Official Sept. 11 Memorial: Tricked-Out Chevy!

Their purpose? To participate in an automobile trade show!

The World Trade Center Memorial Foundation today launched “Personal Tributes,” a digital repository which will highlight tributes created in response to the attacks of September 11th, 2001 and February 26th, 1993. “Personal Tributes” is an extension of the “Story Builder” digital archive which the Foundation launched in January. The Foundation will showcase the inaugural personal tribute, a custom-built 1957 Chevy Bel-Air with the World Trade Center etched into the back window, at the Atlantic City Classic Car Show on February 24th and 25th, 2006.

And here, Gretchen Dykstra struggles with the indignity:

“Our website will give voice to the thousands of people who created personal tributes, highlighting the decorated automobiles, motorcycles, flags, handmade quilts, murals, and tattoos. Through ‘Story Builder’ and ‘Personal Tributes,’ we are forming a comprehensive historical record which will honor the story of September 11th. We hope that people around the world will log-on to www.buildthememorial.org to share their own photographs of tributes and to view others,” Dykstra said.

Features include:

 632 C.I.D. highly-modified Big Block Chevy engine

 High performance 4L80E transmission, with custom manual shift valve body with overdrive

 Narrowed Ford 9-inch rear axle with strange axles and center section, braced housing with 456 gear ratio

 Custom red, white and blue pearl paint by Dupont with silver pearl metallic stars on front end, custom fiberglass tilt nose which opens and closes automatically by compressed air

 Customized etching of the World Trade Center detailed by hand and finished in gold metal flake with frosted accents dedicated to the memory of the 9/11

In seriousness, and with all due respect to Aldo McCoy of Brick, N.J., whose customization of this car mirrors the many personal remembrances of Sept. 11 so many made in the helpless-feeling aftermath of the attacks: Doesn't it seem as though personal tributes have their meaning precisely because they are personal? Done on a small scale, and liable to pop up anywhere--like in Brick, N.J.? Something about bringing the show to Atlantic City seems wrong.

(Full press release after the jump.)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, February 22, 2006

WTC MEMORIAL FOUNDATION LAUNCHES 9/11 “PERSONAL TRIBUTES” Travels to Atlantic City Classic Car Show February 24th and 25th with Custom-Built 1957 Chevy Bel-Air “Personal Tribute”

The World Trade Center Memorial Foundation today launched “Personal Tributes,” a digital repository which will highlight tributes created in response to the attacks of September 11th, 2001 and February 26th, 1993. “Personal Tributes” is an extension of the “Story Builder” digital archive which the Foundation launched in January. The Foundation will showcase the inaugural personal tribute, a custom-built 1957 Chevy Bel-Air with the World Trade Center etched into the back window, at the Atlantic City Classic Car Show on February 24th and 25th, 2006.

“As the steward of the Memorial, the Foundation wants to work with people around the world to commemorate those we lost on September 11th, 2001 and February 26th, 1993” Foundation President & CEO Gretchen Dykstra said. “After September 11th, the instinct of so many people was to pay tribute to those who died. Scores of personal tributes were created and the Chevy Bel-Air is just one of them.

“Our website will give voice to the thousands of people who created personal tributes, highlighting the decorated automobiles, motorcycles, flags, handmade quilts, murals, and tattoos. Through ‘Story Builder’ and ‘Personal Tributes,’ we are forming a comprehensive historical record which will honor the story of September 11th. We hope that people around the world will log-on to www.buildthememorial.org to share their own photographs of tributes and to view others,” Dykstra said.

On February 24th and 25th, The Foundation will travel to the Atlantic City Classic Car Show with a 1957 Chevy Bel-Air, custom-built by Aldo McCoy of Brick, New Jersey, to inaugurate “Personal Tributes.” The Chevy, which took four years to custom-build, is painted in stars and stripes and has a customized etching of the World Trade Center detailed by hand and finished in gold metal flakes dedicated to the memory of September 11th, 2001. Aldo McCoy said, “After September 11th, I wanted to do my part to ensure that people never forget the tragedy of that day. The 1957 Chevy Bel-Air has been custom-built and designed as a tribute to the World Trade Center, to the city I love, and to everyone lost. For four years, I restored this all-American vehicle alongside New Yorkers who were restoring their city. I am proud of my tribute and know that it will inspire others to do their part to honor the victims and heroes of September 11th for years to come.” Gretchen Dykstra said, “Bringing the 1957 Chevy Bel-Air to Atlantic City is an exciting way for us to kick-off ‘Personal Tributes.’ We are happy to inaugurate this initiative with someone of Aldo’s talent and to reach out to those in New Jersey who lost so many on September 11th. We hope that hot-rod enthusiasts, car lovers, and everyone interested in building the Memorial will join us this weekend at the Atlantic City Classic Car Show.” The 1957 Chevy Bel-Air, which won 1st Place at the Old Glory Cruisers Car Show in Freehold, New Jersey on July 9th, 2005 is custom-fitted with the following:

 632 C.I.D. highly-modified Big Block Chevy engine

 High performance 4L80E transmission, with custom manual shift valve body with overdrive

 Narrowed Ford 9-inch rear axle with strange axles and center section, braced housing with 456 gear ratio

 Custom red, white and blue pearl paint by Dupont with silver pearl metallic stars on front end, custom fiberglass tilt nose which opens and closes automatically by compressed air

 Customized etching of the World Trade Center detailed by hand and finished in gold metal flake with frosted accents dedicated to the memory of the 9/11 More than 1,000 classic, custom and collectible cars will be on display at the 32nd annual Atlantic City Classic Car Show for the largest show in the event’s history. The Foundation and the 1957 Chevy Bel-Air will be located at booth 2002. To arrange for press credentials, please contact Stephanie Rice, JMPR Public Relations at srice@jmprpublicrelations.com.

High resolution images of the 1957 Chevy Bel-Air “Personal Tribute” can be downloaded at http://www.buildthememorial.org/pressimages.

-more-

ABOUT THE WORLD TRADE CENTER MEMORIAL FOUNDATION

The World Trade Center Memorial Foundation, Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation established to raise funds as well as build and operate the Memorial and Memorial Museum at the World Trade Center site. The Memorial, “Reflecting Absence,” will remember and honor the thousands of people who died in the horrific attacks of February 26th, 1993 and September 11th, 2001 and recognize the endurance of those who survived, the courage of those who risked their lives to save others, and the compassion of all who offered their support in the aftermath. “Reflecting Absence,” designed by Michael Arad and Peter Walker, was selected from among 5,201 submissions from 63 countries in what was the largest design competition in history. Donations can be made through the Foundation’s website, and more information on the Foundation can be found at www.buildthememorial.org.

Construction on the Memorial and Museum is expected to begin in the spring of 2006, with completion slated for 2009.

###

Contact: The World Trade Center Memorial Foundation at 212-312-8800