'38 Miller LaSalle Carved

[60Crown]

Met another local hearse enthusiast today in my adoptive city. Super nice guy. How many of you have Crown parts sucking bedroom space???

I digress. Among his coaches sat this gothic goodness patiently awaiting restoration:






Yes, the owner, Jack, is in the last shot.

Now - time for some fun. There are two details *very* different about this '38. (Jack grilled me as the previous owner did him. I spotted the obvious one...) What are they?

[hotroddwayne]

It doesn't have a 1938 Packard grill from the first glance.
The tail lights are definitely a later addition.

& keeping with having some fun... it has a log chain bumper LOL

[60Crown]

Ah-ha! So you've ascertained from the subject line that this Miller is not a Packard..?

May have to pass my Captain Obvious shirt to you.

[hotroddwayne]

Packards had the very defined grill, this looks like a "1938ish" Cadillac for sure in the front, but the tail lights... i've seen before... but look out of place on this coach. Wow what a find... I plan to score one of these carved-panels someday & do it "Resto-rod" but not lose any of it's original lines. Once the '67 is done i'll be on a quest! Have already located one in Texas that's possibly for sale in the future. I still have a lot to learn about coachbuilders, especially these old ones, but a hotrod background helps nail the year & make usually LOL! 2 hearses is enough for now but the next one will be one of these carved-panels, they are BY FAR the most elegant & sorrowful looking coaches to me. Gotta have one!

[60Crown]

Year, make, and coach builder are already stated Dwayne. Are you excessively amped this morning on Java Monster Irish Creme..?

[hotroddwayne]

Sorry dude i'm still a little loopy from a visit to the dentist first thing this morning... best just lay down until this novacane or whatever they shot me up with wears off!

[bandedspirits]

Now this is my dream car. I would give up the old lady for this one. Whats the price tag on one in this condition? Man that thing is cool.

[60Crown]

This one is special - even among gothic coaches for a couple reasons:

1. Provenance.
2. 1 of 2 'prototype' Miller coaches with carved wood panels. The other is the '37 V-12 Packard in the Canton Classic Car Museum -



As such I couldn't even fathom what this particular '38 Miller LaSalle is worth. Not rusty either.

Even given the current economy one would be hard pressed to find any non-rotted carved coach to restore under $15k.

[bandedspirits]

Beautiful coach, I've seen this one in person and it is unbelievable. Yea, 15 is a good price for any gothic style and one I would pay if I had the money since they are way too beautiful. Looks like I need to start saving. Thanks for the info!