It was a beautiful day for a drive, and Kyle Lauer was grinning from ear-to-earThursday as he climbed behind the wheel of his new 1957 Chevy two-door post sedan.
Known in many circles as one of the most famous “icons” of the 1950s, the car is a legendary classic sought by collectors all over the world.
It was raffled this year by Mid-Plains Community College, and Lauer, of McCook, won it. Because he wasn’t able to be present for the drawing during the Colonel Cody’s Cruise Show and Shine in North Platte in September, the keys were given to him on Thursday.
“This is amazing,” said Lauer, shaking his head. “I still can’t believe it.”
The parking lot on the North Platte Community College North Campus was full of people as the presentation was made. They included the students and instructors from the Automotive Technology and Auto Body Technology departments who did the restoration on the car.
MPCC Area Vice-President of Academic Affairs and NPCC Dr. Jody Tomanek, officially turned the keys over to Lauer.
MPCC President Ryan Purdy, MPCC Vice-President of Administrative Services Mike Steele and Chair of the NPCC Foundation Kim Schroll were also in attendance, as were numerous other college faculty, staff and students and Lauer’s father, fiancée and son.
“I was really excited when I found out about all this,” said Kevin Lauer, Kyle’s dad. “I didn’t even know Kyle bought tickets, so when he told me he won the car, I thought he was joking.”
At first, the win didn’t seem real for Kyle either. He was working in a restaurant in McCook last summer when he happened to look outside and notice that raffle tickets were being sold in the parking lot. He bought five, then forgot about the raffle.
“The day of the drawing, I missed the first call from college officials trying to notify me that I had won,” said Lauer. “When I got the second call, I thought it had to be a prank. I couldn’t be that lucky.”
Classic cars are something Kyle has always had a fascination with.
“My grandpa owned a ’57 Ford,” said Kyle. “So, it’s pretty cool that now I have a vehicle from the same year.”
A total of 9,600 raffle tickets costing $10 each were sold for the raffle car. Proceeds will be used for scholarships for students in the college’s Automotive Technology and Auto Body Technology programs.
Tom Curtis, of Hershey, donated the vehicle to MPCC. It’s the 11th vehicle restored and modified by students, faculty and staff in NPCC’s Transportation Division.
The Automotive Technology students installed a late model 5.3 fuel injected Chevrolet engine coupled to a 4L60 transmission with a 9” rear end, rack and pinion power steering, a tubular front end suspension, four-wheel disc brakes and vintage air conditioning.
The Auto Body program was responsible for the complete frame-off body restoration, including all sheet metal and trim work. They also selected a 2014 Chevy Corvette color, “Tin Roof Rusted,” a deep burgundy, for the exterior finish.
Dave Smith Signs, JM Parts and Equipment, E.J.’s Outdoor Sports, Cohagen Battery Store and LKQ Corporation contributed to the project.
The college uses its raffle cars a number of ways. First, the projects count toward a certificate in automotive restoration.
Students study then apply current technology to, in this case, 1957 level application. They must understand both traditional and modern engineering and technology before merging the two.
The vehicles are also used to attract attention to the college, its programs and potential students interested in transportation-related training. The raffle cars tour the state, making appearances at car shows, parades and cruise night events.