Edited: 5/8/2007 6:17:40 AM by STUD1Y
Back in 1975, Doug Lilly and his brother, Dave, got the bright red 1951 Ford F100 pickup to drive around their hometown of Dansville. Doug's wife, Shawn, is quite familiar with the truck: She rode around in it while the couple was still dating.
Doug's son, Justin, decided to restore the truck -- rusted, partially sunken into the ground and not running since 1981 -- in 2002. He and his grandfather spent two years looking for the right parts. Eventually, a new engine was put in.
It was supposed to be a run-of-the-mill restoration. But with some added help from some outside sources, it's anyone's guess as to what the truck will look like by the summer.
Washtenaw Community College and the Michigan chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation are working together to completely make over the truck.
Justin has bronchopulmonary dysplasia, an abnormal development of lung tissue. Born premature, Justin's lungs did not grow to their full capacity.
"He has about 30 percent of his lung capacity," Shawn Lilly said.
He could not complete the body work on the truck because of how the chemicals in the body paint affect his breathing.
On Saturday, the truck was taken from Justin's grandparents' home in Pleasant Lake to WCC in Ann Arbor, where automotive professors and students will finish the restoration.
More info:
http://www.justinswish.blogspot.com/
And Here for donations, if you would like:
http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/07/lets-help-make-a-wish-come-true-for-justin-lilly
Thanks to anyone who can lend a few dollars to make this happen!