The car hobby is alive and well in a small garage in suburban Detroit! Local kids are getting an opportunity to wrench on race cars and hot rods, getting their hands dirty and learning valuable technical skills for their future.

DriveOne Detroit was founded by three generations of car enthusiasts and auto tech instructors passionate about giving kids the opportunity to learn by doing. In 1973, Paul Tregembo Sr., a second-generation auto tech instructor in the Detroit area, led his students to a second-place finish at the prestigious Detroit Autorama car show with their student-built 1961 Plymouth Valiant. From that point on, Professor Tregembo would build hot rods and customs with his students and enter them in car shows. Passing on the craft of mechanics, bodywork and everything it takes to build performance cars became a part of the Tregembo family’s life and mission.