T-Bird 9/11: Gratis Ground-Up Resto For Ground Zero Hero
Filed Under: Aftermarket/Tuners, Etc., Convertibles, SEMA, Ford, History, Automotive News April 16th, 2007 2:09 PM No Comments
Throughout our years as automotive journalists, we’ve never ceased to be amazed at the creative and thoughtful ways that enthusiasts band together to support fellow hobbyists in need.
So it is with the folks at Classic Restoration Enterprises, who have started a ground-up restoration for Ground Zero hero Sergeant John McLoughlin of the New York Port Authority. Buried alive under Tower Two’s rubble on September 11 for more than 22 hours, McLoughlin was rescued only to be placed in a medically-induced coma for some six weeks. The Ford Thunderbird enthusiast endured 27 surgeries during that time, and he’s apparently gone on to have a further 25, with many of them centered upon his drive to regain the ability to walk (doctors were poised to amputate his legs due to his injuries).
In any case, the 9/11 hero (upon whom Oliver Stone modeled Nicolas Cage’s character in World Trade Center) eventually recovered to the point where he was able to bring his battered 1955 T-Bird into Classic Restoration Enterprises. Owner Melvin Benzaquen was apparently so taken with the civil servant’s story that his shop is now performing a comprehensive restoration on the car completely free-of-charge.
You’ll find photos and details of the teardown and rebuild on McLoughlin’s battered ‘Bird at the link below.
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