COLTON CAMARO PROJECT

A NOTE FROM GARY ANDERSON...

On September 1, 2004, my wife and I were watching the “Evening News with Dan Rather.”  On this nightly news show they have a feature called Fallen Heros.  On this particular night, they spoke of Lawrence (Shane) Colton.  Chief Warrant Officer II Shane Colton lost his life in Iraq on April 11 when his Apache helicopter was shot down.  Shane Colton left behind his wife Inge` and their eleven year old son Lance.  What really caught my attention was the brief story and bio they did for Shane.

He and his son Lance were building a 1968 Camaro Street Machine.  Lance was working beside his father as they started this project.  The news reported that with his father’s passing, Lance now wanted to finish the car in his father’s honor.  I felt at this point this would be an ideal project for SEMA involvement.  I called Corky Coker, president of the SEMA Board of Directors.  In very short order I received the go signal from Corky.  My wife then contacted CBS to see if we could contact Mrs. Colton.  Permission was granted and I contacted Mrs. Colton and Lance. 

She was overwhelmed and could not understand why we wanted to do this.  I explained the type of people who make up our restoration and performance industry and that our efforts were small compared to the sacrifice her family and husband had made.  After some conversation, she okayed the project with our promise to involve Lance as much as possible.

We located a trade school or car body shop in their area to help with the construction, as this car needed a lot of work.  Our first move was to contact Eckler’s Camaro and the Worldwide Camaro Club.  They contacted their Texas State Representative, Gary Griffith, who with his wife, drove from Houston to Killen, Texas (three plus hours) to photograph and inspect the Colton Camaro.  Gary did a great job and was extremely prompt in getting the material to me for review.  CBS has indicated they wish to do a follow up story on this project.  I have left this up to Mrs. Colton and she has given her okay. 

After meeting these wonderful people, I knew this was the right thing to do.  Lance who was then 12, is a good student and a boy scout.  His mother Inge` seems to be a wonderful person.  I believed that through SEMA and our aftermarket media we can help this family achieve their modest dream of finishing this Camaro.  After all, they have made the ultimate sacrifice for us.

This project was completed and presented to the family at the 2005 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. The Camaro is being stored at SoffSeal's facility. If you are interested in visiting SoffSeal and seeing the car, please contact us for arrangements.

Gary Anderson

President
SoffSeal, Inc.  

email: lleifling@soffseal.com

1-800-426-0902

email: soffseal@soffseal.com

MORE INFORMATION AND PROJECT DETAILS

CW2 LAWRENCE SHANE COLTON

CW2 Lawrence Shane Colton was born October 30, 1971 in Guthrie, Oklahoma to Loren and Kathy Nix. He was raised and educated in Midwest City, Oklahoma. A devoted husband and father, Shane enlisted in the Army in June 1992. He had been stationed in Korea, Fort Hood, and Germany.

His military awards and honors include the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Air Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, 2nd Award, the Nation Defense Service Medal with Service Star, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Non Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, and the Army Aviator Badge.

Shane died Sunday, April 11th 2004 when his AH-64D Apache Longbow helicopter was shot down by insurgents west of Baghdad, Iraq. He and his fellow crewmember were protecting a fuel convoy headed toward the city of Fallujah. Their actions saved the lives of numerous US soldiers and allowed them to fight another day. An amazing man, father, husband, and solider, Shane will not be forgotten. Words and tears of heartfelt thanks have poured in from unit commanders, soldiers, and family members for the ultimate sacrifice he paid to ensure the survival and safety of his fellow man.

Information provided by:pao.hood.army.mil

FALLEN HEROS

1-227th Apache Pilots Honored for Their Sacrifice

For photos and more information please click here.

VIEW THE CBS STORY HERE

See the videos as aired on CBS News
Fallen Hero's Story Inspires | December 23, 2004 19:38:45
Fallen GI's Project Restored | December 22, 2004 19:19:47
When Lance Colton's father was killed in Iraq, the '68 Camaro they were restoring sat abandoned in the garage.

Camaro stored at:

SoffSeal, Inc.
104 May Drive
Harrison, OH 45030

1-800-426-0902

MORE LINKS

Team Camaro - www.camaros.net/colton/index.shtml

Long Island Chevelle Club

Camaros Limited Nor-Cal

Challenger Engine Software - Virtual Engine Dyno