BRCP selling Pontiac Firebird as fundraiser for Auto Collision program

The car restoration legacy of Ty Branson is secure.

The Blue River Career Programs graduate is now back where he first found his love of car restoration trying to inspire the next generation.

“I own my shop here in town. I restore old cars. It’s all I’ve done the last 14-15 years around here,” said Branson. “I couldn’t hire anybody. I would always ask (BRCP) if they have any kids. I kept getting told you can’t get kids to do anything anymore.

“So when the position became available (at BRCP), I went to school here 36 years ago and it was the best thing I ever did … I’ve reached a point in my life where I couldn’t hire anybody to continue doing what I was doing. I could take this opportunity to give back and see if I can’t change that.”

Branson (photo) is now in his third year as the Auto Collision instructor at BRCP.

“When I first started here, I had five kids that took my class. Out of five kids that took my class, four of them graduated,” said Branson. “Thirteen took my class the second year. This year, most of them were seniors, some juniors, and I have six in work-based learning from my class that are going out in the field and actually working. That is better than they’ve had in 10 years.”

The Auto Collision program has grown to the point that the class limit is capped at 20 students.

Branson takes great pride in developing interest in the field for both young men and young women. Now he wants to modernize the program with new equipment.

“Some of these tools were here when I was here 36 years ago,” he explained. “We are trying to get into some of the more modern equipment, like paint guns. Everything I am trying to get them using is exactly what they would use if they leave here and go to Lester’s (Body Shop) or Sandman (Brothers Inc.) or Ray Skillman (Auto Shop). When they walk in, they will be using the same stuff we are using here.”

To help raise funds for Branson’s program, BRCP is selling a 1994 Pontiac Firebird (photos) with less than 140,000 miles that has been on site for several years.

“It has a new fuel pump in it. It got a new battery in it last year. It spent all last year in the auto mechanic (area),” said Branson. “It’s not rusted. It’s a V-6. It’s not anything high dollar but these cars will come back around and be worth something.”

All proceeds from the sale of the vehicle will go to the Auto Collision program at BRCP.

Branson was once a young kid without a focus. Finding an instructor that believed in his work made all the difference. That’s why he jumped at the opportunity to return to the BRCP classroom.

“This gives (students) something to look forward to in the future,” said Branson. “Something they can be proud of that they can do that not a lot of people can do. It made a big difference for me. That’s why I am sentimental to it.

“In 20 years, I will get to see what these kids are doing. You never know what the world is going to bring and what’s in front of us. It would be cool to be able to see. They are like my own kids basically. They grow up taking my class and go out in the real world and become adults and see what they are able to do.”

Branson’s classes are busy daily. He looks for just the right projects to bring to the building.

“I pick and choose what we bring in according to what the kids are interested in or what’s going to get us the best opportunity for success for the kids,” he said. “I don’t mean the easiest. I mean when the kids look at it and when they get done with it. They can see the most substantial change.”

If you have interest in helping the Auto Collision program at BRCP, contact Branson at tbranson@brcp.k12.in.us

If you have interest in purchasing the Firebird, contact BRCP Director Jeremy Powers at 317-392-4191 or email jpowers@brcp.k12.in.us

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