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The ‘‘Trick My Ride” contest is similar to the MTV show, ‘‘Pimp My Ride,” featuring rap star Xhibit. In the popular television program, a dilapidated car gets a complete facelift and internal overhaul to the surprise of the car’s owner.

This month, students at the South Carroll Technology Center will begin the work of designing a theme for Luke’s car as well as making internal repairs to the auto.

According to South Carroll parent Kim Hobin, who came up with the idea, Luke was chosen for the school-wide competition after the PTSA read his winning essay on why his car should be ‘‘tricked.”

Out of nearly 10 essays, the PTSA chose Luke because of his passion, Hobin said.

‘‘He spent every dime in his pocket to acquire that car. I’m sure that’s where the passion comes from,” Hobin said. ‘‘When you’re that passionate about something, it’s much easier to talk about it.”

Luke, 15, said he was shocked when he discovered he won, and didn’t hear the news on the loudspeaker until he was called to the main office.

He bought the car with his own savings, and got a found before the competition to help pay for the costly repairs, Luke said.

While he enjoys working on old cars as a hobby, Luke estimated that it would take him a year and a half to repair 27 years of wear and tear, he said.

Aside from major bodywork and a paint job, the El Camino has rips in the seats, rust spots, and no working sound system, Luke said.

His mother, Sandy Finch, said she was relieved that her son’s car was chosen in the competition since it is time consuming to help repair a ‘‘fixer-upper.”

Luke didn’t know how he would make repairs on the car, including new tires, exhaust pipe and a paint job, she said.

Luke, who is taking driver’s education at South Carroll High, said he did not have too many design preferences on what he would like his car to have.

‘‘As long as it looks good and runs good I’m happy with it,” Luke said.

Chris Reeb, an automotive technology teacher at the South Carroll Technology Center, said students in his ‘‘Auto I” class, South Carroll High alumni and local automotive experts will decide soon on what to repair first.

Damascus Chevrolet, Westminster Speed and Sound, Line-X in Eldersburg and Pypes Performance and Exhaust in Pennsylvania have agreed to help repair Luke’s car, Hobin said.

Reeb estimated that it would cost $15,000 to repair Luke’s car at an auto body shop, adding that ‘‘Trick My Ride” will bring the community together in a collaborative effort.

On June 9, the South Carroll PTSA will host a car show where Luke’s newly repaired and painted car will be unveiled. Hobin said the PTSA hopes to feature as many as 300 cars and trucks at the auto show with proceeds to benefit South Carroll High.