First Call Car Thread

[Adam Borkat]

Most older service cars interior had a floor like any hearse or combo, with post cups or cot bar (sometimes flat floor with removable casket rack when needed) but the interiors were usually plain, with heavy duty fabric or vinyl.
Here are some more.
1962 Abbott & Hast Dodge service car

You beat me to that A&H one

All of the Abbott & Hast cars could technically be called service cars. Ron referred to them as "Junior Hearses"; never intended to be front line coaches, but slightly more distinguished than the usual service car. Most had permanently fixed landau bars, rather than a wreath like this Dodge. Duties ranged from removals to hauling graveside items to casket transport.

My Ford has the standard Ford station wagon interior, complete with fold down rear seat, but it had cot cups installed. Like John mentioned, in addition to the cups, mounting holes were added so a removable skeleton rack could be installed. The funeral home that owned this car kept the original rack unfortunately.

 

[Adam Borkat]

From eBay years back, and one of my personal favorites, a 1941 Chevrolet service car by Meteor.

 

[Joe Melanson]

1950 Chevrolet Service Car from a while back on Ebay:

 

[John ED Renstrom]

I'll add my stolen 53 Bernette picture here.

 

[Tony Karsnia - Deceased - 1971-2020]

Funeral Vans

When I worked in St. Paul, we had two funeral vans. The first was a 2003 Eagle Chevrolet Venture that did not have a folding rear table. When I wanted to clean under it, I simply pulled it out onto a church truck, vacuumed, and slid it back in. We got that van directly from Eagle and it came with the original seats, which we wrapped in plastic and stored in the funeral home basement. The seats were sent with the vehicle when we sold it.

We replaced that vehicle with a 2009 Eagle Chrysler Town & Country, which had a folding rear table and Sto 'n Go seats. It had the offset rollers, which I didn't care for, so I added an extra set of hardware, as seen in the photo. This made it much easier to carry one casket or two cremation containers.

It also worked perfectly for Veterans' inurnments. The urn could be secured on one side and the American flag on the other. This was a nice presentation, as I always invited families to select an urn bearer and a flag bearer.

(Karsnia photos)

 

[John Royark JR]

I recently learned of a 1939 Henney Packard service car about an hour away from me. Waiting for more info on it. Until then here is a 1957 Siebert Ford Service car ad




And a 1957 Memphis Service car factory photo

 

[Steve Loftin]

You may remember this very rare car being sold on eBay four or five years ago. Originally owned by Hahn-Cook in Oklahoma City, one of her stablemates can be seen at the top of Page 188 in the Henney book:

Individual (Meeker, OK)
1940 Henney service car

 

[Steve Loftin]

I would assume that service, utility, and first call cars are considered one and the same for purposes of this thread as well as the PCS.

Here's an existing service car thread:

http://www.professionalcarsociety.org/forums/showthread.php?t=1649

 

[NJ Dorsey]

I recently learned of a 1939 Henney Packard service car about an hour away from me. Waiting for more info on it. Until then here is a 1957 Siebert Ford Service car ad

View attachment 22138



Does anyone have a high resolution picture of the design on the side of this Siebert Ford Service Car? Mr. Royark?

And does anyone know if it was painted on or a 3-dimensional ornament attached to the side? Any more photos of this car would be much appreciated- I want to build a scale model of it =)

 

[Richard Vyse]

When I worked in St. Paul, we had two funeral vans. The first was a 2003 Eagle Chevrolet Venture that did not have a folding rear table. When I wanted to clean under it, I simply pulled it out onto a church truck, vacuumed, and slid it back in. We got that van directly from Eagle and it came with the original seats, which we wrapped in plastic and stored in the funeral home basement. The seats were sent with the vehicle when we sold it.

We replaced that vehicle with a 2009 Eagle Chrysler Town & Country, which had a folding rear table and Sto 'n Go seats. It had the offset rollers, which I didn't care for, so I added an extra set of hardware, as seen in the photo. This made it much easier to carry one casket or two cremation containers.

It also worked perfectly for Veterans' inurnments. The urn could be secured on one side and the American flag on the other. This was a nice presentation, as I always invited families to select an urn bearer and a flag bearer.

(Karsnia photos)

Wow, whoever floded that tree did a perfect job....

2 stars on top
4 across the bottom

 

[Peter Grave - Deceased - 1938 - 2022]

Have a 49-50 Packard Henney Service car that needs a home contact if interested

 

[John Royark JR]

I recently learned of a 1939 Henney Packard service car about an hour away from me. Waiting for more info on it. Until then here is a 1957 Siebert Ford Service car ad
View attachment 22138



Does anyone have a high resolution picture of the design on the side of this Siebert Ford Service Car? Mr. Royark?

And does anyone know if it was painted on or a 3-dimensional ornament attached to the side? Any more photos of this car would be much appreciated- I want to build a scale model of it =)

That's the only picture I have. I would assume its a cast piece like most service cars had.

 

[James Douglas]

2015 Armbruster Stageway Service car

Love the look of this new car! Very classy!

 

[Mike Boyer]

Here is one of our two first call vans 2009 Dodge. Nothing fancy at all
we can fit the stetcher and a cremation tray in and a few days ago I had a casket ( plain cloth one ) and a cremation tray in ( that was a tight fit)

We can also use our 2011 Lincoln MKT for a first call if we need to

 

[Daniel Scully]

The 64 I picked up this year , has reversible floor panels.

 

[Daniel Scully]

 

[Daniel Scully]

The 64 has Superior flip over rollers in the end plate, I assume that is original?

 

[John ED Renstrom]

Here is one of the 64 Pinner were it's not yet done it's in the prosess. She will now move under its own power.

 

[J Hoeltzle]

I guess I'll add our recently acquired 1954 Pontiac Meteor Service Car. Pontiac builds were subcontracted to Economy Coach Co. This car served the Hicks Funeral Home in Frederick MD. Not sure when it was pulled from service, but it was then bought from the home in 1972 to be used as a personal vehicle. I spoke with the previous owner and he filled me in on the timeline of this car. Setting outside, dormant for well over 20 years has not been kind to this car. We plan a full restoration, with a possible drivetrain update/upgrade as we intend to drive it often. I've been sharing this car on Facebook, and finally registered here.

 

[Joe Melanson]

I guess I'll add our recently acquired 1954 Pontiac Meteor Service Car. Pontiac builds were subcontracted to Economy Coach Co. This car served the Hicks Funeral Home in Frederick MD. Not sure when it was pulled from service, but it was then bought from the home in 1972 to be used as a personal vehicle. I spoke with the previous owner and he filled me in on the timeline of this car. Setting outside, dormant for well over 20 years has not been kind to this car. We plan a full restoration, with a possible drivetrain update/upgrade as we intend to drive it often. I've been sharing this car on Facebook, and finally registered here.View attachment 49609View attachment 49610View attachment 49611View attachment 49612View attachment 49613View attachment 49614

That '54 is an excellent save. Looks good as it strands but what a beauty she will be when done. Looking forward to progress. Thanks for sharing!