The hearse that carried Dame Nellie Melba to her grave in Melbourne in 1931 is back in service in Ulladulla.
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Simon Law purchased the 1927 Chevrolet Hearse four years ago and has restored the vehicle to its former glory, ready for use by local families.
The car has a colourful history and featured in Australian movies, most famously Phar Lap where it was depicted as the film crew’s vehicle filming the horse on the racetrack.
It was also used to carry coffins from the Redfern Railway Station to nearby mortuaries in Sydney.
Simon said, when he purchased the vehicle from Bathurst in November in 2011, he had no idea of its past.
His wife Kayleen’s uncle has seen the hearse for sale and contacted Simon who jumped at the chance to add it to his Milton-Ulladulla Funeral Service fleet.
“It wasn’t until later that we found out it had been used in Phar Lap and for Dame Nellie Melba’s funeral,” he said.
Simon teamed up with Paul Ashby who has fully restored the vehicle from the inside out.
Some of the body panels have been replaced and new hardwood timber lining fitted throughout the interior, as well as timber wheel spokes and steering wheel.
A lot of parts were replaced in the undercarriage and engine, while a new leather seat was also made and installed.
“Paul has done a fantastic job,” Simon said.
When he finally had the chance to drive the car out of the workshop, Simon said he was very excited and a little nervous because of the poor brakes and different pedal configuration.
“I was really nervous driving her home,” he said.
“I didn’t want the traffic lights to turn red because I didn’t know if I could stop in time.”
Nellie, as she has been named, only has a top speed of about 45 kilometres an hour but Simon said she takes “about 40 metres to pull up”.
He said the hearse was the only one of its kind still in service that he knew of.
“It’s rare and something very different.
“It’s great that it’s finally finished and back on the road for use at local funerals.”
The back of the hearse has a raised platform fitted with chromed fixtures to hold the coffin and has a storage area underneath.
Simon said, once registered, the vehicle would be available for use upon request.
“This certainly offers something unique for our community,” he said.
“Funerals are no longer the morbid occasions they used to be, they celebrate the characteristics of people.
“There are many older people who were around when these cars were and others who just love cars.
“I think a lot of people will like to see Nellie at their funeral.”
Simon said he would be the hearse driver after practicing in the Kings Point industrial estate before taking it home last week.
The business also has a 1963 Chevy Bel Air and Simon hopes to add a horse drawn carriage and Harley Davison with side car to his hearse fleet.
Opera singer Dame Nellie Melba’s funeral was one of the biggest ever seen in Australia. Watch the hearse at the funeral here:
