H
earse conversions were
available from the early
Fifties, with several small
specialist companies
such as Pollmann and Frickinger
producing versions. Early Pollman
versions used a Panel Van base but,
from 1959, they were built on Single
and Double Cab base models (the
load bed was lengthened by 60 cm
on Doka versions). Twin opening
doors were fitted into a specially
fabricated steel body, which was
seamlessly grafted to the Double
Cab roof and sides. Early Frickinger
versions were Panel Vans with large
glass windows fitted and a platform
running from the engine bay shelf to
the bulkhead and featured Deluxe
chrome trim. From the early Sixties
Frickinger offered two versions –
one built on a Kombi or Panel, and
another version that used a Pick Up
(or Double cab) with a new enclosed
coach built steel frame spot welded
to the cab and load area. By the
Sixties the Frickinger Hearse was
offered in dealership catalogues,
though was never given an official
SO designation.WORDS; DAVID ECCLESThis month’s trawl through the archives looks at some of the coachbuilt
Hearse conversions available on a VW Transporter.In the Midst
of Life ...
1: Based on a Panel
Van, this 1958
version has Deluxe
trim reshaped to run
under the new side
windows
2:Factory
photograph of a
1959 Pollmann
Hearse based on a
Pick Up with Deluxe
trim on the front
panel, the bed line,
roof and windows
3: 1972 Frickinger
Hearse based on
a Pick Up. Fully
restored and owned
by VW Funerals, it
is still working as a
hearse and has been
repainted in white
to offer something
less sombre and
less disturbing for
children
4: This 1980 Rappold
Hearse, converted
on a Pick Up and
designed to be more
elegant and dignified
than other models,
featured a host of
factory options
including metallic
silver paint, cab
sunroof, laminated
glass, heated
windscreen, double
passenger sea123 4http://www.volkswagencamper.co.ukFROM THE ARCHIVE^89
FROM THE ARCHIVE:
HEARSES (LEICHENWAGEN)