SOLD- THANK YOU. We have come to call this
Coach our "Captured Angel" due to the fact we have looked for close
to 6 years for a super nice original 'Landau'
Version of the 1959 Cadillac by either Superior, S&S,
or Eureka, and have finally found her. This fabulous
Funeral coach was discovered by word of mouth in Oct. 2016 and
finally purchased in early November. It is one of a handful of
"3-Way" Sideloader Funeral Coaches that allowed the Funeral
Director to unload the Casket from either side of the Hearse, or
from the rear of the Coach. This was necessitated by close quarters
at the Church, Home or Cemetery since, once parked curbside
(especially on a busy street), the Pallbearers had very little room
to safely load/unload the Casket. This design was
celebrated by nearly every FD that could afford one....the
only problem being, the '3-Ways' were historically the Flagship
Model of each Coachbuilder and very expensive, out of reach for
most Mortuaries & Funeral Homes. hence very few were sold.
What makes the '59 Model unique is it is considered the "Most
Memorable" in the entire history of Professional Car Evolution. In
1959, it was only the 3rd time a Pro car had to be 'extensively
re-designed' to make it 'worthy' for Funeral use. Due to the fact,
Automobile Styling had grown to such ludicrous
proportions, that by 1959, this would be considered a radical
design challenge (due to the bodacious fins). We have found, having
owned over 28 Pro Cars and about 10 'Standard (stock) Issue'
factory Cadillac's, that most Coachbuilders actually 'reconfigure'
the height of the fins to make the body style(s) flow better. Such
is the case here, as well. Attempting to curb the Baroque, 'Glitzy'
Style of the '59 would turn-out to be quite an achievement as the
Grille itself contained a Cascading Cliff of 'Jewel-Encrusted'
Chrome. So, though the Hearses, Flower Cars and Ambulances
'resemble' the factory "Buck Rogers" styled versions, they were
indeed "toned down" to match their conservative use. Tossed up
against the over-the-top 'Di-Noc' (Faux Wood covered) versions by
Miller-Meteor, the S&S's were indeed
incredibly Stately in comparison.
This beauty is finished in Sable Back with (new) Black Vinyl Top
and Black Vinyl /White Interior accented by Grey Interior Side
Panels, Oak Table & Off-White Headliner . It carries Power
Steering, Power Brakes, 390/325 h.p.V8, Hydramatic Automatic, Front
Heater, 'Chromed' Wheel Discs, Outside Rearview Mirror," T354 &
E-10 Naugahyde Ceiling", 'Full Covered' Vinyl Top, S&S
Chrome 'Ice Cream Cone' Tail Light Bezels and Oil Filter.
What makes this Coach particularly unique is its
History:
It was purchased new in 1959, by The Delbert Glenn Funeral Home in
Western Kentucky from the S&S dealer, Robert E Rucker,
in Nashville TN. This was a funeral home that started service,
first as a Livery Coach Business, then full-time Funeral Home as of
1903. It has seen 5 Generations of the Glenn Family in-house. They
had the very 1st Funeral Home in Daviess County, KY. and boasted
the 1st licensed Female 'FD' in Owensboro, KY. The Glenn's also own
" Owensboro Gardens" locally, which housed the 1st Mausoleum in
that area and, as of 1982, the 1st Crematorium. As the first owners
of this coach, the Glenn's ordered it new and proudly owned it for
over 46 years. We bought it from the 2nd FD owner, who put 1,446
miles on it in 11 years 4 months of ownership, having purchased it
'pre-owned' July 7, 2005.
New, it was amazingly expensive and, many Funeral
Director's came to believe it was the 'Best Quality' Coach, and
considered it the Benchmark Luxury Liner of all 4 of the major
Coachbuilders, if not on sale point alone. Letters and documents
that came with the Coach lead one to clearly believe it was ordered
built March 11, 1959 with the proviso it was to be shown first for
display at the Kentucky Funeral Directors Convention in Louisville
on or about, June 9th 1959, (with a promise to deliver at the
conventions end). Actual delivery, with further custom changes,
occurred 2 weeks later on June 23, 1959. Due to the optional
factory embellishments Custom Built for Mr. Glenn...it was
initially priced at $13,284 but, then re-priced at 14,337.35 on
delivery. That was $2,474.00 MORE then a similar 3-Way
Superior.
Today, using the CPI Cost of Living Index, would compute to
$118,159.54. Sorry, she to a CA. Mortuary
THIS BEAUTY SOLD TO A MORTUARY IN CALIFORNIA ~FOR RESTORATION~
