By Lucky Kidd
McPHERSON, Kan. — A project more than seven years in the making began its journey to the greatest classic car show in the world this morning.
The 1953 Mercedes Benz 300 S restored by students and faculty in McPherson College’s Automotive Restoration program was loaded up this morning for a trip to the Pebble Beach Concours d’ Elegance which begins next week.
Brian Martin, an instructor in the program, told Ad Astra News this project, which involved a complete tear-down and rebuild restoration, involved some 15 thousand hours of work over the past seven years.
“Students were learning how to do this as they were going along,” Martin told Ad Astra News, adding “Many of these processes, this was the first time they’ve ever done it. Imagine not only learning how to do this, but do it at this level.”
McPherson College President Michael Schneider said this was an amazing accomplishment for students, the program, and the college. “I’m not surprised, but I am in awe of the support and love McPherson College got this summer. This car really is a signal for what’s next at McPherson College. We have accomplished the impossible and are sending a car to the field at Pebble Beach,” Schneider told Ad Astra News during a send-off gathering at Harnley Gardens on the campus.
Dr. Schneider also had high praise for Amanda Guiterrez, provost and vice president of automotive restoration, for the work she did over an even longer period of time to make this happen.
The Concours d’ Elegance events begin next Thursday in Monterey, California with the Concours itself Sunday August 20th. You can follow along through McPherson College social media and at www.mcpherson.edu, and for more on the festival go to pebblebeachconcours.net
