1953 Ford Mainliner won in Symco
By Holly Neumann
During the Symco Hot Rod and Kustom Weekender held on Aug. 10-11, a Fox Valley auto club raffled off a 1953 Ford Mainliner.
The vehicle was purchased, then given to club to restore, by John Spence, who organizes of the event.
The restoration included having the engine rebuilt with performance parts, custom headers with straight pipes and lake pipes and a new clutch kit. They swapped out the rear end for better gearing from a Ford Ranger.
They also installed new brakes and new master cylinders, new shocks, new body repair panels with custom front end and grill, new rechromed bumpers and body work with fresh paint and new radial white walls.
At the request of Spence, the car was to be raffled off, with the proceeds going to the Manawa Area Veterans Freedom Park.
Club members thought it was a great cause.
“2000 tickets were sold out in about 1 1/2 days,” said Jason Roe, club member and chair for the raffle.
Yvonne Ramsell, of Adams-Friendship, was the winner.
“I’m a car fanatic,” she said. “Luckily I have a boyfriend who is also a car fanatic and has been generous enough to allow me to drive his vintage vehicles.”
She went on to say that winning this car is a dream come true.
“I don’t think I’d ever make enough money to have such an incredible custom ride,” said Ramsell. “I cried for two hours when I heard. It took me about 30 minutes to confirm I had won and I was in disbelief until all of my friends started telling me and texting me and calling me.”
Ramsell was competently overcome with gratitude.
“I know how much work goes into creating a custom car and they just nailed it,” she said.
For Ramsell, knowing the proceeds went to the Manawa Area Veterans Freedom Park also had special meaning.
“My father was a Vietnam vet and both my grandfathers served in World War II,” she said. “Being the recipient of the raffle prize of that charity fundraiser just added to my joy.”
Ramsell also gave credit to the Symco Weekender organizers.
“The crew that organizes the show works tirelessly to make it a truly special rockabilly car show and fantastic music event,” she said. “It’s one magical, fantastic time.”