Five and a half years after a troubled teen nearly ended his life, Damon Coates walked slowly into a Southeast Portland transmission shop to admire his ’72 Chevy Nova.

"Awesome of course,” he said.

The gleaming black car waits in a garage bay, its overhaul nearly complete. Coates struggles each day to recover from the shooting.

It happened on a dark night in January 2003 when he was a sheriff’s sergeant who went to help talk with a troubled teen named Nick Teixiera.

 Slideshow: Coates' 72 Nova

In an instant, Teixiera shot Coates in the face. The bullet hit an artery. He nearly died, and lost so much blood he had a stroke.

He fights to walk and talk again, with daily physical therapy and hope.

"I've got a long ways to go, but I've come so far. I feel pretty good, actually quality of life is bit improved," said Coates.

Just before the shooting, Coates bought the ’72 Chevy he’s come to see.

Photos courtesy Bradshaw's Transmission

Over the past few years, friends from the sheriff’s office and elsewhere gathered to help him rebuild the rusted hulk. Eventually he and the car were in good enough shape to take to car shows. This year, at the Portland Roadster Show, Coates’ story reached the ears of John Bradshaw.

"I can’t imagine how people wouldn’t want to help," said Bradshaw.

Bradshaw knew Coates’ car had a clutch and that Coates would never be able to drive it that way.

But as the President of the Portland Transmission Warehouse, Bradshaw knew he could do something about that.

He donated a new, automatic transmission for the car and convinced his friends at Bradshaw’s Transmission (no relation) to donate the labor.

Workers say Coates called several times, worried he was costing the business too much money.

“Very concerned about that,” said Jason Faust, Service Advisor.

“It wasn’t a problem. So much was taken from him we just wanted to give him back something," said Faust.

Shannon Greisen is Vice President of Bradshaw’s. She grew up in Milwaukie and felt she knew Coates personally from his time as the sheriff department’s public information officer. She and the others were happy to help out.

They stood by smiling Tuesday, as Coates sat in the driver’s seat of his car with the motor running, admiring his new automatic transmission.

“Oh you could see it in his eyes,” said Greisen.

She knows Coates has a dream to drive the car himself.

“Yah. He's ready,” she said

“That just gave him more inspiration to work harder in therapy to make that dream come true. And to be a part of that is something I think all of us will never forget," said Greisen.

Coates thanked the workers then began walking toward the car his wife drove him in, vowing to drive his Chevy himself one day.

"Oh yeah, I'll drive again,” he said.

“No question. It is a goal. I'll meet that goal," said Coates.

Coates and his ’72 Chevy Nova will be in Milwaukie Saturday June 14, 2008 from noon until 1pm.

For directions check out Cruisin for hope.com