The First Indonesian President's cars (Part-2)

Ir. Soekarno, The first President
of Republic of Indonesia. (Picture from: 
http://saatuu-haatii.blogspot.com/)

Ir. Sukarno is known as the First President of Republic of Indonesia, as well as founding father who was born June 6, 1901 and died June 21, 1970.

Speaking about the founding fathers of the Republic of Indonesia, is never-ending. Bung Karno turned out to have quite a story attached to the automotive world.

In the struggle era of the Indonesian independence, and then when he became the first Indonesian president, Soekarno called use the 1938 Buick-8.

The First Indonesian President on his presidential car. (Picture from: http://spjati.blogspot.com/)

In addition, there are some vehicles that have been used by him. Here we summarize the next 5 from 10 cars that have been used by Bung Karno:

5. 1948 Cadillac 60 Special

1948 Cadillac production car that uses a 5.7 L V8 monobloc and 5.4 L OHV V8 engine, this car seemed increasingly making class at the time. For transmission, also available in two types namely 3-speed manual and 4-speed automatic.

1948 Cadillac 60 Special (Picture from: http://m.otosia.com/)

This type is a third generation, which produced approximately 1948 to 1949. In the automotive world, the car is often referred to as the Cadillac Sixty Special. Because it using the "Series 60" production platform type. This car is included in the sedan category.

4. 1948 Lincoln Cosmopolitan

Lincoln Cosmopolitan is a luxury car in his day, produced by the famous American car company, Ford. Vehicles that can be categorized as first-generation limousine is the forerunner of similar model generation.

At the window is equipped with electric power window. Also with the power-driven chair, and three speed manual transmission. The Lincoln used that by President Soekarno's estimated production of the first generation. This classic car was produced in 1948 to 1954.

1948 Lincoln Cosmopolitan. (Picture from: http://bukucatatan-part1.blogspot.com/)

The car is powered by a V8 engine that has a capacity of 336.7 cubic inches and could produces power of 152 hp. In fact, that time touted already has automatic transmission technology that supported by General Motors.

3. 1947 Chrysler Windsor Limousine

This car does have high authority, not because of the design which never bears a luxury car at the time. But the fact that this car does have a 'destiny' as official mounts.

The light brown car with numbered B 253 HK belongs Bung Karno in 1948-1955 was also once used by General Sudirman as his official car.

1947 Chrysler Windsor Limousine. (Picture from: http://m.merdeka.com/)

1947 Chrysler Windsor Limousine is one of the cars that produced by Chrysler from 1939 to 1961. And continuing from 1961 until 1966 for Canada only. This Chrysler Windsor, Equipped with 250.6 CID L-head engine which is capable producing power of 114 hp. And to move it, the power is channeled through a 4-speed manual transmission.

2. 1942 DeSoto

DeSoto cars made in 1942 was used by President Soekarno and Vice President Mohammad Hatta also. This vehicle has a unique design with the title of the first cars in the United States that have a pop-up style lights. The interior itself has a glass partition separating the driver and passenger.

This car was a gift from Djohan Djohor, a successful businessman in Jakarta at that time in order to help mobilize the struggle on the side to avoid seizure of the Japanese occupation of Indonesia.

1942 Desoto is the first Indonesian vice president car. (Picture from: http://www.magetanindah.com/)

There is a fascinating story when ever changed hands and is used by the owner as a public transport. However, not long after the vehicle that using "Rep-2" number plates was purchased back by Bung Hatta to be restored with the help of Hasyim Ning, an Indonesian businessman. Now the car is kept in Gedung Joang 45 Museum, Menteng street no. 31, Jakarta with some other cars.

1. 1938 Buick-8

The American car produced by the manufacturer that was founded in 1899 with the name of the Buick Auto-Vim and Power Company. This is the first of the Republic of Indonesia Presidency car and is used after the proclamation of Indonesian independence (used from 1945 to 1949). This is a 1938 Buick Limited-8, the Buick's main car that issued in 1939.

The story of this car to be presidential car was quite interesting. This car was found in 1945 in the back of Department of Transportation at Japanese Occupation Period office (Now the Directorate General of Sea Transportation office, at Merdeka Timur street, Jakarta) by Sudiro, chairman of the Barisan Banteng. He himself knew that the Buick-8 was not just any car, a car that is supposedly an excellent car in Jakarta at that time.

1938 Buick-8 is the first Indonesian presidential car when used at the commemoration of the 62th anniversary of Indonesia's independence in 2007 on August 16, 2007. (Picture from: http://cakrawalaindah2.wordpress.com/)

The Indonesia's independence hero was then approached the driver and persuaded him home to his village in Kebumen, ask for the key and present it to the President, as deemed appropriate vehicle for his service as President with the "Rep-1" license plate.

Front view of the first Indonesian presidential car. (Picture from: http://ajilbab.com/)

The car that made limited edition and have four doors, the model still looks dignified and impressive despite decades old. There is a sheet of glass separating passengers with the driver that can be opened with a lever. This car has specifications of 8 cylinder engine with a capacity of 5,247 cc or 320 ci and 2 valves per cylinder that can generate power of 141 hp at 3,600 rpm. In worldwide only 1,451 units that Buick ever produced. Now the car is kept in Gedung Joang 45 Museum, Menteng street no. 31, Jakarta with some other cars like a 1942 DeSoto and others. (Jump to next article.) *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | RESA HIDAYAT NP | PIKIRAN RAKYAT 14062013]

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