Cadillac
Series 90 V16 Fleetwood presidential parade cars 'Queen Mary' / 'Queen Elizabeth'

Why it matters

Cadillac built two near-identical open V-16 parade limousines in 1938 under Special Order 9006 and leased them to the White House, where they served the Roosevelt, Truman and Eisenhower administrations until 1956. Nicknamed 'Queen Mary' and 'Queen Elizabeth' after the ocean liners, they are early examples of purpose-built, armoured presidential cars.

How rare is it?

Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

Production

Every figure says what it counts.

Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.

History

The two cars were built on a special 165-inch chassis, 11 inches longer than a standard V-16, with Fleetwood bodies styled by William J. Mitchell, and were finished in Midnight Blue. Leased by Cadillac to the U.S. government, they carried Secret Service agents or the President and were fitted with armour plating, running boards, grab handles, communications equipment, firearm compartments, sirens and lights.

Their V-16 engines were replaced by an L-head V-8 in 1946 and by a 331 cu in overhead-valve V-8 in the early 1950s. On retirement in 1956 chassis 5270075 was sold by Cadillac to a dealer, stayed with one family for over four decades, and won best original unrestored car at Amelia Island in 2002.

Technical specifications

Engine

Transmission & drivetrain

Chassis, body & dimensions

Performance

“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.

Identification guide

How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.

The two cars are Special Order 9006, chassis 5270064 and 5270075, with Fleetwood bodies (5270075 is body No. 2 of 2, trim SO 2644). A genuine car has the 165-inch wheelbase and evidence of its presidential fittings (armour, step plates, grab handles, siren). Note that both cars lost their original V-16 engines in service, so a V-8 is correct for their later history.

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

1. 1
   1938 Cadillac V-16 Presidential Convertible Parade Limousine by Fleetwood – RM Sotheby's Arizona 2012 Level B

   • 2 cars built, chassis 5270064 and 5270075

   Accessed 2026-11-11
2. 2
   1938 Cadillac V-16 Presidential Convertible Parade Limousine by Fleetwood (Arizona 2012) Level B RM Sotheby's

   • 135-degree L-head V-16, 431 cu. in., 135 hp
   • 431 cu. in.
   • L-head V-16, 431 cu. in., 135 hp
   • Three-speed manual
   • 165 inches

   Accessed 2026-11-11