Forest Lawn-Glendale has a variety of classic and contemporary hearses that are placed on display for the annual Classic Cars & Coffee event. (photo courtesy of Forest Lawn)

Nestled in buildings adjacent to the oldest part of Forest Lawn-Glendale – in an area so historic it has above ground gravestones, largely eschewed by the memorial park – lies the Automotive and Mechanical Maintenance Department, which keeps Forest Lawn’s fleet in motion. From classic and contemporary hearses and custom-made vehicles that perform park-specific duties to lawn mowers and irrigation trucks that keep the 250 acres of grass and gardens green and excavation machinery that moves more than 30,000 cubic yards of earth annually, each vehicle and machine underscores the vital role the department plays in the memorial park. Among the most recognizable vehicles in the collection are the hearses, which have become must-sees at Forest Lawn’s annual Classic Cars & Coffee event in August. Highlights of the classic car collection include a 1950 Cadillac Meteor and a 1965 Cadillac Silver Spirit, both with the signature “FLMP 50” and “FLMP” license plates, respectively. The Silver Spirit has a V8 engine with 340 horsepower, while the Meteor has a 331 cubic inch V8 with 160 horsepower. The Meteor features collectable wheel discs fashioned like “sombreros” with crest badges, rear fins that resemble a P-38 World War II plane and the debut of the one-piece windshield. It was known as a “solid gold Cadillac” due to the popular recurring body-style, new frame design and powerful engine that matched revolutionary changes. Beyond classic coaches, Forest Lawn’s contemporary models range from Cadillacs to Armbruster and Phoenix models. With hundreds of acres of lawn to mow and water daily, Forest Lawn has numerous John Deere machines and mowers and irrigation trucks, as well as large machines distinct to a memorial park. In addition to casket loaders, casket lowering devices and dirt haulers, there are custom made machines, such as a flatbed built in the 1950s with GMC differentials, Wisconsin engines, straight GMC steering axles and pre-war airplane floatation tires. The vehicle was upgraded in 1990. The second annual Classic Cars & Coffee event will be held on Sunday, Aug. 9, from 7:30-10:30 a.m. Forest Lawn-Glendale is located at 1712 South Glendale Ave. For information, visit forestlawn.com. photo courtesy of Forest Lawn Forest Lawn-Glendale has a variety of classic and contemporary hearses that are placed on display for the annual Classic Cars & Coffee event.