Government vehicles (GOVs) - first ones?

[mrcvs]

PToday, GO's for civilian Federal employees tend to be subcompact cars, such as the Ford Focus or the Hyundai Elantra.   A decrease in size from Dodge Avengers, etc.

 

But when were such vehicles first utilized by the Federal government, typical make and model, and any ideas what the earliest government plates looked like and the evolution thereof to present form?

[Brass is Best]

Here are some cars converted for military service. The higher the rank the better the ride.

[8E45E]

[mrcvs]

I was referring to GOV's for civilian Federal employees.

[Frantz]

Probably not too much until the new deal era, as that was when the expansion of federal employees really took off with a need of transportation. Of course, the 16th and 18th amendments of the constitution would also likely have even earlier examples with the IRS and ATF. Those are just guesses though, but probably the areas I'd start a hunt with.

[28 Chrysler]

This one was retired a few years back.

[1935Packard]

On 9/7/2018 at 8:33 PM, mrcvs said:

PToday, GO's for civilian Federal employees tend to be subcompact cars, such as the Ford Focus or the Hyundai Elantra.   A decrease in size from Dodge Avengers, etc.

 

But when were such vehicles first utilized by the Federal government, typical make and model, and any ideas what the earliest government plates looked like and the evolution thereof to present form?

 

Interesting history of federal government license plates here: 

http://dcplates.com/Federal.htm

[8E45E]

Don't forget General Pershing's Packard: http://forum.studebakerdriversclub.com/showthread.php?19946-General-Pershing-s-Packard

 

Craig

[8E45E]

Here's one from 1909; a Studebaker manufactured to 'government specifications'  https://journal.classiccars.com/2018/09/11/go-underground-at-the-studebaker-museum/

 

Craig

[hidden_hunter]

Our archives have lots of early photos of government cars coming into regional towns - there doesn’t seem to be any consistency with makes so I guess they just bought what was available. 

 

Mostly American/Canadian made stuff visiting regional towns and English cars/trucks in Melbourne 

[Flossie]

I remember the Feds having a green sedan in the 60’s when they went around town to do periodic background checks on DOE employees. Wish I could find a photo of one. 

Edited June 26, 2019 by Flossie (see edit history)