Automotive Students' Mustang Restoration Project

Published 06.28.2010

Photos by Tom Wilson, writer/editor-PCToday

News
Collision Repair & Restoration
Student News
The Gallery at Penn College
School of Transportation & Natural Resources Technologies News

Four Penn College automotive students received a heroes’ welcome as their laboratory labor of love – restoration of a 1965 Ford Mustang for public showcase – was officially returned to the Antique Automobile Club of America’s Museum on June 26. The car was displayed near the entrance, its new paint job and chrome catching the glinting sunshine – as well as the admiration of passersby – during the museum's 15th annual car show on its grounds in Hershey. Students Micah C. Kauffman, Beavertown; Charles D. Peterson, Cogan Station; Thomas G. Sylvester III, Manalapan, N.J.; and Daniel J. Walsh, Absecon, N.J.; were applauded by attendees and complimented throughout the day by grateful museum officials. “What is more realistic than taking something and doing a full-body restoration?” asked Steven H. Wallace, assistant dean of transportation technology, who introduced the students.

Car enthusiasts line up to view the 1965 Ford Mustang convertible, restored by Penn College students and returned for display at the Antique Automobile Club of America Museum in Hershey.

Car enthusiasts line up to view the 1965 Ford Mustang convertible, restored by Penn College students and returned for display at the Antique Automobile Club of America Museum in Hershey.

This explanatory sign accompanies the museum's display of the restored vehicle.

This explanatory sign accompanies the museum's display of the restored vehicle.

Steven H. Wallace, assistant dean of transportation technology, chronicles the students' quality restoration work.

Steven H. Wallace, assistant dean of transportation technology, chronicles the students' quality restoration work.

From left, students Thomas G. Sylvester, Charles D. Peterson, Daniel J. Walsh and Micah C. Kauffman acknowledge the crowd's appreciative applause.

From left, students Thomas G. Sylvester, Charles D. Peterson, Daniel J. Walsh and Micah C. Kauffman acknowledge the crowd's appreciative applause.

As museum staffers and volunteers mark the occasion, Wallace returns the vehicle's keys to curator Jeffrey Bliemeister.

As museum staffers and volunteers mark the occasion, Wallace returns the vehicle's keys to curator Jeffrey Bliemeister.

Daniel Walsh finds a familiar name during a tour of the museum's cleverly presented displays.

Daniel Walsh finds a familiar name during a tour of the museum's cleverly presented displays.

Allowed rare public entree to the museum's detail room, the Penn College contingent is shown a vintage Cord  the engine of which was manufactured in Williamsport.

Allowed rare public entree to the museum's detail room, the Penn College contingent is shown a vintage Cord – the engine of which was manufactured in Williamsport.

Students Walsh and Sylvester assess the 2010-11 challenge for Penn College's Restoration/Modification class.

Students Walsh and Sylvester assess the 2010-11 challenge for Penn College's Restoration/Modification class.

Students and benefactors stand behind their work. From left are Earl L. Mowrey Jr., Susquehannock Region chapter board member (and part-time Penn College instructor); chapter president Herb Seltzer; students Walsh, Kauffman, Peterson and Sylvester; chapter board member Ed Stroble; and Carl F. Bennett, chapter vice president.

Students and benefactors stand behind their work. From left are Earl L. Mowrey Jr., Susquehannock Region chapter board member (and part-time Penn College instructor); chapter president Herb Seltzer; students Walsh, Kauffman, Peterson and Sylvester; chapter board member Ed Stroble; and Carl F. Bennett, chapter vice president.