1972 Presidential Limousine, Vehicle Build, Exterior, October 31, 1971

In 1970, the Secret Service commissioned Ford Motor Company to build a new presidential parade car. The limousine had to make the president as visible to crowds as possible, but also provide maximum protection. Ford's Special Vehicles Engineering Department based the new car on the 1972 Lincoln Continental sedan, but expanded the car's length and height to create a larger interior.