Introduction and Whatnot

[Koffinduster]

Halloo. I'm new here (obviously) so I thought I'd make an intro post.
I recently picked up my first hearse, a 1987 Cadillac Brougham. I've wanted one since I was 3 yrs old and while this isn't the model I prefer, it was local and cheap :P
While working at my shoppe (I own a gaming store) an older man came in and asked if I wanted to buy a hearse and of course I was interested so I went to see him after I closed up and was in love. I seriously think I blushed when I saw him (the hearse). The issues known to me were: no ac, wipers didn't work, stereo didn't come on and someone had taken the easy way out and siliconed the windshield seal instead of repairing it....and all the normal rust issues.
When I took him back to my shoppe I noticed all the water was running out and it was smoking under the hood. So turns out the water pump was bad and it seems he needs a bit of work. I had a friend take him to his shop and so I guess I will soon have a long list of what needs to be done to get him in good running order.
I do have plans of repainting him and getting the interior done because white exterior and blue interior just isn't cutting it.
So are there any obvious things (or not so obvious) that I need to know? Any recommendations on cosmetic hearse parts and books?946233_10201000816995017_232470445_n.jpg993618_10201000817675034_1792354196_n.jpg994832_10200996093476932_175445802_n.jpg995926_10201000818115045_2012733704_n.jpg998655_10201000817035018_660415557_n.jpg1001824_10200996096557009_891204207_n.jpg1017612_10201000816955016_310540173_n.jpg1043911_10200996166158749_373099200_n.jpg1044454_10200996121917643_1926724810_n.jpg1044852_10201000818075044_925681594_n.jpg

[mr x]

Hi welcome to the nha.. I like the extra window on your coach.. Very unique looking..

[60Crown]

Welcome to the NHAA.

Always thought it was classy seeing '70s Superior & Miller Meteor coaches with similar additional side glass. What coach builder is yours? In the fourth picture, are divider glass pieces overlapping and open on ends or does your coach have more than two pieces of glass? Funky reflections going on that make it appear like four pieces of divider glass. Odd.

Wouldn't worry about changing interior, especially from scratch. Too much $$$. Just enjoy it. If you really can't, there are decent fabric dyes that can help. Still would take a fair amount of prep removing some items and masking others in place for best results. You may be limited to going to a darker blue and black would probably end up being blotchy unless considerable product was used. I recently redyed just the front/rear carpet black in a '66 and it took (I think) 6 containers.

[Koffinduster]

The divider windows are four separate pieces of glass and both middle pieces slide (L/R). My hearse is a 1987 Caddy Brougham but I don't really know any other info about it. The guy I bought it from said it was a 'limo hearse' because of the extra window but on another hearse forum I am on, I was told it was a Landau style.
As for the interior upholstery Its definitely not something the will be done super soon...maybe one seat at a time lol And that's only if I can work a deal with a few people I know. My shoppe is actually next to two upholstery and trim shops so they may take pity on me and give me a discount....a girl can hope :P Was it a pain to redye yours? The may be an option for me until I can go vinyl.

[60Crown]

Redying difficulty level is rather low. Just be sure to take your time if you go that route.

I used Duplicolor available at Advance Auto Parts for about $8/can. After looking at their website and reading reviews, their blue would not be dark enough. Two different blacks and charcoal gray appear to be your options. Talk to your upholstery shops.Maybe they can recommend a better product.

[Shawn of the MPCC]

Pretty sure the coach builder is Collins, who I believe was using the revived Miller-Meteor name at that point(dont quote me there), and its model name is the Le Classic as seen in the interior, which they based off the M-M Paramount.

[Otto Baron]

One thing I like baout your coach, is that it's well proportioned. All too many post 1984 Coaches look top heavy, and that has a lot to do with the shorter length. I think the extra side window on your landau, really helps with the proportions of your coach. The interior you already have (including the embossed wreaths on the front seat) is done well enough that even if you had the money, I'ld leave it alone. The coach you have is great looking just the way it is.

[Otto Baron]

In the casket compartment, they have a sculpture of a wreath, with a torch. That may be a clue to the coachbuilder.

[Shawn of the MPCC]

In the casket compartment, they have a sculpture of a wreath, with a torch. That may be a clue to the coachbuilder.

Didnt notice that at first. Now I know its a Collins, still not 100% if it would one of their M-M or not.

[Koffinduster]

So I have a 1987 Cadillac Brougham Collins Le Classic Hearse?
Damn, this is confusing! Why isn't any of this on the title to the car? LoL

Anyone have a suggestion on where I can get a replacement for the wreath and torch that's broken?

[60Crown]

Brougham was base model. In no scenario would that figure in to how it is referred. If Shawn is correct (as I suspect), then you can say '87 Collins Le Classic. Hearse is understood. If Collins didn't build on any other chassis, the Cadillac portion would be understood. If Collins was known to build on other chassis (have seen a Collins Buick but don't know how frequently they ventured outside of Cadillac) then '87 Collins Cadillac Le Classic.

Best title I ever had was my first, which was still the original, for a '64 S&S Park Row. Under body type it actually stated 5DR CASKET CAR. Of course that option was not still in the system 30 years later. Begged and pleaded but DMV wouldn't allow me to keep that title.

[Shawn of the MPCC]

Well, until Im proven wrong, Collins it is. They did build some FWD Buicks, Atti I seen the one you saw I believe plus some pictures.
Also 5DR CASKET CAR is probably the coolest description for a coach I ever heard!

[Guest]

yes, definitely a collins. one of the guys in dead ends has that exact same car.

[sgath92]

What are the wires running out of the rear bier pin holes for?

[Koffinduster]

Atti

Brougham was base model. In no scenario would that figure in to how it is referred. If Shawn is correct (as I suspect), then you can say '87 Collins Le Classic. Hearse is understood. If Collins didn't build on any other chassis, the Cadillac portion would be understood. If Collins was known to build on other chassis (have seen a Collins Buick but don't know how frequently they ventured outside of Cadillac) then '87 Collins Cadillac Le Classic.

Best title I ever had was my first, which was still the original, for a '64 S&S Park Row. Under body type it actually stated 5DR CASKET CAR. Of course that option was not still in the system 30 years later. Begged and pleaded but DMV wouldn't allow me to keep that title.

Well since I've heard other people refer to their cars at Cadillac Broughams, I assumed that was part of the name. This car makes me feel stupid-several times a day
Did you at least get to keep a copy of that title? Because that is effing awesome!

ryan_ricks

yes, definitely a collins. one of the guys in dead ends has that exact same car.

Do you have a link to any of the pix?

sgath92

What are the wires running out of the rear bier pin holes for?

The last owner who actually used it had a speaker box hooked up back there. He also had blacklights installed and took out the original lights above the doors...which I will have to track down and replace.