the '47 Buick 8/40 Special Hearse , left my care today, after I rescued it from rotting out in the weather, shrubbery growing through the long gone rusted away floor. 27 years on, She sold last week to a funeral director, which is great , as her destiny will be complete. And a brand new lease of life, taking enthusiasts on thier last ride.. in Buick style! left my workshop at 830am for a short trip of about 16 miles to a hot rod and custom fabrication and engineering shop, to be completed and fitted out as a funeral coach again. Sad in a way to see her go but realistically, as Ive not done any work on her for nigh on 21 years well, and I need the room in my new smaller workshop. Anyway heres some pix. Converted by Olding Coachcraft of Glebe NSW Aust a very stylish flowing vehicle. Enjoy
Yes thats for sure , Coachcraft were Australias premier coachbuilders in tbier time, they finished business in 1953. They kept the stylish rear slope of the Buick coupe and sedan of the era, not squaring it off like American coachbuilders tended to do with them, making them ungainly and more fitting an ambulance than a hearse. I think this style of hearse the 42-48 Buick style with Australian coachwork to be the most beautiful stylish example of and hearse. I can visit it as its being slightly remodelled and customised to suit the funeral home that has purchased it. Joel , the guy who is undertaking the completion of what I started, says they want some restyling and lowering of he big rear side windows as well as addition of small fins to the rear, something in the style of the Frankenstein Necroflora hearse Ill picture below, I really hope they dont go too over the top and spoil the lines of what are already there .
Yeah thanks Electra Man, the 248 straight 8 Ive rebuilt, well reringed after a hone and plastigauged the bottom end and left the shims in place. head had full reco, had to hand cut most of the gaskets as the set I bought was very old stock and crumbled like a vampire in the sunlight...head gasket was ok of course, and I cut the inlet exhaust from a piece of that nasty asbestos header gasket thats now banned cos it kills dolphins. I like to think itll be left straight 8 The builder hasnt got free reign hes working to a price I imagine. My biggest worry is if they try to turn it into that othet abomination, which is ok in its own right but so is the one I just sold. Out of my hands now but.
Sorry that is my I- phone auto correct feature at work. There is a fellow Aussie with a 555 Buick engine for sale. I was saying that 555 engine in your former hearse with the name Undertaker would be quite the machine.
I agree, real shame to alter the bodywork to cross into another decade of styling. They really dont mix as evidence by Frankenstein
