Monday, January 23, 2012

JFK HEARSE SOLD AT AUCTION

January 23, 2012


JFK HEARSE SOLD AT AUCTION


Scottsdale, Arizona (JFK+50) The 1964 Cadillac hearse that carried President John F. Kennedy's body from Parkland Hospital to Love Field in Dallas, Texas on November 22, 1963 was sold at auction here in Scottsdale, Arizona today for a winning bid of $160,000.


The hearse was purchased by Colorado real estate developer Stephen Tebo.


Mr. Tebo cited the reasons for the purchase are the hearse's historical significance as well as his desire to open a car museum in Boulder in 10 years.


Tebo currently owns 400 other vehicles including Frank Sinatra's 1944 Jeep.


The auction was conducted by the Barrett-Jackson Auction Company.


The Cadillac hearse, with green & white interior, was originally owned by Vernon O'Neal of the O'Neal Funeral Home in Dallas.


O'Neal sold the hearse in the late 1960s to Arrdeen Vaughan who sold it 40 years later to the current owner.


The hearse runs on an 8 cylinder engine & has a 4 speed automatic transmission.


The Cadillac hearse was the very 1st unit built in 1964 by the Miller-Meteor Company of Ohio.


The hearse was driven to Parkland Hospital by O'Neal employee Aubrey Rike.  Mr. Rike passed away in 2010.*


The secret service, however, took control of the hearse at Parkland & did not permit Rike or any other O'Neal employee  to drive or ride in the hearse from Parkland to Love Field.


*Mr. Rike published a book titled "At the Door of Memory: Aubrey Rike, A Witness to History & the Assassination of President Kennedy".


The book, written with Colin McSween, includes a tribute by David Lifton. 


www.jfklancer.com/catalog/rike/






Sources for today's post


www.cnn.com, article by Michael Martinez, 1/21/2012


www.news.consumerreports.org


blog.timesunion.com







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