Red Metal Motors: Igniting Scholarships with Custom Classic Thrills

Okay, picture a shiny red truck rumbling through a parade, with Swoop the mascot waving from the back, drawing smiles and waves from the crowd. That's the essence of Red Metal Motors at the University of Utah. It's more than just flashy vehicles—it's a smart way to drum up scholarships. 

These custom classics hit the road for events, steal the show, and then get sold at auction to help fund student dreams. Let's break down how this program's turning heads and making a real difference.

How It All Got Rolling: From a Casual Ask to a Lasting Program

It started with a bit of a joke, really. Jake Sorensen from the University of Utah recalls, "What started as a request made somewhat jokingly - 'Hey, think you guys could find a 1955 or older pickup truck for the University to own' - evolved into a full-blown scholarship program that we hope can last for many years to come." The idea was simple: the U wanted to show up more at community parades across Utah, not just the big Pioneer Day one on July 24 each year. Before, they'd either build a float from scratch or beg to borrow an old vehicle—once a year, tops. That wasn't cutting it for connecting with folks where students, staff, and fans actually live.

Linking it to Swoop, the school's mascot, just clicked. As Sorensen puts it, "It made sense to us to attach this program to our mascot (another iconic emblem of the University of Utah), and now Swoop has a cherry new ride that’s turning heads and shaping futures." So, Red Metal Motors was born. They take a classic vehicle, trick it out with U branding, and use it for parades, campus parties, and all sorts of community stuff. After about a year or so, it goes up for auction. The money? It splits between scholarships for students in the Swoop program and building the next ride. It's this ongoing cycle that keeps things fresh and funds flowing.

Meet Red Betty: The Truck That's Got Everyone Talking

Red Betty's the first star of the show—a 1953 Chevy 3100 pickup that's been given a total makeover. She's painted that deep U crimson, with all the bells and whistles to make her stand out. Utah's own Resurgence Automotive, a family-run shop that does killer work on stuff like Ford Broncos, handled the build. 

She's got a 5.3 liters LS with modern fuel injection producing 377 horse, a 4-speed 4L060E transmission, upgraded suspension, AC, power steering, and brakes. Robert Staker from Resurgence sums it up: "It's a very drivable, very user-friendly vehicle wrapped up in an old package."

The U touches are everywhere: logos on the dash and wheels, Swoop's signature scribbled on the dashboard, "Utah" stamped right on the tailgate, and even wood from the Huntsman Center used for the bed and running boards. Brian Rasmussen, the U's marketing director, nailed it when he said, "Trucks right now are people’s daily drivers. Before, a truck was just a piece of equipment, and now a truck is actually transportation and it’s a status symbol, if you will, and this one is an icon."

She made her big entrance in the 2025 Days of '47 Parade, and since then, she's been popping up at spots like the Utah International Auto Expo in January 2026, Silicon Summit in February, and AutoRama in March. With Swoop doing over 370 appearances a year, Red Betty's like a rolling billboard for the school. Brett Eden, who heads up auxiliary business development, even joked, "This vehicle is, dare I say, a mascot of sorts that represents the university in a variety of settings and in a unique way, so we want to use it in any place we can."

Putting Scholarships Front and Center: Real Help for Students

This is where it gets exciting—the scholarships. When these trucks sell at auction, the cash goes straight to supporting the Swoop team's students. It lets them do more events and even set up their own ways to give back. The program's site explains, "Proceeds from the auction will go toward scholarships - helping students soar to new heights - and to the next ride helping Red Metal Motors create a highly exclusive collection of cars for Utah fans and car enthusiasts."

It's hands-on impact. Red Betty's auction is coming up in early 2027, and anyone can sign up on the site to bid. Staker imagines it like this: "Let the people who want to make donations to the school kind of wrestle over the thing with their checkbooks, if you will." For students, it means less worry about money, more time for classes, leading teams, or outreach. In Utah, where costs are climbing, this ties car lovers' passion to actual aid, helping kids from all over the state. Each auction builds on the last, creating more opportunities down the line.

A Quick Boost from Tech: Digital Signage in the Mix

At these lively events, the U amps things up with digital signage from Play Digital Signage. It shows off quick hits like scholarship info, auction updates, or school highlights, keeping the crowd engaged without stealing the spotlight from the classics.

The Teams Making It Happen

This doesn't happen solo. Resurgence Automotive scouts clean starting points and adds those modern twists, making sure everything's solid and fun to drive. Their craft really brings the U's vision to life. These partnerships strengthen community bonds and get more people excited about donating through something as cool as a custom truck.

What's Next: Keeping the Momentum Going

With Red Betty's auction on the horizon, they're already thinking about the next one. Maybe more tech tweaks or targeted scholarships for fields like science or the arts, especially for underrepresented folks. Sorensen invites everyone: "Interested parties can go to the website and register their interest to bid in the auction." It's your shot to own a slice of U history.

At the end of the day, Red Metal Motors is about more than trucks—it's fueling change. The University of Utah's mixing old-school charm with smart giving to build scholarships that stick around. Want in? Check out the Red Metal Motors site and jump on board.

Curious about this cool project by the University of Utah?