Help Chuck Restore his Model T

Let me introduce my friend Chuck Miller.  At age 84, he still works every day.  He is a pillar of the community up here at Top of the World , our remote mountaintop home in Blount County, Tennessee, right next to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. He is a friendly storyteller who keeps a watchful eye over our homes and property. He is a graceful dancer and a competitive clogger. He and his wife, Carol (pictured above), love to go down to Maryville to the weekly dances at the Senior Center.  

Chuck seems unstoppable. He has survived a brain hemorrhage, electrocution, heart attack, and cancer.  And despite losing his right arm in the electrocution accident, he is a resourceful handyman who can fix or build anything. He does it all:  plumbing repair, landscaping, installing garden steps, roofing, even constructing  a lakeside dock and boat house. Chuck does more with one hand than most of us could ever dream of doing with two! 

One of his pet projects was restoring a 1925 Model T Ford to mint condition.  Until recently, I would see him tooling around the neighborhood in this antique car, pleased as punch. But that came to an abrupt halt during the summer of 2016.

As he was descending the mountain on a steep, winding, narrow road, the Ford's clutch went out. With no brake, the only way to stop the runaway car was to turn and crash right into the uphill side ditch, which he did. He was saved, coming away with bruises and sore ribs. But the car was in bad shape: a bent fender and damaged running board.  Chuck's heart was broken.


You see, Chuck's Model T was more than just a joy ride.  He used it to brighten lives by taking it to local high schools and senior centers. He taught teenagers about mechanics and the history of Ford. Residents of retirement homes were delighted when Chuck and his Model T came to  visit. Brightened by memories of days gone by, they got to ride shotgun in the parking lot.  They grinned as Chuck took pictures of them in the driver's seat. 

Unfortunately, the Ford was uninsured and Carol has been very sick this past year.  She has been in and out of the hospital. Paying for her medical care and medicines takes all they have. Carol would love to see Chuck get his Ford running again, but they just can't seem to get enough money together to repair it.  In order to restore a car from 1925, replacement parts have to be fabricated from scratch, which is expensive.  Chuck estimates the cost of repair at $4000. 

Chuck generously gives his time and effort to family and community. In all his years, he has never asked for help. That's why I started this fund for him. Let's do everything we can to get this survivor back on the road! Please donate what you see fit to Chuck's GoFundMe account. Any amount will be deeply appreciated.