1974 CADILLAC S&S VICTORIA HEARSE -- QUITE AN UNDERTAKING

[@jimstevens1726]

Gorgeous hearse! Thanks for the S&S history. I still have a 96 Federal Coach hearse that I bought 10 years ago.

[@55lincoln]

This hearse is definitely gorgeous. I wouldn't mind owning one myself. Best wishes for your 96 Federal Coach hearse. Glad you enjoyed this one and many thanks Jim.

[@rscamarolover]

What a beauty, 74 is my favorite year Caddie, happens to be the last year of the round headlights which is sad but I'd roll this beauty like a station wagon

[@55lincoln]

I love station wagons and wouldn't mind having a hearse as a wagon. This beauty is outstanding. Thanks so much for admiring this Cadillac.

[@luther_beckett]

I had a very similar one - also a 1974. I had the same table and suicide doors too.

[@55lincoln]

I don't know many who have had a hearse. I love these hearse cars. For private use even better. Thanks Luther for viewing this one and for your comments.

[@Dead_on_Arrival.]

Goosebumps

[@55lincoln]

Yes, a funeral car like this can give you those chills. But, so glad you viewed this and thanks/

[@jdean5562]

I worked at Hess & Eisanhardt and was one of the last 3 guys to empty out and lock the doors for the last time on the Blue Ash plant in 1989. We found so much old S&S stuff photos brochures ect. I could not believe how much went in dumpsters. They would not let us have stuff. Threw whole cars in huge dumpsters with forklifts because being prototype they had no titles. I was in R&D and worked with Jay Layhe and Raymond Doer. These 2 men were on the Kennedy car when it came back for roof modifications after assassination. Coolest job I ever had. We done Goerge H.W. Bush's armored fleet. 1 Cadillac 1 Lincoln and 12 fully armored suburbans. Goerge and Louie Strike owned H&E also Cincinnati Reds at the time. Great memories

[@55lincoln]

What a career you had ! But I can't believe that all photos and files had to be destroyed ! For what purpose ? It is bad enough that this iconic company had to fold but to get rid of it's history also. And then there is car shells dumped into a dumpster for scrap. A lot of history took place in your workplace for years especially when it came to presidential limos and suv's. I thought about the Kennedy car over the years and how it was reconditioned. You have brought a wonderful story to life in you comments about the famous Hess & Eisanhardt company and a treat for the viewers of this video. Thank you so much for your stories. Great memories, indeed.

[@jdean5562]

@@55lincoln I kept a box of old black n white 8x10 photos of the old Cars in progress and even thought Kennedy's but couldnt be 100% sure. I have so much stuff stored away I need to find that box.

[@55lincoln]

@@jdean5562 It would certainly be a treasure trove in that box. What a work history you had at a famous company.

[@johnsherman6718]

WOW, a side loader. Not many around. Side loaders were a good idea but troublesome. The power source was often a problematic issue for loading/unloading caskets.

[@55lincoln]

Well, I didn't know there was a problem with the side loading hearse so thanks for that. I'm glad you enjoyed this video John and thanks also for your comments.

[@johnsherman6718]

@@55lincoln Thank YOU! ....for the great posts! "Love them!" I was in the funeral business and our and other livery providers mentioned the side loading funeral coaches were an efficient and great idea, however The load bearing (poundage) of caskets were, at times, too heavy in sub zero temperatures for the electrical output/handling of the "side loading" funeral coach casket trays "at times." The coach builders thought it best to return to the back load designs. So, anyone that currently has one would know it's somewhat of a rarity! Thanks again!

[@55lincoln]

@@johnsherman6718 Since you were involved in the funeral business then you would know of the side loading problems of a hearse. Before you told of the trouble these presented, I thought the side loading hearse were pretty cool. Now I know better. I was a pall bearer once and realized just how heavy those caskets can be even though I lift weights all the time. So a heavy casket in sub zero weather could actually freeze the mechanism. Interesting. Thanks for your comments John. I learned something today.

[@55lincoln]

This would be a great prop for any Halloween theme. This hearse is cool. Would make a handy station wagon too. This one is in great shape.

[@patrickmccarthy7877]

Everybody's last ride.

[@55lincoln]

Yep, going out in style. Thanks Patrick for watching.

[@55lincoln]

U would be surprised how many miles funeral cars, hearses, and ambulances rack up each year and like any other gas driven vehicle they simply wear out. I know of a local funeral establishment that rids their fleet after 3 or 4 years primarily to write them off the books, avoid maintenance issues because each car is needed daily, and they can resell to lesser funeral establishments for a fair price. These hearses make great station wagons. Thanks for enjoying this undertaking.

[@Phonejag1]

Did these Cadillac hearses ever have any Cadillac “factory” options? By that I mean… delay pulse wipers, power windows or power seat, tilt column, Cruise control, or AM/FM/stereo tape? I once owned a ‘64 Cadillac Superior Coach used in a hot climate, but it didn’t have factory air conditioning, i mean… it could have had, but didn’t. It was about 9-10 years old when I purchased it in late 1973 and was typical black. It was such a gas hog, I sold it before I had it 3 years. But I’m curious about more modern hearses such as this ‘74, where power windows and the options that I mentioned, were very typical Cadillac options, and would be commonplace on most Caddys, and a big convenience for multiple drivers. Cruise control would be great for hearses doing long distance cemetery hauls. So does anyone know how that was done when there were Coach-builders involved with Cadillac Commercial chassis’s?? Was it specified to Cadillac factory when the Commercial Chassis was ordered, or was it something the Coach Builder added themselves? I’m talking about GM/Cadillac factory options here. Anybody know?

[@55lincoln]

Coach builders buy a fully equipped Cadillac before conversion to a hearse or ambulance. I guess part of the legacy of funeral parlors to provide every feature possible even with the funeral limos that were converted. This hearse I filmed, I checked all the features and it was fully equipped with power accessories including power steering, A/C, power windows and this one even had a power seat. But still these heavy reinforced chassis caused these always to be gas hogs. I hope that answered your questions and thanks for watching this hearse.

[@Porschedude8]

"Oh Gomez, what a beautiful car"!! No "cup holders" in this vehicle. Amazing condition for its age. I wasn't aware the federal government changed the legislation for vans and trucks to be used for EMS. I remember seeing some of those ambulance station wagons back in the day. It did seem like they vanished quickly though. Thanks again!!

[@11094DEREK]

man there use to be this one i saw when in was younger had a Halloween theme to it flames skulls cool stuff but this one is nice and classic chrome and those big hub caps just awesome

[@Thevacomaticvacuumcorner]

no partition window ?? never mind its a combo hearse with a turn table

[@55lincoln]

I'm not sure a hearse has a partition window but still glad you viewed this and thanks for your comments.

[@Thevacomaticvacuumcorner]

@@55lincoln Oh yessss ost hearse do in fact have a partition window except landau hearse combo 3 way like this one

[@55lincoln]

@@Thevacomaticvacuumcorner Really ? Oh, good to know. Thank you again for that fact.

[@IMMATURENGINEERING]

This is a wonderful survivor, 1974 Victoria 3 way landau with manu-trol table. I hope they keep it inside and dry, 74 rusts out so badly. My 76 is a bronze edition 100 year anniversary end loader with the angels of mercy interior.

[@55lincoln]

It sounds like you have an excellent example of a Cadillac hearse also. I know that the owner of this hearse takes care of it. I am always a fan of hearse and station wagons, so it was natural of me to admire this example. Thanks for viewing and for sharing your own hearse ownership.

[@IMMATURENGINEERING]

p.s. I also have a 23,000 original miles 1969 black S&S Victoria end loader. and looking at a 69 Fleetwood limo originally owned by non other than TWA. it was never titled as it was on the tarmac for flight crew. (the non title slowed me down a bit) Thanks for the post and replies.

[@55lincoln]

What an extraordinary collection you have of these specialized vehicles. I am amazed by the TWA owned limo that survives even now after the demise of the airline. Thank YOU for all of the comments, it's really appreciated.

[@IMMATURENGINEERING]

Even if I do not get it bought, I should go to that 69 limo and video a walk around, it is rough but runs

[@55lincoln]

Preserving automotive history especially with limited production examples like hearse, ambulances, and limos, well that's what it's all about. Best wishes for your projects and again many thanks.

[@11094DEREK]

yeah man