THE NORTHLAND CHAPTER
OF THE PROFESSIONAL CAR SOCIETY, INC.

  QUICK NAVIGATION:     Home  |  About Us  |  Join!  |  Museum  |  Upcoming Events  |  Past Events  |  Feature of the Month  |  Research  |  Links  |  Sponsors  |  Photo Archives  Contact us

Preserving the World's Professional Car History™ since 1989.

 
NATIONAL FUNERAL DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION CONVENTION
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA
OCTOBER, 1961

~Click the pictures for the enlarged version~

Autumn in the Northlands . . .

. . . is always a special time of year, but for funeral service professionals, October 1961 was very special.  The National Funeral Directors Association held their large (largest of its kind!) annual convention in downtown Minneapolis at the Leamington Hotel.  As professional car enthusiasts, we believe that the selection of fall for a convention is so the professional car manufacturers can display the latest offerings on the model that was just beginning to appear in dealer showrooms across the country.  NFDA may have other reasons for selecting fall, but we know the most important reason!

In 1961, noted automotive historian, Walter M.P. McCall attended the convention, camera in hand.  Here's a glimpse inside the exhibit hall and the new 1962 offerings from Superior, Miller-Meteor and Eureka, plus a peek outside on the parking lot, too.  Our special thanks to Walt for sharing these photographs.


Superior Coach displays its 1962 Superior Cadillac Crown Royale Landaulet (with short skeg moldings) in sparkling white, along with about seven other models at the 1961 NFDA Convention. 


Also in the Superior display was this 1962 Superior Cadillac Crown Sovereign Brougham.  Superior was front-and-center on the main stage with the largest vehicle display.


Another view of the 1962 Crown Sovereign Brougham.  Notice the formal draperies, suicide doors, the elegant brougham decoration on the rear door, and the way the rear door extends into the roof.  Interestingly, we see this again in 2009 with the Superior Premier.


The Crown Sovereign Brougham was Superior's finest offering, for the nation's finest funeral directors.






Miller-Meteor exhibited their 1962 M-M Cadillac Landau Traditional.  Notice that the skeg moldings traverse the full length of the side of the car.


This white Eureka Cadillac Limousine Combination was obviously destined for delivery to Watkins & Sons after the convention.


As Walt will tell you, in these days the first stop at the convention was the parking lot, to see what used vehicles were being traded in on the new coaches inside.  This 1959 Miller-Meteor Cadillac Limousine Combination is parked behind another 1959 Cadillac, either a sedan or limousine.


Seen here on the parking lot are a 1959 Miller-Meteor Cadillac limousine combination, a 1958 Eureka Cadillac landau and a 1958 S&S Victoria.






A casket is displayed on the extension table of the 1962 Miller-Meteor Cadillac Hearse.  Not only is M-M demonstrating the practicality of an extend-table, but also the wide-swinging rear door and the room on top of the casket for the flower spray.  What practical funeral director could resist?!


From the December, 1961 issue of The Mid-continent Mortician.


Also from the December, 1961
Mid-continent Mortician magazine.  Note the special mention of the "Presidential Victoria" by S&S, delivered to Carson & Sons of Independence, Missouri.

 



 

THE NORTHLAND CHAPTER    PROFESSIONAL CAR SOCIETY

         QUICK NAVIGATION:     Home  |  About Us  |  Join!  |  Museum  |  Upcoming Events  |  Past Events  |  Feature of the Month  |  Research  |  Links  |  Sponsors  |  Photo Archives  Contact us

Copyright ©
1998 - 2010
             Email the Webmaster