By the 1990s, station wagons were all but done. Outside of a couple of small holdouts like the Ford Escort and the final B-body wagons from GM, the sport-utility craze had all but killed off long roof cars. But not all of them…you see, there is always going to be a demand for a long roof vehicle that has a low lift height and moves with grace and poise: a hearse. Without a doubt, wondering how many dead folks have ridden in your potential project vehicle choice is not the first thing you want to think about when shopping around, but funeral vehicles have some appealing characteristics: the miles put on them are gentle and and the vehicles are maintained to the utmost degree of poise and polish. If you aren’t that squeamish about the cargo one hauled before your name was put onto the title, a hearse could actually be a worthwhile vehicle for you.

This 1996 Cadillac is a Krystal-converted Waterford hearse. What do we know about that? Not much…it’s still a hearse. The Fleetwood-based package used the 260-horsepower LT-1 and 4L60E automatic you’d find in any of the last body-on-frame GM barges, and the interior is as you’d expect. Outside of the roof and the three-foot stretch needed for hauling around the deceased, it’s pretty much GM 1996. So why a hearse? Because it’s a different take on an LT-1 powered 1990s wagon. The Caprice and Roadmaster were huge rounded machines and the visually identical Olds Custom Cruiser never got the LT-1. This Fleetwood has that air of elegance to it that might be attractive. Or you simply might be the type who will stick a plastic skeleton doll in the seat on Halloween and leave the neighbors wondering what the hell is wrong with you. It’s just outside of the Rough Start budget at $5,500 but it’s a lot of car for the dollars you are spending. Go on…live a little.

From the listing: Hearse built in 1996 by Krystal Koach in California. Only about 600 were made in 1996! Most of the car is custom coach-built being a hearse, it’s about 3 feet longer than a regular fleetwood. Only 64,000 miles on the original LT1 V8. Engine purrs like a kitten and fires up immediately even in this cold weather! Pros: Runs and drives great. Automatic transmission shifts smoothly. Only 64k miles. (62,000 miles were in funeral service, not hard use at all!) Interior is in good shape Tires are good Does not leak or use any fluids to my knowledge. Very reliable car, would drive anywhere. Air suspension. Floats down the road. The roof, quarter panels, and rear door are fiberglass. This is very important, as many hearses rust under the vinyl roof. Not this one! Lots of storage under floor. Great sounding dual tone horn. ICE COLD AC Interstate Battery. Digital gauges and climate control. Never been in any accidents to my knowledge. Clean and clear title with no funny business!

Additions: Rare option- sliding table for easy casket loading! Electric limousine style window in partition. Rolls up and down unlike most hearses. Dark tint all around, done professionally last year. Viper remote start and keyless entry added professionally last year. Brand New 15” American Racing Torq Thrust wheels added last year. Federal Signal wig wag controller with LED purple bulbs in the high beams. Welded aluminum air intake kit added last year. Cadillac branded plenum cover added last year. Led headlights and reverse lights. Interior bulbs swapped for LEDs. Leds added to the “curtains” in casket area. Flowmaster-style mufflers installed with turn down tips. It sounds GREAT! Attention hearse collectors! I do have the original Krystal curtains. They simply screw in. I removed them when I tinted the windows for visibility. I also have the bier pins.

Cons and minor issues: Rear casket door does not lock. It is supposed to be a power lock. Heat will only work on defrost. It just doesn’t blow out the floor vents. AC is ICE COLD in summer. I think it’s an easy fix. I had my company logo embroidered on the rear door. It would be easy to cover over. It’s a 22 year old vehicle. It isn’t perfect, but it is in good shape. Vinyl top is in good presentable shape but has a couple very small spots on it. No rips. I can send photos.

Facebook Listing: 1996 Cadillac/Krystal Koach Waterford hearse