Are hearses welcome?

So, in my search for a wagon as a new tow vehicle/toy i have stumbled upon a 70 Cadillac hearse. The price is right, it is suitably unique and it is supposed to be complete other than the rollers. 472 was in running order when parked 7 years ago, so if it isnt locked up i think I will jump on it. In my mind it is a wagon. A speciality wagon for certain, but still a wagon. Anyone here have a hearse? If I post pics, will I be violating the spirit of the forum? will I be tarred and featherd, dragged through the streets in jesters motley?

input?

 

Sounds like a wagon to die for. You won't be the only member with an extended wheelbase Cadillac station wagon if you buy it.

 

Pontiacguy, imho, a hearse is a fine example of a wagon. We've had more than one hearse in our membership, the latest being a '61 Plymouth from Australia. The reality of the situation is that we would never tar and feather you for posting pics; quite the contrary, the only long roof owners we tar and feather are those who don't post pics.

 

I have a few.

 

....or the ones who demo-derby them.

Most of us cherish the hearse as our last wagon ride.

 

Not my cup 'o tea, but I've got no problem with you joining in. Heck - I've always wondered why the ambulance / hearse coachbuilders didn't also try to push a 'regular' station wagon version of their vehicles. Wouldn't have cost them much to engineer a third version.......

 

Excellent point Krash.

 

oh, we do far worse than that


pontiac guy, a hearse is a workin' wagon. a long roof is a long roof!

 

PG, like Jim said, we love hearses. Actually, I know quite a few people who were dying just to get a ride in one!

 

Yeah, but.....it's not a Poncho! It will feel out of place among all those Pontiacs.Post up some pix of that, PG. I love to see those big 'ol Caddy engines too!

 

I will definately have to park it somewhere apart from the rest. the other cars are bullies . I am going to look at it this week i think. I have to finish up 2 favor jobs before I bring it home. I am out of room. I will definately post pics when i bring it home.

 

There was a bunch of small companys that did the wagon,s and would also take a 4 door 2 door or about anything you wanted and convert it.. Most ended up like old wagons used and abused

 

I see no reason why Hearse's wouldn't be welcome here. They are wagons, just adapted for commercial uses. But what's different from say a police wagon? Besides I have considered getting one when some good deals have popped up. And then I could park it next to my car and when some guy goes "Is taht a Hearse?" pointing at my car i could say no that's a hearse.. That 4th car looks like what my roomie wants to do to the Custom Cruiser.

 

Some did. Back in the mid 80's I remember going into the Hard Rock Cafe in Honolulu and being surprized that the place was large enough that the 59 Cadillac hanging over the bar didn't overly dominate the decor of the place. It wasn't just any 59 Cadillac. It was, I think, by Superior. Basically the same extended wheelbase body and roof shared by the Hearse and Ambulance. But this one was a wagon with wood like paneling on the side. Of course, being Hawaii, there were surfboards sticking out the back too. It was likely originally used as a sight seeing vehicle for tourists, as Superior did use this body for that purpose. Hot Wheels made a 1/64 scale
diecast replica of that 59 in their Hard Rock special edition set.
I wonder if the Hard Rock Cafe is still in Honolulu and if that 59 is still hanging over the bar.

 

On a true commercial chassis the frame was never extended, it was built as a incomplete chassis and the coach builder adds the body it was delivered with the front group , 1/4 panels and bumpers and windshield all the rest was built by the coach builder. Superior did market the station wagon on the same hearse body for I think 59-60 and was dropped after that and where marketed as a 12 pass vehicle