AUTO SHOP CLASSES PREPARE STUDENTS
LOWER LAKE >> Tucked away along the edge of the Lower Lake High School campus sits a large metal building with big bay doors, and inside is the beginning of something big. The Lower Lake High School Auto Shop is building its first kit car — a replica 1966 Shelby Cobra.
The idea came to life with grant funds and the overwhelming support of the entire community as program instructor John Tyler shared, “We get more sponsorships every day. Mendo Mill donated lumber for the rack to hold the body and Dynamat who donated sound dampening and heat shield material … Riviera Automotive saw we didn't have an alignment machine and donated one.”
Tyler was also able to purchase a virtual reality paint simulator where students can hone their painting skills without the program having to incur the same cost as traditional paint while also sparing everyone the fumes. When students have learned all they can virtually, they get to take on actual paint projects in the facility's full painting booth located next to the shop. Once complete, the Shelby Cobra will be painted blue and white, Lower Lake's school colors, and will be used in parades and car shows until it's auctioned off (similar completed kits sell for over $80,000) in order to purchase another kit and continue the program through what Tyler describes as a “self sustaining system.” Tyler added, “It makes for great community involvement, community effort and community building.”
The kit was purchased from Factory Five Racing as just a frame, body and 40 boxes of parts. Blueprint Engines will
be providing the Ford 306 power plant and gearbox and the cost totaled roughly $60,000. For the build Tyler attended a 3-day class at Mott Community College in Flint Michigan which is located on General Motors land near the GM Headquarters. During this class Tyler was taught how to build the kit in a few days and has brought that knowledge back to class to help facilitate the build with students. Projected to take two years to complete, the students have already assembled the front suspension, front brakes, rear axle and suspension, steering rack and column, foot pedals and the steering wheel. Tyler notes, “We've already made mistakes and have had to go back and redo something, but that's how you learn. By figuring it out. It's the best way to learn.”
The LLHS structural repair and refinish program is a 3-year program with beginner, intermediate and advanced levels and is open to all students.
Currently 145 co-ed students are enrolled in the program and just this past year have begun ICAR Certifications which students can take with them into the workforce. The students can work on their certifications at their own pace taking their tests online from home. According to Tyler, “The kids are taking ownership. The more they dedicate to it, the faster it will be for them.” There are a total of 50 classes for certification and the students are working on class number eight. Many of the program's students have continued their automotive education beyond high school entering into the Wyo Tech and Santa Rosa Automotive colleges. Tyler notes that even more former students are currently working jobs in the community. “I have recent graduates working right now at places like Carlton Cooper Tires in Lakeport and Big O Tires and Tire Pros and Napa Auto Parts in Clearlake, and I couldn't be more proud,” he said, adding, “that's what this program is all about.”
As a fully equipped shop Tyler described the diversity of services and training stating “They do welding, electronics and woodworking, all by installing stereos and speaker housing.” Inside the shop is a completed project, an old school truck, that took four years to finish. The students worked on all aspects of the truck, learning a full range of services from oil and tire changes to body work, paint jobs and complete restorations. Students also repair and maintain their own vehicles, family projects and the vehicles of staff and other students. Included in the curriculum is the history of racing keeping up with current events, Formula One and Indy Car races, and the technology within.
Looking towards the future Tyler has plans to bring electric go-kart racing to the school, getting kids exposed to a new sport and offering them more experience with electronic engines as the state shifts towards electronic vehicles. Tyler stated “The go karts would be a good into to electronic conversions.” To follow along on the Shelby Cobra Kit build you can find more information, videos and photos on the lowerlakemechanicsclub Instagram page.