Once owned by the mortuary that handled Marilyn Monroe’s farewell, this 1962 Cadillac Superior Royale Limo-style Hearse carries a provenance unlike any other in the archive. Sold new to a California funeral home, it was later acquired by Ronald Hast of Abbott & Hast Mortuary in Los Angeles—operators of Westwood Village Mortuary Chapel. According to their book Pardon My Hearse ↗ (affiliate link), one of their three 1962 Cadillac hearses was used for Marilyn Monroe’s funeral and services for numerous other notable personalities. Finished in Nightwatch Blue (designated “York Blue” by GM/Cadillac), the coach retains its original black and grey leather seating with matching embossed door panels. Current license plate reads, “2 DIE 4.”
This is one of only 127 three-way sideloaders built by Superior in 1962 across five models, documented in Thom MacPherson’s Superior: The Complete History ↗ (affiliate link). The side-loading design allowed a casket to be loaded from either side through 87-inch-wide double doors via a lever mechanism, or manually as a traditional end-loader—providing flexibility for curb-side service and expanded interior floral displays. Notable equipment includes a power bench seat, a chrome radio delete plate with a discreet radio housed in the glovebox, an under-dash temperature gauge and clock, and quarter rear glass windows still free of flaws. The original cost was $12,305 in 1962—roughly $130,000 today.
Riding on the Cadillac Commercial 6890 chassis with a 390 cubic inch V8 producing 325 horsepower, this 21-foot coach shows 79,570 miles—averaging fewer than 1,260 miles per year. Complete in-house receipts document its entire life, including a full engine rebuild, transmission service, brake and master cylinder work, steering rack and bushing replacements, exhaust, generator, suspension, water and fuel pump service, and even new hubcaps and light bulbs. Recent re-restoration work encompasses engine bay and hood pad refinishing, complete door jamb restoration, full dashboard restoration, stainless and chrome polishing, upgraded hubcaps and brakes, a transmission seal, new fuel pump, and a new power brake booster.
Specifications
- Year: 1962
- Make/Model: Cadillac
- Coach Builder: Superior
- Casket Load: 3-Way Side Loader / End Loader
- Engine: 390 cu. in. V8, 325 hp
- Transmission: 3-Speed Automatic
- Mileage: 79,570
- Exterior: Nightwatch Blue (York Blue)
- Interior: Black/Grey Leather
- Location: California
Status: SOLD for $62,000 USD
Books Mentioned in This Post
Pardon My Hearse ↗
Superior: The Complete History ↗
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