Local Teen's Mustang Gets a Makeover From the Make a Wish Foundation

An Elk Grove teen will see his wish become a reality on Monday, when the Make a Wish Foundation presents him with his fully repaired and renovated 1965 Mustang Fastback. 

The wish was coordinated through Golden State Collision Repair Centers and Make-A-Wish Northeastern California and Northern Nevada, according to a press release. Here are the details: 

Michael, 18, will be presented his renovated ’65 Mustang on Monday, April 29, 2013, the 33^rd anniversary date of the very first wish granted by Make-A-Wish. Through a partnership of the Northeastern California and Northern Nevada Make-A-Wish Chapter, Wish Adopter Les Schwab Tire Centers and Golden State Collision Repair Centers, the transformed Mustang will be revealed to Michael on Make-A-Wish’s World Wish Day, at the Golden State Collision Repair Center, 9131 Elkmont Lane, Elk Grove, CA, 95678. 

Golden State Collision Repair Centers was contacted by Make-A-Wish in the winter of 2012 to ask for assistance in granting this wish for Michael. The 1965 Mustang Fastback had been his father’s car, and it was his wish to restore it to its original condition.  Golden State Collision Centers has collaborated with numerous businesses in order to completely restore the vehicle, whose repairs include a complete paint color change, body work, new upholstery, new sound system, glass installation, and new wheels.

“We were approached by volunteers of the local Make-A-Wish chapter to help out on Michael’s wish to refurbish his ‘65 Mustang Fastback. As a company, we are always in search of ways to help our community and its families. When we heard about this wish, we jumped on board to spearhead the renovation of Michael’s vehicle,” said Dave Finkelstein, marketing director of Golden State Collision Repair Centers. “We are delighted to be able to present this wish on the anniversary date of the very first wish granted by Make-A-Wish. Once the word got out on our World Wish Day project, other local businesses readily stepped up to the plate to help out. This is truly a community coming together to help make a wish come true." 

“We are very grateful to Les Schwab Tire Center for adopting Michael’s wish, and for Golden State Collision Repair Center who quarterbacked the refurbishment,” said Jennifer Stolo, CEO of  Make-A-Wish Northeastern California and Northern Nevada. “What makes this wish unique is that Michael has worked on his car alongside the Golden State Collision crew during the preliminary refurbishment. He will surely be surprised when he finally sees the finished product!”

Local vendors, including Les Schwab Tire Centers, American Mustang, Windshield Pros North, LKQ/Keystone Corporation, Upholstery Tech, Genesis Window Tinting, Acme Tops & Tunes, Leland Insurance, and employees of Golden State Collision Repair Centers donated their time and services as part of this program.