Classic DREAMCARS Mount Dora, Fla. (352) 385-1945 www.classicdreamcars.com

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SOLD TO CARLSBAD, NEW MEXICO

1962 CADILLAC S & S (SAYERS & SCOVILL) 3-WAY 'SIDELOADER' FUNERAL COACH

WE HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING THIS COACH FOR SIX MONTHS TILL WE ALMOST 'RAN OUT OF GAS'. IT IS A VERY RARE SIDE-LOADER BUILT BY SAYERS AND SCOVILL - THE MOST RESPECTED COACH BUILDER IN THE UNITED STATES. THIS CAR HAS THE CAPABILITY TO REMOVE THE CASKET FROM EITHER SIDE OF THE CAR, OR FROM THE REAR. NOT ONLY A GORGEOUS 'FINNED' '62 CADILLAC BUT, A BEAUTIFUL HAND BUILT COACH BODY ON THE EXTENDED FRAME. IT IS FINISHED IN THE TRADITIONAL MASON'S BLACK WITH BLACK LEATHER AND TWO-TONE GRAY INTERIOR AND BLACK LONG GRAIN VINYL TOP. THIS MODEL FEATURED THE EXPENSIVE 'MOVABLE' SLIDE-OUT CASKET TABLE THAT WAS ORDERED (THANKFULLY) MANUALLY OPERATED. IT HAS POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKES, 390 /325 H.P. V8 WITH THE 3-SPEED HYDRAMATIC TRANSMISSION. YOU WON'T BE LISTENING TO 'TUNES' IN THIS ONE- IT'S RADIO DELETE. IT CARRIES A RECENT SET OF WIDE WHITEWALL RADIALS AND ORIGINAL MILEAGE OF 66,300 ( THAT'S JUST 1,411 MILES PER YEAR!) . THIS PARTICULAR CAR WAS OWNED AND LEASED OUT FOR SERVICE BY THE FUNERAL COACH CO. IN LOUISVILLE KY. AND WAS BABIED AND KEPT IN DRY STORAGE FOR ALL IT'S LIFE. IT SADLY, HAS SOME LOWER BODY RUST BUBBLES BUT, IN REALITY... THEY ALL DO. WE HAVE SENT IT FOR RESTORATION AND GENERAL DETAIL. THE ORIGINAL DASH AND INTERIOR ARE EXCEPTIONAL AND CAR RUNS WELL. OUR BOOKS SHOW JUST OVER 125 OF THESE WERE BUILT IN 1962 MAKING THIS ONE UNIQUE AUTOMOBILE. 'STIMULUS' PRICED TO SELL AT $26,500. SORRY, WE SOLD IT IMMEDIATELY:

THE STORY:

1962 was a year that had most of us sitting on the edge of our chairs. The United States narrowly missed a Nuclear War as President Kennedy sought a diplomatic solution to a brush with Russia over Missiles in Cuba. The U.S. responded by instituting a Ban on Trade with the tiny island. Cuba responded by convicting 1,179 "Bay of Pigs" prisoners to 30 years in prison for Treason. Yet, most folks don't know that Mr. Kennedy also deployed the Military Assistance Command to South Vietnam that same year. On a happier note: West Coast Surfing Music made a National breakout and many of us rushed out and strapped surfboards to the top's of our cars. Dick Dale would start a guitar fashion trend by his 'staccato picking' Music style through a Fender Reverb Amp. That device seemed to capture the power & romance of the surf. Soon every band worth it's salt was out buying the units. Despite the fact, the Beach Boys didn't surf at all, they hit the charts at #1 singing "Surfin' Safari". If you wanted to freak out you hit the Movie Theater and saw "What Ever Happened To Baby Jane?" with Bette Davis and Joan Crawford. Yet, it was Anne Bancroft that won Best Actress with her stellar performance in "Miracle Worker. If you drank liquor... you might curb your use after seeing "Days of Wine & Roses" with Jack Lemmon and Lee Remmick. Now we laugh but, the snooty Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences asked Liz Taylor to give back her Best Actress Oscar after learning about her torrid affair on the set of "Cleopatra", with Richard Burton. Many of you remember the Golden Oldie Times through Music- if so, perhaps you remember trying to secretly sing or hum the HIGH NOTES on "Big Girls Don't Cry, or "Sherry" ( 4 Seasons) or "Roses Are Red" with Bobby Vinton. If you didn't like the music then.....you may remember Vaugh Meader's Comedy Album "The First Family" as he mimicked The Kennedy's in the White House. It was the fastest selling album of the time that is, until Kennedy was assassinated- Meader's career died with Kennedy. Best TV Shows were "Hazel" (the Maid), "Andy Griffith Show" (the Cop) "Candid Camera" (the Voyeur ) and "Bonanza" (the Cowboys). This would be the year Marilyn Monroe would die from a barbiturate enema and Hugh Hefner would open more Playboy Key Clubs. Later, he would buy the crypt next to Marilyn as a testament to his enduring admiration. The exciting new Corvette Sting Ray "Split Window" Coupe would be introduced in Sept. 1962 and this sleek fastback Coupe, with it's timeless styling, would become an Icon Car for years to come.

Sadly, Hearses & Ambulances are still overlooked by some Car Clubs & organizations like N.A.D.A that have failed to recognize the fact that, until you stop the prejudice against these cars, just because they ARE hearses, they will never have the opportunity to be totally appreciated by the Masses. There is nothing to be afraid of. They were simply Service Vehicles that provided a function of daily life. ( perhaps, they need to recognize their own Mortality before they can appreciate the place in automotive history these old cars provide). We "All Gotta Go Sometime" and these great, hand built Funeral Coaches were testimony to the fact that, not only were they State of The Art Delivery Vehicles but, that American's could hold their own against the European's in the Coach Building Professional. Each Coach was hand laid from metal in shops by 5-6 different Coach Builders. Nearly all made their Headquarters in Ohio. They all shared the Cadillac limited built Extended Frame but, the coach work was different.... from the front clip to the rear bumper. The windshields and side windows were usually the taller Commercial Glass and the entire body including the 'casket chamber' was constructed entirely of metal (actually, Superior was the first to start the use of Fiberglas in the Sixties-first on rear tail light housings and then on body caps). Each one is truly unique in that the F.D.'s all had different specifications and many were ordered with one-of-a-kind options.

Sayers & Scovill advertised their car as "The Only Professional Car with the [rear] Door Hinged on the Left (at no extra cost). One of the many New, Excellent, Engineered Design features which you will see on the S & S Professional Cars. As Always S & S leads the way....because it's a Proud Professional."

Please let us be the first to recognize and correct the following mis-conceptions:

1. All Hearses have low mileage

2. All Hearses have had exceptional care

3. Most Hearses were Black

NONE OF THESE STATEMENTS ARE CORRECT

In fact, we have found with three years of constant research ....it is actually JUST THE OPPOSITE.

 

The Sixties introduced another Milestone Decade with a total styling change and completely new bodies- the most significant body style change in over a decade. Superior, for instance, offered 57 models. They bragged in their advertising campaign that they had a body style..."For Every Professional Preference". Call me prejudiced but, I think the 1961-1964 model's were the best looking, best styled, sculptured, crisp-lined, non-Box-Like Coaches ever offered. A pleasant departure from the garish lines of the GlitzMobile 1959-1960 Series and yet, still fully functional. The Big Finned cars were hardly suitable for the conservative funeral trade. By this time, Sayers and Scovill had merged with into Hess & Eisenhart and the quality reputation continued. Unlike the Disco-decorated Miller / Meter coaches, the S & S continued it's conservative appeal throughout it's interior and exterior body styles. This coach is testimony to the longevity and built-in quality that was instilled in each Coach that left the factory. Let's not forget- these were full service vehicles that were used in all weather , 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year. To find one, in this condition, after 47 years.... is an achievement ! Thanks to the Professional Coach Society for finally recognizing these great old cars.