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You see a limo roll by with dark tinted windows, and you wonder, is that a celebrity riding by? Maybe it is a famous athlete, or possibly a CEO of a Fortune 500 company. Needless to say, these stretch vehicles bring with them a sense of intrigue and mystery wherever they go. Along with this mystery, Limousines also bring with them a few interesting facts that you can impress your friends with. Let's take a look at some off-the-wall information about these fun vehicles. First off, did you know that the first limo rolled out of the factory over a century ago, not long after Henry Ford put the first automobiles into production? Over the last one hundred years these vehicles have represented luxury, class, and style. One of the first ones, built in 1902, had a climate-controlled cab for the riders, but the driver was forced to sit on the outside of the car. This separation is part of the "charm" that made the vehicle so luxurious. Another interesting fact is that the name limousine actually originated from the Limousine region in France. This area, largely countryside with rolling hills and expansive natural features, was best known for the traditional outfit of the locals that lived there. This outfit consisted of a cloaked hood that shepherds wore as a protection from the harsh winter weather. At the turn of the twentieth century, the covered cab of the limousine closely resembled this hood, so the vehicle adopted the name that it is still known by today. The first "stretch" limo was built in 1928, but the question remains whether it was a limousine or simply a bus. The vehicle was made in Arkansas and was used by the popular music ensemble, The Big Band, which included the transcendent Benny Goodman and Glen Miller. The stretch vehicle, which boasted room for twelve adults, was used by The Big Band until they retired in 1944. By that time many other bands had caught on to the idea of using a stretch vehicle for all of their travelling needs. The problem, however, was that some bands referred to the automobile as a bus while others called it a limo. If you had the privilege of riding in one of these luxurious stretch vehicles in 1940, you were one of the first people to experience automotive air conditioning. The option was expensive, at least for the times, with a $274 price tag, took up half of the trunk space, and it was also terribly inefficient, but it did take the edge off on those extremely hot summer days. Air conditioning did not make it into traditional sedans for another twenty years. Now for a factoid that I am sure everyone is curious about. The longest limo as recorded by the Guinness Book of World Records was one hundred feet long. It was built in California in 1997. The massive vehicle has twenty-six wheels and two driver cabins; one in the front and one in the middle. The car is so big that it is hinged at the center, which creates the need for two drivers. The huge automobile also was fitted with a full size Jacuzzi and four large screen televisions. When looking for a limo, Bucks County, PA, residents turn to Afton Limousine Service. Learn more at http://www.aftonlimousine.com.
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