Going in Style: 1948 Henney Landau 3-Way Hearse
In the 1972 Francis Ford Coppola movie “The Godfather,” mob boss Don Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando) is taken to the cemetery in this beautiful 1948 Henney Landau 3-Way 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.
1948 Henney Landau 3-Way Hearse
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 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