Len Hephner found a way to combine his passion for two Talladega institutions – Talladega Super Speedway and the Presbyterian Home for Children.
Hephner, who lives with his wife Jackie on Wiss Lake near Gadsden, donated almost 200 vintage model cars to the Home’s Thrift Store, where they are for sale right now. Many of the models sport NASCAR livery, and many are in their original boxes, making them especially valuable to collectors. Sizes range from 1:64 to 1:12, but most are the popular 1:24 scale.
“Whatever I can do to help the kids, that’s what I want to do,” Hephner said of his gift.
Hephner said he’s collected model cars since he was a kid. Back in the day, car dealers handed out models of their latest cars to customers who took a test drive. Others he picked up at auto parts stores and hardware stores over the years. Many of these models are NASCAR themed.
As with all the merchandise at the Thrift Store in Talladega, proceeds from their sale will support the Home, one of the few organizations in the state caring for Alabama’s homeless boys and girls, along with their female caregivers.
The Thrift Store is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 65364 Alabama 77.
Hephner said he became aware of the Home through his church work, so he’s happy to part some of his collection for a good cause. But he didn’t give away all his treasures.
“I kept one display case of models in my living room,” Hephner said. Most are models of high-performance cars and cars from the 50s and 60s, what he calls his heyday.
