The first hearses were horse-drawn platforms, gradually evolving toward ever more ornate carriages. In 1909, the first motorized hearse was built. Rough and weather-beaten roads kept the horse in business for another decade or so, but by the 1920s, Old Dobbin was mostly retired. Coach builders – Superior, Meteor, Crane, Sayers & Scovill, and others – jumped into the market. Innovations like Eureka’s side-load hearse kept makers on their proverbial toes. This old Meteor funeral car is a rare survivor from the earliest days of motorized funeral cars. It’s available here on facebook Marketplace for $23,000. It “ran very good a couple years ago”, so most likely the new owner will need to tow it home from Chattanooga, Tennessee. Thanks to Zappenduster for coffin up this tip!
Meteor built its funeral cars on its own chassis, powered by a six-cylinder Continental engine backed by a heavy-duty three-speed manual transmission. By 1926, the engine’s output was about 70 hp, versus a curb weight in the 4000-5000 lb area. Performance was stately, not scintillating. The car was equipped with beefy springs, Watson stabilizer shocks, and Lockheed drums all around. The seller claims this Meteor has travelled 35,874 original miles. Recently, the carb was rebuilt, and the fuel pump and tires were replaced.
This hearse retains its casket rollers, skid bars, and beneath the windows, nameplate brackets. Meteor typically offered two body styles: a panel coach with landau bars or a fully-windowed coach, like this one. The windows could be ordered plain, frosted, or leaded.
The interior featured a glass separator isolating the driver from the rear compartment. Up front, leather upholstery covered the seat; colors were kept on the somber side.
This model features two doors on each side, and a rear door to ease loading. The roof is losing its leatherette, but the body is straight, and rust seems to be minimal. A certain niche of collectors appreciates professional cars, and most likely, those individuals have heard of or belong to the Professional Car Society, the grandaddy of suitable clubs. Meanwhile, values hinge on condition and make. This Meteor has been on the market for three months, so if you’re interested, I’ll bet the seller will entertain a discount off his ask.
While in college my ’48 Cadillac hearse turned into a sin bin with a couch in back and a casket in the middle with ice and booze in it. Great for going on spring break or football games. Even today this old guy could liven up a college event.
Michelle wrote up a vehicle that folks will by “Dying” to comment on….. ( Insert rimshot for bad Dad joke here).
Ok, seriously, this hearse is in remarkable, solid, original condition. The interior carpet with the casket rollers is impressive, and that it’s still intact, and looks pretty good. I didn’t know Meteor built their early vehicles on their own frames, using Continental engines. It would be really nice to see this one at the very least preserved, if not restored. As always, Michelle did some serious homework on this one ( as always) and I appreciate it. This may be one of the oldest hearses featured here. Vehicles like these really need to be saved and preserved for the next generation.
Tis I, Digby O’Dell, here to say it looks like a well maintained vehicle, no one wants to be stranded on their last ride, although I’m always the last one to let you down. I’d better be shoveling off.
Never liked hearses. Why not just a non descript car or truck? I also feel it is disrespectful to rod it. Maybe I am an old fuddy duddy, but many my age feel like this.