I'm a proud new papa!

L

Loren Baldwin

I'm very pleased to present to you my new pride and joy, "Pearl", my 68 McClain. She's no spring chicken or a show car as you can see all the not-so-good body panels, but she runs, drives and has a really well maintained interior! Other than what I found on coachbuilt.com, I can't seem to find to find much info about McClain. Anybody have any info about them? I'd be hesitant to claim this car as the "last surviving" 68 but I haven't seen one of this vintage before. Anyway, onto the ocular stimulation!

Flower%20car1.jpg

Flower%20car2.jpg

flower%20car3.jpg

flower%20car4.jpg

flower%20car5.jpg

flower%20car6.jpg

flower%20car7.jpg

Flower%20car8.jpg
 
And one more for good measure....

flower%20car9.jpg


Yeah she's missing a few parts (I mean, what's up with that tail gate?!) but overall in restorable condition. Look for her whenever you see me!
 
Congratulations on the new purchase.. Hope to see it in Ohio.. Paul
 
That's great news Loren! Congrats on the purchase & can't wait to see it.
Here is a factory photo I found of a '68 McClain flower car, here you can see the siderails & rear boot yours is missing, which is why your tailgate looks like such an afterthought... they look great with the rear boot & trunklid piece:

4179656808_9208dd4779_o.jpg


Notice also the "McClain Sales" lettering on the glass of the background building.
 
It looks like the original tailgate was replaced. Since they started off using a sedan, I would think that you might be able to fabricate one, if the original hinges are there. Will be easier to tell when looking at it in person. Check other similar cars for the design methods and take lots of pictures. The stainless can be made by a company that manufactures commercial kitchens and works with stainless steel.
 
Paul Steinberg said:
It looks like the original tailgate was replaced. Since they started off using a sedan, I would think that you might be able to fabricate one
Click to expand...

That's what I was trying to show Loren with the pic is that McClain obviously used the Cadillac trunklid rearmost section with trunk release key still in place. The tailgate that's on yours Loren is quite a homemade afterthought.
 
Loren Baldwin wrote "......Anyway, onto the ocular stimulation!......"

Almost sounds like it belongs in Poor Richard's Lizard Lounge. Heh, heh, heh! Nice car!
 
I was wondering why we never herd anything after you said you was going to look at it, guess you went, looked, and bought. Congradulations, very nice save.

Josh
 
it does look like some one made a blank and removed the boot. not a lot of McClain's had the boot. you get into taking it apart and you'll most likly see how they put the section of deck lid in to it. the rust hickeys are a fact of live and if treated present no problems.
 
Believe it or not, I bought this off another PCS member who has a rather extensive collection. Had I looked in the directory, I would've known who it was! So currently the plan is to making this a "rolling restoration" while I'm working on the 59. Sadly though, you will not see me with it at Hudson due to me being away for military duty. My father has expressed interest in going though so it might make an appearance. Thanks for the pics Dwayne, now if only I could get better pictures of the rear. It was clear at some point in it's life, the stainless was removed and aluminum was put in place. The tailgate is ridiculously heavy! So when I really start to dig into Pearl, I'll post a "build" thread for everyone at home to keep score.
 
1968 into a 1969 McClain Flower Car conversion

Looking forward to swapping info on the McClain's. I actually found a cinder block in mine. It was in the back passenger rear quarter panel, just sitting there, it was not strapped down or anything. I don't know what that would be doing in there, it doesn't weigh much, but I can tell you that car has been sealed up since it has been cut open and converted Trunk lid is held in by threaded rod and does not open. I am going try to fab some hidden hinges so I can open it with the key, either flip down or open to the side, like a tailgate. Hopefully other people with McClain's have more info about these cars for us, especially if they had them opened up to see if they were all built the same structurally or did they just use scrap metal to piece these things together. Everything on the car is only welded with a couple tack welds and it seems like they all crack, especially on the sides at the front of the flower bed.
 
making the trunk panel functional

The trunk lid is bolted shut from the inside when it was built . Not designed to be opened. Pretty much a filler panel. I would like to put a spare tire and jack ass'y in there, jumper cables ect. Get some extra storage like the 4 door flower cars did when the rear side doors opened.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top