--- title: "How FDR’s custom cars fueled his fight for independence" date: "2026-01-11" modified: "2026-01-11" authors: - name: "Daniel Tobias Flint" job_title: "Contributor, US History Teacher" link: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/authors/daniel-flint/" url: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/history/how-fdrs-custom-cars-fueled-his-fight-for-independence/" categories: - "History" tags: - "Presidents" - "Vehicles" --- # How FDR’s custom cars fueled his fight for independence ![FDR Ford Phaeton]() *President Franklin D. Roosevelt drove this 1936 Ford Phaeton after it was specially outfitted to accommodate his disability. (Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum)* Franklin D. Roosevelt is remembered as the president who guided America through the Great Depression and World War II. Yet behind the scenes, he faced a deeply personal struggle after polio left him [paralyzed from the waist down in 1921](). **Related**: [FDR dressed up as Julius Caesar for a White House toga party]() Determined not to let disability define him, he fought for independence in ways the public rarely saw. One of the most meaningful expressions of that independence was his love for driving. His cars were more than vehicles. They were symbols of defiance, resilience, and personal freedom during one of the busiest, most consequential presidencies in American history. ### Ingenious Modifications for the 1936 Ford Phaeton https://youtu.be/OUrKMjfbNBc Among Roosevelt’s favorite automobiles were his [1936 Ford Phaeton]() and 1938 Ford Convertible Coupe. At first glance, they appeared like any other cars of their time, but hidden within was an impressive array of custom engineering. Much of that innovation came from Fred Relyea, a talented mechanic from Poughkeepsie, N.Y. For the 1936 Phaeton, Relyea [designed a sophisticated set of hand controls]() that allowed Roosevelt to operate the car entirely without the use of his legs. The throttle and choke were transformed into dashboard knobs [that FDR could adjust with precision](). An inventive single lever replaced both the clutch and the brake, responding in carefully calibrated stages that released the clutch, reengaged it, and finally activated the brakes. That system required skill and coordination, and Roosevelt mastered it completely. ### Steering with Strength and Adaptation ![FDR swimming]() *President Franklin D. Roosevelt's upper-body strength, which he developed through vigorous exercises, helped him guide a car despite being paralyzed below the waist. (FDR Presidential Library and Museum)* Driving still demanded considerable physical effort. To steer, Roosevelt braced his torso against the wheel, using his upper-body strength to guide the car through turns while operating multiple hand controls at once. His other vehicles, including his DeSoto and Plymouth models, incorporated even more advanced modifications. Their manual transmissions were fitted with a centrifugal clutch mechanism that operated automatically, based on engine speed. This innovative system eliminated the need for a foot-operated clutch pedal, allowing Roosevelt to shift gears smoothly by using only his hands. ### Crafting a Presidential Image ![FDR 1938 Ford Convertible Coupe]() *The White House wanted President Franklin D. Roosevelt to appear strong, and few things convey strength more than sitting behind the wheel of a convertible. (FDR Presidential Library and Museum)* These mechanical breakthroughs were not just practical necessities. They also played a role in shaping Roosevelt’s public image. During the 1930s and 1940s, disability was rarely discussed openly, and the White House worked diligently to present FDR [in ways that conveyed strength](). Photographers avoided capturing images of him in a wheelchair, and newsreels were filmed to hide his leg braces and limited mobility. Still, scenes of Roosevelt driving were encouraged because they projected energy, leadership, and capability. They reminded Americans that their president was active, engaged, and in control during a time when stability mattered more than ever. ### A Historic Car Preserved in Time ![FDR 6th Ranger Battalion]() *It wouldn't surprise us if President Franklin D. Roosevelt wasn't telling members of the 6th Ranger Battalion about his cool rides when they visited the White House in March 1945. (FDR Presidential Library and Museum)* Today, one of the most powerful reminders of Roosevelt’s determination is his 1936 Ford Phaeton, now on display at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum in Hyde Park, N.Y. Visitors who stand before the car can see the custom levers, knobs, and mechanisms that allowed him to regain a sense of mobility and autonomy. It remains a striking symbol of innovation and individual willpower. ### A Legacy of Resilience and Ingenuity Roosevelt’s custom automobiles reveal a remarkable chapter of his life that many never witnessed. They show how a man who led a nation through some of its darkest moments also fought silently for his own independence. With every mile he drove, FDR proved that limitations could be met with creativity and courage. His determination behind the wheel continues to stand as a testament to resilience, resourcefulness, and the enduring spirit of a leader who refused to be defined by adversity. ### Don’t Miss the Best of We Are The Mighty ##### • [The 4 US presidents with the craziest war stories]() ##### • [A piece of the White House was stolen by the Freemasons]() ##### • [How female spies changed the course of the Civil War]() ## Author Daniel Tobias Flint is a professionally certified U.S. History teacher based in Jacksonville, Florida, with more than 20 years of experience in the classroom and has built a career centered on bringing the past to life for students through rigorous, engaging, and innovative instruction. His teaching passions include the Civil War, Reconstruction, and World War II, with a constant focus on exploring new approaches to deepen historical understanding. As a U.S. History educator, Flint views his work as a civic duty—to serve, protect, and defend the principles rooted in the U.S. Constitution. He is committed to ensuring that students understand the foundations of American democracy, the struggles that shaped the nation, and the responsibilities that come with citizenship. Flint’s close involvement with military veterans significantly enhances his teaching. He actively supports veteran programs within his community and integrates veterans’ perspectives and stories into his curriculum, offering students meaningful, real-world connections to U.S. history and its heroes. He invites learners and the public alike to explore compelling, behind-the-scenes accounts of America’s past and the individuals who shaped it. His mission is to serve the community by creating powerful, interactive lessons that illuminate critical and compelling aspects of U.S. history, cultivating a deeper understanding and respect for the nation’s journey to the present day. His vision is to educate the public about local, state, and national history in order to foster a renewed appreciation for the past and inspire a commitment to building a brighter future. ### Author social links [LinkedIn]() [Youtube]()