It’s an understatement to say that Sebastian Gupta’s parents are proud of him. What started as a summer project in 2010 has become $40,000 that’s been donated to a women’s center.

The happy recipient was the Houston Area Women’s Center, and the $40,000 was raised from the sale of a rebuilt 2000 Saab 9-5 the 18-year-old bought at auction. Once he was done restoring it, Sebastian put it up for auction on eBay.

The center is dedicated to putting the broken lives back together – kind of the same way Sebastian put back together the Saab. According to the center’s board chair Shawn Raymond, it costs $42 a night to house someone at the shelter, and the $40,000 would pay for 950 nights.

You may be wondering how this Saab went for $40,000. Saab North America president Tim Colbeck heard of Sebastian’s project and decided to get involved. Saab North America bought the car for $15,000. Then Sebastian’s dad’s company, IQ Products, bought the car back from Saab for $15,000 and donated another $10,000 to the cause. The result was $40,000 given to Houston Area Women’s Center.

Colbeck was so impressed with Sebastian’s drive and generosity, he gave him a new 2011 Saab 9-5 to “use however he wants” for a year. At the end of the year, Sebastian must modify and auction off this car and donate the proceeds for the center as well – it’s what you call a win-win situation.