Chevrolet’s primary compact, the Chevy II/Nova, got a big boost in sales with a redesign in 1968. The styling and engineering proved quite successful, and interest remained high throughout the third generation (through 1974 with one light refresh). There was no station wagon in the 1968 lineup, nor was there a convertible any longer, either. So, this wagon was supposedly used as a hearse with a custom build, likely based on a 4-door sedan (check out the smaller doors). Located in Mount Brydges, Ontario (Canada), and is available here on eBay. The current bid is $3,950 (USD or CDN?) with an unmet reserve.
Chevy built nearly 78,000 4-door Chevy II’s in 1968, and chances are a great majority came with a 230 cubic inch inline-6. That’s what appears to be in the seller’s custom build, with the manual shifter relocated to the floor (still a 3-speed?). The conversion from sedan to wagon/hearse involved adding some length to the vehicle past the rear wheel wells, so this vehicle is at least several feet longer than it was way back when.
We don’t know why someone would go to the trouble of making this vehicle come to fruition. And if it was used as a hearse, was that through some kind of discount funeral home? I can’t imagine making my final trip in the back of that thing. We’re told it needs paint and the interior needs some work, as well, perhaps recovering the bucket seats which must have been added and the factory bench removed.
The extra length must equate to extra weight, which would put a further strain on the 6-banger. Has it been modified? We don’t know, but the seller says it does run and drive (but how well?). If you decided to restore this machine, it would make quite the conversation piece at Cars & Coffee. But don’t shoot for an ambulance this time. BTW, the Chevy seems to have at least three sets of wheels.
The plucked chicken below looks better.
This “hearse” was built for it’s own funeral.
Pretty cool odd ball. Scratching my head on whether they used Plexiglass, or real glass? Nice find. I wonder what’s sitting next to it?
The proportions are off, the rear overhang is too long. I’ve seen a few 67 and earlier 2 door wagon conversions that look good and appeared to be well executed, but no 68 and later, though someone with a good eye and some talent could pull it off.
Steve R
If you get a flat tire on the way to the funeral, you have to take the coffin out of the car to access the spare!😂😆😂
My eyes, my eyes!! Make it stop!
Because not everyone has Harold & Maude family money.
One of our favorite movies, and yes, the gifted XKE became a hearse, to spite his mother and anyone else. That Jaguar actually looked good afterwards. But Maude liked it. She was deft at “borrowing” the bigger hearses too. That, plus the Cat Stevens soundtrack never tires.
Dare I say it? I shall. I wouldn’t be caught dead in this! It’s a big shame when someone spends way too much especially time and money convert two cars into one and it ends up looking like this. The one next to it looks to be another hearse made from a ’60 or ’61 Impala? from the jet plane on the side behind the door.
It’s not a hearse or any kind of conversion sitting next to this abomination, it’s a 60 Chevrolet Sedan Delivery. The 59-60 sedan deliveries were basically two door Brookwood wagons with the rear side glass replaced with solid panels.
Oh those Wacky,Wacky Canadians.
The bungee cord holding the rear door closed is a nice touch
It seemed like a fantastic idea, after the first 12 pack of Molson’s…
Beauty eh?
Bidding is up to $5100. The Mackenzie brothers bid like the hosers they are eh?
Could be used for camping !
What saddened me was the in-line 6. It needs a V8 and surfboards out the back.
I’d rather buy the Brookwood Sedan Delivery
sorry, wouldnt put my dead body in it.
Kudos for the find, craftsman’s-ship etc.
But, like others, I’m ‘not with’ the rear sides
or back design elements.
Funny how ‘tastes’ differ, match, what is appealing,
etc. It’s not like math (a precise language) but more ‘a feeling’, eh?
I think there was a boxed stiff in the rear that stood still and the back end got stretched out when the driver patched out with that screamin’ stovebolt!
Sir, put down the Sawzall and step away from the welder. I will only ask this once..
What is that round bar connecting the leaf springs (to the rear of the pumpkin)?? Ive never seen that before!
Aftermarket sway bar.
Steve R
Yes,I figured that out also. Of corse with a coffin in the back, the added unsprung weight of the sway bar and attaching pieces won’t cause too much of a ride problem. But driving it empty it would have a deteriorated ride.
If you have no luck hauling bodies. You could always turn it into a Ute!
Cars and Coffins, anyone?
I’d sell it too.
why?
yikes
This probably originally came from South America, most likely Argentina and probably isn’t actually a ’68; they made ’68-72 style Novas there for the rest of the ’70s and the turn signals outboard of the headlights with the holes in the bumper for the ones we’re familiar with being just gone are the main tell we’re looking at one of those.
As such it was probably the closest thing available to a Cadillac.
Well at least it has a newer power brake booster and the original radio is still in it. The shifter states that it is a 5 speed even though it still could be a three speed here. What a shame a 4 door Nova turned into this. YIKES!!
My second comments are there are three different set of rims in the ebay pictures. Some of the pictures I think are older ones.
I dream up some wild ideas but this is beyond my talent.
Cut the top off behind passenger B-pillar & its a NOCAMINO – strip the cloth interior & its a Truck.
all the Camaro/Firebird suspension parts bolt up it’s already got a beefed up rear suspension for the weight most likely needs the 12bolt posi rear end.
An easy build out for a cheap Fishing pickup with a Trailer Boat hitch.