Make-A-Wish, Come True

We were fortunate to have a special guest at the January 13, 2013 Pomona Swap Meet, who flattered us by including us in his WISH.

In many ways, Liam Malcolm is your typical 13 year old tween, with a not so typical story. Liam lives in New South Wales, Australia, and like his father is a “car nut”. He loves spending time working on his 1964 Ford Falcon XM Ute, and he just got back from the trip of his lifetime! There were a few highlights of his trip to California… the customary visit to see the sights of Los Angeles and the must see attractions at Disneyland, and the not so usual trip to the Pomona Swap Meet and Classic Car Show, as well as a visit to meet famed hot rod designer/builder/artist Chip Foose, who also stars in Overhaulin’. So why did this “typical boy” fly out to California for this unique opportunity? It was his Make-A-Wish dream.

When he was diagnosed with Leukemia, Liam’s two-fold dream of attending the Pomona Swap Meet and meeting Chip Foose was submitted to Make-A-Wish Australia. Make-A-Wish Foundation is comprised of “nearly 25,000 volunteers” who work together to “serve children with life-threatening medical conditions” (http://www.wish.org/about/our_mission). Every 38 seconds a wish is granted, thanks to the time, energy and resources of the individuals who participate in the Make-A-Wish mission. And Liam was one such recipient.

Make-A-Wish Australia contacted the Malcolm family and set the wheels in motion to fulfill Liam’s dream. Prior to the trip, Liam put some extra time into working on his 1964 Ford Falcon XM Ute, so that he knew exactly what parts he needed to search for at the Pomona Swap Meet. He and his father have visited many auto swap meets in their native Australia, but had always heard about “Pomona”. Liam received some spending money, donated by the Make-A-Wish Foundation and family friends. He also saved some money he had earned from doing miscellaneous jobs, in anticipation of his shopping trip to the Pomona Swap Meet.

The Malcolm Family, Sonja (mom), Donald (dad), Ben (brother) and Liam, flew to California the week prior to the January 13^th Pomona Swap Meet. First on the agenda, was to check out the Pomona Swap Meet and after that he would meet Chip Foose. The morning of the swap meet, the Malcolm family arrived at the Fairplex to be greeted with a Radio Flyer wagon filled with Pomona swag including shirts, hats, posters, and stickers. With his wagon in tow, Liam set off to explore the vast expanses of the event.

As he searched the swap meet, Liam was fortunate enough to find a Toploader 4-speed gearbox and a ’65 Mustang strut brace, which he needed to put in his car for the V8 conversation. According to Liam, he was most excited about the Toploader. “I was pretty happy to find that, especially because… we took the plate off and all the gears inside were in great condition.” He and his brother Ben also found several model cars to build, which was one way Liam passed time in the hospital, during his treatments. He continues, “I [also] found a reverse lockout shifter on eBay while I was over there and the guy shipped it to a friend in California, who is shipping all this stuff home for me.” So are there any other parts that Liam is still looking for? “Yes! But not much anymore. I still want a 289/302 Cobra oil pan and I need a rear quarter panel.” Liam has a great vision of what he wants his car to look like, as he also spent much of his time in the hospital researching, planning and drawing his Falcon project. Many of the people at the swap meet, who were lucky enough to talk with Liam about his project, were amazed at his knowledge and passion for cars.

When asked about his Pomona visit Liam said, “It blew me away!! The size of it… there were too many cars and stall[s] to count.” And his favorite part? “The good people, everyone who helped out. The guys who helped [me] pay for my Toploader, which meant I could get a bell housing and all the other gear I needed when I got home and getting the wagon (which was generously donated by a swap meet vendor). We would have been stuffed without it. It’s coming home to Australia with my gearbox to do more swap meets here… but ours are heaps smaller so it won’t have to do as many miles. It will stay a low mileage cart.” He recalls his trip to California, “The best parts were Pomona and meeting Chip Foose. He drew a concept drawing of what I want my car to look like when it’s finished.”

Liam is now over 12 months post-treatment and in remission. So what is Liam’s next car restoration plan? “The Falcon will take about 2-3 years, so it’s ready for me to get my Learners License. Not sure what’s next on the agenda, but I might build a custom trailer to go behind my Falcon, so I can do the swap meets,” he says.

Liam’s story is a refreshing reminder that dreams do come true!

– Amy Strange