When your time on Mother Earth comes to an end, taking your last ride in a Cadillac should be the way to go. No doubt many folks traveled their last mile in this 1960 Cadillac which was converted into a hearse by Eureka Coach Co. It doesn’t run and hasn’t likely in some time. You could restore it or turn it into some sort of Halloween attraction, whichever your budget permits. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this vintage transport is available here on eBay where only an opening bid of $5,000 has been cast.
Eureka Coach was not the first company to enter the hearse/ambulance conversion business – and won’t be the last. They started building school furniture before the turn of the 20th Century and later shifted to producing specialized vehicles like these. At first, wood bodies were used, but later steel became more feasible. Eureka closed up in the mid-1960s and until that time, they would take a commercial chassis provided by Cadillac and work from there. The front clip came from the standard Caddy automobile.
This hearse is referred to as a “3-way” because you can load and unload caskets not only from the back but also on both sides. We don’t know the history of this vehicle, but considering the really poor condition of the interior, it hasn’t been used as intended for many, many moons. It doesn’t run and we assume what’s under the hood is a 390 cubic inch V8 with an automatic transmission. The air cleaner is missing, but perhaps the rest of it is there.
The body doesn’t look bad, and rust doesn’t jump out as present. But we can’t tell if the same can be said for the floors on this dearly departed transport. The mileage is reported to be less than 19,000, which could be legit considering that most of these machines only traveled short distances at a time. It will need a total restoration if your goal is to use it as built. But the funeral flags and signs stored inside will not come with the sale. Or could this become a Halloween display in 2024?
Based on the light on the roof, this is a landau combination funeral car and ambulance. According to the American Funeral Cars and Ambulances book by Thomas McPherson the light and the window signs could be snapped on and off depending what service was being provided. The 3 way table could be a mechanical or electric. They were priced between 11-13K depending on the configuration.
I love the fact that someone knows that information. If anyone calls you a nerd, I will kick them in the groin
Me too! I will gie them a boot in the nads for talking ugly.
I was wondering why the red light on top. Does it come off when being used as a funeral coach?
Numskal,
In over 50 years of collecting, buying/selling, and working on old hearses & ambulances, I don’t believe I’ve ever seen a 3-way loading landau style hearse equipped with a gumball roof light! As far as I know, all Eureka combination coaches were end-loaders only. I would love to see the Eureka body plate to see what type of vehicle they listed it as, I suspect they didn’t build this hearse as a combination vehicle, and they listed it as a 3-way landau. .
The amount of work to convert the casket area into a suitable ambulance interior [it would take a full second floor to cover the 3-way moving casket table, and then there is the problem of the interior trim, ambulances typically need to have interior materials of easy-to-clean vinyl. This hearse has dark maroon velour & gold materials that would stain easily. Plus, there are no medical supply cabinets needed for ambulance duty, not even a place for the oxygen equipment.
What I have seen is funeral homes in large urban areas where it’s common to have long lines of vehicles following the hearse thru heavy traffic, where the hearse is outfitted with a rooftop gumball light [usually removable] to alert other traffic of the funeral procession. In most of these situations, the use of such lights is legally allowed when the procession has help from the police, typically using police motorcycles to hold back traffic until all the cars have passed.
Not a combination, only used as hearse. Could be used as first call vehicle but unlikely. Most combinations are limousine style. They could have removeable landau panels and ambulance signs would then be inserted in the rear inside windows, that had been covered by the landau panels. They also could be a straight limousine style hearse without landau panels. Combinations usually had 2 attendant seats, that folded into the floor to create a flat surface if used as a hearse. Some had reversible rollers that where flat on one side and rollers on the other side if used as hearse. Some had reversable panels that where flat on one side rollers on the other side. Landau combinations were made but are usually the exception to the rule. Combinations had provisions to add lights thru usually thru a zipper on the headliner and had quick attachments for the light body and wiring. The light on this 3 way was added for possibly a requirement. of that particular state or city ,as some have requitements for lights on a hearse in procession.
I would love to have this. I have several 59s, a convertible and limo. My 60s are a Seville and two convertibles. I always wanted a hearse but never found a usable copy. I have owned a 65 Crown for nearly 40 years now which I purchased from the original home that bought it new. A hearse done up and left original is a fun piece to have. Box in, box out. unless the market has softened, this unit will bring outrageous money.
I agree! I bought a 63 S&S Victoria 3 way fresh out of service in 82. 62k, magnificent coach! Incredibly road worthy and that 390 was very capable of the 6500 lb. weight. I kept it stock with the exception of deep tinting the rear windows. Wonderful vehicle, like a moron I sold it in 87. Well preserved units are now well into 5 figures, this needs to be saved. Not for the timid!
It is the only vehicle I ever received a ticket for spinning wheels in. Mine is a 429 with a 3:73 axle..” Why they geared them like that I have no idea”. I bet a guy with a 66 390 Fairlane that my funeral buggie as he called it, wouldn’t get out of its own way and could barely pass 30 mph. It was worth a day and court costs…lol
Chris C,
The reason for the numerically high rear axle ratio was simple;
First they were already quite heavy, and it was common for the 1950s & 60s to carry an ornate wooden coffin that was a half-ton to a ton in weight when loaded. [Hence the 6 to 8 bearers.] If the deceased was a big person, by the time the coffin was in the hearse, the GVW could easily top 4 tons. Plus, the higher gearing made sure the hearse could keep up with traffic, even if it was mostly gonna be lower speeds.
Back again, the windshield will hurt as they are around a 1000 bucks now. but if your lucky you might find a 59 to 64 hearse or limo in a yard with a usable one.
I’m just glad to hear they they’re still available!
Chris and Sg,
Yes the windshields are available, but not as NOS new versions, as they fit only the Eureka Hearse & Ambulances. The Cadillac Fleetwood 75 limo vehicles used the standard GM windshield, also used on the bigger Olds & Buick cars.
Mike don’t forget the remake with the female cast, The GB car there was a 1981/82 Cadillac ambulance.
Many people don’t realize that the 1961-63 Cadillac series 75 LWB cars were built on the older 1959-60 limo body, with only the outer skin sheet metal panels changed to ’61 to ’62 styling. Even the dashboard is the original 1959 type.
In the early 1980s I had a ’59 Eldo convertible that I was restoring. I happen to have been walking in an older junkyard in southern NJ when I saw a 1963 Cadillac 7-passenger sedan that had been totaled in the back. It was loaded, and had the original first year 1963 AM/FM radio in the dash. Realizing it was the same dash as the Eldo convertible, I bought it. Fit like a glove. ONLY the 1963 Cadillac Fleetwood 75 cars could be ordered with an AM/FM radio that will fit 1959-60 Cadillacs.
For years the guys in the Cad-LaSalle club thought I had built a Delco AM/FM radio using a face plate and case for a 1959/60 Caddy, and the guts of a 1963-66 Delco AM/FM radio. And yes, that can be done, but it’s a huge amount of work. The biggest problem is the locations of the 2 knob assemblies.
What no Ghost Busters comment?
Someone will chime in with a GB mention. They can’t help it. They are compelled just like with white Broncos, and Deloreans.
Nailed it! And thanks for not calling numskal a nerd. You saved yourself a kick in the groin
Wrong year. The original Ghostbusters ambulance was a ’59.
Just about any ambulance/hearse from this era will get the GB comments.
So over done.
When I was a kid growing up north of Seattle there was a really nice old black hearse and it said widow maker on it. If I had this I would gut the stuff from the inside and do something else but going off that widow maker theme I would have it painted gloss black an also black out the chrome. I would delete the landau bars and find I really good air brush artist to paint a skull or headless horseman like picture.
Guess I’m a need, also, as I have that same book and try to find as much info as possible on Hearses, flower cars and limos. Never cared too much for the combination hearse/ambulance.
Although the headliner is trashed, the rest looks to be in usable and beautiful condition. Burgundy and gold are perfect colors for a hearse interior.
Back around the late 80s early 90s had an opportunity to purchase a ’67 Superior hearse. Hubby didn’t like it.
I will get my hearse and/or flower car one of these days.
Merry Christmas, ya’ll! 🎄🎉🎄
I had a 66 Imperial Flower Car a long time ago… Wish i had one today…
WOW! a 1960 Chrysler Imperial Flower car? Do you perhaps have a photo of it? That was likely made by a local coachbuilder or body shop, and is probably the only one ever created!
But a very nice looking nerd.
Just make sure you ride up front.
I’m assuming you are replying to my comment so , thank you CK. 🤗 I always ride up front, the backseat gets me in trouble. 🙄
Brings back memories. A little old lady used to drive one with a large loudspeaker on top trailering a casket up and down Jefferson and Madison on the National Mall. She had an issue with the late Congressman Peter Rodino. Not many listened but we sure watched. You couldn’t miss her.
I spent my career as a funeral director, embalmer, & EMT. In the mid-70s I drove one of these as an ambulance in a small town (1000 people) in Illinois. Really, really slow on the take-off, but cruised VERY smoothly at 70-80 MPH. But then late one night I learned what “brake fade” was! These were difficult to slow down! It had an old Federal “Q” siren under the hood. When you hit the horn button ALL the lights went dark for about 3-4 seconds (seemed like 10 minutes!). That siren pulled so much current to get it started that … well, at night it got really dark! But as the siren came up to speed, so did the lights, gradually. The owner, who was the EMT and riding in the back, opened the slider and said, “Try not to use the siren for a few minutes til the battery recovers.”
I have to doubt that this unit was used as an ambulance, despite the red light on top. That three-way mechanism is not something I would ever attempt to remove. They tend to get out of adjustment and I’ve never seen one completely removed.
We had two units .. one for ambulance and the other for funeral work. Yet, the red light still throws me …
Fortunately, when I got out of mortuary school and into the workplace (1978), almost all funeral homes were out of the ambulance biz. But I definitely got the experience!!
Here we go again with ash for every seat on this vehicle!
I live in a small rural town and I remember the funeral home did the ambulance runs too. I thought that was just a thing going on here, I didn’t know that it was that common. Hey guys I really really want to treat myself to a ride in a Cadillac but not a funeral car! I’d much rather enjoy a new ct4 or a used ct6 before their all gone in way of the electric SUV. I can’t stand SUVs. I never thought I’d love a sedan but I definitely would love to get a new Cadillac sedan.
Too bad someone or someones let this deteriorate.
If you can’t keep a vehicle together, especially such a special interest vehicle, inside at a minimum, you need to move it on. Just a little editorializing as I once owned a 1960 Caddie limo belonging to Presidente Miguel Aleman, late of Mexico in 1948 or so, for a one car limo service back in the early eighties.
The gumball light doesn’t quite fit the occasion :)
Back in 1970, buddy of mine bought a 57 Pontiac hearse. Paid $500, purchased it from a local band that used it to move their instruments with. As the band’s amps got bigger, they bought a van. We rode all over west Texas in that hearse. Bunch of long haired hippies in a black hearse in 1970. I’m sure nobody noticed us. But the people who did notice us were usually hippie chicks. Great times.
Where the Phone number, I mean”Who ya gonna call”?
Now I feel better
I ain’t fraid a no ghost
Bottom of right rear fender no longer exists. Minnesota plate is a bad sign.
Yup, the few I found years back had frame rust issues.
Chris,
Thanks for reminding me about a possible serious situation with vehicles that had lengthened chassis/frame parts. Anyone with an interest in buying vehicles with extended wheelbases should check the chassis frames carefully for rusted and weak metal using a pick hammer, as rust can start in the back side where it’s hidden from view. While GM designed and built the Cadillac commercial chassis for the major hearse & ambulance coachbuilders, and painted/primed the frames fully, many other low-production extended wheelbase vehicles had started out as regular production vehicles.
I’ve seen plenty of these low production stretch vehicles where the added metal [either frame rails or unitized sheet metal body sections] was not properly protected from corrosion. Some were not even painted or primed.
I remember back about 1970 seeing a 1948 Ford 8-door airport limo sitting in a junkyard. Built by an unknown coachbuilder, the extended frame sections were never painted, and had completely rusted thru to the point where the frame failed and the body collapsed only 20 years later. My shop also worked a 1956 Pontiac with an ambulance conversion by National Coach, and again, the frame rail extensions were rusted to the point where we had to cut them out and fabricate replacements, while the original GM frame sections were still painted & not rusted.
I’ve also heard [but not seen in person] about modern stretched Lincoln limousines of the early 1980s that were used in limo services in New England, and the central frame sections rusted to the point the cars didn’t pass inspections and had to be scrapped, even cars less than 10 years old.
It would make a perfect Ecto-mobile! 😆👻
I was lucky enough to find & get a 72 Caddy Hearse by Miller Meteor Sept 2914. Since then it has been a never ending WIP for my best friend & me. It runs great now, but nowhere near done. It’s really a great car and loads of fun on Halloween. My main attraction to it was the engine size and the fact it has suicide doors. Would love to add that 60 ambulance hearse lol
Mike don’t forget the remake with the female cast, The GB car there was a 1981/82 Cadillac ambulance.
Bill McCoskey, I knew that Imperial would get your attention. I’d love to see a picture of it myself. It would have to be a one off. Never seen a Chrysler or Imperial flower car.
Many coachbuilders such as Eurika, S & S, Superior and M&M used other makes such as Lincoln, Buick, Pontiac, Packard, Hudson as well as Cadillac, but I’ve never seen an Imperial hearse or flower car.
Send the picture my way if you get it, please.
Angel,
Good to hear from you again, Happy holidays!
Can you imagine an Imperial flower car?????
As most funeral homes wanted to have matching vehicles, can we assume they also had an Imperial Hearse as well?
“The body doesn’t look bad, and rust doesn’t jump out as present” Aye but the tin worm has nibbled away a substantial amount of those lower rear quarter panels. Love those fins though, could be a cool ride, maybe a vanlife conversion, but alas, I think I’m too old for a vehicle that facilitates a 3 way 🤣