FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:info@drivetowardacure.org
DRIVE TOWARD A CURE PARTNERS WITH CLASSIC CAR BUILDER SHAWN KILLION TO SHOWCASE ’32 FORD ROADSTER “SPEEDWAY SPECIAL” AT 2024 GRAND NATIONAL ROADSTER SHOW
Speedway Signature Series All-Steel 1932 Roadster Made to Support Young-Onset Parkinson’s Disease
LOS ANGELES – JANUARY 25, 2024 – When custom Hot Rod builder Shawn Killion contacted non-profit foundation Drive Toward a Cure to merge their version of Cars and Camaraderie® with his support for Parkinson’s, his latest build of a 1932 Ford Roadster “Speedway Special” was key to both entities bringing awareness to Young-onset Parkinson’s Disease. Killion’s roadster is set to debut at the February 2-4, 2024 Grand National Roadster Show in Pomona, Calif., within the Speedway Motors display area in Building #4, and is expected to be auctioned off later in the year in an effort to raise funds for Drive Toward a Cure’s newest initiative supporting Young-onset Parkinson’s Disease.
Hand-built and assembled by Shawn Killion of Quality Powder Coating in Chula Vista, Calif., this ‘Speedway Special’ 1932 Ford Roadster will debut at the 2024 Grand National Roadster Show and later this year, will be auctioned in support of a Young Onset Parkinson’s Disease directive through national non-profit Drive Toward a Cure®.
The Aardema and Braun prototype Chevy engine boasts a 5.3-liter overhead cam and was designed by the team of Pete Aardema and Kevin Braun – recognized for building award-winning custom racing engines for land speed vehicles.
The period correct styling of this ’32 Ford ‘Speedway Special’ Roadster includes upholstery upgrades by Hot Wills of Chula Vista, CA.
The Speedway Special’s dashboard is constructed with modern carbon fiber, with a polished aluminum instrument panel , Stewart-Warner vintage style gauges – combining classic looks with modern materials and production in this all-steel 1932 Ford Roadster.
Custom Paintwork was provided by GA Coachwork in San Diego, CA with pinstriping and lettering by Todd Howe, and includes homage to charitable non-profit Drive Toward a Cure.
Award-winning hot rod builders and friends, Shawn Killion, Kevin Braun and Pete Aardema (left to right) created the 1932 ‘Speedway Special’ Ford Roadster to bring awareness to Young Onset Parkinson’s Disease. Proceeds raised through a future auction of the car will benefit non-profit Drive Toward a Cure and its directive program for YOPD.
“After speaking with the Parkinson’s Foundation and learning that Drive Toward a Cure had been a longtime donor benefitting patient care specifically, it was a no-brainer to team together,” said Killion. “The Foundation has earned a national reputation for involvement within the automotive community at large to spread awareness for Parkinson’s disease, while raising a significant amount of funds.”
Killion’s 31-year-old son Kieran had been diagnosed with Young-onset Parkinson’s two years prior and it was a goal for Killion to align with an organization that could support the needs of younger individuals that are challenged by the chronic disease. “As most parents know, you always want to help your child – but once they’ve grown, they often get more independent,” expressed Killion. “So, by donating my time, money and effort and aligning within the world I know best, I’m hoping to help in other ways that can benefit Kieran and those that are similarly challenged.”
Over the past several years, Drive Toward a Cure has created its own ‘Special Assistance’ and ‘Asset to Care’ grant giving programs and for 2024, thanks to the generosity of Shawn Killion, will be adding a ‘Young-onset Parkinson’s’ initiative to its collective giving efforts.
According to Deb Pollack, founder of Drive Toward a Cure and longtime automotive executive, her foundation has taken to the roads since 2016, partnering with car clubs, groups, organizations and individuals to raise funds and awareness for Parkinson’s nationwide, with more than $1 million raised for both research and patient care.
“We’ve been on a mission to spread awareness for Parkinson’s while supporting specific directives,” said Pollack. “If we can make a difference in any individual Parkinson patient’s life, whether by providing scholarships that can offer fitness and nutrition programs, financial assistance after catastrophic situations, or creating resources for caregiver assistance, we’ve moved a mountain.”
About The Speedway Special ’32 Roadster
The custom Posies’ Red “Speedway Special”, combines classic looks with quality modern materials and production in an all-steel 1932 Roadster and fills the gap between the do-it-yourself builder and the $150,000 custom built cars. The period-correct 1940’s style dash is the perfect fit for this exclusive roadster and is constructed of modern carbon fiber, while equipped with a polished aluminum instrument panel, and fitted with Stewart-Warner vintage style gauges. Upholstery upgrades by Hot Wills of Chula Vista, CA and Upgraded American Racing Wheels with full polish were provided by Polishing Pros of Santee, CA.
Additional upgrades include:
- 3-liter overhead cam by Aardema and Braun prototype Chevy engine
- Turbo 350 transmission from Performance Transmissions
- Paintwork by GA Coachwork in San Diego, CA
- Pinstriping and lettering by Todd Howe
- Assembled by Shawn Killion, with engine design by Pete Aardema and machinist Kevin Braun, all of San Diego
Background On Roadster Builders Shawn Killion And Pete Aardema
Both San Diego residents, award-winning hot rod builders Shawn Killion and Pete Aardema first became friends after meeting in the early 2000’s while running their land speed cars – and each individually known for record-breaking projects. While the ‘Speedway Special’ is the first build they have partnered together, each has earned additional credibility in the Hot Rod world by separately achieving the most prestigious status at prior Grand National Roadster Shows (GNRS), chosen as contenders for the AMBER awards (America’s Most Beautiful Roadster).
- Aardema is most recognized for building custom racing engines – as in 6.0-liter V12s that earn land speed records – V12s that rev up to about 12,000 rpm and peak at about 750-800 horsepower. In 2018, his 1934 Ford Roadster was the 2018 contender for the ‘Best Engineered’ AMBER car
- Killion’s was recognized in 2017 as a GNRS AMBER contender for his 1928 Model A Hot Rod Lincoln roadster, with a 331ci HEMI engine, Lincoln dash, brakes and running gear — one of 13 contenders for the respected award.
About Drive Toward a Cure:
National non-profit Foundation Drive Toward a Cure raises funds and awareness for Parkinson’s Disease research AND patient care by expanding our message throughout the automotive community at large. Inspired by the camaraderie found within the car culture, the organization’s mission benefits equally from both enthusiast communities and industry professionals. Drive Toward a Cure events harness enthusiasm for cars and driving and turn that power into support for ongoing work to improve the lives of those living with Parkinson’s, as well as the research that will hopefully one day lead to a cure. Since 2016, Drive Toward a Cure has raised more than one million dollars to support BOTH research AND patient care.
Drive Toward a Cure is a 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation supporting beneficiaries including The Michael J. Fox Foundation, the Parkinson’s Foundation, and numerous regional Centers of Excellence for Parkinson’s. Grants are provided through Drive Toward a Cure’s ‘Access to Care’ and ‘Special Assistance’ grant funds, created to support challenged individuals and specific directive programs. For donations, sponsorship and event registration please view www.drivetowardacure.org.
About Parkinson’s Disease:
Affecting nearly one million Americans and 10 million worldwide, Parkinson’s disease is the second-most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer’s and is the 14th-leading cause of death in the United States. The degeneration of dopamine-producing nerve cells can cause abnormal brain activity, leading to tremors, stiffness, rigidity, and impaired movement, as well as non-motor symptoms (e.g., depression and anxiety). There is no cure for Parkinson’s and 90,000 new cases are diagnosed each year in the United States alone.
Young-onset Parkinson’s disease (YOPD) occurs in people younger than 50 years of age, and affects about four percent of the nearly one million people with Parkinson’s in the U.S. (Current estimates are that about 2 percent of the 1 million people with Parkinson’s in the U.S. were diagnosed earlier than age 40). While symptoms are similar to late onset Parkinson’s, YOPD individuals often face challenges at a financial, family and employment level, making focusing on their own wellness and care more difficult.
# # #