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.
Sponsors
Vermont Antique & Classic Car Meet
Vermont Automobile Enthusiasts Offers
Bimonthly Magazine
Calendar of Events
Car Shows
3 Locations for Cars & Coffee
Recent Wheel Tracks Articles
- The Planetary Gearset
In my last article, I wrote up the basics of the automatic transmission. One of the key components that I talked about was the planetary (or epicyclic) gearset, and in this article I will get into a little more detail of their history and versatility. First off, why are they called “planetary” gearsets? According to Wikipedia, it’s because they were… Read more: The Planetary Gearset - Barns
A little while ago I was talking to an old-timer who grew up in Underhill. We were reminiscing about the old days here in town. He went back further in time than I do. He was asking about the barns on our property. Well, the house is gone and the big barn is gone. I think it collapsed from the… Read more: Barns - The “Automagic” TransmissionOne of my coworkers, when I was in the auto industry, jokingly called automatic transmissions “automagic” transmissions. At the time when they first came out, I imagine they did seem a little like magic — no clutch, no gearshift, and the car just did it all itself. There was no actual magic involved, just some impressive engineering. This article will be… Read more: The “Automagic” Transmission
- 1929 Buick Roadster 54CF
This is Eric & Silver Annie. Are we ready on the left? Are we ready on the right? Eric Osgood prepares for the August 2024 Waterbury parade with his beloved 1929 Buick Roadster, Model 54CF… Silver Annie for short.
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.