What price would you pay to own a piece of history? We’re thinking that might depend on what sort of historic significance we’re talking about… or, in the case of this 1964 Cadillac Hearse, how morbid that history may be.

As you may remember, Barrett-Jackson in 2011 auctioned off a 1963 Pontiac Bonneville ambulance that some thought carried John F. Kennedy’s body to the hospital after his fatal shooting. Turns out the provenance of that machine was very much in question, and bidding stalled at just 0,000.

Following up that unimpressive sale a year prior, Barrett-Jackson decided to bring out a car who’s history was never in question: the car that carried the casket containing JFK, along with his wife, Jacqueline Kennedy, from Parkland Memorial Hospital to the airport at Love Field.

Regardless of the fact that it is known to have carried JFK’s body, it only garnered a high bid of 0,000. After fees, the new buyer will pay 6,000.00 to own this 1964 Cadillac Hearse. Check out our live images of the car at Barrett-Jackson above, and read more about it after the break.

Continue reading Barrett-Jackson 2012: 1964 Cadillac JFK Hearse garners final bid of 0,000 [w/video]

Barrett-Jackson 2012: 1964 Cadillac JFK Hearse garners final bid of 0,000 [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 21 Jan 2012 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The unfortunate reality of a post-JFK, post-9/11 America means that our president needs to be hidden away from public view, and the details of his high-security transportation are just as hidden. But there was a time when the leader of the free world was paraded around for all to see, and for three presidents of these United States, this was the car in which they met their constituents.

Nicknamed the Queen Mary, this 1938 Cadillac V-16 President Convertible Parade Limousine was one of only two specially made for the White House (the other dubbed Queen Elizabeth), and was used by FDR, Truman and Eisenhower during their presidencies. Delivered on special order shortly after the introduction of Cadillac’s second-generation sixteen-cylinder engine (which was smaller and lighter than its predecessor but delivered the same output), the Presidential Limousine’s 165-inch wheelbase made it eleven inches longer than the already gargantuan production model.

After the end of WWII, as part of its routine maintenance, Cadillac replaced the sixteen-cylinder engines with V8s that were both more economical and easier to maintain. The cars were last used by President Eisenhower during his re-election campaign, after which longtime Cadillac dealer Jack Tallman, who witnessed the pair being rebuilt several times while visiting the factory, was offered the chance to purchase both cars. Tallman selected the Queen Mary for his collection, where it stayed for four decades. In 1999, the car was sold to one Al Wiseman, who showed it at Amelia Island in 2002 where it was awarded as the best original, unrestored vehicle.

It is now being offered for auction by the estate of John O’Quinn, its last owner, at the upcoming RM Auctions event in Arizona next week, where it is expected to fetch between 0,000 and 0,000. Have a closer look in the high-res image gallery and the detailed listing after the jump.

Continue reading 1938 Cadillac V16 convertible parades from White House to auction house

1938 Cadillac V16 convertible parades from White House to auction house originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 15 Jan 2012 11:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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