MAKE A WISH - Henry Pindar

The Saratoga Automobile Museum in Saratoga Springs provided the perfect backdrop for celebrating 19-year-old Henry Pindar’s wish to have his 1970 Chevelle muscle car refurbished. Henry’s wish was granted by the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Northeast New York.

Henry was referred to the Make-A-Wish Foundation in January 2009 when he was being treated for non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma at Albany Medical Center. Henry lives in Middleburgh, New York, Schoharie County. Henry inherited a love for Chevy muscle cars from his late father, who had owned a 1970 red Chevelle with black stripes. Henry had found and purchased a green ’70 Chevelle and wanted to refurbish it to look like his late father’s car. This became the focus of his wish.

But the road to transforming his car was not an easy one. In fact, it would take nearly two full years to bring the project to completion. The chassis was bent from a previous accident and had to be straightened. Then there was a considerable amount of mechanical work to be done, much of which taken care of by the family directly. The Make-A-Wish Foundation’s role in the car makeover was arranging and paying for a new paint job, new wheels, and a totally refurbished interior. Classic Automotive in Brooklyn, New York did the exterior work, and Burnt Hills Upholstery in Burnt Hills, New York did the interior work.

Through its association with the Saratoga Automobile Museum and Trustee Jean Hoffman, the Make-A-Wish Foundation asked if it could do Henry’s “wish reveal” at the museum on August 4, 2011. Taylor Wells, Executive Director, and his staff enthusiastically agreed. Henry and his family were transported to the museum by limousine. When the limo pulled up in front of the museum, Henry’s newly refurbished car was on display and he was warmly welcomed by staff and volunteers from both the museum and the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Foundation CEO, Bill Trigg, III presented Henry with the keys to his “new” car and told him to drive it always in good health.