By Lorie Ham
Jim Brandt has been the Chairman of the Board for the Mennonite Aid Plan since 2012, and a board member since 2004. He considers MAP to be more than just an insurance company. “Our mission is to provide support for people in need when catastrophic things happen to them. We can do that because we are a religious organization that uses our finances to care for the needs of our people.”
He and his wife are very involved in their local church, and they enjoy traveling, and spending time with their grandkids. As he enjoys his retirement, Jim also has more time for hobbies. About a year ago, he began restoring a classic car—a 1957 Pontiac Super Chief two-door hardtop. Since hobbies aren’t high on his priority list, he is taking his time with this one and is still in the process of taking the car apart. “Everything has to be documented so I can remember how to put it back together again. Each part needs to be cleaned and restored to like new condition.”
Jim chose this particular type of car because it is the same type that he drove when he was young. “There are a lot of memories with that first car, so I guess it’s somewhat of a nostalgic trip for me to restore the one that I have now.”
One of the things he enjoys about this project is that he is using his hands to make something better. The experience takes him back to a more carefree time in his life and he sometimes listens to ‘50s music while working on the car. One of the more challenging aspects has been finding the proper parts, which being a member of a nationwide Pontiac Club has helped with.
Jim doesn’t have a time frame for getting the car completed, but he hopes it will be done in time that he and his wife can take it on some short trips and to car shows. “My intention is not that it be a showpiece, but something that we can just enjoy. I suggested to my wife that we may need to find some ‘50s vintage clothing to wear while we are driving it…I suppose the ultimate dream would be to drive it down Route 66 and take in all the nostalgia from those times back then.”
If you too have a classic car that you are working on and wonder what would be involved in getting it insured when you are ready to hit the road, contact Mennonite Insurance and we will be happy to help!
