Tivvy Shenton Memorial Giving

Honoring Tivvy

While a life in cars was likely unavoidable for Tivvy, it seems obvious that the solid foundation provided to him by Rolls-Royce in his six year apprenticeship, was the keystone for a long and successful career at some of the highest levels of motorsport from the 1960’s and beyond. Post apprenticeship would see Tivvy Shenton working at Alan Mann Racing, Broadspeed, his own effort at SpecFab building, maintaining, and improving privateer and major automotive race efforts.

Sustaining the Craft

Some 35 years after that apprenticeship, Tivvy was doing the same in the United States – teaching others a trade, a craft, an art—and giving them a venue to practice, to learn, to likely fail a few times, but overcome and succeed. An opportunity to continue this spirit in the form of the The Piston Foundation—not just in that of learning a trade or skill—but to be involved, to be partnered with skilled tradespersons, to include and welcome people, to invest back into this sport, to this art—seems quite fitting. It is how Tivvy lived his life, and treated every single person around him who had a desire to learn.

You’re #1

The man did not stop when he left the workshop, he traveled across states and nations practicing his trade, and in his later years, investing countless hours in building, maintaining, volunteering, and teaching at countless vintage racing events in the United States. He also was not shy to pointedly educate, ensure safety, and foster the talent he saw in others to continue to succeed, learn, and master their skills.

Those who would follow in Tivvy’s example, learn of the things he accomplished through hard work, dedication, attention to detail and persistence – would certainly carry on a long lasting tradition, something Tivvy would appreciate, with a twinkle in his eye and his famous “you’re #1” greeting.

Giving Levels

Gifts of every size are appreciated and will be combined with others to fund scholarships and apprenticeships.

$5,000 funds one scholarship

$15,000 funds three scholarships or one apprenticeship

$25,000 funds two scholarships and one apprenticeship

Other Ways to Give

Cars For Piston Scholars

Turn your collector car into learning a career opportunities for aspiring technicians. Donate a classic car or vintage race car to The Piston Foundation. 100% of the sale goes to scholarships.

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Donate in Honor of Tivvy

Your gift will carry on the spirit of Tivvy’s work by providing learning and career opportunities to the next generation of auto restoration craftspeople.