Laguna Hills HS Students use a $10K Grant to Restore K&N Equipped 1966 Ford Pickup
- 17 Jun 2015
Opened in 1978, Laguna Hills High School (LHHS) is a relatively small high school in the Southern California beach community of Laguna Hills. Excelling in academics and athletics, LHHS also has a fully functioning Automotive Technology program, which is part of Coastline Regional Occupational Program (ROP). Laguna Hills automotive students can use the LHHS auto program to receive course credit at two local community colleges enabling students to continue their automotive education and possibly turn a passion for the automotive industry into a career. In the summer of 2012, Laguna Hills High School students received a donated 1966 Ford F100 pickup to be used as a class restoration project. Instructor Timothy Chambers worked with Coastline ROP to apply for and secure a $10,000 grant in money from the Hagerty Education Program. The Hagerty Education Program awards scholarships and educational grants to organizations committed to "hands-on education" and making a difference in the lives of young people through the appeal of historic vehicles and vessels. The students aptly named the project “Restoration 66: Connecting Students with Cars, History, Family, and Community”. Before any work on the 1966 Ford F100 pickup could begin, LHHS students were asked to construct a plan for the restoration, and line up all the parts and pieces they would need. Timothy Chambers tasked the students with researching the role of the automobile in their own family’s history. There were many great stories spanning multiple generations, each centered on how a simple machine somehow played a significant role in their lives.
Once a plan was made for the theme of the truck, the restoration work began. The interior was completely gutted, the aging 352 cubic inch engine was removed, suspension and steering components were removed and replaced, and the body was prepped for paint. A custom upholstered seat and headliner from George’s Upholstery makes the interior very classic and comfortable. A blueprinted 390 cubic inch engine now sits underneath the hood, breathing through a chrome Ford Racing air cleaner with K&N air filter element, and a custom exhaust system installed by Collins Exhaust. New brakes, steering, suspension, wheels and tires allow the truck to cruise safely down the street with a mild custom stance. A beautiful coat of bright Porsche Red paint sprayed by One Day Paint and Body makes this truck standout in a crowd. Timothy Chambers and his automotive students knew the big Ford 390 engine needed superior airflow in order to obtain superior performance. A round K&N air filte E-3699 allows the Ford big block engine to breathe easily without sacrificing filtration. The 13.125” x 4.0” air filter fits perfectly inside the chrome Ford Racing air cleaner assembly. Chambers and the LHHS students are very proud of how the restoration of the truck turned out, and plan to take it to many car shows and events. None of the work completed would have been possible without the grant and assistance provided by the Hagerty Education Program, and vendors who provided product or offered discounts on parts to finish the build, including:
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