Pokin Around: Nino has a new classic Mustang; the skies opened and love poured down

I am not surprised that so many people love Nino Welcome.

The 7-year-old with a rare disease struggles to express himself. His hands clench tighter the more he struggles to deliver his words.

But, oh, that smile!

When his eyes shine and he holds my hand, I'm a goner.

But I had no idea so many people love Ford Mustangs.

So when these two worlds collided in July — Nino and the car he cherished, the restored 1970 Ford Mustang Mach I that was destroyed — the skies opened and affection poured down on the boy and his family.

Today, they give thanks.

"He has received all kinds of love," says his mom, Tonia Welcome.

Thanks to that breadth of kindness, Nino has a new car — a 1969 Ford Mustang GT.

It will not be orange and black like the one vandalized.

The first car was given to Nino for his birthday in May 2017 by his grandfather, Fred Welcome of Ozark, who had restored it.

Nino will never drive it. He will never drive at all. He does not have the muscle control.

The boy uses a wheelchair, which he named Mach II.

His new classic car will maintain its original color of dark gray. It is currently in the at-home garage of Dave Uzzell, who owned Z Auto Group.

Uzzell is installing a topflight stereo system donated by Rick Snelson, who owns Car-Fi, 1600 S.Glenstone Ave. Next year, the car will be primed and painted as a class project at Ozarks Technical Community College.

Brett Welcome, Nino's dad, tells me he might ask O'Reilly Auto Parts to provide the primer and paint.

It will not be a cold call.

The company contacted Welcome after the vandalism and asked how they could help.

People from around the world have shown they care about the little boy in Springfield, Welcome says, including, for example, the Icelandic Mustang Club.

Who knew?

A 17-year-old organized a car rally for Nino.

Do I need tell you what type of cars were involved?

Car Throttle magazine sent Nino an American Muscle T-shirt and a cap.

Nino has received diecast classic Mustangs from near and far.

"Just the overall outreach that we got from all around the world — that was the part that was overwhelming," Welcome says.

A family friend created a Gofundme page to either restore the former car — which became an impossibility — or to buy and restore a different classic Mustang.

The fundraising effort generated about $15,000.

I ask Welcome if he is still seeking money.

No. People already have been more than generous, he says.

"Everything else is going to be sweat equity," he says. "This car is going to be built — not bought."

Even Nino has turned a few wrenches in the renovation.

Nino's seat in the car is scooped, race-car style. It will have a four-point harness to keep the boy in place.

Dad plans to build a dummy console for him — complete with a Hurst shifter and a Shelby steering wheel.

The car did not have a scoop on the hood. Nino wanted one so dad installed one.

You might think Welcome builds or renovates cars for a living. He does not.

He sells construction equipment and also is co-owner of Springfield Fight Club.

Nino's older brother Dante, 16, installed hood pins, which are metal tie-downs that keep a hood locked down should it pop free at high speed.

The vehicle has its original 302 eight-cylinder engine.

"It drives incredibly well," Welcome says.

The only items from the old Mach I that survived the vandalism are the front bumper and the Magnum 5 wheels, which are part of the new car.

In addition, the letters "DUH-HUH" will be placed on the rear in homage to Nino's grandfather, Fred Welcome.

He often says this phrase to his children and grandchildren when they don't appear to understand something that, in his estimation, they should easily have grasped.

Nino suffers from Lesch-Nyhan syndrome, a rare condition that occurs almost exclusively in males. It is characterized by neurological and behavioral abnormalities and the overproduction of uric acid. Excess uric acid can build up under the skin and cause gouty arthritis and kidney and bladder stones.

The common symptoms include involuntary muscle movements, such as tensing and jerking movements and flailing limbs. People with Lesch-Nyhan usually cannot walk, require assistance sitting, and generally use a wheelchair.

Back in July, the vandal forced open a window and threw fireworks into Nino's classic car. The car happened to be parked on the driveway that night — only because the garage was full because of an upcoming yard sale.

The family dog Adrian raised a ruckus, Welcome says. A retired police officer and his son — they live down the street — were approaching the ramp to the front door.

The son told Welcome that he had spotted a glow inside the car.

Welcome rushed outside and it first appeared the fire was confined to Nino's Batman car seat.

He was going to try to pull it out of the car when he realized the fire had spread well beyond the car seat.

"It was at that point that it registered that I was hearing fireworks," he says. "Bang! Bang!

"It did not occur to me to go and grab the fire hose — maybe because it was 3:30 a.m.

"Whatever time it took me to run to the kitchen and get a half-a-jug of water, by the time I got back to the fire it had gotten to the flammable foam, or whatever, and flames were coming out of the car. The entire interior was engulfed.

"And then it occurs to me that the car might explode," he says.

The car did not explode. The fire department put out the blaze.

No one has been arrested.

Ben Basham, a Springfield fire marshal, sent me an email that says the investigation "has been suspended until such time new information is made available."

As I look at the new car in Uzzell's garage, Nino wants to tell me something.

"I like Mustangs," he says.

His father looks at the boy and says, "I know that."

These are the views of News-Leader columnist Steve Pokin, who has been at the paper 5½ years, and over his career has covered everything from courts and cops to features and fitness. He can be reached at 836-1253, spokin@gannett.com, on Twitter @stevepokinNL or by mail at 651 Boonville Ave., Springfield, MO 65806.