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.

Apr 7

Undergraduate Open House

Sunday, April 7 8:30 AM - 3 PM

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
03.20.2024

Collision repair alumni visit campus, encourage students

A trio of collision repair technology graduates from 2006 recently returned to campus to address students in the Collision Repair Operations class taught by Eric D. Pruden, instructor of automotive technology. Ryan M. Arnold, Lanessa (Satteson) Taylor and Gilberto Alicea “shared their experiences in the collision repair industry and encouraged the students to find their place in the industry,” according to Pruden.

03.01.2024

College's Transportation Scholars program featured on 'Centre County Report'

Friday’s “Centre County Report” featured a story on Penn College’s Transportation Scholars program. The weekly broadcast -- produced by students in the capstone broadcast journalism course in the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications at Penn State – included an interview with Bradley M. Webb, dean of engineering technologies.

02.26.2024

Model A Restorers Club donates book collection to library

The West Branch Model A Restorers Club visited The Madigan Library recently to donate 14 books to support learning at Pennsylvania College of Technology. The local organization has a consistent presence on campus, including showcasing vehicles during summer automotive restoration camps.

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.  

Learn More
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 with the program faculty to ensure that 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. 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