KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce knows how to make an appearance before an NFL game. The scene was no different last Sunday night when Kelce arrived at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium before the team's game against the Los Angeles Chargers. Except this time the flash bulbs weren't just on Kelce, but on a 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle that Kelce drove to the game. Emmanuel Gonzalez was one of 80 Kansas City-area high school students who helped to restore the car. He called seeing Travis arrive in the car "amazing." “It was like, ‘Maybe one day I'll be able to see him drive that car,’ and then actually being able to see him drive it—wow, that’s crazy.” Gonzalez is part of MindDrive and Operation Breakthrough, programs supported by Kelce. The students refurbished the Chevelle into a fully electric vehicle. “For Kelce to do this in the middle of the season, when he has bigger things to focus on, that’s just another example of how invested he is in the community,” said Oz Qureshi, director of MindDrive. Operation Breakthrough is a local nonprofit that offers educational programs for children across the metro area. It all started with a rusty car found in Springfield, Missouri. Three years and $150,000 later, the Chevelle looks—and in many ways sounds—like new. “It doesn't make any noise anymore, but it's definitely a lot faster than it used to be,” said Qureshi. “When you see a 1969 Chevelle, and you think, ‘Oh man, that thing’s got a rumble.’ But then you turn it on, and it’s completely silent,” said Gonzalez. “What better way to honor a classic than to put the fastest motor you possibly can in it?” said Qureshi.
It’s not just the engine. The interior of the car is refurbished as well. The classic Chevy dashboard has been upgraded to a digital display. “It shows everything—all the stats: the temperature of the batteries, how much torque is going into the actual motor,” said Carlos Alonzo Cordon, a former student and now staff member for Operation Breakthrough. They also made sure to preserve the original features of the car while making it a “daily driver.” “It’s got all the conveniences that you would want in a car,” said Qureshi. The muscle car has driven students to be better versions of themselves. “This car has really been a platform for me, not just to inspire others, but to inspire myself further,” said Gonzalez. Operation Breakthrough is selling raffle tickets for a chance to win the car. Sales continue until September next year.
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It’s not just the engine. The interior of the car is refurbished as well. The classic Chevy dashboard has been upgraded to a digital display. “It shows everything—all the stats: the temperature of the batteries, how much torque is going into the actual motor,” said Carlos Alonzo Cordon, a former student and now staff member for Operation Breakthrough. They also made sure to preserve the original features of the car while making it a “daily driver.” “It’s got all the conveniences that you would want in a car,” said Qureshi. The muscle car has driven students to be better versions of themselves. “This car has really been a platform for me, not just to inspire others, but to inspire myself further,” said Gonzalez. Operation Breakthrough is selling raffle tickets for a chance to win the car. Sales continue until September next year.
