Fans of the Discovery Channel’sMonster Garage show tuned in to episode six in the first season (2003) and were thrilled by an epic build from Jesse James and his team—a 1954 Cadillac Hearse with a backhoe on board.
What was offered on eBay is a variation on the same theme. It’s a 1990 Cadillac Brougham hearse mounted on the chassis of a fuel-injected rear-wheel-drive K10 truck of unclear vintage. It’s for sale in Lithia Springs, Ga., with an asking price of $21,995. (It definitely costs more than that to build.)
The Caddy is a lifted hearse, with aspirations to be a monster truck.
This 1990 Cadillac hearse mounted on a K10 Blazer chassis.
These lifted funereal wagons are a thing, as evidenced by the 1969 Oldsmobile Hearse built forUltimate Car Builds, also on Discovery Channel—and also recently offered on eBay.
1969 Oldsmobile Hearse
The tradition of creating exotic hearses is global. In Japan, some of them are like Buddhist temples on wheels - opens in new window or tab., built on traditional vehicles such as the 1989 Toyota Crown.
eBay Motors keeps track of unusual muscle and lifted hearses for sale on a dedicated page - opens in new window or tab..
The nice thing about builds like 1990 Cadillac Brougham hearse is that all the parts are readily available. You can find everything needed for the 1990 Brougham - opens in new window or tab. and K10 trucks - opens in new window or tab..
The attempt with this build, on high-rise suspension with side-step bars, is very much “about giving life-threatening fear in the first impression,” says the seller. It rides on polished 17-inch ION wheels with Mastercraft MXT tires. There are 66,959 miles on the digital odometer, but it’s unclear if that reflects the K10 or the Cadillac—probably the latter since hard miles are not evident.
Powering the build is an injected 5.7-liter GM V8, coupled to a 700R4 four-speed automatic with overdrive and a 10-bolt rear end. Recent mechanical upgrades include new bushings. The driving is easy with power steering and power brakes (with front discs).
That’s 5.7-liter Chevy power under the hood.
The interior on the lifted hearse is quite lovely (if you can say that), with some patina-ed leather. The wood is fake, but it’s shiny and quite good fake—and the glovebox door is adorned with a grim reaper. The hearse is loaded with power windows, seats and locks, a tilt wheel, cruise, and the elements of (not hooked up) automatic climate control. The AC will need servicing. The ride comes with an auxiliary gauge package and an aftermarket stereo with touchscreen and Bluetooth.
The Grim Reaper is a nice touch.
In the back, a full-sized coffin rests on the hearse’s original and very well-maintained wooden platform. So if you need a prop for a movie about a monster trucker’s funeral or want to grab attention for an annual haunted house, this is it. Otherwise, you can drive around to give the neighbors a good-natured scare.
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