America's Automotive Trust Raises More Than $1.7 Million at 14th Annual Wheels & Heels Gala

• Funds raised help support educational programming, automotive preservation, new exhibitions, student experiences, and apprenticeships and career pathways.
• 2026 Trust Awards presented to distinguished honorees in recognition of exceptional achievements, craftsmanship, leadership and lasting contributions to the automotive industry and car culture.
• Annual Gathering of the Concours Club welcomed new members and recognized the continued generosity and leadership of some of the Trust's closest supporters.

TACOMA, Wash., Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- America's Automotive Trust (AAT), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit built to preserve automotive heritage and culture, raised more than $1.7 million during its 14th Wheels & Heels Annual Gala weekend, bringing together supporters from across the automotive community to help advance the Trust's work in preservation, education, workforce development and automotive heritage.

The annual celebration culminated Saturday, September 12, with a sold-out Wheels & Heels Gala at AAT's flagship museum, LeMay – America's Car Museum in Tacoma, Washington. Funds raised throughout the weekend will support the Trust and its member organizations as they continue to work to preserve significant vehicles and stories, expand educational opportunities, develop exhibitions, support apprenticeships and career pathways, and help ensure specialized automotive skills are passed to future generations.

"Car culture does not preserve itself. It continues because people choose to carry it forward," said Michael Towers, Wheels & Heels Gala Chairman. "The extraordinary generosity shown throughout this year's Wheels & Heels weekend allows us to continue to preserve history, open doors for students and apprentices, pass down knowledge and craftsmanship, and create experiences that inspire the next generation."

The weekend began Friday, September 11, with the Annual Gathering of the Concours Club, recognizing the generosity and leadership of some of the Trust's closest supporters. The evening also included presentation of the 2026 Trust Awards, recognizing individuals whose achievements and contributions have made a lasting impact on automotive culture:

• Edward T. Welburn Automotive Designer Award: Moray Callum
• Jay C. Ackley Master Craftsman Award: Rod Emory
• Hagerty Master Collector Award: William Lyon
• Nicola Bulgari Award: James Schmidt
• President's Award for Outstanding Service: Dale Wickell

The more than $1.7 million raised during the weekend will help America's Automotive Trust preserve and share vehicles and stories that have shaped automotive history, welcome thousands of students to LeMay – America's Car Museum, expand hands-on educational opportunities, support apprenticeships and career pathways through the RPM Foundation, preserve endangered automotive skills, develop new exhibitions, and make car culture accessible to broader audiences.

That work can also be seen in the Trust's newest exhibition, For Gold & Glory: A Tribute to Charlie Wiggins, which opened September 19 at LeMay – America's Car Museum. The world-premiere exhibition curated by Ed Welburn tells the story of pioneering Black race car driver, mechanic and innovator Charlie Wiggins, whose achievements challenged barriers in American motorsports during the early 20th century. Through historic vehicles, artifacts and storytelling, For Gold & Glory preserves Wiggins' legacy and introduces his story to a new generation.

Learn more about For Gold & Glory: A Tribute to Charlie Wiggins

15th Wheels & Heels Annual Gala –Save the Date for 2027 
America's Automotive Trust will celebrate the 15^th annual Wheels & Heels Annual Gala in September 2027. The Concours Club Annual Gathering will take place Friday, September 10, 2027, followed by the Wheels & Heels Gala on Saturday, September 11, 2027, at LeMay – America's Car Museum in Tacoma, Washington.

Media Assets
Photos from the 2026 Wheels & Heels Annual Gala and Concours Club Annual Awards are available here for editorial use:

2026 Concours Club Annual Awards Photos – September 11, 2026

2026 Wheels & Heels Annual Gala Photos – September 12, 2026

About America's Automotive Trust

America's Automotive Trust was founded with the goal of securing automotive heritage for future generations. The Trust brings together like-minded organizations like LeMay – America's Car Museum and the RPM Foundation that honor the past, celebrate the present, and drive the future of car culture to make a greater impact. America's Automotive Trust is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. For more information, visit: americasautomotivetrust.org.

CONTACT:
Jake Welk – Marketing & Communications Director
America's Automotive Trust
253.225.5623 | [email protected]

SOURCE America's Automotive Trust