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This 1962-1963 IH Scout is the actual
prototype
the engineers at International
Harvester at Fort Wayne proving
ground, evaluated prior to IH giving approval
for the production to go ahead.
There were some changes made as a result, and
also changes the design team
implemented.
The principal design team consisted of Jack Faircloth, his son Joel Faircloth, Dick Bradley an engineer known as “Mr.Plastic"
and several others. E.V. (Jack) Faircloth was a long established and well known International Harvester dealership owner. He is
described as being a diplomat and politically well known. H is son Joel used the dealership as his “toybox" while growing up.
Regarding motor cars, father & son often lamented, “they don’t make them like they used to!" Joel returned from college,
married and joined his father in the IH dealership. Somehow the plan emerged of using the strong construction of IH Scout and
placing on it a fibre glass body, as had originally been intended when the Scout was conceived. Joel when 12 years old had an
old A model Ford he used to tow the boat from the West Palm Beach house to the launching ramp with, so that may have had
something to do with the concept. But for whatever reason they decided to build a reinforced fibre glass body that looked similar
without being an exact copy, of a 31 model A Ford 2 door Deluxe Sports Phaeton, but with bigger doors and other practical
differences to fit on IH Scout running gear. There was a craze for building in fibre-glass that my research shows some believe
was 1954-1964, others say 1950-1965, so this project was when the industry was well established and experienced. After the
body was constructed at Fort Lauderdale it was transferred for the final mechanical work to be completed on the prototype in
West Palm Beach at Faircloth Truck & Tractor Co., the International Harvester dealership.
While the first prototype above, was at Fort Wayne the Faircloth team as they waited for rolling chassis to be delivered, built a
second series 80 Scout.
Due to all the company records being destroyed in a flood in 1982 while in storage after the business was closed, confirmation
documentation is not available for reference. Joel Faircloth has imparted remarkable information, but det ail that relies on
memory is difficult to authenticate particularly in regard to specific dates of events.
Once IH gave approval the versions official name “Glassic" was registered for manufacture by Classic Motor Car Company, Inc.
(West Palm Beach, FL) (1964) a premises acquired, equipped, and production commenced. International supplied IH Scout
800A rolling chassis with Comanche engines which the Faircloth staff at the “Glassic" factory lowered the fibre-glass and plastic
bodies on to. IH supplied the ancillary parts, radiators, dashboard gauges wiring looms etc in separate crates, to complete the
assembly. As with the standard Scout, four wheel drive was offered as an option.
The VIN numbers started at 100, so 1966 VIN 101, is the first “Glassic" production car. As the Title for the prototype lists them
as IH Scouts that’s how it’s remained, one being given to Joel’s sister Elizabeth. Glassic VIN 101 was given to Joel’s other
sister. Later when Elizabeth decided to dispose of the first prototype her sister then gave her 1966 Glassic VIN 101.
Although marketed direct from Classic
Motor Car Company Inc. International
Harvester also advertised the Glassic as
in the official publication to the right.
“INTERNATIONAL TRAIL"
One interesting aspect is the IH
emphasis on parts being “Available at all
International Harvester Scout Dealers".
Glassic VIN 179 above is a 4x4 some of
which were purchased via a catalogue order firm, (Abercrombie & Fitch) Here is an
extract from their advertising;"You can use this car in a hunting ca mp, fishing lodge, drive
it over fields to a hunt meet, whistle it down to the station each morning, trek it over the
hard sand at the beach. Because the International Harvester chassis and engine are
made to take the roughness of the outdoor, bumpy country— and suspended to float
smoothly along highways. The fantastic fiberglass body can’t rattle or bang about. Never
needs painting."
