CAR TRIVIA: What was the White House's First Official Car?

 

Answer:  1909 White steam touring car

In January of 1909, legislation was entered into Congress on behalf of president-elect William Howard Taft for the appropriation of official White House automobiles.  After some discussion and initial rejection of the funding by the Senate, that February the Congress authorized $12,000 for the purpose.  Taft arranged for the purchase of a 40-horsepower White steam touring car and a 48-horsepower six-cylinder Pierce-Arrow limousine.  Taft's enthusiasm for the technology changed the political culture of the automobile and brought about a national craze for the machines.