Central Magnet students to restore car

Jul 07, 2015 at 10:41 am by bryan


Central Magnet Car Club members gazed in awe at the 1953 Pontiac Chieftan car they will restore with members of the Stones River Region of the Antique Automobile Club of America in Murfreesboro.

Club President Jacob Hendrixson, who celebrated his 17th birthday the same day, took the Chieftan for a spin with five members piled inside around the Cannonsburgh grounds.

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"This is the best birthday present you could get, a classic car," Hendrixson said. "It was exactly what we wanted."

Stones River Club President Jeremy Byrd said the organization purchased the car in Portland, Ore., for the students to restore. The club adopted the student club to preserve interest in antique automobiles. The students are supervised by CMS teacher Mike Ruess and his wife, Candy, and School Resource Officer Sgt. Scott Culp and his wife, Jenny.

The goal of the sponsoring club and the student club is to restore the Chieftan and participate in the 2,000-mile Hagerty Great American Race in 2017.

For Hendrixson, the Chieftan was the best birthday present he received with the goal of student participation in the race.

"We were the ones who got it and will race it and it will be here forever," Hendrixson said.

Sgt. Culp said the students are interested in the Great American Race.

"If this works out with the car we have now, we will be the first high school I know of to participate in the race," Sgt. Culp said.

Student member Ethan Sheumaker, 17, whose hobby is working on "anything with a motor," hopes to compete in the Great American Race.

Fellow student Mary Grace Bouldin, 16, drives a 1972 Ford pickup truck and has an interest in old cars.

"It's exactly what we wanted, that's for sure," Mary Grace said of the Chieftan. "It's not in perfect condition but it's something we can put time and effort into to make it perfect. We were looking for a car no one ever sees around town that's different and unique. We definitely got what we wanted."

Student Hunter Jones said restoring the "perfect" antique car will keep them busy.

Club treasurer Dr. Jay Werthmuller said the club worked hard several months to obtain the Chieftan for the students.

Byrd said he hopes the community will rally around the students and support fund-raisers to pay for the Great American Race expenses.

"This has been a dream of mine for three years," Byrd said. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for these kids."

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