Exhibiting the 1927 Ford Roadster being built by Barton County Community College automotive technology students are, left to right, Darcy Wedel, Barton’s automotive technology instructor/coordinator; Rob Dove, president of Dove Buick, Cadillac; and Ron Kirmer, automotive technology instructor. Dove donated a Goodwrench 350 engine and automatic transmission to the student project.

PHOTO: Linda Dueser

For more information, contact Darcy Wedel, 620-792-9336.

October 25, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Story by: Linda Dueser

Roadster Project to Boost Enthusiasm for Barton’s Auto Technology Program

A street rod project is building momentum to fuel the excitement of students in Barton County Community College’s Automotive Technology Program. The combined efforts of the BCCC Foundation, student mechanic earnings and several local businesses have made the project work.

Barton automotive technology instructor/coordinator Darcy Wedel has a goal to get students excited about their work and at the same time promote the program for future students. The project to build a street rod promises to do both, but wouldn’t be successful without the help of several donors.

First, the BCCC Foundation donated the $10,000 kit to build a 1927 Ford Roadster, then some unsolicited donors stepped forward to help make the roadster a reality. Rob Dove of Dove Buick, Cadillac met a big challenge by donating a Goodwrench 350 engine and automatic transmission.

“This is an excellent way to recruit young technicians,” Dove said, adding his company has hired many of Barton’s auto tech graduates.

“It’s a direct way to get students excited about auto technology, and even though they’re using an old-style car body, they are using new technology to make it run,” he said.

Other businesses contributing to the project include Becker Tire, donating wheels and tires; CarQuest Auto Parts, supplying paint and supplies; and Rick Fox of Affordable Street Rods, donating an electrical wiring harness. The students also have used some funds that they raised in their ongoing enterprise of working on student vehicles in Barton’s automotive shop.

“Other businesses are welcome to participate in support for this project,” said Wedel. Items still needed include a fuel injection system, exhaust system, distributor and drive shaft. Donors will have their company name printed on the trunk lid of the roadster as a way of advertising their business when the car is driven in parades in this area.

Wedel said the street rod project does not take the place of any learning activity in the program, but complements other parts of the program. He added the overall plan after completing the street rod is to tour it in parades for a year, then sell it and use those proceeds to purchase a new kit. “That way, new students can also share the excitement of building a car,” he said.

Dove believes the venture is sure to spark their enthusiasm. “The big thing in America now is rebuilding older model cars,” he said.