The World’s First And Only Camera Limousine
I think this Cadillac limousine was first used on President Eisenhower’s inauguration on January 30, 1953. It was NBC’s mobile unit purchased to use in the parade, just ahead of the President’s car. I think the microwave signal from the car was shot to an NBC truck that was nearby and was sent on to the tower pickup from there.
There probably was not pool coverage of the parade route, but if there was, I’m pretty sure this was a proprietary vantage point for them. Enjoy and share.
Also was sold as a toy in a Studebaker model.
June 1953 Popular Mechanics
Look like a modified 50 cal. tank gun mount….from WW2
Like this from the NBC Archives.
The microwave unit at the right could not operate as shown because there was no dish installed. Without that dish, the signal was being directed back at the operator.
And today you can do the same thing by holding your smart phone out the sunroof – and get a better picture and send it all over the world. But I gotta admit, that’s a pretty cool looking Caddy.
Great post everyone.
Could you imagine all that stuff on a smaller car? It’d be laying on its side :))
Back in 1967, the Cadillac was still in use. There was a NYC School Strike as I was the B&W hand held cameraman for a remote for WNBC News.
We used the Cadillac at the New Brunswick NJ railroad station for Robert Kennedy’s Funeral. The body was transported by train from New York to Washington DC. We were on the air for as long as it took the train to slow down to pass through the station.
Merrill Mueller.claimed to.have reported.from an Inaugural Parade for NBC.in this or a similar vehicle. He was a visiting professor at Ohio University in the mid 1970’s.
The technician in the rear of the car operated the microwave transmitter. Keeping it lined up with the receiving site. They could have used iPhone technology back then. 😉
This Cadillac is not the only one camera limousine. Let me introduce you MB limo, Moscow 1980 Olympic Games
Think it was also used for part of a motorcade at Glassboro, NJ in 1967. Soviet Premier?
Must have a had one hell of a AC converter/power supply to make it work….
Chrysler did two camera cars in 1951 (but not limos)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=g971pXhziHw