The Presidential Car Museum (Museo ng Pampangulong Sasakyan) is an incredible yet often overlooked place to visit within the Quezon Memorial Circle (QMC).
It houses the country’s largest collection of beautifully restored, historic state vehicles that were once used by former Philippine presidents, along with other vehicles of historical importance.
The gallery organizes vehicles by presidential eras, allowing visitors to walk through the evolution of local political history, from the time of President Quezon to the period under President Arroyo.
Each car features a curated storyboard detailing its mechanical specs, historical context, and anecdotes about its prominent passengers.
Guests will also find historic non-presidential vehicles, like the armored car used by General Douglas MacArthur.
The Presidential Car Museum is open to the public for free, from Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00am to 4:00pm.
You can take photos and videos, though touching the vehicles or crossing the barriers is strictly prohibited.
The museum is compact, allowing guests to complete a thorough self-guided tour in about 30 to 45 minutes.
Getting to the car museum depends on where you are from within QMC.
If you are following the suggested itinerary, you will be coming from Bahay Modernismo, located just 170 meters away, and takes just about a minute to walk.
Interestingly, the first car in the exhibit is the 1934 Cadillac V-16 Transformable Town Car, which was used by both President Manuel Quezon and General Douglas MacArthur.
It was Quezon’s first presidential car in 1935, until it was turned over to MacArthur in 1937 when the general was appointed as Field Marshal of the Philippine Army.
The next item in the collection is the 1937 Chrysler Airflow Custom Imperial CW, the primary official state vehicle of President Quezon.
The museum’s unit is the only Airflow model of any grade ever imported into the Philippines.
Next in the sequence is President Sergio Osmeña’s service vehicle, the 1942 Packard Custom Super Eight One-Eighty Limousine.
Because World War II just ended when Osmeña assumed the presidency, procuring new vehicles was not his primary focus. Instead, he opted to use the luxury Packard that previously served his predecessor, President José P. Laurel.
Next in line is the 1947 Cadillac Fleetwood Series 75 Limousine used by President Manuel A. Roxas during his term from 1946–1948.
The vehicle is known for its custom Fleetwood coachwork, imposing massive vertical grille, and a highly powerful engine that made it one of the most distinguished and luxurious cars of its era.
Next in the assemblage is the official car used by President Elpidio Quirino, a 1953 Chrysler Crown Imperial Limousine.
Due to its pristine condition, Quirino’s successor, President Ramon Magsaysay, continued to use this specific Crown Imperial during his early tenure.
While Magsaysay heavily utilized the 1953 Chrysler Crown Imperial inherited from his predecessor, Elpidio Quirino, the government purchased this top-of-the-line Cadillac to serve as his supplementary flagship vehicle.
During the 1950s, this model was widely considered the most expensive and prestigious Cadillac available, famously favored for transporting global leaders.
The vehicle representing President Diosdado Macapagal’s ride during his tenure is a 1959 Cadillac Sedan de Ville.
Unlike most other cars in the collection, the unit on display is a model replica (same model and year) rather than the actual physical vehicle driven by Macapagal, because his original official car was never recovered by the government.
Next in line is the vehicle used by President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. during his tenure, a 1980 Lincoln Continental Mark VI Signature Series.
Measuring a massive 5,568 mm in length, it is one of the largest and longest vehicles showcased in the entire museum collection.
Next in the sequence is the vehicle representing President Corazon Aquino’s time in office, a 1986 Mercedes-Benz 500SEL (W126).
Fresh off the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution, security risks for the administration were incredibly high. Consequently, this vehicle became the first-ever Philippine presidential car to feature bulletproof panels and armor plating.
While sharing the exact same body style, model year, and color as the Mercedes-Benz used by his predecessor, President Fidel V. Ramos used a 1986 Mercedes-Benz 500SEL Guard (W126) with a much higher level of armor.
Unlike Aquino’s car which was retrofitted after assembly, this unit is an authentic, rare “Guard” variant built directly by Mercedes-Benz from the factory with integrated ballistic protection.
Next in the series is the 1993 Mercedes-Benz S600 (W140) used by President Joseph Ejercito Estrada, which was specifically customized with high-level security upgrades.
As a former actor turned politician, Estrada’s state car prioritized high-end internal tech and infotainment features that were exceptionally rare for the 1990s:
Last in the collection is the 1993 Mercedes-Benz S600 Limousine V140 Pullman used by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
The elongated interior features rear jump-seats that directly face towards the primary presidential seat. This layout allows for face-to-face emergency cabinet meetings while on the move.
Of special interest is President Emilio Aguinaldo’s car on display at the museum, a 1924 Packard Single-Six Touring (Model 233).
Technically, it was not an official presidential state car during his term, since Aguinaldo served as president of the First Philippine Republic from 1899 to 1901, when automobiles were not yet integral to state affairs.
Aguinaldo acquired this luxury American vehicle way after his presidency. It served as his personal vehicle for decades, remaining in service up until the year of his death in 1964.
In 1963, Aguinaldo donated his entire Kawit estate—including this black Packard—to the national government. It was meticulously restored in 1998 and moved to the NHCP Presidential Car Museum when it opened in 2018.
The Presidential Car Museum permanently showcases three specific non-presidential vehicles classified as “other vehicles of historic value”. These include a World War II-era jeep, a horse-drawn carriage, and a stately car that belonged to former First Lady Imelda Marcos.
These vehicles were never used as official presidential service cars but are preserved due to their immense significance to Philippine history.
1943 Willys MB Jeep
This World War II-era vehicle was donated by General Douglas MacArthur to Ramon Magsaysay, who used it extensively as a rugged service vehicle while serving as Elpidio Quirino’s Secretary of National Defense.
Historically, this specific military vehicle holds a legendary status in local transportation history, serving as the direct archetype and physical blueprint for the iconic Philippine Jeepney.
Karwaheng Apacible (Apacible Carriage)
The Karwaheng Apacible is a restored, 19th-century horse-drawn carriage (kalesa) that belonged to the family of Leon Apacible, a prominent lawyer and revolutionist who co-authored and signed the 1899 Malolos Constitution.
The carriage dates back to the late 1800s and represents a primary mode of transportation for wealthy families and principalia during the Spanish colonial and early American eras.
1960 Rolls-Royce Phantom V
This stately luxury car, famously utilized by former Philippine First Lady Imelda Marcos, is a hyper-exclusive limousine renowned for its historical significance and opulent custom features.
Unlike the other official vehicles on display, this Rolls-Royce was personalized with a variety of luxurious, custom interior additions reflecting the era’s excesses
Only 516 units of this model were ever manufactured globally.
Okay, that about concludes our exploration of the presidential vehicles.
The museum hosts two additional attractions in the same building: a gallery dedicated to the life and global legacy of Carlos P. Romulo, and an educational road-safety gallery, which I might explore in a future session.
For now, we shall wrap up this series by highlighting the various amenities available at QMC.