These rare, fast, luxurious cars were once official vehicles of Philippine Presidents

These cars are not simply a mode of transportation. They are symbolic of a state leaders’ power and authority.

"For the most part, the government picks the presidential cars to be used by the president. But the president also has the freedom to choose which car he or she prefers to use. For instance, President Rodrigo Duterte has opted to ride his Landcruiser as his official car instead of the one provided by the Presidential Security Group (PSG)," says Ismael Magallanes, Jr., officer in charge at the National Historical Commission of the Philippines’ (NHCP) Presidential Car Museum.

Motoring journalist Iñigo Roces, who served as researcher for the Museum says some of the cars were chosen by the presidents themselves, while others were carried over from past administrations.

The Presidential Car Museum put the spotlight on these presidential cars in a recent online talk.

(Manuel L. Quezon’s 1937 Chrysler Airflow Custom CW)

This car is one of the rarest automobiles in the world, says Iñigo. In fact, there are only 10 or less of these cars surviving today. There’s only one Chrysler Airflow in the Philippines and that’s the one at the car museum.

It’s powered by an inline eight-cylinder engine, producing 130 horsepower.

This car was only used for official functions during Quezon’s time and was always present during state events.

((Jose P. Laurel’s 1941 Packard Custom Super Eight 180 Limousine))

The third president of the republic was accorded by the Japanese government this very luxurious car—a limousine trim, which means it’s the most expensive version of this model.

It uses an inline eight-cylinder, one of the biggest engines offered by Packard then. It has a glass partition (which can be lowered) between the driver and passenger, making it an ideal state car.

After Laurel’s term, the vehicle continued to be used by President Sergio Osmeña.

(Manuel L. Roxas’s 1947 Cadillac Fleetwood Series 75 Limousine)

The Philippines’ fifth president used this top-of-the-line limousine as his official car. It was considered one of the fastest and most expensive cars during his time. It was also the very first airconditioned Philippine presidential car.

It’s a three-speed manual automobile with 5.6 liter inline V8 cylinder that produces up to 137 horsepower.

(Elpidio Quirino’s 1953 Chrysler Crown Imperial Limousine)

NHCP describes this car as one of the most luxurious and high-quality cars built by Chrysler.

The country’s first presidential car equipped with an FM radio, it has a long wheel base with a partition, and an engine that produces 284 horsepower.

(Ramon Magsaysay’s 1955 Cadillac Series 75-23)

The seventh President of the Philippines continued to use his predecessor’s Crown Imperial but he also had this four door-Sedan on reserve.

The car was used as an auxiliary vehicle until the first term of President Ferdinand Marcos. A similar model was also owned by Chinese statesman Chiang Kai-shek.

Ref: These rare, fast, luxurious cars were once official vehicles of Philippine Presidents (ancx)