Automotive Restoration

Certificate
Tucker parked at campus entry

About this program

Preserve the past using the technology of today in state-of-the-art labs with expert faculty by your side. Our auto restoration program covers everything you need to know to restore vintage vehicles to their former glory. From basic painting and non-structural repairs to advanced woodworking and upholstery installation, students master the art of restorative techniques. Thanks to small class sizes, lots of lab hours, and access to museum-quality vehicles, you’ll leave real-world ready to impress even the most discriminating collectors and museum professionals. 

Next steps...

You're on your way to becoming a tomorrow maker.

Work on Vehicles Built Prior to 1972

Attend High-Profile Events

Earn valuable experience with a paid internship

Careers

  • Automotive restoration shops 
  • Custom fabrication shops 
  • Automotive museums 
  • Automotive auction houses 
  • Private vehicle collections 
  • Specialty parts fabrication 
  • Classic vehicle maintenance and repair 
Courses

At Penn College, we believe your educational experience should go beyond specialized skills. Real-world ready means taking a broader approach that builds communication skills, inspires collaboration, and encourages exploration of arts, history, and science.

​​Specialization requires in-depth knowledge and high-level proficiency. Students learn and apply major-specific concepts, skills, and methods.

  • Automotive History in the 20th Century (RST100)
  • Vintage Automotive Mechanical & Applications I (RST115)
  • Vintage Metal Fabrication & Applications I (RST130)
  • Restoration Directed Elective (RST)
  • Automotive Research & Design (RST120)
  • Vintage Metal Fabrication & Applications II (RST205)
  • Vintage Automotive Final Assembly & Applications (RST215)
  • Introduction to Metallurgy (MSC106)
  • Automotive Restoration Internship (RST150)

​Perspectives are points of view, offering a variety of ways of understanding, interacting, and influencing the world. Students identify, explain, and utilize the approaches used by academics and professionals to study, analyze, or understand problems, and offer solutions.

​​Foundations are the practical, intellectual, and social skills: communication, collaboration, critical and ethical thinking, quantitative thinking, and technological literacy that are crucial to every student at every stage of education and at every stage of life.

  • Math Elective (MTH011 or Higher) (MPE)
  • Communications (ENL010) or
  • English Composition I (ENL111)
Virtual Tour

Collision Repair & Restoration

Take a look inside the expansive collision repair and restoration training grounds at Penn College. See aspiring technicians in action. Hear from passionate faculty with real-world experience. And learn how Wildcats are perfecting their craft one hands-on lesson at a time.

Modern Fully-Equipped Labs
Facilities

Modern Fully-Equipped Labs

Our expansive 49,000-square-foot lab features three spray booths, six English wheels, a 52-inch sheer, box and pan brake, power hammer, shrinking and stretching equipment, eight frame straightening machines, and two dual-car preparation stations. 

Student Experience

"My time at Penn College was the best time of my life. The quality of the education and of the institution is unmatched in my opinion. These degrees really do work."

Nick Cronin

Dual Degree
Ready to apply? Here's what to do.

Ready to apply? Here's what to do.

On the application, select Collision Repair Technology or Automotive Technology as your intended major. Once you've been accepted, you'll work with your advisor to declare a dual degree in Automotive Restoration Technology. 

Contact the admissions office at admissions@pct.edu or 800.367.9222 with questions.

Apply

Tour Schedule

Seeing is believing.

Think Penn College might be a good fit for you? Make plans to visit and discover what hands-on learning is all about.

Mar 1

Undergraduate Open House

Saturday, March 19 AM - 3 PM

Register

Apr 6

Undergraduate Open House

Sunday, April 69 AM - 3 PM

Register

More tour dates are on the way.

But let's customize a tour for you now. Call, chat, or email for options.

Need a different date?

Let's customize a tour for you now. Call, chat, or email for options.

Contact

Admissions Office

Industry Partners

Work with experts to become an expert

Penn College's strong partnerships impact every step of your journey – from your first day in the classroom and labs, to career placement (oftentimes before graduation) and beyond.

RPM Foundation
AACA Museum
Boyertown Museum
Northeast Classic Car Museum
Rolls-Royce Foundation
Swigart
Student Life

Lead and put your skills to the test

Penn College Classic Cruisers

Penn College Classic Cruisers

Penn College Classic Cruisers promote interest in and preservation of antique and modified automobiles along with education, good sportsmanship, and fellowship among members. 

Penn College Motorsports Association 

Penn College Motorsports Association 

The club activities offer members exclusive exposure to the racing industry with tours of performance shops and opportunities to test their driving ability by participating in track days, autocross, and other driver skill events. 

Student Organizations at Penn College

Student Organizations at Penn College

Your college experience is about more than the classroom. Join one of 65+ clubs and organizations, or create your own.

Penn College News
11.01.2024

Weather Channel taps faculty car expertise

Information shared by Roy H. Klinger, instructor of collision repair at Pennsylvania College of Technology, is featured in a short video on The Weather Channel. The 1:19-minute piece, titled “Autumn Leaves Could be Eating Away at Your Car,” warns viewers that, “As beautiful as fall foliage is, those colorful leaves piling up on your car can cause serious damage, from stripping away paint to clogging your car’s air systems.”

10.31.2024

Penn College collision repair student receives scholarship

A Pennsylvania College of Technology freshman is one of five students nationwide to receive a BASF Techs for Tomorrow scholarship. Jocelyn N. Pandolfo, of Clark, New Jersey, earned a $2,500 scholarship awarded by BASF and the Techforce Foundation. Pandolfo is seeking an associate degree in collision repair technology.

10.22.2024

Antique car repaired by Penn College students garners honor

A 1948 Tucker repaired by students at Pennsylvania College of Technology earned honors at the recent Antique Automobile Club of America’s Eastern Division National Fall Meet in Hershey. The vehicle won the First Junior Award, meaning it was ranked the best among all cars judged for the first time in its class: limited production and prototype vehicles through 1998.

Gain global experience
Study Abroad

Gain global experience

At Penn College, the world is your classroom. Soak in the global experience by taking part in our study abroad program where you’ll study in Italy’s exotic car repair shops. 

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Internship

Your knowledge in practice

Internships are key for career preparation. Many students have an opportunity to work in award-winning restoration shops across the nation.  

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Student Experience

The community as their classroom

Restoration Students Skillfully Leave Mark on Automotive History

Restoration Students Skillfully Leave Mark on Automotive History

Penn College students lent a practiced hand to the preservation of the “Tin Goose,” a 1947 precursor to the historically significant Tucker automobile, which was named “Best Post-War Vehicle” at the 2019 Concours d’Elegance in Hershey. Automotive Restoration students and faculty took the same car to the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in California in 2018.

Read More

More Information

Students must maintain a 'C' or greater in all RST courses. If a 'D' or lower is earned, the course must be repeated. Students should work closely with their advisers and program faculty to ensure they are meeting all criteria for satisfactory progress in the program.

View general transfer information

View the Automotive Restoration Technology Tool List

You are required to have a uniform and hard-toed shoes for lab classes. It is recommended that you purchase three uniforms.

Uniforms and tools are available for purchase through The College Store.

Alternative Credit refers to academic credits earned through means other than traditional college course completion, including: credit by exam, articulation, proof of competency gained in high school, work/life experience, and advanced placement.

Visit the Alternative Credit Options page for requirements and procedures and for information on credit through Advanced Placement.

  • Mr. David Andersen, '22, Recruitment & Outreach, Blaise Alexander Family Dealerships
  • Mr. John K Bassler, Owner/Operator, Vintage Motorcar Company
  • Mr. Jeffrey E Bliemeister, Executive Director, AACA Museum
  • Mr. Chris Boyce, Co-Owner, The Auto Advocates
  • Mr. Dennis Frick, President, Europa Macchina, Inc.
  • Mr. William R Hahn, Owner/Partner/Chief Executive Office, Hahn & Woodward Auto Restoration
  • Mr. Stephen R Hall, Funeral Director, Trefz & Bowser Funeral Home, Inc.
  • Mr. Robert Hiller, '15, Restoration Tech, Vintage Motorcar Company
  • Mr. Mark H Lizewskie, Executive Director, Rolls-Royce Foundation
  • Mr. Earl Mowrey, Jr., '73, Owner, Mowrey Contractors LLC
  • Mr. Alcides Ruozzi, Co-owner, RB Collection, LLC
  • Mr. Ronald G Smith, '80, Owner, Superior Auto Service Co., Inc.
  • Mr. Edwon B Stroble, Jr., Owner, Stroble & Twigg Auto Restoration
  • Ms. Lori Van Houten Frick, Vice President and COO, Europa Macchina, Inc.
  • Mr. Paul A Vorbach, President/CEO, HV3DWorks LLC
  • Career Fair Connections

    Career Fair Connections

    Penn College graduates are in high demand. Employer participation at the Career Fair is proof. Attracting 400+ organizations, this popular event is hosted twice per year and introduces students to all types of businesses from startups to Fortune 500 companies. 

    Learn More About Career Fair