About Jim Schmidt

Congratulations

Meet Our Automotive Heritage Award Honoree

Jim Schmidt

This year the AACA Museum Automotive Heritage Award honoree is Jim Schmidt. Jim is a lifelong antique auto enthusiast and has accumulated an extensive and eclectic collection of mostly American-made vehicles. The noteworthy collection contains a large number of low-mile unrestored original examples. Jim’s restoration activities started at age 14, when he paid $50 to rescue a 1928 Ford Model A Sport Coupe from a junkyard. He restored the car and still owns it. Turning his interests to the Ford Thunderbird, Jim performed a body-off restoration on a 1957 model, became an early and active member of the Classic Thunderbird Club International (CTCI), and founded National Parts Depot (NPD) in 1976. NPD has evolved into a leading restoration parts supplier for classic American cars and trucks.

Throughout Jim’s journey, he and NPD have always believed in giving back to the hobby in both support and philanthropy. In 2007 Jim donated a much-needed vehicle storage building located behind the Museum. The Schmidt Building has affectionately become known as “Jim’s Place.”

All are invited to join us at “Jim’s Place” on Friday, November 8th, 8-10 am, for Caffeine Behind the Scenes. This annual event, sponsored by NPD, gives visitors a chance to check out approximately 75 additional vehicles from our collection while visiting with other hobbyists over coffee and donuts.