podcast

#133, AACA Museum adapts, goes virtual during Covid-19

Museums have impossible business models during the coronavirus. But in the business of celebrating history, creativity reigns. When public visits aren’t feasible, creativity prevails. Like many museums, automobile museums can virtually present their exhibits. Car enthusiasts and history buffs can still enjoy the legacies of vintage vehicles. Jeff Bliemeister, executive director of the AACA Museum in Hersey, Pennsylvania, is our guest this week on The Weekly Driver Podcast. AACA Museum features Tucker Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with Bliemeister how the facility, one of the country’s most prominent auto museums, maintains its online videos, tours and special exhibits without allowing physical visitors. Bliemeister, an avid vintage car and truck enthusiast, explains in a series of videos the exhibits

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#132, ValChoice goal: insurance trust

Dan Karr, CEO ValChoice.com, began his insurance analysis company in early 2016 in the aftermath of a near tragedy. A former Silicon Valley executive and avid cyclist, Karr suffered a near-fatal accident with a motorist in 2014 and endured a long legal battle with insurance companies. Karr eventually won his case and recouped his financial losses. But the frustration of what he thought was a relationship with good insurance providers prompted the publication of his book, “Injured Money.” Independent Insurance Transparency The enduring scenario further resulted in his current company. Its motto: Independent. Unbiased. Trusted. Karr is our guest on this week’s episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia talk with our guest about the

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#131, Greg Griffin races a Ferrari, builds Florida homes

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 28:28 — 39.1MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreGreg Griffin is likely the only race car driver whose heritage features an Italian grandfather who owned 18 Ferraris including one used as a farm tractor by famed artist Andrew Wyatt. The owner and president of Griffin Builders in Naples, Florida, Griffin has been a custom home builder for nearly 20 years. But he’s been around the supercars for as long as he can remember. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia interview Griffin in Episode #131 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Greg Griffin: A family full of Ferrari After a two-week hiatus during the early stages of the coronavirus, Bruce and I resumed our

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#130, Fair provides safe car leasing Covid-19 option

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 23:47 — 32.7MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreCraig Nehamen is a co-founder of Fair. It’s among several apps debuting within the past decade that provide a new car leasing option for way for consumers. The app, which launched in September 2017, allows consumers to lease a previously owned vehicle for a short or long time frame. Nehamen is our guest on episode #130 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia talk with Nehamen about the business and the process of leasing a vehicle online via Fair. The car leasing option, Fair calls a subscription, is increasingly popular during the coronavirus. Consumers are still buying vehicles but car

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The Weekly Driver Podcast takes coronavirus break

For more than two years, Bruce Aldrich and I have broadcast The Weekly Driver podcast. We’ve interviewed manufacturer CEOs, vintage car owners and the world’s most well-known mountain climber who spent many years living a van. We’ve attended automotive shows and auctions. We’ve interviewed authors, industry analysts and icons from the worlds of cars, trucks and motorcycles. Bruce has done a solo show or two and I’ve done the same. Vacations and other minor life circumstances have altered a few interviews. As everyone knows, the coronavirus is another matter. We’re going to take a break for at least two weeks, but we’ll be back. We’re enthusiastic about the podcast and we have fun. We can’t wait to have fun again.

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#122, Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich, James Raia talk car stuff

The Weekly Driver Podcast usually has at least one guest each week, sometimes more. But sometimes co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia just talk it out. We did exactly that in episode #122. There’s always a lot going on in the automotive industry— recalls to Tesla’s latest fiascos, the further saga of the autonomous driving industry to new car and truck models. Bruce and I agree on many areas of the automotive industry, but not everything. Listen to the new episode of our 30-minute podcast as we cover a lot of areas, the above-mentioned topics to a few random opinions about cars old and new. It’s also a good time to reiterate our appreciation for the guests we interviewed from

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#119, Pro cycling teams rely on team cars’ assistance

Professional road cyclists were once self-sustaining athletes. Vehicle support wasn’t allowed in races like the Tour de France unless via unscrupulous means. Catching a rider getting assistance from a car meant disqualification. Much has changed. With various other company relationships for bicycles, helmets, sunglasses and energy food, vehicle sponsorship is as much part of a team as its riders. Race organizers rely on manufacturer vehicles to keep the race intact and safe as it progresses along country roads and into mountain ranges. Andrew Bajadali, a former pro cycling and director with the Rally Cycling Team, is our guest this week on Episode #119 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. We discuss how pro cycling teams rely on team vehicles to assist

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Tow truck driver Ray Elliott pans 2019 Chrysler Pacifica, GM Sierra

Ray Elliott is a veteran tow truck driver in the San Francisco Bay Area who also publishes the website idiotsontheinterstate.com. In addition to his vast expertise helping motorists, he posts commentaries and videos that ideally define his online platform’s name. Elliott has twice been a guest on The Weekly Driver Podcast and the subject of a column I wrote several months ago for the San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times. He knows the industry from a unique perspective. It’s when vehicles aren’t running properly after breakdowns or involvement in accidents. For the past several years, I’ve written end-of-the-year articles, selecting the top vehicle of the year. To view the list, visit: 2019  Best Cars and Trucks. Elliott disagrees with

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#115, Charity sweepstakes starts for 36 rare Corvettes

It’s difficult to imagine a more impressive integration of charity, automotive history and philanthropic generosity than “The Lost Corvettes” sweepstakes. The group called Corvette Heroes has launched a national sweepstakes in which 36 classic Corvettes will be the prizes. The collection includes one vehicle from 1953, the year the iconic car was introduced, through a 1989 model. Chris Mazzilli of the Gotham (New York) Comedy Club and a renowned Corvette expert as the owner of Dream Car Restorations on Long Island, N.Y., is our guest on this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Mazzilli, who’s among the group of New York real estate and parking garage professionals who comprise the Corvette Heroes, talks with co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia

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#104, RV expert discusses the ever-changing industry

Chuck Woodbury, publisher of RVTravel.com, is the preeminent expert in the ever-evolving recreational vehicle community. He’s traveled throughout the United States and in several other countries, documenting his journeys via the RV lifestyle. With his website and electronic newsletters, Woodbury and his contributors provide the industry’s leading source of news and information. Woodbury is also one of the few repeat guests on The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia cover multiple components of the industry in episode #104. As we previously discussed, the RV industry offers many types of vehicles and various ways to experience a mobile lifestyle — as a getaway weekend or as part-time or permanent residence options. Woodbury is an advocate for the enjoyment

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#97, Don Martine, Pacific Grove inn owner, MG museum curator

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 46:15 — 63.5MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreIt’s unlikely anyone is more knowledgeable and as fond of their favorite carmaker than Don Martine is about MG. A guest staying at the Martine Inn in Pacific Grove, California who appreciates automobiles and nature gets two treats. Not only do they experience classic accommodations across the street from the Pacific Ocean, but the location also pays homage to the British manufacturer. The Inn is home to the proprietor’s museum of MGs and memorabilia. From paintings on the Inn’s walls to vintage automotive posters positioned around the property, all things MG are featured as is Martine’s legacy as a driver, mechanic and historian. As

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#19, Car collector Andy Harris talks Citroen, Chrysler, Mazda

Every vintage car collector has great stories to share about their vehicles. Andy Harris recently added to trend as a guest on The Weekly Driver Podcast. Harris lives and works in Sacramento, California. He’s owned United Attorneys’ Services for many years, and he shares two of the same pastimes as the podcasts’ co-hosts. Harris is a veteran long-distance runner and a vintage car collector. Harris is our guest on Episode #19 of our weekly video conversations about all things in the automotive industry. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with Harris the particulars of the four vastly different cars he owns. How about a 1959 Crown Imperial? Or consider Harris’ 1973 Citroen SM or his 1991 Mazda Miata. And

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#91, Sacramento vintage car collector Andy Harris

Andy Harris lives and works in Sacramento, California. He’s owned United Attorneys’ Services for many years, and he shares two of the same pastimes as the co-hosts of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Harris is a veteran long-distance runner and he’s a vintage car collector. Harris is our guest on Episode #91 of our weekly conversations about all things in the automotive industry. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with Harris the particulars of the four vastly different cars he owns. How about a 1959 Crown Imperial? Or consider Harris’ 1973 Citroen SM or his 1991 Mazda Miata. And for a daily driver, how about Harris’choice of a 2013 Fiat 500 Abarth? While all of his cars attract attention, the

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#17, USA Today asks The Weekly Driver’s car advice (video)

Going to auto shows, driving new vehicles, interviewing vintage cars owners is fun. It’s a job, too, although to enjoyment far outweighs the usual definition of work. The issue came to mind recently when USA Today asked for my opinions in several automotive areas. USA Today project is its 10 Best lists, including several in the automotive field. The categories were favorite car show, NASCAR track, motorsports, and best experience. I hadn’t thought about the topics much in my 15 years as an auto journalist. But it’s one of several areas Bruce Aldrich and I discuss during video episode No. 17 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. My choices in the various areas included: The Los Angeles Auto Show, Monterey Auto

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#90 The Weekly Driver podcast gets USA Today car karma

USA Today has 10 Best lists, including several in the automotive field. The Weekly Driver and the site’s podcast was contacted by the newspaper to give my opinion in four categories — car show, NASCAR track, motorsports, favorite experience — for a contest. I hadn’t thought about the topics much, but it’s one of several areas, Bruce Aldrich and I discuss during episode No. 90 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. My choices in the various areas included: The Los Angeles Auto Show, Monterey Auto Week and Pacific Coast Dream Machines among auto shows as well as watching MotoGP and reviewing two Bentleys. Bruce had similar answers but also cited Daytona Motor Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway. While I was on assignment,

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#88, Moving a space shuttle, other big stuff on roads

If you want to transport the Endeavor Space Shuttle or a similarly large object, there’s a good chance Commercial Truck Trader will be involved. The Virginia-based company rents vehicles of all shapes and sizes, particularly when the task involves moving something on the road that requires special needs. Amanda Ayala, vice president Commercial Truck & Equipment Trader, is our guest in Episode 88 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia interview Ayala and examine what’s involved moving the famous shuttle. It’s only 12 miles from the Los Angles International Airport to the California Science Center. But as Ayala explained, the move required the uses of six freeway lanes. The moving crew was also required to trim

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