FDR's ingenious Ford proves accessibility innovation isn’t new

Franklin D. Roosevelt, or FDR for short, wasn’t just America’s longest-serving president; he was also a car enthusiast who found freedom in a specially modified 1936 Ford Phaeton.

Unlike the imposing limousines that usually ferried presidents around, this car was practical, modest, and ingeniously adapted to his needs.

With clever mechanical tweaks, it allowed Roosevelt, who had been paralyzed from the waist down by polio, to drive himself, wind in his hair, sun on his back, just like any other motorist.

In an era when only 40 percent of US roads were paved, it was a workhorse disguised as a presidential ride.

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FDR liked that it was a ‘working man’s car’

What made the Ford Phaeton so different was its thoughtful engineering.

While a regular version came with simple gauges, Roosevelt’s car had modifications that gave him real independence.

A special hand throttle allowed him to control acceleration, while a unique lever managed both the clutch and the brake.

Push it one way, and the clutch engaged; push it further, and the brakes came on.

The design was both seamless and practical, proving that accessibility features could be integrated without making a car unusable for others.

Roosevelt’s choice of vehicle also said a lot about his character.

At a time when Ford churned out 750,000 cars in 1936, fewer than 3,000 were Phaetons.

They weren’t the most practical choice; after all, convertibles and dirt roads don’t mix.

However, FDR reportedly liked that it was simple, straightforward, and very much a ‘working man’s car’.

He may have been president, but in his Phaeton, he could escape the pomp of state limousines and just enjoy driving.

Ford was an early pioneer in automotive accessibility

The car itself was part of a design evolution, moving away from upright radiators and standalone headlights toward smoother, more streamlined styling.

Under the hood sat Ford’s innovative V8 engine: powerful, durable, and a late but important entry into the automotive V8 race.

Inside, the cockpit fit four passengers, though by today’s standards it was snug.

It was, after all, designed for an average American male height of 5’7″, and way before modern cars began growing in size.

What makes this 1936 Ford Phaeton remarkable today is not just its presidential connection but what it represents: early automotive accessibility.

Before the word ‘inclusivity’ was even in fashion, engineers were quietly crafting solutions that let FDR experience the joy and independence of driving.

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