Podcast

#152, Jonathan Pierce of Harman gives good sound advice

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 34:16 — 47.1MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreThe next time you hear the quality of the auto system in your vehicle, it’s likely Johnathan Pierce of Harman had something to do with it. Pierce, Senior Manager of Global Experiential R&D for Car Audio at Harman, leads a team of scientist and engineer colleagues. They “apply research and robust measurement techniques to further understand the relationship between an artist’s intent and listener preference.” In other words, Pierce oversees a Harman team that ensures you get what you pay for when you invest in an expensive sound system. Harman expert helps Cadillac, Lincoln Pierce has most notably has been responsible for the 3D

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#151, Interstate 80 museum honors military history

About halfway between Sacramento and San Francisco, travelers on Interstate 80 can visit an iconic brewery, renowned confectionery or an indoor-outdoor homage to military transportation within minutes. But a full day’s visit to one or any combination of the attractions is warranted. The setting is a trio of museums all located within a few-mile radius on farmland off frontage roads in Fairfield, an agricultural hub in Solano County. The Anheuser-Busch facility doesn’t have much in common with Jelly Belly or the American Armory Museum. But the latter two destinations share much. Geoff Lippman, the military museum’s general manager and curator, is our guest this week on The Weekly Driver Podcast. Lippman discusses the history of the museum, its ever-expanding collection

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#149, #150: The Weekly Driver Podcast celebrates 3 years (Part 2)

The Weekly Driver Podcast debuted in September 2017. Bruce Aldrich and I had already collaborated on automotive YouTube videos and attending car shows together for several years. A podcast seemed like an ideal new creative outlet. We’re now 3-years-old and 150 episodes into our show. To celebrate the milestone, Bruce and I independently picked our five favorites episodes. And we discuss them in a double presentation on Episodes #149 and #150. The Weekly Driver Podcast Celebrates 3 Years Bruce actually picked six episodes. And among our combined 11 favorites, only one overlapped. We both selected artist Chris Miller. An article posted in the creative newsletter Atlas Obscura about Miller’s first stone truck creation many years ago led to email contact

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#149, #150: The Weekly Driver Podcast celebrates 3 years (Part 1)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 40:24 — 37.0MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreThe Weekly Driver Podcast debuted in September 2017. Bruce Aldrich and I had already been working together on automotive YouTube videos and attending car shows together for several years. A podcast seemed like an ideal new creative outlet. We’re now 3-years-old and 150 episodes into our show. To celebrate the milestone, Bruce and I independently picked our five favorites episodes. And we discuss them in a double presentation on Episodes #149 and #150. The Weekly Driver Podcast Celebrates 3 Years Bruce actually picked six episodes. And among our combined 11 favorites, only one overlapped. We both selected artist Chris Miller. An article posted in

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#148, Tow truck driver talks COVID-19, airbags

Ray Elliott, a tow truck driver in the south San Francisco Bay Area, has viewed the mistakes motorists make so often he started a website several years ago called Idiots on the Interstate (idiotsontheinterstate.com). The site is void of advanced graphics and is perhaps best described as primitive. But it’s chock-full of information, videos and Elliott’s opinions about the pathetic, often tragic and often preventable accidents and incidents he’s witnessed throughout his long career. Elliott has arrived on the scene of every kind of accident imaginable, sometimes before law enforcement personnel or first responders. He has seen fender benders and death, and he has saved lives and comforted many in need. Part of Elliott’s introduction on his website, lets the

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#147, Electrify America debuts new coast-to-coast route

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 36:54 — 50.7MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreDriving across the United States in an electric vehicle takes planning and patience. For car owners driving an EV or considering a green car alternative, the challenge has been simplified. Electrify America recently announced the completion of the first of two cross-country routes. It allows EV drivers to travel from coast to coast using the largest open DC fast-charging network in the United States. Rich Steinberg, Senior Director of Green Cities, Marketing and Communications for Electrify America, is our guest on this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Electrify America: Coast-to-Coast Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with Steinberg the new route and

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#146, Carmel (Ind.) mayor Jim Brainard has city in circles

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 30:16 — 41.6MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreJim Brainard has a law degree, but he’s spent the past quarter-century thinking about circles. It’s a compliment, and it’s likely the reason why Carmel, Indiana is internationally famous. The mayor of the 102,000-population city, located 23 miles northeast of the state’s capital of Indianapolis, is the country’s leading expert on the benefits of roundabouts. Brainard, who has overseen the construction of 132 roundabouts in the 47-square-mile city, is our guest on this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia talk with Brainard about his roundabout advocacy and how Carmel has adapted to its world prominence. Brainard first became

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#145, Author unloads on Takata in new Killer Airbags book

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 43:17 — 59.4MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreJerry W. Cox has a stark warning for the driving public. He says 12 million cars and trucks on U.S. roads have defective Takata-made airbags that still have not been replaced. Cox, a former consultant for the now-defunct Japanese automotive parts company, discusses the details in his new book “Killer Airbags: The Deadly Secret Automakers Don’t Want You To Know.” Now an automotive consultant, Cox is our guest on Episode #145 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with Cox what he believes is a catastrophe waiting to happen. Killer Airbags details the events that led to the airbag

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#144, Rolls-Royce is back with a wicked ghost of a machine

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 29:16 — 40.2MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreRolls-Royce has long represented elegance and sophistication in automobiles most often named after ghosts. There have been years of exception. Used Rolls-Royce models, particularly in the company’s native England, were hard to sell for years. But now the bespoke machines are back in a big way. In 2019, Rolls-Royce sold more than 5,100 vehicles worldwide, the best annual sales volume in the company’s 116-year history. Elizabeth Williams, the company’s product communications manager, discusses the Rolls-Royce return to prominence on this week’s episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Rolls-Royce has a 116-year legacy Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss all things Rolls-Royce with Williams

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#143, Record sale for Mustang; goodbye Chevy Sonic, Honda Fit

There’s always news in the automotive world. Sometimes, The Weekly Driver Podcast doesn’t schedule a guest so co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia can discuss a few topics, like cars that will no longer be manufactured and a 55-year-old Mustang selling for an eye-opening record. That’s what we do in this episode. The Chevrolet Sonic and Honda Fit will no longer be manufactured after the cars’ current editions. Bruce and I discuss why we say good riddance to the Sonic and a hearty farewell to the Fit. Mustang, Mustang. How about a Mustang? Who would have known, a Mustang selling for nearly $4 million? It’s true. A 1965 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R sold for a record $3.85 million The vehicle

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#142, Pickup truck rarity: 1958 Chevy an homage to SF Giants

Amir Daneshvar is accustomed to selling unique, high-end, modern-day cars — Audi to Porsche, BMW to Mercedes-Benz. But how about a 1958 Chevrolet Apache Fleetside? It’s more unusual considering its appearance. It’s an homage on wheels to the San Francisco Giants. The pickup truck was made for one of the team’s “super fans.” The year of the truck is the year the Giants relocated from New York to San Francisco. It has a 350 crate motor and a 700R4 transmission. Daneshvar is our guest on Episode #142 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia visit with Daneshvar in his office at Zen Auto Sales in East Sacramento. The 1958 Chevrolet Apache Fleetside is parked outside, a

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#141, 2021 Ford Bronco debuts; Hagerty expert praises icon

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 30:39 — 42.1MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreNearly a quarter-century after it was last made, the new Ford Bronco makes its debut today (July 13) with as much anticipation as any new vehicle in recent memory. Often cited as the first Sport Utility Vehicle, the Bronco has a loyal following and its new edition is likely to continue the iconic vehicle’s increasing legacy. Brian Rabold, vice president of valuation services for Hagerty, is our guest on this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast to discuss all things Ford Bronco. Ford Bronco: Its legacy contines Hagerty, the Michigan-based automotive lifestyle company, provides specialty insurance for collectible vehicles. The Bronco, in its various

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#140, RV expert Chuck Woodbury discusses Covid-19

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 32:48 — 45.0MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreChuck Woodbury has traveled in his motorhome for as long as two years at a time. He recently returned to his Washington state home from a seven-month RV trip that began as an expected far shorter journey. It quickly changed. In February, the first outbreak of COVID-19 occurred in a nursing home in Kirkland, Washington, six miles from where Woodbury lives in Everett. At least 37 people died. Early in their trip, Woodbury and his companion Gail Meyring heard the news from home and decided to remain on the road. Woodbury, the editor and publisher of RVTravel.com, is our guest on Episode #140 of

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#139, Cars.com index reveals ‘Made in America’ gains importance

Kelsey Mays, senior consumer affairs and vehicle evaluations editor for Cars.com, knows what it means for the industry and consumers when a vehicle is made in America. It means a lot. According to research from Cars.com in its recently released 2020 American-Made Index (AMI), 70 percent of shoppers consider a car’s U.S. economic impact a significant or deciding factor in their vehicle purchase. Mays is our guest this week on Episode #139 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with Mays the 15th AMI and how during the COVID-19 pandemic it has further impacted Americans’ desire to “buy local.” The survey found 37 percent of consumers report they are more likely to buy an American-made

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#138, Tom Britzman: A 1917 Saxon and 80 years of driving

Tom Britzman learned to drive at age 10. His father was enamored with automobiles and quality father-son time behind the wheel of an Austin seemed right. It was 80 years ago, but it could have been yesterday. “It was stupid,” said Britzman, a Korean War veteran who worked for 32 years for Sears, Roebuck and Co., following his Army service. “But at the time, when you’re a 10-year-old kid and you live out in the country, it was pretty exciting.” Britzman, who lives in East Garrison, California (formerly Ft. Old) is our guest in this week’s episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia talk with Britzman about his 80 years of driving. Now living with

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#137, SellMax will buy your used car, junker to classic

Sean Pour is a co-founder of SellMax, a nationwide, used-car-buying service headquartered in San Diego, California. His father once owned a used car dealership and the younger Pour followed the family’s business interests, albeit from a different angle. Pour, who started SellMax at age 14, is our guest on this week’s episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia talk with him about the business of used cars in various conditions, and how the quick buy-and-sell market works. The goal of SellMax (www.sellmax.com) is to make offers to sellers who want quick, smooth, streamlined transactions. “We now buy and sell and thousands of cars every month and it’s been quite the journey,” said Pour. “SellMax started

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