Funeral Service & Flower Cars Photo Archive [Paperback]

Walter McCall (Author)

Book Description

Series: Photo Archive | Publication Date: November 15, 2008

Throughout history, flowers have accompanied the deceased to their final resting place. At first, flowers were carried in the hearse with the casket, or in a separate carriage. With the advent of the automobile funeral, flowers were transported to the church or cemetery in big touring cars with their tops let down. But in the1930s an entirely new kind of funeral vehicle -- the Flower Car -- blossomed in America. Flower cars were built on all makes of chassis, from luxury Packards, Cadillacs, LaSalles and Buicks to Pontiacs and Chevy El Caminos. The only book ever dedicated to these unique professional cars documents the evolution of the flower car from the 1930s to the long, low coupes de fleur still being built today. A bonus feature includes a section on the other workhorse of the funeral home fleet, the Service Car, which transported the deceased from home or hospital to the funeral parlor and hauled caskets and other funeral service paraphernalia to the church or cemetery.

Editorial Reviews

Book Description

Flower cars were built on all makes of chassis, from luxury Packards, Cadillacs, LaSalles and Buicks to Pontiacs and Chevy El Caminos. The only book ever dedicated to these unique professional cars documents the evolution of the flower car from the 1930s to the long, low coupes de fleur still being built today. A bonus feature includes a section on the other workhorse of the funeral home fleet, the Service Car, which transported the deceased from home or hospital to the funeral parlor and hauled caskets and other funeral service paraphernalia to the church or cemetery.

About the Author

Walter M. P. McCall is one of the most widely known and respected fire apparatus historians and authors in North America. In addition to his highly regarded American Fire Engines Since 1900 – still considered the “bible” of the old fire engine hobby -- Walt McCall has authored ten Iconografix fire apparatus and professional car books including the landmark Encyclopedia Of American Fire Engine Builders. Walt served as Editor of Enjine!-Enjine!, the quarterly magazine of the Society for the Preservation and Appreciation of Antique Motor Fire Apparatus in America (SPAAMFAA) for 25 years and edited The Visiting Fireman, the annual international directory of fire buffs for nine years. McCall has also written numerous articles for fire service and antique vehicle publications and newsletters in the United States and Canada.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Iconografix (November 15, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1583882278
• ISBN-13: 978-1583882276
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 10.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,223,295 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Flowers...., November 1, 2009

By 

J. Harris "digger52" - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Funeral Service & Flower Cars Photo Archive (Paperback)

This is a great book for any auto enthusiast, but especially a member of the PCS or those people who are involved in the funeral profession. Ths photos are execellent and the book not only pictures Flower Cars but also Funeral Service Vehicles. I highly recommend this book to all who are interested in antique and unique vehcles. Another excellent book by Walter M. P. McCall and Iconografix.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Look Book, January 7, 2009

By 

M. Preston (Paintsville, Kentucky) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Funeral Service & Flower Cars Photo Archive (Paperback)

This product is wonderful for someone who works in the funeral home field and enjoys old cars.