Drive a piece of American history: Twin car to the limousine in which JFK was shot expected to fetch $150,000 at auction

• Stretch Lincoln Continental convertible goes under the hammer next week
• It is an exact version of the one JFK was riding in when he was shot dead
• Features distinctive footplates and grab handles for secret service men
  
• The original Kennedy limo now on display at the Ford museum in Michigan
  

By Daniel Miller

Published: 06:38 EDT, 2 October 2013 | Updated: 08:06 EDT, 2 October 2013 `

The twin car to the limousine in which President John F Kennedy was assassinated, one of only two ever made, is expected to fetch over $150,000 when it goes up for auction next week.

The stretched Lincoln Continental convertible is an exact version of the one that was used to chauffeur the US President from 1961 until his infamous death on November 22, 1963 in Dallas.

The Kennedy car is now displayed at the Henry Ford Motor Museum in the US but has a permanent hard roof and bullet proof glass that were installed after the shooting.

It's twin version, which goes under the hammer in Belgium on October 11, wasn't modified and so is unique as identical to the JFK limousine at the time of his assassination.

It was commissioned by the White House in 1963 - the same year as JFK's death so he never rode in it. It is in immaculate condition with only 560 kilometres on the clock.

The left hand drive car, that is expected to go for between $120,000 and $220,000, has two rows of rear seats, extra wide doors to enable VIP passengers to get in and out with ease and internal radio telephones.

Distinctive: The twin car of the the JFK limousine with its running boards and handles at the back for secret service men

Interior: The Lincoln limousine stretches 21ft and weighs 3.5 ton monster. It is powered by a massive 440 inch V8 engine

It also has four distinctive retractable running boards meant for Secret Service agents to stand on, two permanent footplates at the back and two grab handles for the bodyguards.

And it comes with the US Presidential Seal on both sides and on the floor mats and the Stars and Stripes and Presidential flags on the front.

Its sale will now provide people with the macabre opportunity to travel in the same fashion the former president of the US was used to.

The dark blue car has belonged to the owner of a French motor museum for that last 30 years.

It is being sold by London-based auctioneers Bonhams.

Rarity: One of only two ever made, the stretched Lincoln Continental convertible was commissioned by the White House in 1963 - the same year as JFK's death - as an exact replica of the one already used by him

The coachbuilder's badge (left) and the manufacturer's plate (right) of the rare Lincoln Limousine

Philip Kantor, Bonhams' head of European motoring, said: 'This car is an exact replica of the one JFK was assasinated in and was built by the same coachbuilders.

'It is as close to the the JFK one as you are going to get. It is a one off, we don't know of another one that is identical to the Dallas limousine as this one.

'They weren't mass produced because there was no consumer demand for them.

'It was a parade car and was made to run at speeds of between 10mph to 40mph.

'Its sale is a wonderful opportunity to acquire a faithful replica of this historic vehicle on the eve of the 50th anniversary of the JFK assasination.

'This car really should be for a private collection, you wouldn't drive this down to the pub.'

HISTORY OF JFK'S PRESIDENTIAL LIMOUSINE

After JFK's election in 1961, the White House commissioned a new Presidential limousine from Ford and specified that the car had to be a convertible.

They took a Ford Lincoln Continental to specialist coachbuilders Hess & Eisenhardt in Cincinnati, Ohio who stretched the 17ft car by nearly 4ft.

It came with seven different types of hard top, including a transparent roof, but hadno armour plating.

The 21ft, 3.5 ton vehicle was powered by a massive 440 inch V8 engine.

The JFK limousine - codenamed SS 100X - was driven through Dallas by Secret Service agent William Greer on the day of the assassination.

JFK and his wife Jackie were sat in the back seat while Texas governor John Conally was positioned in the jump seat directly in front of the president at the time of the shooting.

After the world-changing event, the car was sent back to the coachbuilders and fitted with titanium armor, bulletproof glass and given a permanent hard top.

It was used by Presidents Johnson, Nixon, Ford and Carter before it went to the Ford Museum in Michigan in 1977.

The twin car is being sold at auction in Belgium on October 11.

Last year the hearse which carried John F Kennedy's casket  fetched $160,000 when it was auctioned off.