The longest limousine ever built is “The American Dream,” measuring an incredible 100 feet and 1.5 inches long. This amazing car holds the Guinness World Record as the world’s longest vehicle and is truly a sight to behold.
Built in 1986 by famous car builder Jay Ohrberg, this super-long limo is more than just a car – it’s like a moving mansion on wheels. In this article, we’ll explore everything about this record-breaking vehicle, from its wild features to its amazing comeback story.
The Story Behind The American Dream
Who Built This Amazing Car?
Jay Ohrberg, a car builder from California, created The American Dream in 1986. Ohrberg wasn’t just any car builder – he was the genius behind famous movie cars like KITT from Knight Rider and the DeLorean from Back to the Future.
Ohrberg started as a truck driver in the 1970s, moving show cars around for racing champion Craig Breedlove. He noticed that people loved looking at special cars, which gave him the idea to build his own amazing vehicles.
The Building Process
The American Dream started as a 1976 Cadillac Eldorado, but Ohrberg didn’t stop there. He used parts from six different Cadillac Eldorados to create this monster vehicle. The building process took years of careful work and planning.
The car is hinged in the middle and has two engines – one at the front and one at the back. It can be driven from either end, which is pretty amazing!
Amazing Features That Make It Special
Size and Wheels
The American Dream measures exactly 30.51 meters (100 feet and 1.5 inches) long. To put that in perspective, you could park 12 small Smart cars in a row and this limo would still be longer!
The car has 26 wheels to support its huge size and weighs about 25,000 pounds. That’s like having 12 regular cars rolled into one!
Crazy Cool Amenities
The American Dream isn’t just long – it’s packed with features that sound like they came from a movie:
- Swimming pool with diving board – Yes, a real pool inside the car!
- Helipad – A helicopter can actually land on the back
- Mini golf course – The helipad doubles as a putting green
- King-sized waterbed – For the ultimate comfort
- Hot tub and jacuzzi – Perfect for relaxing
- Multiple TVs and entertainment systems
- Full bar area – For special celebrations
- Sun deck – To enjoy the outdoors
The car can fit more than 75 people at once, making it perfect for huge parties or events.
How It Drives
The American Dream requires two drivers – one at the front and one at the back. It’s very slow and hard to turn corners. In fact, it’s so long that it can really only drive on straight roads!
The car was never meant for regular street driving. Instead, it was designed to wow people at car shows and special events.
The Rise to Fame
Guinness World Record
The American Dream was first recognized by Guinness World Records in 1986. This made it famous around the world almost instantly.
The car became a celebrity in its own right. It traveled to over 30 countries and appeared in movies and TV shows. People couldn’t believe their eyes when they saw this incredible vehicle.
Hollywood Success
Since Jay Ohrberg was already famous for building movie cars, The American Dream fit right into Hollywood’s love for big, flashy things. The car was rented out for films and appeared at countless car shows and events.
During the 1980s and 1990s, The American Dream was one of the most famous cars in the world. It represented the “bigger is better” attitude that was popular during that time, perfectly capturing what Smithsonian Magazine describes as the era’s culture of excess and extravagance.
The Sad Decline
Forgotten and Abandoned
Like many famous things, The American Dream eventually went out of style. After its lease period ended, the car was abandoned in a New Jersey warehouse where it sat for many years.
When people found it again in the early 2010s, it was in terrible condition. The windows were broken, parts were missing, and rust had damaged much of the car.
A Heartbreaking Sight
Mike Manning, who later helped restore the car, said it was in very poor condition – “on a scale of 1-10, it was minus 1”. The once-glorious vehicle had become a shadow of its former self.
For years, it looked like The American Dream might be lost forever. But sometimes, dreams do come true.
The Amazing Comeback Story
Finding a New Hero
Michael Dezer, a car collector who owns Dezerland Park Car Museum in Orlando, Florida, decided to buy and restore The American Dream. This was no small task – it would take years of work and hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The Restoration Process
The restoration project cost over $250,000 and took three years to complete. The team had to:
- Replace damaged body panels
- Find missing wheels and parts
- Rebuild the engines
- Restore the interior
- Fix all the special features
Mike Manning, who had originally tried to restore the car years earlier, came to Florida to help complete the project. His dream of seeing the car fixed finally came true.
Breaking Its Own Record
In 2022, The American Dream was officially restored and actually broke its own record, now measuring 100 feet and 1.5 inches long. According to Motor Trend, the restoration team added a new bumper that made it slightly longer than before!
Where to See The American Dream Today
Open to the Public
Today, The American Dream is on display at the Dezerland Park Car Museum in Orlando, Florida. Visitors can see this incredible vehicle up close and learn about its amazing history.
The museum showcases the car as both a piece of automotive history and a work of art. It’s a testament to human creativity and the dream of building something truly extraordinary.
Still Making Headlines
Even though The American Dream is now a museum piece, it continues to make news. Car enthusiasts and curious visitors from around the world come to see this incredible vehicle.
The car represents more than just a record – it shows what’s possible when someone has a big dream and the determination to make it happen.
Other Famous Long Limousines
Jay Ohrberg’s Other Creations
Jay Ohrberg didn’t stop with The American Dream. He also built other amazing long cars, including a 40-foot pink Mercedes convertible and a 10-wheel Ferrari limo.
However, none of these came close to matching The American Dream’s incredible length and features.
Modern Luxury Limousines
While The American Dream holds the record for length, today’s luxury limousines focus more on comfort and technology. Modern limos might have:
- Advanced sound systems
- LED lighting
- High-tech Entertainment centers
- Luxury seating
- Climate control systems
Companies like Skyline Chicago Limo offer these modern luxury features in their fleet, providing comfortable and stylish transportation for special occasions.
What Makes a Great Limousine Experience
Professional Service
While The American Dream is famous for its size, the best limousine experiences come from professional service. Whether you’re planning a wedding, prom night, or corporate event, having skilled drivers and well-maintained vehicles makes all the difference.
Choosing the Right Size
Not everyone needs a 100-foot limousine! Most people are perfectly happy with regular-sized luxury vehicles that can handle city streets and provide comfortable transportation.
Special Occasions
Limousines are perfect for special moments like:
- Weddings and anniversaries
- Prom and homecoming
- Birthday parties
- Corporate events
- Airport transportation
Fun Facts About The American Dream
Mind-Blowing Numbers
- Length: 100 feet and 1.5 inches
- Weight: About 25,000 pounds
- Wheels: 26 total
- Passenger capacity: Up to 75 people
- Cost to restore: Over $250,000
- Years to build originally: Several years
- Countries visited: Over 30
Amazing Features List
The American Dream had everything you could imagine:
- Swimming pool with diving board
- Helicopter landing pad
- Mini golf putting green
- King-sized waterbed
- Hot tub and jacuzzi
- Multiple TV screens
- Full bar area
- Sun deck
- Satellite dish
- Two separate driver cabins
Record-Breaking Achievement
The American Dream actually broke its own Guinness World Record when it was restored, becoming 1.5 inches longer than before. This means it’s the only car to hold the record twice!
The Engineering Challenge
Why It Was So Hard to Build
Building a 100-foot car isn’t just about making it long. Engineers had to solve many problems:
- Weight distribution: Making sure the car wouldn’t break in the middle
- Steering: How to turn such a long vehicle
- Stability: Keeping it balanced on the road
- Power: Having enough engine power to move all that weight
Safety Considerations
The American Dream was never road-legal because of its size. It was too long and heavy for regular roads and bridges. According to the Federal Highway Administration, most U.S. bridges have specific weight and length limits that this massive vehicle would exceed, which is why it was mainly used for displays and special events.
The Cultural Impact
Symbol of the 1980s
The American Dream perfectly captured the spirit of the 1980s, when “bigger was better” and excess was celebrated. It became a symbol of American creativity and the willingness to dream big.
Inspiring Future Builders
Even today, The American Dream inspires car builders and dreamers around the world. It shows that with enough determination and creativity, almost anything is possible.
Visiting The American Dream
Planning Your Trip
If you want to see The American Dream in person, you can visit the Dezerland Park Car Museum in Orlando, Florida. The museum is open to the public and features many other amazing vehicles alongside this record-breaking limousine.
What to Expect
Visitors are often amazed by the sheer size of The American Dream. Seeing it in person really helps you understand just how incredible this vehicle is. The museum also provides information about the car’s history and restoration.
The Future of Extreme Vehicles
Will Anyone Build Something Longer?
Jay Ohrberg once tried to crowdfund a 110-foot Rolls-Royce limousine that would have been even longer than The American Dream, but the project never got enough funding.
It’s possible that someone might try to break the record again someday, but The American Dream has held its title for nearly 40 years, which is pretty impressive!
Modern Trends
Today’s luxury vehicle builders focus more on technology, comfort, and environmental friendliness rather than just size. Electric vehicles and smart technology are becoming more important than building the biggest car possible.
Lessons from The American Dream
Dreams Can Come True
The story of The American Dream teaches us that big dreams can become reality with enough hard work and determination. Jay Ohrberg went from being a truck driver to building the world’s longest car.
Things Can Be Restored
Even when The American Dream seemed lost forever, dedicated people brought it back to life. This shows that with enough care and effort, even the most damaged things can be restored.
Teamwork Makes Dreams Possible
Building and restoring The American Dream required many people working together. From the original builders to the restoration team, it took teamwork to make this dream a reality.
Final Thoughts
The American Dream limousine is truly one of the most amazing vehicles ever built. At 100 feet and 1.5 inches long, it holds the Guinness World Record as the longest car in the world and continues to amaze people nearly 40 years after it was first built.
From its incredible features like a swimming pool and helipad to its amazing comeback story, The American Dream proves that sometimes the biggest dreams do come true. While most of us will never need a 100-foot limousine, we can still appreciate the creativity, engineering, and determination that went into creating this incredible vehicle.
If you’re planning a special occasion and want to experience luxury transportation (in a more practical size!), consider professional limousine services that offer comfort, style, and reliability. Whether it’s for a wedding, prom, or corporate event, a quality limousine experience can make any occasion feel special.
The American Dream may be the longest limousine ever built, but the best limousine experiences come from professional service, comfortable vehicles, and making memories that last a lifetime. Sometimes, the journey really is just as important as the destination.
