The story behind Josephine The Hearse.
This special Cadillac series 67 Hearse has been built in the factory of “Meteor Co.” in Piqua OH, USA in 1948.
The companies and the ceremonies that have used the hearse and where the car has been, is still a mystery.
We have been able to dig up the original order form from Cadillac to Meteor Co. after some thorough research in the original Cadillac Register.
The first time we see the car resurface is the moment a German car enthusiast find the hearse in 2009 in a field in the middel of the United States in a terrible state.
The plan was to do a thorough refurbishment in the United States. This didn't really work out and the former order decided in 2013 to export the Cadillac from the States to Spain for a full body-off refurbishment.
The hearse arrived in the harbour of Rotterdam and was transported to Estepona, Spain to be delivered at “Coast Classics”, the company of Andreas Ullstein.
After a thourgh checkup and a detailed estimation of the costs, the original German owner decides to not pursue the restoration.
Ken Robinson, a Spain based Englishman and a lover of old, vintage and precious cars, couldn't bear the thought of not seeing this beauty restored in all her glory and bought the hearse in 2014. He immediatly gave the car for restoration to Andreas and his company “Coast Classics” to restore the Cadillac Hearse in all it's glory no matter the cost.
The Cadillac was fully taken care of in 2016 and delivered back to Ken, thanks to all the efforts of Andreas and his team.
Through different channels, Thierry Smet hears about the existence of this 70 year old beauty and exceptional hearse.
After a couple of phone calls, Thierry decides to prepare a trip to Spain in january of 2017 with only one goal: visiting Josephine the hearse.
It could seem weird but it was love at first sight.
This hand made and tailored vintage hearse is a remarkable piece of history, cultural heritage and an unique view into the mourning culture in former days.
Thierry buys Josephine and picks her up in april 2017 to transport her to “carroseriebouwer Huiskamp” in Winterswijk, the Netherlands.
We ask for a complete refurbishment of the interior, the curtains and the loadboard. We ask for a perfect restoration based on historic photographs and documents.
In september 2017, Josephine was used a first time for a modern funeral and in the mean has been used several times
A special moment on the last day...
We can provide a unique and personal service as per request of the family.
De Cadillac Hearse can be used for traditional and modern funerals or when a classic, exclusive and vintage black hearse is needed.
The renting price is almost the same as a normal hearse because everyone who wants to use it should be able to use this monumental hearse. The Cadillac Hearse is driven by our own, uniformed driver who is included in the price.
Across boundaries...
The Cadillac Hearse is available in Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg but we are always open to any questions for the usage of our hearse in the rest of Europe (France, Germany, UK, ...).
We transport the hearse to the funeral home with our own truck. Thanks to being many years active in the funeral businessm we can deliver service at a high professional standard and we are able to work with all funeral businesses and renting companies.
We have no problem at all to help planning a fully personal funeral, totally committed to your wishes and those of the family and the deceased. We can give advise and help you with a flawless car service during the day of the funeral. Distance is no issue at all for us if we are able to help you, no matter where that may be.
Weetjes
Josephine is a vintage hearse who sometimes sparks up a conversation, leading to deeper thoughts about life in general.
Our Cadillac Hearse is not registered as an old-timer but as a true commercial vehicle.
Our Cadillac Meteor is one of the few still existing hearses from that time period in such a pristine state.