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In June of 1990, racing history was made when a chicken coop was transformed into a ferocious, pavement-tearing bullet.  To make the event even more interesting to race fans, the former fowl home was driven by a man who many thought would never be able to get behind the wheel of a car.

"Doc" Lavinder was 2 1/2 years old when he was diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis.  Throughout his life, like many people with disabilities, he was told to be "realistic" about the goals he set for himself.  He was told he'd never be able to drive.  To the son of a race car mechanic the proclamations, by doctors and therapists, felt like knives in the chest.  He was determined to surpass all expectations and live the life he dreamed.

One of the major milestones in a man's life is getting his license to drive.  While most people acquire that sacred document in their teens, for Lavinder the milestone was reached late.  Though he'd grown up around cars, he didn't get his license to drive one until 1986, when he was 27 years old.

It didn't take long for Lavinder to begin searching for his dream car.  He accidentally stumbled upon it on a farm he frequently rolled past.  A flock of chickens were using it as their home.  Rust and chicken dung couldn't hide the machine's sleek lines.  He fell in love.  Now he could pursue his ultimate goal, racing. 

He evicted the machine's tenants, cleaned it up, and began a search to determine what kind of car he had acquired.  It turned out to be a rare breed, a 1935 Nash Lafayette Coupe.  Using shoe polish as paint, and his off-beat sense of irony, he named it.  The Severely Disabled Chicken Coupe was born.

The car was adapted to Lavinder's needs.  He was sponsored by R&J Mobility, and they did all his modifications.  A swivel and slide driver's seat made transfers from his wheelchair easier.  The gear shift and gas pedal with extended.  The steering wheel was smaller than most, and had a custom-designed spinner knob.

Lavinder and his Chicken Coupe made their debut in 1990 at the Woodburn Dragstrip's "Oldies But Goodies" race.  His career lasted seven years and ended on the anniversary of his first race.  It rained that day.  The race was cancelled for the first time in its history.

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