Hey Keith I guess great minds think alike !!! lol
Toronto based Eureka Thread (Pre 1989)
- Thread starter Mike Boyer
- Start date
Tony Karsnia - Deceased - 1971-2020
September 12, 1971 - November 2, 2020
One of the many details I've always appreciated about these Eureka hearses is the double valance over the draperies. Hearses with formal drapes tended to have one valance facing out, but Tom's Eurekas also had an inner valance, giving the drapes a completely finished look from the inside as well. After all, many people see the hearse...up close...with the rear door open. The draperies themselves were placed on rods, not velcro, so they were able to be closed at a moment's notice, as was standard practice for many funeral homes that used their hearse for house calls.
here is a 1985 Eureka Cadillac Concours D'Elegance Landaulet. It was painted a Pale Yellow with a Gold roof cap ....a very smart looking Coach. This car was sold to a Funeral Home in Alabama. front and rear shots
Tom McPherson Photo's
Tom McPherson Photo's
Attachments
One more ...... An all white 1985 Eureka Cadillac Concours Town-Car Landaulet.
Eureka had planned only to build one or two for show purposes, but firm orders started coming in and over a dozen eventually were built over the next few years.
where are they now ??
Tom McPherson Photo
Eureka had planned only to build one or two for show purposes, but firm orders started coming in and over a dozen eventually were built over the next few years.
where are they now ??
Tom McPherson Photo
Attachments
Keith Snyder
PCS Member
One of those little touches that were exclusive to Eureka can be seen clearly on those pictures of the "yellow" 1985 Concours D'Elegance Landaulet. Eureka painted the centers of the wire wheel covers and sometimes the backs of the rear side view mirrors to match the color of the car's body. I've always thought that was a neat touch.
Keith Snyder
PCS Member
According to Tom, that limousine-style Town Car was a one-off custom-built for a funeral durector in Boston, Massachusetts. The guy attended the 1985 PCS Meet hosted by Eureka to check-up on the progress of his new flower car (which was in final assembly), saw a Town Car on display as well as a limousine-style coach and ordered this car then and there. It was supposedly delivered in December of 1985. He later also bought a FWD flower car as well. This car was featured in the last scenes of the Richard Dreyfus movie "Once Around" but, with its roof cap in place. That may have been the only time it had the cap on. As Tom told me, when the owner got the car, he removed the roof cap and stowed it in a fleece bag he had made for it and never used it with the roof on over the driver. You gotta wonder what ever became of this car.
Today we have the famous Cut-Away Buick
in 1986 Eureka built this 1987 Buick-Premier landaulet Cut-Away show car. It was built for the 1986 NFDA convention in Florida, and then it was sent around to their dealers for use in their displays at State Conventions. This was not just a "mock up" of a Funeral coach....this was a real drivable display vehicle, something that had not been done before this. It was then sold to carl Woehner of Cincinnati (who still owns it)
In the background is a 1987 Eureka Cadillac Concours Classic Flower Car
Both photo's were taken in the Eureka showroom in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Photo's by Tom McPherson
in 1986 Eureka built this 1987 Buick-Premier landaulet Cut-Away show car. It was built for the 1986 NFDA convention in Florida, and then it was sent around to their dealers for use in their displays at State Conventions. This was not just a "mock up" of a Funeral coach....this was a real drivable display vehicle, something that had not been done before this. It was then sold to carl Woehner of Cincinnati (who still owns it)
In the background is a 1987 Eureka Cadillac Concours Classic Flower Car
Both photo's were taken in the Eureka showroom in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Photo's by Tom McPherson
Attachments
Keith Snyder
PCS Member
Thanks for posting these photos, Mike. That last one is a 1987 Eureka Regence (Chevrolet) Versailles Landaulet.....not a Buick. These were handsome cars... and, according to Tom, successful too. After a couple of years, Superior copied them but, used a station wagon as the base vehicle...and from the back...they looked like station wagons. The Eureka meanwhile had passenger car like styling at the rear. Eureka also removed all Chevrolet nameplates from these cars - even the one on the grille - and replaced them with Eureka nameplates. They were marketed as Eureka Regence professional cars - Chevrolet was never mentioned in any promotional material for this series. The only Chevrolet insignia on the cars was that of the Caprice - a Fleur de Lis emblem - on the hood wheel covers and steering wheel. You gotta wonder how Superior felt about that!
Tony Karsnia - Deceased - 1971-2020
September 12, 1971 - November 2, 2020
Well, you guys got me all excited with this thread. I was in high school at the time Tom was building these beauties up in Canada and I vividly remember what a thrill it was to see such marvelous cars being marketed. With the exception of GMC trucks, there was a Eureka for every General Motors marque and each marque had a variety of models and trim levels. Each of those could be further enhanced with options (extend table, wheel cover options, unique paint options, etc.) With the mid-90's at S&S / Superior being a close second, the 1980's Eureka era was - I believe - the last of the truly exciting and enticing days in the funeral car industry. Between the products themselves and the distinctive way they were presented (Tom McPherson's convention displays were second to none) Eureka was definitely the leader.
Apparently, my Site Supporter status expired. Once I have it renewed, I'll be glad to jump in here with some photo sharing also.
Apparently, my Site Supporter status expired. Once I have it renewed, I'll be glad to jump in here with some photo sharing also.
