Name: Gerod Shaffer
School: McPherson College
Location: McPherson, Kansas
Areas of interest :
Body & Paint, Engine & Mechanical, Electrical, Historic Vehicle Preservation, Original (Stock) Restoration, Performance Mods / Tuning, Motorcycles
Era of interest:
Gerod’s favorite cars are Pre-War (1900-1939), along with cars from the 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s
What sparked your interest in collector vehicles?
A few things sparked my interest in collector vehicles when I was younger. My family would always take me to car shows or buy me hot wheels, which initially sparked my interest. I became more interested in classic cars when my Grandma began telling me stories about my Grandpa, who would restore cars himself, and showing me pictures of his cars.
What motivates you to pursue a career in vehicle restoration/preservation?
Since I purchased my first truck back in high school, it gave me the motivation to want to fix my own vehicle rather than pay other people to work on it for me. Another aspect of working on cars that motivates me is seeing my work throughout the restoration process up to the finished product, which gives me a sense of accomplishment and feels rewarding.
Favorite vehicle-related experience
My favorite experience so far has been doing the cruise on Main Street with my friends here at McPherson College. Once a month, the town has a cruise on Main Street, and it is a great experience to see everyone’s projects cruise around together.
Do you have a vehicle you’re working on / have worked on? What is it and what kind of work are you doing?
I currently have two project vehicles. My first project was my 1972 Dodge D100, my first truck. I have been doing regular maintenance and upkeep on it, and I hope to do an engine rebuild soon. I also own a 1966 Dodge Charger, which I am currently working on cleaning out and finding parts for.
What are your short-term/long-term career goals?
My short-term career goal is to obtain another internship this next summer to gain more experience within the automotive field and industry. Long-term I would like to work in a shop as a mechanic or to be a museum or collection manager.
What has been the best part of your education / training experience?
The best part of my education experience so far has to be the summer internship that I did at Graveyard Run Restorations in Tennessee. It was such an incredible experience to work in a real restoration shop, and to work with cars I normally would not be able to.
How has the RPM Foundation impacted your education/career path?
The RPM Foundation has impacted my education and career path by helping fund my trip to Tennessee for my internship at Graveyard Run Restorations. With their help and this internship, I was able to earn money to help continue my education at McPherson College.