George W. drove to his inauguration in a new - limo!

George W. drove to his inauguration in a new - limo!

The new Presidential limousine.What do you think it looks like?

By Michael Binstock

Acorn Automotive Editor

Did you watch the inauguration of President Bush last Saturday? It was all over the TV, but repeats of Rugrats got better ratings. Perhaps, it proves that when it comes to Pomp and Circumstance we should leave it to the British!

Anyway, when it comes to how or what the president drives or rides in, that has to be totally American.

Last week Cadillac delivered a 2001 Cadillac DeVille Limousine to the White House, just in time for the Inaugural Parade.

According to Cadillac, "The White House represents the pinnacle of power, prestige and elegance," so why did they give George W., perhaps, the ugliest vehicle this writer has seen for many a year?

Was this designed by the same group that gave us another recent G.M. opus, the Pontiac Aztek?

According to Rick Wagoner, General Motors president, "Cadillac is an American icon and we have had a long association with the U.S.government. Over six decades, we have served our country in a unique way by providing special vehicles and limousines for U.S. diplomats and foreign dignitaries."

So why didn’t someone take a styling lesson? This new limo has the exterior appearance of the 2001 DeVille production models with all new and unique construction under the skin to make it suitable to drive the president. Cadillac is tight mouthed about exactly how the vehicle is built and what is special about it but they have told us that the interior contains a concealed, foldaway desktop for conducting the affairs of state and, if paperwork becomes boring, a rear seat exclusive, premium sound system with a 10-disc CD changer.

The Presidential wheels are finished in a handcrafted jet black clearcote paint that doesn’t seem to allow reflections - just like that famous monolith in the movie, "2001, A Space Odyssey."

This all new vehicle replaces a 1993 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham, delivered to the Clinton administration in 1993. Until then the presidential limo was the same one used by Ronald Reagan since 1984.

So the new president has his all new transportation for the all new millennium. At least they could have given him something that looks like its from 2001, not 1930!