The Last One

[Tony Karsnia - Deceased - 1971-2020]

I've had the opportunity lately to assist John Baines with the delivery of some new hearses. Earlier this week, we delivered a new 2011 Eagle Lincoln Ultimate landau to Miller Funeral Home of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Rather unusual to be delivering a brand new car that is now two model years old. This was the very last Lincoln Town Car chassis to be converted into a hearse prior to the switchover to the all-new MKT crossover design.

These are the types of things that create mysteries for us professional car historians. Imagine coming upon this car and it's paperwork 40 years from now and wondering why it was a 2011 delivered in the fall of 2012. As we have seen before, anytime there is a major model / chassis change, these things can happen. Construction and delivery of this example was delayed due to emphasis placed on the new MKT production.

We typically do a "photo shoot" when we deliver a new hearse. Wouldn't you know it, things were absolutely crazy busy at Miller Funeral Home that day, so we did not have the opportunity to do so. I apologize, but these are the best photos I have of this car to date.

(Karsnia photos)

 

[Jim Staruk]

I've had the opportunity lately to assist John Baines with the delivery of some new hearses. (snip)

Tony,

I just purchased a beautiful 1996 S&S Masterpiece on a Cadillac chassis from John. He was a pleasure to deal with and the car is better than how he described it!

 

[Tony Karsnia - Deceased - 1971-2020]

Masterpiece

Yes, when I arrived at the garage the other day, John mentioned that you are the lucky new owner. He figured you and I likely knew of each other. He spoke very highly of you as well. :cheers:

I never drove that Masterpiece, but enjoyed admiring it in the garage several times. I'm very pleased that it wears the correct wheels and tires again! Congratulations on this fine acquisition, Jim.

 

[John ED Renstrom]

we must have missed each other I was in Sioux Falls picking one up tuesday.

 

[Tony Karsnia - Deceased - 1971-2020]

"we must have missed each other I was in Sioux Falls picking one up tuesday."

Well, what the heck...it was your turn to buy lunch, too.

 

[John ED Renstrom]

ducked out of it again He He

 

[Kenn Evans II]

That is a very fine and stately recognizable coach. If it were still offered I bet sales would be up after being offered the current "lack of" selection. Thank you for sharing the photo's. It would be far more economical I think to pick a vintage coach and have it restored, vs. buying a new model that hurts even the dog's feelings.:drama:

 

[Bill Carlin]

The last of the decent looking Lincoln hearses!