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Limousine Car History: Limousine, Chauffeurs, Carriages And First Limos
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Published: January 24, 2007
Before they were stretched, equipped with hot tubs and turned into hummers, limousines were a much more modest form of transportation. The history of limousines dates back to the 18th century complete with numerous designs and evolutions.
In 18th century Limousin, a historical province of France, chauffeurs, or stokers , managed the horses for the carriages and maintained fuel for steam engines by stoking the coals.
To protect themselves from the elements, these chauffeurs wore an oversized hood also known as a limousine. The same name was given to the hooded passenger compartment of a horse-drawn carriage. Passengers sat in the compartment while the chauffeur steered the vehicle, thus creating the first limousine.
Two centuries later, the advent of the automobile revolutionized transportation and created a new demand for efficiency as well as elegance. In order to create a new brand of comfort for VIP's such as President Calvin Coolidge, auto makers added a longer frame and large base to large sedans, providing increased legroom for the passenger. Room also was available for additional seats or jump seats with their backs facing the driver, allowing up to six passengers plus the driver.
In 1928, in Fort Smith, Arkansas, the Armbruster coach company created the first stretch limousine. Seats ran along the length of the limousine with additional bench seats on either side. With the increased space, these limousines were used to transport big band leaders and orchestras earning them the name big band buses.
Decades later, Armbruster merged with Stageway Coaches creating Armbruster-Stageway Coachbuilders. Some of the company's first limousine designs included stretch versions of popular automobiles like the Cadillac and the Lincoln. They also designed the first six-door funeral limousine still in use today.
Limousines continued to grow in popularity throughout the sixties and seventies as presidents and movie stars alike used them on a regular basis. Demand for custom built limousines increased and Federal Coach purchased Armbruster-Stageway Coachbuilders and continued to create unique custom limousines.
Today limousines are not limited to politicians and celebrities. Newlyweds chose limousines as their mode of transportation as well as teenagers on their way to prom. The extra indulgent can be seen soaking in a hot tub at the back of limousine and an entire bachelor party can fit into an oversized stretch hummer limousine.
As long as passengers continue to enjoy the extra legroom, surround sound system and cold champagne (careful, it's not free), limousine companies will continue to design innovative amenities and delicacies to make traveling in a limousine a truly memorable experience.
In 18th century Limousin, a historical province of France, chauffeurs, or stokers , managed the horses for the carriages and maintained fuel for steam engines by stoking the coals.
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Two centuries later, the advent of the automobile revolutionized transportation and created a new demand for efficiency as well as elegance. In order to create a new brand of comfort for VIP's such as President Calvin Coolidge, auto makers added a longer frame and large base to large sedans, providing increased legroom for the passenger. Room also was available for additional seats or jump seats with their backs facing the driver, allowing up to six passengers plus the driver.
In 1928, in Fort Smith, Arkansas, the Armbruster coach company created the first stretch limousine. Seats ran along the length of the limousine with additional bench seats on either side. With the increased space, these limousines were used to transport big band leaders and orchestras earning them the name big band buses.
Decades later, Armbruster merged with Stageway Coaches creating Armbruster-Stageway Coachbuilders. Some of the company's first limousine designs included stretch versions of popular automobiles like the Cadillac and the Lincoln. They also designed the first six-door funeral limousine still in use today.
Limousines continued to grow in popularity throughout the sixties and seventies as presidents and movie stars alike used them on a regular basis. Demand for custom built limousines increased and Federal Coach purchased Armbruster-Stageway Coachbuilders and continued to create unique custom limousines.
Today limousines are not limited to politicians and celebrities. Newlyweds chose limousines as their mode of transportation as well as teenagers on their way to prom. The extra indulgent can be seen soaking in a hot tub at the back of limousine and an entire bachelor party can fit into an oversized stretch hummer limousine.
As long as passengers continue to enjoy the extra legroom, surround sound system and cold champagne (careful, it's not free), limousine companies will continue to design innovative amenities and delicacies to make traveling in a limousine a truly memorable experience.
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