They purchased a single ticket…and won.
Former Broken Bow educators Ross and Linda Ridenour, of Brady, received the keys to a 1965 Chevrolet Impala on Monday at North Platte Community College.
The NPCC Foundation raffled the car during Colonel Cody’s Cruise Show and Shine in downtown North Platte in September. Linda’s name was on the winning ticket.
“A couple days before we bought the ticket, I had seen on TV that the Impala was going to be at the Nebraska State Fair in Grand Island,” Linda said. “I told Ross, ‘I have to have that car’.”
The Ridenours sought out the car at the fair and found it in the Pinnacle Bank Expo Center. Linda sent Ross to buy a ticket. He put her name on it.
“About a week later, we got the call that we had won,” Linda said. “We were very surprised and are very appreciative. We’re going to keep it.”
The couple has purchased tickets for the college’s raffle cars in the past, but has never won. Their excitement was evident on Monday.
“I love it,” Ross said. “I’ve never owned this type of car before, but do have a connection to the date – 1965 was the year I graduated high school.”
He was impressed with the craftsmanship of students in the college’s Classic Car Restoration, Automotive Technology and Auto Body Technology programs. They built the car from the ground up – dismantling, modifying and reassembling the vehicle into a work of art. The project counted toward a certificate in automotive restoration.
“The students did beautiful work,” Ross said. “It’s a great car. We’re going to take it area shows and will be sure to let people know it came from Mid-Plains Community College.”
The Impala is the 13th car the college has raffled over the years. Approximately 6,900 raffle tickets costing $10 each were sold for it.
Proceeds went toward payment of income taxes to the winner, costs associated with this year’s raffle car project and scholarships for students in MPCC’s Classic Car Restoration, Automotive Technology and Auto Body Technology programs.
Those students learned how to merge both traditional and modern engineering and technology during the restoration process.
They designed the Impala to have a vintage air conditioning system, a tubular front suspension and front-wheel power disc brakes.
The drivetrain consists of a stock 8.1-liter late model fuel injected GM engine. It features the latest in computerized technology and incorporates a modified computer chip. The power plant is coupled to a 700R4 automatic transmission and a stock GM rear end.
The Impala toured the state throughout the summer, making appearances at car shows, parades and cruise night events.
A number of local businesses donated cash, parts or discounts toward the project. Those included Dave Smith Signs, JM Parts & Equipment, E.J.’s Outdoor Sports, Cohagen Battery and LKQ Corporation-Keystone Automotive.
More information about the car and the Classic Car Restoration, Automotive Tech and Auto Body Tech program offerings is available at www.mpcc.
Courtesy Heather Johnson, Area Communications Specialist MPCC
