Iowa man restores car abandoned for decades in honor of previous owner -- a fallen Vietnam soldier

Tom Brink brought his crimson and white 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air the classic car show at Bellevue’s Riverfest on Saturday. The car had belonged to Michael Heller, one of Brink’s high school classmates, who left it behind when he went to serve in the Vietnam War, where he was killed.

ANNA BAUMAN/THE WORLD-HERALD

By Anna Bauman

Tom Brink bent over the front end of his crimson 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air with a rag, polishing the engine until it shined.

Brink and his wife, of Dow City, Iowa, were among hundreds who participated in the classic car show at Bellevue’s Riverfest on Saturday at American Heroes Park.

The 17th annual community event spanning Friday and Saturday included a carnival, beer garden, helicopter rides, food and other vendors and live music.

This year’s festival took place across the street from Haworth Park, where it is usually held, after Missouri River flooding forced a change in venue. The barbecue contest was the only event canceled.

FULL story: https://www.omaha.com/news/metro/bellevue/iowa-man-restores-car-abandoned-for-decades-in-honor-of/article_a876b8e9-f7e1-525e-99ea-5ba146dcab06.html