Cadillac Hearse Display Is a Favorite for All

A Cadillac hearse can be many things to many people. Surfers enjoy getting their hands on an old Cadillac hearse because it’s easy for carrying around their surfboards. A Cadillac hearse is also great for painters because they can carry their ladders in the back. But for true enthusiasts of Cadillac hearses and what they represent, there was a new and unique display taking place in New Jersey last week.

The Cadillac hearse exhibit brought together nearly 50 old hearses and funeral cars that have “been restored to their original condition.” In addition to that, several old-fashioned funeral limousines were brought in to round out the display.

The Professional Car Society’s annual event took place between Wednesday and Saturday of last week. One couple – Jon and Denise Powers - comes all the way from West Norfolk, England each year for the last two years to be a part of the event. They own four hearses themselves for two reasons – they are convenient and they are fascinated by the culture of death. They also care for these cars and what they represent. “We want to save the cars,” Denise Power said. They don’t understand why so many people are “creeped out” by these death coaches. “You don’t die in a hearse,” said Jon Power. But, he said, “You could die in an ambulance.”

What do you think the fascination with hearses is about? Do they give you an eerie feeling or do they represent something else for you? We’d love to hear your thoughts.

New Truck Dealers Focusing on Efficiency

With gas prices staying around $4 a gallon and no drop anytime soon, new truck dealers like GM are focusing on stocking their lots with fuel-efficient trucks and SUVs. As a matter of fact, GMC is boosting the fuel economy of its truck and SUV lineup by as much as seven percent overall by making them more streamlined and lighter.

For the Chevrolet Silverado, for instance, GMC has improved the efficiency by about one mile to the gallon. That means it will get 15 mpg when driving around the city and about 21 mpg on the highway. These trucks will have a special XFE badge (extra fuel economy) when they arrive at your local GMC dealer and other new truck dealers as soon as next quarter.

The changing focus of the new truck dealers is in response to a 23 percent decline in truck and SUV sales through July of this year. But the automaker is trying to get the new efficient trucks and SUVs on dealer lots and in showrooms “as quickly as possible,” according to GM’s chief for full-size trucks Gary White.

In addition to the Silverado, the Sierra, Tahoe, and Yukon are also getting a number of changes to make them more efficient. GM is also working hybrid versions of the Silverado and Sierra to attract more customers to new truck dealers across the nation.