The first car specially built for presidential use was the 1939 Lincoln V12 convertible called the Sunshine Special, used by Franklin D. Roosevelt. The limousine was originally equipped with a siren, running lights, a 2-way radio, extra-wide running boards, and grab handles for Secret Service agents. After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the Secret Service became more concerned about potential assassination attempts against President Roosevelt. The following day, 8 December 1941, a heavily armored 1928 Cadillac 341A Town Sedan, originally belonging to gangster Al Capone, was pressed into use to transport the president to the Capitol to deliver his "Infamy" speech.
Today, the Secret Service refers to the heavily armored presidential vehicle as The Beast. Most details of the car are classified for security reasons. A special night vision system is in a secret location. Special loops replace the stock door handles; agents hold on to them when running alongside the car. Goodyear run-flat tires fit into extra-large wheel wells. The car is sealed against biochemical attacks.Kept in the trunk is a blood bank of the President's blood type in case of an accident or assassination attempts.