Along the way to their final resting place, people can ride in style in the recently restored Smith-Kelleher Funeral Homes’ 1962 Cadillac hearse.
Funeral Director Tim Kelleher purchased the hearse to use in his business, which has Greenfield and Shelburne Falls locations, and also “because, like many, I enjoy old cars.”
“I was searching for a late ‘50s early ‘60s hearse that fit certain qualifications for four or five years, and finally located this one in Florida,” Kelleher said. “The qualifications were simply that it could be used on a daily basis and was in good shape.”
After he flew down to Florida with his wife, Kelleher found the 1962 Cadillac hearse and transported it back to Massachusetts in an enclosed trailer in August 2018. It cost between $40,000 and $50,000.
The hearse was originally purchased for a funeral home in New Jersey and then, later on, it was sold to a firm in New York, according to Kelleher.
“It had been sitting in storage for some time until the owners decided it was time to let someone else put it back into service,” he said. “The gentleman I purchased it from in Florida specializes in unique, hard-to-find autos from all over the country. I saw it on his website and knew this was the one I was looking for. It only had 36,000 miles on it at the time, but it did have some issues from being 56 years old.”
There were some repairs to be done. The hearse underwent a nine-month restoration with Bill Kilgour at Bill’s Auto Repair Shop in Greenfield and David Peters at Dave’s Auto in Greenfield.
Kilgour went through the engine and installed an exhaust system that Kelleher purchased online from California.
“Through some friends who own other classic cars, I was lucky to connect with Dave Peters of Dave’s Auto in Greenfield,” Kelleher said. “He was hesitant at first, I admit. The car is 21.5 feet long and it weighs three tons — there is a lot of black and a lot of chrome to shine. Fortunately for me, Dave had an opening in his schedule for the winter and I dropped it off to him on Nov. 1, with the understanding he could take his time and keep me posted with items he may need or any new surprises he found.
“Because his work is so complete he found little spots here and there that needed attention and therefore delayed the final completion,” Kelleher continued. “I was not concerned with delays because I knew the final outcome would be great.”
Kelleher said this is the first car project he’s worked on and “who knows what the future might bring.”
The day finally came last July when Kelleher drove the restored hearse home. He said he’s received good feedback and brought the hearse to the summertime Cars and Coffee shows at Kringle Candle last year, and the response was positive as well.
“Driving behind the 1962 — it’s a whole new world,” Kelleher said. “The windshield is so big, the windows are tall, there is a lot of glass. You’re not encumbered to anything.”
Kelleher said he plans to use the hearse as the primary hearse for all the services provided in Greenfield and Shelburne Falls beginning in the spring and through the fall. As soon as “the leaves are out on the trees and the flowers are blooming, I’ll use it as much as I can.” He said he will also provide it as a special request service for other funeral homes.
In the meantime, Kelleher also has a 2006 Cadillac hearse available for funeral services.
“I wanted to have something with style and character more than newer hearses,” Kelleher said of his 1962 Cadillac purchase. “No one in Western Mass. has anything like this. It’s unique and I like that specialty part of it. It catches your eyes and it’s been a great investment. I’m proud to have it. People look at it and point and smile; it’s nice.”
Reach Melina Bourdeau at mbourdeau@recorder.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 263.