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
- A Full Grid
Thank you to Bill Josler and his many friends for a great race car turnout in Waterbury! There were 35 race cars at the show. Read more from Bill… As Carrol Shelby said in the movie Ford V Ferrari, “If you are fortunate enough to do that which you love, you will never have to work”; I am that person. Raised… Read more: A Full Grid - The Generator GenerationThe power for a car’s electrical system comes from the battery, but it must be constantly replenished by a generator. Up until the early 1960s, a DC generator, which is technically called a dynamo, was the standard. The physical principle by which any electrical generator works is called the Lorentz force. You’ll probably never need to remember that name, but it’s… Read more: The Generator Generation
- Memories of KitI was going through another pile of photographs recently and came upon a photo of Kit Coddington. There probably aren’t any folks left who knew him. He passed in 1978 or 1979. Just another good old car fellow who loved flea markets. I have a photo of him at a Stowe car meet flea market on the fridge. He was originally from NJ and… Read more: Memories of Kit
- Golden Wrench Awards – 2026PRESENTING THE 2026 GOLDEN WRENCH WINNERS This award is presented annually in late May to early June to one junior in each of the sixteen automotive technical career centers in Vermont. The award consists primarily of a valuable tool set worth approximately $800 and a $500 scholarship for continued post-secondary education, plus a year’s membership in the VAE. The winning… Read more: Golden Wrench Awards – 2026
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.