New guy here

R

Rick McLaren

Hi all, Just joined this forum with a large interest in hearses. I've been looking to buy since 1977 when I looked at a `54 Caddy. In `04 I passed up on a `55 Pontiac "Superior" (that I kicked my butt for)
I found the car I presently own and decided if I didn't buy it now, I never would.

Back in Nov. last year I bought a 1954 Pontiac "Superior" hearse. It needs a full restoration, But I already have a complete fuel system from tank to carb, and all the parts A to Z for a new brake system. (Need to get the car moving and stopping)
The 268 cu. in. straight 8 runs great, no burning oil or burning coolant. No knocks or rapping.

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t269/Rick65Cat/1954 Pontiac Hearse/1954SuperiiorCoach.jpg

Going to convert to 12V on this baby too. Will be running a 12V inline fuel pump and a 12V 2 speed wiper system.
 
Welcome

Rick, welcome to the site, you've come to the right place. You will find lots of help here with your restoration, and meet lots of great people. I hope you will consider joining the PCS. Nice looking coach by the way, keep us updated on your progress.


Josh
 
Ok just checking because I bought a 54 CADDY just up the road from you in Rosetown Sask. I thought it might be the same car but No it isn't
 
Welcome! The PCS is a great place for help with your restoration. Looks pretty solid. One tip for you, the landau bars are on the wrong sides (passenger side on drivers side etc.), this is a pet peave for most of us. If you give us the model number off the data plate we can give you more info about the coach.
 
it will be a nice car. that one was built off the pon station wagon body as they quit the sedan delivery in 53. no need to convert it to 12 volt as everything you wanted to do is still around in 6 volt. they make a simple converter to power things like the gps unit. I know of one member that used one of the jump starter batterys to power his when he takes the 39 on a trip. I have a 53 Barnette pon we going threw the same process with. getting it to go and stop was the first on the list. there are a few places that offer you parts for the car. as yours was a wagon conversion brakes and suspension, engine pieces, ECT off the wagon will all fit. good luck on getting it back together and if we can be of any help just holler.
 
John Royark JR said:
Welcome! The PCS is a great place for help with your restoration. Looks pretty solid. One tip for you, the landau bars are on the wrong sides (passenger side on drivers side etc.), this is a pet peave for most of us. If you give us the model number off the data plate we can give you more info about the coach.
Click to expand...

I tried to be as careful as I could searching for rust before I bought it. The only serious rust I could find was the obvious holes in the drivers and passengers floor, and the patch on the RR quarter. The bottom corners of the rear wheel openings have pin holes on both sides, but other than that...the rest of the car is solid. Yes, theres a lot of very minor surface rust but I do plan on bead blasting the entire car in the next few years once the budget allows.

Yep, I realized they were on the wrong sides coz I could see the outline of where they should go. I have the book "75 years of Pontiac" by John Gunnel. It shows the way those bars should be.
One thing I'll need is the chrome covers for the mount points on those landau bars. Anyone know of a source?

Model number?....

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t269/Rick65Cat/1954 Pontiac Hearse/SuperiorVINtag.jpg
 
Hi Rick! Welcome to the forum and to the PCS! It looks like you have some work to do, but it looks worthwhile to me. And, it should be a great looking car restored.
 
Hey Rick
I'm friends with a guy in Trenton, Ont named David Carnahan he told me of a guy out your way that just bought a hearse and I told him to tell this guy about PCS This Guy is going out with his sister....are you this guy ??????

good looking car ... and welcome.....

mike
 
Mike Boyer said:
Hey Rick
I'm friends with a guy in Trenton, Ont named David Carnahan he told me of a guy out your way that just bought a hearse and I told him to tell this guy about PCS This Guy is going out with his sister....are you this guy ??????

good looking car ... and welcome.....

mike
Click to expand...

:thumb:

Bingo Mike!!
Thanks for forwarding the link to this site to David. Yep...its me. Its a case of definately going in blind on this car. First, I've never restored a car... I've "added" period correct stuff to my already "very good condition" `65 Catalina 2 dr hrdtp. But never had to start from square 1.
I pray I don't get frustrated with the money going out and not seeing visible results.

Your Caddy is a pristine looking ride man.
 
Hey Rick
well just don't get frustrated and as for the money.....you know what they say...can't take it with ya !!!
go get yourself a couple of Professional car books and stare at them for awhile...that will get you motovited ! I have a copy of The professional cars by Gregg Merksamer it says that there were only 195 Superior Pontiacs built in 1954. But I'm sure that one of these guys on here can and will tell you everything you want to know about your car.....just ask
have fun .....by the way join up the best $ 25.00 you will ever spend

Mike
 
What's a Pro-Car without rust. Maybe they're out there I just haven't had any luck finding one without it.
Click to expand...

Not all are rusty, floors in the 62 are like new.:myopinion:
 

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According to "Superior: The Complete History" book by our very own Tom McPherson your coach is a 1954 Superior-Pontiac Landaulet Funeral Car. There's one just like it pictured on page 203. Your straight 8 is a 127 HP Chieftain DeLuxe. Superior offered fender skirts as an option on your coach. Excellent project & a great find Rick!
 
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