We begin with a little back story...

So we got some bad news. Ben's football injury was not healing correctly. apparently the first surgery was not successful, so now Suzanne is having to find another surgeon to repair issues from the last surgery. Ben had suffered a hamstring avulsion fracture in a football game the beginning of his sophomore year of high school.

An avulsion fracture occurs when the hamstring muscle tendon pulls a fragment of the ischial tuberosity (sitting bone) away from your pelvis. The piece of bone that Ben tore away was HUGE and the chances to repair it correctly were few, and we already wasted one surgery and a significant amount of recovery time. Suzanne (my wife) found a doctor that specializes in cases just like Ben's. Unfortunately he is in Indiana, and we are in Central Texas.

They drive to Indiana for the appointment. After the consultation, we find out that the previous surgeon had used an old technique to remedy Ben's injury, one that apparently hadn't been being used for several years. Not good news. We are upset. Ben is upset. The doc tells Suzanne and Ben that he has made his career successfully repairing botched jobs done by other surgeons attempting this complicated repair.

Ben goes under the knife. The surgery is a success, but not without issues. The doctor tells both my wife and son that Ben will be able to use his leg the same way he used to, with one caveat - he can not longer play football. Ever. Another hit to the leg and it will be beyond repair.

Ben looks like he takes the news in stride. Suzanne and I are heartbroken. You see, Ben has always loved football. Its all he has ever wanted to do, all he has ever wanted to see, and all he ever talks about. It was a part of him. And now he found out that part is over. Suzanne and I wait for the shoe to drop. Its only a matter of time before the reality of the doctor's words sink in. And it does.

We needed to find a good healthy replacement for football - something that would keep both father and son alike engaged. Mom had a great idea... why don't you all build a car?

Enter one 1978 Pontiac Trans Am. And we are off to the races...

Ben got the inspiration to restore this particular car from photos he had seen of my 78 Trans Am from back in the day:

Houston Texas, my 78 T/A and my younger brother, Josh

My 1978 Pontiac Trans Am