Fun Facts About Limousines

Limousines are a topic for those who either has the money to afford it or for the few who are just mildly curious about the subject matter.

Let’s face it. Limousines are not the most fun topic to talk about, however, judging by your choice to click on this blog, I’ll assume you do want to hear facts about the crazed vehicles all over the years. First off, let me clear up a common misconception. Limousines don’t just limit to the lengthy cars known as ‘stretch limousines’. Other types of limousines are SUV limos, Sendas, Party Busses and Hummer limos.  

Another misconception is that people, when they hear ‘limos’, their minds will think that it is a brand of a car. No. Limousines are vehicles that has characteristics such as: slightly larger than your average car, and has a partition between the passenger and driver compartments.
 
Without further ado, here are the fun facts about limousines.   
 

1. In 1916, limousines were defined as something as simple as a closed car that can hold three to  five people, with the driver’s seat outside.
   
2. Typically, in the United States, the same year of 1916, limousines were categorized as “berline” and “brougham”. Berline refers to a limo that has the driver seat entirely enclosed. Brougham, on the other hand, has no roof over the driver’s seat.
   
3. The first limousine wasn’t the stretch-limo. In 1902, the first ever limo was actually built with a covered compartment for the driver since he sits and drives outside the vehicle for privacy.
   
4. The term ‘limousine’ came from France, more specifically, the Limousin region of the country.  That’s because the design of early limos reminds people of the traditional cloak and hood donned by shepherds in the place to protect themselves for various elements.
   
5. The drivers of the limousine or the chauffeurs also had their name from French. It means “stoker”, and since the first automobiles were powered by steam and are in need of operators - the stokers are the one who operate the vehicle.