Tony Karsnia - Deceased - 1971-2020
September 12, 1971 - November 2, 2020
Hearse hunting is something I used to do on a regular basis, especially on Saturday mornings. Over the years, this activity has become more infrequent due to other obligations and the fact hearses (and their color schemes) have become less camera-worthy.
This morning was like the old days, though, as my son and I took off in search of a particular hearse we just had to capture on "film" (digitally, of course.) We'd been invited over to our local hearse dealer, Baines Professional Vehicles, to examine, photograph, and test drive a new 2009 Eagle Cadillac Echelon hearse. My good friend, John Baines, knew I wouldn't want to pass up this opportunity since I had yet to see an Echelon in person.
I wasn't sure what impression the car would leave on me, and that's why I needed to see one in person before passing judgement. While I prefer limousine-style cars (oval window examples included), the Echelon is unique enough that I didn't feel pictures were adequate to form a true "love it or hate it" opinion.
In a word...two actually: "LOVED IT!"
While the absence of curtains in the side windows takes a little getting used to, the "open air" European concept is conveyed very well by Eagle's design of the Echelon. Not everyone is a fan of it, to be sure, but I think the car is pure class, especiallly with the smooth "metalback" top and "skylight" over the casket. Of course, it probably wouldn't be met with too much favoratism by those funeral homes still using a hearse for removals but, done properly, could still work very easily for that purpose as well.
This particular Echelon is a stock unit that will be doing a spring funeral directors' convention tour; North Dakota next week, Iowa the following week. As you can see, this car is black with a light gray interior, chestnut burl rear floor (which I think resembles grandma's antique furniture), urn enclave, lower stainless, flag staffs, and front strobes.
While my son, Mack, hung out with John, I was permitted to have some "alone time" with the Echelon in the way of a road test and photo session. Let's just say I had a hard time giving it back!
When I did return, something really neat happened. We had the Echelon parked out behind John's dealership garage (which is flanked by other businesses) where John, Mack, and I were examining some details, when the two sons of a neighboring businessman came over to check out the car. I would say they were probably ages 11 and 9. They asked a lot of (constructive) questions about the car and were given a complete "tour." What amazed John and I next was that the older one said, "This hearse is really cool. It's not scary at all like some hearses are." When we prodded him further as to why he felt that way, his answer centered around the windows and the brightness of the rear interior! SCORE!
This morning was like the old days, though, as my son and I took off in search of a particular hearse we just had to capture on "film" (digitally, of course.) We'd been invited over to our local hearse dealer, Baines Professional Vehicles, to examine, photograph, and test drive a new 2009 Eagle Cadillac Echelon hearse. My good friend, John Baines, knew I wouldn't want to pass up this opportunity since I had yet to see an Echelon in person.
I wasn't sure what impression the car would leave on me, and that's why I needed to see one in person before passing judgement. While I prefer limousine-style cars (oval window examples included), the Echelon is unique enough that I didn't feel pictures were adequate to form a true "love it or hate it" opinion.
In a word...two actually: "LOVED IT!"
While the absence of curtains in the side windows takes a little getting used to, the "open air" European concept is conveyed very well by Eagle's design of the Echelon. Not everyone is a fan of it, to be sure, but I think the car is pure class, especiallly with the smooth "metalback" top and "skylight" over the casket. Of course, it probably wouldn't be met with too much favoratism by those funeral homes still using a hearse for removals but, done properly, could still work very easily for that purpose as well.
This particular Echelon is a stock unit that will be doing a spring funeral directors' convention tour; North Dakota next week, Iowa the following week. As you can see, this car is black with a light gray interior, chestnut burl rear floor (which I think resembles grandma's antique furniture), urn enclave, lower stainless, flag staffs, and front strobes.
While my son, Mack, hung out with John, I was permitted to have some "alone time" with the Echelon in the way of a road test and photo session. Let's just say I had a hard time giving it back!
When I did return, something really neat happened. We had the Echelon parked out behind John's dealership garage (which is flanked by other businesses) where John, Mack, and I were examining some details, when the two sons of a neighboring businessman came over to check out the car. I would say they were probably ages 11 and 9. They asked a lot of (constructive) questions about the car and were given a complete "tour." What amazed John and I next was that the older one said, "This hearse is really cool. It's not scary at all like some hearses are." When we prodded him further as to why he felt that way, his answer centered around the windows and the brightness of the rear interior! SCORE!
