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Explore every episode of the podcast To All The Cars I've Loved Before: Classic Car Restoration, JDM, and Automotive History

Dive into the complete episode list for To All The Cars I've Loved Before: Classic Car Restoration, JDM, and Automotive History. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.

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TitlePub. DateDuration
Mianna Wick: Vintage IndyCars and Grassroots Racing15 sept. 202600:46:00

Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia!

How do you go from driving a homemade go-kart built out of lawnmower parts to piloting a 1996 Lola IndyCar originally driven by Eddie Lawson and Davy Jones?

In this episode of To All The Cars I've Loved Before, Doug sits down with IndyCar driver and speaker Mianna Wick.Mianna shares her unique journey into motorsports, starting at age 10 on a custom backyard dirt track paved by her dad, and moving up through the ranks of Formula Ford and Formula Mazda.

Don't miss Mianna's favorite episode with Porsche Carrera Cup driver, Sabre' Cook and her motocross winning dad, Stacey! https://www.buzzsprout.com/2316026/episodes/19386773

We dive deep into the world of open-wheel racing as Mianna breaks down the differences between F1 and IndyCar, explains why her vintage '96 Lola actually has a higher power-to-weight ratio than modern IndyCars, and discusses the challenges of racing a naturally aspirated beast with no telemetry or driver aids. Mianna also shares the deeply personal story of her temporary retirement from the sport, how her faith guided her unexpected return, and the single greatest lesson her legendary crew chief taught her about championship team culture.


🔗 Follow Mianna Wick:

Connect with Us: Got a great car story? Email us at stories@carsloved.com. Find all our content and social links here: linktr.ee/carsloved.

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Flipping Alois Ruf's Turbo & Ultra-Rare Porsches w/ Bill Patel01 sept. 202600:52:32

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How do you go from buying a broken-down $3,000 Porsche 944 to owning hundreds of air-cooled 911s and flipping some of the rarest vehicles in the world?

This week, Doug goes solo to sit down with Bill Patel, an automotive broker and Porsche collector who has been living the gearhead dream for nearly 25 years. From spotting Alois Ruf's personal 1984 RUF Turbo at a random Chicago dealership to preserving a 1-of-20 IMSA homologation 1992 Porsche 964 Turbo S2, Bill’s deep archives of car knowledge have led to some of the most incredible vehicle discoveries we’ve ever heard on the show.

In this episode, we cover:

  • The 1-of-20 Unicorn: The history of the 1992 Porsche 964 Turbo S2 and how ANDIAL modified 20 street-legal versions for IMSA racing.
  • The Ultimate Flip: How an old AutoWeek magazine helped Bill identify and buy Alois Ruf's personal RUF Turbo for $65,000 and flip it weeks later for $145,000.
  • The Widowmaker: Why the 930 Turbo remains Bill's all-time favorite car, and his quest to own every single model year.
  • Porsche Market Secrets: Why manual 981 Boxster GTSs and 997.2s are the ultimate modern classics, and why the 996 is the best budget buy right now.
  • Dangerous Rides: Surviving the unpredictable Dodge Viper GTS and the heartbreak of wrecking a 930 just 15 minutes after buying it.

Don't miss Bill's favorite episode with Brad Phillips on The Great Race, Ferraris, and Vintage Porsches: https://buzzsprout.com/2316026/episodes/19238276

Plus, Bill shares his humble beginnings learning to drive stick in a Chevy S10 Blazer and surviving a wrecked Toyota pickup, as well as his family's incredible dedication to supporting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

If you love air-cooled lore, the thrill of the automotive hunt, and the unfiltered reality of car flipping, this episode is an absolute must-listen!

Connect with Us: Got a great car story? Email us at stories@carsloved.com. Find all our content and social links here: linktr.ee/carsloved.

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Off-Roading the INEOS Grenadier, Land Cruiser Memories & Wrenching with Anastasia18 août 202600:56:56

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From surviving a scary collision in a massive Toyota Land Cruiser as a teenager to swapping out suspension springs on a 7,500-lb INEOS Grenadier in her driveway, Anastasia Kim Carpenter proves that taking the path less traveled is always the best route!

In this episode of To All The Cars I've Loved Before, Doug sits down with Anastasia—founder of the Women's INEOS Grenadier Club—to talk about the rapidly growing world of overlanding, off-roading, and female empowerment in the automotive space. Anastasia shares incredible stories from her youth balancing Vaganova ballet with driving rugged 4x4s, explains the fascinating origins of the INEOS Grenadier, and breaks down the real challenges (and massive rewards!) of being an early adopter of a brand-new, highly capable off-road vehicle.

Don't miss Anastasia's favorite episode with superstar father-daughter duo, Dane and Riley from Riley's Rebuilds - https://buzzsprout.com/2316026/episodes/18447947

If you love tales from the trail, hands-on wrenching, and the magic of sitting around a campfire after a long day of wheeling, this episode is for you!

In this episode, we cover:

  • 🚙 The Land Cruiser Days: Anastasia’s teenage years behind the wheel of big, burly Toyota Land Cruisers—including a white 5th-gen, a blue one that saved her in a scary collision, and a River Rock Green Mica 6th-gen! 
  • 🩰 Ballet Meets 4x4s: The hilarious contrast of driving a massive 4x4 to a Nutcracker rehearsal as a ballerina. 
  • 🔧 The INEOS Grenadier: Why she fell in love with the utilitarian, ladder-frame INEOS Grenadier (Trial Master edition) and how she tackles complex DIY mods like installing Eibach springs. 
  • 💪 Women in Motorsport: The inspiring story behind founding the Women's INEOS Grenadier Club to empower female off-roaders to take control in the garage and on the trail. 
  • 🍻 Trivia Time: Find out exactly where INEOS founder Sir Jim Ratcliffe first sketched the concept for the Grenadier! 

Connect with Us: Got a great car story? Email us at stories@carsloved.com. Find all our content and social links here: linktr.ee/carsloved.

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Prototyping EVs, 115 MPH in Grandpa’s Cadillac & Building Rivians with John Gravelyn04 août 202600:42:30

Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia!

What is the difference between engineering vehicles at a 100-year-old legacy automaker versus a high-speed EV startup?

In this episode of To All The Cars I've Loved Before, host Doug sits down with former Ford and Rivian engineering manager turned real estate founder, John Gravelyn. From fixing his own beaters out of pure pragmatism as a teenager to working in top-secret prototype shops, John shares an incredible insider look at how modern vehicles get built—and the hilarious personal car stories along the way.

What We Cover in This Episode:

  • First Car & Pure Freedom: The 300+ horsepower 1997 Cadillac STS gift from his grandfather, keeping it waxed, and the terrifying moment he tested its top speed at 115 MPH only to discover aerodynamic lift!
  • The Practical Ranger: How a basic 1998 Ford Ranger 5-speed manual launched his teenage lawn care business and taught him hands-on repair skills.
  • Worst Car & Commute Nightmare: Losing his clutch in a Mercury Milan on I-94 during a 1.5-hour Detroit rush-hour commute, stalling 20 times, and trading it in for $300.
  • Inside Ford's Prototype Shop: Working on top-secret builds like the Bronco in a historic 1950s Lincoln shop, plus testing Mustang Mach-E range in the emissions lab during COVID.
  • The Rivian EV Shift: The stark culture contrast between Ford's established systems and Rivian’s fast-paced, "bootstrapped" prototype environment where custom parts were needed instantly.
  • The Future of Auto Techs & AI: Invaluable advice for the next generation of technicians on using problem-solving frameworks and AI tools to diagnose complex modern vehicles.
  • Dream Cars & First Principles: Why John’s ultimate dream car is a mid-70s Lincoln Continental Mark IV, and how he now uses an engineering mindset to help analytical professionals with real estate at First Principles Partners.

Connect with Our Guest:

Connect with Us: Got a great car story? Email us at stories@carsloved.com. Find all our content and social links here: linktr.ee/carsloved.

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From Karting to NASCAR Late Models with Kaeden Ballos21 juil. 202600:40:32

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Welcome back to To All The Cars I've Loved Before! This week, Doug is going solo in the garage to sit down with 18-year-old racing phenom Kaeden Ballos. As a fourth-generation racer, Kaeden is currently making waves in the NASCAR weekly series behind the wheel of the number 19 late model.

In this episode, Kaeden shares the incredible story of his racing origins, starting at just six years old. We hear about the wild moment he barrel-rolled a dirt champ kart down the back straightaway—and how that crash actually removed his fear of racing. Kaeden also dives into his experiences driving a clutchless Bandolero at the Summer Shootout at Charlotte Motor Speedway, stepping up to the highly competitive Cars Tour, and his recent test runs in F3 and F4 cars where he almost set a track record.

Don't miss Kaeden's favorite episode with Porsche Carrera Cup North America driver, Sabre' Cook and her amazing motocross legend father, Stacey Cook https://buzzsprout.com/2316026/episodes/19386773

Whether you are a devoted NASCAR fan or love the adrenaline of open-wheel testing, this episode takes you directly into the driver's seat.

In this episode, we cover:

  • A Racing Bloodline: How Kaeden's grandfather, a former NASCAR race director, and his parents shaped his passion for the track.
  • Meeting a Legend: Kaeden shares a memorable story of meeting his childhood favorite driver, Kyle Busch.
  • The First Big Crash: The wild story of barrel-rolling a dirt champ kart at Capital City Speedway and how it changed his driving mindset.
  • Driving a "Brick on Wheels": What it is actually like to race Bandolero cars in a "war zone" of competition.
  • Open-Wheel Testing: Kaeden's recent experience testing F4 and F3 cars, getting within a second of the track record at the Autobahn South course.
  • Podcast Trivia: The surprising historical reason why American oval tracks run counterclockwise!

Connect with Us: Got a great car story? Email us at stories@carsloved.com. Find all our content and social links here: linktr.ee/carsloved.

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The Lost 1983 Turbo Mustang & Mopar Restomod Nightmares07 juil. 202600:40:22

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Welcome back to To All The Cars I've Loved Before! This week, Doug is sitting down with his friend and ultimate gearhead, Tony Funk. Over the years, Tony has owned over 35 different vehicles, and he brings some of the most unbelievable automotive stories we've ever heard into the garage.

In this episode, Tony shares the miraculous story of his rare 1983 Ford Mustang GT Turbo. After a hurricane brought a massive tree down on it, a frustrated Tony simply gave the crushed car away. In a wild twist of fate, the owner offered it back to him six years later. The craziest part? The title was still in Tony's name with his signature on it!

We also dive deep into Tony's latest headache: a 1970 Dodge Dart Swinger tribute car. Originally a base-model slant-six , this 360-swapped project turned into an 8-week legal nightmare with the North Carolina DMV over mismatched hidden body stamps and some generic Home Depot rivets.

Don't miss Tony's favorite episode with Ethan's amazing WRX - https://buzzsprout.com/2316026/episodes/19011189

Whether you are hunting for your dream 1968 Charger RT or wondering how to navigate classic Mopar restorations, this episode is packed with hard-earned wrenches and wisdom.

In this episode, we cover:

  • First Car Heartbreak: The short-lived glory of a brown 1980 Dodge Mirada that was rear-ended and totaled at a red light.
  • The Escort Era: Surviving the Pennsylvania summer heat in an un-air-conditioned 1983 Ford Escort painted in infamous "porno red".
  • The Foxbody Miracle: Giving away a crushed '83 Mustang GT Turbo and getting it back six years later.
  • Mopar Title Nightmares: The extreme stress of titling a 1970 Dodge Dart tribute car and why you must always check for pentastar rivets.
  • ZZ Top Trivia: The history and the rival engine hiding under the hood of Billy Gibbons' famous 1933 Ford Coupe, the "Eliminator".

Sponsor Shoutout: Want to learn more about the cars we discussed today? This episode is sponsored by Car Curious! Their free audio player syncs annotations directly to our transcript, explaining every car, part, and term. Test drive it right now at carslove.com/listen.

Connect with Us: Got a great car story? Email us at stories@carsloved.com. Find all our content and social links here: linktr.ee/carsloved.

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The Racing Gene: Pro Porsche Driver Sabré Cook & Hall of Fame Dad Stacey Cook23 juin 202600:50:38

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A Father’s Day Special: The Unbreakable Bond of a Racing Family

Happy Father’s Day! This week on To All The Cars I've Loved Before, we are celebrating the ultimate father-daughter racing duo. We’re sitting down with Sabré Cook—a mechanical engineer and professional driver for JDX Racing in the Porsche Carrera Cup North America—and her dad, Stacey Cook, a former professional motocross rider who was inducted into the Colorado Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2023.

In this episode, we dive deep into the Cook family’s high-octane history. Stacey shares his incredible journey from racing a $800, 200,000-mile Datsun pickup across Colorado with dirt bikes in the back, to the terrifying realization of watching his own daughter speed past him in a formula car. Sabré discusses her disciplined path to the driver's seat (which required straight A's just to get a Chevy Equinox!), her ultimate goal to race in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and why she believes a $2 Million Porsche 911 DLS Singer is the ultimate dream car.

Don't miss Sabre' and Stacey's favorite episode featuring Monster Truck Jam driver, Nicole Johnson - https://buzzsprout.com/2316026/episodes/15924202

Whether you are looking to get into track days yourself or just want to hear a heartwarming story about a father who supported his daughter's drive to the top, this episode is packed with life lessons, laughs, and serious horsepower.

In this episode, we cover:

  • Stacey's wild early days: Street racing a 1965 Corvette and surviving cross-country trips in an orange Datsun.
  • Safety Evolution: The shocking differences between a 1970s Datsun and Sabré's modern safety cocoon.
  • How to start racing: Sabré's advice on using simulators (like iRacing and Assetto Corsa) and buying a Mazda Miata to build track skills on a budget.
  • The emotional toll of motorsports: Stacey opens up about the sacrifices Sabré makes to be a pro driver, working 24/7 with little social life.
  • Trivia: What common safety feature was invented out of necessity at the very first Indy 500 in 1911?.

Follow Sabré Cook: Check out her website and find the hidden Easter egg photo of her at 3 months old on her dad's vintage motorcycle: sabrecookracing.com.

Connect with Us: Got a great car story? Email us at stories@carsloved.com. Find all our content and social links here: linktr.ee/carsloved.

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911 Barn Finds & 40 Years of Porsche Sales Secrets09 juin 202600:36:35

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What happens when a lifetime of automotive passion becomes a 40-year career? This week, Doug goes solo from Myrtle Beach to sit down with luxury car sales legend Mike Maurer. Mike has been navigating the high-end automotive world since the 1980s, working with legendary dealerships like Brumos Porsche.

In this episode, Mike pulls back the curtain on the reality of high-end car sales. He shares incredible, unfiltered stories—from growing up riding in the back of an air-cooled Porsche 356 bathtub across Europe to his early days crashing a classic Austin Healey into a tree while racing a Lotus Elan in Annapolis. We also dive deep into the ultimate "one that got away" story involving a pristine 1967 Porsche 911 S, a hidden barn, and an unexpected journey to Australia.

Don't miss Mike's favorite episode with Dirk Dekker on the track with 911 - https://buzzsprout.com/2316026/episodes/17927079

Whether you're a rabid Porsche purist who demands three pedals on the floor or someone dreaming of breaking into luxury automotive marketing, Mike's 40 years of industry experience serves as the ultimate masterclass.


Key Takeaways & Timestamps

  • Garage Updates: Doug checks in from vacation in Myrtle Beach and recaps our previous feature with Marla from BWomen.com.
  • Perks of the Showroom Floor: Mike explains how luxury sales professionals spec'd out new cars every single year to master their product knowledge.
  • The Hustle is Real: The brutal reality, demanding 11-to-12-hour days, and the pressure of working in high-end retail during the 1980s and 90s.
  • The First Car Heartbreak: Buying a derelict 1957 Austin Healey 100 with college tuition savings, and why it wouldn't start by day two.
  • Racing in Annapolis: How totaling a brand new Austin Healey 3000 while chasing a Lotus Elan through the woods paved the way to his very first Porsche 911.
  • The 20-Toyota Challenge: The unique ultimatum a legendary dealership owner gave Mike before allowing him to sell premium sports cars.
  • The Legend of Brumos Porsche: Working alongside legendary endurance racers Peter Gregg and Hurley Haywood at a dealership that shaped Porsche culture.
  • The Last Last of the Analog Cars: Why Mike's manual transmission 2007 Porsche 911 (997) Carrera 4S is an absolute keeper compared to modern digital platforms.
  • The Worst Cars Driven: Hilarious deep dives into sorting out the infamous Geo Metro and a nightmare Saab Turbo ownership experience.
  • The Ultimate Barn Find Story: How Mike acquired a pristine, original-owner 1967 Porsche 911 S out of a small hidden barn for $20,000, and what happened when he tried to buy it back from Australia years later.
  • Career Blueprint: Modern career advice for younger enthusiasts looking to break into luxury dealership sales, corporate wholesale, or online auction platforms like Bring a Trailer.
  • Master Class Trivia: Mike breaks down the legendary history behind why the Porsche 911 was almost called the 901
  • Hidden Options & Factory Battles: How Mike bypasses corporate constraints to build highly customized, one-of-one vehicles directly with factory insiders.

In the Shop: Mentioned Cars & Media

  • 1957 Austin Healey 100 & Austin Healey 3000
  • Porsche 356 "Bathtub"
  • Porsche 911 (Classic 1967 911 S)
  • Porsche 911 (997 Gen) Carrera 4S (Manual)
  • Porsche Macan (The daily grocery & dog hauler)
  • Lotus Elan
  • Geo Metro
  •  Saab Turbo
  • Porsche Posters: The legendary "Kill Bugs Faster" Arena Red 993 Turbo campaign.
  • The Soundtrack: Life in the Fast Lane by The Eagles.


Connect with Our Guest

  • Have questions about ordering a bespoke Porsche, navigating the current collector market, or tracking down an air-cooled classic? Reach out to Mike Maurer directly at Mike911@gmail.com.

Join the Cars Love Nation Community!

If this episode sparked a memory of your own first ride or a long-forgotten project gathering dust in your garage, we want to hear about it!

  • Submit Your Story: Email us at stories@carslove.com
  • Binge the Backlog: Stream all 70-plus episodes of automotive history and car culture.
  • All Links & Content: Visit our master link directory at linktr.ee/carsloved

Connect with Us: Got a great car story? Email us at stories@carsloved.com. Find all our content and social links here: linktr.ee/carsloved.

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Brad Phillips on The Great Race, Ferraris, and Vintage Porsches26 mai 202601:03:12

Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia!

Welcome back to All the Cars I've Loved Before, the podcast where we park the data at the door to focus on the stories that matter 🎙️.

In this episode, Doug sits down with Brad Phillips, a globally recognized collector car expert and hardcore gearhead who firmly believes that classic cars are meant to be driven 🛠️. Brad currently serves as the Director of Events for Coker Group and the Great Race 🏁. From wrenching on a 1965 Mustang 2+2 Fastback as a teenager 🐎 to MacGyvering a right-hand-drive JDM Toyota Century across the United States 🗺️, Brad shares his incredible, lifelong journey through the automotive hobby 🚗.


We dive deep into what it takes to navigate a 1916 Hudson Speedster across 2,500 miles of backroads ⏱️, the thrill of reviving a seized 1968 Porsche 911 T 🇩🇪, and why he still regrets letting go of his Saab 9000 Turbo 🇸🇪.

In This Episode, We Cover:

  • The Great Race 🏆: An inside look at the 2,500-mile time speed endurance rally for pre-1974 vintage cars, including details on the upcoming Route 66 centennial route starting in Springfield, Illinois 🛣️.
  • First Rides 🚗💨: Brad’s memories of his 1965 Ford Mustang 2+2, painted Rangoon red, and its unfortunate demise in a slow-speed race against a Dodge Dart 💥.
  • Cross-Country Classics 🏜️: Pushing the limits of cargo capacity and reliability by road-tripping an '83 Ferrari 308 GTS Quattrovalvole and a V8 Toyota Century 🚙.
  • Pre-War Projects 🕰️: The unique challenges of driving and maintaining century-old vehicles like his 1917 Willys-Overland 90BT 🔧.
  • The Ones That Got Away (and the ones that stayed) ❤️‍🩹: From a 400-horsepower Saab 9000 Turbo to a fully modern-equipped 1966 Sunbeam Tiger 🐯.

We caDon't miss our full episode with Brad's good friend and classic Ferrari restorer, Tom Yang for more stories: https://buzzsprout.com/2316026/episodes/16626040

If you’re enjoying the show, the best way to support us is hit subscribe and leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts, share this episode with a friend, or shoot us an email ✉️ to stories@carsloved.com

Connect with Us: Got a great car story? Email us at stories@carsloved.com. Find all our content and social links here: linktr.ee/carsloved.

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C7 Corvette, Porsche 930 & Car Trailers with Towlos12 mai 202600:48:52

Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia!

C7 Corvette track days and Porsche 930 history. Matt Jones on launching Towlos, the "Airbnb for car trailers"...

In our newest episode, we sit down with Matt Jones, an orthopedic surgeon turned entrepreneur and the CEO/Founder of Towlos (towlos.com). Matt shares his incredible automotive journey, from learning to drive a manual in his dad's '73 Datsun to buying a 2018 C7 Corvette Grand Sport right before the pandemic used-car market exploded. 

We dive deep into the origin story of Towlos—a peer-to-peer trailer rental marketplace born out of Matt’s own frustration trying to transport his track car to iconic raceways like Road America and VIR. We also discuss the timeless debate of "cars as art," specifically why a Pagani or a Porsche 930 "Widowmaker" provides an immersive, multi-sensory experience that a painting on a wall just can't match. 

In this episode, you’ll hear:

  • 🥶 The Bridge Spin-Out: Matt's terrifying 180-degree spin on an icy bridge in his first car, an iron-powered Chevy S10. 
  • 📈 Beating the Market: Buying a C7 Corvette Grand Sport with just 3,500 miles right before the 2020 used car market went completely crazy. 
  • 🏁 Track Day Intimidation: The nerves of taking your own car to the track for the first time, and why you always need an "enabler" buddy to push you out of your comfort zone. 
  • 💡 The Birth of Towlos: How buying a massive triple-axle trailer that sat unused in the driveway sparked the idea for a two-sided trailer rental marketplace. 
  • 🎨 Cars as Art: Why spending millions on a hypercar like a Pagani provides a mechanical, G-force-inducing masterpiece that you can actually experience. 

Don't miss the episode Matt referenced with Adam from Xtreme Xperience, discussing how to get everyday enthusiasts out onto the track! Whether you're a seasoned track veteran, a tech entrepreneur, or just love a good story about solving everyday problems, this episode is a must-listen.

🔗 Links & Resources:

  • Rent a trailer or list your own: Towlos.com
  • Have questions? Email Matt directly: matt@towlos.com
  • Listen to our 75+ episodes on LinkTree 🔗🌲 https://linktr.ee/carsloved

📢 Join the Conversation: What is the weirdest thing you've ever had to tow, or what car do you consider a true "piece of art"? Let us know on Instagram @toallthecarsivelovedbefore

Connect with Us: Got a great car story? Email us at stories@carsloved.com. Find all our content and social links here: linktr.ee/carsloved.

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BMW E46 inspires Building an AI-Powered Podcast Platform for Car Junkies28 avr. 202600:32:29

Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia!

How do you transition from a "utilitarian" view of driving to chasing the perfect analog feel of a 20-year-old BMW?

In this episode, Doug sits down with Ryan Williams, a software engineer who discovered his passion for cars later in life while searching for a hobby that would get him off his "daily ride"—his computer. Ryan shares the story of his "lemon" yellow 1978 Mazda GLC and the reliable Nissan Sentra that powered his college years, before diving into his recent obsession: a 2004 BMW 330i ZHP bought sight-unseen from an auction site.

Don't miss Ryan's favorite episode featuring rotary engines lover, John with Mazda USA: https://buzzsprout.com/2316026/episodes/16805989

We also get an exclusive look at Ryan’s new project, Car Curious, an AI-driven podcast player designed to deepen the listener's journey. Imagine listening to a car podcast and having the specs, chassis codes, and photos of the exact models being discussed pop up on your screen in real-time.

Buckle up as we discuss:

  • The "Mini M": Why the E46 ZHP is the perfect "bridge" car for new enthusiasts looking for that classic BMW feel.
  • Auction Anxiety: The thrills and perils of buying a car from Cincinnati and shipping it to Oregon in the middle of winter.
  • The Future of Car Media: How AI tools are helping new fans decode the complex language of car culture and "scratch the itch" of curiosity.
  • Generational Shifts: The struggle of passing the "car bug" down to children who see vehicles as strictly utilitarian.

🔗 Connect with Our Guest

Connect with Us: Got a great car story? Email us at stories@carsloved.com. Find all our content and social links here: linktr.ee/carsloved.

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2011 WRX & 1986 Honda Accord: Ethan Banks on Manual Transmissions14 avr. 202601:07:58

Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia!

2011 Subaru WRX cross-country trip and 1986 Honda Accord memories. In this episode, we welcome Ethan Banks to the virtual garage. While the IT world knows him as the co-founder of the Packet Pushers podcast network, we’re turning back the odometer to explore his lifelong obsession with car culture and automotive history.

Ethan shares the story of winning a World Rally Blue 2011 Subaru WRX on Cars & Bids and embarking on an unforgettable father-son road trip across America. We also dive into his first car stories, including a manual 1986 Honda Accord that suffered a snapped axle on the LA freeway, and his perspective on building a 300-horsepower VW GTI sleeper.

In this episode, we cover:

  • 🏎️ The WRX Road Trip: Buying a 2011 Subaru WRX and driving it from California to New Hampshire.
  • 💥 First Car Memories: Life in a manual 1986 Honda Accord hatchback and the move to a 1989 Ford Taurusbeater.
  • 🚀 The GTI Build: Teaching the next generation to drive stick in a modified VW GTI with a Cobb tuner.
  • 🏎️ Porsche Obsession: Why the Porsche 930 Slant Nose with the whale tail is the ultimate dream ride.
  • 🧠 Automotive History: The story of Ralph Teetor, the blind engineer who invented Cruise Control in 1950.
  • 🎮 Virtual Racing: Doug's sim racing laps in a Mazda Miata at P1 Sim Racing.


Don't miss Ethan's favorite past episode with Neil and Ruchin, authors of The Kansal Clunker, discussing their 1998 Acura Integra restoration: https://buzzsprout.com/2316026/episodes/18696226

Connect with our guest: 

🌐 Website: packetpushers.net 

🎥 YouTube: Packet Pushers Network

Connect with Us: Got a great car story? Email us at stories@carsloved.com. Find all our content and social links here: linktr.ee/carsloved.

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AMC Gremlin & Mercedes AMG History: Matt DeLorenzo on the Dodge Viper 🏎️✍️31 mars 202600:46:18

Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia!

AMC Gremlin restoration and Mercedes AMG history with Matt DeLorenzo. Inside the birth of the Dodge Viper and the Honda CRX...

In this episode, we sit down with automotive journalism royalty, Matt DeLorenzo. With over 45 years in the industry—including serving as the Editor of AutoWeek and a founding juror of the North American Car of the Year (NACTOY) awards—Matt has truly seen and driven it all. From buying a $2,000 AMC Gremlin as his first car to rubbing elbows with Carroll Shelby, Matt shares the unbelievable history and stories behind the metal.

In this episode, we cover: 

🚙 First Cars & Clutches: Matt’s $2,000 blue AMC Gremlin, and learning how to drop a transmission in a college parking lot. 

🕹️ Saving the Manuals: Why out of all the hypercars he has driven, a simple 1984 Honda Civic CRX remains one of his favorite cars of all time. 

📉 Design Disasters: A hilarious debate on "Badass Cars with Terrible Rear Ends," from the infamous BMW "Bangle Butt" to the Hyundai Ioniq 6. 

📖 Automotive History: The true story of Mercedes-Benz's AMG division, Chrysler's 90s concepts, and how the Dodge Viper changed the industry. 

⚡ The Future of EVs: Why the future of the auto industry isn't just electric, but an "All of the Above" approach for consumers.

Don't miss Matt's favorite episode with friend and colleague, John Davis from MotorWeek: https://buzzsprout.com/2316026/episodes/18157530

Whether you love modern hypercars, weird 90s concepts, or just the feeling of banging through the gears of a manual transmission, this episode is packed with automotive history.

Connect with Us: Got a great car story? Email us at stories@carsloved.com. Find all our content and social links here: linktr.ee/carsloved.

Podcast News:

1985 Mazda RX-7 & Hudson Hornet: Zack Pradel on 1,700+ Car Reviews17 mars 202600:36:38

Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia!

1985 Mazda RX-7 restoration and Hudson Hornet history with Zack Pradel. In this episode, we sit down with the founder of the Shooting Cars YouTube channel to discuss the logistics of filming over 1,700 car reviews and the "soul" of the machines that made us.

Zack shares his personal automotive journey, from blowing up his first 12A rotary engine as a teenager to his family’s heirloom 1931 Ford Model A. We dive into the driving dynamics of the Hudson Hornet, why the R32 Nissan Skyline GT-R is the ultimate dream car, and the fascinating history behind abandoned Saturn dealerships and pop-up headlights.

In this episode, we cover:

  • 🏎️ The Rotary Obsession: Zack’s history with the Mazda RX-7 FB and FC, including engine swaps and rust-bucket rescues.
  • 🎥 The Art of the Review: How he built a catalog of 1,700+ automotive videos by reviewing everything from grandma’s car to the Chevy Traverse.
  • ⏱️ Automotive History: Video essays on 55-mph speedometers, the GM EV1, and the customer-first culture of Saturn.
  • 🇯🇵 JDM Legends: Why the Nissan Skyline GT-R is "sheer terror" and the joy of the 1993 Mazda Miata.
  • 🍦 Family Heirlooms: The heartwarming story of his grandfather’s 1931 Model A and the "Dairy Queen breakdown" dad joke

Connect with our guest: 

🌐 Website: https://zackpradel.com 

🎥 YouTube: https://youtube.com/@ShootingCars

Connect with us: 

📧 Email: stories@carsloved.com 

Visit our LinkTree for all 70+ episodes: https://linktr.ee/carsloved

Love the show? Please follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Connect with Us: Got a great car story? Email us at stories@carsloved.com. Find all our content and social links here: linktr.ee/carsloved.

Podcast News:

Air-Cooled VW Culture: Women Restoring Classic Volkswagens 🍃🚗03 mars 202600:39:25

Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia!

Air-cooled VW culture and women in classic car restoration. Restoring Volkswagen Beetles and the "Muth" Super Beetle...

“Every car tells a story, and those stories reveal exactly who we are.” 

In this episode, Doug and Dave welcome professional corporate and lifestyle photographer Marla Aufmuth into the virtual garage. While Marla has documented landmark cultural events for brands like Nike and TED Talks, her heart belongs to the air-cooled Volkswagen community. 🏎️💨

Marla shares the history of "Muth"—the 1976 sunflower yellow Super Beetle convertible her father bought in Germany and shipped home nearly 50 years ago. Named after the German word for "strength" or "courage," the car became Marla’s classroom for life, where she mastered the clutch on the daunting hills of San Francisco. 🇩🇪✨

Inside This Episode:

  • 📸 The VW Women Project: How Marla turned a pandemic hiatus into a mission to photograph and interview 40 women across 10 states to acknowledge their place in car culture.
  • 🌻 Sensory Nostalgia: Why the smell of horsehair, vinyl, and a hint of gasoline serves as a sensory time machine for vintage VW owners.
  • 🚐 Forbidden Fruit: Marla reveals her ultimate dream car: the European VW California—a hybrid "three-room" apartment on wheels that isn't available in the States.
  • 🇯🇵 The 25-Year Rule: Dave explains how the 25-year cutoff allowed him to import his own Japanese Kei van and how others can do the same.
  • 📐 Automotive Logistics: A hilarious debate on whether Marla's 6’3” husband can actually fit comfortably into a tiny Japanese Kei car.

Don't miss Marla's favorite episode with Guinevere from Freccia Brothers, The air-cooled auto specialists in the North East. https://buzzsprout.com/2316026/episodes/16886205


Our full conversation with @marlaaufmuth from @vwwomen is officially live! We’re talking about the "thrum" of an air-cooled engine and why Marla is skipping the ID Buzz for a hybrid VW California camper. 📸🇩🇪

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From mastering San Francisco's hills to hearing about 28-bus restoration shops in Nevada, this episode is a deep dive into why we love the metal that shapes our lives. 🚐📐

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🏁 Link in Bio to listen to the full episode!

While you’re there, check out our vault of 70+ episodes of the best car stories on the web! 🎙️🏎️ 


#ToAllTheCarsIveLovedBefore #CarsLovedPodcast #vwwomen #aircooled #vwbeetle #superbeetle #womenwhodrive #carphotography #muth #outnow #podcastlaunch

Whether you are a lifelong "VW person" or just love a story about the metal that shapes our lives, this episode is a love letter to heritage, community, and the courage to stay in the driver's seat. 🎙️🛠️

Connect with Marla:

Binge the Library:

If you enjoyed the trip down memory lane today, please follow us and tell a friend. With 71 episodes in the vault, we have a garage full of stories waiting for you! 🚗💨



Until next time, keep the windows down and the stories moving. 🌬️🏁


Connect with Us: Got a great car story? Email us at stories@carsloved.com. Find all our content and social links here: linktr.ee/carsloved.

Podcast News:

1998 Acura Integra Restoration: Rebuilding a 'Teggy' for Mount Evans 🏎️⛰️17 févr. 202600:34:04

Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia!

Classic car restoration of a 1998 Acura Integra. How a father and son rebuilt a "Teggy" to climb Mount Evans...

"We sat on a rock in the driveway, stared at the car, and thought: What did we just do?" 🛠️🧩.

What happens when a father humors his son’s "crazy idea" to buy a $5,000 project car during a global pandemic?. In this episode, we’re joined by Ruchin and Neil Kansal, the father-son duo behind the book The Kansal Clunker.

Neil shares the incredible story of receiving his driver's license just 24 hours before the world shut down, leading to a deep obsession with a "piece of junk" 1998 Acura Integra named "Teggy". Together, they navigate a ground-up restoration with zero prior experience—learning everything from interior teardowns to wiring via YouTube and the support of a "mafia-like" car community.

In this episode, we discuss:

  • 🏎️ The "Teggy" Transformation: Taking a 1998 Integra from a clunker to a machine capable of climbing 14,130 feet to the summit of Mount Evans, Colorado.
  • 🛠️ Learning the Hard Way: How to rebuild a car when you’ve never even taken off a tire.
  • 🤝 The Power of Shared Projects: How the "Kansal Clunker" became a masterclass in collaboration, vulnerability, and father-son bonding.
  • 🚙 The 4Runner Debate: Neil’s shift to a new Toyota 4Runner and his defense of the controversial 4-cylinder turbo engine.
  • 🍎 Generational Legacies: From Ruchin’s silver Mitsubishi Galant memories to their current project—a 1983 Alfa Romeo Spider.

Whether you're a seasoned mechanic or someone who just "sat on a rock" staring at a project, this episode is a beautiful reminder that every car tells a story—and the best ones are built together.

Connect with our guests: 

🌐 Website: thekansalclunker.com 

📖 Book: The Kansal Clunker (Available at thekansalclunker.com/book or wherever books are sold) 

🔗🌲 Find all our 70+ episodes, social links, and YouTube video podcasts here: linktr.ee/carsloved


Connect with Us: Got a great car story? Email us at stories@carsloved.com. Find all our content and social links here: linktr.ee/carsloved.

Podcast News:

'69 Camaro SS Restoration: Building a 383 Stroker for SEMA 🏁🔥03 févr. 202600:41:59

Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia!

Automotive restoration of a '69 Camaro SS. Learn how Christina Lardie built a 383 Stroker engine for the SEMA show...

What do you do when you inherit a classic car shell and a garage full of mystery parts? You buy a ticket to SEMA just to ask the manufacturers, "What is this and how do I install it?"

In this episode, guest co-host Dave joins Doug to sit down with Christina Lardie (aka @ChristinasGarage). Christina is a medically retired EMT from the San Francisco Fire Department who is honoring her late father's legacy by building cars and breaking barriers.

We discuss the incredible story of her 1969 Camaro SS (which her dad secretly bought and gifted to her in pieces), her journey learning to be a "Gearhead in Training" without formal mechanic school, connecting with like minded people in the automotive industry, and the heartwarming restoration of a 1952 Chevy Pickup that delivers toys to children in need.

In this episode, we cover:

  • 🏎️ The Secret Camaro: How her dad surprised her with a '69 Camaro SS unibody on jack stands for her 30th birthday.
  • 🚒 The Altenberg: Restoring the 1952 Chevy Pickup (with original patina!) for the San Francisco Firefighters Toy Program.
  • 🔧 The Engine: Building a monster Short Rod 383 Stroker with Rich from TEM Performance.
  • 🏁 The Great Race: Joining an all-female team with Riley's Rebuilds to race a '66 Fairlane across the country.
  • 🎓 SEMA & Learning: Overcoming "Imposter Syndrome" and learning to wrench by asking for help rather than risking injury.

🔗 Links & Resources:


📢 Join the Conversation: What's the best way to learn "wrenching" ? Let us know on Instagram @toallthecarsivelovedbefore

Connect with Us: Got a great car story? Email us at stories@carsloved.com. Find all our content and social links here: linktr.ee/carsloved.

Podcast News:

1963 Mercury Comet Repair & The NASCAR Wood Shop 📎🚙20 janv. 202600:33:54

Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia!

Automotive engineering and 1963 Mercury Comet repairs. Behind the scenes of a NASCAR race team woodshop...

What do you do when you retire from a corporate career but still want to build things? If you're Mark Freibaum, you buy a 24-foot NASCAR auto hauler and transform it into a mobile woodworking shop for kids. 🛠️🏁

In this episode, we sit down with Mark inside his incredible "Woodworks on Wheels" trailer to discuss his mission to bring the lost art of shop class back to a new generation. We also take a trip down memory lane to his first car—a 1963 Mercury Comet that his dad rescued from a junkyard for $35 (and required a paperclip to start).

We also cruise through his memories of owning a massive 1964 Buick Electra 225 (the legendary "Deuce and a Quarter"), racing slot cars in the basement, and his current project: creating 3D-printed Bugatti-inspired Pinewood Derby cars.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

  • 🏁 The NASCAR Workshop: How Mark converted a bare auto hauler into a state-of-the-art mobile woodshop to teach kids trade skills.
  • 🚙 The Junkyard Comet: The story of his first car, a 1963 Mercury Comet, which was bought for $35, fixed by a high school shop class, and started with a paperclip.
  • 📏 The "Mantis": Why he misses his 1964 Buick Electra 225, a 21-foot-long luxury land yacht he bought for $500.
  • 🏎️ Tiny Racers: From HO slot cars to a Bugatti-themed Pinewood Derby event, how model cars spark a lifelong love for engineering.
  • 🛠️ Trades & Arts: Mark’s philosophy on why woodworking is both an art and a trade, and why it's vital to keep these skills alive.

Mark was hooked on our podcast after hearing the unusual Trabant and Tucker episode with Andrew: https://buzzsprout.com/2316026/episodes/17009738

Whether you're a maker, a classic car fan, or just love a story about giving back to the community, Mark's journey is sure to inspire you to build something great.

🔗 Links & Resources:

📢 Join the Conversation: Did you take shop class in school? Let us know on Instagram @toallthecarsivelovedbefore

Connect with Us: Got a great car story? Email us at stories@carsloved.com. Find all our content and social links here: linktr.ee/carsloved.

Podcast News:

Riley's Rebuilds: Father-Daughter Hot Rod Restoration & Custom Builds 🛠️👧06 janv. 202600:43:30

Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia!

Hot rod restoration and custom builds with Riley's Rebuilds. A father-daughter team rebuilding Edelbrock carburetors...

What happens when a 13-year-old girl wants to buy her first car but can't legally work? She starts rebuilding carburetors in her dad's garage—and accidentally builds a national brand. 🔧😲

In our 2026 Premiere, we sit down with Riley and her father Dane, the dynamic duo behind Riley’s Rebuilds. Riley went from being a high-level soccer player to a viral automotive sensation, restoring thousands of carburetors for enthusiasts worldwide and becoming an official rebuilder for Edelbrock Group.

We dive deep into their incredible journey, from scouring Facebook Marketplace across four states to building a Jurassic Park Jeep YJ and navigating the automotive industry as a young female entrepreneur.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

  • 🦖 The Jurassic Jeep: The story behind Riley's first car, a 1995 Jeep Wrangler YJ transformed into a movie-accurate Jurassic Park tribute (mud included!).
  • 🔥 The Nitrous Incident: Dane’s "first car" story involving a 1977 Monte Carlo, a stoplight race with a Ford LTD police car, and a hidden nitrous plate.
  • 📈 Viral Success: How a car accident and a single Facebook post led to 300+ free carburetors showing up at their doorstep.
  • 🛠️ The Art of the Hustle: How Riley balances a triple major in college (Math, Physics, Mechanical Engineering) while running a business and managing a team of her best friends.
  • 🤝 Women in Automotive: Riley's work with the Jessi Combs Foundation and her mission to bring the next generation into the trade.

Don't miss Riley and Dane's favorite episode with their good friends, father-daughter duo Caroline and James from HH Wheels: https://buzzsprout.com/2316026/episodes/17960446

Whether you're a seasoned mechanic or just love a good story about grit and family, this episode is the perfect way to kick off the new year.

🔗 Links & Resources:

  • Check out Riley's work: Instagram @rileysrebuilds
  • Watch their builds on YouTube: Riley’s Rebuilds
  • Listen to our 60+ episodes on LinkTree 🔗🌲 https://linktr.ee/carsloved

📢 Join the Conversation: What was your first "wrenching" experience? Did you learn from a parent or figure it out yourself? Let us know on Instagram @toallthecarsivelovedbefore


Connect with Us: Got a great car story? Email us at stories@carsloved.com. Find all our content and social links here: linktr.ee/carsloved.

Podcast News:

JDM & Euro Legends: Trading Nissan Skyline R34, Mk4 Supra, and Porsche 996 🇯🇵🇪🇺23 déc. 202501:02:50

Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia!

JDM legends and Euro classics including the Nissan Skyline R34, Toyota Supra Mk4, and Porsche 996...

Is it possible to start with a $3,000 budget and trade your way up to a $60,000 JDM legend in less than a year? 🤯💸

In this episode, we sit down with Jon Khlok, founder of Kent Island Cars and Coffee, to hear one of the wildest "car flipping" stories we've ever heard. During the pandemic, Jon started with a 1987 Mercedes and executed a series of strategic trades that landed him behind the wheel of a Nissan Skyline R34 and eventually a Mark IV Toyota Supra.

We also dive into his humble beginnings with a Chevy Cavalier Z24 (complete with a PlayStation in the glovebox) and how he founded a massive Cars and Coffee event at a BBQ joint in Maryland.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

  • 🚗 The First Car: Jon's 1987 Chevy Cavalier Z24, modified with an aluminum wing and a PS1 bolted to the dash.
  • 📈 The Trade-Up Sequence: How Jon flipped a Mercedes 420 SEL → BMW 335xi → Nissan Skyline R32 → Porsche 911 Targa (996) → Nissan Skyline R34 → Toyota Supra Mark IV.
  • 🔧 The "Man Cave" Philosophy: Why Jon modifies every car he owns (and why he refuses to do "camber" builds).
  • ☕ Kent Island Cars & Coffee: How a craving for a brisket burrito at Bark Barbecue turned into a monthly car meet with 400+ attendees.
  • 🏁 The Dream Car: Why a Mercedes 190E Evo II is the one car he would keep forever.

Don't miss Jon's favorite episode featuring the secrets to importing JDM Legends into the US: https://buzzsprout.com/2316026/episodes/17376238

Whether you are interested in the art of the trade, love 90s JDM culture, or just want to hear how to turn sweat equity into a dream garage, this episode is a must-listen.

🔗 Links & Resources:

  • Check out the meets: Kent Island Cars and Coffee, Cult Classic Car Meet, and the JDM & Exotic Show on Facebook/Instagram
  • Find your favorite in our 60+ episode archive: 🔗🌲https://linktr.ee/carsloved                              

📢 Join the Conversation: What is the best "trade up" you've ever made with a vehicle? Let us know on Instagram @toallthecarsivelovedbefore


Connect with Us: Got a great car story? Email us at stories@carsloved.com. Find all our content and social links here: linktr.ee/carsloved.

Podcast News:

Porsche 928 vs. C3 Corvette, Lancia Zagato Fires & The Reality of Owning 29 Cars 🔥🇩🇪09 déc. 202500:39:23

Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia!

What happens when you live by the philosophy that "you make money on the buy"? You end up with a $900 1970 Chevelle Malibu Convertible that funds your future Ferrari... and a fleet of 28 other cars that might just be owning you. 🤯🚗

In this episode, we sit down with Ivan Katz (aka Drivin' Ivan), a car reviewer, musician, and collector with over 1,400 car reviews on YouTube. Ivan takes us through his wild automotive history, growing up in his grandfather's car radio shop in Alexandria, VA, and building a collection that ranges from air-cooled Porsches to obscure Italian oddities.

We dive deep into the reality of maintaining 29 vehicles, his controversial take on why the C3 Corvette "should be ashamed" compared to the Porsche 928, and the time his Lancia caused a fire so bad the local fire department still remembers it.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

  • 💸 The $900 Chevelle: How buying a 1970 Chevelle Malibu Convertible for dirt cheap became the foundation of his "Ferrari fund."
  • 🔥 The Lancia Inferno: The harrowing story of his first Lancia Zagato resulting in the worst car fire his local fire department had ever seen (and why he bought another one!).
  • 🇩🇪 The German Corvette: Why Ivan believes the 1978 Porsche 928 is superior to the American C3 Corvette in every way.
  • ⚾ The Audi TT: The details on his rare Audi TT Roadster with the "baseball glove" leather interior and its surprising mechanical link to the Bugatti Veyron.
  • 📻 Radio Roots: Growing up at Morris Katz and Sons, where they installed radios in everything from Porsches to daily drivers before stereo systems were standard.

Ivan loved our episode with John Davis, the voice of MotorWeek for 45 years! Johntook us through the origins of MotorWeek and his early cars including a fantastic DeTomaso Pantera: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2316026/episodes/18157530

Whether you are a hoarder of project cars, a lover of obscure European imports, or just want to know what it really costs to maintain a 29-car fleet, this episode is a reality check you won't want to miss.

🔗 Links & Resources:

📢 Join the Conversation: What is the most cars you have ever owned at one time? Let us know on Instagram @toallthecarsivelovedbefore

From air-cooled Porsches to obscure Italian sports cars to imports nobody in America recognizes, Ivan holds nothing back on what it really costs — in time, money, and sanity — to maintain a fleet this size.

*** BONUS - We've partnered with Drivin' Ivan for car reviews - watch his full YouTube Car Review of Doug's 1981 DeLorean DMC-12: https://youtu.be/Vyy-gqAXC20?si=7PL5iO-kPNpsw4Ei

Connect with Us: Got a great car story? Email us at stories@carsloved.com. Find all our content and social links here: linktr.ee/carsloved.

Podcast News:

Classic Car Restoration Degree: Inside McPherson College's 4-Year Program25 nov. 202501:00:02

Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia!

Classic car restoration training and automotive education at McPherson College. Meet students restoring a 1928 Model A...

Would you daily drive a 95-year-old car to class? For Cash, a student at McPherson College, his 1928 Ford Model A Sport Coupe isn't just a showpiece—it's his ride, complete with a golden retriever in the rumble seat. 🐕🚙

In this episode, we go back to school with Cash and his instructor Chris to explore the only four-year automotive restoration degree program in the United States. Located in McPherson, Kansas, this unique college is preserving "heritage skills" like babbitting, upholstery, and metal fabrication that are disappearing from the modern world.

We dive deep into the culture of "The Sheds," where students wrench on their own projects late into the night, and the incredible story of Cash acquiring a rare 1917 Franklin Cloverleaf Coupe that arrived in 40 unlabeled boxes.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

  • 🏎️ The Daily Driver: Why Cash chose a 1928 Model A Ford as his primary vehicle right after high school and the reality of 500-mile road trips in a pre-war car.
  • 🧩 The Puzzle Project: The daunting task of restoring a 1917 Franklin Cloverleaf Coupe (aluminum body, air-cooled, wooden frame) that Cash bought as a literal basket case of parts.
  • 🎓 The McPherson Difference: Inside the curriculum that teaches students to be "mechanics, detectives, artists, and historians," leading to jobs at top museums and Pebble Beach wins.
  • 🔧 Heritage Skills: Why Chris believes AI can never replace the feel of turning an engine by hand or the art of hand-sewing vintage upholstery.
  • ☀️ Summer Institute: How hobbyists can get a taste of the program through the college's immersive summer workshops.

Want to hear more about how McPherson College's Automotive Restoration program helped launch a career? Listen to our full episode with McPherson alum, Mason Ball - https://www.buzzsprout.com/2316026/episodes/17426714

Whether you're a prospective student, a classic car collector, or just love the idea of a college where homework involves restoring a multimillion-dollar Mercedes, this episode is a masterclass in automotive passion.

🔗 Links & Resources:

📢 Join the Conversation: What classic car would you choose as your college daily driver? Let us know on Instagram @toallthecarsivelovedbefore

Connect with Us: Got a great car story? Email us at stories@carsloved.com. Find all our content and social links here: linktr.ee/carsloved.

Podcast News:

MotorWeek: John Davis on 45 Years of Automotive Journalism 📺🎙️11 nov. 202500:49:34

Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia!

Automotive journalism history and MotorWeek with John Davis. 45 years of testing cars like the De Tomaso Pantera...

How do you keep a TV show about cars on the air for 45 years? You make sure "the cars are the stars." 🌟📺

In this monumental episode, we sit down with John Davis, the creator, host, and executive producer of MotorWeek. Since 1981, John has been the trusted voice of automotive journalism, guiding millions of viewers through the evolution of the car industry on PBS.

We dive deep into the show's origins (it started as an idea while producing Wall Street Week!), the philosophy behind their famous "instrumented testing," and John's personal garage—including the Italian exotic he restored in a one-bedroom apartment.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

  • 📺 The Origin Story: How John pitched the idea of an "automotive magazine for television" in 1978 and launched MotorWeek in just six weeks in 1981.
  • 🇮🇹 The Pantera Project: The incredible story of buying a 1975 De Tomaso Pantera, restoring it himself, and selling it to buy his first house (and a Corvette).
  • 🏎️ Car History: Why John bought a 1979 Corvette anniversary edition and why he still misses that Pantera today.
  • ⚡ Living Electric: John’s honest take on daily driving a 2024 Fiat 500e and why he chose it to replace his Mini Cooper.
  • 🧪 The Science of Reviews: Why MotorWeek is one of only three publications that still performs rigorous, scientific instrumented testing on every car.

Whether you grew up watching MotorWeek on Saturday mornings or you're a student of automotive media, this is a masterclass from the man who invented the genre.

🔗 Links & Resources:

📢 Join the Conversation: What was the first car review you ever watched? Was it on MotorWeek? Let us know on Instagram @toallthecarsivelovedbefore 

Connect with Us: Got a great car story? Email us at stories@carsloved.com. Find all our content and social links here: linktr.ee/carsloved.

Podcast News:

45 Years of MotorWeek, John Davis' Unforgettable Pantera: 05 nov. 202500:01:39

Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia!

In 1975, before he became MotorWeek's trusted voice for 45 seasons, John Davis had a purchase decision to make: Jensen Interceptor or De Tomaso Pantera? Both were exotic cars with American engines he could actually work on. He chose the Pantera—specifically a two-year-old 1973 L model he found in Norfolk, Virginia.

The catch? A family bought it for their son's high school graduation. The son promptly wrecked it. They had it partially repaired, sent him to the Navy, and sold it to John.

John drove it home and completely disassembled it. Every part. His entire apartment became a workshop—engine components in the kitchen, transmission parts in the bedroom, body panels in the living room.

Italian exotic styling. Ford 351 Cleveland V8 power. American engineering he could wrench on himself.

He rebuilt everything that didn't move. Daily Driver until 1979

Decades later, after reviewing thousands of cars on America's longest-running automotive TV show, one truth remains: "I still miss that car today."

The host who's driven everything shares the restoration story that started it all—complete with apartment management nightmares and why choosing American-powered exotics changed his automotive journey.

Connect with Us: Got a great car story? Email us at stories@carsloved.com. Find all our content and social links here: linktr.ee/carsloved.

Podcast News:

Xtreme Xperience: Supercar Track Days and Building a Ferrari Fleet 🏎️📈04 nov. 202500:37:29

Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia!

Supercar track days and exotic car fleets with Xtreme Xperience. Driving the Ferrari 458 and C8 Corvette...

Can you build a multi-million dollar business by simply asking, "Can I borrow your Ferrari?" For Adam Olalde, that audacious question was the spark that launched Xtreme Xperience. 🏎️🤯

In this episode, we sit down with the man who has put nearly 500,000 people behind the wheel of the world's most exotic machinery. Adam shares his incredible journey from a humble first car (a Pontiac Grand Prix) to purchasing his first business asset—a 2007 Lamborghini Gallardo—and building a nationwide empire that makes supercar ownership accessible to everyone for a day.

We dive deep into the logistics of maintaining a fleet of 70+ exotics, why the C8 Corvette surprises everyone, and the reality of daily driving a Mercedes G63 AMG (which he admits "sounds like a boat").

In this episode, you’ll hear:

  • 🚗 The First Car vs. The First Supercar: Adam’s transition from a Pontiac Grand Prix to buying a V10 Lamborghini Gallardo as the cornerstone of his fleet.
  • 🏁 The "Borrow a Ferrari" Pitch: How a 25-year-old convinced owners to loan him their six-figure cars for track days—and turned it into a $30M+ business.
  • 🔧 Fleet Logistics: The wild reality of managing 20 mechanics, a fleet of semi-trucks, and 70 supercars traveling across the country.
  • 🇮🇹 Supercar Insights: Why the Ferrari 458 Italia remains a favorite and why the C8 Corvette is the car that "moves people the most".
  • 🇩🇪 Dream Garage: Adam’s daily driver (Mercedes G63 AMG) and his ultimate unicorn car, the Mercedes SLS AMG Black Series.

Listen to Adam's favorite episode with Porsche 911 and 914 owner, Dirk Dekker who helps us stay safe on the track as a Porsche HPDE track instructor: https://buzzsprout.com/2316026/episodes/17927079

Whether you’re an entrepreneur dreaming of your own empire or a petrolhead wondering what it’s really like to run a traveling supercar circus, this episode is a high-octane masterclass.

🔗 Links & Resources:

  • Check out the experience: thextremexperience.com
  • Find all of our content and 60+ episode archive on LinkTree 🔗🌲 https://linktr.ee/carsloved

📢 Join the Conversation: Which supercar would you choose for a track day? The raw Lamborghini or the precision Porsche? Let us know on Instagram @toallthecarsivelovedbefore


Connect with Us: Got a great car story? Email us at stories@carsloved.com. Find all our content and social links here: linktr.ee/carsloved.

Podcast News:

Enzo-Era Ferrari & Lancia Delta Integrale: Collecting Italian Classics 🐎🇮🇹28 oct. 202500:45:49

Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia!

Italian classic cars and collecting Enzo-era Ferraris and Lancia Delta Integrales with Next Generation Classics...

What is it like to learn how to drive a manual transmission on a 1930 BMW the day before driving it across the podium at Pebble Beach? 🤯🏎️

In this episode, we sit down with Colleen Sheehan, founder of Next Generation Classics and a specialist in Enzo-era Ferraris. Colleen shares her incredible automotive journey, from growing up around her father's car collection to launching her own dealership that specializes in finding and selling some of the rarest cars on the planet.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

  • 👶 The Ultimate First Car: How Colleen started her driving career at age 11 in a 1930 BMW (nicknamed "Sputter") and took 3rd in class at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. 🏆
  • 💼 The Business of Classics: The difference between a dealer, a broker, and a consignment seller, and how she sources cars like a Lamborghini Diablo SVR from Australia. 🌏
  • 🇮🇹 Italian Legends: Why the Lancia Delta Integrale is the most winning rally car of all time, and why driving a "slow car fast" (like a Dino) is better than driving a fast car slow. 🐌💨
  • 🛠️ The Restoration Reality: The challenges of sourcing parts for vintage exotics and why graduates from programs like McPherson College are in such high demand.
  • 🦄 Dream Garage: The story of the rare Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Competizione (Daytona) and why it's a "freight train" to drive.

Listen to Colleen's favorite episode "V12 Visions – Tom Yang’s Life Restoring Ferraris and Chasing Vintage Dreams" - https://buzzsprout.com/2316026/episodes/16626040

Whether you're into vintage Italian muscle, rally legends, or just want to know what it takes to run an exotic car dealership, this episode is packed with stories you won't want to miss.

🔗 Links & Resources:

📢 Join the Conversation: What did you learn to drive on? Was it a 1930 BMW or a Honda Civic? Let us know on Instagram @toallthecarsivelovedbefore!

Connect with Us: Got a great car story? Email us at stories@carsloved.com. Find all our content and social links here: linktr.ee/carsloved.

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Custom Land Rover Defender & Tesla Rentals: The Future of EV Sharing 🚙⚡21 oct. 202500:38:23

Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia!

Land Rover Defender custom builds and Tesla EV rentals. Exploring the future of electric vehicle sharing and tech...

What happens when a college student buys his dad's Tesla Model S with no income and decides to rent it out to strangers to pay the bills? (Hint: It involves a bank robbery). 🏦🚔

In this episode, we sit down with Ray Vardi, founder of Eon, a coast-to-coast EV ride-sharing platform that is changing how we access cars. Ray takes us on a journey from his "dangerous" first car—a 1995 Jeep Wrangler with no doors or airbags—to building a tech company that connects thousands of electric vehicles with drivers instantly.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

  • 🚙 The "Jurassic Park" Jeep: How Ray used his Bar Mitzvah money to buy a sketchy $3,000 Wrangler from a parking lot deal in Torrance, CA.
  • ⚡ The Tesla Experiment: The chaotic story of trying to rent out a Model S in college, dealing with 3 AM customer calls, and realizing there had to be a better way.
  • 🔋 The Future of Mobility: How Eon simplifies EV rentals with instant app unlocking, pre-trip tutorials, and 24/7 support (so you don't have to call the owner).
  • 🚐 Family Business: How his father turned minivans into camper vans, sparking the rental DNA in the family.
  • 🏰 The Dream Defender: The heartwarming story of the custom Land Rover Defender restored as a surprise for his mom's 50th birthday.

Rei's favorite episode features Megan, another admirer of eclectic 4x4s: https://buzzsprout.com/2316026/episodes/16170942

Whether you're curious about the future of electric vehicles, love a good startup story, or just want to hear about a Jeep that defined a childhood, this episode is a ride you won't want to miss.

🔗 Links & Resources:

📢 Join the Conversation: Have you ever rented out your personal car on an app? Tell us your horror (or success) stories on Instagram @toallthecarsivelovedbefore

Connect with Us: Got a great car story? Email us at stories@carsloved.com. Find all our content and social links here: linktr.ee/carsloved.

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Skoda to 500HP Track Car: First Car Stories and Performance Tuning 🏁🛠️14 oct. 202500:36:09

Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia!

Performance tuning and first car stories from a Skoda 135 GLi to a 500HP track-ready racing machine...

What was your first car experience? For Nigel Tunnacliffe, it was a $500 Skoda 135 GLi—a rare, mid-engine Czechoslovakian oddity that he bought with his own savings at age 15... only for it to be totaled by his brother days before he could legally drive it. 🤦‍♂️🚗

In this episode, we sit down with Nigel, the co-founder and CEO of Coastline Academy, a driving school on a mission to eradicate car crashes. From his home on Bainbridge Island, WA, Nigel shares his incredible automotive stories, from blowing up engines in a Toyota MR2 to building a 500-horsepower Mazda Miata track monster in a shipping container.

We dive deep into his love for cars, his philosophy on modern driver education, and why he believes learning to drive shouldn't be a scary, cash-only experience in a beat-up car.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

  • 🚙 The First Car Heartbreak: The tragic tale of the rare Skoda that never really made it out of the driveway.
  • 🏎️ The Track Weapon: How Nigel turned a wrecked NB Miata into a beast with a Chevy Ecotec engine swapand massive turbo for Laguna Seca.
  • 🎓 Coastline Academy: How a failed hardware startup pivoted into a mission-driven company that is modernizing driver education with apps, new cars, and YouTube content.
  • 🛠️ Shop Class Memories: The "no guardrails" era of high school shop class, learning to weld, and wrenching on personal cars during lunch breaks.
  • 🚘 Automotive Nostalgia: Why Nigel prefers small, nimble cars (like the Jetta GLI and MR2) over big "boats" like the Oldsmobile Toronado.

Nigel's favorite episode features Jon from Mazda USA, who shares his love rotary engines, and why the iconic "Miata is always the answer." https://buzzsprout.com/2316026/episodes/16805989-mazda-rx-7-stories-jon-leverett-rotary-engine-love-auto-industry-secrets

Whether you are looking for dream car stories, want to hear some wild auto adventures, or just want to relive your own car memories, this episode is packed with automotive history and practical advice for the next generation of drivers.

🔗 Links & Resources:

  • Check out the driving school: coastlineacademy.com
  • Watch their tips on YouTube: Coastline Academy
  • Listen to our 60+ episodes on LinkTree 🔗🌲 https://linktr.ee/carsloved

📢 Join the Conversation: What was your first car? Was it a hated car or an iconic model? Let us know on Instagram @toallthecarsivelovedbefore!

⭐ Teaching a teen to drive? Share this episode with them!

Connect with Us: Got a great car story? Email us at stories@carsloved.com. Find all our content and social links here: linktr.ee/carsloved.

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Father-Daughter Car Builds: Viper & Porsche 35607 oct. 202500:56:14

Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia!

What happens when a father and daughter start filming their garage projects during lockdown and accidentally build a YouTube empire with 34 cars? 🎬🚗

In this episode, we sit down with Caroline and James, the dynamic duo behind HH Wheels (and HH Wheels Productions). Broadcasting from their "man cave turned studio" surrounded by muscle cars and vintage signs, they share the incredible story of how a shared love for wrenching turned into a full-blown content creation business.

We dive deep into their "car rich, cash poor" lifestyle, the art of the trade, and the wild stories behind their fleet—including a Dodge Viper GTS bought in a snowstorm and a Porsche 356 acquired through a very unique trade.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

  • 🦀 The "Soft Shell Crab": Caroline's 1969 Ford Fairlane fastback that was so rusty it needed 4x4 lumber to stay on the lift (but still launched her first business).
  • 🐍 The Viper Saga: How James finally acquired his dream car—a 1997 Dodge Viper GTS—after a six-year search, a secret purchase by Caroline, and a sketchy drive home on bad tires.
  • 🇮🇹 The $2,000 Alfa: James's story of buying a 1992 Alfa Romeo Spider simply because it came with the house he was buying (and wouldn't start).
  • 🇩🇪 The Dream Trade: How Caroline traded a restored Volkswagen Thing for a project Porsche 356—a car she's wanted since childhood.
  • 🎥 YouTube Origins: How watching Richard Petty videos in the shop led to a road trip, a camera, and the birth of HH Wheels.

Listen to Caroline and James' favorite episode as Kat DeLorean shares car stories about her late father, John Z. DeLorean: https://buzzsprout.com/2316026/episodes/15009054

Whether you're a fan of Mopars, classic Porsches, or just love a good father-daughter team that "gets wrenching," this episode is packed with laughs and automotive inspiration.

🔗 Links & Resources:

  • Watch them on YouTube: HH Wheels
  • Visit their website: hhwheelspro.com
  • Listen to our 60+ episodes on LinkTree 🔗🌲 https://linktr.ee/carsloved

📢 Join the Conversation: Have you ever bought a car without telling your significant other (or parent)? Let us know on Instagram @toallthecarsivelovedbefore!


Connect with Us: Got a great car story? Email us at stories@carsloved.com. Find all our content and social links here: linktr.ee/carsloved.

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Porsche 911 Driving Techniques: Track Lessons with Dirk Dekker 🏎️💨30 sept. 202500:38:56

Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia!

Porsche 911 track driving and air-cooled handling techniques at Watkins Glen with instructor Dirk Dekker...

What does it take to master an air-cooled Porsche 911 on one of America's most iconic road courses? For Dirk Dekker, a driving instructor with over 25 years of experience at Watkins Glen International, it takes patience, precision, and a lifetime of racing obsession. 🏎️🎓

In this episode, we sit down with Dirk to explore his incredible automotive journey, which began not behind the wheel of a Porsche, but by rebuilding a rare 1958 Berkeley B.95 that he bought for just £15. We dive into his past life as a helicopter pilot and how those skills translate to high-performance driving education (HPDE).

Dirk also shares spine-tingling stories from his time living at the Silverstone Circuit in the UK, where he rubbed shoulders with Formula 1 royalty like Jim Clark, Graham Hill, and Sir Jackie Stewart—and reveals why the "good old days" of racing were just as dangerous as they were glamorous.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

  • 🏁 The Silverstone Years: What it was really like to live at a world-famous F1 track and meet legends like Jim Clark before safety was a priority.
  • 🏎️ Mastering the 911: Specific tips for driving rear-engine, air-cooled Porsches on the track and why "slow in, fast out" is a survival strategy.
  • 🚁 The Pilot Connection: How Dirk’s experience as a helicopter pilot influences his teaching style and risk management at Watkins Glen.
  • 🛠️ The £15 Race Car: The story of rescuing a basket-case 1958 Berkeley B.95 (a microcar with a motorcycle engine) and turning it into a passion project.
  • 🎓 HPDE Insights: Why everyone—from novices to pros—needs a driving instructor in the passenger seat.

🎧 If you loved this episode, check out: The Intermittent Windshield Wiper Patent Battle: https://buzzsprout.com/2316026/episodes/17461644-windshield-wiper-invention-story-timothy-kearns-dr-robert-kearns-patent-battle-legacy

Whether you're a track day junkie, a Porsche purist, or a fan of golden-era Formula 1 history, this episode is a masterclass in speed and safety.

🔗 Links & Resources:

📢 Join the Conversation: Have you ever driven on a race track like Watkins Glen? Let us know on Instagram @toallthecarsivelovedbefore

Connect with Us: Got a great car story? Email us at stories@carsloved.com. Find all our content and social links here: linktr.ee/carsloved.

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1974 Ford Mustang II: The History of the Forgotten Muscle Car 🐎🇺🇸23 sept. 202500:34:59

Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia!

Muscle car history and the restoration of a 1974 Ford Mustang II. Rebuilding one of America’s most hated Mustangs...

What happens when you give a 14-year-old a driver's license, a 1974 Mustang II found in a field, and a welder? 🤯🏎️

In this episode, we sit down with Jeremy, the creator of the Freedom Top Vault—a game-changing accessory for Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator owners. Jeremy takes us on a journey from his childhood in South Dakota (where he legally drove at 14!) to inventing a product that solves a problem every Jeep owner hates: where to put those Freedom Panels when the sun comes out.

We also dive into his history of "creative" automotive fixes, including a VW Rabbit Cabriolet held together by duct tape and an alternator bracket made of zip ties that lasted for 50,000 miles.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

  • 🐎 The Custom Mustang II: How Jeremy and his dad customized the front end of a '74 Mustang found in a grove of trees—long before he was old enough to vote.
  • 👮 The Nitrous Incident: The story of his 1977 Monte Carlo, a stoplight race with a Ford LTD police car, and the hidden nitrous plate that got his car impounded.
  • 🚙 The Jeep Problem: The 8-year journey from a rough iPad sketch to a patent-pending product that stores Jeep hardtop panels safely in the vehicle.
  • 🛠️ "Who Not How": The business philosophy Jeremy used to navigate the complex world of patents, engineering, and manufacturing.
  • 🗺️ The Ultimate Road Trip: Driving a duct-taped VW convertible from Arizona to South Dakota with no radio and a zip-tied engine.

Don't miss Jeremy's favorite episode with Rob Walko featuring a few more Mustangs:  https://buzzsprout.com/2316026/episodes/17645503-mustang-memories-sema-show-adventures-automotive-photographer-rob-s-first-cars-to-car-culture-journey

Whether you are a Jeep enthusiast, an aspiring inventor, or just love a good story about 70s muscle cars and bad decisions, this episode is for you.

🔗🌲 Visit our LinkTree for all of our content and 60+ episodes: https://linktr.ee/carsloved

📢 Join the Conversation: What is the "sketchiest" roadside repair you've ever done to get a car home? Let us know on Instagram @toallthecarsivelovedbefore

Connect with Us: Got a great car story? Email us at stories@carsloved.com. Find all our content and social links here: linktr.ee/carsloved.

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1980s Classics: DeLorean DMC-12 & Chrysler Laser XE15 sept. 202500:36:33

Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia!

1980s sports cars and the history of the 1981 DeLorean DMC-12 and the 1984 Chrysler Laser XE Turbo...

Every car enthusiast has THE car. For Curt Bellotti, it was always the DeLorean. But before he could afford his stainless steel dream, he fell in love with the "poor man's KITT"—a 1984 Chrysler Laser XE Turbo with a digital dashboard straight out of Knight Rider. 🕹️⚡

In this episode, we sit down with Curt to trace his 40-year journey from that high-tech Chrysler to finally purchasing a 1981 DeLorean DMC-12 in 2024. We explore the gap between fantasy and reality: Does driving your hero car live up to decades of hype?

We also dive into his "love-hate" relationship with a 2001 PT Cruiser, the nostalgia of 80s digital dashes, and why he believes the DeLorean would actually win a race against his old Turbo Laser (despite what the spec sheets say).

In this episode, you’ll hear:

  • 🕹️ The "Poor Man's KITT": Why the Chrysler Laser XE's digital dashboard and voice alerts made it the ultimate 80s tech flex.
  • ⚡ The DeLorean Dream: The exact moment Curt decided "I WILL own one someday," and the reality of finally driving it 40 years later.
  • 📉 The PT Cruiser Phase: Why a 2001 PT Cruiser became the "least favorite car" he ever owned (blame the terrible twos!).
  • 🆚 The Showdown: A hypothetical race between the DeLorean and the Laser Turbo—and why Lotus suspension makes all the difference.
  • 🎸 80s Culture: How Van Halen and arcade hobbies influenced his automotive tastes.

And don't miss Curt's favorite episode with Timothy Kearns and the origin of the intermittent windshield wiper: https://buzzsprout.com/2316026/episodes/17461644

Whether you're a fan of Radwood-era classics, curious about the reality of owning a DeLorean, or just love a good story about patience and payoff, this episode is a time-traveling trip you won't want to miss.

🔗 Links & Resources:

  • Visit our LinkTree for all of our content and episodes: 🔗🌲 https://linktr.ee/carsloved
  • Check out our Guest Road Trip Playlist on Spotify

📢 Join the Conversation: What was your "poor man's" version of a dream car? Let us know on Instagram @toallthecarsivelovedbefore

Connect with Us: Got a great car story? Email us at stories@carsloved.com. Find all our content and social links here: linktr.ee/carsloved.

Podcast News:

Air-Cooled Culture: Building the "Small Car Company" Club & The 200HP "German Look" 1972 Beetle 🇩🇪🔧09 sept. 202500:48:00

Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia!

Some car enthusiasts are born; others—like Dave's father—need convincing. It took five decades and seven different VW Beetles to turn his dad from a skeptic into a believer. 🐞✨

In this episode, we sit down with Dave, the founder of the Small Car Company, a unique car club in Connecticut with "no dues, no minutes, and no politics." Dave shares his lifelong obsession with air-cooled Volkswagens, from the "German Look" 200-horsepower 1972 Super Beetle that surprises everyone to the grassroots community he built from scratch.

We also dive into his powerful initiative, Mentors and Motors, which connects vocational students with classic car restoration skills, teaching them not just how to fix a flat-six engine, but how to navigate life.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

  • 🐞 The "German Look" Beetle: The specs on Dave’s 1972 Super Beetle, modified with a 200HP engine and Porsche-style suspension that got him invited into a classroom.
  • 🤝 The Small Car Company: How a casual breakfast with a neighbor turned into a massive club named after a defunct local VW dealership.
  • 🎓 Mentors and Motors: The inspiring story of partnering with Bullard-Havens Technical High School to open doors for inner-city auto tech students.
  • 🏎️ Car Show Culture: Why the best car clubs happen organically (without Robert's Rules of Order) and stories of Rod Emery Porsches showing up at local meets.
  • 👨‍👦 The Dad Conversion: The decades-long journey of sharing the air-cooled passion with a father who didn't initially "get it."

Don't forget to listen to Dave's favorite episode with Guinevere of Freccia Brothers Air Cooled Specialists: https://buzzsprout.com/2316026/episodes/16886205

Whether you're a diehard VW fan, a Porsche purist, or just someone who believes in the power of cars to build community, this episode is a heartwarming ride.

🔗 Links & Resources:

📢 Join the Conversation: Have you ever convinced a family member to love a car they hated? Let us know on Instagram @toallthecarsivelovedbefore

⭐ Love these father-son car stories? Leave us a review!

Connect with Us: Got a great car story? Email us at stories@carsloved.com. Find all our content and social links here: linktr.ee/carsloved.

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Mercedes 240D & Ford 1000 Tractor: Diesel Reliability02 sept. 202500:39:08

Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia!

What kind of person drives a 1984 Mercedes 240D into the ground for decades, believing it's the pinnacle of engineering, only to suddenly switch to a Tesla? For Croom, it wasn't just about changing cars—it was about testing a philosophy. 🧪🚗

In this episode, we sit down with Croom, whose automotive life began not with a sedan, but with a Ford 1000 Tractor on his family farm. That experience instilled a belief: build it right once, maintain it properly, and it will outlast everything.We explore how this mindset guided him through years of driving a "million-mile" Mercedes diesel and how it parallels his work in healthcare AI.

We dive deep into the math of maintaining a 40-year-old German tank versus buying new, the breakdown that finally changed his definition of reliability, and why he believes EVs might be the spiritual successors to the unkillable diesels of the past.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

  • 🚜 The First "Car": Why Croom counts a Ford 1000 Tractor as his first vehicle and what farm life taught him about mechanical sympathy.
  • 🇩🇪 The Million-Mile Mindset: The logic behind driving a 1984 Mercedes 240D for decades and the "build it right once" philosophy that defines his life.
  • 📉 The Breakdown: The specific moment the Mercedes failed at the worst possible time, forcing a re-evaluation of what "reliable" actually means.
  • ⚡ The Switch to Tesla: Why a die-hard diesel mechanic/enthusiast decided an electric vehicle was the only logical next step.
  • 🤖 Farm to AI: The fascinating link between maintaining vintage machinery and developing cutting-edge healthcare technology.

Take a listen to Croom's favorite episode with McPherson College alum, Mason Ball and his success story in joining Wayne Carini's F40 Motorsports. https://buzzsprout.com/2316026/episodes/17426714

Whether you're a diesel purist, an EV convert, or just someone who appreciates the philosophy of "buy it for life," this episode offers a unique perspective on the machines we trust with our lives.

🔗 Links & Resources:

📢 Join the Conversation: Is reliability about simplicity (diesel) or fewer moving parts (EV)? Let us know on Instagram @toallthecarsivelovedbefore

Connect with Us: Got a great car story? Email us at stories@carsloved.com. Find all our content and social links here: linktr.ee/carsloved.

Podcast News:

Automotive Paint Restoration: Professional Tips for JDM Classics 🎨🇯🇵26 août 202500:47:07

Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia!

Automotive paint restoration and custom bodywork for JDM classics and Porsche 911 wide-body conversions...

What does it take to turn a backyard hobby shop into a premier automotive restoration business during a global pandemic? 🤔🛠️

In this episode, we sit down with Matt Pratt, owner of Top Coat Garage, to discuss his journey from painting mini-bikes as a kid to running a high-end shop that handles everything from fender benders to full widebody conversions on Porsche 911s. Matt breaks down the science of automotive paint, the secrets behind "candy" coats, and why he regrets selling his heavily modified Honda Civic hatchback.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

  • 🎨 The Science of Shine: Matt explains the difference between metallic flake, pearl, and the new color-shifting "chameleon" paints, plus how layering candy coats creates "depth" you can swim in.
  • 🔧 The "Widebody" Challenge: How Matt and his team hand-crafted a custom widebody kit for a Porsche 911 using race car parts that didn't fit.
  • 🇯🇵 JDM Legends: Why the Acura NSX remains Matt's ultimate dream car, and the story of the $140k NSX deal that helped fund his new shop.
  • 📈 The Covid Pivot: How he transitioned from a 1,200 sq. ft. hobby shop to a massive facility by betting on himself when the world shut down.
  • 🚗 First Car Regrets: The story of his 2000 Honda Civic hatchback, inspired by Gran Turismo, that he built into a road race monster (and eventually bought back!).

Don't miss Matt's favorite episode featuring the faith and patience it took to import a very special JDM Honda Acty 4x4 Kei van: https://buzzsprout.com/2316026/episodes/17645586-oldsmobile-cutlass-supreme-to-jdm-kei-van-dreams-deputy-dave-s-law-enforcement-car-collection-journey

Whether you are interested in the technical side of bodywork, love 90s JDM culture, or want to hear a genuine entrepreneurship story, this episode is a masterclass in passion and craftsmanship.

🔗 Links & Resources:

📢 Join the Conversation: What is the one car you sold that you wish you could buy back? Let us know on Instagram @toallthecarsivelovedbefore




https://buzzsprout.com/2316026/episodes/17645586-oldsmobile-cutlass-supreme-to-jdm-kei-van-dreams-deputy-dave-s-law-enforcement-car-collection-journey

🔗 Connect: https://linktr.ee/carsloved.com

Connect with Us: Got a great car story? Email us at stories@carsloved.com. Find all our content and social links here: linktr.ee/carsloved.

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Cop with a Kei Van: JDM Imports, a 1967 VW Beetle named "Alice" & An Oldsmobile Cutlass 🚐🐞19 août 202500:40:10

Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia!

Most law enforcement officers drive American muscle or practical trucks. Deputy Dave dreams about importing Japan's tiniest, most impractical vehicles: JDM Kei vans. 🚓🚐

In this episode, we sit down with Dave—a man whose resume includes everything from paramedic and death investigator to "sandwich artist" and pigeon racing courier—to discuss his eclectic automotive life. Dave shares the story of his first car (a stolen-and-recovered 1986 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme started with a screwdriver) and his current obsession with importing a Japanese micro-van like a Suzuki Every or Subaru Sambar.

We also dive into his shrine of Volkswagen memorabilia, the story of "Alice" (his 1967 VW Beetle), and his brief stint as a background actor on Lady in the Lake where he was typecast... as a cop.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

  • 🚓 The Cop & The Kei Van: Why a deputy sheriff is obsessed with importing a right-hand drive Japanese micro-van and the legal realities of registering one in the US.
  • 🐞 Alice the Beetle: The story of Dave's beloved 1967 VW Beetle and how trying to get her into a TV show accidentally launched his acting career.
  • 🐦 Racing Pigeons: Dave’s wildest job delivering racing pigeons to their release points (yes, that’s a real thing).
  • 🔧 First Car Hijinks: Buying a recovered theft 1986 Oldsmobile Cutlass at age 14 and driving it illegally until a local cop gave him the "side eye".
  • 🎬 Hollywood Moments: How Dave went from playing a cop on Apple TV+ to playing a killer on Lifetime's Meet, Marry, Murder.

Make sure you tine into Dave's favorite episode with Andrew's Trabants and Tuckers https://buzzsprout.com/2316026/episodes/17009738

Whether you're a fan of air-cooled VWs, curious about JDM imports, or just love a guest who has lived a dozen different lives, this episode is a wild ride.

🔗 Links & Resources:

Learn more about Dave CPR Training here - 

📢 Join the Conversation: What is the most "uncool" car you secretly love? Let us know on Instagram @toallthecarsivelovedbefore

Connect with Us: Got a great car story? Email us at stories@carsloved.com. Find all our content and social links here: linktr.ee/carsloved.

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SEMA Show Photography: Classic Mustangs and Automotive Careers 📸🏁12 août 202500:42:35

Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia!

Automotive careers and SEMA Show photography. Capturing custom Mustangs, rare exotics, and modified car culture...

Rob's first car was a no-frills 1986 Chevy Spectrum with crank windows and no radio. Today, he’s the guy photographing the most expensive, rarest, and most modified cars at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas. 📸🏎️

In this episode, we sit down with Rob, an automotive photographer and die-hard Mustang enthusiast, to explore the gap between "kid with a camera" and professional industry insider. Rob takes us behind the velvet ropes of SEMA, sharing stories of sneaking into drift tracks, spotting Riddler Award winners, and the wild reality of seeing $200,000 builds parked outside because the halls were too full.

We also dive deep into his personal garage, including his 2018 Mustang EcoBoost daily driver (modified to look factory-perfect) and the emotional restoration of a 1968 Mustang Coupe that pays tribute to his grandmother’s lead-footed legacy.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

  • 📸 SEMA Secrets: What it’s really like to cover the world's biggest aftermarket car show, from the "Golden Hour" shots to the chaos of the drift exhibition.
  • 🐎 The "Grandma" Mustang: The incredible story of Rob's grandmother crashing a 6-cylinder Mustang on ash-covered roads—and upgrading to a V8 because "more power would have saved it".
  • 📉 The Chevy Spectrum Era: Rob’s humble beginnings in a 1986 Chevy Spectrum that eventually lost its starter on the highway (leading to a very strategic "don't turn off the car" road trip).
  • 🔧 OEM+ Philosophy: Why Rob’s approach to modifying his 2018 EcoBoost Mustang is all about making it look like it should have come that way from the factory.
  • 📚 Cars & Media: A look at how books like Bob Lutz’s Car Guys vs. Bean Counters influence our understanding of the industry.

Make sure you listen to Rob's favorite episode with Weber State University's team Mustang mods: https://buzzsprout.com/2316026/episodes/16548659

Whether you're an aspiring automotive photographer, a Mustang loyalist, or just someone who loves a good story about a grandmother with a heavy right foot, this episode is picture-perfect.

🔗 Links & Resources:

📢 Join the Conversation: What’s the most photogenic car you’ve ever seen? Let us know on Instagram @toallthecarsivelovedbefore

Connect with Us: Got a great car story? Email us at stories@carsloved.com. Find all our content and social links here: linktr.ee/carsloved.

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Chevy Plumbing Truck: First Car Stories and Custom Utility Builds 🛠️🚛05 août 202500:42:52

Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia!

What happens when your first car is a hand-me-down work truck that is literally a rolling billboard for your dad's plumbing business? And it's "Doo-Doo Brown"? 💩🚚

In this episode, we sit down with Krystal Proffitt, a content strategist and host of The Proffitt Podcast, to discuss one of the most unique "First Car" stories we've ever heard. Krystal shares the reality of navigating high school in a vehicle that advertised her family business on every door, turning every bad parking job into a potential PR crisis.

We dive deep into how this experience taught her early lessons in branding and reputation management, her transition to the "Big Mama Truck" phase, and why she unironically loves her Honda Odyssey minivan today.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

  • 🚚 The Doo-Doo Brown Truck: The hilarious story of inheriting a brown Chevy work truck with plumbing signage and how Krystal made it her own (despite the smell of PVC glue).
  • 📢 Rolling Billboard Reality: What it's like when your driving habits directly reflect on your dad's business reputation—and the time someone actually called the "How's My Driving?" number.
  • 🚐 Minivan Life: Why Krystal embraces the Honda Odyssey as the ultimate content creator/mom vehicle and her dream of owning a decked-out conversion van for road trips.
  • 🎙️ Content Strategy Wisdom: Krystal flips the script to give Doug and Christian expert advice on growing a podcast, finding your voice, and the power of "just keep shipping".
  • 🔧 The "Big Mama" Era: The story of upgrading to a massive lifted truck that required a literal hop to get into, and how it fit perfectly into small-town Texas culture.

Don't miss Krystal's favorite episode to learn how Brian's family ended up with the bus from the movie "Cry Baby" https://buzzsprout.com/2316026/episodes/17575489

Whether you're a content creator, a minivan apologist, or just someone who had an embarrassing first car, this episode is packed with laughs and valuable insights on turning awkward beginnings into success.

🔗 Links & Resources:

  • Check out Krystal's work: krystalproffitt.com
  • Listen to her show: The Proffitt Podcast
  • Visit LinkTree for all of our content: 🔗🌲 https://linktr.ee/carsloved

📢 Join the Conversation: Did you have to drive a car that embarrassed you in high school? Let us know on Instagram @toallthecarsivelovedbefore

Connect with Us: Got a great car story? Email us at stories@carsloved.com. Find all our content and social links here: linktr.ee/carsloved.

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Discovering Our Bus Was a Movie Star: Brian’s 1973 Chevy, A "Cry-Baby" Secret & Wind Therapy 🏍️✨29 juil. 202500:37:12

Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia!

Imagine buying your first car—a 1973 Chevy Pickup—only to discover years later that it had a secret life as a movie star in the cult classic film Cry-Baby starring Johnny Depp. 🎬😲

In this episode, we sit down with Brian, a Maryland native whose automotive life is intertwined with Hollywood history and family adventures. Brian shares the incredible story of how a late-night movie session led to the realization that his dad's old truck (and later his first car) had shared the screen with the King of the Drapes.

We also dive into his family's 1954 Chevy School Bus, which was converted into a camper and also appeared in the film, and his transition from four wheels to two with his 1995 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

  • 🛻 The Cry-Baby Connection: How Brian verified that his 1973 Chevy Pickup was the exact truck used in the John Waters film Cry-Baby.
  • 🚍 The Movie Star Bus: The story of the family's 1954 Chevy School Bus camper that producers hunted down because it was the only running full-length one on the East Coast.
  • 🏍️ Wind Therapy: Brian's love for his 1995 Harley Electra Glide and why the "Evolution" motor is legendary among riders.
  • 💥 The Grand Marquis Incident: A cautionary tale about a 1995 Mercury Grand Marquis that met an untimely end just months after purchase.
  • 🎨 Car Colors & Culture: A deep dive into modern car paints versus the vintage hues of the past (and why Opalescent Green is a memory that sticks).

Listen to Brian's favorite episode with Monster Truck Jam and YouTube superstar, Nicole Johnson: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2316026/episodes/16665619

Whether you're a film buff, a classic truck lover, or just enjoy serendipitous stories about finding hidden history in your driveway, this episode is a blockbuster.

🔗 Links & Resources:

📢 Join the Conversation: Have you ever owned a car with a famous past? Let us know on Instagram @toallthecarsivelovedbefore

Connect with Us: Got a great car story? Email us at stories@carsloved.com. Find all our content and social links here: linktr.ee/carsloved.

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1963 Chevrolet Corvair Monza Spyder: Family Restoration Stories 🚗❤️22 juil. 202500:37:59

Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia!

Air-cooled car restoration of a 1963 Chevrolet Corvair Monza Spyder. Three generations of family automotive history...

In 1975, Justin’s father sold his 1963 Corvair Monza Spyder for $150 because it broke down. Forty-two years later, Justin tracked down that exact car—still sitting in the same barn, with the 1975 inspection sticker still on the windshield—and brought it home. 🏚️😲

In this episode, we sit down with Justin to hear one of the most incredible "one that got away" stories we've ever featured. He shares the emotional journey of restoring the car his parents took on their first date in 1970, exploring the unique engineering of the turbocharged, air-cooled "Poor Man's Porsche," and defending the Corvair against Ralph Nader'sUnsafe at Any Speed legacy.

We also dive into Justin's love for Honda Preludes, the nostalgia of circling classified ads in the newspaper, and a terrifying mechanical horror story involving a "diesel runaway" event that you have to hear to believe.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

  • ❤️ The Love Story: How Justin’s dad courted his mom in the '63 Corvair and the 42-year quest to buy back the exact same VIN number.
  • 🐌 The Monza Spyder: A deep dive into the turbocharged flat-six engine that made this car a marvel of its time (and a handful to drive).
  • 📉 The $150 Sale: The story of why the car was sold for scrap value in the 70s and how it survived four decades of storage unscathed.
  • 💥 Diesel Runaway: A wild story about a diesel engine consuming its own oil and revving uncontrollably until destruction.
  • 📰 Auto Trader Nostalgia: Remembering the days of hunting for cars in print magazines and cold-calling sellers from the newspaper.

You don't want to miss Justin's favorite episode features another Corvair, no surprise: https://buzzsprout.com/2316026/episodes/15271241

Whether you're a fan of air-cooled classics, a Honda Prelude enthusiast, or just love a heartwarming story about reuniting a family with their mechanical heritage, this episode is a must-listen.

🔗 Links & Resources:

📢 Join the Conversation: If you could buy back one car your parents sold, what would it be? Let us know on Instagram @toallthecarsivelovedbefore

Connect with Us: Got a great car story? Email us at stories@carsloved.com. Find all our content and social links here: linktr.ee/carsloved.

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Ziebart CEO's 440 Dodge Coronet + Rustproofing & Ceramic Coatings Explained15 juil. 202500:37:25

Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia!

Mopar muscle cars and a road trip in a 1967 Dodge Coronet 440. Classic car care tips from the CEO of Ziebart...

Why did Rod Serling (of The Twilight Zone) once cut a car in half to prove a point about rust? And how did a 1950s German master mechanic named Kurt Ziebart start a global automotive protection empire? 🤔📺

In this episode, we sit down with Tom Wolfe, President and CEO of Ziebart International Corporation. Tom shares the incredible history of the company, which started in Detroit in 1959 and grew to protect cars worldwide—from the salty roads of the Midwest to the deserts of the Middle East.

We also dive deep into Tom’s personal Mopar-filled history, his time working at Chrysler (where his stepmother was Bob Lutz's admin!), and the science behind keeping modern and classic cars pristine.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

  • 🦁 The Battle Wagon: Tom’s first car, a 9-passenger 1970 Dodge Monaco Station Wagon, fully loaded with a 440 engine and dual exhaust.
  • 🛡️ Rustproofing 101: How automotive protection has evolved from basic undercoating to advanced ceramic coatings, paint protection film (PPF), and interior defense.
  • 🚚 The Little Red Express: Tom’s current garage project, a 1978 Dodge Li'l Red Express Truck that he rebuilt to run on E85.
  • 🌍 Global Car Culture: How Ziebart expanded to 37 countries, including protecting cars from sandstorms in Saudi Arabia.
  • 🤝 Mission 22: Ziebart's partnership to support veterans and waive franchise fees for those who have served.

Whether you are looking to protect your new daily driver or just love a good story about Detroit muscle, this episode is packed with automotive history and practical advice.

And for more Detroit muscle, check out one of Tom's favorites featuring a Dodge with a College attitude: https://buzzsprout.com/2316026/episodes/14867457


🔗 Links & Resources:

📢 Join the Conversation: Have you ever used Ziebart or rustproofing on your car? Let us know on Instagram @toallthecarsivelovedbefore

Connect with Us: Got a great car story? Email us at stories@carsloved.com. Find all our content and social links here: linktr.ee/carsloved.

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Intermittent Wiper Story: Timothy Kearns on Automotive Engineering History 🌨️🔧08 juil. 202500:43:40

Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia!

Automotive engineering history and the intermittent wiper invention. The legal war between Kearns and the Big Three...

In this episode, we go behind the scenes of the intermittent windshield wiper patent battle with Timothy Kearns, son of the legendary inventor Dr. Robert Kearns. Tim reveals the true story behind the movie Flash of Genius (starring Greg Kinnear), explaining how a champagne cork accident on his father's wedding night led to an invention that changed every modern vehicle—and sparked a 20-year fight against the Big Three (Ford, GM, and Chrysler).

We also dive into Tim's own automotive history, including his first car (a Ford Mustang Mach 1 featured in the movie) and a terrifying near-miss in a rare Bricklin SV-1 with dry-rotted tires.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

  • 💡 The "Flash of Genius": How an eye injury inspired Dr. Robert Kearns to invent the intermittent wiper circuit in just a few days.
  • ⚖️ The Legal War: The grueling 30-year battle against Ford and Chrysler that the Kearns children (the "Board of Directors") helped fight.
  • 🎬 Movie vs. Reality: What Hollywood got right (and wrong) about the family's struggle and the eventual victory.
  • 🏎️ First Car Stories: Tim's memories of his 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 and trading it for a Ford Pinto during the gas crisis.
  • ⚠️ The Bricklin Incident: A harrowing story of driving his brother's serial #13 Bricklin SV-1 when all four tires blew out on an off-ramp.

🎧 If you loved this, check out Tim's friend's episode: Mastering the Porsche 911: Track Instructor Dirk Dekker on Watkins Glen & Jim Clark: https://buzzsprout.com/2316026/episodes/17927079

Whether you're an inventor, a history buff, or just love a David vs. Goliath story, this episode offers a fascinating look at the family behind one of the most important automotive innovations of all time.

🔗 Links & Resources:

📢 Join the Conversation: Did you know the story behind your windshield wipers? Let us know on Instagram @toallthecarsivelovedbefore


Connect with Us: Got a great car story? Email us at stories@carsloved.com. Find all our content and social links here: linktr.ee/carsloved.

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Ford Model T Restoration w/ McPherson Grad01 juil. 202500:43:49

Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia!

Classic car restoration and a Ford Model T record speed build. Meet Mason Ball, who skipped spring break for Wayne Carini...

Classic car restoration and a Ford Model T record speed build. In this episode, we sit down with Mason Ball, a graduate of the prestigious 4-year Automotive Restoration Program at McPherson College. Mason traces his journey into professional restoration, from high school projects to landing a job with his hero, Wayne Carini, at F40 Motorsports.

Mason shares how his decision to spend a college spring break working at F40 Motorsports turned into a dream internship and full-time career. We dive into the philosophy of automotive preservation versus drivability, discussing why adding hidden modern upgrades—like electric fuel pumps and power steering—can save a classic car from a static collection.

Don't miss Mason's favorite episode with Cash and Chris, our Student/Instructor duo at McPherson College Program https://buzzsprout.com/2316026/episodes/18224032

In this episode, we cover:

  • 🎓 The McPherson Experience: What it takes to graduate from a 4-year degree program in automotive restoration.
  • 🏎️ The Spring Break Hustle: Choosing the shop over the beach to work at F40 Motorsports.
  • ⏱️ Model T Speed Build: The story behind his record-breaking Ford Model T project.
  • 🔧 Modern Upgrades: Why hiding electric fuel pumps can enhance classic car reliability.
  • 🛣️ Drive It or Lose It: Mason’s passionate plea to collectors to drive their vintage vehicles.

Connect with us: 📧 Email: stories@carsloved.com 

Visit our LinkTree for all 70+ episodes: https://linktr.ee/carsloved

Love the show? Please follow, rate, and review! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Connect with Us: Got a great car story? Email us at stories@carsloved.com. Find all our content and social links here: linktr.ee/carsloved.

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Importing JDM Cars: Skyline R34 & Japanese Auctions24 juin 202500:30:23

Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia!

Why are used cars from Japan always in such pristine condition? (Hint: It involves school children and brooms). 🧹🇯🇵

In this episode, we sit down with Muhammad Azeem, former General Manager of MDK Japan and current JDM importer based in Northern Virginia. With over a decade of experience exporting cars to Russia, Africa, and South America, Muhammad shares the secrets of the Japanese auction houses and how he navigates the complex world of importing 25-year-old legends into the USA.

We dive deep into his personal garage, his dream car (the Nissan Skyline R34), and why he believes the Honda Integra DC2 has one of the greatest engines ever made.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

  • 🇯🇵 The JDM Difference: Why Japanese culture creates the cleanest used cars in the world (and the one flaw you might find: cigarette burns).
  • 🏎️ The "Manly" Skyline: Muhammad's obsession with the Nissan Skyline R34 and the legendary RB26DETTengine.
  • 🚢 The Import Process: How "Roll-on, Roll-off" shipping works and how you can get a JDM car delivered straight to your driveway.
  • 💼 Facebook Marketplace Hustle: How Muhammad sold over 45 imported cars using only his personal Facebook profile.
  • 🚗 First Car Stories: From a gifted Toyota Vitz (Yaris) to a hybrid Honda Insight, and his current weekend toy, the Honda Integra DC2.

Check out f Mohammad's favorite episodes with JDM legend, the Mazda RX7: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2316026/episodes/16805989-why-rotary-engines-are-worth-it-rx-7-tales-from-inside-mazda

Whether you are looking to import your own JDM legend, love the Fast and Furious franchise, or just want to know how the global car trade really works, this episode is a masterclass in automotive logistics.

🔗 Links & Resources:

  • Check out the inventory: mdkjapan.com
  • Find the episodes you love in our 30+ episode archive:                             🌲🔗https://linktr.ee/carsloved

📢 Join the Conversation: What is your dream JDM car? A Supra, a Skyline, or maybe a tiny Honda Beat? Let us know on Instagram @toallthecarsivelovedbefore

Check out one of Mohammad's favorite episodes with one of the famous JDM cars, the Mazda RX7 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2316026/episodes/16805989-why-rotary-engines-are-worth-it-rx-7-tales-from-inside-mazda

Connect with Us: Got a great car story? Email us at stories@carsloved.com. Find all our content and social links here: linktr.ee/carsloved.

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Toyota Celica & Acura Memories: First Cars and ADHD Driving17 juin 202500:33:16

Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia!

Why would anyone paint a two-year-old 1990 Toyota Celica "BMW Green"? For our guest Lisa, it was the only way to get close to her dream car without losing her college scholarship. 🎨🟢

In this episode, we sit down with Lisa, a Neurodiversity Consultant and self-described "Connector," to explore how our brains process the experience of driving. From the executive functioning challenges that made driving a stick shift nearly impossible to the "conditional gift" that became her first car, Lisa shares a hilarious and heartfelt look at her automotive history.

We also dive into her transition from sporty coupes to the "Swiss Army Knife" of family haulers, the Acura MDX, and why a diaper change sealed the deal at the dealership.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

  • 🚙 The Scholarship Car: How Lisa earned a 1990 Toyota Celica (black with gold pinstripes) by securing a full ride for gymnastics—and then immediately repainted it.
  • 🧠 The Manual Transmission Struggle: A fascinating look at how ADHD and executive functioning differences can make driving a stick shift a sobering experience for passengers.
  • 💥 The Crash on 15-501: The terrifying story of totaling her beloved Celica on a rainy highway in North Carolina.
  • 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The Family Hauler: Moving from a 1996 Acura Integra to an Acura MDX and resisting the minivan life.
  • ⚾ Baseball & Bloom: Lisa’s memories of meeting Tug McGraw, her love for the Baltimore Orioles, and her work with Journey to Bloom supporting neurodivergent professionals and families.

Don't miss Lisa's favorite episode with dynamic student/instructor duo from Weber State University's Automotive Technology Program- https://buzzsprout.com/2316026/episodes/16384509-campus-of-cars-makenna-and-brandon-s-educational-restoration-adventures

Whether you’ve ever struggled to learn a manual transmission, customized your first car in a questionable way, or just love a good story about resilience, this episode offers a unique spin on automotive nostalgia.

🔗 Links & Resources:

📢 Join the Conversation: Did you modify your first car? Have you ever struggled with a manual transmission? Let us know on Instagram @toallthecarsivelovedbefore!

Connect with Us: Got a great car story? Email us at stories@carsloved.com. Find all our content and social links here: linktr.ee/carsloved.

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The Songs That Drive Us: Our Guest-inspired Playlist16 juin 202500:00:32

Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia!

Every great road‑trip story has a soundtrack, and our guests have generously popped the cassette into the deck for us to create our playlist, "The Songs That Drive Us" - https://carsloved.com/playlist

Have a song to share on our playlist?  Tag us on social media with the song and why it’s special to you. 

To everyone who rolled down memory lane on the show—thank you for sharing the songs that make your valve train come alive!


Connect with Us: Got a great car story? Email us at stories@carsloved.com. Find all our content and social links here: linktr.ee/carsloved.

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1989 Dodge Daytona: First Car Memories and 80s Sports Car Culture 🕹️🏎️10 juin 202500:12:17

Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia!

1980s car culture and first car stories featuring the 1989 Dodge Daytona. Memories of silver paint and pop-up lights...

In this special role-reversal episode, co-host Doug steps away from the microphone and into the guest chair to reveal his own automotive origin story. It all started with a silver 1989 Dodge Daytona—a car his dad bought him with the specific hope that pop-up headlights would improve his high school grades. (Spoiler: It worked!) 🏎️📚

Doug takes us on a nostalgic tour of his garage history, from the "manual transmission fluid smell" that triggers memories of his youth to the 2000 BMW 323Ci Convertible that became his ultimate "never again" lesson in reliability.

We also dive deep into the JDM legends that defined his dreams, including the Nissan 300ZX that inspired his career path and the Nissan 240SX he believes is criminally underappreciated.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

  • 🏎️ The Grade-Fixing Daytona: How a 1989 Dodge Daytona with a 125-mph speedometer (that it could definitely not reach) motivated Doug to do better in school.
  • 🇯🇵 The 300ZX Dream: The emotional story of how a friend's Nissan 300ZX sparked a lifelong obsession and eventually led Doug to his career in tech to afford one.
  • 🔧 The Jeep CJ-7 Disaster: A harrowing road trip story involving a rusty Jeep, a broken driveshaft, and driving home in 4-Low using only the front wheels.
  • 📉 The BMW Lemon: Why a first-year E46 BMW Convertible cured Doug of ever wanting another BMW.
  • ⚡ Tesla & The Future: How semi-autonomous driving has changed Doug's perspective on road trips and traffic.

Whether you're a fan of Radwood-era classics, a JDM lover, or just want to hear the stories behind the voice you hear every week, this episode is a personal ride through Doug's automotive life.

🔗 Links & Resources:

📢 Join the Conversation: Did your first car come with strings attached (like good grades)? Let us know on Instagram @toallthecarsivelovedbefore

Connect with Us: Got a great car story? Email us at stories@carsloved.com. Find all our content and social links here: linktr.ee/carsloved.

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1967 Dodge Coronet Road Trip: Classic Mopar Tech with Ziebart CEO 🛣️🛠️05 juin 202500:00:28

Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia!

Before steering a 400‑location car‑care empire, Thomas A. Wolfe—now President & CEO of Ziebart International—logged 500+ sun‑soaked miles in a 1967 Dodge Coronet 440, driving it home from Florida to Detroit with his dad and brothers. The flawless run of that Bahama‑Yellow muscle car—and the rust that followed—ignited Wolfe’s passion for rust protection, paint‑protection film, and made‑in‑USA aftermarket gear that defines Ziebart today.

Listen to Thomas' favorite episode, Rotary Revelations with Jon Leverett of Mazda USA - https://www.buzzsprout.com/2316026/episodes/16805989-rotary-revelations-jon-leverett-s-mazda-rx-7-tales-and-industry-insider-insights

Hit play for Detroit‑bred automotive nostalgia and subscribe to To All the Cars I’ve Loved Before for more first‑car flashbacks. Share your own story—or score show notes—at CarsLoved.com

Connect with Us: Got a great car story? Email us at stories@carsloved.com. Find all our content and social links here: linktr.ee/carsloved.

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Detroit Basement, 1963: The Wiper Invention That Beat the Big Three04 juin 202500:01:14

Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia!

Think windshield wipers are boring? Think again. In this 60‑second bonus clip, Tim Kearns reveals how his father, engineering professor Dr. Robert Kearns, dreamed up the intermittent windshield wiper in a Detroit basement, sued the auto giants that copied it, and won one of the largest individual patent settlements in automotive history—later immortalized in the film Flash of Genius. Hear Tim set the record straight on the garage‑born innovation that now clears rain on every modern car and the uphill legal battle that rewrote IP law for tinkerers everywhere.

If you geek out on home‑grown car tech, classic‑Detroit lore, or courtroom showdowns against Ford and Chrysler, hit play and add a new slice of automotive history to your trivia toolbox. Follow To All the Cars I’ve Loved Before for weekly nostalgia‑fuelled stories and share your own car memories at CarsLoved.com


Tim's favorite episode is "Classic Cars & Automotive Adventures: From Trabant to Tucker"
https://pod.link/1733902541/episode/a2d0f95592fd0bb64329a53b015f8bfe

Connect with Us: Got a great car story? Email us at stories@carsloved.com. Find all our content and social links here: linktr.ee/carsloved.

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1969 VW Beetle Baja Build, 1972 Karmann Ghia & Automotive Journalism with Hagerty's Eva Gregory 🐞📝03 juin 202500:34:57

Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia!

Flipping your daily driver on the highway is usually the end of a car story. For Eva Gregory, it was the wake-up call that started a new one. 🚙💥

In this episode, we sit down with Eva—host of the Be Differential podcast and a voice at Hagerty—to discuss how a terrifying accident in her Honda CR-V shifted her perspective on life and led her to buy a 1969 Volkswagen Beetle. But she's not just restoring it; she's driving it 700 miles from Pennsylvania to transform it into a full-blown Baja Bug for off-road adventures.

We also dive into her love for the "poor man's Porsche" (the Karmann Ghia), the intricacies of pinstriping culture, and her advice for women breaking into the automotive media world.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

  • 💥 The CR-V Crash: The harrowing story of flipping her Honda CR-V on the highway and how walking away from the wreck changed her approach to car ownership.
  • 🐞 The Baja Bug Project: Eva’s ambitious plan to take a stock 1969 VW Beetle (currently sitting in PA) and convert it into an off-road Baja beast.
  • 🚗 The Karmann Ghia: Why a 1972 Karmann Ghia became a beloved part of her garage (despite some questionable aftermarket steering wheel choices by the previous owner).
  • 🎙️ Be Differential: How Eva launched her podcast to highlight women and unique voices in the automotive and motorsport industries.
  • 🎨 Pinstripe Nostalgia: A look at how details like a red pinstripe on a vintage Honda CRX can trigger deep automotive memories.

Eva's favorite episode is "Air Cooled and Carefree – Guinevere’s VW Beetle Tales and Family Restoration Traditions" https://buzzsprout.com/2316026/episodes/16886205

Whether you're a fan of air-cooled VWs, interested in automotive journalism, or just love a story about turning a traumatic event into a passion project, this episode is a must-listen.

🔗 Links & Resources:

📢 Join the Conversation: Have you ever built a Baja Bug or off-road conversion? Let us know on Instagram @toallthecarsivelovedbefore

Connect with Us: Got a great car story? Email us at stories@carsloved.com. Find all our content and social links here: linktr.ee/carsloved.

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