Could make a nice service car

John Royark JR

John Royark JR

PCS Member
This very well homemade hearse was at a car show I attended on Saturday. Get rid of the murals, and landau bar and put on a wreath and some streamers and it would make a nice looking service car. It was well built, tail stretching a '72 Ford Ranchereo. It even had rollers and a glass partition window. When it pulled up I almost thought it was a real coachbuilt service car.
 
Actually, John, I know of that car, as I almost bought it myself a number of years ago when it had been retired from service and was in need of fixing up. That car is a real conversion and did see real funeral home use. I beleive it is a local body shop done conversion, but its not something that someone just felt like doing in their garage.

I'm glad to see that the car apparently found a loving owner, I'm just personally disappointed that he loves it in a way that differs from how I would have.
 
The above mentioned car was retired from service by a smalltown FH in Wisconsin in 2007.
72rnacherowisconsin.jpg
 
Patrick, thanks for your input. When I first saw it I thought it to be a real conversion, but the owner swore to me that it was home built by the previous owner, and I took his word for it.
Cary, thanks for posting pics of what this car looked like originaly.
 
Cary

It amazes me every time you see, read or hear about a certain unusual car and can post a photo of it right away from years past.

You must have a great photo filing system ! :applause:

Way to go Brother,
Darren


P.S. Thanks again for that 60 S/S poster I bought from you in Hudson.
It is framed and being enjoyed. :specool:
 
pcpix.jpg

Plus 1500+ digital images not filed and years worth of 35MM prints yet to be scanned, all backed up on a slaved hard drive and 2 externals.
:bonk:
 
Andrew G. Zajkowski said:
Wondering if it had double gas tanks? per the 2 filler caps
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Yes, it does. I remember when I was checking out this car in consideration of purchasing it, that I was told that they put the frame extension to use by adding a second gas tank to the car, thus increasing its range for use in the rural area it served. Also, as I recall, the tailgate was modified to swing to the side like a normal hearse door, and doesn't drop down like a tailgate any more.
 
Patrick J. Martin said:
. Also, as I recall, the tailgate was modified to swing to the side like a normal hearse door, and doesn't drop down like a tailgate any more.
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You are right, I saw him open it a few times.
I cant wait to see it again and tell him I was right and it is actually a real hearse and served at a funeral home since he swore up and down it was not real.
I thought it strange at the car show no one was really interested in looking at it they just glanced and walked by and to my 49 S&S, which drew lots of attention. I even gave away 4 PCS brochures and apps. Hope we will gain a new member or more out of it.
 
John Royark JR said:
...I thought it strange at the car show no one was really interested in looking at it they just glanced and walked by and to my 49 S&S, which drew lots of attention...
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That's because your's isn't customized. The way he customized the Ranchero hearse, most people probably assume it's not a real hearse, just made into a "lookalike" when they added the murals, hood scoop, etc. If he had left it original/stock, it would have actually attracted more attention, I think.
 
Cary Livingston said:
The above mentioned car was retired from service by a smalltown FH in Wisconsin in 2007.
72rnacherowisconsin.jpg
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I was thinking of puting the pics I took in our chapter newsletter and I was wondering if I could use your pic so I can show what it used to look like. Also any more info if possible would help, was this used primarily as a hearse, service car, flower car etc. I will give you credit for the pic, and will give credit to anyone that can supply info on this coach. Thanks
 
John, details are getting sketchy as its been something like eight years now since I considered buying this car, but I seem to recall that it was in Washington state before coming to Wisconsin. I also believe it to be a creation of a body shop local to the original funeral home, so neither a coachbuilt car nor someone's backyard creation.

I have some photos of it too from years ago, which I'll email to you as soon I finish typing this. Feel free to use them as you wish.
 
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