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1939 Packard Henney Hearse

1939 Packard Henney Hearse

This 1939 Packard Henney hearse was delivered to the F.J. Paine Funeral Home in Rochester, Minnesota on July 1, 1939. The car served the funeral home until 1967 when it was taken out of service and placed in a heated garage on blocks in the rear of the funeral home. During World War II, due to gas rationing, the lights, siren and stretcher holder were added so the car could obtain gasoline whenever it was necessary. The car saw little use as an ambulance.

The car was purchased from the original owner, Cedric Paine, in December 2005 by Mark Shea of Hanson-Walbridge Funeral Homes. It had not been started since 1967; it was put on a trailer and transported back to Vermont.

In the spring of 2006 the carburetor, fuel pump and gas tank were refurbished as well as new fuel lines installed. The car started without hesitation and had a slight knock for about 20 minutes; she has run great ever since.

The next step was to replace the brake lines, reline the wheel cylinders and master cylinder; it only needed one brake shoe relined. The wheels were sandblasted and powder-coated and new tires mounted.

The exterior was washed and waxed.

The car was placed in service in August 2006 and is available as an option at the funeral homes.

The car is completely original with the exception of a rebuilt water pump.

This particular model was sought out as it is one of the finest examples of early automobile beauty and function.



 

Hanson-Walbridge & Shea Funeral & Cremation Service - Bennington | (802) 442-4329
213 West Main Street, Bennington, VT 05201

Hanson-Walbridge & Shea Funeral & Cremation Service - Arlington | (802) 375-2222
Historic Rt. 7A, Arlington, VT 05250

Brewster & Shea Funeral & Cremation Service | (802) 362-1500
34 Park Place, Manchester, VT 05255

Covey, Allen & Shea Funeral & Cremation Service | (802) 464-3782
44 East Main Street, Wilmington, VT 05363

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