Summary: It's Halloween all year long when you're driving around in this special black Cadillac Hearse!

LifeintheBrazos.com festured columnist

The Grim Reaper Wagon

In his Cruzin' the Brazos column, Ric Ploeger, College Station, writes about our vibrant car culture. For many in the Brazos Valley, Classic Cars are not just an interest, they are a passion! Ric covers the stories behind these cars and their builders /
owners.

Cruzin' the Brazos

 

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The Brazos VAlley Reporter, covering Bryan / College Station, Texas, the Brazos Valley, and beyond!
Ric Ploeger
College Station, Texas

Hugh Bracken with his 1968 black Cadillac Hearse
Hugh Bracken with his 1968 black Cadillac Hearse

Maybe you have seen it.  Maybe someone told you about it.  If you see it you won’t forget it. Some people love it. Some run from it.  Most are curious and everyone has a comment.

Hugh Bracken owns this most infamous and photographed vehicle in the Brazos Valley, a 1968 black Cadillac Hearse. You can see it at most of the local car shows or when Hugh is out cruising around town. This 3 ton 21 foot long Grim Reaper wagon is driven regularly.  For Hugh it’s Halloween all year long.

In 2007, Hugh attended a Halloween car show with one of his other classic cars and noted that none of the cars there really pulled off the “Halloween look” very well.  Hugh being rather unique himself, thought it would be fun to own a vehicle like few others. 

The hearse was in Dallas and for sale on e-Bay. After some negotiation Hugh became it’s fourth owner. In good condition, the unusual car need only a few repairs. Hugh immediately began to decorate the hearse in a Halloween motif. 

Everywhere Hugh goes with the oddball wagon it generates comments and picture taking. Some people want their picture taken in it, while others want a picture but won’t venture that close. Some of the more often asked questions are:

          “Seen any ghosts?”   To which Hugh says, “No, but they are welcome to ride along!”
          “Is anyone in the back?”   “Not at the moment” he replies, “but you don’t want it to be your last ride!”
          “Doesn’t it bother you to drive that thing?”  “No, I’m in front.” he responds “much better than bein’ in the back.”
          “Is it hard to drive?” Hugh looks surprised. “No, it drives just like a Cadillac!” he states.

The hearse was built by Hess & Eisenhardt of Cincinnati Ohio. This company has built many specialty vehicles including limousines, armored vehicles, military vehicles and hearses. They have built many presidential limousines throughout the years.

The hearse has a 472 cubic inch Cadillac engine and was delivered without a radio or air conditioning. Hugh has since added A/C to make it through Brazos Valley summers. Hugh explains that this hearse is a convertible, meaning that it can be converted to an ambulance with no permanent changes.  These type vehicles were used as ambulances before the large truck/van of today. Back when these were built, ambulance service was often part of the typical funeral home business. Often the new units were used as a hearse for a few years then converted to ambulance duty. A far cry from the professional services that we have today! Hugh actually rode an ambulance in Michigan to earn extra money while on leave during his early military career.

Hugh's 1954 Dodge Meadowbrook
Hugh's 1954 Dodge Meadowbrook

Hugh, originally from Flint Michigan, is a retired US Army veteran. He served in Vietnam, Korea, and was stationed in Germany for 8 years. He has owned many different vehicles throughout his life often selling all his vehicles when being deployed by the Army and replacing them on his return. His current collection includes a 1953 Chevy Bel Air and a 1954 Dodge Meadowbrook.. The Dodge still retains its original Hemi V-8. Not to be outdone, his wife Michelle also owns a classic 1966 Ford Thunderbird Landau.

Needless to say, Hugh will be ready for Halloween this year, so if you see this big black hearse on Halloween night don’t be alarmed…...but you might keep a watchful eye for a stray ghost or two!

Hugh's 1953 Chevy Bel Aire
Hugh's 1953 Chevy Bel Air

 

Michelle's 1966 Ford Thunderbird Landau
Michelle's 1966 Ford Thunderbird Landau

 

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