The Limousine: The Rise Of A Status Symbol

are cars you use to go to the office, to bring“link” between the music industry
your kids to school or to go grocery shopping.and the vehicle (now a favorite of rock and pop
And then there’s the limousine.stars alike).
There’s a reason why car dealershipsSoon, Hollywood too discovered not just
offering shiny limousines are a dime a dozen, oreffective the roomy limousine is when
why the Internet is filled with companies offeringtransporting film equipment and props, but also
limo and luxury car rental in Atlanta , New Yorkhow glamorous and comfortable they can be. By
and every other city in the world: it’s thatthe 1940s, the limousine has become the IT car
the sleek, elongated cars are the ultimate statusof Tinsel Town and everyone who was anyone
symbol.was riding in one.
Some may crave the thrill and excitement aAt the same time as it was gaining popularity
Formula 1 car brings, but when a man wants toamong the golden men and women of Hollywood,
exude power, confidence and luxury, it is stillthe limousine has also turned the world’s
ultimately the limousine that he comes back to.political leaders, particularly, American presidents,
What self-respecting rock star would arrive in ainto fans. Harry Truman, Teddy Roosevelt and
red carpet event in anything less than the bestDwight D. Eisenhower for example, all rode 21.5
limousine available? How can a head of statefeet long Cadillac convertibles. During the 60s and
expect to demonstrate his power if hethe 70s, the limousine’s reputation as the
doesn’t come to a state meeting in a longrich and the powerful’s vehicle of choice
black stretch car?was cemented.
The limousine had quite humble beginnings. FarMany would tell you, that the limousine’s
from the glamorous and luxurious world it is nowpopularity, its rise as a status symbol, could be
associated today, the limousine was actuallyattributed solely to the vehicle’s features.
named after a humble large cloak used byIt’s roomy interior offers passengers with
shepherds of the French province Limousin. Thecomfort while traveling- a feature the privileged
term “limousine” came to beexpects and demands. In the early years of the
associated with an automobile sometime in theautomobile when most cars were open and its
end of the 19th century and by the early 1900s,passengers were exposed, the limousine’s
a “limousine” was understood tocovering provided passengers not only with added
be a covered automobile powered by gasoline.security but also privacy. Simply put, the limousine
The limousine started rising to the top of the carjust screams luxury, privilege and style.
hierarchy in the 1920s when the firstWant further proof that testifies to the
“stretch limousine” was producedlimousine’s lavish and extravagant nature?
by Arkansas-based coach company Armbruster.Vehicle etiquette dictates that a limousine can only
Big bands and orchestras started using thesebe driven by a professional chauffeur and never
oversized vehicles as their main means ofby the owner, whose main and only task is to
transportation when they toured the Unitedenjoy the ride and bask in the car’s
States (they were very useful for carryingluxury and opulence. Now, does any other kind of
instruments), thus establishing the firstcar have this kind of “rule”?