Cadillac Hearse: The History Behind The Funeral Limousine

Funerals and the vehicles that transport us to them, like the Cadillac hearse, are an unfortunate part of every life. As human beings, we place great importance on death and the celebration of the life leading up to it. We may disagree on what comes after, but almost everyone does believe that funerals should be classy events. That’s likely why luxury vehicle makers like Cadillac came to dominate the funeral hearse market over the last few decades: people want their loved ones to be carried to their final resting place in style.

Our dealership here in Lexington, KY, has hearses available. This article will talk about the history of the Cadillac hearse, including the well-known 1959 model and more modern versions.

The 1959 Cadillac Hearse

The 1959 Cadillac Miller-Meteor hearse is one of the most iconic funeral conveyances of all time. The original Ghostbusters film saw one serve as the Ecto-1, though this was an ambulance version of the car. The 1959 Cadillac hearse is iconic for enthusiasts of the vehicle.

Hearses, like other vehicles, have evolved considerably since 1959. The 1959 model and others of its era were generally built on the Cadillac Commercial Chassis. This was an incomplete vehicle that Cadillac supplied directly to the folks who would then create the final car. This era also includes the Cadillac Fleetwood hearse. Since the Commercial Chassis was discontinued in 1979, hearses have been constructed from modified Cadillac sedans.

The Late-20th Century Cadillac Hearse

After the end of the Cadillac Commercial Chassis, production of any new hearse was generally done on a modified Cadillac sedan. The Cadillac Deville hearse was a product of this era, blending the unique design of the Cadillac Deville with the somber gravity of death.

Many of these hearses were built on the General Motors XTS chassis. It was discontinued in 2019, however. Now, Cadillac hearses are built on the XT5 chassis, which is generally used as a basis for SUVs. This means that the vehicle will be sizable and rugged. We stock some of these new 2022 Cadillac hearse models — we have some available at our dealership here in Lexington, KY, as part of our collection of new Cadillac for sale.

The newest model of the hearse from Cadillac is the 2022 Cadillac Coachbuilder Funeral Hearse. It will use the XT5 chassis and is expected to have a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four cylinder engine with 235 horsepower.

Cadillac Hearses and Luxury Vehicles in Lexington, KY

Losing a loved one or working in the funeral industry can be taxing. Death is not easy to deal with, after all. One thing that every funeral procession needs is a sleek vehicle in which to transport the dearly departed. As the world’s premier luxury car manufacturer, Cadillac has the solution.

If you need a new Cadillac hearse or want to purchase a used Cadillac for sale, then Quantrell Cadillac is the place to go. We are the premier Cadillac dealer in Lexington, KY. We offer a comprehensive selection of new and used vehicles and competitive finance packages on all of them. Reach out to us today to discuss a test drive.

FAQ

What kind of Cadillac is a hearse?

From the mid-20th century until the discontinuation of the Cadillac Commercial Chassis, Cadillac hearses were built on said unfinished vehicle. After their demise in 1979, new hearses were generally built off of modified Cadillac sedans. Many of these vehicles use the General Motors XTS chassis. Since that chassis was discontinued in 2019, new hearses have made use of the SUV-style XT5 chassis.

How long is a 1959 Cadillac hearse?

A 1959 Cadillac Miller-Meteor hearse, the model that enthusiasts most revere, has the following dimensions:

• Length : 225.0 inches (5715 millimeters)
• Width : 80.2 inches (2037 millimeters)

This iconic vehicle has appeared in films like Ghostbusters; they attract attention everywhere one drives them because of their timeless style and inherent gravitas.

Does Cadillac still make a hearse?

Cadillac is still making hearses. The XTS chassis was discontinued in 2019. New hearse models will be built on the XT5 chassis, which is designed for SUVs; new hearse models will be muscular and stylish. The new Coachbuilder Funeral Hearse from Cadillac will be able to meet all of your needs.

Cadillac Reviews In Lexington, KY