2003 Cadillac Presidential Limousine

       
 
 
Made By:
Road Signature (Yat Ming)
Scale:
1/24
MSRP:
US$69.99
Overview:
Packaging (Design):10/10
Packaging (Durability):10/10
Casting (Body):9/10
Casting (Interior):9/10
Casting (Chassis):8/10
Casting (Engine):7/10
Paint (Exterior):8/10
Paint (Interior):9/10
Paint (Trim/Graphics):10/10
Overall Panel Fit:10/10
Total Score:9.0/10

 
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Yat Ming 2003 Cadillac Presidential Limousine
Yat Ming 2003 Cadillac Presidential Limousine box Yat Ming 2003 Cadillac Presidential Limousine front seat Yat Ming 2003 Cadillac Presidential Limousine rear seat Yat Ming 2003 Cadillac Presidential Limousine engine Yat Ming 2003 Cadillac Presidential Limousine rear seat detail Yat Ming 2003 Cadillac Presidential Limousine rear

 
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Background

Handcrafted with black, clear coat finish, the new Caddy is considerably wider and taller than the production models. To maintain national security, it is equipped with state-of-the-art protection and communication systems including the Cadillac Night Vision infrared object detection system. The interior boasts seven-passenger seating, and is finished with wood accents and rich blue leather and cloth. A rear seat 'executive package' featuring a concealed, foldaway desktop will allow the President to keep up on his homework. The rear seats have an adjustable reclining feature and adaptive seat system for added comfort. When time comes to relax, he will have his own premium sound system with a 10-CD changer.

 

Packaging

The packaging for this limo is identical to the 1938 Lincoln, save for the sticker on the front of the box identifying the car.

 

Casting/Paint

The final car in Road Signature's Presidential car line maintains the overall high quality we've seen throughout the series. Smooth casting, straight and even panel lines, and a smart mix of metal and plastic parts to get the best of both worlds. Chrome plated parts are used for the headlight buckets, grille, hood ornaments, mirror inserts, door handles, and trunk trim. The emergency flashers in the front bumper are also cgrome, but painted red and blue to represent colored lenses. Clear plastic is used for the headlights and corner markers, transparent red is used for the taillights, and smoke tint is used for the windows. Painted details are at a minimum, being used for just the grille, beltline trim, center brake light, and backup lights. The emblems on the hood ornament, roof pillars, and trunk are printed elements, the license plates are generic "USA-1" stickers, and the two flags are printed material mounted to metal poles that fit into holes on the front fenders.

Under the hood is a simplified GM Vortec V8 engine, made from a large "bay" panel with a separate radiator and separate intake cover. The chassis is also pretty basic, with only a separate exhaust system, but here the simplification is primarily due to the additional armor plating protecting the engine and passengers' compartment. Tires are the usual hard vinyl with whitewall inserts and chrome caps, but are now a new wide design similar to sport or truck tires.

Inside, the seats and door panels area blue so dark as to look black at first glance and the floor is finished in a medium gray flocking. The steering wheel rim and door trim are painted a light-yellow brown to suggest wood trim and a Presidential seal is printed between the rearmost seats.

 

Features/Accessories

All four doors, the hood, and the trunk open and close. Steering is functional and tied to the steering wheel. Each of the two flags mentioned above can be inserted into either of the holes in the front fenders, though all the photos I've seen have the American flag on the right and the Presidential flag on the left. Two stickers are provided to apply to the rear doors. Finally, a 24K gold plated collectors' coin is packed in next to the flags and instruction/info sheet.

 

Accuracy

Specs on the late model Presidential limousines are kept under wraps, so the engine and chassis are theoretical but seem reasonable. The outside and interior are pretty accurate, though, and it fits nicely with the rest of the series.

 

Overall

This was the first Presidential limo to not be based on an existing model (the 2001 Deville was a front wheel drive car), and the first to use the moniker "The Beast." While not as elaborate or showy as some previous limos, the slick black look has become the standard for the State vehicles and looks good in its own right.

 

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