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A Project Car With A Heart of Gold
We all have dreams. For many, those dreams are usually attached to novelty-sized cheques and our skill at games of random chance. Now imagine that you're ten years old, and you've been told that eleven might be too much to ask for.
That dilemma is one that is faced constantly by the Rainbow Society. Since 1983, this Manitoba-based non-profit organization has been involved in a most noble mission; the fulfillment of the favourite dreams of Manitoba children suffering from a life-threatening illness. To date, over 440 Manitoba children have had their wishes fulfilled. All of the money raised by the Society stays in Manitoba. The double-edged sword to all of this is that to remain active in the granting of wishes, the Rainbow Society must turn to the residents within our borders, time and time again. What they need is a little help. What they need is the Hillbilly Garage.
There are two significant birthdays in 2008; the Rainbow Society will be 25 years young and a certain Chevy will be 68. This particular 1940 Master 85 two-door sedan will be receiving a complete street rod makeover, at a sleepy little garage on Highway 44 near Garson. "We got tired of reading about other members of the local automotive media building cars for themselves," said Hillbilly Garage proprietor Jamie Johnston, who is better known in the spray booth as 'Jamie The Flame'. "That's why we decided to donate our time, effort, even the car to such a great cause."
The Chevy started life in Yorkton, Saskatchewan, as evidenced by the tiny dealership stickers that have stood the test of time. It last saw the road when Martin Luther King had his dream, in 1963. It may be a little around the edges, but that will soon be changing. "When complete, this old Chevy will be as reliable as your everyday driver," said Don Park, Head Mechanic at the Hillbilly Garage. "It will have cutting-edge technology. Most of all, it will be safe."
That dilemma is one that is faced constantly by the Rainbow Society. Since 1983, this Manitoba-based non-profit organization has been involved in a most noble mission; the fulfillment of the favourite dreams of Manitoba children suffering from a life-threatening illness. To date, over 440 Manitoba children have had their wishes fulfilled. All of the money raised by the Society stays in Manitoba. The double-edged sword to all of this is that to remain active in the granting of wishes, the Rainbow Society must turn to the residents within our borders, time and time again. What they need is a little help. What they need is the Hillbilly Garage.
There are two significant birthdays in 2008; the Rainbow Society will be 25 years young and a certain Chevy will be 68. This particular 1940 Master 85 two-door sedan will be receiving a complete street rod makeover, at a sleepy little garage on Highway 44 near Garson. "We got tired of reading about other members of the local automotive media building cars for themselves," said Hillbilly Garage proprietor Jamie Johnston, who is better known in the spray booth as 'Jamie The Flame'. "That's why we decided to donate our time, effort, even the car to such a great cause."
The Chevy started life in Yorkton, Saskatchewan, as evidenced by the tiny dealership stickers that have stood the test of time. It last saw the road when Martin Luther King had his dream, in 1963. It may be a little around the edges, but that will soon be changing. "When complete, this old Chevy will be as reliable as your everyday driver," said Don Park, Head Mechanic at the Hillbilly Garage. "It will have cutting-edge technology. Most of all, it will be safe."
Body supplies and paint are on tap, with long-time auto body shop supplier Rondex. The good folks at Sturgeon Tire will be dressing this Chevy in a fine set of American Racing wheels, with an equally-fine set of Cooper tires. The CD stereo unit was donated by Sony of Canada, with speakers, amplifiers, and other things that go thump in the trunk from JBL Audio. Glenn Scott from Duals Muffler will be providing a dual exhaust system with just the right amount of rumble. DeWALT of Canada donated an array of heavy-duty grinder, sanders, and cutting tools for the Chevy's transformation. The interior will be receiving a late-model upgrade, with donor seats from Team Auto Parts, Ted's Glass and Rad Service in Beausejour has agreed to supply the Chevy with new glass, a custom-built radiator, and gas tank.
What ties all these partners together is that every part and/or service provided is a complete donation. The Winnipeg Sun is donating the space for continuing coverage of the various stages of the makeover. The sweat equity for the build will be donated by the official members of the El Diablos Car Club. With everyone in such a giving mood, it's only fair that this freelancer, and fellow El Diablo, will be donating the words and photos that you see here, along with plenty of elbow grease.
The current plan of attack is to have the car completed for its debut at the 2008 Piston Ring World of Wheels Car Show. The Chevy will then go into the raffle stage, with all proceeds going to benefit the good deeds of the Rainbow Society. Every last nickle.
To keep everything above board, parties interested in assisting the project are asked to do so with the supply of needed parts, instead of case donations. My other hat reads "Chief Parts Procurer", so feel free to email me at will. There will also be updates for any parts required every week in the Winnipeg Sun.
As for progress, the Chevy recently had its body removed from the frame. (I'm still fishing the rust flakes out of my eyes.) The foundation will soon be on its way to Winnipeg Sandblasting, after which the addition of the new mechanical parts will commence. Fellow El Diablo Kevin Wilson, an accomplished airbrush artist, provided the rendering of the completed Chevy, which will be finished in silver tones to coincide with the Rainbow Society's Silver Anniversary. "The car community in Winnipeg is truly unique." said Wilson. "Where else would you find a bunch of guys willing to donate their time to a project like this?"
What ties all these partners together is that every part and/or service provided is a complete donation. The Winnipeg Sun is donating the space for continuing coverage of the various stages of the makeover. The sweat equity for the build will be donated by the official members of the El Diablos Car Club. With everyone in such a giving mood, it's only fair that this freelancer, and fellow El Diablo, will be donating the words and photos that you see here, along with plenty of elbow grease.
The current plan of attack is to have the car completed for its debut at the 2008 Piston Ring World of Wheels Car Show. The Chevy will then go into the raffle stage, with all proceeds going to benefit the good deeds of the Rainbow Society. Every last nickle.
To keep everything above board, parties interested in assisting the project are asked to do so with the supply of needed parts, instead of case donations. My other hat reads "Chief Parts Procurer", so feel free to email me at will. There will also be updates for any parts required every week in the Winnipeg Sun.
As for progress, the Chevy recently had its body removed from the frame. (I'm still fishing the rust flakes out of my eyes.) The foundation will soon be on its way to Winnipeg Sandblasting, after which the addition of the new mechanical parts will commence. Fellow El Diablo Kevin Wilson, an accomplished airbrush artist, provided the rendering of the completed Chevy, which will be finished in silver tones to coincide with the Rainbow Society's Silver Anniversary. "The car community in Winnipeg is truly unique." said Wilson. "Where else would you find a bunch of guys willing to donate their time to a project like this?"
As we said (much earlier, sorry for the delay), we have been lucky enough to have Michael Clark provide us with articles he's written about the Wheels of Dreams car raffled off last year.
We'll be posting these articles here, and archiving them as we rotate them. Enjoy! -Ed
We'll be posting these articles here, and archiving them as we rotate them. Enjoy! -Ed
There is already an impressive list of parts and services lined for the restoration. MacGyvers Suspension from Edmonton has supplied a custom-fit independent front suspension system, with power rack-and-pinion steering. Piston Ring has graciously donated $1000 worth of incidental parts to the build. (Those nut's and bolt's add up in a hurry!) Larry Vickar continues to live up to the nickname I've bestowed upon him; "A Prince among men." The Prince, uhm, I mean Vickar, has provided a brand new GM Performance Parts 350 V-8 crate engine for the build, from Vickar Community Chevrolet. Precision Transmission has donated a rebuilt Turbo-Hydramatic 350 transmission, and will also provide a refresh to a donor rear axle from a late model Chevy Camaro.
Find out how you can get involved with the next 'Wheel of Dreams' project. Email Michael Clark today!
michaelclark@mts.net.
michaelclark@mts.net.
Part 2 of the story can be found here.
