Podcast Archives - Page 5 of 19

#218, Author Mike Mueller on the Complete Book of Ford Mustang

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 33:50 — 46.5MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreMike Mueller is an automotive expert among automotive experts. A journalist for more than 30 years, he has written and provided accompanying photography for more than 30 books on the Ford Mustang. He’s contributed images to many additional books and he’s written for many prestigious industry publications. Mueller is my guest this week on episode No. 218 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-host Bruce Aldrich is on vacation, so Mueller and I discuss his latest and just-released updated and revised book, The Complete Book of Ford Mustang. Ford Mustang: A nearly 60-year icon It’s a coffee table-sized volume with more than 550 color photographs

Podcast

#217, RVs, Tesla, Hyundai Santa Cruz, World Car of the Year

New RVs. A massive Tesla recall. Hyundai‘s new hip pickup. The World Car of the Year nominations. It’s all covered — and more — this week on The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia don’t have a guest on Episode No. 117, which gives us the ideal opportunity to catch up with the never-ending and always-changing automotive landscape. We start with the continuing still-new exploits of Bruce and his wife’s adventures in their 29-foot Keystone RV and its towing vehicle a new Ford F-250 pickup truck. Bruce details learning the nuances of backing the RV into a camping site and his quickly advancing skill set as a first-time RV owner. Depending upon perspective, Elon Musk is the

Podcast

#216, Arôme d’Art: A new way to make your car smell good

It seemed odd at first to see the booth for Arôme d’Art at the Unveiled Expo at the recent Consumer Electrics Show in Las Vegas. Diffusers aren’t new, but the product and the approach to the distribution of fragrances in homes and offices — and in cars and trucks — is new. It’s called a “Multisensory Clean–Air Fragrance System.” Doug Patton, CEP of Patton Design, the consulting industrial design firm and inventor of Arôme d’Art, a new defuser that combines natural aroma and natural essential oils and art, is our guest on this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. “All these things that you buy for fragrance in the store, including to put in your car is probably about 20

Podcast

#215, Ferrari parts business in Sacramento leads industry

FerrParts is a Sacramento business that strives to lead the independent Ferrari parts distributor industry for the international Ferrari community. It’s succeeded so well, the company recently expanded its business to include Maserati, Lamborghini, McLaren and Bentley. Russell Putnam, the owner of the Ferrai parts company, is our guest this week on The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with Putnam his business, from how it started to its expansion into other areas of the exotic car world. Putnam began his Ferrari business following a successful real estate career. He bought a salvaged Ferrari 355. “I had sold 100 rentals and I had enough cash to buy a new one, but there was something about my

Podcast

#211, Drifting away while ice driving in Lapland

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 32:55 — 45.2MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | More Every winter for the past 17 years, proprietors of Lapland Driving School in Sweden prepare acres of frozen tundra for the specialty automotive niche of drifting while ice driving. The facility, offering 14 varied circuits on nearly 3,000 acres, is located at Lake Udjaur near Arjeplog in Sweden. It’s a three-hour airplane flight from Munich, Germany or Paris, France. Ice Driving: Fast & Controlled The lure of learning the skills to maneuver elite vehicles at high speeds on challenging, albeit on controlled surfaces, attracts participants from around the world, California to Brazil. Alix Masson, marketing director for the driving school, is our guest

Podcast

#214, Indigo wants to change ride share and delivery

Will Graylin is a tech entrepreneur who believes rideshare and delivery is the future of affordable, more efficient transportation. The Chairman and CEO of Indigo Technologies, Graylin is our guest on this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia talk with Graylin about his company’s new class of EVs and his vision for ride-hail and delivery and other essential services. “We focus on the next generation of urban mobility, especially in ride-share and delivery,” says Graylin. “As you know, the world is changing. More and more miles are being put on the road big gig workers. They’re delivering our food, our meals our packages.” Indigo’s motto: “Smoothest, Greenest Rides For Our Planet.” The company debuted

Podcast

#213, CES: Moonbikes and Flying Formula 1 Cars

If the entrepreneurs at MACA get what they’re were hoping for at CES, motorsports enthusiasts may soon be watching racing featuring the MACA Flying Formula 1 Car. The fast and futuristic-looking vehicle is called a “Carcopter.” It could change motorsports, or so its creators believe. Much different but the same, Nicolas Muron, founder ad CEO of Moonbikes (www.moonbikes.com) believes his electric snowbikes will be a new way to travel on snowmobile trails and on private land. The two new vehicles were featured at the recently concluded Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. The principles involved are my guests on this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-host Bruce Aldrich is the producer of this episode in Sacramento. I attended the

Podcast

#212, 2021 Rolls-Royce Ghost named Car of the Year

Early in 2021, a teenage boy witnessed a colleague and me exit a 2021 Rolls-Royce Ghost at a local sandwich shop. He approached us, looked at my friend and said: “Excuse me, sir. What kind of job do I need to get to afford a car like that?” A few hours later while waiting in the Ghost at a stoplight two men in a vehicle to my right that may not have made it to its destination, caught my attention. Before the light changed, they uncorked a jubilant dance of synchronized hand signs and body gestures. I didn’t know what the display meant, but I’m certain it was a good thing. Far more expensive vehicles exist. But the Ghost, with

Podcast

#210, Ira Spector, proud 2012 Fisker Karma owner

Ira Spector owns a rare car he sometimes compares to a cute dog. It’s a term of endearment. When he’s driving his 2012 Fisker Karma Revero everyone wants to know all about it. “It’s like a puppy; people stop you and they engage you,” said Spector, who likely owns the only Revero in Los Gatos. “They ask questions; it’s kind of fun. Most of them have never seen it before. Others who have seen one may think the company is bankrupt and that they’re longer built.” Fisker Karma: Rare, Beautiful Spector is our guest on this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruch Aldrich talk with the car’s owner, his enjoyment of sports cars and his automotive passion for

Podcast

#209, Author Russell Hayes showcases tiny cars in big book

Veteran automotive author Russell Hayes is at it again. His latest book, “The Big Book of Tiny Cars” was recently published. It’s a definitive look at the global industry of the most famous and infamous microcars and subcompacts from 1901 to current models. Hayes, who lives and works in London, England, is a repeat guest on The Weekly Driver Podcast. He first joined co-host Bruce Aldrich and me on Episode #153 last October 2020 to discuss all things Volkswagen. Tiny Cars: All Shapes, Sizes During Episode #209, Hayes discusses his latest offering and his enjoyment of researching American brands and styles like the Crosley Super Sport to the German BMW Isetta. According to the book’s marketing information, more than 100

Podcast

#208, 2021 LA Auto Show debrief, hydrogen woes, new RV

After a 10-day public run and a two-day media preview, the LA Auto Show ended Nov. 28. It was the industry’s first major show since the beginning of the Covid-1 pandemic. The Weekly Driver Podcast was on site to take in the sights and sounds. Co-host Bruce Aldrich and I drove from Sacramento to Los Angeles round-trip in a 2020 Hyundai Nexo. Despite being two years old, the hydrogen-propelled SUV had been driven only about 1,500 miles. We added another 900 miles, give or take a few miles. In this episode of the podcast, we review the highlights and lowlights of the show. We discuss our experiences in the Nexo. And we abruptly switch topics in the second half of

Podcast

#204, New Book: The Checkered Past of Al Unser Jr.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 30:44 — 42.2MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | More Al Unser Jr., born into one of motorsports‘ most prominent racing families, won the Indianapolis 500 twice and two IndyCar Championships. But he was also troubled. Unser abused alcohol and drugs and it destroyed a marriage. Friendships ended and he was arrested multiple times for drunken driving and domestic violence. Unser’s struggles and his winding road in recovery is the subject of the new book, “A Checkered Past.” Al Unser Jr.: A Story To Tell The race car driver, recently re-married, tells his story to author veteran motorsports author Jade Gurss. Gurss is our guest on this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast

Podcast

#207, Live at the LA Auto Show: Back to the Future, Maybe

The LA Auto Show advanced to the second and final media day Thursday and The Weekly Driver Podcast was back in the vehicle showcase halls at the Los Angeles Convention Center. It was a day for a visit back to the future — maybe. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia visited with representatives from a variety of concept vehicles, some from established manufacturers, others from new carmakers. As in previous years, concept cars showcased at the LA Auto Show are tentative at best. None of the concept vehicles we viewed and discussed are predicted to be publicly available until at least the fall of 2022. Some of the vehicles are not expected until as late as 2025. Other EVs, like

Podcast

#206, Live from the LA Auto Show; It’s Electric

The 2021 LA Auto Show media days began Wednesday, Nov. 17, marking the first major automotive show of the season after a two-year COVID-19 pandemic. The Weekly Driver Podcast was in attendance for the first of our daily episodes. A few minutes after the show opened, co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia visited various halls at the Los Angeles Convention Center. We viewed the new models of legacy brands, Ford to Chevrolet, Honda to Chrysler. And we viewed a slew of current and pending (maybe) electric vehicles — high-end Porsche to moderately priced Hyundai, the Mullen Five (2024?) to the 2022 Lucid Air, the MotorTrend Car of the Year. As the first LA Auto Show since November 2019, differences in

Podcast

#205, 2021 LA Auto Show back with electric vibe

After one delay and one cancellation, the LA Auto Show is back for the first time in two years. Like many businesses, the automotive industry has suffered. But its first major auto show since the Covid-19 pandemic began will be held Nov. 19-28 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. David Fortin, Head of Consumer Marketing for the event, is our guest on Episode #205 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with Fortin the pending show and the expected highlights. LA Auto Show: It’s Back Founded in 1907, the LA Auto Show has built its reputation as one of the world’s most prestigious auto shows. It hasn’t been held since November 2019. As it did

Podcast

#203, PitStopConnect.com helps predict, prevent auto tragedy

Ben Auslander, vice president of sales and marketing for PitStopConnect.com, is enthusiastic about all things related to predictive analytics in automobiles. And he has been for a long time. Auslander, our guest this week on The Weekly Driver Podcast, worked on the GM Onstar program for more than 12 years. He helped launch VW‘s connected car program in North America. He also worked for Charge Point as its Automotive Director. Pitstopconnect.com sees the driving future “It’s allowed me to see and understand a broader picture around mobility,” Auslander says. Co-host Bruce Aldrich and I discuss with Auslander the ever-changing world of car connectivity. Based in Toronto, Ontario and Detroit, Mich., the company’s platform, according to its website, has: “Over 500,000

Previous Next