Chisholm Automotive students Aaron Stewart and Nick Brown take the 1932 Roadster Hot Rod for its first spin around the Sandown Racecourse on Monday. Picture: Luke Plummer.
By Glen Atwell
FOUR Chisholm Automotive students enjoyed some well-deserved ‘hooning’ at Sandown Racecourse on Monday.
Nick Brown, Richard Patterson, Simon Anstee and Aaron Stewart attended a driver education program before showcasing their 1932 Roadster Hot Rod, a replica model that took 26 weeks to build.
The students participated in every aspect of the vehicle’s development, from installing mechanical components to fitting the body, fabricating guards and preparing painting and finishing the vehicle.
Building the Roadster Hot Rod was integrated into the automotive course at Chisholm’s Dandenong campus.
Under the guidance of highly experienced Chisholm teacher John Wood, the students gained a taste of the skills required of ‘live’ project management, and meeting and interacting with suppliers on a semi-professional level.
“The ’32 Roadster Hot Rod project has been incredible for the students,” Mr Wood said.
“From my point of view, the students have all got something out of the project. They’re learning something new and that gives me a buzz.”
Mr Stewart, a third-year apprentice, said he found the hot rod project both extremely challenging and enjoying.
“Working on this has been awesome and really good fun,” he said.
“I’ve never done anything like this before, so it’s all new. It makes you think a lot more and outside the square, so to speak.
“The motor in the hot rod is a 5.7 Litre V8 taken from a Holden SS Commodore.”
The full cost of the Roadster Hot Rod was more than $55,000, and the vehicle will be auctioned with any proceeds being donated to the Chisholm Institute’s Caroline Chisholm Education Foundation.
