Austin 3-Litre Hearse
A very popular vehicle with the various coachbuilders who contsructed Hearse's. The self leveling suspension system was very useful for this application, most of these type of vehicles have a "double deck" in the rear so two coffins can be carried. One is out of sight and is swopped over after the first funeral, this saves time on return journeys. Despite the weight, the self leveling suspension keeps the car at the correct height. The top picture is of a Woodhall Nicholson conversion, it was voted Hearse of the year in 1968. Until the 1980's Hearse's were exempt from the mot test, subsequently when they were included into the mot scheme, many were found to be beyond economic repair and were taken out of service. Only two 3-Litre Hearse's are known to have survived.