Thanks to Doug for tipping me to this cool school program, where the kids fix up an old car and sell it as a fundraiser! 55 Tbird, AC, Disc brakes! Raffle is July 21st

Transforming old cars to new raffle cars, in a two-bay garage at the East Syracuse Minoa Central High School, terrific program!

This is the 14th car the upstate New York automotive technology students have built or restored and then raffled to fund the following year’s project

This raffle car previously belonged to Stan Neu, a local resident. His wife, Diane, loves the first generation Thunderbirds.

“It was a great project for my son and I. We did a lot of work on it over 20 years, but life got in the way,” Mr. Neu explained. Preparing a move to Florida, Mr. Neu donated the Thunderbird to the Spartan Garage program so students could finish what he started.

“I’m a real believer in this auto tech program and I’ve been impressed with the students. As a teacher, Ryan instills passion, experience and interest in his students,” explained Mr. Neu.

The program depends on the many partnerships the high school program has developed through the years. Students benefit from hands-on internships as well as field trips. Many local businesses help with the annual raffle car project. This year the Spartan Garage also appreciated Mr. Neu’s Thunderbird donation.

Among the many partners, East Syracuse Chevrolet paints the vehicle in their body shop. Ace Auto Trim helps with re-upholstering. Ray Miller builds the transmission. Saves Auto Body donates paint.

Spartan Garage students display and talk about the vehicle and their work at car shows sponsored by numerous car clubs throughout the spring and early summer.

 The Thunderbird will be at the Syracuse Nationals, the Northeast’s largest car show, from July 19-21 at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse, NY.

Raffle ticket information is available on the Spartan Garage’s website at www.spartangarage.org or by contacting technology teacher Ryan Beckley at rbeckley@esmschools.org or 315-434-3313.

To order by mail, raffle tickets are $10 each, 3 for $25 or 15 for $100. Make checks payable to ESM Spartan Garage Booster Club or “ESM SGBC” and mail to: East Syracuse Minoa CHS, Auto Tech. Dept. Attn. Ryan Beckley, 6400 Fremont Rd., East Syracuse, NY 13057.

The raffle drawing is July 21.