Two owners and 43 years will separate the only remaining funeral car to have carried President John F. Kennedy's body and the coach's next owner. On May 5, The Worldwide Group will offer the historic Cadillac at its Houston Classic Auction, an event within the very state that wrote the car into history.
"We are honored to be offering this significant automobile, but are cognizant of the sad history and meaning associated with this car," said Rod Egan, Managing Partner and Auctioneer for The Worldwide Group. "It is my personal hope that this car ends up in a collection or museum that pays homage to President Kennedy, his great contributions to our country and the tragic circumstances surrounding his death."
The 1964 Cadillac Miller & Meteor Hearse carried President Kennedy's body from the Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas to Air Force One in preparation for his flight home, funeral and interment at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C. Aside from a repaint in its original color, the car still remains many of its original features, including its interior.
"This car quite literally carried away an age of innocence for every American man, woman and child," said John Kruse, Managing Partner of the Worldwide Group. "Nov. 22, 1963, will forever be remembered as having indelibly altered U.S. history. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own this part of Kennedy and U.S. History."
The only other hearse to carry Kennedy's body was a Pontiac in Washington, D.C. That car, along with his coffin, was ordered destroyed by Kennedy's closest friend and most trusted adviser - his brother, Bobby.
For more information on the sale of this car or others to be offered at the Houston Classic Auction, go to www.wwgauctions.com.