it a Jeep or an Aero?
The US govt had limos of all three major brands, Caddy, Imperial and Lincoln, because the Secret Service was willing to spend billions and liked to hedge its bets. Ike mostly used the '50 Lincoln.
Ike didn't own a personal car, but used a Crosley as a golf cart!
¶ 3:09 PM 
