July 2: With the car back...
July 2: With the car back from the body shop, club members begin reassembly.
On July 31, just 104 days after the car arrived in Tyler as a beat-up old Mustang, the convertible was cosmetically completed. Five days later, photographer Jerry Heasley photographed the finished Pay It Forward Mustang for this article as it was being delivered to Ft. Worth for its debut at the Yellow Rose Classic Car Show. The car will be displayed at the SEMA Show in November to promote its sale at the Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction in Scottsdale, Arizona, on January 18-24. Proceeds will go to the East Texas Mustang Club's charity of choice, the East Texas Crisis Center.
"It was formed in 1979 by one of our members' wives, Dawn Franks," Chesley explains. "They offer shelter and counseling service for victims of family violence, something that's really needed."
July 25: Mitch Ardoin gets...
July 25: Mitch Ardoin gets "punked" while test-driving the Pay It Forward Mustang.
Scott Drake had the vision and the Mustang Club of America supplied the regional groups, but it was the East Texas Mustang Club that took on the challenge of restoring a forlorn '66 Mustang convertible for charity. And they did it in just over 100 days.
"There's nothing like the heart of the volunteer," states Scott Drake. "I just provided the cars and the parts. What a great bunch of guys."
Editor's note: The East Texas Mustang Club has created a website devoted to the Pay It Forward project, with many photos to document the car's restoration. Check it out at www.payitforwardcar.com.
Pay It Forward Sponsors
Scott Drake Enterprises
Quantum Performance
Performance Automatic
Kicker Audio
Distinctive Industries
Bill Day Tire/BFGoodrich
English Color and Supply
Siler Paint and Body
Tyler Ford
AMK Products
Marti AutoWorks
Ortigo Performance Carburetors
Ssnake Oyl Products
Evercoat
Gateway Classic Mustang
Old Air Products
Currie Enterprises
Baer Brake Systems
MP Products
American National Insurance Company
ABC Auto Parts
East Texas Mustang Club Volunteers
Danny Alexander
Mitch Ardoin
Lindsey Brantley
Craig Chesley
Ray Coleman
Jerry Christopherson
Jim Ellise
Eddy Franks
Bob Ground
John Haigler
Dan Hardiman
David Hartsell
Jimmy Hayes
Jim Jacobs
Les Jeffcoat
Phil Lehart
Larry Oliver
Robert Owens
Harry Ott
John Pritchard
Rod Reed
Art Scott
Eddie Siler
Brian Van Arman
Jim Voit
Mark Whitt
July 11: Picking up the engine...
July 11: Picking up the engine at Quantum Performance.
July 18: Getting close as...
July 18: Getting close as the mufflers are installed at a local muffler shop.
July 31: Almost done. Paul...
July 31: Almost done. Paul Scott and Jerry Christopherson put the finishing touches on the engine compartment.