Western Nevada College Foundation board member Amy Clemens and Garth Richards, owner of Silver Oak Golf Course, and WNC President Chet Burton inspect some of the $15,000 worth of classic auto parts at the WNC auto body shop donated to the Foundation by Richards.
What looks like an auto part collector’s dream will eventually is going to shape into at least one, and as many as three, vintage Ford Model A closed cab pick-up trucks and a 1931 Ford slant window sedan.
Donated to the Western Nevada College Foundation on behalf of the E.L. Cord Automotive Technology Center by Garth Richards, owner of the Silver Oak Golf Course located near the college in Carson City, the combined parts have an appraised value of $15,000.
“I’ve restored over 100 cars and at one time I had one of the largest auto collections on the west coast,” Richards said. “I heard WNC wanted to reopen its restoration program and thought I could help.”
Chet Burton, WNC president, said the auto body instructors will finalize the full inventory of parts to see what can be put together, and what will be sold to raise the money to complete the restoration. Auto body students will restore the vehicle as an experiential work project.
“We’re excited about the potential of this project,” he said. “There’s no better way than hands on training to benefit students.”
Richards also provided the WNC Foundation discounted use of the golf course for the 16th annual WNC Classic Golf Tournament, held at Silver Oak on Sept. 18.
“Silver Oak is a great partner of the college, just a few short blocks down the street from our campus,” Katie Leao, director of development for the college and director of the WNC Foundation said. “Garth has been very gracious to the college this year, and Silver Oak is always welcoming, not only to use the course, but for any event we have.”
Leao said Richards was excited to be approached by the Foundation to host this year’s tournament, and his support allowed the Foundation to maximize the amount of funds raised during the event.
“The course is beautiful and well-maintained,” Leao said. “The staff members of Silver Oak are always friendly and easy to work with. Garth is a business man and always looking to support WNC. We are grateful for the relationship he has created with us.”