Yat Ming 1972 Lincoln Continental Limousine- Reagan

Ford Motor Co. transformed what started out as a 1972 Lincoln Continental into a presidential limousine that became known as the “Reagan Presidential Car,” but it also served presidents Richard Nixon, Gerald R. Ford, and Jimmy Carter before him. The front end was updated to 1979 specifications just before President Reagan took office. This limo was designed to provide unprecedented protection for its occupants and was the most heavily armored car of its time. In addition to bulletproof body panels and windows, it has puncture-proof tires and a foam fuel tank bladder to prevent an explosion if the tank is perforated by a bullet. The limo was equipped with state-of-the-art (for its day) communications and security systems. Other incidental features include a pop-up, trunk lid grab handle and a fold-down rear bumper for Secret Service agents to use when the limo is in motion. Under the hood you’ll find a custom-built 460 cid OHV V-8, that makes 214 bhp—not exactly the epitome of power when you consider this massive limo weighs in at more than 5 tons!

This is the sixth in a series of presidential limousines from Yat Ming, available for $44.98 through FFM (The Fairfield Mint). The black plastic base for this image has a label that says: “Presidential Series – 1972 Lincoln Continental Reagan Car – Road Signature.” It’s painted in gloss black—with a simulated vinyl roof (with outlines to denote two retractable roof panels) and a textured trunk. For such a clean-lined design, the car has a lot of chrome, all of it done nicely to scale by the Yat Ming crew. The chromed radiator shell is very similar to a Rolls-Royce’s, by the way. The quad headlights are shown with the cover doors (non-operable) retracted. There are what appear to be four red, circular lights (painted red-over-chrome, like the taillights), mounted on the front bumper between the two bumper guards, but I’m not sure what their purpose is.

The windshield wipers are molded-in as part of the windshield plastic, and painted black. As with the 1:1 car, the rear bumper swings down to provide a step. The recessed handle in the trunk lid also swings up to provide a grab bar. There are two retracted antennas (non-working) on each front fender, along with two sockets for the flags provided in the packaging (as is the case with all of Yat Ming’s presidential limos). Two other antennas are mounted on each rear fender. All door windows are shown in the up position, including the front ones. My guess (and don’t hold me to this) is that they may not move at all, since they’re all bullet proof glass and supplied for the protection of the car’s occupants (they won’t stop a bullet if they’re down). The rear doors open on car-style hinges, but the front doors use doglegs. It’s too bad they couldn’t have been mounted in the same manner as the rear doors.

The engine bay isn’t resplendent with detail—most of it being of the molded-in variety—but it isn’t terrible either, adequately representing the big V-8. The trunk is fully “carpeted,” with a covered spare and what appears to be a toolbox. Two other mystery boxes, no doubt part of the car’s communications and security systems, are also visible. The interior detailing is from the molded-in and decal school, but has full “carpeting.” A fire extinguisher is mounted on the front passenger floor, and the seats are soft plastic. A window separates the front compartment, which is colored black, from the rear compartment, which is done in light blue. The weakest feature is the headliner, which is clear plastic to simplify reproducing the windshield, rear window, and the four side (non-door) windows. Eight studs from the plastic roof are melted over to hold it fast. At least this assembly’s on the roof and not obtrusive when looking into the interior.

The wheels look sharp, with their narrow white walls and full chromed covers (with Lincoln logos in the center). The undercarriage detailing is up to par, but there are no working suspensions. As with any of Yat Ming’s presidential series limos, there are some short cuts offset by a few unique touches of its own. Taken en toto, this image looks sharp—considering the relatively low price—and gleams in all the right places. It certainly won’t disgrace itself on display with its brethren—or any other 1:24 image for that matter. Considering its pedigree, it’s definitely worth getting.

The President Reagan limo is currently on display at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan. Unfortunately, it will be the last to see the inside of a museum. From this one forward, all future presidential limos will be destroyed in Secret Service safety tests. It sounds like an ignominious end for a car that provides service to such distinguished personas—so much for a nod toward history.

-Tom Pine