Four years ago, the Automotive Restoration program set its sights on competing to win at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance with a car restored by students. Today, students working on the 1953 Mercedes-Benz 300S are imagining seeing their work presented on that distinguished show field in 2023, alongside the work of world-class restorers.
“This car is a historic art-piece that we are preserving,” said Wyatt Miceli ’22, a member of the student project team. “It’s not a catalog-car, and the magnitude of this project grows as we research every piece of it. I am dedicated to this car, working with this team, and taking it to Pebble Beach.”
The college unveiled the project in 2016 at an event on 17-Mile Drive at Pebble Beach. Now that the restoration process has reached significant milestones, the program is setting its sights on the finish line and documenting the restoration process on social media with the hashtag, #PathtoPebble.
“I watch young people learn to use their brains and their hands together to build beautiful things,” said Luke Chennell, professor of technology, in a post at #PathToPebble on Facebook. “I am in awe of what 19, 20 and 21-year-olds are capable of, if we set the bars high.”
Education and restoration
Setting the bar high comes from the program’s mission to be the center of excellence for students who are serious about automotive restoration, and the Mercedes-Benz project provides valuable learning opportunities. Students apply for the project team and are hired to work on the car in various capacities. In addition to the actual restoration work, the project also provides opportunities for students to practice their research, archival, and documentation skills. It has brought industry experts to campus for demonstrations and lectures, provided senior capstone projects, and been used in classrooms whenever possible.
Kevin Boeckman ’21, who spent the summer rebuilding the engine, appreciates the unique experience he has gained by being on the student team.
“The attention to detail is something I thought I was really good at before this,” he said. “But working on this project I’ve learned there is no middle ground. Everything has to be perfect. It’s been a great experience and I appreciate getting to work at such a high caliber.”
Luke Borton ’21 knows first-hand about the level of attention to detail practiced on the restoration. Borton worked on the car’s interior, preserving the original production tags and replicating the production numbers on the backside of interior components – things that will not be visible to most people.
“The goal is to make it look like the car was never touched, like it would have looked on the showroom floor,” he said.
Working on the project has furthered his interest in the marque and resulted in an internship at the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center in Irvine, California.
#PathtoPebble
McPherson College students working on the 300S understand the level of excellence that is required for a vehicle to get a place on the field at Pebble Beach. Nate McLaughlin ’21, recipient of two Pebble Beach scholarships, said seeing for himself the quality of vehicles at Pebble Beach and learning from the judges about what they expect gave him a better understanding when he began working on the project.
“I appreciate seeing the end of the process at Pebble Beach and now having the opportunity to be part of the process,” he said. “The restoration of this car is a milestone in the history of this car and I am excited to be part of that milestone.”
The project is reaching a turning point as more components start coming back together. Over the past four years, many students have taken their turn in the restoration process but the students in the program today realize they are part of the final steps of the process.
For more details about this vehicle visit @MCautorestoration on Facebook, #PathToPebble. Information on the Auto Restoration program is available at www.mcpherson.edu/autorestoration.
Reprinted with permission from the McPherson College Flywheel, Fall 2020
