Museum of presidential vehicles opens in Quezon City

presidential vehicles
A Cadillac Series 75-23 that was used by President Ramon Magsaysay.

In a treat for petrol heads and historians, a museum of presidential vehicles has opened its doors in Quezon City.

The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) and city authorities inaugurated the Presidential Car Museum today (Sunday, August 19) in time for the commemoration of the 140th birthday of former President Manuel Quezon.

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Speaking at the opening, presidential spokesman Harry Roque said: “It’s not just a vehicle, that’s a part of our history.” 

Twelve presidential vehicles are featured in the museum. These include limousines used by presidents Emilio Aguinaldo, Manuel Quezon, Jose P Laurel, Manuel Roxas, Elpidio Quirino, Ramon Magsaysay, Ferdinand Marcos, Corazon Aquino, Fidel V Ramos, Joseph Estrada, and Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. 

Until now, most of the cars have been hidden away in a private warehouse in Pampanga.

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The models on display are Manuel Quezon’s Chrysler Airflow Custom Imperial CW, two Packard Custom Super Eight: One-Eighty Limousine of Jose P Laurel and Sergio Osmeña, Cadillac Fleetwood Series 75 Limousine of Manuel Roxas, Chrysler Crown Imperial Limousine of Elpidio Quirino, Cadillac Series 75-23 of Ramon Magsaysay, Cadillac Sedan DeVille of Diosdado Macapagal, Lincoln Continental Mark VI of Ferdinand Marcos, Mercedes-Benz 500SEL of Corazon Aquino, Mercedes-Benz 500SEL Guard of Fidel V Ramos, and Mercedes-Benz S600 of Joseph Estrada.

Vehicles used by former presidents Diosdado Macapagal and Carlos Garcia are yet to be located. 

Meanwhile, Sergio Osmeña’s presidential limousine remains in Cebu, while negotiations to buy Aquino’s Lexus SUV are still progressing.

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Other cars in the museum include the Rolls-Royce Phantom V of Imelda Marcos, a Willys Jeep donated by General Douglas McArthur, a Cadillac V16 Transformable Town Car Cabriolet used by former president Manuel Quezon and General Douglas McArthur, and a horse-drawn carriage used by Leon Apacible, one of the authors of the 1899 Constitution.

The Presidential Car Museum is open from 8am to 4pm Tuesday to Sunday.

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