91-year-old car enthusiast, teen bond over restoring vintage Model A Ford

WASHINGTON (KOMO) — George Sage and his friend Samuel Mpare have created something beautiful.

It started when George, who is 91 years old, went to an ear, nose and throat specialist and found himself having a great conversation with Samuel's mother, Sarah Mpare. George talked about his passion for 1929 Fords, the venerable Model A.

One thing led to another, and George invited Sarah and her children to visit his garage, where he works on his cars.

Samuel, who is an old soul with a keen interest in engineering, was fascinated by what he saw in that garage, and by George, too.

"You know, Samuel started asking questions and you can tell when people ask questions if they are interested," George said. "He wasn’t asking, 'Why is this green?' He was asking questions about the connecting rods, valves and cam shafts. He was asking 'What does this do, what does this do?'"

Samuel started to visit George after school and on weekends. George gave him an engine, and Samuel took it apart and put it back together again. Someone in the Model A Ford Club of America found an old Model A frame and it was presented to Samuel.

Samuel's parents helped him purchase a body, and so began a wonderful, heartfelt project.

As the car took shape, and the end was in sight, Samuel said, "I just want a car, a cool antique car that I can say, 'Yes , that’s my car. I built it.' It’s kind of a sentimental thing."

George and Samuel worked on their car and on their friendship for two years. Samuel learned about old Fords, but also about Washington state history and what the world was like when George was growing up.

The other day, they fired up Samuel's new/old Model A Ford and he took it for a ride.