Coventry Foundation
2023-2024 Scholarship Recipient
Name: Alexander Riddle

Where/how did your passion and interest in the automotive industry get
started?

I have been around classic cars my whole life, going to car shows with my family.
During high school I took advantage of an opportunity to take automotive classes
as part of the Career and Technical Education program that was offered. During
those 4 years I worked on a few classic cars and discovered that was what I
enjoyed most. When I found out that there were schools that offered restoration
programs I was hooked. After much deliberation I ultimately decided that Penn
College was the place for me. I also decided that college offered an opportunity to
expand on my general automotive knowledge. To accomplish this, I earned an
associate degree in Automotive Technology in the spring of 2023 before
proceeding to the Restoration certificate program this fall.

What are your career goals after Penn College?

After I complete my certificate, I would like to return to a restoration shop where I
can continue gaining experience before eventually owning my own restoration
shop.

What is your favorite classic car?

My favorite classic car is a 1963 Corvette split-window coupe.

What is your favorite aspect of restoration?
My favorite aspect of restoration is seeing a piece of history come back to life.
Classic cars are not like other historic artifacts. They each have a unique story that
says something about the time they were designed, the people who once owned
them, and that story is continuously changing, and interacting with everyone
around it. In other words, it's a piece of history that you can be a part of. Whether
it's a classic being meticulously restored to better than new condition or a custom
car reflecting its owner's personality there is a story just waiting to be told.

If I could drive any automobile for an hour, what would it be?
That is a tough question. I think I would choose a 1969 Hurst/Olds as it is one of my favorite cars and a lot harder to find than a '63 Corvette.