The Car That Carried Kennedy: Its Tragic History and Legacy

Step into history as we explore the iconic 1961 Lincoln Continental—President John F. Kennedy’s limousine—on display at The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan. Known as the “death car” by the press, this vehicle witnessed one of America’s darkest days on November 22, 1963. From its origins at the Wixom Assembly Plant to its transformation by Hess and Eisenhardt into a state-of-the-art parade car, this limo tells an incredible story of history, tragedy, and resilience.

In this video, we’ll take you through the fascinating journey of the X-100: how it was customized for presidential use, the events of that fateful day in Dallas, and its subsequent modifications to serve presidents from Kennedy to Carter. You’ll hear about its advanced features for the time—like retractable steps for Secret Service agents, a hydraulically lifting seat, and early mobile communication systems.

Join me as I connect the dots between the past and present, diving into the car’s transformation after the assassination and its role as a haunting reminder of a pivotal moment in American history. Don’t miss this detailed look at one of the most famous artifacts at The Henry Ford Museum.

‪@Zach_OnTheMap‬

This is the link to my Kennedy Air Force One Tour in which I discuss the details of what happened aboard Air Force One that day, from JFK's departure, to news reaching the crew of something going wrong, President Johnson arriving, what he did, his conversations, the arrival and loading of the casket, the LBJ swearing-in, and arrival back to Washington.

   • Touring Air Force One: What Happened the D...