Drive through history: Inside the Presidential Car Museum

Most people adore museums. For starters, these facilities are concrete representations of how man has progressed. It provides us with a clear glimpse of our past, and thus is crucial for imparting knowledge to build our future as a society. 

So, in celebration of the upcoming International Museum Month on May 18, 2025, Zigwheels Philippines went on a field trip to the Museo ng Pampangulong Sasakyan (Presidential Car Museum) in Quezon City. 

Why the Presidential Car Museum? Well, the cars that are stored and displayed in its halls offer a good glimpse into the prevailing automotive technologies and car design trends from their respective eras. 

Sure, there are other car museums in the country that have more eclectic selections of automobiles, but none of those were chosen to ferry around our nation’s top official.

Emilio Aguinaldo - 1924 Packard Single-6 Touring

Emilio Aguinaldo, the Philippines’ first president, utilized a 1924 Packard Single-6 Touring after his presidency. So, no, the said car was not an official presidential car. Regardless, it remains an important historical relic.

As for the car itself, the museum plaque about it says that “it was among the top luxury car brands of the 1920s.” The Single-6 Touring, in particular, became the choice for many world leaders at the time, the most notable of which was the Russian Imperial family. 

In total, the Packard Single-6 Touring can seat up to seven passengers - much like a modern-day mid-size sport utility vehicle. It was, however, a bit anemic on performance, as its 4.4-liter inline-6 mill only made a measly 52 horsepower (hp). 

Here’s a table summarizing relevant details of Emilio Aguinaldo’s car: 

Model	1924 Packard Single-6 Touring
Engine	4.4-liter inline-6
Horsepower	52 hp
Transmission	Three-speed manual
Passenger capacity	Seven
Service years	1924-1964

 

Manuel L. Quezon - 1937 Chrysler Airflow Custom Imperial CW

Next up is the 1937 Chrysler Airflow Custom Imperial CW utilized by Manuel L. Quezon from 1937-1941. 

According to the Presidential Car Museum, the Airflow was one of the most aerodynamic cars of its time. The particular car shown in the facility, however, was the only example of its nameplate ever imported to the Philippines. Globally, the Airflow was likewise quite rare, with only 30,000 ever made. 

For power, the Chrysler Airflow depended on a 5.3-liter eight-cylinder mill, with a maximum output of 129 hp and 338 Newton-meters (Nm) of torque. It also used a three-speed manual transmission, and it could carry up to five occupants.

Model	1937 Chrysler Airflow Custom Imperial CW
Engine	5.3-liter eight-cylinder
Horsepower	129
Torque	338 Nm
Transmission	Three-speed manual
Passenger capacity	Five
Service years	1937-1941

José P. Laurel and Sergio Osmeña - 1941 Packard Custom Super 180 Limousine

During the Japanese Empire’s occupation of the Philippines, our nation’s then-leader, José P. Laurel, was provided with a 1942 Packard Custom Super 180 Limousine. 

When the Americans liberated the country in the later stages of World War II (February 1945), however, President Sergio Osmeña opted to use the same ride as his predecessor. Per the museum, the country was slow to recover from the war and was thus in need of resources. As such, Osmeña deemed that a “new presidential car” was the least of his administration’s priorities. 

Specs-wise, the Packard Custom Super 180 used a 5.8-liter engine that could churn out 159 hp. It could also carry up to five passengers. 

Model	1941 Packard Custom Super 180 Limousine
Engine	5.8-liter inline-eight
Horsepower	159
Transmission	Three-speed manual
Passenger capacity	Five
Service years	1941-1946

Manuel Róxas - 1940 Cadillac Fleetwood Series 75

During his term, Manuel Róxas rode on a 1940 Cadillac Fleetwood Series 75. Per its name, its body was built by the coachbuilding company Fleetwood.

Per the Presidential Car Museum, the said car was highly regarded for its 5.6-liter V8 engine that could put out up to 135 hp. It also used a three-speed manual transmission. 

Model	1940 Cadillac Fleetwood Series 75
Engine	5.6-liter V8
Horsepower	135
Transmission	Three-speed manual
Passenger capacity	Five
Service years	1946-1948

Elpidio Quirino - 1953 Chrysler Crown Imperial

When Elpidio Quirino was elected to office, he chose a 1953 Chrysler Crown Imperial Limousine as his presidential car. 

Notably, the said vehicle came with a partition window and a very long wheelbase spanning 3,670 millimeters (mm).  And, according to the museum, it was one of the first-ever models to have used power-assisted disc brakes and a 12-volt electrical system. 

At most, the Chrysler Crown Imperial Limousine’s 5.4-liter Hemi V8 could generate up to 280 hp, which was more than enough to lug around its two-ton curb weight. 

Model	1953 Chrysler Crown Imperial
Engine	5.4-liter Hemi V8
Horsepower	280
Transmission	Two-speed manual
Passenger capacity	Five

Ramón Magsaysay - 1955 Cadillac Series 75-23

At the start of his term, Ramón Magsaysay initially kept using Quirino’s Chrysler Crown Imperial. Later on, however, the Philippine government acquired a Cadillac Series 75-23. 

As shared by the Presidential Car Museum, the said vehicle was also made more luxurious by Fleetwood. Under its hood is a 5.4-liter V8 engine paired with a four-speed automatic. It was classed as a sedan, but it had the space to fit up to seven occupants. 

Model	1955 Cadillac Series 75-23
Engine	5.4-liter V8
Horsepower	249
Transmission	Four-speed automatic
Passenger capacity	Seven
Service years	1953-1957

Diosdado Macapagal - 1959 Cadillac Sedan DeVille

Diosdado Macapagal’s official presidential car was an example of the 1958 Cadillac Sedan DeVille. 

The museum admits that the car it has on display is not the same presidential car used by the Macapagal administration. The museum further stated, however, that it isn’t too big of a deal considering that fewer than 100 units of the Sedan DeVille were exported from the United States at the time. 

Under the hood of the Cadillac Sedan DeVille is a 6.4-liter V8 capable of making up to 324 hp. It also used a four-speed automatic gearbox. 

Model	1959 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
Engine	6.4-liter V8
Horsepower	324
Transmission	Four-speed automatic
Passenger capacity	Five
Service years	1961-1965

Ferdinand Marcos - 1980 Lincoln Continental Mark IV Signature Series

One of the largest cars on display at the Presidential Car Museum is the 1980 Lincoln Continental Mark IV Signature Series used by Ferdinand Marcos. With a length of 5,568 mm, it could comfortably seat up to eight occupants. Interestingly enough, the car only had a wheelbase length of 2,982 mm. 

Other notable features of Marcos’ Continental Mark IV include a wood and chrome-trimmed interior, keyless entry, and a digital gauge cluster. Per the museum, the said features were enough at the time to consider it as “high tech.” 

Model	1980 Lincoln Continental Mark IV Signature Series
Engine	5.0-liter V8
Horsepower	128
Transmission	Four-speed automatic
Passenger capacity	Eight
Service years	1980-1986

 

Corazon Aquino - 1986 Mercedes-Benz 500SEL

Starting with Corazon Aquino, Philippine presidents had a penchant for using Mercedes-Benz S-Class models as their official rides. Specifically, the nation’s first female Commander in Chief was provided with a 500SEL model sourced via a donation from the German government. 

On the outside, the car retains the stately appearance of the 1980s-era S-Class. According to the museum, however, Aquino’s car featured bulletproof panels and windows - with some sections measuring up to 50 mm in thickness. 

Under the hood of Aquino’s Mercedes-Benz 500SEL is a 5.0-liter V8 engine paired with a four-speed automatic gearbox. In total, the said powertrain can produce up to 219 hp and 365 Nm of torque. 

Model	1986 Mercedes-Benz 500SEL
Engine	5.0-liter V8
Horsepower	219
Torque	365 Nm
Transmission	Four-speed automatic
Passenger capacity	Five
Service years	1986-1992

Fidel V. Ramos - 1986 Mercedes-Benz 500SEL Guard

Similarly, the Fidel Ramos administration opted for a 1986 Mercedes-Benz 500SEL presidential car. Per the museum, however, his S-Class stood out as it was the “Guard” trim, which was the same variant utilized by the German GSG 9 anti-terrorism unit. It was also the official car utilized by Salvador Laurel - Corazon Aquino’s Vice President during her term. 

Additional features for Ramos’ 500SEL include a special switchboard to control the car’s many sirens and lamps, as well as a button for control modules and fuses. It had, however, thinner bulletproof sections compared to Aquino’s S-Class.

Model	1986 Mercedes-Benz 500SEL Guard
Engine	5.0-liter V8
Horsepower	219
Torque	365 Nm
Transmission	Four-speed automatic
Passenger capacity	Five
Service years	1986-1992

Joseph Ejercito Estrada - 1993 Mercedes-Benz S600

Like his two predecessors, Joseph Ejercito Estrada chose a Mercedes-Benz S-Class. His state vehicle was the newer S600, which came with a peppier 6.0-liter V12 engine capable of outputting 388 hp and 570 Nm of torque. 

According to the Presidential Car Museum, Estrada’s S600 was fitted by vehicle armoring firm O’Gara and Hess with steel plates and Kevlar, a self-sealing fuel tank, and an alarm system for extra protection. 

Other notable features of Estrada’s S600 include an extra battery for redundancy, power-assisted doors, and a climate control system that can be kept running even if the car’s engine is not running. 

Model	1993 Mercedes-Benz S600
Engine	6.0-liter V12
Horsepower	388
Torque	570 Nm
Transmission	Four-speed automatic
Passenger capacity	Five
Service years	1993-2001

Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo - 1993 Mercedes-Benz S600 Limousine V140

The latest vehicle on display at the Presidential Car Museum is the 1993 Mercedes-Benz S600 Limousine V140 used by Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo during her presidency. 

Similar to the one used by Joseph Ejercito Estrada, the S600 utilized by Macapagal-Arroyo during her term had a lot of armoring. It also featured run-flat tires and additional protection for its engine block. 

The body of the newer presidential car, however, was stretched into a limousine. As such, it was capable of seating up to seven. 

Model	1993 Mercedes-Benz S600 Limousine V140
Engine	6.0-liter V12
Horsepower	388
Torque	570 Nm
Transmission	Four-speed automatic
Passenger capacity	Seven
Service years	1993-2001

Honorable mentions

Douglas McArthur - 1934 Cadillac V16 Transformable Town Car Cabriolet

Apart from the state cars listed above, the Presidential Car Museum also hosted other vehicles that were once used by notable luminaries in the country’s history. One of those cars is a 1934 Cadillac V16 Transformable Town Car Cabriolet. 

Interestingly, the Cadillac V16 was initially used by Manuel Quezon as his state car. It was gifted to General Douglas McArthur, when the American military official stepped up to become the Field Marshal of the Philippine Army. 

With regard to its specs, the Cadillac V16, per its name, used a 7.4-liter V16 mill. Sounds like something from a modern supercar, but it could only produce up to 164 hp. Plus, the car tipped the scales at 3,000 kilograms. 

Model	1934 Cadillac V16 Transformable Town Car Cabriolet
Engine	7.4-liter V16
Horsepower	164
Transmission	Three-speed manual
Passenger capacity	Five
Service years	1935-1936

 

Imelda Marcos - 1960 Rolls-Royce Phantom V

Another non-state vehicle displayed at the Presidential Car Museum is a 1960 Rolls-Royce Phantom V. 

With only 516 examples made, the said vehicle had several interesting features. According to the museum, it has a compartment for storing liquor bottles, a built-in cigar humidifier, and a champagne flute holder. 

In total, the Phantom V can seat up to eight occupants. It also boasts a 6.2-liter V8 engine capable of making up to 182 hp. 

Model	1960 Rolls-Royce Phantom V
Engine	6.2-liter V8
Horsepower	182
Transmission	Four-speed automatic
Passenger capacity	Eight

 

Final thoughts

There you have it, folks, the state cars used by our country’s presidents: from Emilio Aguinaldo, all the way until the administration of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. All are keenly preserved and are open for the public to see (free of charge) at the Presidential Car Museum at the Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City. 

So, do you have a favorite among the cars listed above? 

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