Why hasn't.....

[Joe Rackov]

If this has been covered before, please excuse me. I probably missed it.

In the Cadillac dealership I work at we have a '15 XTS based S&S coach with electrical issues. Not the issue here.

That thing is just UGLY! Sorry, the proportions are all off, the rear door looks misshapen, and that roof line.........words cannot describe. A quick look at the coach, the body work and paint look good and the body panels all seem to align well, the construction of the coach is not the complaint here.

Now the 2015 Escalade EXT, why not that for a coach conversion? A stretch could be accomplished while keeping the proportions in line, the rear door opening is more than adequate and a raise of the roof could be accomplished without really throwing the relation of the roof to the body off. I think that the roof extension could be accomplished without any modifications to the door shells by lifting the roof panel from above the upper door frame and aperture panel.

Just thinking out loud.

[Peter Grave]

I am with you thought the Sclade would be ideal and it has a frame. The folks at Accubuilt seem to feel different myself I can only echo your comments.

[Kurt Arends]

I, personally, don't think that it is in the best interest of the PCS or this site to pick apart the coaches that are currently being built by the relatively few remaining coach builders. Whether you are talking about current coach builders or SCI, these are all companies that we would like to have support us in our preservation efforts and, hopefully, contribute to our future events. It is easy to get headed down that road without taking into consideration all of those who may be reading what we discuss on this site. If you don't like them, don't buy one.

Having said that, I will take ownership of the fact that I am as opinionated as anyone on this site.

[Joe Rackov]

It's not the coachbuilder's work quality, like I said fit and finish was not the issue. The body had a very well done black finish and the body panels had no ripples that I could detect inside the shop under the lighting that usually shows up those flaws. It's just what can they do with a basic body that looks and functions fine as a four door passenger vehicle but does not lend itself to a stretched and raised Funeral coach.

The coachbuilder can only build from the available platform that the vehicle manufacturer supplies. I feel that the DTS was a much better appearing vehicle than the XTS for a coach. That is not the fault of the coachbuilder either that GM discontined the DTS or that Lincoln discontinued the Town Car. The XTS is scheduled for replacement soon also. Possibly the replacement will lend itself better to conversion, only time will tell.

The point I was trying to make is that the Escalade EXT has a body style that lends it better to a stretch and possibly a raised roofline and that maybe one or all of the coachbuilders will consider that platform in the future.

[John ED Renstrom]

one can only hope. the big problem I see is the up in the nosebleed section. but put the 3/4 truck or the 16 in patrol tires on it and it drops down a lot.

[Joe Rackov]

Originally Posted by John ED Renstrom

one can only hope. the big problem I see is the up in the nosebleed section. but put the 3/4 truck or the 16 in patrol tires on it and it drops down a lot.

DEFINITELY not 22's on it..............

[Abe Bush]

GM would probably corner the professional car market again if they would just introduce another commercial chassis with commercial glass! Then the coachbuilders would have something to work with. That being said, why the heck can't the coachbuilders just modify the existing chassis, and start using a raised windshield as Flxible did with Buicks who also did not offer a commercial chassis? All professional cars currently built on the Cadillac chassis look HORRIBLE in my opinion, they look like door stops with the super low windshield and then arching up at a severe and ugly angle. My guess is because there are certain things they can no longer modify with current safety and EPA requirements which again brings me to the possibility of Cadillac once again offering a specially designed and engineered commercial chassis. Of course the answer always boils down to cost vs. profit. They no longer have the combination coach and ambulance business they once enjoyed, which mightily increased their sales per year. BUT, they probably have a much larger customer base with just funeral and livery sales that they didn't have prior to the mid 70s who also replace rolling stock more frequently cuz they just plain 'don't build em like they used to anymore'.

I would guess the powers that be at GM have mulled this over more than once, but it would be great if some day they actually started producing a commercial chassis again.

[Wayne Krakowski]

I can't imagine the research and development dept's are getting the funds they need when head office is paying fines and lawsuits for all the screw ups in their vehicles,can't remember a time when so many recalls,have occurred.for our more seasoned folks remember the USA-Canada auto pact,when made at home meant made at home,thanks for listening I'm good now

[John ED Renstrom]

they have a chassis in the Acadia line the makers refuse to use they could be getting incomplete truck chassis and putting a body on it. I don't know if the offer the caddy in two wheel drive or not. but it would make a easer conversion the splicing the car and building a body. they are starting to show up. as the 4 column with the la Salle style nose at the last years show.
but they still look like a truck with oversize tires on them. get the smaller tires on them and lower the suspension down and I would think people would go for it

[Joe Rackov]

Escalade is offered in a 2wd configuration.