Under the HOOD - Fueling the Future by America's Automotive Trust

Under the HOOD

The Newsletter of RPM Foundation • Fueling the Future

Message from the President Industry leaders indicate that the Collector Car Industry began in 1970, including restoration & preservation. Considering that the 18 year olds of the last 25 years graduate from high school with about 1,800 hours fewer under-the-hood time than their counterparts in the 1940s-1950s-1960s, it’s no wonder there is a gap between restoration shop expectations and talent readiness.

the timing of communications and follow-ups with prospective employers and coaching them about the art of interviewing. For the shops, RPM encourages shop owners to understand that, like detailing cars, written communications are “detailing with words” and that job descriptions with basic skills required are good business that will result in good hires.

RPM works hard to safeguard the success of current and developing automotive programs, and to ensure that car-loving students have opportunities to learn the hands-on skills that will be required of them once they embark on their career.

Today’s passionate automotive students are tomorrow’s master craftsmen, shop owners and automotive instructors!

We provide services and develop programs such as Shop Hop (see page 3) that connect students with restoration shops for hands-on work. Services provided by RPM to automotive students include guiding them to get work experience by shadowing in local shops, editing resumes and letters of introduction, teaching them about documenting their work with portfolios, helping them understand

There is a lot to do, and we’re getting it done! See you along the way,

Diane Fitzgerald, President

“The work that is being done by RPM Foundation to connect young people to meaningful careers through their love of automobiles is important. From the events and programs they host that engage young people to the funding they provide to high school and college-level programs, RPM is actively engaged in ensuring the skills and craftsmanship of the past are transferred to a new generation.” — Amanda Gutierrez, VP for Automotive Restoration McPherson College (McPherson, KS)

Collector Car Industry businesses reach out to RPM with short-term, paid internship opportunities, like Ohio-based SEVEN who hired 5 “RPM students” from different states to be part of an 8-person team detailing cars for the Gooding & Company auctions in Scottsdale, AZ.

Group of local Chicago high school and college automotive students, instructors, parents, and hosts at Klairmont Kollections in Chicago, IL who were part of Shop Hop Chicago. (See page three)

Arizona students got a chance to dress up in period costumes and sit in what is probably the oldest street-legal vehicle in the world – a 1898 Jeanperrin high-performance car owned by collector Alan Travis.

Under the HOOD PIT STOP I t is easy for anyone outside the automotive industry to assume that young people don’t care about cars anymore, especially when high school shop classes and college automotive programs have dwindled over time. But I’m here to change that assumption!

Lyn St. James at Cobble Beach Concours.

Amanda Gutierrez and McPherson College Automotive Restoration students at Santa Fe Concorso.

Automotive students and their instructor were hosted by RPM at Concours of America.

I’ve read the statistics about how young people aren’t getting their driver’s licenses the same way or as fast as older generations did, and I certainly know about how autonomous vehicles will be in our future – sooner than we might think. But I can attest from personal experience visiting schools around the country, serving on the board of Kettering University for many years and going to vintage races around the world, that there are MANY young people fascinated and genuinely interested in cars – interested enough to want to pursue jobs and careers in the automotive world. We just need to let them know there are opportunities and educational programs that will prepare them for such a career. Through my work with RPM Foundation, my knowledge and exposure is much more focused on the hands-on technical skills needed for shop-readiness, and to help spread the word about the where, when, and how to acquire those skills. So many of my appearances now involve not just enjoying the “eye candy” at a Concours d’Elegance, or the thrill of driving an amazing vintage race car, but in sharing the important information to collectors, owners and educators about reaching this young audience and welcoming them into our community. Thankfully, the Sportscar Vintage Racing Association (SVRA) “gets it” and has named RPM Foundation as an official charity! In doing so, they are helping us spread the word through RPM stories and advertisements in the Vintage Racing Quarterly. Programs like Off To The Races with RPM will bring students to the races – thanks to the generous support of SVRA – and generate interest in RPM through fundraising events with “RPM students”. I’m also happy to see that the East Valley Institute of Technology (EVIT) in Mesa, AZ is developing restoration curriculum at the technical high school level that focuses on special restoration skills, and the Arizona Concours d’Elegance at The Biltmore Hotel has created a “Heritage Highway” program as part of their amazing, world class event. So hang on, believe what I’m telling you, and get on board! We all need to support these initiatives in order to preserve our automotive heritage and secure its future – and you can do so by supporting RPM Foundation, at any level – small or large. We cannot do this without you!

RPM PHOTO GALLERY

Dan Bear – student at Lyons Township High School in La Grange, IL – was one of five lucky interns hired by Ohio-based SEVEN to work and detail cars at the Gooding & Company auction in Scottsdale, AZ.

Alfonso Puga (left) spent his winter vacation learning how to detail cars with Brad Mills (right) at the Collectors' Car Garage in Chicago.

RPM hosted “Up Close with RPM” at East Valley Institute of Technology (EVIT) during Arizona Car Week in Scottsdale. EVIT is a leader among schools with automotive programs – they have a state-of-the-art facility and are currently building new curriculum for restoration classes.

RPM intern – Daniel Gamboa, a student at West-MEC in Phoenix, AZ – assissted with the many programs and events that RPM attended and hosted. Here he is, manning the RPM information table at the Arizona Concours d'Elegance.

Under the HOOD: Program Spotlight SHOP HOP Chicago Shop Hop is a program developed by RPM Foundation, dedicated to bringing automotive students, shops and collections together in a unique and inspiring job-fair-on-wheels. There is a discrepancy between the expectations for shop-readiness by shop owners and an often perceived lack of preparedness of students. RPM wanted to create an opportunity and professional experience that would expose students to their local marketplace and help shop owners with “mentorship mindset” to meet prospective, future craftsmen. Chicago hosted the first Shop Hop, focusing on current and local automotive students ages 16-25 from seven high schools and colleges, including grant awardee Lyons Township High School (LaGrange, IL), grant awardee Thornton Fractional High School (Calumet City, IL), College of DuPage (Glen Ellyn, IL), College of Lake County (Grayslake, IL), grant awardee McPherson College (McPherson, KS), Southern Illinois University (Murphysboro, IL) and Truman College (Chicago, IL). On Saturday, December 10th, 40 automotive students, parents and teachers visited three car collections in the Chicago. Stop One took place at the Klairmont Kollections where Darren Murray and Robert Olsen gave a private tour of the vibrant and neon-sign-lit facility, packed with 300+ new, classic and stylized vehicles. Stop Two was at the Collectors’ Car Garage (CCG) and included a tour with Lance Butler, a race car driving demonstration in the parking lot, plus a complimentary lunch hosted by CCG. The third and final Stop of the day was at Chicago Vintage Motor Carriage. Each student came prepared with a resume, portfolio and calling cards with their contact information, which proved to be instrumental when Stephen Murphy from CVMC conducted surprise “flash interviews” – quick, short meetings to begin the vetting process. The result? Four students were hired to work over winter vacation! By the end of the day, two more students were hired for short-term, paid internships.

Read the AUTObiographies from students who participated in Shop Hop Chicago! “This program is the chance to go behind the scenes and see how a shop works. It is also a rare learning experience. The career choice I've always wanted is to work on vehicles, especially sports cars. I want to use this opportunity to learn new things and improve my skills and knowledge about restoration.” Daniel Bear, Senior Lyons Township High School “It wasn’t until just a few years ago that I became obsessed with the level of craftsmanship and time it takes to finish a restoration. Last year I began restoring a 1993 Mustang Hatchback, and although it is not very old, it was rough to begin with. I met potential employers and I'm inspired to open my own automotive restoration facility.” Anthony Iaquinta, Junior Southern Illinois University

The success of Shop Hop Chicago has allowed for the program to continue in the Spring with four of the leading auto restoration shops in the area – Custom Cars Unlimited, Hot Rod Chassis & Cycle, Schwartz Performance, and Sport & Specialty Restoration & Vintage Racing. “I have spent much of my life pursuing my passion for restoring automobiles – working alongside my father on personal projects and in college classrooms. I am the current record holder at the Newport Antique Hill Climb, an annual antiques-only race, with my 1950 Crosley Hot Shot. I take pride in my craftsmanship and enjoy speaking with others about their projects and experiences. This program is incredibly important because it offers intimate introductions and meetings with employers and fellow ‘autorats.’ I am grateful for this opportunity and am looking forward to future RPM Foundation Shop Hops!” — Abigayle Morgan, sophomore at McPherson College studying Automotive Restoration Technology & Communications, RPM Scholarship Recipient

Students David Phillips (left) and Abigayle Morgan (right) with Darren Murray, Chief Mechanic at Klairmont Kollections. Abi is a sophomore at McPherson College and recently became an RPM Scholar – congrats, Abi!

Group shot of the Shop Hop Chicago program attendees and hosts at Chicago Vintage Motor Carriage, featuring a 1931 Marmon Sixteen Convertible Sedan by LeBaron. PHOTO CREDIT: Stephen Murphy, Vintage Studios.

Students watch at Collectors' Car Garage as Lance Butler and Bennett Logan take a race car out to the parking lot for a horsepower demonstration.

Students from RPM grant awardee Thornton Fractional high School accompanied by instructor Jorge Navarrete at Klairmont Kollections.

Excited and prepared Shop Hop Chicago students wait outside Stephen Murphy’s office with their portfolios, resumes and calling cards to be interviewed for a winter vacation paid-internship opportunity!

2702 East D Street, Tacoma, WA 98421 Toll Free: 855.537.4579 Email: info@rpm.foundation Website: www.rpm.foundation

2017 Calendar

RPM FOUNDATION BOARD of DIRECTORS Dan Beutler, CFO, Hagerty (Traverse City, MI) Dawn Fisher, Vintage Racer, owner MFD Classic Motors (Lake Leelanau, MI) Keith Flickinger, Master Craftsman, Precision Motor Cars (Allentown, PA) McKeel Hagerty, Chairman & CEO, Hagerty (Traverse City, MI) Tabetha Hammer, Advocacy & PR Manager, Hagerty (Traverse City, MI) David Madeira, CEO, LeMay – America’s Car Museum (Tacoma, WA) Jim Menneto, Publisher, Hemmings Motor News (Bennington, VT) Paul Miller, President, LeMay – America’s Car Museum (Tacoma, WA) T.G. Mittler, Collector (Santa Fe, NM) Mike Stowe, Master Craftsman, Great Lakes Motor Works (Boyne City, MI)

Look for RPM! Where we’ve been and where we’re going – Car Shows, Concours, Programs and Events! JANUARY 1/3 The Drive Home II (Indianapolis, IN) – hosted by RPM 1/14 Cars, Coffee & Camaraderie Day – NextGen Auto Fest, Seminar by RPM (AZ) 1/15 4th Annual Arizona Concours d'Elegance – Heritage Highway by RPM (AZ) 1/16 The Future Classics Car Show by ClassicCars.com (AZ) 1/17 Up Close with RPM & East Valley Institute of Technology (EVIT) Site Visit – CCCA-PNR Donors’ Visit (AZ) 1/19 RPM Breakfast With the Board & Tour at East Valley Institute of Technology (EVIT) (AZ) 1/21 46th Annual Barrett-Jackson Auction – RPM hosted (AZ)

RPM AMBASSADORS Lyn St. James, Indy Racer (Phoenix, AZ and Indianapolis, IN) Patrick Barnes, Community College Instructor, retired; ACM Volunteer (Portland, OR and Indio, CA) Josh Baum, Conservator, Private Collection (Goleta, CA) Herb Clark, Automotive Restoration Club of Sun City West, founder (Sun City West, AZ) Drew Feustel, NASA Astronaut (Houston, TX) Ryan Levesque, Body Shop Technician, Carr’s Corvettes & Customs, and RPM’s 1st apprentice (Dallas, TX) Bud McIntire, Director of Student Services, Great Lakes Boat Building School, retired architect (Winston Salem, NC) Stephen Murphy, Collection Manager, Private Collection (Chicago, IL) Stacy Puckett Taylor, Parts Production Manager, Classic & Exotic Services, Inc. (Detroit, MI) Burt Richmond, Collectors’ Car Garage (Chicago, IL) David Rising, Automotive Engineer, Tacoma-native (Esslingen, Germany) Clint Sly, President, Collectors Financial Services (Belleair, FL)

Racing legend Bobby Rahal at “Off to the Races with RPM”

FEBRUARY 2/4 Mini SHOP HOP in Lake Zurich (IL) – by MiRPA 2/5 Off to the Races with RPM (IL) – Lyn St. James & Bobby Rahal Fundraising Event

MARCH 3/12 22nd Annual Amelia Island Concours (FL) 3/18-19 SHOP HOP Chicago…Continued (IL) 3/24-25 NAAM Annual Conference (WA)

APRIL 4/9 13th Annual La Jolla Concours d'Elegance (CA) 4/22 Pennsylvania College of Technology’s Classic Cruisers' Car Show + Site Visit (PA) 4/21-23 Kiawah Island Motoring Retreat (SC)

RPM STAFF Diane Fitzgerald, President, RPM Foundation (Chicago, IL) Sarah Hebard, Interim Administrative Assistant (Chicago, IL) Stacy Puckett Taylor, Interim Grants Adminitrator (Detroit, MI)

RPM Ambassador Lyn St. James at “Off to the Races with RPM”

PRESERVE THE PAST. BUILD THE FUTURE. Who We Are + What We Do

RPM Foundation is a services-providing, resource sharing, grant-giving organization that accelerates the growth of the next generation of automotive Restoration and Preservation craftsmen through formal training and Mentorship. Founded through the vision of Hagerty in 2005, RPM Foundation is the educational arm of America’s Automotive Trust. Together, these organizations work to secure and preserve America’s automotive heritage.

Supporting RPM Foundation – Thank You! Help us achieve our goal of raising $1,000,000! Today, with funding requests more than triple what we are able to giveaway, we need your support. Donations of any size are deeply appreciated. For more information, contact Diane Fitzgerald, President (diane@rpm.foundation, C: 312-543-5732 Direct: 855.537.4579 www.RPM.Foundation).

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