Chev COE raises $580K for MND research

The NTI Townsville 500 Supercars round saw National Transport Insurance (NTI) draw the winner of their latest fundraising raffle for Motor Neurone Disease (MND) research, with the winner receiving ‘Daphne’; a customised classic Chevrolet COE truck with a new engine and other modern touches.

The latest in a series of annual raffle vehicles provided by NTI, Daphne combines a 1954 Chev 5700 COE cabin with a 1969 Chev C20 pickup chassis and reproduction pickup tub. A Chevrolet Performance LT1 crate engine, producing 343kW and 881Nm, was fitted, along with a Chevy Camaro six-speed automatic transmission and Ford 9-inch diff.

Other upgrades included four-wheel disc brakes, LED lighting and 18-inch alloy wheels. The COE was repainted in Toyota ‘Hot Lava’ metallic orange, with the original grille and bumpers re-chromed.

In the cabin, a custom leather beach seat, custom steering wheel and column were fitted, along with air conditioning, power windows, a modified instrument pod with Dakota Digital gauges and a Pioneer sound system.

Matt Stone Racing did the build, with parts and assistance provided by GM Australia & New Zealand, AC Delco, Hughes Stepsides, PPG, Addlife Timber Australia and others.

Tickets to win Daphne went on sale in April, with almost 30,000 purchased ahead of the draw at the NTI Townsville 500 in July. Queenslander Peter Rodney was the lucky winner.

Total ticket sales of $580,000 is the highest in the six-year history of NTI’s fundraising raffles, with the entire amount going to MND research in Australia.

“Daphne has set a new record for the most funds raised of any of our restored vehicles, and we’re thrilled so many people have supported this important cause,” said NTI CEO Tony Clark. “We are committed to supporting research to help find treatments and, ultimately, a cure for MND.”

Matt Stone, of Matt Stone Racing, added: “We always like when records are broken, especially when it’s for such a good cause. It was really good to see all the hard work and commitment from everyone involved coming out in a successful end result.”

Daphne brings the total raised by NTI for MND research over the past six years to more than $2 million.