The Fascinating History of Limousines

Learn about the fascinating history of limos and how they evolved over time from horse-drawn carriages to elastic limos.

The Fascinating History of Limousines

Limousines have been around for centuries, but the first limousine car was introduced in Paris, France in 1889. The word limousine is derived from the French region of Limousin, though it is not known how the name of the region was transferred to the car. In the early 20th century, limousines were horse-drawn carriages used to transport wealthy people around cities. These early limousines were often very ornate and had luxurious amenities such as cushions and silk curtains. At the time, limousines weren't necessarily longer than regular cars, seating only 3 to 5 people.

In the United States, there were two subcategories of limousines in 1916: the Berliner and the Brougham. An alternative etymology speculates that some of the first drivers wore a limousine-style cape in the driver's open compartment, to protect themselves from inclement weather. Regardless of the type of trip you take, doing it in a limousine will create a certain impression about you as a passenger. In the late 20th century, elastic limousines were introduced.

These are longer than regular limousines and usually have a partition that separates the driver from the rear passenger compartment. Vehicles converted into elastic limousines include the East German Trabant, Volkswagen Beetle, Fiat Panda and Citroën 2CV. If you want to make your trip, tour or event in Charlottesville Virginia unforgettable, consider renting a limousine from a prestigious company. However, you should choose the right limousine company if you really want to get the best experience.

This new type of limousine was much longer than the traditional limousine and could comfortably accommodate up to 12 passengers. Because of the cost of replacing the limousine with a newer model, some cars were recharged, armored, upgraded and equipped with a non-removable bulletproof glass cover.

Jim Harris
Jim Harris

Passionate web evangelist. Total bacon evangelist. General bacon lover. Amateur web aficionado. Subtly charming travel practitioner.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *