The 2025 Greenwich Concours d’Elegance, held in late May in Greenwich, CT, showcased a dazzling array of vehicles spanning vast eras and origins. Among the fantastic automobiles sat a dark green 1986 Lamborghini Countach LP5000 Quattrovalvole that forced an extended pause by any who passed by. Freshly restored for the Serafino Collection by Bruce Canepa and the Canepa team , the owners' themselves sought to recognize Bruce's master craftsmanship. They did so with a nomination for the RPM Restorer's Award, a bestowment acknowledging not just the beauty of the cars on the lawn, but the skill it takes to achieve such condition. At the event, RPM Foundation Executive Director Nick Ellis presented the award, honoring the Canepa team's abilities in all facets of restoration. Along with celebrating the artistry of restoration and preservation, special consideration is given to RPM Restorer's Award nominees who pass their skillset on to the next generation. Bruce Canepa, who discovered a love for vehicles at a young age himself, has provided mentorship to numerous up-and-coming restoration professionals. For this, and his exceptional capabilities, we applaud him! And the Countach? It is indeed quite a machine. The car underwent a full ground-up restoration at Canepa that included a few custom touches designed to feel as if they came straight from the factory. Among them, a white leather and green Alcantara interior, a tuned 5.2-liter V-12, and subtle bodywork tweaks that make the iconic wedge even sleeker. Congrats to Bruce Canepa and his team on their efforts to preserve automotive history now, and well into the future.
THE RPM FOUNDATION
Building career pathways in the collector car industry by advocating for and funding restoration, preservation and mentorship
The RPM Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to preserving the arts of vehicle restoration and preservation through hands-on training and mentorship. At the heart of our mission is a desire to guide individuals into professional roles in the special interest vehicle service industry.
Apprenticeships
The RPM Apprenticeship Program turns top restoration shops into classrooms where students who are passionate about collector vehicle restoration can earn an income while learning a craft they love.
endangered skills
Classic cars are functional works of art, but as the craftspeople who repair and restore them retire and age out, fewer and fewer new professionals step in to replace them. What can you do to preserve these vital skills?
X-Cup
To help more young people engage in collector car culture, the RPM Foundation provides financial support and additional guidance for high school and college age participants of this cross-country endurance rally.
Restorer's Award
The RPM Restorer’s Award recognizes the craft and artistry of vehicle restoration and preservation. These awards are given to master craftspeople who also illustrate a desire to pass their skillset to the next generation.
YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Since 2005, over $3.5 million has been awarded by the RPM Foundation to fund education and training for future restoration and preservation professionals.
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LATEST NEWS FROM the RPM FOundation
The 2025 Greenwich Concours d’Elegance, held in late May in Greenwich, CT, showcased a dazzling array of vehicles spanning vast eras and origins. Among the fantastic automobiles sat a dark green 1986 Lamborghini Countach LP5000 Quattrovalvole that forced an extended pause by any who passed by. Freshly restored for the Serafino Collection by Bruce Canepa and the Canepa team , the owners' themselves sought to recognize Bruce's master craftsmanship. They did so with a nomination for the RPM Restorer's Award, a bestowment acknowledging not just the beauty of the cars on the lawn, but the skill it takes to achieve such condition. At the event, RPM Foundation Executive Director Nick Ellis presented the award, honoring the Canepa team's abilities in all facets of restoration. Along with celebrating the artistry of restoration and preservation, special consideration is given to RPM Restorer's Award nominees who pass their skillset on to the next generation. Bruce Canepa, who discovered a love for vehicles at a young age himself, has provided mentorship to numerous up-and-coming restoration professionals. For this, and his exceptional capabilities, we applaud him! And the Countach? It is indeed quite a machine. The car underwent a full ground-up restoration at Canepa that included a few custom touches designed to feel as if they came straight from the factory. Among them, a white leather and green Alcantara interior, a tuned 5.2-liter V-12, and subtle bodywork tweaks that make the iconic wedge even sleeker. Congrats to Bruce Canepa and his team on their efforts to preserve automotive history now, and well into the future.
The RPM Foundation is proud to announce that the RPM Restorer’s Award will be presented at the prestigious Greenwich Concours d’Elegance for the very first time this year. This marks an exciting expansion of our mission to spotlight the master craftspeople behind the world’s finest vehicle restorations and preservation efforts. Unlike many awards that celebrate the finished vehicle, the RPM Restorer’s Award honors the hands-on artisans and restoration professionals who make these exceptional vehicles show-ready. These are the welders, trimmers, machinists, painters, and fabricators whose skilled work often goes unseen—but whose craftsmanship is essential to every award-winning car on the field. Exhibitors at the Greenwich Concours will have the opportunity to nominate the individual or shop responsible for the restoration or preservation of their vehicle. From there, RPM Foundation staff and advisors will conduct interviews with selected nominees to learn more about their work, skillset, and—importantly—their commitment to mentorship and passing their knowledge to the next generation. Mentorship is at the heart of the RPM Foundation’s mission. Candidates who have trained apprentices, collaborated with students, or shared their skills with emerging professionals will receive special consideration. The goal is not only to honor today’s best restorers but to support a sustainable future for the restoration trades. The award will be presented during the Sunday award ceremony at the Greenwich Concours, in front of an audience of fellow enthusiasts, collectors, and peers. Past recipients of the RPM Restorer’s Award include highly respected professionals such as Jason Wenig, Travis LaVine, and Jason Manns—individuals known for their exceptional craftsmanship, integrity, and dedication to the craft of vehicle restoration. We are thrilled to bring this tradition to Greenwich, and we look forward to celebrating the remarkable talent and hard work that make the world of historic vehicles not only beautiful but enduring. Stay tuned for more updates from Greenwich and be sure to follow RPM Foundation as we continue to champion the people behind the preservation of our automotive past. Learn more and support the award here.
