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Morbid Muscle: 1962 Pontiac Superior Hearse

Update 3/10/20 – This morbid Mopar has resurfaced here on craigslist with a scary asking price of $18,500! Thanks go to Barn Finds reader Matt R for the tip!

From 5/15/19 – This 1962 Pontiac “Superior Coach” Hearse is something a bit different, and it appears to be nicely preserved. I’m really not sure what I would do with it so it will be very interesting to see what sorts of ideas our readers can come up with. Barn Finder local_sheriff referred the Pontiac to us, so thank you so much for that. It is located in Novato, California, and is listed for sale here on eBay. Bidding is currently sitting at $5,988, but the reserve hasn’t been met.

This hearse started out in life as a Pontiac Bonneville wagon but was then delivered to a company called “Superior Coach” where the hearse conversion took place. There is only one photo supplied that shows the complete vehicle in the listing, but there is a good selection of detailed shots like this, and they do paint a positive picture. The Pontiac looks to be nice and straight, with no obvious signs of rust or major damage. The owner purchased the vehicle back in 2007 and has performed a minimal restoration. This included a repaint, and this looks like it was completed to a high standard. The majority of the external trim and chrome looks to be quite good, although the owner does acknowledge that the bumpers will need to be re-chromed. The original vinyl top also seems to have held up really well. One aspect of the body of this vehicle that really stands out for me is the lack of side windows. The majority of hearses that you see have these, but due to the fact that this hearse didn’t see service as a funeral car, but was used to transport deceased people from the mortuary to the funeral director’s, windows would have been unnecessary.

When it comes to the interior, the only item that has been restored is the front seat. It has received a new cover of the correct material and color, and the owner even went to the trouble of using the original Superior Coach horse-hair padding to protect the hearse’s originality as much as possible. He also replaced the rubber floor mat, but the rest of the interior is not only original but is remarkably well preserved. Luxury appointments are few and far between, as the vehicle isn’t fitted with such niceties as a radio or air conditioning.

There are no photos of the engine, but we do know that it is a 389ci V8, while the car features a Hydra-Matic transmission, power steering, and power brakes. The owner says that the car drives nicely, and it appears that it has been well maintained. He is unsure whether the 41,800 miles showing on the odometer is correct, but it is certainly quite feasible with a car like this.

Now it’s over to our readers for some input and ideas. The condition of this Pontiac appears to be extremely good, and it also seems to be mechanically sound. If you bought it, what would your plans be? A more interesting question would be whether there are any of our readers who would be willing to bid on it?

Comments

  1. Avatar TimS

    Can’t say I’ve ever seen another. Somebody must have been a big Pontiac fan & I can’t blame them. A modern day fanatic will likely snap this up. Would be great for a period-correct movie car.

    Like 10
  2. Avatar Kenneth Carney

    Just add a radio and Vintage Heat & Air,
    and put it to work in the cadaver transport business. This is big business here in Florida, and a person with the right equipment could make a very good
    living. Nice post. Haven’t seen one in
    years.

    Like 13
    • Avatar leiniedude Member

      Hi Ken, I agree on the big business down there. In Wisconsin, Florida is known as God’s waiting room. It looks like the new tablet is working good for you! Take care Bud!

      Like 9
      • Avatar Tman

        God’s waiting room? Love it!! The stairway to heaven. The ICU soon house. From the movie and tv series call it the ” The Titanium Joint Collector.

        Like 4
    • Avatar Sam61

      First call vehicle.

      There’s an upcharge at the funeral home for a Cadillac instead of a Pontiac for that final ride…

      Like 2
    • Avatar 36 Packard

      When my Dad passed away, my brother and brother-in-law picked up a handmade wooden casket for him and delivered it themselves to the funeral home. They used a brand new Dodge Dakota. On the way they got the munchies and hit a McDonalds. I was told the looks on the girls faces at the drive through was priceless. Dad would have got a kick out of that. Plus Dad was always a Chrysler Corp guy. The vehicle that picked him up after passing was a Dodge van, and the fact his casket was delivered in a Dodge was great too. Now if the hearse could have been a post war Plymouth, he would have been fulfilled. Unfortunately it was a Caddie, but Dad was also an understanding man. I really miss my him, I hope in Heaven he has a nice ride. God is a decent guy, bet he set him up with something with an L Head six and a three on the tree. Dad if so, is surely smiling.

      Like 27
      • Avatar Tman

        Great comment

        Like 2
    • Avatar Miguel

      A radio is completely unneeded.

      Like 4
      • Avatar Tman

        Maybe so. But a nice modern sound system playing Funeral for a Friend or whatever song were their favorite

        Like 3
      • Avatar Louis Chen

        One need to have no other noises when you’re carrying human cadavers! It can get really creepy especially at night when you come to the hospital morgue for the body and transport to the funeral home. Been there done that when I was in between jobs in greater L.A. A/C would help to remove any unpleasant odors!

        Like 1
      • Avatar PatrickM

        Are you kidding me?? I love my tunes!! And I’ll have them…in this or any other vehicle I own. Yup, pump up the volume.

        Like 0
  3. Avatar CapNemo

    Very nice car, I’d love to have it but I’m almost out of room. It’s been repainted.

    Like 2
  4. Avatar Slightly Askew

    I seem to remember these were prone to developing leaking head caskets.

    Like 27
    • Avatar Tman

      Hahahahahaha. Brilliant!!! Like Undertaking a complete nut and bolt resurrection.

      Like 6
  5. Avatar JOHN

    When I was younger we had a 59 Cadillac hearse painted yellow as a pool work truck riding in style

    Like 4
  6. Avatar Steve

    Get a coffin, fill it up with beer and tailgate

    Like 10
  7. Avatar JBP

    Isnt it olds taillights?

    Like 0
    • Avatar CCFisher

      Close, but no. 1962 Pontiac Safaris had this oval taillight. 1962 Oldsmobiles had similar taillights, but the lenses were peaked at the narrow ends.

      Like 4
  8. Avatar Tort Member

    Always liked those years of Pontiacs and would drive it but do not care to ride in it. At least for a long time!

    Like 6
    • Avatar Beel

      Yes, better to be seen than viewed.

      Like 5
  9. Avatar Ken

    Both my brother and my mother took their last rides in a ’62 Pontiac hearse, three years apart (1979 and 1983). It looked exactly like this car, except it was all black. The small town funeral home had a matching ’62 Pontiac limousine I rode in twice. Ever the car nut, I peeked at the odometer. It had about 19,000 miles on it.

    My brother would have understood. 😎

    Like 18
    • Avatar Todd

      Can I ask where your brother and mother took there last ride? I purchased a 62 Pontiac hearse that was in service those years.

      Like 0
      • Avatar Ken

        Prosser, Washington. Flint Funeral Home owned them.

        Like 1
  10. Avatar Danger Dan

    I wouldn’t be caught dead in that thing

    Like 13
    • Avatar Tman

      This thing is drop dead beautiful. I’d give up my last rights to own it. I’m dying to buy it if it’s the last thing I ever do. The Greatfull Dead Undertake a new album.

      Like 2
  11. Avatar Will Irby

    That would make a nice stable-mate for this Olds.

    Like 14
  12. Avatar CaCarDude

    Nice looking Olds there Will. Appears to be a ’61 Starfire by seeing the side trim. This Pontiac is a nice looking ride and still wears its CA commercial Black plates. If I had the room I would like to ad this to my car stable, always had a big liking for the early sixties wide track Ponchos. Nice find!

    Like 4
    • Avatar Will Irby

      Yes, it was a ’61, with the stainless side trim. I always liked those full-size GM cars from that era. Olds had the 394, Pontiac had the 389 and 421, and Buick had the 401 nailhead. They were all solid, comfortable cars for their era, and they had style, which seemed to go out of style shortly thereafter.

      Like 4
    • Avatar Miguel

      The first thing I did with my hearse was to get rid of the original commercial plates. California charges by weight with those and the fee per years was much higher than even the personalized plates I ordered.

      Like 4
  13. Avatar MikD

    My younger brother, RIP, created this advertising Hearse for his company. Instead of a slide-out for the casket, it was converted to a slide-out for a j-ski, the focus of his company. It’s always an attention getter, wherever it goes.

    Like 12
  14. Avatar local_sheriff

    MikD; that was indeed a clever way of your brother to utilize a retired side-opening hearse, while still not ruining the vehicle!

    Being based on the Bonneville it should have the 4spd Hydramatic. All 61-64 Pontiac wagons shared 119inch wheel base; I’m not sure whether Superior based the Consort on a wagon or sedan, but it’s the short WB version as opposed to the longer Criterion that got a more comprehensive conversion. Cotner-Bevington also made a combination vehicle based on the 62 Poncho.

    In my world the 62 is the sexiest Pontiac ever. Only con is that Pontiac didn’t retain the ‘opposed C’ taillights on their wagons this year; a Pontiac trademark almost as strong as the split grill. Had it not been for just aquiring a 64 Bonneville Safari I’d SERIOUSLY consider bidding on this hearse. It’d be a perfect vehicle for my ‘Last Journey’ imagined future business of hauling deceased gear heads in-style with their beloved hobby!

    Like 8
  15. Avatar Chuck

    This is one beautiful example. I’d put vintage air in the car and enjoy it.

    Like 3
  16. Avatar 86_Vette_Convertible

    Friend back in the late 60’s had a mid 50’s Caddy Hearse. Great party vehicle and a lot of room to paint it up on the outside. You’ve never seen a hearse till you’ve seen one with a Von Dutch Eyeball, an Ed Roth Rat Fink (none done by the original artists) and the rest of the psychedelic world of the day. Makes a wonderful party platform, it’s amazing how many beer kegs you can get into it and there’s little chance of it being abused in it’s prior life.

    Like 5
    • Avatar PatrickM

      …and a good sound system.

      Like 0
  17. Avatar TimM

    I never seen a Pontiac hearse!! Nice ride!! But I’m in no hurry to try this one!!!!

    Like 6
  18. Avatar Todd

    Awesome vehicle. Looks a lot like mine, except mine is a ambulance/hearse combo. It has a Federal Signals light and siren. Mine was originally midnight blue with silver top. Great design by Superior Coach, great car from Pontiac. Super fun to drive!

    Like 7
    • Avatar local_sheriff

      Hey; another one! Is yours also a Consort (123 inch WB) version? Could you post a profile pic of it?

      Like 0
    • Avatar Tman

      Nice. Was this once featured in a Hemmings Classic Cars ?

      Like 0
  19. Avatar Larry

    Oh wow, I used to have one of these but it was in deplorable shape and needed a total restoration

    Like 0
  20. Avatar Miguel

    This was not a first call car.

    This was used for transports. There is a difference.

    A first call car would have a flat floor for a gurney, not rollers.

    Like 4
  21. Avatar JOHN Member

    That thing is way cool. Outstanding condition considering it hasn’t even been restored. I suppose if I was a more serious collector with a large collection, I would want this! I wouldn’t change anything, but imagine it with a black top and no landau irons on the side and 8 lugs… pretty sweet!

    Like 2
  22. HoA Howard A Member

    Ever wonder why there’s no luggage racks on hearses? Can’t take it with you. President Kennedy was hauled away in a ’63 Pontiac. These cars still give me the creeps.

    Like 4
  23. Avatar Dan

    Would go well with my 65 , no room at the inn at this time.

    Like 6
  24. Avatar Stevieg

    Dan, that is a beautiful Cottner-Bevington!
    I like this old Pontiac. In fact, I am hoping the insurance check to replace my Harley that got totaled out a month ago shows up & there is enough to be able to bid on this & hopefully buy it. I didn’t check the eBay ad yet. For all I know it could have sold already, but I hope not.

    Like 2
  25. Avatar Superior Coach

    No need for “quotes” on Superior Coach. It was a major company back in the day. 1923-1981. In the 1950s and 1960s Superior Coach was the world’s largest school bus and professional vehicle (funeral) coach builder. Superior had two plants, Lima, Ohio and Kosciusko, Mississippi. I believe the Pontiac hearses were made at the Kosciusko, MS plant. As a footnote, Kosciusko is the birthplace of Oprah Winfrey. Both old Superior Coach plants are still standing. The former Kosciusko plant is now used for other business, but the Lima, OH plant is still used for limousine and other professional coach making.

    Like 4
  26. Avatar leiniedude Member

    Ended: May 19, 2019 , 9:39PM
    Current bid:US $8,489.00
    Reserve not met
    [ 19 bids ]

    Like 1
  27. Avatar Chebby Member

    Mopar?

    Like 34
    • Avatar Moparman Member

      Came here to ask the same question: What does “Mopar” have to do with this?????

      Like 26
      • Avatar Dovi65

        Same here; I read the write-up 2x thinking I missed the Mopar connection to this Pontiac. I thought maybe an engine swap, but nope .. the article refers to the original 389, so that isn’t it. Maybe Adam can enlighten us as to the “Mopar” reference

        Like 6
      • Avatar Jerry Landis

        I’m wondering the same thing!! LOL!

        Like 1
    • Avatar Tman

      (Mopar) Hearst’s generally don’t go far. At least it wasn’t Deadly Dodge, DOA ( Dodge On Arrival)Embalming Buick, Passed Away Plymouth, Final Ride Ford, Cremated Chrysler.

      Like 0
    • Avatar Charlie H

      I was scrolling down to post the same thing!

      Like 2
    • Avatar PatrickM

      Yeah!! Said who?

      Like 0
  28. Avatar Ethan

    Not a Mopar

    Like 21
    • Avatar Mario Schwarz

      I agree. A Pontiac is not a Mopar!

      Like 13
  29. Avatar Fred W

    If it’s strictly for transporting the deceased from the mortuary to the funeral home, what’s with the tissue dispenser?

    Like 0
    • Avatar Ian C

      Seepage.

      Sorry, I may have gone too far on that one. LOL

      Like 7
  30. Avatar F Again

    Mopar or no…wait, what?

    Like 12
  31. Avatar jerry z

    I guess I would be morbid too if someone called my Pontiac a Mopar!

    Like 12
  32. Avatar BlondeUXB Member

    DOA/SUV !!!

    Like 1
  33. Avatar Poppy

    Morbid Mopar? or Professional Poncho?

    Like 12
  34. Avatar Tman

    What the! Morbid Mopar???

    Like 9
    • Avatar Tman

      Mary Only Passed Away Recently.

      Like 6
  35. Avatar Dave Rhodes

    great drive-in car if you are lucky enough to still have one in your area . 48,000 mi is a lot of ‘ short ‘ hauls

    Like 0
    • Avatar PatrickM

      Chic-fil-A has a drive thru and so do McD’s and Burger King’s. But, in this area, they are tight just getting a pick-up around the corners. I don’t think hearses would make the turn. Sad.

      Like 0
  36. Avatar CCFisher

    Mopar?

    Sometimes, I wonder if the writers get paid according to the number of comments, regardless of whether the comments are positive or negative.

    Like 9
  37. Avatar glen

    What does this have to do with Mopar?

    Like 9
  38. Avatar BR

    Mopar in this case is the writer’s attempt to invite curiosity, but it only invites derision. Stupid move imho.

    Like 9
  39. Avatar Skorzeny

    I clicked on this to see why he called this a Mopar as well. What the…?

    Like 8
    • Avatar BR

      I see this as purely click-bait from a desperate author. I have seen Clarke’s work on other websites as well, where he very often misses the mark too. Pretty sad.

      Like 6
  40. Avatar David Ulrey

    Apparently I’m not the only one perplexed by the Mopar reference. Give us an answer please but a real answer.

    Like 10
    • Avatar rustylink

      thank you – that is driving me a bit crazy too…

      Like 3
    • Avatar moosie

      He may be too embarrassed to explain “Morbid Mopar”.

      Like 3
  41. Avatar Doone

    Mopar: Move Over, Pontiac Arriving (with the) Reposed

    Like 2
  42. Avatar angel santiago saltamontes

    Famed old-school mortician Digger O’Dell enthusiastically pumped his new hearse to male riveter Chester A. Riley: “It’s a Studebaker, with all that glass in the back”[comedy writers have always treated facts flexibly to boost the boff; may they always]—“all that glass in the back. The people can see where they’re going!”
    Riley’s rejoinder if predictable was nonetheless necessary: “Can they?”

    Like 1
  43. Avatar Steve

    Posthumous Poncho maybe…..

    Like 4
  44. Avatar Will Irby

    Body-Bearing Bonneville? Or is that a Cadaver-Carrying Catalina?

    Like 4
  45. Avatar Todd W.

    This is the sister to my 62 Pontiac combo. Same color combination as well.

    Like 2
  46. Avatar Andy

    As we age we start to wonder what the last car we should buy is. This may answer that question.

    Like 1
  47. Avatar Don

    like many others, I’m wondering?= morbid Mopar?, last I recall, Pontiac was made by G.M??

    Like 0
  48. Avatar Bernie

    love the car, love your site, just can’t understand Why Adam called a PONTIAC A MOPAR???? Are you new to the car scene?
    Pontiac was a Division of General Motors.

    Like 0

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