¦ March 8, 2009
LIFE IN THE FAST LANE WITH SAM SCHMIDT
Press Release

During the very short off-season from his racing schedule, Sam Schmidt has been working on a project to rebuild a cool classic vehicle to suit his needs as a person in a wheelchair.  He was recently asked for a progress update.  Sam replied, “For background, I have been a ‘car guy’ all of my life. Before paralysis, I never really drove current model year cars, but instead chose to drive everything from the 1930's to the 1970's, with an emphasis on muscle cars.  After my injury, I chose to sell everything except for a 1967 Camaro RS convertible that has been in the family since I was 14.  If I couldn't drive it or ride in it, I didn't want it. 

“After being ‘confined’ to a conversion van more suited to a 60 year old for several years, I decided to design something more in line with my taste.  Being 58 inches tall in my chair, the options were limited.  I looked at everything from old Suburbans to milk trucks to school buses and finally decided on the 1954 Ford F100 Panel truck because of its cool style and high roof.  The drama was still being able to get inside as the stock height is only 45 inches.  To solve the problem, the only option was to convert a 50 year old vehicle into a front wheel drive platform. 

“My friends at Green's Auto Dismantling in Oklahoma City, OK assisted by providing a complete 2005 Cadillac Sedan de Ville chassis.  It was quite a process, but we merged the Ford body with the original Cadillac chassis, to create a nostalgic looking vehicle with modern reliability and options like air conditioning, power everything and OnStar.  Braun Mobility made the access easy and straightforward with their ramp system and controls, while Todd Tapply (my IndyCar crew chief from 1998) completed much of the electrical and fabrication work.  I hope to have it in the paint shop by summer and completed in time for the annual SSPF golf tournament fundraiser this fall.” 

To see photos from start to current day, click here.