This summer, IBT Media dodged tornado-spawning thunderstorms to emerge in a wonderland where automobiles of by-gone eras are resurrected.

McPherson College in central Kansas is the only accredited four-year college that offers a bachelor's degree in Automotive Restoration Technology. The program is recognized internationally for the excellent preparation it provides students who wish to pursue a career in this rewarding, if unusual, field.

There are not many people alive today who have heard the distinct pop-pop-pop of an 1886 Benz, the first automobile ever produced. Who can resist the excitement of a 1913 Ford Model T Speedster or the elegance of a 1936 Buick? Who has ever heard of a 1931 Pierce-Arrow?

The program's mission: "To prepare students for leadership in the field of professional automotive restoration by instilling values of craftsmanship, authenticity and integrity."

IBT Media's mission for this shoot: "To interview students and faculty while shooting beautiful footage of finished cars and works in progress." The final show will be featured on World’s Greatest, a Discover Entertainment program distributed mainly via internet.

Every detail of the original cars, right down to the last stitch in the leather upholstery, is meticulously researched and recreated in their shop. There are challenges that go well beyond rust. Most of the old cars were made with a lot of wood, which time has deteriorated. Many of the metal parts of these rare autos simply cannot be found anywhere. The solutions: They handcraft the wood anew. The students fabricate rare metal parts in their shop.

The overall process gives students incredible learning experiences from some of the best restorers in the world. They get hands-on skills by rebuilding a pile of rusting history from the ground up. And, the results are spectacular.

Comedian Jay Leno, a world-class car collector, has purchased several of their restored cars. He is also an ardent supporter of McPherson, offering a full scholarship to a hard-working student every year. Other major supporters include Hagerty Classic Insurance, Mercedes-Benz Classic Center and The Collector’s Foundation.

General Education and Business classes round-out the curriculum and McPherson students - young and non-traditional, male and female - graduate with jobs waiting for them.

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