NPCC raffle car will stay close to home

The 2023 North Platte Community College raffle car, a 1972 Pontiac Le Mans Sport, won’t have to travel far for two of its upcoming appearances.

The car will be set up from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday at the Hot Rods for Heroes car show in North Platte’s Cody Park then from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 12, the Le Mans will be displayed at the North Platte Walmart.

Raffle tickets will be available for purchase at both locations.

About the car

The Le Mans is the 18th raffle vehicle produced by the college’s Transportation Division. It was restored by students in NPCC’s Automotive Technology and Auto Body Technology programs.

Among the Pontiac’s many features are a LQ4 6.0L engine, 4L80 transmission, four-wheel disc brakes, a Kilduff Shifter and Ford nine-inch, clutch-style Eaton Posi differential.

The car is painted in PPG Lightning Blue, boasts a custom hood and front valance and comes with air conditioning and cruise control amenities.

Upcoming appearances 

The Le Mans will tour the state throughout the summer, making appearances at car shows, parades and cruise night events. A schedule is posted at mpcc.edu/academics/programs/classic-car-raffle.php.  

A total of 10,000 raffle tickets will be offered at a cost of $10 each. Proceeds will be used for scholarships for students in the college’s transportation programs and to help offset the cost of producing the next raffle car project.

Tickets will be sold everywhere the vehicle is displayed, at the welcome centers of Mid-Plains Community College campuses in McCook, North Platte, Broken Bow, Imperial, Ogallala and Valentine and at various area businesses.

The businesses, organizations and individuals selling tickets this year include: Don’s Motor Company, Cohagen Battery Store, Levander’s Body Shop, Grandma’s Memories Antiques and Collectibles, Isabelle’s Auction House, A.J. Janas, Pat Smith, Jody’s Auto Sales and LKQ Corporation, all in North Platte.

MNB Bank and MNB Insurance, in McCook; the Yellow Rose Lounge and Herrick Auto and Marine, in Curtis; Top Notch Auto and Towing and Moe’s Graphics, in Gothenburg; Kent Silvester, in Imperial and Neil Noel, in Beaver City will also have tickets.   

The drawing for the Le Mans will be 2 p.m. Sept. 9 during the annual Colonel Cody’s Cruise Show and Shine in Memorial Park.