ITEM E421

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By Thomas A. McPherson

During the 1930s and 1940s, Henney came close to total industry dominance. It had an overwhelming range of products and a powerhouse dealer network, and managed a steady stream of innovations that kept the rest of the industry off balance: hydro-electric vehicle leveling and casket tables, airport limousines, sedan-ambulance conversions, flower cars, air conditioning, graveside music, North America's first modular ambulance, even an air ambulance.<p>In the late 1930s it got Packard, the world's leading luxury car, to agree to an exclusive agreement and by World War II was selling more professional cars than the rest of the industry combined. Yet in the end, Henney fell victim to a full-court press of declining Packard sales, relentless competition from the other companies in the business, overeager expansion by an owner bent on using the company as an early conglomerate, strikes at subsidiary firms, and legal setbacks. The last days were marked by reorganizations, plant closings, promises of rebirth, odd products, and finally, corporate limbo.

Tom McPherson has the whole story, tells it convincingly, and includes many details not previously published. Anyone interested in Packards, professional cars, or industrial history will find this book's content valuable and relevant to today. –George L. Hamlin, automotive historian

Tom McPherson's Magnum Opus...the book we've all been waiting for him to write for decades. An incredibly well-researched, stunningly thorough history of arguably the most iconic of America's hearse and ambulance builders''. – Walter M. P. McCall, Editor - The Professional Car, The Professional Car Society

Hardbound, 8.5”x11”, 272 pages, 400 photos