Podcast
To All The Cars I've Loved Before: Classic Car Restoration, JDM, and Automotive History
The ultimate automotive history and classic car restoration podcast exploring the motoring memories behind iconic vehicles. Hosted by Doug and Dave, we trade technical specs for the unfiltered stories and family car history that reveal the soul of car culture. Join us every #TorqueTuesday for a deep dive into automotive nostalgia with restoration junkies and vintage vehicle enthusiasts. 🏎️🛠️
- Episodes
- 171
- Releases
- Every two weeks
- Typical length
- 44 min
- On air since
- 2024
- Latest episode
- 20 hours ago
Episodes
171 episodes, newest first
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34 min
SEMA Prelude Swaps & Manual Murcielago w/ Throtl's Evan Beckerman
Season 10, Episode 6
Show notes
Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia!
SEMA Honda Prelude swaps and twin-turbo manual Murcielago builds. Join Doug for an automotive nostalgia journey with Evan Beckerman, co-founder and COO of Throtl. We skip corporate marketing talk to go behind the scenes of Throtl’s headline SEMA project cars, wild engine swaps, and the garage wrenching sessions that built a global automotive media powerhouse.
What happens when a 15-year-old pizza chef buys a manual sports coupe before he even has a driver’s license? For Evan, taking a wrench to a black 1995 Honda Prelude VTEC sparked a hands-on obsession with project car culture that eventually grew into one of the biggest names in the aftermarket space. In this episode, Evan shares the lessons learned from late-night driveway builds and explains what pushed Throtl to tackle its boldest high-stakes projects yet.
From the mechanical audacity of grafting a 6-speed manual Civic Type R (FL5) powertrain into the new Honda Prelude to the trial-and-error of twin-turbocharging a gated manual Lamborghini Murcielago, Evan breaks down what it really takes to build showstoppers for SEMA’s Central Hall. We also dig into the $2,000 roadside rescue that turned into a forever BMW E36 M3, the unexpected headaches of supercar ownership, and the mechanical marvel that once allowed a modest Japanese coupe to out-slalom European exotics.
In this episode, we cover several car stories:
🛠️ The SEMA Prelude Secret: Why Throtl took on the challenge of swapping an FL5 Civic Type R powertrain and manual transmission into the revived Prelude.
🏎️ Twin-Turbo Murcielago: The ambition behind rebuilding a wrecked Lamborghini with a gated manual conversion for SEMA.
EvanBeckerman_Recording.transcript.vtt.txt
🏁 The $2,000 E36 M3 Rescue: How an abandoned BMW found on the side of the road became a 500-wheel-horsepower keeper that will never leave his garage.
💥 First Car Drag Strips: Learning clutch control on the fly, stripping interior weight, and chasing speed in a 1995 Honda Prelude VTEC.
🐂 Supercars vs. Daily Reality: The difference between navigating the mechanical anxieties of a basket-case Ferrari and experiencing the raw drama of an Aventador SV.
🧠 Automotive Trivia: The revolutionary 1987 engineering marvel that made the Honda Prelude handle better than a Porsche 911 or Corvette on the slalom.Connect with Evan Beckerman & Throtl:
🌐 Website: https://throtl.com
📸 Social Media & YouTube: @throtlConnect with Us: Got a great car story? Email us at stories@carsloved.com. Find all our content and social links here: https://carsloved.com
Podcast News:
• Our co-host, Doug was a guest on the Driven Radio Show Podcast to share the origin story of our podcast and connecting with his late father through his DeLorean.
• Check out the amazing article about the podcast by Elevate Society and Tal Gur.
• Feedspot selected us as their Top 100 Car Podcastsand 31 Best Road Trip Podcasts For Your DriveRemember, every car tells a story. What’s yours?
Love the show? Please follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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41 min
Porsche 356A Builds & Fox Body Mustangs w/ PCA's Vu Nguyen
Season 10, Episode 5
Show notes
Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia!
What happens when you score a free classic Porsche engine out of a stranger's basement and keep a vintage car build hidden from your family for an entire year? You get the ultimate 50th birthday present. Today, we sit down with Vu Nguyen, the Executive Director of the Porsche Club of America (PCA), to talk about his incredible automotive journey and what it takes to help lead an organization of 170,000 passionate members.
In this episode of To All The Cars I've Loved Before, Vu takes us through the wild story of finding a 1956 Porsche 356A chassis to match a free 1600S motor—only to discover the car was actually a highly coveted numbers-matching chassis.We also dive into his first car memories, including lowering a gold 1986 Pontiac Fiero SE ("Nugget") and preserving a rare 1992 Fox Body Ford Mustang GT that he bought new and turned into a 12-second quarter-mile time capsule. Plus, we debate the real value of "numbers-matching" classics, why his ultimate dream car is actually a 1964 Chevy Impala on air ride, and the forgotten history of Porsche secretly designing a car for Studebaker.
This episode is brought to you by Car Curious! Sync your listening experience with real-time specs, photos, and the history of the cars we discuss. Test drive the free audio player at carsloved.com/listen or get the app at getcarcurious.com/app.
Connect with Vu & The Porsche Club of America:
• Join the Club: Visit the Porsche Club of America (PCA) at https://pca.org to unlock member resources, Porsche Panorama magazine, and local events.
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:
• Our co-host, Doug was a guest on the Driven Radio Show Podcast to share the origin story of our podcast and connecting with his late father through his DeLorean.
• Check out the amazing article about the podcast by Elevate Society and Tal Gur.
• Feedspot selected us as their Top 100 Car Podcastsand 31 Best Road Trip Podcasts For Your Drive
• Our co-host, Doug was featured in this magazine article along with his DeLorean to share the genesis of the podcastRemember,...
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52 min
Lexus IS300 Shenanigans & Acura NSX Memories w/ Amanda Cline
Season 10, Episode 4
Show notes
Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia!
What happens when you bake the Toyota Altezza headlights of a 2001 Lexus IS300 in your mother's kitchen oven? You get the origin story of an automotive journalist. Today, Amanda Cline (Amanda Reviews Cars) stops by to talk 90s JDM legends, reviewing the 1,025-HP Rivian R1T, testing cup holders with an expired can of beans, and why the ultra-rare 1990 Mercedes-Benz 190E Evo II is her ultimate unicorn.
This episode is sponsored by Car Curious! Sync your listening experience with real-time specs, photos, and history. Test drive the free audio player at carsloved.com/listen or get the app at getcarcurious.com/app.
Follow Amanda: https://amandareviewscars.com | @amandareviewscars
Support Community Cats: Bonita Cats
Our 90+ Episode Archive: https://linktr.ee/carslovedConnect 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:
• Our co-host, Doug was a guest on the Driven Radio Show Podcast to share the origin story of our podcast and connecting with his late father through his DeLorean.
• Check out the amazing article about the podcast by Elevate Society and Tal Gur.
• Feedspot selected us as their Top 100 Car Podcastsand 31 Best Road Trip Podcasts For Your Drive
• Our co-host, Doug was featured in this magazine article along with his DeLorean to share the genesis of the podcastRemember,...
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46 min
NASCAR Driver Safety: Brad Coleman’s Journey from the Track to the Road
Season 10, Episode 3
Show notes
Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia!
How does a professional NASCAR driver go from pushing limits at 200 miles per hour to teaching the next generation how to parallel park?
In this episode of To All The Cars I've Loved Before, host Doug sits down with Brad Coleman, a former NASCAR driver and the current owner and CEO of SafeWay Driving. Brad shares his incredible full-circle journey, starting with his teenage years when he was simultaneously racing Formula Renault 1600 cars while getting humbled in a SafeWay Driver's Ed parking lot lesson. He breaks down the exact moment he received a life-changing call from Joe Gibbs Racing to skip college and drive the #18 car in the Busch Series, and how testing driving simulators with high schoolers sparked his passion for teaching street safety.
Beyond the track, Brad takes us through his wild personal car history. We discuss falling in love with a neighbor's 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 Hemi at 14 years old, surviving 4 hours stranded inside a flooded Audi S4 during the Houston Memorial Day flood, and fearing for his life in a Ford Taurus rental car with Daytona 500 winner Michael McDowell! We also dive into his recent switch to EVs, comparing the ride quality of BMW M cars to his Tesla Model Y Performance.
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:
• Our co-host, Doug was a guest on the Driven Radio Show Podcast to share the origin story of our podcast and connecting with his late father through his DeLorean project.
• Check out the amazing article about the podcast by Elevate Society and Tal Gur, author of "The Art of Fully Living"
• Feedspot selected To All The Cars I've Loved Before in their list of Top 100 Car Podcastsand 31 Best Road Trip Podcasts For Your Drive
• Our co-host, Doug was featured in this magazine article along with his DeLore... -
50 min
How Deaf Parents Shaped Mazda In-Car Technology w/ Matthew Valbuena
Season 10, Episode 2
Show notes
Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia!
In this episode, Doug and Dave are getting a little grease under their nails with Matthew Valbuena, a Project Manager for Mazda's North American Operations R&D division. Matthew oversees the development of Mazda's in-vehicle technologies and human interfaces, balancing the demand for cutting-edge connectivity with Mazda’s core "driving first" philosophy.
Matthew takes us on an incredible automotive journey, starting with his first vehicle: a lowered 1994 Toyota Pickup complete with a $163 monthly payment and a Nintendo 64 in the glovebox. We dive into the heavy-bass nostalgia of 90s car audio, carrying around $1,500 worth of CDs in Case Logic wallets[cite: 1], and the era of Fast & Furious tuner culture.
But the most fascinating part of Matthew's story is how his upbringing shapes the cars we drive today. Growing up with deaf parents, his first language was American Sign Language (ASL). He shares how this visual-first perspective perfectly suited him for a career in UI/UX design. You will learn why gesture controls are a nightmare for the deaf community, why every dashboard beep must have a visual cue, and how he used to install 1500-watt subwoofers in his dad’s Benz so he could physically feel the music.
Don't miss Matthew's favorite episode with Jon from Mazda USA: https://buzzsprout.com/2316026/episodes/16805989
Plus, stick around for our Mazda trivia question: What surprisingly unrelated product did Mazda manufacture when it was founded in 1920?
Learn more about Mazda:
• Explore their latest tech at https://www.mazdausa.com/
• Follow @MazdaUSA on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Threads, and YouTubeConnect 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:
• Our co-host, Doug was a guest on the Driven Radio Show Podcast to share the origin story of our podcast and connecting with his late father through his DeLorean project.
• Check out the amazing article about the podcast by Elevate Society and Tal Gur, author of "The Art of Fully Living"
• Feedspot selected To All The Cars I've Loved Before in their list of Top 100 Car Podcastsand 31 Best Road Trip Podcasts For Your Drive
• Our co-host, Doug was featured in this magazine article along with his DeLore... -
46 min
Mianna Wick’s Journey into Vintage Open-Wheel IndyCar Racing
Season 10, Episode 1
Show notes
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 Ethan, Network Engineer extraordinaire https://buzzsprout.com/2316026/episodes/19011189
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:
• Website: https://www.miannawickracing.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.
Podcast News:
• Our co-host, Doug was a guest on the Driven Radio Show Podcast to share the origin story of our podcast and connecting with his late father through his DeLorean project.
• Check out the amazing article about the podcast by Elevate Society and Tal Gur, author of "The Art of Fully Living"
• Feedspot selected To All The Cars I've Loved Before in their list of Top 100 Car Podcastsand 31 Best Road Trip Podcasts For Your Drive
• Our co-host, Doug was featured in this magazine article along with his DeLore... -
53 min
Flipping Ruf's personal Turbo & Ultra-Rare Porsches w/ Bill Patel
Season 8, Episode 10
Show notes
Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia!
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.
Podcast News:
• Our co-host, Doug was a guest on the Driven Radio Show Podcast to share the origin story of our podcast and connecting with his late father through his DeLorean project.
• Check out the amazing article about the podcast by Elevate Society and Tal Gur, author of "The Art of Fully Living"
• Feedspot selected To All The Cars I've Loved Before in their list of Top 100 Car Podcastsand 31 Best Road Trip Podcasts For Your Drive
• Our co-host, Doug was featured in this magazine article along with his DeLore... -
57 min
INEOS Grenadier Off-Roading & Toyota Land Cruiser Memories
Season 8, Episode 9
Show notes
Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia!
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.
Podcast News:
• Our co-host, Doug was a guest on the Driven Radio Show Podcast to share the origin story of our podcast and connecting with his late father through his DeLorean project.
• Check out the amazing article about the podcast by Elevate Society and Tal Gur, author of "The Art of Fully Living"
• Feedspot selected To All The Cars I've Loved Before in their list of Top 100 Car Podcastsand 31 Best Road Trip Podcasts For Your Drive
• Our co-host, Doug was featured in this magazine article along with his DeLore... -
43 min
Building Rivians & Prototyping EVs: Inside Ford's Secret Shop
Season 8, Episode 8
Show notes
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:
• First Principles Partners: https://thefppartners.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.
Podcast News:
• Our co-host, Doug was a guest on the Driven Radio Show Podcast to share the origin story of our podcast and connecting with his late father through his DeLorean project.
• Check out the amazing article about the podcast by Elevate Society and Tal Gur, author of "The Art of Fully Living"
• Feedspot selected To All The Cars I've Loved Before in their list of Top 100 Car Podcastsand 31 Best Road Trip Podcasts For Your Drive
• Our co-host, Doug was featured in this magazine article along with his DeLore... -
41 min
The Path to NASCAR: Late Models & Open-Wheel Testing w/ Kaeden Ballos
Season 8, Episode 7
Show notes
Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia!
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.
Podcast News:
• Our co-host, Doug was a guest on the Driven Radio Show Podcast to share the origin story of our podcast and connecting with his late father through his DeLorean project.
• Check out the amazing article about the podcast by Elevate Society and Tal Gur, author of "The Art of Fully Living"
• Feedspot selected To All The Cars I've Loved Before in their list of Top 100 Car Podcastsand 31 Best Road Trip Podcasts For Your Drive
• Our co-host, Doug was featured in this magazine article along with his DeLore... -
40 min
Mopar Restomod Nightmares & The Lost 1983 Turbo Mustang
Season 8, Episode 6
Show notes
Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia!
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.
Podcast News:
• Our co-host, Doug was a guest on the Driven Radio Show Podcast to share the origin story of our podcast and connecting with his late father through his DeLorean project.
• Check out the amazing article about the podcast by Elevate Society and Tal Gur, author of "The Art of Fully Living"
• Feedspot selected To All The Cars I've Loved Before in their list of Top 100 Car Podcastsand 31 Best Road Trip Podcasts For Your Drive
• Our co-host, Doug was featured in this magazine article along with his DeLore... -
51 min
Porsche Racing Secrets: Carrera Cup w/ Pro Driver Sabré Cook and Her Dad
Season 8, Episode 5
Show notes
Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia!
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: https://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.
Podcast News:
• Our co-host, Doug was a guest on the Driven Radio Show Podcast to share the origin story of our podcast and connecting with his late father through his DeLorean project.
• Check out the amazing article about the podcast by Elevate Society and Tal Gur, author of "The Art of Fully Living"
• Feedspot selected To All The Cars I've Loved Before in their list of Top 100 Car Podcastsand 31 Best Road Trip Podcasts For Your Drive
• Our co-host, Doug was featured in this magazine article along with his DeLore... -
37 min
Porsche 911 Barn Finds & 40 Years of Dealership Secrets
Season 8, Episode 4
Show notes
Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia!
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 https://linktr.ee/carslovedConnect 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:
• Our co-host, Doug was a guest on the Driven Radio Show Podcast to share the origin story of our podcast and connecting with his late father through his DeLorean project.
• Check out the amazing article about the podcast by Elevate Society and Tal Gur, author of "The Art of Fully Living"
• Feedspot selected To All The Cars I've Loved Before in their list of Top 100 Car Podcastsand 31 Best Road Trip Podcasts For Your Drive
• Our co-host, Doug was featured in this magazine article along with his DeLore... -
1 hr 3 min
Vintage Porsches & Rare Ferraris: Inside The Great Race w/ Brad Phillips
Season 8, Episode 3
Show notes
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.
Podcast News:
• Our co-host, Doug was a guest on the Driven Radio Show Podcast to share the origin story of our podcast and connecting with his late father through his DeLorean project.
• Check out the amazing article about the podcast by Elevate Society and Tal Gur, author of "The Art of Fully Living"
• Feedspot selected To All The Cars I've Loved Before in their list of Top 100 Car Podcastsand 31 Best Road Trip Podcasts For Your Drive
• Our co-host, Doug was featured in this magazine article along with his DeLore... -
49 min
C7 Corvette Track Days & The Porsche 930 Widowmaker w/ Towlos
Season 8, Episode 2
Show notes
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.
Podcast News:
• Our co-host, Doug was a guest on the Driven Radio Show Podcast to share the origin story of our podcast and connecting with his late father through his DeLorean project.
• Check out the amazing article about the podcast by Elevate Society and Tal Gur, author of "The Art of Fully Living"
• Feedspot selected To All The Cars I've Loved Before in their list of Top 100 Car Podcastsand 31 Best Road Trip Podcasts For Your Drive
• Our co-host, Doug was featured in this magazine article along with his DeLore... -
32 min
BMW E46 ZHP: The Perfect Analog Driving Experience?
Season 8, Episode 1
Show notes
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
• https://getcarcurious.com or https://www.instagram.com/getcarcurious
• Try the Player: Experience the AI-integrated podcast player Ryan is building to help enthusiasts learn as they 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.
Podcast News:
• Our co-host, Doug was a guest on the Driven Radio Show Podcast to share the origin story of our podcast and connecting with his late father through his DeLorean project.
• Check out the amazing article about the podcast by Elevate Society and Tal Gur, author of "The Art of Fully Living"
• Feedspot selected To All The Cars I've Loved Before in their list of Top 100 Car Podcastsand 31 Best Road Trip Podcasts For Your Drive
• Our co-host, Doug was featured in this magazine article along with his DeLore... -
1 hr 8 min
2011 Subaru WRX & 1986 Honda Accord w/ Ethan Banks
Season 7, Episode 10
Show notes
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: https://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.
Podcast News:
• Our co-host, Doug was a guest on the Driven Radio Show Podcast to share the origin story of our podcast and connecting with his late father through his DeLorean project.
• Check out the amazing article about the podcast by Elevate Society and Tal Gur, author of "The Art of Fully Living"
• Feedspot selected To All The Cars I've Loved Before in their list of Top 100 Car Podcastsand 31 Best Road Trip Podcasts For Your Drive
• Our co-host, Doug was featured in this magazine article along with his DeLore... -
46 min
The Birth of the Dodge Viper & Mercedes AMG History w/ Matt DeLorenzo
Season 7, Episode 9
Show notes
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:
• Our co-host, Doug was a guest on the Driven Radio Show Podcast to share the origin story of our podcast and connecting with his late father through his DeLorean project.
• Check out the amazing article about the podcast by Elevate Society and Tal Gur, author of "The Art of Fully Living"
• Feedspot selected To All The Cars I've Loved Before in their list of Top 100 Car Podcastsand 31 Best Road Trip Podcasts For Your Drive
• Our co-host, Doug was featured in this magazine article along with his DeLore... -
37 min
1985 Mazda RX-7 Restoration & Hudson Hornet History w/ Zack Pradel
Season 7, Episode 8
Show notes
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 jokeConnect 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:
• Our co-host, Doug was a guest on the Driven Radio Show Podcast to share the origin story of our podcast and connecting with his late father through his DeLorean project.
• Check out the amazing article about the podcast by Elevate Society and Tal Gur, author of "The Art of Fully Living"
• Feedspot selected To All The Cars I've Loved Before in their list of Top 100 Car Podcastsand 31 Best Road Trip Podcasts For Your Drive
• Our co-host, Doug was featured in this magazine article along with his DeLore... -
39 min
Air-Cooled VW Culture: Women Restoring Classic Volkswagens 🍃🚗
Season 7, Episode 7
Show notes
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:
• Website: https://vwwomen.com/ 📸
• Instagram: @marlaaufmuth 🌻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! 🚗💨
• Listen to past episodes: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2316026/episodes 🎧
• Find all our social links: https://linktr.ee/carsloved 🔗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:
• Our co-host, Doug was a guest on the Driven Radio Show Podcast to share the origin story of our podcast and connecting with his late father through his DeLorean project.
• Check out the amazing article about the podcast by Elevate Society and Tal Gur, author of "The Art of Fully Living"
• Feedspot selected To All The Cars I've Loved Before in their list of Top 100 Car Podcastsand 31 Best Road Trip Podcasts For Your Drive
• Our co-host, Doug was featured in this magazine article along with his DeLore...
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