Special to the NEWS
HARLINGEN—Classic automobile aficionado Jesus Reyna, an instructor in the Auto Collision and Management Technology program at Texas State Technical College, has educated his students about the restoration process of vehicles for two years now.
His latest project is a 1927 Durant touring car that the students began working on last year. “I have experience building classic hotrod cars,” Reyna said. “Since our college offers the Sheet Metal Fabrication and Structural Analysis and Damage Repair courses, it was a perfect opportunity for the students to experience building a hotrod.”
The students have recently learned about frame design. “They are learning about the tools and skills that come with the fabrication of sheet metal and the structure of vehicles,” Reyna said. “They merged two different frames from two separate vehicles and worked on the construction of the body. The pending tasks are body work and refinishing. The students have created each part of the body panels by hand. Additionally, they have learned how the construction process starts from the beginning. The 1927 Durant touring car should be completed in about six months.”
Jorge Guevara, of Weslaco, is studying for an Associate of Applied Science degree in Auto Collision and Management Technology – Repair Specialization. He said it is great to learn from Reyna, who has 15 years of industry experience. “I have learned that the structure of a hot rod has more precise measurements than a modern car,” Guevara said. “Each student has been able to solve a problem through Mr. Reyna’s step-by-step instruction. That involves body work such as welding, applying body filler, and measuring that leads to a good structural finish.”
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