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Our Mission

“Restoring Heroes and Hotrods”

To design & build cars and restore dreams for Americans disabled in combat.

One car, one Hero, one dream at a time.

What is Wounded Wheels?  Wounded Wheels is a program designed to bring together disabled heroes and discarded classic automobiles in a way never thought of previously.   Wounded Wheels will restore a dilapidated American classic car and tailor it to a specific disabled veteran and in so, will help rebuild the life and return mobility freedom to a deserving veteran.  When brought together,  the Hero and the vehicle will come together to be greater then the sum of what began.

Why FantomWorks created the “Wounded Wheels” Program:  Here at FantomWorks we understand the price of our everyday freedom. We understand that it comes at the sacrifice of our American fighting men and women around the world. These heroes who have given their lives, their well being, and of course, daily, their own personal freedoms and time to guarantee our freedom. 

How is Wounded Wheels funded?  Wounded Wheels is a federally recognized 501(C)(3) limited liability company founded solely for the purpose of developing and building dream cars for wounded heroes.   As such, we rely on donations to fund the cost of the materials to build the vehicle, custom modified powered wheel chair, and the integration systems that bring them seamlessly together.  FantomWorks donates much of the R&D and production labor to restore and modify the vehicles.  Donations of Classic Automobiles, Parts, and of course funds are always welcome and are tax deductible.  On 20 December Wounded Wheels received a huge Christmas gift in the form of a $30,000.00 donation to help get the program going.

A few specific details about Wounded Wheels: If a solider has been paralyzed and can no longer drive a conventionally operated vehicle, Wounded Wheels will build that solider a car that will not only be wheel chair friendly but will also be wheel chair capable and operational.  A modified powered wheel chair will be tailored for the soldier’s specific needs and adapted to enter the classic car and become part of that car as the driver’s seat. What this means is the solider will be able to enter, exit and operate the car without additional assistance from any other persons and in a time frame similar to any other driver.  It is our goal to provide a vehicular mobility degree-of-freedom similar to individuals without any disabilities.  It is our profound hope to change the lives of these soldiers by giving them the ability to not only drive, but to drive the car of their dreams.

          With the creation of Wounded Wheels we are taking on challenges believed by most seriously disabled individuals to be impossible. These challenges will be completed through advancements in disabled driving integration systems, advanced military battery systems, and pioneering R&D efforts of the Wounded Wheels team. We will work diligently to design and create whatever modification are needed in order to complete the given task. 

          I was labeled a “disabled veteran” by the military upon discharge from the Army in 2005.   As the founder of Wounded Wheels, I have met ”truly” disabled veterans and fully comprehend what it means to be disabled and then in reflection realize just how lucky I am and truly undeserving of the label that I was given.  I am extremely personally involved in this program and will work tirelessly to improve the lives of as many wounded Heroes as I can. 

                                                                                                   Daniel R. Short