We scoff and make snide comments about the new hearses because, in our perfect world, they should still have the same class and dignified lines as a 1939 Henney Packard or 1960 Superior Crown Royale. Truth is, the coachbuilders can only do so much with what they have to work with. This Masterpiece is a prime illustration of how an attempt to make a commercial size hearse from a small standard-glass car just doesn't work. Without modifying the windshield and A pillars (like Tom McPherson did with his FWD Buicks and Oldsmobiles), I don't see how any coachbuilder will come up with a truly pleasing design.
Modifying the windshield and A pillars will drive the price up substantially. The new Masterpiece already lists for $113,800.
There are a couple styles of the XTS hearse I could probably live with, but I'm still concerned about the width between rear wheelhouses and the low ground clearance at the front of the vehicle.