WINSTON-SALEM — It’s rare to see a half-century old car still running, but this weekend at Forsyth Tech, you'll have a chance to do that.

The community college is hosting a cruise-in, featuring classic cars and trucks they've repaired.

There's a small slice of automotive history inside Forsyth Tech's transportation technology center, and the school is eager to share it.

"We want to let the community know what we teach here,” said transportation technologies program coordinator Mark Walker. “A lot of people don't know all of the classes they can take."

The automotive industry has seen a massive overhaul since old cars featured at the cruise-in first rolled off the assembly line.

"Mechanics as we used to know it has changed,” Walker said. “A lot of the electronics are more technically involved."

But you still need people to make them look sweet.

"I came in because I wanted to learn how to use the paint tools -- the spray gun, body work - as far as bondo,” said Sandra Thomas, a student in the program.

Instructors say their collision and body repair programs barely scratch the surface of their full offerings.

"We have classes in RV and motorcycle repair,” Walker said. “We also have Richard Childress race car technology."

There's such a need for these skills, students are guaranteed a job when they graduate.

"They are in demand,” Walker said. “This year in automotive we didn't have have enough to fill all the jobs. In the collision department, we had 43 more jobs than students to place in them."

"I know I'm going to get a job for sure, and that's something that's going to help me through my life,” said Luis Maziaz, a student in the program.

Students coming out of the program make an average salary of about $30,000 a year. But instructors say with just a couple of years experience, that number will double and sometimes even triple.

"The potential once they develop their skills would be from $75,000 to $100,000 a year,” Walker said.

The cruise-in will be held at Forsyth Tech's transportation technology center off North Patterson Avenue.

It's this Saturday, March 28, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., and is free and open to the public.