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Project History

The moon shot

Our mission is an ambitious one: to be the center of excellence for students serious about automotive restoration. Our vision is bold: to compete to win at Pebble Beach Concours d’ Elegance with a car restored in our program.

 

We just needed the right car.

Featured Stories

  • Finding our car.

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    We found our project vehicle in a beautiful old stone building in Pennsylvania, in the possession of Richard and Mary Hopeman. Richard had a long career in engineering, project management and education. And a love of the automobile.

  • The gift.

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    Intrigued by the automotive restoration program, the Hopemans were excited at the prospect that their Mercedes-Benz 300 S Cabriolet, which had given them so much joy, was to be our signature project.

  • The reveal.

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    We unveiled our car at a private event during Pebble Beach Car Week in California. And then it came home to Kansas.

  • About the 300 S

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    Early on, a 300 S was on the shortlist of cars to consider because the scale of such a project would fit well into our educational model. Other considerations included our close relationship with Mercedes-Benz Classic Center and the availability of reference materials that would provide students with access to necessary information. Finally, our established relationships with a deep pool of Mercedes-Benz experts among our alumni and friends made the marque an attractive option. This particular car was a great candidate because it is very complete and original, having only 35,000 miles.

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Educational Goals

For McPherson College, competing at Pebble Beach is about much more than getting a car on the field. It’s about the educational value that comes from the process of working on a project of such magnitude.

When completed, this restoration will highlight both the technical and liberal arts components of our degree. Through the frame-off restoration students will work in every area of the shop: metalwork, paint, chassis, drive train, engine, wood and trim. They will also gain valuable experience in:

  • Historical research
  • Assessment and documentation
  • Project management and organization
  • Presentation skills
  • Communication
  • Professionalism and accountability
Our Mercedes-Benz 300 S will stand as a commitment to our mission to be the center of excellence for restoration education.