Autoblog

How Kim Jong-il's final ride came to be in a Lincoln

Chris Shunk — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 11:29:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Etc., Government/Legal, Lincoln, Luxury

The funeral of Kim Jong-il made for a big story internationally, but in true Autoblog fashion, we were just as interested in the classic cars that figured prominently in the procession. Of particular interest was a 1970s Lincoln limousine that carried the deceased leader's casket - but not because it was some sort of rare classic that would fetch millions at Barrett Jackson.

Instead, many wondered how the North Koreans managed to obtain the vehicle in the first place. After all, the U.S. and North Korea aren't exactly cozy, as evidenced by the 58-year old armistice that is still in effect. Was it a Russian ride that was converted to look like a Lincoln? Was it a genuine Lincoln smuggled into the country?

The good folks at TheDetroitBureau.com did some digging, and they think they've found the answer. TDB contacted the former head of Ford of Japan to ask how the vehicle could have ended up in North Korean possession, and the answer could stem from a rogue dealer from Japan. Their source claims that one or more Japanese Ford dealers was rumored to be shipping vehicles to North Korea, in spite of Japanese laws that forbid exports to the communist country.

There is no way of knowing if this educated guess is the definitive explanation of how Kim Jong-il's Lincoln ended up in North Korea, but it's certainly as as good as any we have heard.

How Kim Jong-il's final ride came to be in a Lincoln originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Dec 2011 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hell plays host to world's largest gathering of hearses

Jeff Glucker — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 12:31:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Videos

If you're heading to Hell, you're probably going to take a ride in a hearse at some point in your journey. Seems only fitting, then, that a group of hearse owners chose the tiny hamlet of Hell, Michigan as the place to set a world record. An official from the Guinness Book Of World Records was on hand to verify that the 51-hearse gathering is a new record in a category that we didn't even know existed.

Hearse owners descended on Hell to roll into the record books together, and the vehicles arrived in a variety of shapes and sizes. Click past the jump to watch the entire crew ride into the pages of history in a couple of videos. In the second video, skip to the 4:25 mark to catch a glimpse of our favorite hearse of the bunch.

Continue reading Hell plays host to world's largest gathering of hearses

Hell plays host to world's largest gathering of hearses originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 Sep 2011 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Lincoln MKT Hearse looks to be one swanky final ride

Steven J. Ewing — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 15:56:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Crossover, Lincoln, Specialty

Lincoln MKT hearse spy shots - Click above for high-res image gallery

Halloween may have been two months ago, but our quick-shooting spy photographers have just captured the first images of Lincoln's upcoming MKT hearse. (Yes, hearse.) With the impending death of the Town Car not too far ahead, Ford Motor Company has already stated that the Flex-based MKT crossover will be uplifted to serve a variety of special livery duties. This means that in addition to this rather fetching hearse, we can probably expect to see stretched limousine versions of the MKT in the not-too-distant future.

It isn't immediately clear if this MKT hearse is fully a factory effort or if Ford is conducting testing with an aftermarket livery company, but this prototype has been spotted in Ford's usual stomping grounds, and it boasts a Michigan Manufacturer license plate. The tester seen here appears to be powered by the automaker's 3.7-liter V6, an engine that's currently available in the base MKT, and that seems just fine by us. After all, there really isn't any need for the more powerful EcoBoost V6 in a vehicle that's designed for slow, sorrow-filled processions. The prototype's stretched wheelbase and taller roof should provide ample room for even the largest of - ahem - passengers, and based on our experiences with the standard-issue MKT, things shouldn't be too spartan for the driver, either.

Have a look at the full set of MKT Hearse spy shots in our high-resolution gallery below, and look for this larger-than-life (or death) Lincoln to start arriving at funeral homes near you.

Gallery: Spy Shots: Lincoln MKT Hearse

[Source: Chris Doane/Brenda Priddy & Company]

Spy Shots: Lincoln MKT Hearse looks to be one swanky final ride originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 06 Dec 2010 15:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ouch, that Hearse! Maserati Quattroporte works the graveyard shift

Noah Joseph — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 14:28:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Wagon, Maserati, Specialty

Some of us - okay, one of us - here at Autoblog may disagree, but there's no shortage of people who think the Maserati Quattroporte is one of the most beautiful four-door works of automotive art this side of a Toyota Prius. All the more so after having driven it in Austria. So why, then, do so many coachbuilders seem bent on ruining it?

We've seen Quattroportes covered in shattered glass, dipped in 24-karat gold, and wrapped in Burberry tartan. We've seen 'em stretched beyond recognition, tweaked into touring cars, turned into station wagons - twice, actually - even an old one transformed into a fire truck. Yes, a fire truck. And now this: A Maserati hearse.

Modified by Intercar Modena - a company that offers funerial conversions of everything from Ssanyong Rextons to BMW sidecar motorcycles - the Quattroporte hearse is, well... there's really not much to say about it other than it's a hearse. Based on a Quattroporte. And while there aren't many worse things you could do with a Maserati, there are worse ways to go.

[Source: Maserati-Alfieri.co.uk via autoblog.nl]

Ouch, that Hearse! Maserati Quattroporte works the graveyard shift originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Feb 2010 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hot Rod casket gives man Godspeed to the great beyond

Frank Filipponio — Wed, 20 Sep 2006 19:03:00 EST

Filed under: Etc.

The sleek gray capsule stood motionless before the gathered crowd. And what a sight it was: tubular exhaust headers, polished valve covers, blower scoop, checkered flag badges, and a custom plate that read *58 Pro. The driver reclined behind a set of custom gauges wearing his favorite black shirt with hot rod flames.

Everybody assembled recognized the man inside and knew how much he would have appreciated what they had done to customize his ride on this, his final journey. But he wasn't able to tell them. James D. Calabrese, something of a local legend in the Southern California hot rod scene, had passed away several days before. Follow the jump for the rest of the story.

[Source: Orange County Register]

Continue reading Hot Rod casket gives man Godspeed to the great beyond

Hot Rod casket gives man Godspeed to the great beyond originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 Sep 2006 19:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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