Toronto, Ontario -- The launch of Good Will Driving: Fix Network x Rust Brothers Charity Restoration Project premiered on August 14, with a social media post and YouTube video by Fix Network announcing that Episode 1: “1000 Hours” is now live.
Mike Hall of the Netflix show “Rust Valley Restorers” and the Fix Network team will be restoring a classic Firebird to be auctioned, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada.
“We are incredibly proud to launch Good Will Driving: Fix Network x Rust Brothers Charity Restoration Project, which represents the perfect blend of our specialized craftsmanship and our commitment to making a positive impact in the lives of families in need,” said Daryll O’Keefe, vice-president of strategic business development at Fix Network. “As the official charity partner of Fix Network, Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada plays a vital role in supporting families during challenging times by providing them with a safe haven while their children receive medical care.”
In the three-minute-long YouTube video, Fix Auto technical trainer Nick Brown shares about the project’s origin. “One day over breakfast, Daryll and his buddy Mike Hall, you might know him from the Netflix TV series Rust Valley Restorers, came up with a great idea,” he said. “What if Fix Network bought a car from one of Mike’s auctions and then we fixed it up, re-auctioned it off and donated the money and proceeds to the Ronald McDonald House charity?”
That’s exactly what they did. O’Keefe travelled 3,636 kilometres from Toronto to British Columbia, where he won the FireBird in Mike Hall’s auction.
1,000 hours isn’t an exaggeration. Brown explained that the vehicle is covered in mouse feces and BC penicillium, the rocker panel and the inside of the doors are rotten and it needs new fenders and a new frame rail. Brown also describes the quarter panel as “mangled.”
The team has three-and-a-half months to complete the repairs, but O’Keefe is confident they can get the job done with the help from their partners and shops.
“This project not only allows us to showcase our passion for automotive restoration but also enables us to give back to the community in a meaningful way,” O’Keefe told Collision Repair magazine. “The restoration of this classic Firebird will be documented in a series of eight episodes and each episode will provide viewers with an inside look at the restoration journey, including the challenges we face, such as tackling the condition of the car, which requires careful attention due to its previous neglect.”
Supporting partners include Axalta, NAPA Auto Parts, LKQ Corporation, Kent Automotive, DT Tire and 3M.
