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McPherson College in Kansas Offers the Only Bachelor’s Degree in Automotive Restoration in the World, Where Students Learn to Rebuild Classic Cars with Craftsmanship Techniques and Modern Technology
In the heart of the United States, amidst the plains of Kansas, there is a college that has transformed the passion for vintage cars into academic training. McPherson College, located in the city of McPherson, is the only institution in the U.S. to offer a bachelor’s degree in automotive restoration, combining art, engineering, and history. There, students learn to disassemble, rebuild, and bring back to life true relics on wheels — all with the same technical rigor of a traditional degree.
The Program that Trains Classic Car Restorers
The program, called Bachelor of Science in Automotive Restoration Technology, has been offered for almost fifty years and continues to be a global reference. On its official website, the college states that its four-year program is the only one of its kind in the country.
Students learn much more than just mechanics. The training includes metallurgy, automotive painting, engine rebuilding, woodworking, upholstery, and historical research. Every detail is important for the vehicles to regain not only their original appearance but also their performance and authenticity from the era.
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The curriculum also offers different specializations, such as Automotive Restoration Management, Automotive Communication, and Restoration Art and Design, allowing students to work both in workshops and in curation of museums and international classic car events.
Tradition and Support from Great Names
The history of the program began in 1976, when entrepreneur Gaines “Smokey” Billue donated over 120 vintage cars to the institution, giving rise to the restoration program. Since then, McPherson College has become a true center for the preservation of American automotive culture.
The project gained worldwide fame in 1997, when comedian and host Jay Leno, one of the largest car collectors on the planet, became the main supporter of the program. He created scholarships for young restoration enthusiasts and helped publicize the students’ work on TV shows and international events.
Today, the college’s workshops — known as Templeton Hall — house complete labs for chassis, painting, upholstery, and engines. Students work on legendary vehicles, from the earliest automobiles of the early 20th century to luxury European classics.
Recognition and Impact in the Automotive Sector
The program at McPherson College is more than an academic curiosity: it represents a link between modern automotive engineering and traditional craftsmanship. In 2023, a group of students restored a 1953 Mercedes-Benz 300 S Cabriolet, which won second place in the restoration category at the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in California.
According to the college administration, about 85% of students intern at museums, private collections, and renowned workshops in the United States and Europe. The course also offers exchanges with companies specialized in automotive restoration and design, ensuring a comprehensive and global education.
And Brazil, Would There Be Room for a Program Like This?
In Brazil, the automotive restoration market is steadily growing, driven by the increase in the value of classic cars and the interest of collectors. However, there is no higher education course with a structure similar to that of McPherson College.
This opens the floor for discussions about specialized technical training, automotive tourism, and historical preservation. An initiative inspired by the American model could transform the country into a reference point in South America, integrating sectors of engineering, industrial arts, and cultural heritage.
Meanwhile, those looking to follow this path can find at McPherson College a unique opportunity to combine passion and profession, living daily the dream of restoring machines that have marked the history of motorsport worldwide.
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