Okay, Got something for ya...

IMO if you are just buying it as a fun car and you can get it for the right price($1000-1200), go for it. This is not a car to try and restore. You can do some cosmetic stuff to it fairly cheap and get a couple few years of enjoyment out of it. At that point, if it's not worth more than scrap you've had some cheap fun. Tell the seller that you have done some research on what it would cost to fix the rust and the windshield and use that to negotiate. The decals will come off with a heat gun (like a hair dryer only hotter) that you can rent at most equipment rental places. Depending on how long they have been on there you'll probably still be able to see where they were after you remove them. They might even take some of the paint off when you remove them.
If the seller doesn't accept your offer, give him your phone # and tell him to call you if he changes his mind. You will probably hear from him because I don't know where else he's going to get more for it. Be strong and good luck.

 

Let it go Xavier. That's rust and rust stains along both rear sections of the roof. Would be much worse under the vinyl. Others have pointed it out clearly.

 

Anybody have any background knowledge on how these particular hearses were made? I know that some coach builders actually use a fiberglas roof panel extension - not metal.

 

IIRC, Superior Coach used the fiberglass under the vinyl.

You're all right. I got caught up with 2 very important details with 2 extra ones added. #1. Most important. Zoe was excited about it, and never gets excited about any hearse, ever. She saw it and fell in love just as if it were our old Marquis back from the crusher. For me, a wagon/hearse lover, and her, who is not really into cars at all... Well, Her liking it is priceless. #2. Equally important. It is mechanically sound, probably more so than my KIA will ever be again. And #3. & #4. Black Hearse/Blue interior. I would love a hearse... Zoe only wants one... well to sum up she don't want a cadi... I'd rather have a Buick or Mercury Hearse anyways. I would really love one...


None the less. you're all right. Thanks for talking some sense into my head.

 

As others stated offer the guy $1000 and no more, give him your phone number, and wait. If he doesn't call, there will be others.
If I bought it cheap I'd just clean it up and put some rust preventative paint on the visible bad areas with a brush and touch it up with black.
Then drive the snot out of it toward Shootcargo, Illinois!

 

The people who own it won't let him go below $2300. They're back in their California now and aren't coming back. I will try to do what I can. The guy selling it is the Haunted House security guard and is friends with the founders of the Chariots Of The Dead Hearse Club, but, yet he still doesn't know much about hearses really. Truthfully, I feel like I could tackle this, but I know that I am very inexperienced and god knows I haven't any one local to gain any experience from. Now I had a good long talk with the guy and I made it very clear that I aim to properly care for any car I own. He understands this to be fact and very much so. If the owners care more about the quality of the car's life then there is hope. If all they want is the money then this hearse is probably lost...

 

X, buddy, I really feel sorry for you. I remember when you had found that black Mercury and we put the kibosh on it, but I'm afraid I have to agree with everybody else, unless you could get it for $1000 or less. If that's the case, buy it and have some fun with it. If he won't come off the $2500, pass as you could get a whole lot nicer wagon, or even hearse, for those dollars. It's a shame, especially since Zoe's so into it. Ya gotta keep peace in the household; that's the #1 priority, but I'm sure when that rust continues doing what it's doing, (it never sleeps, you know), neither you nor she are going to be happy campers.
Hang in there X, the right car is out there and will come along.

 

Don't feel bad. You're doing the right thing. I'd do the same if the roles were reversed.

I'm acquaintances with one of the local funeral home directors. He actually owns most of them in our area. I had the chance to get a 69 Hearse in perfect condition for $2000 but didn't take him up on it because I didn't think Zoe would like it... She later got onto me for it. I think I need to get on the phone and call some of my old hearse connections while she still feels like getting a hearse.

 

DEFINITELY. This one would be a good parts car or a great science experiment on wheels. You could have a lot of fun with it and it will deliver reliability as long as the rust isn't a safety issue. The experiment would be witnessing how long it takes for that cancer to consume the metal. I would hope they'd be reasonable enough to let you have it at a third the cost, about the value of the engine. too bad it is so far gone. Like the others, my eyes went straight to that crud. Good shopping X, you'll find your dream machine!

 

Thanks, Mark.

I think that I will spend some time tomorrow looking around and making some calls... It will make it easier wen I deliver the bad news if I have an alternative or two... If I have...

 

Is this like for a daily driver?
Not a practical choice unless you're hauling band gear or delivering flowers every day.

 

It, or whatever we end up with will be a daily driver until we move to Chicago. Then it won't be driven unless it is necessary. Why?

 

the newer hearses are fiberglass from the doors back (and up). the older ones are metal it became a necessary evil in the late 90's as the big cars became more curvy. i fully agree with scott and the rest of the guys the rust that you dont see is likely worse than what you do see! the vinyl is not permiable but a cat walking across it can puncture it!

most hearses are very well maintained (for 100k i would be a little protective) and garage kept. but sitting outside as a prop would subject this car to the elements and not constant washing and cleaning that a funeral director would. the person to ask about hearses unfortunately, isn't on this forum. he is on the gm longroof forum and the impala ss forum. he goes by "lornejay" he is a funeral director/ car nut

 

Just wait... there will be another one down the line. You'll get more joy out of waiting for one that doesn't have the problems this one has. For $2300 you should be able to find a pretty decent example. You may want to look nationwide.. not just in your area.. as I see them come up for sale from time to time.... but NOT want a Caddy? That I don't understand...but to each his own.. I love Buicks too. Now if you were handy with body work... and this was a rare one-of-a-kind.. then it may be worth it... but I say wait.. there will be another.

 

Buick hearse,
http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/cto/2826961260.html