COOLIDGE SPURNS TARDY LIMOUSINE FOR FASTER FLIVVER RIDE TO CAPITOL
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On July 28, 1922, Vice-President Calvin Coolidge "rode from the White House in a humble flivver* piloted by George Dorsey, a photographer."
The Vice-President's chauffeur had not anticipated an early end to a cabinet meeting leaving Mr. Coolidge standing around outside the Executive Mansion looking for a ride.
Mr. Dorsey, seeing the VP's predicament, pulled up in his flivver and asked Mr. Coolidge if he would object to riding in a smaller car. The Vice-President said he was in a hurry and would not object.
So the VPOTUS was chauffeured from the White House to the Capitol in a "humble flivver" instead of a not so humble limousine.
*flivver ... the nickname given to the Ford Model T. After 1928, the term referred to any cheap car, especially one in bad condition.
SOURCE
"Mr. Coolidge 'Flivvers' to Capitol When His Limousine Is Tardy," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., July 28, 1922, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/
