Flywheel - McPherson College Auto Restoration Magazine, Spring 2023

WE’RE ON OUR WAY!

Cabriolet has been accepted to the 2023 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

S T U D E N T S > A L U M N I

Brian Martin, senior director of automotive restoration and crew chief for the Mercedes-Benz project, introduces current team members during the annual C.A.R.S. Club Motoring Festival in May.

The incredible news that our 1953 Mercedes-Benz 300 S Cabriolet has been accepted to the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance brings mixed emotions: extreme pride in the accomplishment and some trepidation as August approaches.

Over the past eight years, numerous students have been involved in the project - either indirectly through classes and workshops or as part of the team working on the restoration. In this magazine, you will hear some of their stories. The experience has informed our practices and education, strengthening the foundation for our students as they pursue their future careers.

We appreciate the support of our industry partners: Paul Russell and Company (Essex, Massachusetts); Mercedes-Benz Classic Center (Long Beach, California); the 300SL Foundation; and Aeristo (Grand Prairie, Texas). Many of you have provided gifts, words of encouragement, interest, and advice that helped us reach this point. Thank you all.

I want to acknowledge Brian Martin, our senior director of auto restoration, who also served as the crew chief on this project. The last seven-plus years have been long and stressful for him. His commitment to seeing this project through to completion deserves our deepest appreciation. Nobody knows the hours he has worked, the sleep he has lost, the knowledge he has passed on to students, or the deep connections he and these students will have forever.

I am proud of the accomplishments of our students, who were laser-focused on restoring a car that can compete with the best in the world. What they have achieved is inspiring. The car is stunning. I am excited for you to see it on display at Pebble Beach and invite you to be part of our celebration. If you are unable to attend, you can follow along on social media.

While this issue of the Flywheel primarily focuses on the Pebble Beach project, be sure to read the story about a group of students on a road trip, enjoying their time together while driving the cars they love. These are the stories we witness every day at McPherson College. They are the experiences that shape the next generation, who will care for the cars we all love and keep the passion for cars and driving alive.

Amanda Gutierrez

Provost/VP for Automotive Restoration McPherson College

gutierra@mcpherson.edu

flywheel magazine SPRING 2023

McPherson College 1600 E. Euclid McPherson, KS 67460 www.mcpherson.edu

© 2023 McPherson College

concours project WE’RE ON OUR WAY

2 concours project THE TEAM

concours project THE JOURNEY

8

concours project OUR HISTORY AT PEBBLE

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road trip MODEL A, MODEL T, AND 500 MILES

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6 students ANNUAL C.A.R.S. CLUB CAR SHOW

McPherson College National Advisory Board for Automotive Restoration

Paul Russell chair, Ross Barton, Wayne Carini, Tom Cotter, Scott George, McKeel Hagerty, Dave Kinney, Jonathan Klinger, Michael Kunz, Casey Maxon, Deb Pollack, Myron Stine

Automotive Restoration Faculty and Staff Ed Barr, Luke Chennell, Chris Clark, Mike Dudley, Garrick Green, Curt Goodwin, Amanda Gutierrez, Brian Martin, Abigayle Morgan, Chris Paulsen

WE’RE ON OUR WAY!

#PATH to PEBBLE

for students, alumni, and employees of the McPherson College Automotive Restoration program. The 1953 Mercedes-Benz 300 S Cabriolet, restored by students, has been accepted by the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and will be shown there on August 20, 2023.

“Congratulations to the McPherson College students for having their car accepted to Pebble Beach,” said comedian and car enthusiast Jay Leno. Leno’s support 20 years ago was the turning point for the program when it pivoted from an associate to a bachelor’s degree. “I am proud to be associated with the college. Much like art historians who clean and repair the works of the Renaissance Era, the young men and women at McPherson College are doing it with automobiles, recreating abilities and techniques long forgotten, and they’ll make a good living doing it. Our hobby and heritage are safe in their hands.”

The Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance is the oldest Concours in the United States and one of the world’s most prestigious gatherings of rare and antique automobiles. Prized collector cars compete each year for Best of Show, the most coveted award in the automotive industry. The Concours Selection Committee spends weeks vetting each entry, narrowing its selection down to the top classic cars in the world, which are invited to show.

“We set a bold vision 10 years ago to show a car at Pebble Beach that was restored by students. I was confident that it could be done,” said Amanda Gutierrez, provost and vice president of automotive restoration. “The goal was to get invited to compete at Pebble Beach, but there is a significant process that makes that happen, especially at a small college with students working outside of class hours. This project has been a valuable learning experience for our students as they study toward their bachelor’s degree in automotive restoration. It was intense work requiring exceptional commitment, and I am extremely proud of them.”

After an exhaustive search for the right car, work on the project began and has incorporated classroom curricula, expert guest lectures, and senior capstone experiences. The restoration was completed by teams of student interns who worked over the course of the restoration. Brian Martin, director of automotive restoration projects, supervises the student team.

“When we set out to do this, we knew it was going to be a long-term commitment,” Martin said. “It is a complete, frame-off, top-to-bottom restoration by students. We planned for it to become the cornerstone of our program and an

example of the skills our students develop while they are here.”

McPherson College has a long history of student participation at Pebble Beach, dating back to 2008 when the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and Pebble Beach Company Foundation established scholarships honoring Formula One World Champion and famed restorer Phil Hill. Over the years, more than 25 McPherson College students have earned college scholarships from Pebble Beach.

Pebble Beach Company Foundation scholarship recipients not only attend the event and shadow the judges, they also have been part of panel discussions, prepared and presented cars for the field, and attended numerous additional events during the week. However, this August will mark the first time the college will show a classic vehicle fully restored by its students.

“It’s a remarkable accomplishment,” said McPherson College President Michael Schneider. “Since the project began, nearly every student in the auto restoration program has been exposed to the restoration through classes, workshops, or as part of an internship team. For some of them, getting a chance to work on this project was why they decided to attend McPherson College. This achievement will positively impact our students and program for years. Managing this project was an enormous undertaking, and I commend the individuals, especially Brian Martin, who helped mentor our students through this process. Our friends at Paul Russell and Company as well as the Mercedes Benz Classic Center, were excellent advisors on the project. I also thank Jay Leno, whose early and consistent support over the years has helped us flourish and reach Pebble Beach.”

Showing a student-restored car at Pebble Beach is another example of McPherson College achieving what many consider impossible. In November, the college announced a historic $500 million matching gift. To date, the college has raised over $214 million of the $250 million needed to secure the $500 million, including generous gifts from car enthusiasts Melanie and Richard Lundquist, the Rob Walton Foundation, and Dave Kinney.

“My favorite aspect of the restoration was the bodywork and paint because the reward of all the hard work and long hours really shows. The project has added to my educational experience and opened doors for me within the industry.”

Colby Marshall MONTGOMERY, TEXAS

“I particularly enjoy the problem-solving and strategizing aspects of the project. Assisting individuals in recognizing and exploiting their strengths within the team has been extremely rewarding.”

Matt Kroeker WICHITA, KAN.

THE TEAM

Restoring the 1953 Mercedes-Benz 300 S Cabriolet was a unique process carried out by students under the leadership of Brian Martin, senior director of automotive restoration. Some aspects of the restoration were used as classroom demonstrations and opportunities to bring industry experts to campus as guest lecturers. All the work, however, was done by members of the student team, which cycled through students over six years.

It is important to work as a team on a project where every detail must be correct and completed perfectly. From doing research, such as citing multiple sources for the proper finish, to redoing parts of the project that they know can be done better, each team member understands the high level of quality in every detail demanded on a project headed for Pebble Beach.

The current team putting the finishing touches on the car consists of 10 students. This is what they say about their experience.

“It’s been challenging, especially assembly parts of the 300 S that I hadn’t disassembled myself. It forced me to do my best work. I think I have improved working as part of a team, which will help me in my career.”

Andrew Schaefer SAG HARBOR, N.Y.

“I have learned that you must be very careful with every move you make. One wrong turn can lead to a big issue.”

Devin Roff (not pictured) COMSTOCK, WIS.

#PATH to PEBBLE

“This project has taught me that a quality restoration takes time. I have several hundred hours into the woodwork alone, and I was not the only one on that project. Working on the team has added to my educational experience because it allows me to apply what I've learned in class to a very high standard.”

James Pawlak

“I like how meticulous everything needs to be on this restoration. Whether it’s the tool you use, the process you choose, or thinking of new ways to make something, it all keeps your mind moving.”

“Working at a level of detail that requires my full attention has made me more conscious of being present in whatever I am doing. I learned that research, fact-checking, and planning on the front end of the restoration saved many hours and kept activities on track.”

Ben Wiebe

“My work on the 300S has allowed me to garner keen attention to detail. My time working on the Mercedes-Benz has allowed me to understand the patience necessary to execute concours-level restorations.”

Victoria Bruno

“I am most proud of the chassis lubrication system that I helped restore and installed myself. Most parts are already in place when this system is installed and routed throughout the car. It makes you appreciate the complexity of this car.”

Jeremy Porter

“I’ve spent hours machining or repairing irreplaceable parts, and learned it is imperative to hold yourself to a high standard and put out nothing but the highest quality work.”

Conrad Gramckow

PALATINE, ILL.

SCOTTSBLUFF, NEB.

Austin Cooper CARMICHAEL, CALIF.

LOS ANGELES, CALIF.

SENECA FALLS, N.Y.

OJAI, CALIF.

How we got here

For more than four decades, the automotive restoration program at McPherson College has been a launching pad for young people interested in turning a love for the automobile into a career. Throughout its history, the program has built on a tradition of excellence, passing numerous milestones along the way. Showing a car, completely restored by students, at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance is the latest milestone that will set the course for the program’s future.

In 2013, a group that included alumni, advisory board members, and administration took a deep dive into the program’s future and defined a mission to be the center of excellence for students serious about automotive restoration. With this mission, a lofty, bold, and audacious goal was set — to compete at Pebble Beach with a car restored entirely by students. We called it our moonshot.

Finding the right car was critical to achieve this goal. The 300 S was on the shortlist because the scale of this project fits nicely into the program’s educational model. Other considerations included the close relationship with Mercedes-Benz Classic Center and the availability of reference materials for student use. Finally, established relationships with Mercedes-Benz experts among alumni and friends of the program made the marque attractive.

The search for the right vehicle took almost two years. After several unsuccessful attempts at securing a project, the 1953 Mercedes-Benz 300 S appeared almost serendipitously.

A gentleman from Pennsylvania reached out to Paul Russell of Paul Russell & Company in Essex, Mass., who is also the chair of our advisory board. The man was looking to sell some cars. One of them was the 300 S.

The car was complete, only had 35,000 miles, and included a wealth of spare parts and an additional engine. The vehicle was owned by Richard

and Mary Hopeman, who kept the car in a beautiful old stone building. Paul traveled to meet with the Hopemans and told them of McPherson College, our students, and our bold vision for a student-restored car to compete at Pebble Beach.

Richard and Mary were intrigued. Richard had a long career in engineering and project manage-

ment, and he and Mary had worked in higher education. The Hopemans were excited that their Mercedes-Benz, which had given them so much joy, could be the signature project for the program.

Shortly after the transfer of the Mercedes-Benz to McPherson, Richard passed away. Yet the Hopemans, and their beloved car, are forever intertwined with the story of McPherson College and our students. The car was unveiled in 2016 at a private event at Pebble Beach, and its restoration began.

The goal of competing at Pebble Beach is about much more than getting a car on the field. It is about the educational value that comes working on a project of such magnitude. The project en-

in historical research, assessment and documentation, project management and organization, communication, group presentations, professionalism, and accountability.

This project has underscored the importance of transforming students’ learning experiences, educational goals, and outcomes by expanding their access to experts, industry networking opportunities, and skill development activities.

The auto restoration moonshot also has implications for the rest of McPherson College. The college’s strategic plan, Community by Design, outlines a future for liberal arts that combines general education with professional studies by developing

compasses both the technical skills necessary for a concours-level restoration and the liberal arts components of the auto restoration degree. Throughout the restoration process, students have gained valuable skills in every area of the shop: metalwork, paint, chassis, drive train, engine, wood, and trim. They have also gained experience

a creative environment of funded, innovative ventures that solve problems and meet the needs of the greater community. The plan is for our moonshot project to model innovative approaches to pedagogy, curriculum development, and learning experiences to assist students’ paths forward.

A Partnership Encouraging Students

The long-standing relationship with Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance has encouraged McPherson College students to take an active role in one of the world’s premier car events. Now, with a car showing on the esteemed field, students are embarking on a new way to engage at Pebble Beach.

The Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance first made a charitable contribution to the college about two decades ago. The relationship between the Concours and the college deepened when the latter was selected to receive the newly established scholarships honoring 1961 Formula One World Champion and famed restorer Phil Hill.

Hill was a longtime supporter of the Pebble Beach Concours. Soon after he died in 2008, Concours Chairman Sandra Button and the Hill family worked with Pebble Beach Company and the Pebble Beach Company Foundation to establish the scholarships honoring his legacy.

“Phil loved great cars, and we wanted to find a way to support young enthusiasts dedicated to preserving and restoring those cars long into the future,” Button said.

Concours entrants and judges were told of the scholarships, and there was a strong show of support. Even Concours sponsors stepped forward; for example, Bentley donated a car for auction during the 2009 Pebble Beach Automotive Week, when a more formal announcement of the scholarships was made.

McPherson College was among several schools considered by Pebble Beach as possible partners for these scholarships. Roger Morrison, a longtime Concours judge and former chair of the McPherson College Automotive Restoration Advisory Board, was among the first to encourage the partnership. Later, Derek Hill, Phil’s son, was also invited to visit campus and was impressed with what he saw.

“McPherson is about much more than classrooms and lectures,” Hill said. “The students are actively at work on a variety of cars and car-related projects — and they are eager to talk about them. The education is hands-on. My father would have loved it.”

Determining where and how the scholarships would be awarded took a little more than a year— and ultimately, McPherson was one of two schools selected.

“We were looking for a program where students really gain the knowledge and skills needed to care for historic cars,” Button said. “We wanted a program that offered a solid introduction to our automotive history—and then went beyond that to offer the tools and training to maintain the world’s great cars. We wanted to be certain the students would be able to gain real experience working with great cars. And we found

The partnership between McPherson College and Pebble Beach has benefited students for over a decade.

Additionally, the Pebble Beach Concours has partnered with McPherson College to offer scholarships honoring Jules “J.” and Sally Heumann, who were involved in leading the Concours for over three decades, and automotive journalist John Lamm.

The College’s relationship with Pebble Beach also serves as a model for other student experience trips. Over the years, 23 McPherson College students have been inspired by the support of Pebble Beach and the experience afforded them to attend the Concours. Scholarship recipients not only attend the Concours and shadow the judges but have been part of panel discussions, prepared and presented cars for the field, and attended numerous additional events during the week.

Thanks to this partnership, MC students and alumni are active participants and future leaders in the automotive endeavor. Former scholarship recipients are now working as archivists, historians, restorers, preservationists, auction specialists, and collection technicians all over the country. Many have key roles with organizations or companies at Pebble Beach.

2022 scholarship recipients at Pebble Beach.

PROJECT ALUMNI

Beginning in the fall of 2016, students started work on the Mercedes-Benz project. Over the restoration, 40 students worked on specific aspects of the car and the student team, while hundreds of other students were exposed to the project through classroom demonstrations and guest lecturers. Students who have graduated and started careers look back on their part in the restoration and take pride in having a hand in getting it accepted to Pebble Beach.

Greg Elvin ’19 worked on the interior as a sophomore in the advanced upholstery class.

“The integrity to make every little thing correct is not easy. Even details that won’t ever be seen are important such as the markings on the seat covers. Other than with pictures, these marks will never be seen, but we know they are there, and we know we did our best to make this car as true to original as possible. Some might say it is overdoing things, but I take a lot of pride in that.”

2,000 hours into the restoration.

“In the summer of 2021, the team had just completed the final sanding of the primer, and the Mercedes was ready for paint. During this time in Kansas, the humidity can reach above 80%, and most days are baking hot. Since we needed to complete the paint before the start of the fall semester, Colby Marshall, Brian Martin, and I worked from 2 a.m. to 7 a.m. for what felt like a week straight to make sure we could work in the proper painting conditions. In the end, the paintwork came out exceedingly well, and the early mornings were well worth it.

, while not a student during the the paintwork.

“From my judging experience, I was able to explain to the students that they needed to step back and look at the whole project. I hope it has given them more confidence and pride in their work. I’m grateful that my experience can help them. They are like my kids now, and I am one proud mommy.”

“Our 1953 Mercedes Benz 300 S doesn’t have a vast history. McPherson’s student-run restoration is arguably the vehicle’s most significant and unique aspect. I am honored to be a part of the car’s history and cannot wait to show off our restoration!”

Road Trip

Roads were made for journeys, not destinations.

– CONFUCIUS

From Nab’s Travel Log

DAY 1

“Finished”: Had a late start but for the first day, it was not horrible. The 1926 T drove exceptionally well the whole day. The A, however, enjoyed the side of the road more. Made it a bit over 120 miles usually going 27 mph.

While discussing spring break plans, freshman Cash Nab pitched an idea to six of his friends. He suggested a road trip from his home in Fleming, Colo., to McPherson College in a 1915 Model T, 1926 Model T, and 1928 Model A Sports Coupe. The trip was a way to get all his pre-war automobiles in one spot but turned into an epic adventure for Cash and his friends – Thomas Tencer, Ian Foster, Sean Whetstone, Edwin Buiter, Hannah Simmons, and Nathan Drouin.

“I still had doubts about it the week before we left,” Nab said. “The best part about the trip was the end of each day sitting around talking about everything that happened and planning for the next day.”

When they arrived in Colorado, the students spent a few days getting the cars running and preparing them for the trip. Ultimately, they decided to trailer the 1915 T because it would not run in high gear. The three-day trip covered 500 miles through every kind of weather. The drivers averaged 10 hours each day at an average speed of 27-35 miles per hour. Days were spent enjoying the beautiful scenery of back roads in Colorado and Kansas and at night camping under the stars.

A highlight for the group was returning to McPherson and an impromptu parade down Main Street, honking horns to celebrate their journey while people stopped and waved.

“We decided every year at spring break to do a pre-war auto tour,” Nab said. “Probably not as long as this one, but it’s nice to get the cars out and drive them a bit.”

DAY 2 DAY 3

“Beats Walkin’”: We left Burlington, Colo., around 8:30 a.m. after the cars were oiled and checked over. The T ran great again, but at the end of the day, about five miles from our stop, it had some issues with carb adjustment and random sputtering. The issues are hopefully resolved. We made it to Lake Scott State Park where we are camping in tents with a campfire supper.

“We Made It!”: Once all fueled up, we got on the road and headed east. Had lunch at a nice little diner off the road and had many people curious about our adventures, and almost every car that passed had their phone out for a video! This trip was amazing, and rest assured, these cars will be going on more trips like this.

C.A.R.S CLUB Motoring Festival

for the 23rd Annual C.A.R.S. Club Motoring Festival at McPherson College on May 6, 2023. Featured cars included the 1951 GM LeSabre concept car, the 1969 Chevrolet Astro III concept, and a 2024 Chevrolet all-electric Blazer EV SS, all from the General Motors collection, as well as a 1955 Ghia Gilda. Photos courtesy

College students.

of McPherson

1955 Ghia Gilda

1969 Chevrolet Astro III

1951 GM LeSabre

THOMAS MANCUSO

THOMAS MANCUSO

THOMAS MANCUSO

THOMAS MANCUSO

GRANT THIMMESCH

THOMAS TENCER

GRANT THIMMESCH

ABRIANA PHIPPS