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Industry donates parts and service to revamp dream car |
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Thursday, 05 April 2007 |
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McLoughlin's 1955 Ford Thunderbird.
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Keystone Automotive Industries has joined industry efforts to restore the dream car of John McLoughlin, a 9/11 hero and the inspiration for the Nicholas Cage movie “World Trade Center.” Keystone’s donation of nearly $2,200 in parts will be used by Classic Restoration Enterprises to get McLoughlin’s 1955 T-Bird in safe driving condition.
McLoughlin, a retired Sergeant of the New York Port Authority Police, was seriously injured after being buried for more than 22 hours and enduring the collapse of both World Trade Center buildings. Since then, he has undergone over 50 surgeries and has re-gained the use of his legs. Surviving all this, McLoughlin was disappointed to discover that his recently purchased 1955 Ford Thunderbird was in such problematic and unsafe conditions it was unfit to be driven. Hearing his story, Melvin Benzaquen, owner of Classic Restoration Enterprises in Pine Island, NY, pulled together members from the automotive aftermarket industry, including Keystone Automotive, to take on this project free of charge.
“We are privileged to have the opportunity to be a part of making John McLoughlin’s dream car a reality,” stated Dan Downs, General Manager of Keystone’s Newburgh, NY branch. “With this gesture we would like to express our gratitude to Sergeant McLoughlin and the many others who sacrificed their lives on that horrible day in 2001.”
The 55 T-Bird will be presented to McLoughlin at the 2007 SEMA Show.
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