if you are the type that helps students out, and loves car restoration projects, I've got the right people you ought to know about. MacPherson College students

above is the 1928 Mercedes-Benz 680S Saoutchik Torpedo that was restored at Paul Russell & Co (who seeked out and employs several grads of the MacPherson College Auto Restoration program...) and won the prestigious 2012 International Historic Motoring Awards (IHMA) Restoration of the Year http://historicmotoringawards.com/winners.php as well as the 2012 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance Best of Show award.

Just you so understand that the MacPherson College students and programs are of the highest quality, and not wasting time or money raised in the annual January equipment and tools benefit fundraiser. http://theoldmotor.com/?page_id=64551&preview=true/ has the list of tools and equipment they need to acquire or replace (if only modern equipment lasted as long as the cars they restore!)

Any amount towards any needed item, no matter how small will be more than welcome. You can also buy any particular tool or piece of equipment and contribute the full amount for it also if you would prefer. All contributions will go 100% directly to the program http://www.mcpherson.edu/giving/

Paul Russell and Company, the automotive restoration and preservation specialists  brought the double award winning Mercedes back east November 3rd to an eager crowd of enthusiasts, http://www.autoweek.com/article/20121106/carnews01/121109886 raising funds for McPherson College’s Automotive Restoration Program, the country’s only four-year Bachelor of Arts program devoted to the craft. The event hosted over 200 avid auto enthusiasts, sponsors, and supporters who were treated to a first-hand explanation of the custom coach builder’s art from the restoration team, several of whom are McPherson College Graduates.

"McPherson sets the standard and their graduates can be found at some of the world’s leading restoration shops and winning prestigious awards at events around the country.” McKeel Hagerty, President and CEO said.

the Paul Russell and Company site http://paulrussell.com/portfolio-retrospective/D-mercedes-benz/28_680s/ about the 1928 Mercedes-Benz 680S, its history and its restoration.

A far better and more thorough gallery here http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/2863/Mercedes-Benz-680-S-Saoutchik-Torpedo-Roadster.html

Getting back to the students and tools, http://www.mcpherson.edu/autorestoration/AR-newsletter-fall-2012.pdf is a cool newsletter that is focused on the restoration program, and the students activities like the Great Race entrants. The college is entering a '57 Fairlane in the 2013 Great Race.

 Amanda Gutierrez, vice president for automotive restoration, said the race would give students great experience as well as an opportunity to show their skills and talent. At the same time, people across the nation who might never have heard of McPherson College before will see what the program has to offer.

In the 2012 Great Race a model A was enjoyed by 365daysofA.com blogger and college alumni Jonathan http://www.mcpherson.edu/autorestoration/AR-newsletter-summer-2012.pdf , plus a '62 IH truck was enjoyed by restorer program alumni Kacy and Tabetha who now work for Hagerty Ins http://www.mcpherson.edu/autorestoration/career.php http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/07/03/two-for-the-road-in-a-62-travelette/

photo by Mike Drilling and is in the New York Times article

For previous newsletters filled with incredible stories (terminal cancer dyno shop owner donates drag racing duster to Leno's collection, and a scholarship for his hometown's MacPherson College students, plus the students car show travelling to retirement/nursing homes for those seasoned citizens that can't make it to the car shows) read http://www.mcpherson.edu/autorestoration/AR-newsletter-fall-2011.pdf

Those funds will accumulate and allow the automotive restoration department to purchase needed tools and equipment in order of priority – such as louver dies for a bead roller, a complete work station set, a tire machine for the motorcycle lab or an Iwata paint gun



read about the above Model T assembly on page 5 of http://www.mcpherson.edu/autorestoration/AR-newsletter-summer-2012.pdf

and if you prefer real time updates and inside info, like the Lyn St James ( http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2012/09/lyn-st-james-icon-race-car-driver-and-i.html ) symposium, check their facebook page http://www.facebook.com/MCautorestoration

Don't misunderstand about the fundraiser, the alumni of the program have been incredible in their donations too! A deep shrinker stretcher was given to the program at the 10year class reunion of the '02 class. Way cool!