By BOB KIEVRA
Telegram & Gazette

WORCESTER, Mass. (AP) _ From the rotted trunk floor to the broken turn signals, the 1967 Ford Mustang arrived with a failing grade at Worcester Technical High School in late 2012.

“My initial reaction when it rolled in _ and it rolled in _ was how are we going to get this back together?” said Victor Mairena, a 2013 Worcester Tech graduate.

More than two years and hundreds of work hours later, the burgundy two-door coupe received high marks Tuesday as school, state and local officials marveled at a restored classic car that will be raffled off next month.

The six-cylinder Mustang, with 116,960 miles, was donated by John Hanify of Belmont after he viewed a segment on NBC’s “Today” show about the Skyline Drive school.

Politicians, including Lt. Gov. Karyn E. Polito and Mayor Joseph M. Petty, were among the first to purchase raffle tickets, which cost $50 each, with a maximum of 500 to be sold.

The car was recently appraised at $12,500 and likely cost about $3,200 when it first appeared in dealerships, said Clifford A. Worthley, automotive technology department head.

The engine and transmission are original and remain in good condition while the vehicle body was stripped, sanded, primed and painted, said Sean Wood, an automotive collision instructor. The original interior is in good condition.

“The Mustang was an icon of the `60s and `70s,” he said. “The kids working on this understood that.”

“It was a great project to have,” said Mary O’Malley, vocational director. “The students work on cars but nothing like this.”

LKQ New England and NAPA donated parts for the automobile restoration.

The Mustang raffle will be part of an Italian dinner fundraiser from 5 to 9 p.m. on May 6 at the school. Proceeds will benefit the Skyline Technical Fund, a nonprofit which supports programs, students and faculty at Worcester Technical.

A silent auction and other raffle items will be featured at the dinner. Raffle tickets are available through the school’s automotive technology program or the main office.