Usually when we see a pair of cars for sale in the same listing, they have something in common. Such as a running 1965 Ford Mustang with a 1966 parts car. In this case, they appear to have nothing in common. One is a forlorn 1972 Plymouth Duster and the other a forgotten 1968 Cadillac converted into a hearse. They’re available in Danbury, Connecticut, and can be found here on craigslist for $5,000 and $8,000, respectively. This tip comes our way via Barn Finder Mitchell G.
Plymouth introduced the Duster in 1970 as a sporty, fastback version of their Valiant compact. It quickly became popular with youthful buyers, likely the target audience. Plymouth sold a ton of them through 1976 when the Valiant was retired. Dodge got in on the act with the Dart Demon in 1971 (later renamed the Dart Sport). The seller’s 1972 Duster appears to be a basic model with a 225 cubic inch Slant-Six and a 3-speed manual transmission.
From the look of things, this Mopar has resided outside for some time. There is likely some rust, and you can’t do much with the interior except to gut it and start over. There is a note on the air cleaner indicating some effort was made four months ago to get the motor to turn over, but the absence of a battery suggests efforts stopped there.
As a companion to the snowbound Duster is a 1968 Cadillac which once was a hearse conversion that took its passengers on their “last ride”. There were several coach builders who transformed Cadillacs and Lincolns into hearses and ambulances, but we don’t know which one gets credit for this build.
A note on the air cleaner of the Caddy’s 472 cubic inch V8 says a new fuel pump was installed a few months ago, so perhaps it runs or will run. But it begs the question what would you do with it after you got it running again. These old hearses are known to have been given second chances as part of haunted house displays or used for creepy ghost rides.
I dub thees Dustbin and Last Ride
This hearse is considered a “Professional Car”, and there are people who treasure them, restore them and display them with pride (check out the Professional Car Society). They are no different than a 55 Chevy or 67 Mustang fastback. It is sad that so many think that these hand built, low production vintage vehicles are only suitable for Halloween yard art or Ghostbusters vomitmobiles.
Thirteen thousand for a couple of parts cars, their prices are not anchored in reality.
Steve R
A lot of Connecticut vehicles lately.
Holy cow these are overpriced..! …….Anyone else think so
too ?
If that rear panel on the Duster isn’t rotted, he can name his price. That is a one year only panel, and they’re nearly impossible to find. Even the most pampered of those cars rotted that panel.
Taillightpanel:
https://www.classicindustries.com/product/1972/plymouth/duster/parts/MM1286.html
They also have the tail light brackets. Probably other sources. It’s made by AMD.
But yeah, the car is overpriced.
Leningrad Cowboys Go America! (the caddy).
Located in Danbury ( home of the Helmsleys) the Duster looks Old and Harry. The Cadillac needs a LEON A to become The QUEEN of MEAN. I wouldn’t make reservations for this not so suite pair. 🏰
They lived in Greenwich. She tried to screw many of my friends not paying them, some won in lawsuits, some did not have enough money to sue.
Yeah, I just passed on a 66 Sunbeam Alpine with a great body, and intact nice interior for 3800. Motor was frozen, but “if” you could get the motor unstuck they are selling for 18k. Then you see something like this and it’s like, “Really??”
Dustbin and Last Ride
I like it!
load the duster in the caddy and off they go to their final resting place
💯 agree, John. I hate when they say “converted into a hearse”. Sorry but to be correct this 1968 Cadillac hearse started as a commercial chassis from Clark Street sent to a professional hearse/flower car/limousine builder and then made into a hears from new. No converting from anything.
Because they are basically custom builds, parts are very hard to get except for the standard Cadillac parts such as the front clip, parts of the interior, engine bay, etc.
But how I would love to get my hands on this over price inflated beauty. I’ve always wanted to own a hearse and flower car. Had a chance back in the late 80s on a 1967 S&S hearse which we passed on. Another regret
I agree Angel I always wanted to own a hearse. I know where there’s one now that I’m looking at I believe it’s a 1990 in excellent condition and drivable they want 8000 for it. I just don’t really want one that new. I guess it’s a little strange oh well
@TCK
Considering that we are everything Cadillac we are considered strange to begin with. 😛
Yes, that is kinda new although The Fleetwood on which those hearse were based, up to 1992 was still
kind of a nice and big car.
I’m sure you’ve already thought of this but have you looked at the professional car society’s web page to see if anyone is selling?
@ Angel
no I have not checked that site. I have heard about it but I’m not sure what it’s about.
My friend (strictly plutonic now)Nancy, who is in her late 70s and failing Health wants me to buy a casket for her from Amazon and drive her over 100 miles to where her family is buried when she passes away.
This is legal to do in Pa but I don’t want to use my Escalade so that leaves my Ford Aerostar mini van,OR, a hearse
@ KC and @Angel. STRANGE? Get This. Per my instructions, my cremains will be carried to my grave in my Town Car. I recently saw an out of service 96 Cadillac Hearse with side lettering *We Put The Fun In Funerals * Like EVERYTHING, the Hearse is worse than ever.
@TCK
Is the Escalade a ESV? If so it would be big enough. Same for Chevy Suburban or GMC Tahoe or Ford Expedition.
I simply Googled Professional Car Society and all sorts of good stuff came up. Plenty for sale too. Some parts cars, some restorative and some ready to use.
Hi Angel! I worked for a bandleader who had a ’62 or ’63 with a limousine
to match. I traveled with him for 4 months before I got back home. Not
long after that, I became a bandleader
myself just in time to spend 3 more months on the State Fair circuit over the summer. I was 20 then and it was
laughable when I heard my guys call me the Old Man too. You know honey,
we could still do the cadaver transport thing with this coach after
we pour our hearts, and our savings into it. Now, as for the Duster, have some fun and live a little! And no, an LS just won’t do. Only a ground pounding 392 or 426 cubic inch hemis-fear V8 mated to a really stout
727 Torqueflite tranny just like the set
I out into a ’61 Plymouth Valiant V-200 coupe. I built it by following along with Rod & Custom Magazine when they built one for their Project 200 car in early ’71. Mine put out 750
HP on pump gas and could shred the
rear tires as easy as you’d eat steak and potatoes. Never got to see how fast it would go through the traps at
the strip though. My future BIL got the urge to light ’em up in front of the
County Courthouse getting yours truly
into a LOT of trouble as my father was a Sheriff’s deputy back then. Now lessee, what did they site me for? Illegal tires, (13 inch wide wrinkle walled slicks out back) no hood, no mufflers, supercharger blocking the forward view out of the windshield. Oh for cryin out loud, just
call it what it was–a 671 GMC blower!
And reckless driving as well as illegal
exhibition of speed. And was Dad pissed at me? You bet he was. But not that angry that he couldn’t work out a deal with Judge Dearborn to vacate all the charges provided I sold the car to someone that would use it for it’s intended purpose–terrorizing
every other car in the B/modified production class at the Assumption
Dragway in Assumption, Illinois. Turns out that a family friend bought it, took it to the track, and ran a 12.67
ET at 136 MPH with it his first time out! So much for my misspent youth!
And thanks for the picture Angel! Now I can take you with me wherever
I got! Anywhere but the drag strip
LMAO!
@Angel
My Escalade is the first year made. 1999.
91,000 miles and in immaculate condition.
I won’t haul anything in it.
As far as that site, I’ll check it out.
Thank you