FREEDOM, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – A 30-year-old truck will take a group of area high school students on a big adventure soon.
Members of the Freedom High School Automotive club have rebuilt and refurbished a 1985 Toyota 4Runner.
It’s gotten them into one of the world’s biggest car shows.
In two weeks the SEMA Show in Las Vegas begins and Freedom High School Junior Trevor Hintz will be there.
“It’s really hard to get into, so I’m really surprised that I get to go. It’s kind of mind-blowing for me.”
SEMA is billed as the world’s largest automotive trade show, featuring a lot of aftermarket work.
To get there, Jay Abitz, the automotive instructor for Freedom High School tells FOX 11, the students rebuilt the 4Runner.
“And the kids are doing it all so they’re physically working had, emotionally it’s stressful and we’re on a deadline.”
It’s been a non-stop summer project. The students have worked on all aspects of the truck: mechanical, paint, fabrication, you name it.
“Pretty much since school let out we’ve been here at least once a day,” said Hintz.
The 4Runner has been almost completely rebuilt and the students have also put in a lot of aftermarket work.
“It’s lifted, it’s got roof rack going on, brush guard, the rear bumper is all custom.”
Donors helped the work along by offering up $20,000-worth of materials. Rick Paulick donated the truck itself.
“Oh this is the coolest thing I’ve ever done in my life, by far! I’ve been here every week helping out too.”
Abitz has been impressed with dedication of the students.
“It says a lot of their character and their commitment to be able to do something like this and see it through to the end,”
But for Hintz, this is only the beginning.
“I plan on going into the Marines for diesel mechanics and everything relates. So, this’ll, this’ll probably help out quite a bit.”
The truck will be auctioned off sometime in March and the money raised will go back into the automotive club.
