Save The Paw Bearer

If you are an avid Clemson Tigers fan, you've probably seen The Paw Bearer. It's a vintage hearse decked out Clemson style, and there is nothing quite like it. Even fans of the opposing team stop to take pictures with this game-day staple that tailgationamerica.com named one of the top 10 Best Tailgating Vehicles.

But, having been around since 1981, going to just about every home game, traveling to most bowl games and riding in several bowl parades has taken its toll.  In the picture you see here, the trusty (and slightly rusty) Paw Bearer is parked where is broke down. It needs a new motor as well as some other work under the hood and new tires just to get it drivable. It  also needs some body work -- to take care of the aforementioned rust -- new back seats, interior carpet, headliner, and, dare we say, air conditioning.

Good news, We have found a 1972 Cadillac hearse with a good motor for a loaner motor to get us through this season.  After the season will have to decide whether to rebuild the old motor or replace it with a more modern engine.  If we update the motor we would need to change  the transmission, grive shaft, mufflers , gas lines, etc.   Basically we would have to do a complete change of the under carriage.

We can't have The Paw Bearer not make it to its usual place at the Clemson games and in Clemson lore as the 6th best national tailgating vehicle.  Especially this year which we hope will be a special year for the tigers.

We could use your help.  The more you help us raise, the more we can do to make it so that this can continue to be a Clemson icon for another 34 plus years.  We will really appreciate any contribution you are able to make.  $2, $5, $10 all add up.  Thank you for any help you are able to give.

Please help us save The Paw Bearer.

Thank you all very much.

***JANUARY 2017 UPDATE ON THE PAW BEARER***
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR TIGERS FOR A TRULY REMARKABLE AND MEMORABLE 2016 SEASON.  BEING IN TAMPA BROUGHT BACK ALL THE MEMORIES OF CLEMSON'S 1ST NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP IN MIAMI.
We missed being able to take The PAW BEARER to its 2nd National Championship and vow to not miss another one.
I'll admit that we have not been as diligent as we should have been in getting The PAW BEARER up and running.  We bought the 1972 hearse for its motor, but the motors weren't the same so it didn't fit. We were in the middle of building a home and didn't have time to work on The PAW BEARER.
We really wanted to get it ready to take to Tampa but it hasn't worked out. We now have someone to rebuild the original motor and finally getting The PAW BEARER back in it's proper place following the TIGERS. Hopefully this should make The PAW BEARER close to new again and take care of major repairs for a long time. We will give addional updates as we progress.  Thanks for everyone's support.