RPM Foundation's Outreach Programs:

Inspiring the Next Generation of Car Enthusiasts

“How do we get young people involved?”

If you've been to a collector car event, or attended a car club meeting, or even just spoken with someone who shares our love for vintage vehicles, you've undoubtedly heard this question, or asked it yourself. As the current crowd of collector car enthusiasts age, the great concern is the lack of young faces at our events. Who will carry the torch of car culture when the "old guard" is gone?

The answer lies in inspiring the next generation and nurturing their passion for automotive heritage. The RPM Foundation, dedicated to supporting careers in vehicle restoration and preservation, understands that the need for a skilled vehicle restoration workforce starts with the need for an interest in collector car culture. To tackle this challenge, RPM has devised a formula to ignite the spark of curiosity and fascination in the hearts of young minds – our array of dynamic outreach programs.

Shop Hop: Opening Doors to the World of Restoration

The Shop Hop program, a key component of RPM's outreach initiatives, takes students on an informative journey through some of the nation's most prestigious restoration shops. It's not just a tour – it's an immersive experience that allows students to witness the craft of automotive restoration up close. From the meticulous craftsmanship to the historical significance of each vehicle, Shop Hop opens doors to a world of passion and skill that captures the hearts of aspiring restorers.

Off To The Races: Fueling the Enthusiasm

Attending a vintage racing event can be a life-changing experience for young car enthusiasts. Through our Off To The Races program, RPM-network students get exclusive access to vintage racing events, where they not only witness stunning vintage vehicles but also interact with seasoned collectors and restorers who are eager to share their wisdom. The excitement and camaraderie at these events fuel the enthusiasm of young minds and cement their love for car culture.

Behind The Scenes: Unveiling the Auction Process

Behind the Scenes exposes students, teachers and parents to the high-energy world of collector car auctions, and all the aspects of work – both under-the-hood and behind-the-desk – that auctions have to offer. The multi-million-dollar auction industry requires extensive knowledge of vintage vehicles in many capacities, and the program exposes the students to some of the collectors who could become clientele in their future careers.

Restorer's Award: Honoring the Craftspeople

The RPM Restorer’s Award recognizes the craft and artistry of vehicle restoration and preservation. These awards are given to master craftspeople who have expressed genuine passion for their trade, mastered their skillset, and taken a hands-on approach to ensure their work demonstrates the highest quality standard. Exhibitors showcasing their vehicles at the Concours can recognize and honor the shop or individual who performed the restoration/preservation of their vehicle by nominating them for this award. RPM staff and advisors then interview the candidates and determine the award winner. Candidates who have mentored a fellow professional, apprentice, or student receive special consideration.

Great Race X-Cup: Driving the Future

The Great Race is an antique, vintage, and collector car competitive controlled-speed endurance road rally on public highways. It is a test of a driver/navigator team's ability to follow precise course instructions and the car's (and team's) ability to endure a cross-country competition. The X-Cup Division of The Great Race features high school and college age student teams from across the nation. Special financial support is available to qualified teams, including $2,500 Team Grants to help with necessary expenses (including fuel, food, etc.), Student Scholarships, and Educational Grants for Institutions represented by the team winning the Team Choice Award.

Design Without Limits: Dream Cars of the Next Generation

In the spirit of great industrial designers such as Harley Earl, Raymond Loewy and Malcolm Sayer, the RPM Design Without Limits competition poses this challenge to the next generation of conceptual innovators: Imagine an internal combustion engine car crafted exclusively for the purpose of the driving experience, focusing on styling and performance, with no restrictions on fuel efficiency or aerodynamics. Designers are free to imagine vehicles unbound by the need to limit miles per gallon.

Through these outreach programs, the RPM Foundation has crafted the perfect formula to inspire interest in collector car culture, turning young car enthusiasts into skilled craftspeople who will preserve automotive history for generations to come.

As we look at the photographs from recent RPM Foundation Shop Hops, car show events where RPM-network students attend, an RPM Restorer's Award recipient, and the winner of the RPM Design Without Limits competition, we can't help but feel hopeful about the bright future of automotive restoration. Each smiling face, eagerly learning and engaging with the industry's finest, reaffirms that the RPM Foundation's outreach programs are lighting up the path for the next generation of car enthusiasts.

Through the generosity and dedication of the RPM Foundation donors and volunteers, these programs ignite the passion for vintage vehicles that will fuel the preservation of automotive heritage for generations to come.