From cars, trucks and motorcycles to fire engines, tractor and military vehicles, we care passionately about vehicles from the early era of transportation right up through the present so that everyone can experience the history and fun preserving and driving these vehicles can bring.
VAE is 501(c) Educational & Charitable Organization that awards scholarships to encourage and support young men and women who wish to pursue a career in automotive trades. VAE has funded hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships for Vermonters like you.
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Recent Wheel Tracks Articles
- 1929 Plymouth Rumble Seat Roadster
Pictured here Wendell Noble’s 1929 Plymouth Rumble Seat Roadster as it looked when he bought it (above) and as it looks now after restoration (below). Wendell is still waiting for a ride in the rumble seat. I fondly recall, as a kid, the thrill of riding with my brother in the rumble seat of our uncle’s ’41 Packard coupe. I… Read more: 1929 Plymouth Rumble Seat Roadster - Hoping for a ComebackSeems like every time you pick up a newspaper, scan the internet, or listen to the news, you read or hear that something is closing. Many churches, clubs, restaurants, stores, organizations of all sorts have run out of members and money. One of the biggest reasons for closing many times is there is not anyone to continue the work. This includes both… Read more: Hoping for a Comeback
- Lost Linguistic RichnessIt occurred to me recently that my common slang vocabulary has diminished over the years. Many of those colorful words or expressions were used as well-directed insults or derogatory references. Others were just colorfully descriptive. I didn’t coin any of these. I learned them from my long-gone elders. When I was just a “little squirt,” I recall the rather disagreeable woman… Read more: Lost Linguistic Richness
- 1950 Ford Custom ConvertibleThis ‘50 Ford Custom Convertible, fondly named “Duke of Earl,” is owned by Barry and Suzy Solomon, new VAE members from Westford, Vermont, and San Antonio, Texas. Beginning on page 6, you will read how Barry’s love of automobiles began when he was 15 years old. This car is almost identical to the one he purchased in 1956, although this… Read more: 1950 Ford Custom Convertible
About Vermont Auto Enthusiasts
The Vermont Automobile Enthusiasts was founded around a kitchen table in Essex Junction, Vermont by a small group of vintage automobile enthusiasts in 1953. It has continued to grow in membership and activity, and now has members not only from Vermont, but nationally and even internationally, among people who share an interest in all things related to automobiles and automotive history. VAE members are invited to monthly meets to explore Vermont’s scenic drives at the wheels of their prized autos in warmer months and visit historic sites and facilities of automotive or historic interest when indoor venues are called for. These include garage tours, restoration shops, and historically significant museum collections which add to each member’s enjoyment. And, yes, there’s a fair amount of car talk too. To the general public, we are probably best known for our annual Vermont Antique and Classic Car Meet, now held in Waterbury, Vermont which is the high point of our yearly activity.
The VAE is now a 501 c (3) non-profit educational and charitable organization devoted to encouraging and supporting education of young people in fields related to automotive technology and history. Proceeds from our car show, as well as individual donations, go to support this educational outreach.
The VAE proudly provides and supports these educational programs:
- The Golden Wrench Award: This award is presented annually to one junior in each of the sixteen automotive technical career centers in Vermont. The award consists primarily of a valuable tool set and $500 scholarship for continued post- secondary education in an automotive related field. The winning students are selected by their teaching faculty in recognition of their demonstrated dedication to their education.
- Skills USA: We provide financial support to help career center students who are first place winners in the state wide Skills competition in four automotive related competitions. This support helps with the expense of representing Vermont in the national competition to which they are invited.
- VAE Automotive Seniors Scholarship: We are now annually awarding six $1,000 scholarships to Vermont high school seniors who intend to pursue further education in the automotive field. They are selected based on their applications which describe their career goals and indicate how they intend to achieve them through further education.