Irish Presidential D24

[Robin (UK)]

I just heard about this very interesting car...

DE VALERA’S CAR

1947 Dodge, registration number ZH 1333.

Originally maroon in colour, the car can seat 8 people plus the driver.

It was purchased new for Sean T. Ó Ceallaigh during his term of office as President of Ireland. Sean T. Ó Ceallaigh personally drove the car for 12 years, until his presidential term ended in 1959.

In 1959 Eamon de Valera purchased the car for his own personal use, and had it painted black. Although he continued to use the official Rolls Royce on formal state occasions, President de Valera often drove the Dodge to political functions around the country and regularly drove the car around County Clare.

In 1988 the Dodge was presented to Clare County Council by Dr. Eamon de Valera and Ann de Valera on the wishes of their late sister, Margaret.

A specially-built display garage was unveiled by President Mary Robinson in 1992.

[pflaming]

I do not wonder they chose Mopar with its many UK monikers, yet I wonder why Dodge when DeSoto would have been a more UK moniker to my way of metaphorical thinking. Chrysler may have been too 'strong' / Plymouth might be a little 'embarrassing' so why Dodge? Just curious.

[Mark D]

The flag standards mounted to those bumperettes are simply grand! That gives me an idea for next years Independance Day Parade!

[Robin (UK)]

pflaming...

Ireland was a staging post for GIs coming to Britain during WWII, so I would guess that, because of all the military hardware that would have passed through, the Dodge name was well-known and well-respected by 1947.

Plymouth and DeSoto wouldn't have been widely known makes.

[B-Watson]

During the 1930's Chrysler of Great Britain assembled Dodges and Chryslers. Plymouths were sold as Kew and Wimbledon with Plymouth used occasionally. DeSotos were sold as Chryslers - in 1938 the DeSoto was sold as the Chrysler Richmond.

[pflaming]

I thoroughly enjoy the international insights of the non USA forum members. Great historical information and sometimes very enjoyable word choices and phrases.

The car names and the Irish connection regarding WW II are examples. This is a fabulous forum.

[Rusty O'Toole]

DeSoto and Chrysler limousines are well known, but they also made a Dodge limousine or 7 passenger sedan that used the same body with a Dodge engine and Dodge front sheet metal.

I wouldn't believe it either but I saw one and worked on it in the late 80s. It was a local car that was used as a limousine for hire for 10 years then stored away for 30 years.

There is no telling why they chose the Dodge (in Ireland) except that it would have been a few pounds cheaper, and the smaller engine would have meant less road tax.

I don't believe they ever made a Plymouth limousine.

[Frank Elder]

........Best example of a true Dodge limo that I've ever seen.............

[Frank Elder]

........

[B-Watson]

DeSoto and Chrysler limousines are well known' date=' but they also made a Dodge limousine or 7 passenger sedan that used the same body with a Dodge engine and Dodge front sheet metal.

I wouldn't believe it either but I saw one and worked on it in the late 80s. It was a local car that was used as a limousine for hire for 10 years then stored away for 30 years.

There is no telling why they chose the Dodge (in Ireland) except that it would have been a few pounds cheaper, and the smaller engine would have meant less road tax.

I don't believe they ever made a Plymouth limousine.[/quote']

They made a LWB Plymouth 8 passenger sedan from 1936 through 1941. In 1941 the DeSoto, Chrysler and big Dodge all shared a larger body. Prior to that they used a 3" longer version of the Plymouth (except 1939). Plymouth limousines were built 1937 through 1941.

And this one is a true limousine, one of two built. The division window, exterior locks on the rear doors and the heater tubes on the front doors are all signs of a limousine. The regular LWB sedans had none of these items.

If you look closely at the passenger side front door you can see the heater tube just below the arm rest. The vent connecting the front heater duct on the kick panel to the driver's front door can be seen in the same photo. The vent to the rear compartment can be seen in the photo of the rear seat area. The duct work was necessary as the division cut off the normal flow of warm air into the rear seat.

[Rusty O'Toole]

Do you distinguish a limousine with divider window from a 7 or 8 pass sedan without?

I worked on one of the other ones. This was in Port Hope Ontario in 1987 or 88. A 1947 Dodge with jump seats but no divider window.

[Frank Elder]

No divider, no limo.......

[B-Watson]

Do you distinguish a limousine with divider window from a 7 or 8 pass sedan without?

I worked on one of the other ones. This was in Port Hope Ontario in 1987 or 88. A 1947 Dodge with jump seats but no divider window.

The partition with glass divider is THE difference between LWD sedan and a limousine. Other marks of a limousine are the exterior door locks on the rear doors (with keys cut differently from the front doors), heater ducts to the rear compartment, rear radio controls, and sometimes means of contacting the driver from the rear without rolling down the partition glass.

I used "LWD sedan" as LWD sedans in many years were either 5/6 passenger sedans or with jump seats to make 7/8 passenger sedans.

These days every long wheelbase sedan with jump seats is a limousine. But you need that partition or it is not a limousine!