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1962 Cadillac Hearse Still In Service

Started by SteveB3155, March 02, 2021, 03:26:37 PM

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SteveB3155

Great article in today's Boston Globe (paywall) about a funeral home in Greenfield, Massachusetts that utilizes a restored 1962 Cadillac hearse.

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/11/15/metro/one-last-ride-high-style-an-eternal-rest/?s_campaign=8315
1961 Series 62 Convertible

76eldo

There’s a funeral home in Hatboro Pa that uses a 59 Eureka upon request.
Brian Rachlin
Huntingdon Valley, Pa
I prefer email's not PM's rachlin@comcast.net

1960 62 Series Conv with Factory Tri Power
1970 DeVille Conv
1970 Eldo
1970 Caribu (?) "The Cadmino"
1973 Eldorado Conv Pace Car
1976 Eldorado Conv
1980 Eldorado H & E Conv
1993 Allante with Hardtop (X2)
2008 DTS
2012 CTS Coupe
2017 XT
1956 Thunderbird
1966 Olds Toronado

fishnjim

Never be in a hurry to go to the undertaker or the grave.   Might as well ride in style!
Not many homes for old hearses.  Used once a year on halloween.  They were "chic" in the '60s hippie movement, one of the school mates had a '59. 
Can pile a bunch of teens in one and cruise.

D.Smith

He paid $45,000 for it, then had to spend another $20,000 repainting and restoring it?     

I remember it wasn't too long ago you could buy them for $500 for a used one, to $6000 or $7000 for a mint restored one.


Eric DeVirgilis CLC# 8621

Even at $65,000 all in, it's still less than most brand new hearses. Would almost definitely be worth more after 5 - 10 years if it's kept nice. 
A Cadillac Motorcar is a Possession for which there is no Acceptable Substitute

J. Skelly

The Globe wants you to sign up or provide your email address to read the story.  :(
Jim Skelly, CLC #15958
1968 Eldorado
1977 Eldorado Biarritz
1971 Eldorado (RIP)

Lexi

Hi Jim. That happened to me as well when I went to look at it, so I gave up. I decided to try it again a day later and it worked with no prompting to sign up with the Globe. So you may wish to try it again and see what happens. Clay/Lexi

James Landi

It's great to know that these decades old machines still provide terrific service.  I suspect there's someone local who keeps wonderful machines running and reliable.  They are so simple in design when compared to contemporary computer complexities that can plague far newer cars.      Thanks for posting.  James

J. Skelly

#8
thanks, Clay!

I tried again ... great article
Jim Skelly, CLC #15958
1968 Eldorado
1977 Eldorado Biarritz
1971 Eldorado (RIP)

jaxops

What a beauty.  Takes me back.  We had a 1961 flower car.  I loved the lines on that car.  When my aunt passed away a few years ago, the hearse had "mag" wheels, as they all do now.  I asked why would one need racing wheels on a hearse?  The poor funeral director didn't know what to say.  I say, rent a classic Cadillac hearse.
1970 Buick Electra Convertible
1956 Cadillac Series 75 Limousine
1949 Cadillac Series 75 Imperial Limousine
1979 Lincoln Continental
AACA, Cadillac-LaSalle Club #24591, ASWOA

Carfreak

#10
My in-laws, former CLC members, each rode in style recently.     

Janowiak Funeral Home, Ypsilanti MI   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmGjXCIqqYE

Yes, the coach is stored for winter; not driven in the crappy winter weather. 

Enjoy life - it has an expiration date.

Carfreak

Swanson Funeral Home in Detroit has their 1940 carved panel LaSalle hearse used for both Aretha and Rosa Parks. 

And a flower car.
Enjoy life - it has an expiration date.

cadillacmike68

Don't bury me when I die, throw my body in the back, drive me to the junkyard in my Cadillac!
Regards,
"Cadillac" Mike

James Landi

I keep my father's ashes in the trunk of my Cadillac.  He loved his Cadillacs and loved to travel in them, so, there he is, still close by, and enjoying the ride, and I, enjoying his company.  I suspect at some point, my wife or children will need to put both of us "to rest" somewhere.  Not certain I'd want to wind up in the junk yard though.  Happy day, James

scotth3886

#14
If I manage to choke and croak during good weather, I'd be interested in doing that.  Then Morelands can used mine for the 2nd car in line, since they had these new.

I mean this looks pretty funerally to me except that I'd really need the steelies, hubcaps and triple whites to pull it off

Lexi

Scott are those '50s chrome Sabre rims? They look great on your car. Clay/Lexi

scotth3886

Thanks, and yes, 57 / 58 Sabre wheels.  I'm going to get them redone at some point, but for now they stay. 

Wheels may have been on the car since new.  I worked in a dealer parts department in the early to mid 60s and we could still get those new from GM just as you can just about any part for 8 - 10 years.  We had a few people order them for their then new mid-60s Cadillacs to be installed at the time of delivery.

Lexi

I did not know that Sabres were still available to order in the mid-sixties. Very interesting. They suit your car though. If it were mine I would probably leave them, funeral and all. LOL. Clay/Lexi

Eric DeVirgilis CLC# 8621

Was common for Cadillac to maintain parts availability for model years up to 15 years old and many parts were still available long after.

As late as 1978, the dealer would have still replaced the power trunk mechanism on a '59 conv owned by someone I know. This was discovered during the Pitman arm replacement that '59 Cadillacs were recalled for at the time.  But being the dumb cheapskate schmuck that he his, he declined to have it done and it remains inoperable to this day. And it would've cost a fraction of the price with none of the hassle it would involve today.  ::)
A Cadillac Motorcar is a Possession for which there is no Acceptable Substitute

Lexi

Now that I think about it, we used to have a law (or policy) up here that said auto manufacturers had to maintain replacement parts availability for 10 years. Not sure if that was strictly enforced. Yes, the dreaded '59 Pitman arm. At least he got that taken care of. Clay/Lexi