Fueling the future
10 questions about the Piston Foundation
Classic and collector cars are at risk.
Skilled technicians who preserve and restore our automotive heritage are aging out of the workforce, and too few young people are entering the trade to replace them. Without a new generation of trained hands, the knowledge and craftsmanship that keep car culture alive could be lost.
The Piston Foundation is here to change that.
1
What is the piston foundation?
The Piston Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity fueling the careers of future technicians. We provide scholarships, career guidance, and job opportunities to help young car enthusiasts build rewarding careers in automotive restoration—ensuring the skills, knowledge, and passion that sustain car culture are passed to the next generation.
2
How does piston help aspiring technicians?
Piston opens doors for young enthusiasts who want to turn their passion into a profession. Through scholarships for auto-tech education, career mentorship, and connections to restoration shops and employers, we’re building a clear pathway into the collector car industry—one that leads from the classroom to the workshop.
3
how does piston help the car community?
By funding education and creating career pathways, Piston is building a pipeline of skilled technicians for restoration shops nationwide. Our programs connect young talent with employers who need their skills—helping businesses grow, sustaining craftsmanship, and ensuring the cars we love stay on the road for generations to come.
4
What is piston’s impact so far?
Since launching our scholarship program in 2022, Piston has been fueling real progress toward a sustainable future for the collector car industry.
$425K
in scholarships funded
144
scholarships awarded
482
applications
95%
completion rate
35
states represented
25
graduates now working in shops
16
schools attended
5
How did piston start?
The Piston Foundation was founded in 2021 by Robert Minnick, a lifelong car enthusiast who recognized the need for an independent public charity to unite the car community in support of building a career path for the next generation of collector car technicians. What began as his vision to preserve automotive craftsmanship has grown into a national movement powered by donors, partners, and passionate volunteers—all working together to ensure the skills, knowledge, and love of cars are passed on to future generations.
6
Who is the leadership team?
The Piston Foundation is guided by a board of directors made up of industry leaders and lifelong car enthusiasts who share a passion for preserving car culture. Their collective experience in business, philanthropy, and the automotive world drives our mission forward and ensures every initiative fuels real impact.
7
What is the piston platform?
The Piston Platform is our framework for building the next generation of collector car technicians. It begins with Piston Scholarships, which fund autotech education and open doors for young enthusiasts. The Jobs Program, our next initiative, will connect graduates directly with restoration shops and employers—creating a complete pathway from education to employment and ensuring a steady flow of skilled talent into the collector car industry.
I want to let you know that I landed my dream job at a vintage muscle car restoration shop. Thank you again for the scholarship and helping me to obtain my degree. I couldn’t have gotten here without the support from the Piston.
– Zach Wiernusz, 2023 Piston Scholar
8
What is the piston partnership model?
Piston’s partnership model brings together car enthusiasts, employer shops, automotive brands, and students to build the next generation of collector car technicians. Each plays a unique role in strengthening the workforce that keeps car culture alive. Together, they create a sustainable talent pipeline that preserves automotive craftsmanship for generations to come.
Car Enthusiast Donors
Role
Fund scholarships that launch future technician careers.
Impact
Creates educational opportunities for aspiring collector car technicians.
Employer Shops
Role
Provide mentorship, training, and career opportunities for scholars.
Impact
Develops new technicians and preserves automotive craftsmanship.
Automotive Brands
Role
Invest in workforce development that strengthens the collector car community.
Impact
Builds good will and expands opportunity while sustaining automotive heritage.
Students
Role
Learn valuable skills and prepare for restoration careers.
Impact
Become tomorrow’s skilled technicians preserving cars and craftsmanship.
The Piston Foundation does incredible work…we know [our] partnership will make a lasting impact. Our industry is born from passion. Expanding our partnership with the Piston helps ensure that passion carries on through the next generation of automotive professionals.
– Randy Nonnenberg, co-founder of Bring a Trailer
9
What’s the strategic vision for Piston?
Driving forward into the next phase of our mission, Piston is working to expand its impact to build a stronger, more sustainable future for the collector car community—creating clear pathways from passion to profession.
2027
Expanding scholarships
Opening doors for more young enthusiasts to access auto-tech education and hands-on experience, reaching 100 scholarships per year by 2027.
2028
Connecting talent and employers
Launching the Piston Jobs Program by 2028 to link restoration shops with the next generation of skilled technicians.
2029
Inspiring future technicians
Raising career awareness among kids, teens, and parents through a new outreach program to be launched in 2029 to spark lifelong interest in automotive craftsmanship.
10
How can you get involved?
Everyone who loves cars can help secure the future of car culture by sponsoring a Piston Scholar. Your support funds the education and training of. young technicians who will preserve the craftmanship and passion that keep our community thriving.
Enthusiasts
Sponsor a Piston Scholar and help a young car lover turn their passion into a career in automotive restoration.
Collectors
Your sponsorship directly funds the education of a future technician—the skilled hands who will one day care for cars like yours.
Businesses
Sponsor a Piston Scholar to invest in the next generation of talent and strengthen the workforce your shop and the industry depend on.
Help secure the future of car culture.
Connect with us on social media.
