1960 Cadillac Hearse ThunderTaker
Some cars are hot rods, some are rat rods, and some defy traditional categorization. The “Thunder Taker” falls into the last category, and considering the effort put into the build, it will draw massive crowds wherever it goes. The 10,000 hours, vast imagination and small fortune needed to get the car to where it is today shows through clearly, and ought to inspire a legion of builders to step their game up.
One of our favorite areas is beneath the hood. The GM ZZ454 is magnificently detailed, eschewing typical overly-chromed gaudiness for an elegant, Cadillac V16-inspired look. The engine has been painted the same glossy black as the original V16 and ribbed inserts in the valve covers harken back to the elegant pre-war multi-cylinder engines.
The stunning features don’t end when you open the door, of course. The interior has been trimmed in white with gray inserts made from the very last known bolts of fabric as used in the original 1960 Cadillac Fleetwood limousines. Custom plastic covers were then fitted not only to protect the beautiful upholstery, but to provide a bit of tongue-in-cheek humor to the build, as the size of the seats reminded Fuller of his grandmother’s plastic-covered sofa. Twin Vintage Air A/C units keep occupants cool and a myriad of electronics – flat screen TV’s, Alpine Audio, and Kicker speakers – keep everyone entertained. Fuller took great pride in the level of detail on the interior.
In keeping with the period, he meticulously sourced genuine Cadillac trim parts to decorate the door panels and the like. He personally picked every part from a southwest breaker’s yard, drawing inspiration from many different Cadillacs. Not every piece is from 1960, he chose the pieces that were most aesthetically pleasing such as the ’64 door handles and a dome light from a ’49 coupe. It is this level of detail and care that astounds us every time we see this remarkable machine.
That massive body is brought to a halt with the help of Wilwood 4-piston brakes at all four corners, wire wheels, and a set of modern tires, albeit with some white paint adorning their walls. The cost of the build neared the quarter-million mark, and it shows. Whoever’s got the wallet big enough to match this gem, which has become more land-yacht than coffin transporter, will find their days filled with joy and unrivaled style. Not many hearses can offer that.
Huge props for building this amazing car. It literally a show stopper and honors both the cool history of the Cadillac but also the work that was done by the craftsmen at Superior Coach Works back in the day when it was converted to a hearse in 1960. This is a Caddy that has lived several lives!
