Purchased in 2007 as a rusted “basket case,” this 1958 Cadillac Superior combination hearse from Portland, Oregon has spent nearly two decades undergoing a frame-up transformation. The seller’s labor of love has replaced floors and rockers using donor metal from Arizona sedans, swapped the original engine for a 472 V8 sourced from a Coupe DeVille, and fitted a TH400 transmission. Included with the vehicle are a vintage gurney and an expandable drapery cart designed to cover the casket base during viewings.
Stored indoors for the past six months with all components kept inside, the hearse retains its stock 1958 Cadillac exterior while concealing extensive mechanical upgrades underneath. The front suspension was rebuilt using a clip from a Trans Am, paired with 12-inch vented disc brakes, a firewall-mounted master cylinder and power booster, and a front frame section from a 1979 Camaro Z28. Heavy-duty coil springs from a 1973 Sedan DeVille support the nose, while the heating assembly was redesigned using 1959 Cadillac parts to accommodate the relocated master cylinder. The vehicle is also set up for air conditioning.
The restoration extends to a rebuilt fuel system, a brand-new dual exhaust, and Keystone Klassic wheels with the option to swap to steel wheels. Inside, the original springs were preserved and recovered in handcrafted black velvet upholstery with crushed red velvet inserts. Handcrafted patch panels are still needed for remaining rust areas, but the foundation and major mechanical work are substantially complete.
Specifications
- Year: 1958
- Make/Model: Cadillac
- Coach Builder: Superior
- Body Type: Combination (Hearse/Ambulance)
- Casket Load: End Loader
- Engine: 472 V8 (from Coupe DeVille)
- Transmission: TH400
- Interior: Black velvet with crushed red velvet inserts
- Location: Portland, Oregon
Status: ARCHIVED via eBay — last seen listed at $5,800 in Portland, Oregon (March 2017)