Advertise on podcast: To All The Cars I've Loved Before: Classic Cars, Car Stories, and More

Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia! 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: Check out Christina's work: https://instagram.com/christinalardie/Watch her detailed builds on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@christinasgarageListen to our 60+ episodes on LinkTree 🔗🌲 https://linktr.ee/carsloved 📢 Join the Conversation: What's the best way to learn "wrenching" ? Let us know on Instagram @toallthecarsivelovedbefore *** Your Favorite Automotive Podcast - Now Arriving Weekly!!! *** Listen on your favorite platform and visit https://carsloved.com for full episodes, our automotive blog, Guest Road Trip Playlist and our new CAR-ousel of Memories photo archive. Don't Forget to Rate & Review to keep the engines of automotive storytelling—and personal restoration—running strong.

Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia! 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: Visit Mark's project: woodworksonwheels.comCheck out our content and  60+ episodes on LinkTree 🔗🌲 https://linktr.ee/carslovedCheck out our Guest-inspired Road Trip Playlist on Spotify: 🎧🚗 https://carsloved.com/playlist📢 Join the Conversation: Did you take shop class in school? Let us know on Instagram @toallthecarsivelovedbefore *** Your Favorite Automotive Podcast - Now Arriving Weekly!!! *** Listen on your favorite platform and visit https://carsloved.com for full episodes, our automotive blog, Guest Road Trip Playlist and our new CAR-ousel of Memories photo archive. Don't Forget to Rate & Review to keep the engines of automotive storytelling—and personal restoration—running strong.

Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia! 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 @rileysrebuildsWatch their builds on YouTube: Riley’s RebuildsListen 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 *** Your Favorite Automotive Podcast - Now Arriving Weekly!!! *** Listen on your favorite platform and visit https://carsloved.com for full episodes, our automotive blog, Guest Road Trip Playlist and our new CAR-ousel of Memories photo archive. Don't Forget to Rate & Review to keep the engines of automotive storytelling—and personal restoration—running strong.

Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia! 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/InstagramFind 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 *** Your Favorite Automotive Podcast - Now Arriving Weekly!!! *** Listen on your favorite platform and visit https://carsloved.com for full episodes, our automotive blog, Guest Road Trip Playlist and our new CAR-ousel of Memories photo archive. Don't Forget to Rate & Review to keep the engines of automotive storytelling—and personal restoration—running strong.

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: 🔗 Watch Ivan's 1400+ car reviews, concours events and museum visits here: https://youtube.com/@drivinivanListen to our 60+ episodes on LinkTree 🔗🌲 https://linktr.ee/carsloved📢 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 *** Your Favorite Automotive Podcast - Now Arriving Weekly!!! *** Listen on your favorite platform and visit https://carsloved.com for full episodes, our automotive blog, Guest Road Trip Playlist and our new CAR-ousel of Memories photo archive. Don't Forget to Rate & Review to keep the engines of automotive storytelling—and personal restoration—running strong.

Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia! 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: Check out the program: https://mcpherson.edu/autorestorationListen to our 60+ episodes on LinkTree 🔗🌲 https://linktr.ee/carsloved📢 Join the Conversation: What classic car would you choose as your college daily driver? Let us know on Instagram @toallthecarsivelovedbefore *** Your Favorite Automotive Podcast - Now Arriving Weekly!!! *** Listen on your favorite platform and visit https://carsloved.com for full episodes, our automotive blog, Guest Road Trip Playlist and our new CAR-ousel of Memories photo archive. Don't Forget to Rate & Review to keep the engines of automotive storytelling—and personal restoration—running strong.

Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia! 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: Watch the MotorWeek 45th Anniversary Special: https://youtu.be/Vq1H8gVQKP4?si=yoph4G81bpNkudHnVisit the show online: motorweek.orgListen to our 60+ episodes on LinkTree 🔗🌲 https://linktr.ee/carsloved📢 Join the Conversation: What was the first car review you ever watched? Was it on MotorWeek? Let us know on Instagram @toallthecarsivelovedbefore  *** Your Favorite Automotive Podcast - Now Arriving Weekly!!! *** Listen on your favorite platform and visit https://carsloved.com for full episodes, our automotive blog, Guest Road Trip Playlist and our new CAR-ousel of Memories photo archive. Don't Forget to Rate & Review to keep the engines of automotive storytelling—and personal restoration—running strong.

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. *** Your Favorite Automotive Podcast - Now Arriving Weekly!!! *** Listen on your favorite platform and visit https://carsloved.com for full episodes, our automotive blog, Guest Road Trip Playlist and our new CAR-ousel of Memories photo archive. Don't Forget to Rate & Review to keep the engines of automotive storytelling—and personal restoration—running strong.

Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia! 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.comFind 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 *** Your Favorite Automotive Podcast - Now Arriving Weekly!!! *** Listen on your favorite platform and visit https://carsloved.com for full episodes, our automotive blog, Guest Road Trip Playlist and our new CAR-ousel of Memories photo archive. Don't Forget to Rate & Review to keep the engines of automotive storytelling—and personal restoration—running strong.

Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia! 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: Check out Colleen's inventory: https://nextgen-classics.comFollow her on Instagram/YouTube for car histories: @nextgenclassicsVisit our LinkTree to visit all of our content: https://linktr.ee/carsloved📢 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! *** Your Favorite Automotive Podcast - Now Arriving Weekly!!! *** Listen on your favorite platform and visit https://carsloved.com for full episodes, our automotive blog, Guest Road Trip Playlist and our new CAR-ousel of Memories photo archive. Don't Forget to Rate & Review to keep the engines of automotive storytelling—and personal restoration—running strong.

Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia! 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: Check out Eon: eonrides.comFind our 60+ episodes on LinkTree 🔗🌲 https://linktr.ee/carsloved📢 Join the Conversation: Have you ever rented out your personal car on an app? Tell us your horror (or success) stories on Instagram @toallthecarsivelovedbefore *** Your Favorite Automotive Podcast - Now Arriving Weekly!!! *** Listen on your favorite platform and visit https://carsloved.com for full episodes, our automotive blog, Guest Road Trip Playlist and our new CAR-ousel of Memories photo archive. Don't Forget to Rate & Review to keep the engines of automotive storytelling—and personal restoration—running strong.

Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia! 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.comWatch their tips on YouTube: Coastline AcademyListen 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! *** Your Favorite Automotive Podcast - Now Arriving Weekly!!! *** Listen on your favorite platform and visit https://carsloved.com for full episodes, our automotive blog, Guest Road Trip Playlist and our new CAR-ousel of Memories photo archive. Don't Forget to Rate & Review to keep the engines of automotive storytelling—and personal restoration—running strong.

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 WheelsVisit their website: hhwheelspro.comListen 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! *** Your Favorite Automotive Podcast - Now Arriving Weekly!!! *** Listen on your favorite platform and visit https://carsloved.com for full episodes, our automotive blog, Guest Road Trip Playlist and our new CAR-ousel of Memories photo archive. Don't Forget to Rate & Review to keep the engines of automotive storytelling—and personal restoration—running strong.

Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia! 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: Find our 60+ episodes on LinkTree 🔗🌲 https://linktr.ee/carslovedCheck out our Guest Road Trip Playlist on Spotify📢 Join the Conversation: Have you ever driven on a race track like Watkins Glen? Let us know on Instagram @toallthecarsivelovedbefore *** Your Favorite Automotive Podcast - Now Arriving Weekly!!! *** Listen on your favorite platform and visit https://carsloved.com for full episodes, our automotive blog, Guest Road Trip Playlist and our new CAR-ousel of Memories photo archive. Don't Forget to Rate & Review to keep the engines of automotive storytelling—and personal restoration—running strong.

Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia! 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 *** Your Favorite Automotive Podcast - Now Arriving Weekly!!! *** Listen on your favorite platform and visit https://carsloved.com for full episodes, our automotive blog, Guest Road Trip Playlist and our new CAR-ousel of Memories photo archive. Don't Forget to Rate & Review to keep the engines of automotive storytelling—and personal restoration—running strong.