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U.S. presidents give up the ability to drive among the population once they get elected. However, that doesn’t mean presidents are required to ditch their beloved cars. Luckily for President Joe Biden, he can keep the crown jewel of his garage: a 1967 Chevrolet Corvette.

President Joe Biden received one of the coolest wedding gifts ever from his father

A 1967 Chevrolet Corvette, like the one belonging to Joe Biden, sits with its top down.
A 1967 Chevrolet Corvette C2 | Gerry Stiles, The Enthusiast Network via Getty Images/Getty Images

President Joe Biden has been married to Jill Jacob Biden since 1977. However, before his wedding to Jill, President Biden had a first marriage to the late Neilia Hunter Biden. Joe Biden was married to Neilia until 1972, when she tragically passed in a traffic collision, per the History Channel. 

President Biden’s 1967 marriage to Neilia Biden started with an autumn wedding and, quite possibly, one of the best automotive gifts in the history of the U.S. presidents. President Biden’s father, Joseph Biden Sr., gifted his son with a then-new Chevrolet Corvette to celebrate the couple’s nuptials. 

Today, President Biden still owns the dark green 1967 Chevrolet Corvette convertible. And why would anyone want to part with it– the Corvette packs a throaty L79 327-cubic inch V8 with 300 pre-Malaise era horsepower on tap. Better yet, the President’s ‘Vette channels its eight-cylinder heart with a four-speed manual transmission. It’s a desirable bit of American motoring history and a downright spectacular gift.

The 1960s-era C2 Corvette serves as a garage queen while Joe Biden serves as POTUS. Still, as a Yuletide gift to their father, Hunter and Beau Biden commissioned a rebuild of the Corvette’s V8.

Joe Biden won’t find himself behind the wheel of the Corvette anytime soon

Unfortunately for President Biden, he can’t take the verdant ‘Vette out for a burn whenever he pleases. The 1958 Former Presidents Act entitles all former presidents to a United States Secret Service security detail for life. As a result, individuals who served as the President of the United States (POTUS) don’t drive themselves on public roads. 

Of course, there are ways around the rule. Some former presidents, like George W. Bush, drive vehicles on their personal property. In Former President Bush’s case, his Texas ranch is expansive enough that he can cruise his land in his Ford pickup truck. 

In other cases, former presidents can drive in controlled environments. For instance, comedian Jerry Seinfeld invited then-President Barack Obama to try his hand with a 1963 Chevrolet Corvette around the White House. However, former U.S. presidents don’t often get the simple pleasure of taking their cars out for a casual cruise. 

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Staff Writer

Erik Sherman

Erik Sherman joined the MotorBiscuit team as an Autos Writer in 2022. An admitted petrolhead and an avid motorcyclist, Erik has owned everything from classic cars to motorcycles to modern driver’s cars. Erik also has extensive experience with military and emergency vehicles, ranging from ambulances and fire engines to MRAPs and M-ATVs. Erik is an eager car and motorcycle reviewer with experience covering everything from sports cars to pontoon boats and jet skis.

Erik holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations (IRG) from the University of Texas at Austin and has studied Chinese, Energy, and European Politics at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. Erik’s background is unorthodox; he is a United States Marine Corps (USMC) combat veteran, water survival practitioner, and a former firefighter/EMT. Additionally, Erik is a regular volunteer and former instructor with the American Red Cross (ARC).