When I discovered that I finally had room to store a big, impressive classic car back in 2001, I started looking around. I had always liked station wagons, but the price of classic wagons had been skyrocketing as more people discovered them. Besides being expensive, most of the old wagons weren't distinctive enough, and seemed pretty cheaply built. Too much like Mommy-mobile minivans in intent.

I've also always liked hearses. They've got lots of style, and enough room to haul a full-sized harpsichord around. When I began to see the prices that you could get a decent hearse for, that seemed like the only way to go!

At first I was looking for something in the '57 to '61 era- something with big fins like the '59 Eureka a friend had in school. But all the hearses I saw of that vintage were big "project" cars. I wanted something that I could drive to car shows right away, not something that would take years to get into showable condition. I drove down to CW Coach, but at that time Carl didn't have anything old and distinctive enough to suit me.

While looking at the Grim Rides car ads, I saw an impressive 1965 Superior. It was in very good shape, and the price wasn't too bad. I emailed the owner and started discussing the car. I decided that I could live without big bat fins on the back, and that impressive "V" prow and the bold Superior roof arch were very attractive to me.

 

The only problem was that the car was in Eau Claire, Wisconsin! The owner had the hearse, a beautiful 35' diesel bus, and a huge Plymouth formal limo hot-rod, and his wife said that he could only keep 2 of his insanely big toys. He and his wife were taking the bus on a camping trip to Washington, DC. I asked if I could catch a ride with them on their way home. If I didn't buy the car I would have given them some $ for fuel expense, and catch a plane or bus back home.

Luckily, I loved the car. It was repainted the original Ascot Grey color, which looks blue in some light, dark grey in others. The owner was a retired cop, so he threw in a couple of free ( unused ) body bags! You just don't get great deals like this with a "normal" used car!

 

I didn't want to drive through Chicago traffic in a huge unfamiliar car with drum brakes. I decided to take the Badger Ferry across Lake Michigan. I raced across Wisconsin, trying to get to Manitowoc in time for that day's sailing. Luckily, I just made it! The ferry attendants loved the car, and the trip made a pleasant break from driving.

The former owner had installed dual Glass Pack mufflers, and American Racing Outlaw II alloy wheels for a racier look. I've also got the original wheels and hubcaps, but I'll have to get a 2nd set of tires if I ever want to use them. I like the alloy wheels, though. You have to look twice before you notice they aren't stock.

Here's the interior. That's the original gurney. Also note the flip-over casket rollers and the bier pins which would restrain the casket. The fold-flat attendant seats are to the right of the gurney.

The original Federal Beacon. Since Lu was never used as an ambulance, it's in perfect shape. This is a very bright light! To install it, there's a pair of zippers in the headliner. Under this there's a bolt that goes through the roof, and a set of wires to hook it up. A switch on the dash activates it, and there's an indicator light that tells you it's on.

Sound system by Federal! That's the big gold mechanical siren up front, and boy does it pack a punch. You can also see the 3 stock Cadillac horns around it, 2 snails and a trumpet. There's a switch on the dash that selects between the siren and the stock horns, and they all play from the horn ring on the steering wheel. When you push the ring, the siren goes up in pitch, when you let up, it goes back down. There isn't a siren brake on this model.

One last view, toolin' through the cemetery on a hot, dry August day. I like to show her in the Ambulance mode, since there's more to see with the jump seats up, the beacon on, and the gurney on display. I've also found out that the gurney makes a really comfortable place to sit at car shows! After nearly thirty years of quietly helping the people of her community through difficult times, she can finally flash her beautiful beacon, sing with her siren, and be the star of the show!