DESCRIPTION
1978 Cadillac DeVille McClain Flower Car
A flower car is a type of vehicle used in the funeral industry, used to carry flowers for the burial service, or sometimes to carry the coffin under a bed of flowers. Built on the same commercial chassis as a hearse, the flower car has half-height rear bodywork on the rear similar to a pickup truck bed. The bed contains a liner to hold the flowers, normally built of stainless steel to resist rust. Some flower cars have a raised, flat tonneau cover across the bed at the top, upon which the flowers sit; the center portion sometimes is designed to raise and lower, hydraulically or by hand. If the flower car is designed to carry a casket, it will be stored under the tonneau cover in the space beneath, behind the opening rear gate.
A Cadillac DeVille "Coupe de Fleur" is usually number 2 car in the procession, unless it carries the casket under the flowers than its number 1. Built on a hearse chassis it is basically a sedan that has a pickup bed on the back. Built by the McClain company of Anderson, Indiana it has plenty of stainless steel fabricated for the bed, and below and all around retains the original look of the Cadillac DeVille from 1978.
Exterior
Square and rectangle design right out of the 1970's for this Deville, all chromed and draped in black for the solemn sendoff it was put into service for. From the B pillar forward, it is standard fare Cadillac from 1978 however from the B pillar rearward, it's all custom. Mostly stainless fabrication with touches of black vinyl for the transition from the passenger compartment to the rear 'pickup" style bed. Paint on the body is chipped and shows some areas of rust beginnings and drippings from said rust, and spots from sap or stains that have accumulated over the years. Chrome is nicely preserved on the front and rear, and the stainless bed shows just slight rusting where it is welded on the seams. For the roof stainless panels mix with padded vinyl, and seams here are gapping and glue is failing between the stainless and black vinyl. A few repairs to the stainless bed have been performed. Standard Cadillac wheel covers are on and another set of wire wheel covers is stored behind the passengers on the floor area.
Interior
Black vinyl and looking like the 1978 Caddy with some wood appliqu, power toggles and buttons, and stainless inserts. Inside it takes on the "El Camino " look with a split back bench in black broadcloth with a vinyl covered central fold down armrest. For the dash plenty of wood appliqu houses all the instruments, knobs and controls for your comfort. Black carpet is on the floors and covering a small storage area behind the seats. A smooth black vinyl headliner is above, and some slight areas of de-gluing are seen on some of the interior vinyl seams.
Drivetrain
Under the hood is an unrestored engine bay and 425ci V8. It has a 4-barrel carburetor atop and a TH400 3-speed automatic on back. Some surface rust, patina and wear are seen throughout the engine bay and on the engine, mostly due to aging and non restoration.
Undercarriage
Some surface rust in various stages of involvement are noted. All is structurally sound though, with no structural damage. It appears as though newer floorpans have been bolted in. then sprayed at the bolts in black rattle can paint. Invasive rust is noted under the door bottoms where they meet up with the rockers. Power brakes, disc for the front and drums for the rear are on.
Drive-Ability
It started and ran smoothly, with power coming from the 425 cubes. Shifts were smooth and some rattling was heard during the drive. The air conditioning is in op.
Overall with its paint and surface rust, some stainless in need of repairs this flower car presents in fair condition. Cosmetics will need to bring it back to full snuff, and you will have things presenting just rosey.
VIN DECODE
6D47S8Q182755
6-Cadillac
D-Deville
47-2 Door Hardtop
S-425ci V8
8-1978
Q-Detroit, MI Assy Plant
182755-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
PHOTOS
