Obama, Richardson, and Huckabee drove Ford’s

Steve Turner
December 11, 2007

pres

AP asked candidates to name their first cars. Here are their answers, and a look at some of their personal vehicles now:

DEMOCRATS:

New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton: A 1963 Oldsmobile Cutlass with a battery she kept in her law-school dorm on cold nights so the car would start when she needed it. (Now: A Ford hybrid, and Secret Service vehicles as former first lady)

Former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards: Plymouth Duster. (Now: Ford Escape hybrid, 2004 Chrysler Pacifica midsize SUV, 1994 GMC truck.)

Illinois Sen. Barack Obama: Grandfather’s Ford Granada was the first car he used extensively. (Now: Chrysler 300C, a full-size sport-luxury sedan.)

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson: Secondhand Ford Mustang. (Now: Official state vehicles and “Jeep Wrangler, although my security doesn’t like me to drive.”

REPUBLICANS:

Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani: A used Dodge. (Now: “I don’t drive, I navigate.”)

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee: Mercury Montego. (Now: 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe and 1995 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck)

Arizona Sen. John McCain: 1958 Corvette. (Now: Cadillac CTS, a midsize luxury sedan)

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney: A used 1963 Rambler Classic, which he got in 1965 when he went to college. (His father, then Michigan governor, had helped develop the Rambler as American Motors chief) (Now: 2005 Ford Mustang convertible and 1962 Rambler American.)

Former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson: Red pickup. Now: Unknown.