As a rather peculiar example of how pervasive the automobile has become part of human life, because along with being present at the start, i.e, provided transportation during a person's birth (driving to the hospital to be delivered), the car also is a part of the end of life, when a specialized vehicle - a hearse, carries the departed to his final resting place.
A necessary function, once done by horse-drawn carriages, the funeral hearse is normally a somber, dignified vehicle that is a powerful representation of a person's mortality, where the slow-moving car would perform the serious and important task of ferrying an individual, his/her final car ride, before departing to the great unknown.
While the normal image most people associate with a hearse is a lumbering, dour black painted vehicle, it is surprising to see that there are several examples of this type of car that are not as grim or slow as their normally sedate brethren. In this article, we look at some of these customized and speedier funeral vehicles, which, in the case of one hearse described their car as putting the "Fun" in Funeral. This is - These hearses were modified to be scary fast.
10 B3 Audi 80
The two places one would most likely see a hearse is either at a funeral home or at a cemetery, not so for this hearse as the photo above was taken while the car was doing a timed run in the Nürburgring.
An early '80s Audi 80 converted to a clear bubble back hearse, this Audi is also fitted with a sporty set of rims that give an indication of its speedy nature. Having done a lap in what is called as "The Green Hell", this hearse seems morbidly at home in the track as it is in a funeral home.
9 1982 Ford Granada
A classic Ford, the Granada was a popular executive car made from 1972 to 1994. Powered by a V6 engine with a rear-wheel-drive layout, the Granada was a suitably powerful car during its time.
In the example above, the Granada has been converted to a hearse and installed with performance rims and side exhausts that are a nod to its performance capabilities. Less a somber hearse and more like a sport hearse, this is a cool Ford for a funeral.
8 1984 Cadillac Seville
One of the most popular cars used as a hearse, the Cadillac Seville by virtue of its size and reputation as a luxury vehicle has been the car of choice for funeral operators. The Cadillac above is a cool customization where it's side exhausts and chromed rims differentiate it from the normal Cadillac hearse's normally seen.
7 1969 Thundertaker
The car called "Thundertaker" in the photo above is a great example of restored a 1969 Cadillac done right. Made famous after being featured in several hot rod magazines, the "Thundertaker" went against the grain of typical hearse look by having a bright silver paint job instead of the usual black and made its interior clean and well lit, making this a snazzy looking end of the line transport.
6 1964 Chevrolet "Muscle Hearse"
Described by the funeral home that owns it as a "Muscle Hearse", this 1964 Chevy had its engine upgraded from its previous 283 to a more powerful type 350 and received a more appealing red coat of paint from its dour maroon.
Look more spiffy from its previous iteration, this Chevy is a great alternative for those that want a less depressing hearse for their departed.
5 1970 Holden HT
From the front view, one would be forgiven to think that this 1970 Holden HT is a plain restomodded vintage car, but when seen from its side, its unmistakable hearse style body reveals its true function.
Painted with hot rod flames up front and black for the rest, its engine intakes, lowered profile, and six fat wheeled configuration is a dead giveaway (pun totally intended) that this is a hotrod hearse if ever there is one.
4 Maserati Ghibli
Made by Italian builder Ellena Autotrasformazioni, this Maserati Ghibli is a rarer and more luxurious hearse than even the Mercedes-Benz hearse's premium funeral homes use. Powered by a turbocharged V6 diesel, the interior of the Ghibli is as well-appointed as its regular counterpart, making for a truly luxurious final ride.
3 1969 Cadillac Seville
For car lovers that want to have their last ride in a special car, this 1969 Cadillac Seville is pretty much the answer. No longer a boring, slow-moving coffin carrier, the car has been restomodded in purple color with a winged demon emblazoned as a design, its towering engine intakes and matching chromed exhausts complete the hot rod look of this classic Cadillac.
2 Tesla Model S
A hearse gone electric, the example above is proof that like most uses of an electric-powered vehicle, hearses are also a good way to harness electric-powered cars. Priced at $200,000, this expensive funeral vehicle was built specifically for the Norwegian climate and market.
As both an environmentally friendly vehicle and a luxury ride, the Tesla hearse could herald the start of the new trend in electric hearses in the near future.
1 1996 Chevy Caprice
Currently holding the world record for the fastest hearse, this 1996 Chevy Caprice would be mistaken for a regular hearse if not for the power bulge on the hood and the massive tires in the rear.
Owned by Shane Hammond of Australia, the Caprice was able to reach a top speed of 186.04 Kmh during a speed run on 20 February 2010. While its safe to say no one is in a hurry to reach the final destination, this fast hearse is one sure way to do it.