FuelINg The Careers
Of Future Technicians
Creating More Collector Car Technicians
We’re helping young car enthusiasts turn their interest into careers.
The shortage of qualified technicians and restoration specialists is the biggest challenge facing the collector car industry. So we are setting out to change this. By making skilled trade education and hands-on training more accessible for more people, the Piston Foundation aims to help build a new and diverse generation of tradespeople in the collector car industry.
Automotive Scholarship and Job Programs
Piston Scholarships
Skilled Trade Education Scholarships
The Piston Foundation helps students take their first steps towards a skilled trade career. If you are attending, accepted, or enrolled in a 2- or 4-year automotive technology program and have a strong interest in working with collector cars, a Piston Fund scholarship can help make school more affordable.
Piston Jobs
Building the Workforce That Will Sustain Car Culture
The Piston Jobs Program is the next step in our mission to fuel the careers of future technicians. This new and developing initiative will connect Piston Scholars with job opportunities across the collector car industry—helping restoration shops, private collections, and specialty businesses find the skilled talent they need.
Ten Scholars. Ten Stories. Real Impact.
From the Piston Blog
Meet the 60 Piston Scholars of 2026
Piston’s largest scholarship class yet brings together 60 talented enthusiasts from across the country. They are turning their passion for collector cars into career pathways while learning the skills that will preserve automotive craftsmanship for generations.
Petrolicious Spotlights Piston Workshop with Runge Cars
A new Petrolicious film follows Piston Scholar Vincent Ramirez at Runge Cars, showing how Piston helps young enthusiasts gain education, training, mentorship, and professional access to build meaningful careers in the collector car industry today.
Celebrating Five Years of Fueling the Future
Five years after its founding, the Piston Foundation gathered supporters in New York City to celebrate a milestone that belongs to an entire car community.
Join Us
Make a Donation
Give to what you love by making a gift that helps the next generation access the education and training they need to begin a career as a classic car technician.
Sponsor a Scholar
Piston Foundation scholarships are awarded to aspiring technicians to help them begin an auto restoration career. Give to the car culture you love.
Donate a Car
Turn your collector car into education and hands-on training for aspiring collector car technicians. Your car can change lives. 100% goes to our scholarship program.
Community Partners
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