By RPM Foundation December 9, 2025
The RPM Restorer’s Award was recently presented at the Hilton Head Island Concours d’Elegance & Motoring Festival and the Muscle Car & Corvette Nationals. This award honors not just the car, but the craftspeople behind its restoration whose work reflects mastery, passion, hands-on skill, and a deep respect for preservation. Exhibitors may nominate the individual or shop responsible for their restoration or preservation and RPM staff and our advisors then conduct interviews to select the recipient. We place special emphasis on those who have mentored apprentices and students, ensuring the next generation is inspired and equipped. Let's meet our winners!

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.

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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.

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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?

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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.

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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.

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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

By RPM Foundation December 9, 2025
The RPM Restorer’s Award was recently presented at the Hilton Head Island Concours d’Elegance & Motoring Festival and the Muscle Car & Corvette Nationals. This award honors not just the car, but the craftspeople behind its restoration whose work reflects mastery, passion, hands-on skill, and a deep respect for preservation. Exhibitors may nominate the individual or shop responsible for their restoration or preservation and RPM staff and our advisors then conduct interviews to select the recipient. We place special emphasis on those who have mentored apprentices and students, ensuring the next generation is inspired and equipped. Let's meet our winners!
By RPM Foundation July 29, 2025
The RPM Foundation is proud to announce the we have wrapped production on the first episode our new docu-series, Endangered Skills . This series, being produced with the assistance of Lucky Kraken , is designed to preserve and share the rare, hands-on techniques that are vital to keeping classic cars on the road, many of which are practiced by only a handful of experts across the country. Filming for the first episode took place at LaVine Restorations in Nappanee, Indiana, and featured owner and expert Travis LaVine and RPM Apprentice Jesse Corder. LaVine Restorations is currently mentoring seven RPM Apprentices! Travis and Jesse worked together to demonstrate the essential steps in planning a professional vehicle restoration. This foundational episode sets the tone for what’s to come, giving viewers a detailed look at how expert-level restorations begin. Future episodes will dive into step-by-step instruction of specialized skills such as bending windshield glass, babbitting for bearings, and more. These are the techniques that are becoming increasingly rare, and RPM is committed to keeping them alive. Stay tuned for the release date and information about upcoming episodes. If you have a rare skill that you believe would suit our series, we'd love to hear from you! Please send us a message !
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