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On the latest episode of the America's Automotive Trust podcast, Fuel for the Future, host Michael May chats with automotive performance legend Steve Saleen. The conversation arrives just in time for the launch of The Birth of the American Supercar , a brand-new display opening October 25, 2025, at LeMay – America’s Car Museum in Tacoma. The display is guest curated by Saleen himself, offering visitors an inside look at the innovation, engineering, and spirit that have defined America’s most iconic high-performance vehicles. In this episode, Saleen shares stories from his remarkable career, from his early racing days to founding Saleen Automotive, the company behind some of the most distinctive and powerful American performance cars ever built. Known for reimagining Ford Mustangs, creating the acclaimed Saleen S7, and pushing the limits of design and performance, Steve Saleen has cemented his place as one of the most influential figures in modern automotive history. You can listen to the new episode of Fuel for the Future now on all major podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts , and right here on our website. Tickets are on sale now for the grand opening of The Birth of the American Supercar this Saturday at LeMay – America’s Car Museum. Don’t miss your chance to celebrate American performance with one of the industry’s true icons.

In early September, we hosted our annual Concours Club Gathering and Wheels & Heels Gala, in which we celebrated not just the achievements of America's Automotive Trust and its entities, but the efforts of several people who have left a major mark in the automotive world. From racing and design to collecting and restoring, the America's Automotive Trust Awards honor individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the automotive industry, car culture, and preservation. Our 2025 winners are: Nicola Bulgari Award: Keith Flickinger Edward T. Welburn Automotive Design Award: Ralph Gilles and Wayne Cherry Jay C. Ackley Master Craftsman Award: Travis LaVine Hagerty Master Collector Award: Wayne Carini American Racing Legends Award: Bob Bondurant (posthumous) and George Follmer We hope you join us in congratulating each of them and their loved ones. You can read more about the winners of our 2025 AAT Award winners here.

A new episode of Hot Wheels Legends: Local Icons spotlights the RPM Foundation and its mission to train the next generation of restoration professionals. Filmed during the 2025 Great Race, the video captures the energy and purpose behind RPM’s support of the X-Cup division—an educational rally experience for high school and college-age teams passionate about vintage vehicles and automotive preservation. During the 2025 event, RPM raised over $50,000 and awarded more than $60,000 in grants and scholarships to support participating youth teams. These funds help cover vehicle restoration, travel costs, and career-building opportunities, ensuring young enthusiasts have access to hands-on learning that honors the past and drives the future of car culture.

Per usual, summer is flying by! We hope you're racking up the miles and enjoying the sunshine. But let's not get ahead of ourselves, there's still plenty of exciting automotive events in the near future. Perhaps we will see you at Pebble Beach in a few weeks, or Hilton Head a little later this fall. Does car season ever really end? If you're as enthusiastic as us, the answer is no! In recent news, the RPM Foundation managed and participated in the Great Race X-Cup, racing from Minnesota to South Carolina. Throughout the journey, the Foundation raised ~$50,000 and awarded nearly ~$60,000 in grants and scholarships! Just a few weeks later, the RPM Foundation team, connected with Lucky Kraken production company, went cameras up at LaVine Restorations in Nappanee, Indiana to film the first episode of a new educational docu-series Endangered Skills , as seen in the cover photo above. At LeMay - America's Car Museum there has been a fantastic response to our current exhibit, Rare & Luxurious: 100 Years of Exceptional Automobiles . If you've yet to see it, be sure to visit soon. It will be closing at the end of September to make room for a brand new, can't miss exhibition. Keep an eye out for an official announcement about this exhibit that is being put together with the help of a guest curator with a name you'll surely recognize! In the coming weeks, we will be hosting Cars & Cigars followed by our annual gala, Wheels & Heels, both of which will take place at LeMay - America's Car Museum in Tacoma, WA. If you'd like to join us at the gala on September 6th for a celebratory evening don't hesitate to RSVP, as limited tickets remain! More information about Cars & Cigars can be found below! We here at the Trust truly appreciate your support, whether that's as a Museum visitor, donor, volunteer or someone simply sharing our passions for automotive history, vehicle preservation, and driving! Thank you for joining our mission to honor the past, celebrate the present, and drive the future of car culture.

Get ready for an unforgettable summer evening— Cars & Cigars: The Seventies Social is set for Saturday, August 2 from 6–10 PM at LeMay – America’s Car Museum , and tickets are officially on sale.  This annual event is a favorite among those who appreciate fine cigars, elevated food and drink, and exceptional automobiles. Each year brings a new theme, and this summer, we’re turning back the clock to the 1970s. Expect an evening of laid-back luxury, classic style, and nostalgic fun in a setting unlike any other. Guests will enjoy: Premium cigars in a sophisticated outdoor lounge Handcrafted cocktails and refreshing beverages Savory bites from Stanley & Seafort’s, Table 47, and Anthony’s Live music inspired by the sounds of the era A curated selection of classic cars displayed on the plaza Whether you come for the cars, the company, or the warm summer breeze, Cars & Cigars offers the perfect blend of style, flavor, and atmosphere. It’s the ideal night out to gather with friends, meet fellow enthusiasts, and celebrate the finer things—1970s style. Tickets are limited and expected to sell out. Reserve yours now and prepare for a night of retro sophistication.

From cross-country adventures to exhilarating new exhibitions and youth-powered racing, the future is bright for America's Automotive Trust! Plans are already underway for the return of The Drive Home, set for January 2026. This time, we’ll be cruising the legendary Route 66 from California to Illinois before heading to the Motor City for the Detroit Auto Show, all in honor of the 100th anniversary of America’s most iconic highway. Stay tuned to find out where you can catch us as we drive classic cars more than 2,000 miles across the nation. In Tacoma, Rare & Luxurious: 100 Years of Exceptional Automobiles is now open at LeMay – America’s Car Museum . This stunning new exhibit explores a century of style, performance, and prestige, featuring icons like the Mercedes-Benz 300SL, Lamborghini Miura, Duesenberg Model J, and Ford GT. This tribute to the art of the automobile is a can't miss! On the RPM Foundation front, the future is shifting into high gear. Preparations are underway for the 2025 Great Race X-Cup, happening next month, where student teams will showcase their skill on the open road. The RPM team is also kicking off filming for Endangered Skills, an all-new video series spotlighting the vanishing techniques that keep restoration traditions alive. As we celebrate car culture past, present, and future, we wish everyone a joyful, thrilling, and safe car season. Stay tuned, stay engaged, and above all, keep driving what you love.

America’s Automotive Trust, the Detroit Auto Show , and the National Route 66 Centennial Commission are proud to announce The Drive Home VII: Route 66 – A Century of Adventure , a once-in-a-lifetime cross-country drive celebrating the 100th anniversary of the legendary Route 66. This commemorative event will begin on January 3, 2026, in Santa Monica, California, and span the full length of Route 66, arriving nine days later in Chicago, Illinois on January 12, 2026. The Route 66-era vehicles will then “drive home” to be on display at the world-class Detroit Auto Show beginning on January 14, 2026.

LeMay - America's Car Museum recently hosted our annual Wine & Wheels event, showcasing the fantastic wineries that have supported our Wheels & Heels Gala over the years. Taking place in the Showcase Gallery, 175 guests enjoyed tastings from ten PNW wineries and delicious bites from Café Pacific. Thank you to everyone who attended!

Have you heard? All new episodes of the Fuel for the Future podcast from America's Automotive Trust are out now! This incredible show, hosted by Michael May of Auto/Biography on MotorTrend, brings you in depth interviews with enthusiasts and industry professionals, shares tales of automotive history and explores innovative designs and technologies that are propelling us into the future. Check out a preview below and be sure to subscribe for free anywhere you get your podcasts or listen right here on the AAT website .