June 5, 2000

A Utah college is one of a few in the country preparing students to compete in an exploding market in the auto industry. The end results catch the eye of just about every driver.

They turn heads on every corner. But before they end up looking good, they often start looking junky.

Utah Valley State College is one of the few schools in the nation where students are learning to build street rods from essentially a piece of metal and a souped up engine.

Morgan Rice/Student: "I'M GOING TO WELD THIS BACK DOOR SHUT, CUT OUT THESE POSTS AND MAKE A SEDAN DELIVERY OUT OF IT. THAT'S ALL I HAVE PLANNED SO FAR."

Don Wilson/Instructor: "IT'S FUN TO TAKE AN OLD PIECE OF NOTHING AND TURN IT INTO A REAL NEAT CAR. YOU GET A LOT OF SATISFACTION OUT OF IT."

This isn't just a hobby class. The market's growing so fast for these cars, shops are hiring students as fast as the college can train them.

Cris Boggess/Instructor: "THE NEED'S OUT THERE, AND THEY'RE REALLY STEPPING UP IN PRICES, SO IT COULD BE A GOOD LIVING."

Students start with the basics-- welding, painting and priming. Then advance to more specific training in graphics and engines.

Don Wilson/Program Coordinator: "THEY'LL STILL BE PREPARED TO GO OUT IN THE INDUSTRY IN EITHER THE STREET ROD SIDE OR THEY COULD STEP INTO THE PRODUCTION SIDE."

Over time, students take a carefully honed vision...

"A LOT OF IT'S CREATIVE BECAUSE YOU CAN DO WHAT YOU WANT TO IT, CUSTOMIZE IT OR RETURN IT TO STOCK."

...and turn it into a vision on wheels.

UVSC will officially begin classes this summer.