356 cu. in. straight eight

160 BHP @ 3600 rpm

3-speed manual transmission

Hydraulic drum brakes

156” wheelbase

Curb weight 6,100 lbs

$6,735 when new

In the 1972 Francis Ford Coppola movie “The Godfather,” mob boss Don Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando) is taken to the cemetery in this beautiful hearse. “The Godfather” was nominated for ten Oscars and won three, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Brando. Henney Body of Freeport, Illinois produced a total of 1,941 professional cars in 1948, the majority of which were hearses and ambulances. This hearse is called a “Nu-3-Way Side Servicing Car” because it enables the user to load and unload caskets from both sides and the rear of the vehicle.

In 1948…

Mahatma Gandhi is murdered

Israel is declared an independent state

First Polaroid camera went on sale for $89.75

Cost of a house: $7,700

Average yearly wages: $1,650

Gallon of gas: $0.26

Average new car: $1,250