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The Evolution of Limousines

Limousines have come a long way since they first showed up over three hundred years ago. The first limousines were completely different back in the 1700’s. A limousine is a type of vehicle used to chauffeur people around, where the driver is separated from the passengers. Over the years, the limousine has gone through some major changes.

Evolution of the limousine

The First Limousines in the 1700’s
Limousines first started as horse drawn carriages that were used by the wealthy to get around. They were often covered in gold and pulled by the best looking horses around. The driver of the limousine would sit in front of the carriage in a separate compartment away from the wealthy, allowing them to have their privacy while traveling from one place to another. The chauffeur would often wear a Limousin-style cloak to protect themselves from the weather. Back in the 1700’s, these types of vehicles were not called limousines, but the cloaks that were worn by the driver inspired the name limousines and the way that the vehicles are made today.

Engine Powered Limousines
The first powered limousines were first introduced in 1902. The driver sat outside under a covered compartment. The passengers were fully protected from the weather in an enclosed compartment in back of the driver. The vehicles of this time were quite small and often only had room for three to five passengers. These vehicles were either manufactured with one front facing seat or with a front facing seat and a rear facing seat so that the passengers can interact with each other during transportation. In 1916, the Society of Automobile Engineers defined three main types, the limousine, the berline, and the brougham.

  • Limousine: a car where three to five passengers can fit inside, while the driver remained outside.
  • Berline: Fully enclosed drivers seat
  • Brougham: No roof over the drivers seat

The First Stretch Limousines
In 1928, the first stretch limousine was manufactured in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Armbruster created the cars, and they were mainly used for transporting bands and their equipment across the country. They were often called big band buses.

Changes and Growth in the 1930’s
In the 1930’s, limousines started become popular for transporting guests between hotels and airports. They were no longer only used by just wealthy people. The stretch limousines were also used by tour guides to take groups on tours. The movie industry also got into using limos to carry film crew and stage members during sets.

Modern Limousines
Since the 1960’s, limousines have included additional features to protect and the passengers during their time on the road. Presidents started using them, so they started making bulletproof glass and armored plating to protect the president from harm. In 1974, the first six door funeral limousines were built, and they are still very popular today. In addition to different types of limousines being manufactured, most of them also include additional features for entertainment.

Additional Features:

  • Audio players
  • Televisions
  • Video Players
  • Bars
  • Refrigerators
  • Speakers to communicate with the driver
  • Button to lower the window between the driver and passengers

Today, limousines are used by people across the world for many events including weddings, proms, parties, and business travel. Limousines are popular with parties and other events because they allow the passengers to legally drink while in a vehicle. There are laws, especially in the United States, were drinking in a vehicle is illegal unless the passengers are separated from the driver. The stretch limousine, especially the white ones, are seen as the ultimate luxury vehicle.

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Read Our Reviews

ULC Limos is rated 4.85 out of 5.0 stars based on 53 review(s).

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Shannon and Juan were fantastic.

- Heather Willis

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Bus was very nice! They provided ice and gave us some liquor that previous clients left on the bus. They were also very accommodating as one of the bars were closed so they let us add another to the route. My only critique is our bus driver didn't seem happy to be there. I don't think I saw him smile once. I expected a little better customer service. However, the rental was extremely affordable!

- Tanner

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Great company! Great service!

- Katie

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We had a great experience with ULC! Amazing price, communication, timeliness, cleanliness, and overall experience. Highly recommend :)

- Julia

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We loved our experience with Jose! He was professional and connivence and very fun!

- Aubery

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We had the best time! Timely and was nice enough to drive us around while we exhausted our time.

- Julie

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Fabulous service and very friendly chauffeur…keep it up!!

- Vishal

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The best in the business, that is why we continue to use them.

- Anthony

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Brian was great!

- Mike

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Pat was the best! On time and communicated well. We had the best time ever! Thanks Pat!

- Mercedes

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They are awesome and safe and clean I can't say enough about how great Travis was and the drivers

- Amadeius

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Great service and fun ride to the airport with our family for my son’s wedding!! Loved surprising the Bride & Groom with the special trip

- Kathy

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Nude was fantastic 🙏

- Nooshin

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Service was good. The driver was communicative, early to arrive, and understanding. Just wish that the form for passengers to board was given sooner and that we were made aware of how the music worked sooner.

- jocelyn

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Excellent service...our driver Mike was first rate!!

- James

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driver was very friendly! and we had a great time

- Carmen

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Extremely pleased!! Shannon who helped us with our reservation was fantastic, and Jude our chauffeur was incredibly patient, courteous, and professional having to deal with 12 crazy teenage prom-goers for 6 hours! We were completely satisfied and highly recommend ULC!! Many thanks again!!

- Torrey

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Excellent service from beginning to end customer service rep was great answered all my questions and set the appointment, driver on time arrival and courtesy very patient. Excellent 👍

- Jack

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The 44- seat bus was comfortable, clean, and spacious. And affordably priced! Our driver Jose was wonderful - a careful driver who was interested in making our trip successful. He made sure the PA system was working, drove us to the closest, safest spots to load and disembark at our various sites, and even took a group photo of us at the end of the tour! Shannon, who booked us, was great about getting everything signed off and ready. Overall, a fantastic experience. Highly recommend.

- Barbara

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Excellent!

- Raju

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The drivers were great. Even Showed up early. I was disappointed that I spoke with the office staff at least three times, sent them detailed route maps twice, as well as written instructions, specifically asking them to share those with the drivers, and when the drivers showed up, they knew nothing about that and had not been given them to them. We took them on a drive thru on the routes to fix this. Was also disappointed that I asked the office staff to provide “out to lunch” signs for the buses drivers could take their breaks and that was not done. We had to do that for them. Drivers were great, disappointed in the office staff.

- Nancy

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Everything was perfect. Driver was on time. He was professional and made everyone feel safe with his driving. Thank you for your service.

- Susana

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ULC was perfect. The kiddos had fun and Senior Prom was a success. The kids driver Cruz was fun. He updated parents in regards to drop offs and pick up times.

- Veronica

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Damon was excellent!

- Simon

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Thank you so much from start to finish! Steve, Sharron, and our driver Pat are a fabulous team to do business with! Pat, thank you so much for taking such good care of all our seniors and making everything perfect for their special evening! Xoxo

- Stacey

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ULC party was incredible. They were so helpful from the start. The limo bus was very nice and the driver Scott was professional and friendly. ULC made prom a memorable experience for ours kids. Thank you again for the exceptional service!

- Sandy

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Very spacious and wonderful lights! Loved the ice bar and the stereo!!

- Naomi

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Thank you ULC! Absolutely great service. Driver was on time, communicated and the prom kids had a blast in the party bus. I appreciate that the driver let us know he was bringing the kids home. Even had the lights and music going for them when they were ready to go home. Again, thank you and we will definitely reach out for more services.

- Gil

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Kids had a great time on the way to Prom. Driver was fantastic, on-time, easy to get along with, no issues.

- Taylor

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Our driver was very kind and courteous. Thank you.

- Geneva

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Great experience!

- Nicole

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Luis was wonderful and we had a fantastic travel experience relaxing in our way to LAX. Looking forward to an equally relaxing ride on the way home.

- Mandy

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Cruz was friendly and very accommodating.

- Amy

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The service is always outstanding! It's always easy to make bookings, and the customer care is top-notch! Thank you!

- Luci

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Driver was great! Good vibe and very professional. Thank you guys!

- Miguel

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ULC did a great job for our event. They were very responsive with all of our requests and did a great job. Thank You!

- Tim

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Had a blas very clean bus nice staff

- Antone

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Great service

- Adam

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Very friendly staff and they have great communication. All my concerns or questions were answered and they were easy to contact.

- Monica

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Jude was amazing, thank you so much for the excellent service.

- Neil

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Shannon our coordinator and Pat our driver did a wonderful job! The Executive Bus was very comfortable and clean. We will reccomend. Thank you 😉

- Becky

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Was very pleased with the fast and reliable service we received.

- Yara

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Great experience! I have recommended you guys to a few people who have been asking. I want to especially thank our driver MIKE D ! He was very nice and welcoming!! He was also very attentive to all of our needs thank you for a great time on my bday :)!

- Karina

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awesome service

- Chunchun

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Driver on time and professional. Will definitely use their services again!

- Isela

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George was on time, friendly and did well. thanks

- Jeremy

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Jude was wonderful for our event!

- Jessica

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Great company! The driver Kerri was amazing and helpful throughout. I would book again.

- Darrilyn

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Excellent service. Limo was clean and driver friendly. Highly recommend to family and friends.

- Caroline Fraser

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Everything was perfect. The limo was super clean, and driver friendly. Would recommend to family and friends.

- Caroline

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Limo was fantastic and our driver, Jude was great!!! Had a great time. Will definitely use company for next event.

- Russell

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Great Driver and Great Service!

- Wesley