Abbey Park High School automotive students are revved up after recently receiving a vintage car to restore while also learning valuable skilled trades in the process.
As part of it 2016’s
Get it in Gear project, the
Yves Landry Foundation (YLF) provided a 1963 Plymouth Fury to the Oakville school Nov. 9. The project allows the vehicle to be carefully restored by students and teachers in automotive classes. The school has two years to bring the automobile back to its former glory and staff and students are excited about the intense learning that will take place during the restoration process.
Teacher Paul Uzarowski said students will acquire many automotive skills as they work on the Fury including welding, fabrication, upholstery and exhaust work. These are the kinds of skills trades students will learn and perhaps find a career pursuing, he said.
“I’m very excited, as I’ve wanted to do something like this for a long time,” he said. “It’s good for the students. This will definitely prepare our young people to have an interest in skilled trades. A ’63 Fury is not the kind of car you see every day.”
He mentioned there is the potential of partnering with other HDSB high schools to do things like paint and body work.
“We hope to collaborate with community partners as well,” Uzarowski said.
Grade 10 student Hayden East said he can’t wait to get the restoration started.
“I’m really excited to get under the hood and get dirty,” he said.
In September, YLF says it launched its Get it in Gear project as a response to skilled trade shortages, manufacturers struggling to find qualified workers and the lack of awareness by young people and their parents about the quality jobs within the trades in Ontario.
The Fury model is perhaps best known when it appeared as the main character in the Stephen King novel and subsequent movie,
Christine.