The Automotive Technology Department agreed to pursue Tri-C Cobalt Challenge project.
To get things rolling we called other colleges that had done similar projects to learn from their experiences. The Tri-C Public Affairs and Visual Communications departments offered suggestions on how to move the project ahead. The car was ordered from Chevrolet. In the meantime, we got estimates for a custom paint job that would be designed by a Visual Communication student.
The project was given a green light to proceed by Dr. Guy Hutt, Associate Dean of Business, Math & Technology, Dr. Michael Thomson, Dean of Academic Affairs, and Dr. Patricia Rowell, Western Campus President.
Gained Automotive Technology Advisory Committee Approval of Project.
Conducted a phone survey of other Colleges that had customized cars to find out what worked well for them and what did not.
Met with a representative from Public Affairs and Visual Communications departments to explain the project and solicit involvement.
Obtained estimates for painting of car. This was the one phase of project that had to be outsourced because we do not have an Auto Body Program.
Took delivery of the car, a red 2006 SS Cobalt with 2.4 liter Ecotec engine, 5 speed manual transmission and charcoal gray cloth interior.
Held first project meeting with Rudy Stralka and Al Wasco, both Asst. Professors in Business Math & Technology Department, to discuss project and gauge involvement of Marketing and Visual Communications students.
Held second project organizational meeting.
Public Affairs took series of photos of car before modifications started.
Al Wasco's Visual Communications students prepared a design brief to explain the project to others.
Held first student club meeting.
Met with owner of local company that provides custom turbo charging packages. Ultimately determined not to pursue turbo charging at this time.
Held second student club meeting. Al Wasco brought some Visual Communications students to gain their input.
Ordered first performance parts selected by Club members (brake and suspension).
Sent out first round of requests for donations to various performance parts manufacturers.
Received promotional posters designed by students from Al Wasco's class.
Sent out second round of donation requests.
Received nitrous kit from Zex manufacturing.
Automotive Technology students started first work on car. They installed front coil overs and rear shocks and springs. The front sway bar was removed. The brake calipers were disassembled for powder coating.
A representative from Public Affairs took photos of the students installing the upgrades.
A Tri-C Cobalt Challenge logo was prepared by the Visual Communication Students. This logo would be used on t-shirts, posters and other promotional items.
Met with group from Automotive Excellence, a body shop in North Royalton to discuss painting of car and applying student designed graphics.
Kicked off contest in Automotive Department for students to design a custom paint scheme for the Cobalt.
Picked up brake calipers and sway bars after they were powder coated.
Received donated tires from Bridgestone/Firestone.
Received donated tires, custom wheels, interior trim, chrome pedal covers and ground effects from General Motors.
Students installed Injen cold air intake.
Forwarded design template to faculty and coordinators throughout the Western Campus for students to submit entries for the paint scheme contest.
Students installed performance brake calipers and rotors.
Submitted proposal to present the Tri-C Cobalt Challenge Project at the 2007 Conference On Information Technology held by the League for Innovation.
Students, working with Tim Beck, audio expert and owner of Safe Systems, started installing audio system.
Reached agreement with Tech Prep to sponsor part of the cost to paint the car.
Purchased Katzkin custom leather seat skins.
Received donation of a custom performance exhaust from Corsa.
Corsa performance exhaust was installed.
Presented gift certificate for the book store to Remington Phillips for submitting the winning paint scheme entry.
Nitrous System was installed.
Started the custom paint process.
Reserved CobaltChallenge.org URL.
Front grill fitted and mounted.
Picked up Cobalt from Body Shop with custom painting completed.
Took Cobalt to Summit Motorsports Park with students from Automotive Technology and various Visual Communications and Design Classes for a combination photo/video shoot of the car at the Drag Raceway.
Visual Communications and Design students and faculty held a "glamour" photo shoot of the Cobalt in the Advanced Automotive Technology Center.
Started taking car to various High School Automotive Programs to demonstrate to students.
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