THE WEEKLY DRIVER

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false full #183, Fun Father’s Day gifts for car fans #183, Fun Father’s Day gifts for car fans James Raia and Bruce Aldrich Proud car owners aren't often at a loss for words. It's part of the enjoyment of sharing artwork of wheels. The artists at Respoke Collection offer another way to showcase a favorite machine or a showroom full of automobiles or motorcycles. - Proud car owners aren't often at a loss for words. It's part of the enjoyment of sharing artwork of wheels. The artists at Respoke Collection offer another way to showcase a favorite machine or a showroom full of automobiles or motorcycles. Forward a quality image online to the company's online presence, and it will return a vehicle rendering on canvas or on paper in dimensions as large as 24x36. It's an ideal, unique Father's Day gift for the car collector in the family. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/newscreen.jpg"></a>A 1959 Bug is the subject of a new offering from Respoke Collection. On this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast, co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss Father's Day gifts for auto enthusiasts. We start with the Respoke Collection. According to the website, here's how the idea works: Find the best photo of the car you're looking to print. The image can be taken from any angle but with clear quality and lighting.A new book on the history of the Ford Model T is an ideal Father's Day gift. Respoke Collection's designers will recreate a detailed illustration. Customers approve the rendering with unlimited revisions from printing on canvas or poster. All pieces include hanging hardware and an acrylite front protector. Framed posters feature black frames made from semi-hardwood alder wood. Canvas prints have oak frames. All artwork is made in the United States. Company response occurs within 24 hours with a three-day turnaround on designs. Secure checkout is done via Shopify. Visit: <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://www.respokecollection.co">respokecollection.com</a> for sizes and various collections. We also discuss several books perfect for Father's Day, June 20. Here's a synopsis of a few gift options: Here are three other Father's Day gift ideas for automotive enthusiasts: <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/ModelT.jpg"></a>A new book on the history of the Ford Model T is an ideal Father's Day book. * Chas Parker is a long-time motor racing enthusiast and veteran motorsports and historic racing car author. He has a new title: Ford Model T an Enthusiast’s Guide 1908 to 1927. The model T, according to the book's marketing, transformed American society. It brought mobility through car ownership to millions of middle-class Americans when horses and the railroad were previously the only viable means of transportation. The author, who has also has written about Jaguar, Buggati and Lola, among other topics, explains how arguably the most influential car in history was made on assembly lines. An estimated 16.5 million model Ts were made between 1908 and 1927. The 160-page book includes more than 220 images. Carmaker Henry Ford's legacy was astonishing. By 1918, half of the cars built in American were Model Ts. About 8,000 made daily. The selection of body styles varied from two-and four-seat open and closed models – tourers, town cars, runabouts, landaulets, cabriolets, vans and pick-up trucks. The iconic vehicle's racing history and the restoration projects of three England-based Model T owners provide more further context of the car's importance. Visit: <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://www.quartokows.com">www.quartoknows.com</a> or online booksellers. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/bmw2.jpg"></a>BMW has a new line of sunglasses. * Vehicle technology is ever-advancing, but it has drawbacks. Navigation systems and other infotainment visuals aren't always legible with polarization and other eyewear features. The new BMW Eyewear Drop Collection is optimized with a polarization filter. It allows clear views of LCD screen map road signs and... Proud car owners aren't often at a loss for words. It's part of the enjoyment of sharing artwork of wheels. The artists at Respoke Collection offer another way to showcase a favorite machine or a showroom full of automobiles or motorcycles. Forward a quality image online to the company's online presence, and it will return a vehicle rendering on canvas or on paper in dimensions as large as 24x36. It's an ideal, unique Father's Day gift for the car collector in the family. A 1959 Bug is the subject of a new offering from Respoke Collection. On this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast, co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss Father's Day gifts for auto enthusiasts. We start with the Respoke Collection. According to the website, here's how the idea works: Find the best photo of the car you're looking to print. The image can be taken from any angle but with clear quality and lighting.A new book on the history of the Ford Model T is an ideal Father's Day gift. Respoke Collection's designers will recreate a detailed illustration. Customers approve the rendering with unlimited revisions from printing on canvas or poster. All pieces include hanging hardware and an acrylite front protector. Framed posters feature black frames made from semi-hardwood alder wood. Canvas prints have oak frames. All artwork is made in the United States. Company response occurs within 24 hours with a three-day turnaround on designs. Secure checkout is done via Shopify. Visit: respokecollection.com for sizes and various collections. We also discuss several books perfect for Father's Day, June 20. Here's a synopsis of a few gift options: Here are three other Father's Day gift ideas for automotive enthusiasts: A new book on the history of the Ford Model T is an ideal Father's Day book. * Chas Parker is a long-time motor racing enthusiast and veteran motorsports and historic racing car author. He has a new title: Ford Model T an Enthusiast’s Guide 1908 to 1927. The model T, according to the book's marketing, transformed American society. It brought mobility through car ownership to millions of middle-class Americans when horses and the railroad were previously the only viable means of transportation. The author, who has also has written about Jaguar, Buggati and Lola, among other topics, explains how arguably the most influential car in history was made on assembly lines. An estimated 16.5 million model Ts were made between 1908 and 1927. The 160-page book includes more than 220 images. Carmaker Henry Ford's legacy was astonishing. By 1918, half of the cars built in American were Model Ts. About 8,000 made daily. The selection of body styles varied from two-and four-seat open and closed models – tourers, town cars, runabouts, landaulets, cabriolets, vans and pick-up trucks. The iconic vehicle's racing history and the restoration projects of three England-based Model T owners provide more further context of the car's importance. Visit: www.quartoknows.com or online booksellers. BMW has a new line of sunglasses. * Vehicle technology is ever-advancing, but it has drawbacks. Navigation systems and other infotainment visuals aren't always legible with polarization and other eyewear features. The new BMW Eyewear Drop Collection is optimized with a polarization filter. It allows clear views of LCD screen map road signs and other environment details pending on the road. Developed by Dalloz Creations, the sunglasses, launched this summer, are integrated with Vi/ON lenses. They reduce the polarization filter and protect again intense forms of glare. A wide range of modern and easy-to-wear men's and unisex models are available and are offered with the BMW community and followers in mind. They're sunglasses for drivers. Styles range from sporty to youthful, with racing-inspired color-block combinations and dynamic profiles. Visit: www.shopbmwusa.com. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates f... https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=35404 https://theweeklydriver.com/2021/06/183-fun-fathers-day-gifts-for-car-fans/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=183-fun-fathers-day-gifts-for-car-fans Mon, 07 Jun 2021 23:51:14 +0000 1748 false full Car collector Scott Gunnari: A Man & His Edsels, #182 Car collector Scott Gunnari: A Man & His Edsels, #182 James Raia and Bruce Aldrich Many cars have failed, but none quite like the Edsel. Scott Gunnari knows all the stories. But the vintage car collector enjoys the car Henry Ford II named after his son as much as any collector of any brand. - Gunnari, Many cars have failed, but none quite like the Edsel. Scott Gunnari knows all the stories. But the vintage car collector enjoys the car Henry Ford II named after his son as much as any collector of any brand. Gunnari, the lead inspector for Page One Automotive, the automotive fleet and event management service company in Brisbane, California, has had six of the much-maligned machines in his collection. He now owns three. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Edsel.jpg"></a>1958 Edsel. The car was only made for three years. Gunnari is our guest this week on Episode #182 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia talk with Gunnari about three 1958 Edsels — a Corsair 4-door and Pacer 2-door and 4-door. He also owned a 1958 Bermuda nine-passenger wagon, which he sold about three years to another Edsel enthusiast. Edsel: 'It's Weird; That's Why I Like.' "I've been an Edsel nut for years," said Gunnari. "It started at a very young age. I was about 7 or 8 years old when the Edsel came out. I was fascinated by the design. It was so different than anything else. It was weird and that's what I liked about it." "The three that I have I would say are in various states of disrepair I like to say rather than show cars or even driver quality at this point. They're projects and I seem to have an affinity for that sort of thing, for bringing a car back to life, making it a decent driver and enjoying it." <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/edsel2.jpg"></a>The Edsel was short-lived but has a following among vintage car collectors, including Scott Gunnari. Edsel vehicles were manufactured from 1958-1960. Deriving its name from Edsel Ford son of company founder Henry Ford. Edsels were developed in an effort to give Ford a fourth brand to gain additional market share from Chrysler and General Motors. "It was just mistimed," said Gunnari of Edsel's short tenure. "There are many, many reasons for the demise. One of the major reasons is that it came out at the wrong time. It was too late. If it had come out in 1955, we might still have an Edsel. But it was late in 1957 there was a recession." Please join Bruce and me for an entertaining conversation about Edsel. We encourage and appreciate feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. The idea of more eyeballs on more content works for us. Support our podcast by shopping on<a href="https://amzn.to/2PCdAr5"> Amazon.com</a>. A graphic display at the bottom of the post links to automotive selections of the online retailer. But there's also a search function for anything available directly from the site. If you shop via this site, we receive a small commission. It helps us continue to produce independent content. The site began in 2004 and includes more than 700 reviews. The podcast is in its third year, and we've had a diverse collection of guests — famous athletes, vintage car collectors, manufacturer CEOs, automotive book authors, industry analysts, a movie stuntman and episodes from auto shows and car auctions. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="mailto:james@jamesraia.com">james@jamesraia.com</a>. All podcast episodes are archived on <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/podcast">theweeklydriver.com/podcast</a> Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform. Several of the more prominent platforms are listed below. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/THE-WEEKLY-DRIVER/dp/B08JJRSD13/ref=sr_1_2? Many cars have failed, but none quite like the Edsel. Scott Gunnari knows all the stories. But the vintage car collector enjoys the car Henry Ford II named after his son as much as any collector of any brand. Gunnari, the lead inspector for Page One Automotive, the automotive fleet and event management service company in Brisbane, California, has had six of the much-maligned machines in his collection. He now owns three. 1958 Edsel. The car was only made for three years. Gunnari is our guest this week on Episode #182 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia talk with Gunnari about three 1958 Edsels — a Corsair 4-door and Pacer 2-door and 4-door. He also owned a 1958 Bermuda nine-passenger wagon, which he sold about three years to another Edsel enthusiast. Edsel: 'It's Weird; That's Why I Like.' "I've been an Edsel nut for years," said Gunnari. "It started at a very young age. I was about 7 or 8 years old when the Edsel came out. I was fascinated by the design. It was so different than anything else. It was weird and that's what I liked about it." "The three that I have I would say are in various states of disrepair I like to say rather than show cars or even driver quality at this point. They're projects and I seem to have an affinity for that sort of thing, for bringing a car back to life, making it a decent driver and enjoying it." The Edsel was short-lived but has a following among vintage car collectors, including Scott Gunnari. Edsel vehicles were manufactured from 1958-1960. Deriving its name from Edsel Ford son of company founder Henry Ford. Edsels were developed in an effort to give Ford a fourth brand to gain additional market share from Chrysler and General Motors. "It was just mistimed," said Gunnari of Edsel's short tenure. "There are many, many reasons for the demise. One of the major reasons is that it came out at the wrong time. It was too late. If it had come out in 1955, we might still have an Edsel. But it was late in 1957 there was a recession." Please join Bruce and me for an entertaining conversation about Edsel. We encourage and appreciate feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. The idea of more eyeballs on more content works for us. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. A graphic display at the bottom of the post links to automotive selections of the online retailer. But there's also a search function for anything available directly from the site. If you shop via this site, we receive a small commission. It helps us continue to produce independent content. The site began in 2004 and includes more than 700 reviews. The podcast is in its third year, and we've had a diverse collection of guests — famous athletes, vintage car collectors, manufacturer CEOs, automotive book authors, industry analysts, a movie stuntman and episodes from auto shows and car auctions. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform. Several of the more prominent platforms are listed below. Amazon.com Google Play iheartradio iTunes Spotify https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=35333 https://theweeklydriver.com/2021/05/edsel-car-collector-scott-gunnari/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=edsel-car-collector-scott-gunnari Mon, 24 May 2021 21:34:36 +0000 1866 false full Energy Observer, Toyota team for global catamaran ride, #181 Energy Observer, Toyota team for global catamaran ride, #181 James Raia and Bruce Aldrich Dr. Katia Nicolet, a marine biologist, is part of two, five-person crews rotating on board the Energy Observer. The self-sufficient, 100-foot catamaran is the first round-the-world, hydrogen-powered sea vessel. Dr. Katia Nicolet, a marine biologist, is part of two, five-person crews rotating on board the Energy Observer. The self-sufficient, 100-foot catamaran is the first round-the-world, hydrogen-powered sea vessel. It's a working lab designed to showcase zero-emission technologies and demonstrate that clean energies can be accessible to everyone. As part of its six-year odyssey, the Energy Observer arrived in early May on Pier 9 in San Francisco about two weeks after entering the United States in Long Beach, California. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/cat1.jpg"></a>The Energy Observer is on a global voyage to promote zero-emission technologies All images © Bruce Aldrich/2021 Nicolet, who has been involved with the project for about a year, is our guest on this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. After joining several other guests for Nicolet's extensive tour of the vessel, co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia interviewed our host about a wide range of topics — sustainable energy to living on the ocean for extended durations. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/cat2.jpg"></a>Dr. Katia Nicolet, a marine biologist, is a crew member on the Energy Observer. "Everything is covered in solar panels and looks black," said Nicolet at the beginning of our podcast recorded in a makeshift sit-in area on the pier and among storage containers. "The primary source of our electricity comes from the solar panels. Energy Observer: Six-Year Worldwide Voyage "The main goal here is to be fully autonomous in energy and to go around the world only using renewable energy and hydrogen and not a single emission of C02 or any other kind of greenhouse gasses." The Catamaran is a hybrid-propelled vessel. It also has two sails, described by Nicolet as "more like wings." <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/cat3.jpg"></a>The hydrogen fuel tanks on the Energy Observer. "Let's say if we have 10 or 15 knots of wind, we are able to sail with what we call ocean wings," she explained. Energy Observer began its voyage in Saint-Malo, France in 2017. It has navigated more than 30,000 nautical miles. While two crews rotate about every six weeks, each five-person team includes a captain, engineer, a reporter, a scientist and boatswain, who Nicolet describes as "kind of the Swiss Army Knife of the ship." All crews share duties, cooking to cleaning. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/cat5.jpg"></a>The Energy Observer is about 100 feet long and has two "wing sails." Toyota is among the Energy Observer's primary sponsors. "Yes, Toyota is one of our sponsors and we really like them," Nicolet said Two years ago, engineers from the manufacturer and the Energy Observer collaborated to create the fuel cell the vessel is currently using. Toyota is using its fuel cell in the Mirai, the hydrogen car introduced in California in 2015. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/cat4.jpg"></a>The Energy Observer was docked at Pier 9 in San Francisco. "They adapted those cars' fuel cells to be more compact, to fit inside the boat and that's the fuel cell we've been using for two years now," Nicolet said. "It's much more efficient than what we had created when the project began in France. "People tend to think that hydrogen is very dangerous, but I have been sleeping two meters away from big hydrogen tanks and it's really rough seas this boat has been experiencing. We have big swells and lightning storms and really rough conditions and we've never had any issues." The Energy Observer is now en route to Hawaii. Dr. Katia Nicolet, a marine biologist, is part of two, five-person crews rotating on board the Energy Observer. The self-sufficient, 100-foot catamaran is the first round-the-world, hydrogen-powered sea vessel. It's a working lab designed to showcase zero-emission technologies and demonstrate that clean energies can be accessible to everyone. As part of its six-year odyssey, the Energy Observer arrived in early May on Pier 9 in San Francisco about two weeks after entering the United States in Long Beach, California. The Energy Observer is on a global voyage to promote zero-emission technologies All images © Bruce Aldrich/2021 Nicolet, who has been involved with the project for about a year, is our guest on this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. After joining several other guests for Nicolet's extensive tour of the vessel, co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia interviewed our host about a wide range of topics — sustainable energy to living on the ocean for extended durations. Dr. Katia Nicolet, a marine biologist, is a crew member on the Energy Observer. "Everything is covered in solar panels and looks black," said Nicolet at the beginning of our podcast recorded in a makeshift sit-in area on the pier and among storage containers. "The primary source of our electricity comes from the solar panels. Energy Observer: Six-Year Worldwide Voyage "The main goal here is to be fully autonomous in energy and to go around the world only using renewable energy and hydrogen and not a single emission of C02 or any other kind of greenhouse gasses." The Catamaran is a hybrid-propelled vessel. It also has two sails, described by Nicolet as "more like wings." The hydrogen fuel tanks on the Energy Observer. "Let's say if we have 10 or 15 knots of wind, we are able to sail with what we call ocean wings," she explained. Energy Observer began its voyage in Saint-Malo, France in 2017. It has navigated more than 30,000 nautical miles. While two crews rotate about every six weeks, each five-person team includes a captain, engineer, a reporter, a scientist and boatswain, who Nicolet describes as "kind of the Swiss Army Knife of the ship." All crews share duties, cooking to cleaning. The Energy Observer is about 100 feet long and has two "wing sails." Toyota is among the Energy Observer's primary sponsors. "Yes, Toyota is one of our sponsors and we really like them," Nicolet said Two years ago, engineers from the manufacturer and the Energy Observer collaborated to create the fuel cell the vessel is currently using. Toyota is using its fuel cell in the Mirai, the hydrogen car introduced in California in 2015. The Energy Observer was docked at Pier 9 in San Francisco. "They adapted those cars' fuel cells to be more compact, to fit inside the boat and that's the fuel cell we've been using for two years now," Nicolet said. "It's much more efficient than what we had created when the project began in France. "People tend to think that hydrogen is very dangerous, but I have been sleeping two meters away from big hydrogen tanks and it's really rough seas this boat has been experiencing. We have big swells and lightning storms and really rough conditions and we've never had any issues." The Energy Observer is now en route to Hawaii. It will then continue to Japan. F0llow the global voyage of the Energy Observer on the website: www.energy-observer.org Please join us for our interview with Dr. Katia Nicolet as she details her life at sea with an engaging combination of science and a sense of humor. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. The idea of more eyeballs on more content works for us. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. A graphic display at the bottom of the post links to automotiv... https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=35269 https://theweeklydriver.com/2021/05/energy-observer-on-global-clean-trek/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=energy-observer-on-global-clean-trek Sat, 15 May 2021 06:05:14 +0000 1136 false full #180, New website thatsanicecar.com showcases exotic cars #180, New website thatsanicecar.com showcases exotic cars James Raia and Bruce Aldrich It's easy to hear overt enthusiasm in Bill Mayer's voice. He's owned, restored and sold several of what he calls "works of art" — classic and exotic cars. - After many years of planning, Mayer is now also the publisher of the website, ThatsANiceCar. It's easy to hear overt enthusiasm in Bill Mayer's voice. He's owned, restored and sold several of what he calls "works of art" — classic and exotic cars. After many years of planning, Mayer is now also the publisher of the website, <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://www.thatsanicecar.com">ThatsANiceCar.com</a>. It reflects his passion for expensive automotive rarities. Launched earlier this year, the website features only high-end exotic cars offered in a unique pricing platform. It's for buyers and sellers. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/ferrari.jpg"></a>A 2015 Ferrari 458 Italia Speciale is among the exotic cars for sale on thatsanicecar.com. Mayer is our guest on episode #180 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with Mayer the idea for the website and his plans to compete in the online marketplace. Exotic cars get reactions "I'm a car guy and I like to talk about cars," says Mayer. "I've been working on this concept for a while. The way I came up the with name is that it's kind of a common understatement that I hear car guys make. "Let's say I'm at a Cars and Coffee event and I'm standing next to a beautiful Ferrari or a Lamborghini. Someone will just nod their head a little bit and say, 'that's a nice car.' That's the genesis of the name." Mayer has been researching and studying exotic cars online for about 15 years. He started when several niche print publications switched to online publishing. He was first interested in classics. "I had a hard time finding classic cars for a while," Mayer explains. "There weren't really any sites devoted to classic cars. You really couldn't find any sites that were only devoted to classic cars. I remember being frustrated when I looking." <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/lamb.jpg"></a>A 2019 Lamborghini Urus is among the exotic cars for sale on thatsanicecar.com. Mayer's interests then moved toward exotics and supercars. "I was starting to see exotic cars much more regularly, Mayer says. "Ten or 15 years ago, you almost never saw a Ferrari, Lamborghini or Aston Martin just driving down the road or parked in a parking lot. But now you do. It started to occur to me that if there was another segment of the used car marketplace that needed to be segmented like the classic car segment had evolved, it's supercars and exotic cars." Thus, the online business began. Please join us for an engaging conversion on how the site acquires vehicles and the platform for buyers and sellers to negotiate. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. The idea of more eyeballs on more content works for us. Support our podcast by shopping on<a href="https://amzn.to/2PCdAr5"> Amazon.com</a>. A graphic display at the bottom of the post links to automotive selections of the online retailer. But there's also a search function for anything available directly from the site. If you shop via this site, we receive a small commission. It helps us continue to produce independent content. The site began in 2004 and includes more than 700 reviews. The podcast is in its third year, and we've had a diverse collection of guests — famous athletes, vintage car collectors, manufacturer CEOs, automotive book authors, industry analysts, a movie stuntman and episodes from auto shows and car auctions. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="mailto:james@jamesraia. It's easy to hear overt enthusiasm in Bill Mayer's voice. He's owned, restored and sold several of what he calls "works of art" — classic and exotic cars. After many years of planning, Mayer is now also the publisher of the website, ThatsANiceCar.com. It reflects his passion for expensive automotive rarities. Launched earlier this year, the website features only high-end exotic cars offered in a unique pricing platform. It's for buyers and sellers. A 2015 Ferrari 458 Italia Speciale is among the exotic cars for sale on thatsanicecar.com. Mayer is our guest on episode #180 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with Mayer the idea for the website and his plans to compete in the online marketplace. Exotic cars get reactions "I'm a car guy and I like to talk about cars," says Mayer. "I've been working on this concept for a while. The way I came up the with name is that it's kind of a common understatement that I hear car guys make. "Let's say I'm at a Cars and Coffee event and I'm standing next to a beautiful Ferrari or a Lamborghini. Someone will just nod their head a little bit and say, 'that's a nice car.' That's the genesis of the name." Mayer has been researching and studying exotic cars online for about 15 years. He started when several niche print publications switched to online publishing. He was first interested in classics. "I had a hard time finding classic cars for a while," Mayer explains. "There weren't really any sites devoted to classic cars. You really couldn't find any sites that were only devoted to classic cars. I remember being frustrated when I looking." A 2019 Lamborghini Urus is among the exotic cars for sale on thatsanicecar.com. Mayer's interests then moved toward exotics and supercars. "I was starting to see exotic cars much more regularly, Mayer says. "Ten or 15 years ago, you almost never saw a Ferrari, Lamborghini or Aston Martin just driving down the road or parked in a parking lot. But now you do. It started to occur to me that if there was another segment of the used car marketplace that needed to be segmented like the classic car segment had evolved, it's supercars and exotic cars." Thus, the online business began. Please join us for an engaging conversion on how the site acquires vehicles and the platform for buyers and sellers to negotiate. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. The idea of more eyeballs on more content works for us. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. A graphic display at the bottom of the post links to automotive selections of the online retailer. But there's also a search function for anything available directly from the site. If you shop via this site, we receive a small commission. It helps us continue to produce independent content. The site began in 2004 and includes more than 700 reviews. The podcast is in its third year, and we've had a diverse collection of guests — famous athletes, vintage car collectors, manufacturer CEOs, automotive book authors, industry analysts, a movie stuntman and episodes from auto shows and car auctions. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform. Several of the more prominent platforms are listed below. Amazon.com Google Play iheartradio iTunes Spotify https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=35223 https://theweeklydriver.com/2021/05/180-new-website-thatsanicecar-com-showcases-exotic-cars/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=180-new-website-thatsanicecar-com-showcases-exotic-cars Mon, 10 May 2021 18:54:21 +0000 2267 false full #179, California hydrogen highway growing, still unheralded #179, California hydrogen highway growing, still unheralded James Raia and Bruce Aldrich Three mainstream automobile manufacturers, Honda, Hyundai and Toyota, sell and lease hydrogen vehicles. The Clarity (Honda) and Mirai (Toyota) are sedans; the Nexo (Hyundai) is a sport utility vehicle. - Combined, Three mainstream automobile manufacturers, Honda, Hyundai and Toyota, sell and lease hydrogen vehicles. The Clarity (Honda) and Mirai (Toyota) are sedans; the Nexo (Hyundai) is a sport utility vehicle. Combined, the three vehicles compromise a small fraction of the automotive industry and are overwhelmingly in California. Ben Xiong, the Communications Specialist at California Fuel Cell Partnership (CaFCP) in West Sacramento, California, discusses the hydrogen vehicle industry on this week's episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/clarity3.jpg"></a>The 2017 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell showcases hydrogen technology. Image © James Raia/2018 Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia report on the progress of the hydrogen car and truck industry, the public's perception of hydrogen fuel and the availability of hydrogen refueling stations. "My main passion, really, is reacting with people via public website and social media about the industry," said Xiong, who has been working with the CaFCP for 15 years. "Right now there are 45 locations in California that are open for retail (public) use in California," said Xiong. "They are primarily focused in Southern and Northern California and we do have one in the central valley at Harris Ranch (Coalinga)." Hydrogen Cars Have Perks Founded in 1999, the California Fuel Cell Partnership is an industry/government collaboration aimed at expanding the market for fuel cell electric vehicles powered by hydrogen to help create a cleaner, more energy-diverse future with no-compromises zero-emission vehicles. While unheralded and limited, Xiong explains his industry's beliefs in fuel-cell vehicles and the monetary perks of buying or leasing a hydrogen vehicle. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Chris-with-Clarity.jpg"></a>Chris White of the California Fuel Cell Partnership was among the first drivers of a Honda Clarity Fuel Cell hydrogen vehicle. She's now on her second vehicle. Please join us for an interview with a hydrogen fuel industry proponent. Beyond our podcast, please visit <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://www.cafcp.org">www.cafcp.org</a> for hydrogen vehicle specifications, a map of fueling stations in California and a host of articles about the industry. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. The idea of more eyeballs on more content works for us. Support our podcast by shopping on<a href="https://amzn.to/2PCdAr5"> Amazon.com</a>. A graphic display at the bottom of the post links to automotive selections of the online retailer. But there's also a search function for anything available directly from the site. If you shop via this site, we receive a small commission. It helps us continue to produce independent content. The site began in 2004 and includes more than 700 reviews. The podcast is in its third year, and we've had a diverse collection of guests — famous athletes, vintage car collectors, manufacturer CEOs, automotive book authors, industry analysts, a movie stuntman and episodes from auto shows and car auctions. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="mailto:james@jamesraia.com">james@jamesraia.com</a>. All podcast episodes are archived on <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/podcast">theweeklydriver.com/podcast</a> Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform. Several of the more prominent platforms are listed below. <a href="https://www. Three mainstream automobile manufacturers, Honda, Hyundai and Toyota, sell and lease hydrogen vehicles. The Clarity (Honda) and Mirai (Toyota) are sedans; the Nexo (Hyundai) is a sport utility vehicle. Combined, the three vehicles compromise a small fraction of the automotive industry and are overwhelmingly in California. Ben Xiong, the Communications Specialist at California Fuel Cell Partnership (CaFCP) in West Sacramento, California, discusses the hydrogen vehicle industry on this week's episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. The 2017 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell showcases hydrogen technology. Image © James Raia/2018 Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia report on the progress of the hydrogen car and truck industry, the public's perception of hydrogen fuel and the availability of hydrogen refueling stations. "My main passion, really, is reacting with people via public website and social media about the industry," said Xiong, who has been working with the CaFCP for 15 years. "Right now there are 45 locations in California that are open for retail (public) use in California," said Xiong. "They are primarily focused in Southern and Northern California and we do have one in the central valley at Harris Ranch (Coalinga)." Hydrogen Cars Have Perks Founded in 1999, the California Fuel Cell Partnership is an industry/government collaboration aimed at expanding the market for fuel cell electric vehicles powered by hydrogen to help create a cleaner, more energy-diverse future with no-compromises zero-emission vehicles. While unheralded and limited, Xiong explains his industry's beliefs in fuel-cell vehicles and the monetary perks of buying or leasing a hydrogen vehicle. Chris White of the California Fuel Cell Partnership was among the first drivers of a Honda Clarity Fuel Cell hydrogen vehicle. She's now on her second vehicle. Please join us for an interview with a hydrogen fuel industry proponent. Beyond our podcast, please visit www.cafcp.org for hydrogen vehicle specifications, a map of fueling stations in California and a host of articles about the industry. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. The idea of more eyeballs on more content works for us. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. A graphic display at the bottom of the post links to automotive selections of the online retailer. But there's also a search function for anything available directly from the site. If you shop via this site, we receive a small commission. It helps us continue to produce independent content. The site began in 2004 and includes more than 700 reviews. The podcast is in its third year, and we've had a diverse collection of guests — famous athletes, vintage car collectors, manufacturer CEOs, automotive book authors, industry analysts, a movie stuntman and episodes from auto shows and car auctions. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform. Several of the more prominent platforms are listed below. Amazon.com Google Play iheartradio iTunes Spotify RELATED CONTENT 2017 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell: Hydrogen Travel Made Worthy Toyota Mirai: 312-Mile Range Hydrogen Car debuts in 2016 https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=35172 https://theweeklydriver.com/2021/05/caifornia-hydrogen-highway-growing/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=caifornia-hydrogen-highway-growing Mon, 03 May 2021 18:00:48 +0000 1830 false full #177, Author details Indy car racing and its money-grab #177, Author details Indy car racing and its money-grab James Raia and Bruce Aldrich A long-time battle between racing organizations could have destroyed Indy Car Racing. It's unlikely anyone has as much intimate knowledge of the chaos, anger, resentment and money-grab than John Oreovicz. - A long-time battle between racing organizations could have destroyed Indy Car Racing. It's unlikely anyone has as much intimate knowledge of the chaos, anger, resentment and money-grab than John Oreovicz. With the Indianapolis 500 on the not-too-distant horizon, Oreovicz, author of the new book Indy Split, is our guest on this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Indy-Split-Cover.jpg"></a>Author John Orevicz details Indy car racing's vicious money battle in his new book, Indy Split. Co-host Bruce Aldrich and I discuss with Oreovicz the money battle between the competing organizations and the men who sought to control the sport. A long-time motorsports reporter, Oreovicz began attending the Indianapolis 500 as a teenager in the late ‘70s. It allowed him to witness the sport’s growth as an avid fan before documenting its decline as a journalist. “My growing interest in Indy car racing in the late 1970s coincided with the original USAC vs. CART split," said Oreovicz. "I was just a kid, but I studied the roots of the conflict. I was as fascinated by the politics, the personalities and the posturing as I was by the cars and the competition." The book traces the roots of Indy car racing’s dysfunction, which began in 1945 when Tony Hulman rescued the Indianapolis Motor Speedway from its potential redevelopment. Over the next 75 years, the Hulman-George family used the stature of the Speedway to carve out a powerful position in American auto racing that sometimes resulted in conflict with Indy car competitors. A volatile period in the late 1970s sparked the formation of Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART), and tensions ramped up even more when Hulman’s grandson, Tony George, assumed power in 1990. Indy Car Racing: Civil War, Ugly Racing According to his bio, Oreovicz has loved cars since he was a child. He turned that passion into a career as a professional sportswriter specializing in auto racing. He covered Indy car racing in print and online for 30 years for major media outlets, including National Speed Sport News, Racer, and ESPN. Oreovicz currently resides a short walk from Turn 1 of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. "The 1996 IRL-CART split was a civil war and an ugly divorce, all wrapped into one," he said. "No matter how it started or who was responsible for prolonging it, the split took a toll on anyone who cared about Indy car racing Friendships were strained. Historic venues and events were lost, key sponsors and manufacturers departed. NASCAR was the only real winner in the Indy car split." Indy Split includes a foreword by Motorsport Hall of Fame inductee Robin Miller, arguably Indy car racing’s most vocal advocate. "I started writing this book in 2017," said Oreovicz. "But I’ve been doing the research for most of my life. Over the last 45 years, it was my privilege to attend or cover nearly 500 Indy car races. I wanted to tell this important story in an accurate, entertaining, and hopefully, reasonably objective way.” "As I followed the sport as a fan through the ‘80s, it was clear the CART-USAC conflict was not totally resolved. The Indy 500 was sustained by CART’s growth, yet a crucial part of CART’s success was the inclusion of the Indy 500 in its championship. There was an uneasy coexistence, but still a lot of hard feelings on the USAC side that occasionally flared up during the month of May at IMS." Indy Split "The Big Money Battle that Nearly Destroyed Indy Racing," ($35), will be published by Octane Press on Sunday, May 30. (<a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://octanepress.com">https://octanepress.com</a>) Please join Bruce and me in our engaging discussion with the enthusiastic author. A long-time battle between racing organizations could have destroyed Indy Car Racing. It's unlikely anyone has as much intimate knowledge of the chaos, anger, resentment and money-grab than John Oreovicz. With the Indianapolis 500 on the not-too-distant horizon, Oreovicz, author of the new book Indy Split, is our guest on this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Author John Orevicz details Indy car racing's vicious money battle in his new book, Indy Split. Co-host Bruce Aldrich and I discuss with Oreovicz the money battle between the competing organizations and the men who sought to control the sport. A long-time motorsports reporter, Oreovicz began attending the Indianapolis 500 as a teenager in the late ‘70s. It allowed him to witness the sport’s growth as an avid fan before documenting its decline as a journalist. “My growing interest in Indy car racing in the late 1970s coincided with the original USAC vs. CART split," said Oreovicz. "I was just a kid, but I studied the roots of the conflict. I was as fascinated by the politics, the personalities and the posturing as I was by the cars and the competition." The book traces the roots of Indy car racing’s dysfunction, which began in 1945 when Tony Hulman rescued the Indianapolis Motor Speedway from its potential redevelopment. Over the next 75 years, the Hulman-George family used the stature of the Speedway to carve out a powerful position in American auto racing that sometimes resulted in conflict with Indy car competitors. A volatile period in the late 1970s sparked the formation of Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART), and tensions ramped up even more when Hulman’s grandson, Tony George, assumed power in 1990. Indy Car Racing: Civil War, Ugly Racing According to his bio, Oreovicz has loved cars since he was a child. He turned that passion into a career as a professional sportswriter specializing in auto racing. He covered Indy car racing in print and online for 30 years for major media outlets, including National Speed Sport News, Racer, and ESPN. Oreovicz currently resides a short walk from Turn 1 of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. "The 1996 IRL-CART split was a civil war and an ugly divorce, all wrapped into one," he said. "No matter how it started or who was responsible for prolonging it, the split took a toll on anyone who cared about Indy car racing Friendships were strained. Historic venues and events were lost, key sponsors and manufacturers departed. NASCAR was the only real winner in the Indy car split." Indy Split includes a foreword by Motorsport Hall of Fame inductee Robin Miller, arguably Indy car racing’s most vocal advocate. "I started writing this book in 2017," said Oreovicz. "But I’ve been doing the research for most of my life. Over the last 45 years, it was my privilege to attend or cover nearly 500 Indy car races. I wanted to tell this important story in an accurate, entertaining, and hopefully, reasonably objective way.” "As I followed the sport as a fan through the ‘80s, it was clear the CART-USAC conflict was not totally resolved. The Indy 500 was sustained by CART’s growth, yet a crucial part of CART’s success was the inclusion of the Indy 500 in its championship. There was an uneasy coexistence, but still a lot of hard feelings on the USAC side that occasionally flared up during the month of May at IMS." Indy Split "The Big Money Battle that Nearly Destroyed Indy Racing," ($35), will be published by Octane Press on Sunday, May 30. (https://octanepress.com) Please join Bruce and me in our engaging discussion with the enthusiastic author. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. The idea of more eyeballs on more content works for us. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=35071 https://theweeklydriver.com/2021/04/author-talks-indy-car-money-grab/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=author-talks-indy-car-money-grab Mon, 26 Apr 2021 17:51:51 +0000 2235 false full #178, Nvidia expanding the future of autonomous vehicles now #178, Nvidia expanding the future of autonomous vehicles now James Raia and Bruce Aldrich Nvidia, an American multinational technology company based in Santa Clara, California, began in 1993. It originally designed graphics processing units (GPU) for gaming, professional markets and mobile computing. - Since 2014, Nvidia, an American multinational technology company based in Santa Clara, California, began in 1993. It originally designed graphics processing units (GPU) for gaming, professional markets and mobile computing. Since 2014, Nvidia has diversified its business, focusing on three markets: gaming, automotive electronics and mobile devices. Danny Shapiro, Senior Director, Automotive, is our guest this week on The Weekly Driver Podcast. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/nvidia.jpg"></a>Nvidia is increasingly focusing on autonomous cars and trucks. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with Shapiro the ever-evolving status of autonomous driving. The Nvidia GPU (GTC) annual event in San Jose was a virtual event this year. It was held April 12-16 with an "After Party" set for April 19-23. <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://www.nvidia.com">Conference sessions are also available on demand</a>. Nvidia: Expanding Autonomous Vehicles The GTC (Global Technology Conference) features breakthroughs in AI, data center, graphics, accelerated computing and intelligent networking. A wide range of interactive sessions, recorded presentations, demos, podcasts and training covering transformative technologies are included. "The autonomous automotive world is going through a tremendous transformation," said Shapiro on the eve of the conference. "It's in the form of AI. It's a function of the software. It's a function of bringing supercomputing into the vehicle. Shapiro explained that until recently Nvidia was not well-known. "We started out developing a lot of computers the were used by other computing companies," Shapiro said. "We started out making 3D graphics and graphic cards so people could play video games." "Our products now span everything from consumer electronic devices live tablets to PCs to work stations to supercomputers and data centers. But also now we have a group that's been around that's developing technology that goes into cars." The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. The idea of more eyeballs on more content works for us. Support our podcast by shopping on<a href="https://amzn.to/2PCdAr5"> Amazon.com</a>. A graphic display at the bottom of the post links to automotive selections of the online retailer. But there's also a search function for anything available directly from the site. If you shop via this site, we receive a small commission. It helps us continue to produce independent content. The site began in 2004 and includes more than 700 reviews. The podcast is in its third year, and we've had a diverse collection of guests — famous athletes, vintage car collectors, manufacturer CEOs, automotive book authors, industry analysts, a movie stuntman and episodes from auto shows and car auctions. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="mailto:james@jamesraia.com">james@jamesraia.com</a>. All podcast episodes are archived on <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/podcast">theweeklydriver.com/podcast</a> Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform. Several of the more prominent platforms are listed below. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/THE-WEEKLY-DRIVER/dp/B08JJRSD13/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=the+weekly+driver+podcast&qid=1604441974&sr=8-2/">Amazon.com</a> <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://play.google.com/music/m/Iqzatcupnefrzflzyqr5fashc44?t=THE_WEEKLY_DRIVER">Google Play</a> <a href="https://www. Nvidia, an American multinational technology company based in Santa Clara, California, began in 1993. It originally designed graphics processing units (GPU) for gaming, professional markets and mobile computing. Since 2014, Nvidia has diversified its business, focusing on three markets: gaming, automotive electronics and mobile devices. Danny Shapiro, Senior Director, Automotive, is our guest this week on The Weekly Driver Podcast. Nvidia is increasingly focusing on autonomous cars and trucks. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with Shapiro the ever-evolving status of autonomous driving. The Nvidia GPU (GTC) annual event in San Jose was a virtual event this year. It was held April 12-16 with an "After Party" set for April 19-23. Conference sessions are also available on demand. Nvidia: Expanding Autonomous Vehicles The GTC (Global Technology Conference) features breakthroughs in AI, data center, graphics, accelerated computing and intelligent networking. A wide range of interactive sessions, recorded presentations, demos, podcasts and training covering transformative technologies are included. "The autonomous automotive world is going through a tremendous transformation," said Shapiro on the eve of the conference. "It's in the form of AI. It's a function of the software. It's a function of bringing supercomputing into the vehicle. Shapiro explained that until recently Nvidia was not well-known. "We started out developing a lot of computers the were used by other computing companies," Shapiro said. "We started out making 3D graphics and graphic cards so people could play video games." "Our products now span everything from consumer electronic devices live tablets to PCs to work stations to supercomputers and data centers. But also now we have a group that's been around that's developing technology that goes into cars." The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. The idea of more eyeballs on more content works for us. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. A graphic display at the bottom of the post links to automotive selections of the online retailer. But there's also a search function for anything available directly from the site. If you shop via this site, we receive a small commission. It helps us continue to produce independent content. The site began in 2004 and includes more than 700 reviews. The podcast is in its third year, and we've had a diverse collection of guests — famous athletes, vintage car collectors, manufacturer CEOs, automotive book authors, industry analysts, a movie stuntman and episodes from auto shows and car auctions. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform. Several of the more prominent platforms are listed below. Amazon.com Google Play iheartradio iTunes Spotify Stitcher https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=35073 https://theweeklydriver.com/2021/04/178-nvidia-autonomous-autos-are-now/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=178-nvidia-autonomous-autos-are-now Sat, 17 Apr 2021 00:14:52 +0000 2298 false full #176, RVTravel.com expands, adds weekly podcast #176, RVTravel.com expands, adds weekly podcast James Raia and Bruce Aldrich RVTravel.com is the country's pre-eminent recreational vehicle website. It reports on every conceivable component of tthe ever-expanding industry. It has expert text and video, twice-weekly newsletters, daily tips, RVTravel.com is the country's pre-eminent recreational vehicle website. It reports on every conceivable component of tthe ever-expanding industry. It has expert text and video, twice-weekly newsletters, daily tips, a huge social media presence and a forum. Its new feature is a weekly podcast. Scott Linden, a long-time television and radio broadcaster and an avid RVer, is the host of the podcast which debuted in early April. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/scott992-696x578-1.jpeg"></a>Scott Linden is the host of the new RVTravel.com podcast. Linden our guest on episode #176 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-host Bruce Aldrich and I discuss with Scott the back story of how he started the podcast via his friendship with Chuck Woodbury, the publisher of RVTravel.com. Scott also details how he plans to host the podcast and topics it will cover every Sunday. "There's so much to be done in the works of RVing," Linden says. "Especially now when there are some many people trying it for the first time. That's probably the most exciting part about it for me is trying to help people have more fun. A long-time hunter and fisherman, Linden will combine his television and broadcast experience and enjoyment of RVing into the podcast every Sunday. RVTravel.com is the industry's leading website “Podcasting is much like radio broadcasting,” he says. “Yet one advantage podcasting has over radio is that you can listen to podcasts on your own schedule. The library of past episodes is always available if you happen to miss a good topic.” Linden will strive to make the podcasts about topics RVers want to know about. He won't make it a show geared toward his interests. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/chuck883.jpg"></a>Chuck Woodbury, Publisher of RVTravel.com, welcomes a podcast to the popular site.   "I want to cover topics of interest to them instead of what's of interest to me," he says. "The feedback has been very positive. We are really ringing the bell of a lot of folks." The new podcast is available on <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://www.rvtravel.com">RVTravel.com</a> and will soon expand to popular podcast outlets. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. The idea of more eyeballs on more content works for us. Support our podcast by shopping on<a href="https://amzn.to/2PCdAr5"> Amazon.com</a>. A graphic display at the bottom of the post links to automotive selections of the online retailer. But there's also a search function for anything available directly from the site. If you shop via this site, we receive a small commission. It helps us continue to produce independent content. The site began in 2004 and includes more than 700 reviews. The podcast is in its third year, and we've had a diverse collection of guests — famous athletes, vintage car collectors, manufacturer CEOs, automotive book authors, industry analysts, a movie stuntman and episodes from auto shows and car auctions. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="mailto:james@jamesraia.com">james@jamesraia.com</a>. All podcast episodes are archived on <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/podcast">theweeklydriver.com/podcast</a> Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform. Several of the more prominent platforms are listed below. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/THE-WEEKLY-DRIVER/dp/B08JJRSD13/ref=sr_1_2? RVTravel.com is the country's pre-eminent recreational vehicle website. It reports on every conceivable component of tthe ever-expanding industry. It has expert text and video, twice-weekly newsletters, daily tips, a huge social media presence and a forum. Its new feature is a weekly podcast. Scott Linden, a long-time television and radio broadcaster and an avid RVer, is the host of the podcast which debuted in early April. Scott Linden is the host of the new RVTravel.com podcast. Linden our guest on episode #176 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-host Bruce Aldrich and I discuss with Scott the back story of how he started the podcast via his friendship with Chuck Woodbury, the publisher of RVTravel.com. Scott also details how he plans to host the podcast and topics it will cover every Sunday. "There's so much to be done in the works of RVing," Linden says. "Especially now when there are some many people trying it for the first time. That's probably the most exciting part about it for me is trying to help people have more fun. A long-time hunter and fisherman, Linden will combine his television and broadcast experience and enjoyment of RVing into the podcast every Sunday. RVTravel.com is the industry's leading website “Podcasting is much like radio broadcasting,” he says. “Yet one advantage podcasting has over radio is that you can listen to podcasts on your own schedule. The library of past episodes is always available if you happen to miss a good topic.” Linden will strive to make the podcasts about topics RVers want to know about. He won't make it a show geared toward his interests. Chuck Woodbury, Publisher of RVTravel.com, welcomes a podcast to the popular site. "I want to cover topics of interest to them instead of what's of interest to me," he says. "The feedback has been very positive. We are really ringing the bell of a lot of folks." The new podcast is available on RVTravel.com and will soon expand to popular podcast outlets. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. The idea of more eyeballs on more content works for us. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. A graphic display at the bottom of the post links to automotive selections of the online retailer. But there's also a search function for anything available directly from the site. If you shop via this site, we receive a small commission. It helps us continue to produce independent content. The site began in 2004 and includes more than 700 reviews. The podcast is in its third year, and we've had a diverse collection of guests — famous athletes, vintage car collectors, manufacturer CEOs, automotive book authors, industry analysts, a movie stuntman and episodes from auto shows and car auctions. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform. Several of the more prominent platforms are listed below. Amazon.com Google Play iheartradio iTunes Spotify Stitcher RELATED CONTENT RV industry awash in chaos; readers' advocate speaks out https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=35027 https://theweeklydriver.com/2021/04/new-podcast-debuts-on-rvtravel-com/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=new-podcast-debuts-on-rvtravel-com Mon, 12 Apr 2021 23:15:33 +0000 1715 false full #175, 2021 LA Auto Show virtual media preview #175, 2021 LA Auto Show virtual media preview James Raia and Bruce Aldrich After a postponement and cancellation because of the COVID-19 pandemic, LA AutoMobility and the LA Auto Show will be back later this year at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Collectively, the automotive industry can't wait. - After a postponement and cancellation because of the COVID-19 pandemic, LA AutoMobility and the LA Auto Show will be back later this year at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Collectively, the automotive industry can't wait. Plenty of other auto shows didn't occur last year and won't until later this year. But organizers of the Los Angeles show, the first major industry event of the season, decided to offer a glimpse into the future. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Mirai.jpg"></a>The 2021 Toyota Mirai was discussed during the recent LA Auto Show virtual Media Day. A virtual media gathering with representatives from many carmakers was recently held, and <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast">The Weekly Driver Podcast</a> was part of it. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia listened to several presentations and follow-up question-and-answer sessions. We even submitted a few questions that were answered. The<a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://laautoshow.com"> LA Auto Show</a> will be held Nov. 19-28. In the meantime, on episode No. 175 of The Weekly Driver Podcast, we'll hear from representatives from Magna, Toyota and Volkswagen. Magna International is a Canadian mobility technology company for automakers. It produces automotive systems, assemblies, modules and components supplied to BMW, Fiat-Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Mercedes, Volkswagen and Tesla. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/bmw.jpg"></a>The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 was introduced during the 2021 LA Auto Show virtual Media Day. Toyota's presentation is the introduction of the 2021 Mirai. It's one of only three mainstream hydrogen fuel cell cars available in the United States. LA Auto Show: EVs on the horizon In the ever-expanding electric vehicle segment, Volkswagen's latest offering is the ID.4. It debuted in late 2020 in Europe and in early 2021 to North American customers in early 2021. It's the fully electric crossover SUV under the Volkswagen brand. The German manufacturer is marketing the ID.4 as a high-volume, mass-market electric vehicle — a car for “the millions, not the millionaires." We'll hear VW's presentation, too. Please join Bruce and me for this virtual presentation hosted by the Motor Press Guild. It's an audio-only preview of the pending LA Auto Show. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. The idea of more eyeballs on more content works for us. Support our podcast by shopping on<a href="https://amzn.to/2PCdAr5"> Amazon.com</a>. A graphic display at the bottom of the post links to automotive selections of the online retailer. But there's also a search function for anything available directly from the site. If you shop via this site, we receive a small commission. It helps us continue to produce independent content. The site began in 2004 and includes more than 700 reviews. The podcast is in its third year, and we've had a diverse collection of guests — famous athletes, vintage car collectors, manufacturer CEOs, automotive book authors, industry analysts, a movie stuntman and episodes from auto shows and car auctions. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="mailto:james@jamesraia.com">james@jamesraia.com</a>. All podcast episodes are archived on <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/podcast">theweeklydriver.com/podcast</a> Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform. After a postponement and cancellation because of the COVID-19 pandemic, LA AutoMobility and the LA Auto Show will be back later this year at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Collectively, the automotive industry can't wait. Plenty of other auto shows didn't occur last year and won't until later this year. But organizers of the Los Angeles show, the first major industry event of the season, decided to offer a glimpse into the future. The 2021 Toyota Mirai was discussed during the recent LA Auto Show virtual Media Day. A virtual media gathering with representatives from many carmakers was recently held, and The Weekly Driver Podcast was part of it. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia listened to several presentations and follow-up question-and-answer sessions. We even submitted a few questions that were answered. The LA Auto Show will be held Nov. 19-28. In the meantime, on episode No. 175 of The Weekly Driver Podcast, we'll hear from representatives from Magna, Toyota and Volkswagen. Magna International is a Canadian mobility technology company for automakers. It produces automotive systems, assemblies, modules and components supplied to BMW, Fiat-Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Mercedes, Volkswagen and Tesla. The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 was introduced during the 2021 LA Auto Show virtual Media Day. Toyota's presentation is the introduction of the 2021 Mirai. It's one of only three mainstream hydrogen fuel cell cars available in the United States. LA Auto Show: EVs on the horizon In the ever-expanding electric vehicle segment, Volkswagen's latest offering is the ID.4. It debuted in late 2020 in Europe and in early 2021 to North American customers in early 2021. It's the fully electric crossover SUV under the Volkswagen brand. The German manufacturer is marketing the ID.4 as a high-volume, mass-market electric vehicle — a car for “the millions, not the millionaires." We'll hear VW's presentation, too. Please join Bruce and me for this virtual presentation hosted by the Motor Press Guild. It's an audio-only preview of the pending LA Auto Show. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. The idea of more eyeballs on more content works for us. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. A graphic display at the bottom of the post links to automotive selections of the online retailer. But there's also a search function for anything available directly from the site. If you shop via this site, we receive a small commission. It helps us continue to produce independent content. The site began in 2004 and includes more than 700 reviews. The podcast is in its third year, and we've had a diverse collection of guests — famous athletes, vintage car collectors, manufacturer CEOs, automotive book authors, industry analysts, a movie stuntman and episodes from auto shows and car auctions. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform. Several of the more prominent platforms are listed below. Amazon.com Google Play iheartradio iTunes Spotify Stitcher https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=34959 https://theweeklydriver.com/2021/03/2021-la-auto-show-virtual-media-day/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=2021-la-auto-show-virtual-media-day Mon, 29 Mar 2021 18:03:29 +0000 2806 false full #174, iseecars.com: Ford tops new, used 2020 sales #174, iseecars.com: Ford tops new, used 2020 sales James Raia and Bruce Aldrich Karl Brauer has an extensive history in the automotive industry, including his current position as the executive analyst for iseecars.com. - The website, an automotive research firm and data-driven car search engine, Karl Brauer has an extensive history in the automotive industry, including his current position as the executive analyst for <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://www.iseecars.com">iseecars.com</a>. The website, an automotive research firm and data-driven car search engine, helps shoppers find the right car at the right price. It also develops and shares powerful studies and market analyses that have been featured in over 2,000 media outlets.   <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/2020Ford.jpg"></a>iseecars.com: The Ford F-150 pickup truck remained the country's top-selling vehicle in 2020. Brauer is our guest on this week's episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. iseecars.com is a top auto search engine Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with Brauer several areas of the automotive industry, including the research firm's recent study on top-selling new and used cars for 2020. It's no surprise the Ford F-150 leads both categories. The enduring pickup truck has been the top-selling truck in the United States for nearly 50 years. It's also been the country's top-selling new and used vehicle for many years. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/karl.jpeg"></a>Karl Brauer of iseecars.com. Brauer details why he believes pickup trucks have remained at the top of the sales rankings for so many years. We also discuss with Brauer the immediate future of electric trucks. It's a super-competitive segment including <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/2021/02/tesla-agrees-to-250-million-recall/">Tesla</a>, <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/11/new-rivian-ev-a-success-before-its-pending-debut/">Rivian</a>, <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://theweeklydriver.com/2019/11/111-day-1-la-auto-show-brembo-bollinger-motors/">Bollinger</a> and pending EV trucks from traditional manufacturers like Ford. Besides its recent new and use best-selling vehicle list, iseecars.com's recent studies have included the popular survey of manufacturers' percentage of vehicles lasting 200,000 miles. And we talk about the popularity of vehicles by state. Surprise! Ford reigns again. According to the website, iSeeCars.com has saved users more than $249 million by applying big data analytics powered by over 25 billion (and growing) data points. The site uses proprietary algorithms to objectively analyze, score and rank millions of new and used cars. Join Bruce Aldrich and me as we absorb the knowledge of industry leader Karl Brauer. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on<a href="https://amzn.to/2PCdAr5"> Amazon.com</a>. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/podcast">theweeklydriver.com/podcast</a> Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/THE-WEEKLY-DRIVER/dp/B08JJRSD13/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=the+weekly+driver+podcast&qid=1604441974&sr=8-2/">Amazon.com</a> <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://play.google.com/music/m/Iqzatcupnefrzflzyqr5fashc44?t=THE_WEEKLY_DRIVER">Google Play</a> <a href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/256-the-weekly-driver-31096156/">iheartradio</a> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-weekly-driver/id1280593178?mt=2">iTunes</a> <a href="https://open.spotify. Karl Brauer has an extensive history in the automotive industry, including his current position as the executive analyst for iseecars.com. The website, an automotive research firm and data-driven car search engine, helps shoppers find the right car at the right price. It also develops and shares powerful studies and market analyses that have been featured in over 2,000 media outlets. iseecars.com: The Ford F-150 pickup truck remained the country's top-selling vehicle in 2020. Brauer is our guest on this week's episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. iseecars.com is a top auto search engine Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with Brauer several areas of the automotive industry, including the research firm's recent study on top-selling new and used cars for 2020. It's no surprise the Ford F-150 leads both categories. The enduring pickup truck has been the top-selling truck in the United States for nearly 50 years. It's also been the country's top-selling new and used vehicle for many years. Karl Brauer of iseecars.com. Brauer details why he believes pickup trucks have remained at the top of the sales rankings for so many years. We also discuss with Brauer the immediate future of electric trucks. It's a super-competitive segment including Tesla, Rivian, Bollinger and pending EV trucks from traditional manufacturers like Ford. Besides its recent new and use best-selling vehicle list, iseecars.com's recent studies have included the popular survey of manufacturers' percentage of vehicles lasting 200,000 miles. And we talk about the popularity of vehicles by state. Surprise! Ford reigns again. According to the website, iSeeCars.com has saved users more than $249 million by applying big data analytics powered by over 25 billion (and growing) data points. The site uses proprietary algorithms to objectively analyze, score and rank millions of new and used cars. Join Bruce Aldrich and me as we absorb the knowledge of industry leader Karl Brauer. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: Amazon.com Google Play iheartradio iTunes Spotify Stitcher https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=34878 https://theweeklydriver.com/2021/03/iseecars-com-ford-tops-2020-sales/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=iseecars-com-ford-tops-2020-sales Thu, 18 Mar 2021 20:37:19 +0000 1483 false full #172, Tiger Woods, Rolls-Royce, New Corvette C8 book #172, Tiger Woods, Rolls-Royce, New Corvette C8 book James Raia and Bruce Aldrich There's always a lot happening in the auto industry. But it's been a particularly wild ride lately. - Tiger Woods crashed a new 2021 Genesis GV70. I test drove a 2022 Rolls-Royce Ghost for four days. And a new coffee table-sized book on the new mid-en... There's always a lot happening in the auto industry. But it's been a particularly wild ride lately. Tiger Woods crashed a new 2021 Genesis GV70. I test drove a 2022 Rolls-Royce Ghost for four days. And a new coffee table-sized book on the <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/11/corvette-mid-engine-rocks-auto-world/">new mid-engine Corvette C8</a> has been published. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss the three topics and more on this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/rolls3.jpg"></a>Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss Tiger Woods, the 2021 Rolls-Royce Ghost and a new book on the mid-engine Corvette C8 on this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Image © Gretchen Gaither/2021. Woods sustained multiple leg injuries early February 23 when he was involved in a single-car accident in Los Angeles County. The accident continued the golf icon’s years of misfortune while driving. After removing Woods from his vehicle with the “jaws of life,” the golfer was taken by ambulance to Harbor UCLA Medical Center. It was Woods’ third car accident since 2009. Woods, 45, an 82-time PGA Tour winner, was in the Southern California area for his annual Genesis Invitational golf tournament at the Riviera Country Club in the Pacific Palisades. A lot still remains unknown about the accident and Woods' future. Bruce and I give our opinions, which mostly streamline to: "Hey Tiger. Live Longer. Hire A Driver." <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/woods.jpg"></a>Tiger Woods suffered multiple leg injuries Feb. 23 in a single-car accident in Southern California. It was Woods' third car accident since 2007. Woods recently had another in his long series of back surgeries and he recently said his recovery could recent back surgery could keep him out of the upcoming Masters tournament in Augusta, Georgia. The 2021 Rolls-Royce Ghost attracted as much attention as any vehicle I've reviewed in 16 years as an automotive journalist The entry-level Ghost and siblings Cullinan, Dawn, Phantom and Wraith attract attention like no other carmaker’s offerings. Global sales of 5,125 in 2020 continued the brand’s reputation. It’s a name everyone knows, a car few see. The Cullinan, the company’s first SUV, debuted in 2018. It catapulted sales to record levels. The Ghost is described as the carmaker’s “purest expression.” Podcast No. 172: Tiger Woods, Rolls-Royce, Corvette CB Book Who’s to argue? Newness abounds this year in the long-anticipated five-passenger sedan’s second generation. The so-called entry-level Rolls Royce was the brand’s top-seller for the previous decade. The new Ghost features a 6.75-liter, twin-turbo, 48-valve V12. It produces 563 horsepower and advances from zero to 60 miles per hour, via its eight-speed automatic transmission, in 4.6 seconds. The top speed is 155 miles per hour. The drive is powerful, smooth, quiet and carried on 21-inch, 10-spoke wheels. And while the wheels spin, the RR center emblems remain upright. It’s all impressive for a vehicle that weighs 5,540 pounds and extends slightly more than 18 feet. And speaking of beauty, consider the new Corvette. The debuts of the 2020 C8 and its 2021 sibling, both delayed in production by the coronavirus pandemic, feature what Chevy considered for decades — a mid-engine. With diminishing sales for several years, the eighth generation is unlike any previous Corvette. Its engineers, like other renowned American artists, were influenced by European supercar masters from Ferrari, Lamborghini and McLaren. Some purists were aghast, others welcomed the change. There's always a lot happening in the auto industry. But it's been a particularly wild ride lately. Tiger Woods crashed a new 2021 Genesis GV70. I test drove a 2022 Rolls-Royce Ghost for four days. And a new coffee table-sized book on the new mid-engine Corvette C8 has been published. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss the three topics and more on this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss Tiger Woods, the 2021 Rolls-Royce Ghost and a new book on the mid-engine Corvette C8 on this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Image © Gretchen Gaither/2021. Woods sustained multiple leg injuries early February 23 when he was involved in a single-car accident in Los Angeles County. The accident continued the golf icon’s years of misfortune while driving. After removing Woods from his vehicle with the “jaws of life,” the golfer was taken by ambulance to Harbor UCLA Medical Center. It was Woods’ third car accident since 2009. Woods, 45, an 82-time PGA Tour winner, was in the Southern California area for his annual Genesis Invitational golf tournament at the Riviera Country Club in the Pacific Palisades. A lot still remains unknown about the accident and Woods' future. Bruce and I give our opinions, which mostly streamline to: "Hey Tiger. Live Longer. Hire A Driver." Tiger Woods suffered multiple leg injuries Feb. 23 in a single-car accident in Southern California. It was Woods' third car accident since 2007. Woods recently had another in his long series of back surgeries and he recently said his recovery could recent back surgery could keep him out of the upcoming Masters tournament in Augusta, Georgia. The 2021 Rolls-Royce Ghost attracted as much attention as any vehicle I've reviewed in 16 years as an automotive journalist The entry-level Ghost and siblings Cullinan, Dawn, Phantom and Wraith attract attention like no other carmaker’s offerings. Global sales of 5,125 in 2020 continued the brand’s reputation. It’s a name everyone knows, a car few see. The Cullinan, the company’s first SUV, debuted in 2018. It catapulted sales to record levels. The Ghost is described as the carmaker’s “purest expression.” Podcast No. 172: Tiger Woods, Rolls-Royce, Corvette CB Book Who’s to argue? Newness abounds this year in the long-anticipated five-passenger sedan’s second generation. The so-called entry-level Rolls Royce was the brand’s top-seller for the previous decade. The new Ghost features a 6.75-liter, twin-turbo, 48-valve V12. It produces 563 horsepower and advances from zero to 60 miles per hour, via its eight-speed automatic transmission, in 4.6 seconds. The top speed is 155 miles per hour. The drive is powerful, smooth, quiet and carried on 21-inch, 10-spoke wheels. And while the wheels spin, the RR center emblems remain upright. It’s all impressive for a vehicle that weighs 5,540 pounds and extends slightly more than 18 feet. And speaking of beauty, consider the new Corvette. The debuts of the 2020 C8 and its 2021 sibling, both delayed in production by the coronavirus pandemic, feature what Chevy considered for decades — a mid-engine. With diminishing sales for several years, the eighth generation is unlike any previous Corvette. Its engineers, like other renowned American artists, were influenced by European supercar masters from Ferrari, Lamborghini and McLaren. Some purists were aghast, others welcomed the change. With a starting price of less than $60,000 and stunning specs — a 6.2-liter V8, top-speed of 194 miles per hour and 0-60 mph in less than three seconds — the new Corvette has global sales aspirations. Chevy hopes its sports car flagship’s reputation, cultivating since 1953, accelerates across continents and into competitors’ domains. The new Corvette also disrupts previous signature traits. An eight-speed, double-clutch transmission replaces a stick shift. Please join us for another episode as we examine the ever-changi... https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=34755 https://theweeklydriver.com/2021/03/tiger-woods-rolls-royce-new-corvette/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tiger-woods-rolls-royce-new-corvette Wed, 10 Mar 2021 02:24:30 +0000 1510 false full #171, Liz Carmichael: car fraud, transgender, anti-hero #171, Liz Carmichael: car fraud, transgender, anti-hero James Raia and Bruce Aldrich "The Lady and the Dale" tells the little-known story of Liz Carmichael in the 1970s. Carmichael rose to prominence when she released a fuel-efficient, three-wheeled vehicle while being responsible for one of the biggest auto scams in history. - "The Lady and the Dale" tells the little-known story of Liz Carmichael in the 1970s. Carmichael rose to prominence when she released a fuel-efficient, three-wheeled vehicle while being responsible for one of the biggest auto scams in history. Nick Cammilleri, the creator, writer, director and co-producer of the four-part docu-series now showing on HBO Max, is our guest on this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/dale1.jpg"></a>Liz Carmichael: Her life is portrayed in the HBO series "The Lady and the Dale." Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia talk with Cammilleri about his 10-year project making the series, his relationship with Carmichael's family and the twists and turns of the film's unique circumstances. Born Geraldine Elizabeth "Liz" Carmichael in 1927, the American automobile executive and a convicted fraud, was married four times. She was born Jerry Dean Michael but was transgender. Liz Carmichael: Marketing Felon Arrested for counterfeiting U.S. currency in 1961, she went on the run in 1962. In the late 1960s, faked a serious car accident and changed her name to Liz Carmichael. Twelve years after her arrest and while still a fugitive, Carmichael worked at the U.S Marketing Institute in Los Angeles where she met Dale Clifft. The latter had invented a three-wheel car with low gas consumption. "Dale Clifft was an engineer and he built this thing called a commuter cycle," explains Cammilleri. "It was a three-wheel contraption, some people called it a Dune Buggy when he drove it around Ventura Blvd. (in Los Angeles). "When he came into the office where Carmichael was working, he said 'I've built this car and it gets 70 miles per gallon. This might be a thing.' Liz Carmichael thought 'we could have something really special here.' Basically, she signed a deal so she could license it, believing she could market it." The complex and convoluted <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://www.insidehook.com/article/vehicles/dale-car-history">saga of the Dale</a> had begun. None of the vehicles were produced, and only four prototypes of the Dale were made. Only one prototype was able to move under its own power. Carmichael, who died of cancer in February 2004, lied about her personal life and her education and lots of other things. She eventually was charged with 31 counts of grand theft, fraud and corporate security violations. The bizarre tale of the Dale vehicle, Carmichael's life as a transgender person, her years of hiding from law enforcement and her eventual arrest in 1989 are all detailed in the series. "Was she criminal or a hero? I view her as an anti-hero," says Cammilleri. "I think she's one of the best anti-heroes I've ever seen. She did nothing different than people like DuPont, Budweiser, Coca-Cola. All those companies to extra-legal things. She did a lot of stuff those companies did." Among the unusual circumstance of Carmichael's life: She served 18 months in a men's prison, despite having been recognized as a woman by the courts. The documentary, which premiered on January 31, has a 100 percent critics' rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The reviewers' consensus: "An intoxicating blend of historical footage, candid interviews, and animation that deftly captures Liz Carmichael's incredible life, The Lady and the Dale is a wild ride." The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. The idea of more eyeballs on more content works for us. Support our podcast by shopping on<a href="https://amzn.to/2PCdAr5"> Amazon. "The Lady and the Dale" tells the little-known story of Liz Carmichael in the 1970s. Carmichael rose to prominence when she released a fuel-efficient, three-wheeled vehicle while being responsible for one of the biggest auto scams in history. Nick Cammilleri, the creator, writer, director and co-producer of the four-part docu-series now showing on HBO Max, is our guest on this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Liz Carmichael: Her life is portrayed in the HBO series "The Lady and the Dale." Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia talk with Cammilleri about his 10-year project making the series, his relationship with Carmichael's family and the twists and turns of the film's unique circumstances. Born Geraldine Elizabeth "Liz" Carmichael in 1927, the American automobile executive and a convicted fraud, was married four times. She was born Jerry Dean Michael but was transgender. Liz Carmichael: Marketing Felon Arrested for counterfeiting U.S. currency in 1961, she went on the run in 1962. In the late 1960s, faked a serious car accident and changed her name to Liz Carmichael. Twelve years after her arrest and while still a fugitive, Carmichael worked at the U.S Marketing Institute in Los Angeles where she met Dale Clifft. The latter had invented a three-wheel car with low gas consumption. "Dale Clifft was an engineer and he built this thing called a commuter cycle," explains Cammilleri. "It was a three-wheel contraption, some people called it a Dune Buggy when he drove it around Ventura Blvd. (in Los Angeles). "When he came into the office where Carmichael was working, he said 'I've built this car and it gets 70 miles per gallon. This might be a thing.' Liz Carmichael thought 'we could have something really special here.' Basically, she signed a deal so she could license it, believing she could market it." The complex and convoluted saga of the Dale had begun. None of the vehicles were produced, and only four prototypes of the Dale were made. Only one prototype was able to move under its own power. Carmichael, who died of cancer in February 2004, lied about her personal life and her education and lots of other things. She eventually was charged with 31 counts of grand theft, fraud and corporate security violations. The bizarre tale of the Dale vehicle, Carmichael's life as a transgender person, her years of hiding from law enforcement and her eventual arrest in 1989 are all detailed in the series. "Was she criminal or a hero? I view her as an anti-hero," says Cammilleri. "I think she's one of the best anti-heroes I've ever seen. She did nothing different than people like DuPont, Budweiser, Coca-Cola. All those companies to extra-legal things. She did a lot of stuff those companies did." Among the unusual circumstance of Carmichael's life: She served 18 months in a men's prison, despite having been recognized as a woman by the courts. The documentary, which premiered on January 31, has a 100 percent critics' rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The reviewers' consensus: "An intoxicating blend of historical footage, candid interviews, and animation that deftly captures Liz Carmichael's incredible life, The Lady and the Dale is a wild ride." The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. The idea of more eyeballs on more content works for us. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. A graphic display at the bottom of the post links to automotive selections of the online retailer. But there's also a search function for anything available directly from the site. If you shop via this site, we receive a small commission. It helps us continue to produce independent content. The site began in 2004 and includes more than 700 reviews. The podcast is in its third year, https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=34683 https://theweeklydriver.com/2021/02/liz-carmichael-car-fraud-anti-hero/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=liz-carmichael-car-fraud-anti-hero Mon, 22 Feb 2021 06:49:05 +0000 1960 false full #170, WeatherTech Raceway ready for racing #170, WeatherTech Raceway ready for racing James Raia and Bruce Aldrich Just like any business relying on visitors, WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca had it tough during 2020. Events were rescheduled and canceled. But management did its best to offer recreation opportunities when it could. - Just like any business relying on visitors, WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca had it tough during 2020. Events were rescheduled and canceled. But management did its best to offer recreation opportunities when it could. One unheralded but important track use is the facility's access to non-competitive racing clubs and performance driving programs. Members rent or bring their vehicle to the racetrack and experience the famous layout. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/track.jpg"></a>WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca has a full schedule of racing as well as programs for improving driving skills. Barry Toepke, the director of heritage racing at the WeatherTech Raceway, is our guest on this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with Toepke the upcoming 2021 season and the varied competitive events on the horizon. WeatherTech Raceway: Improve Your Driving But we also talk about programs available to the public to develop their skills behind the wheel. For a minimal fee, and sometimes a club membership, anyone can come and take part in a track day. Participation usually consists of five, 20-minute sessions circling the track. Several organizations such as Hooked on Driving and Speed SF also offer one-on-one professional coaching, for those who desire more confidence in a high-performance vehicle or want to take their skills to the next level. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/lagunaseca1.jpg"></a>WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca is renowned for its varied motorsports racing. In many cases, professional instruction is required for those who’ve never driven on track before, ensuring the safety of all participants. There are manufacturer group programs as well, such as the Lexus Performance Driving School featuring instruction by championship driver Scott Pruett. For someone looking for a way to get a competition license and graduate into a professional series, regular renters like Skip Barber Racing School, the Allen Berg Racing School and the AMG Driving Academy offer enthusiasts the chance to learn from seasoned professionals how to get the most out of their car and themselves. As Toepke details, it's the best way to learn how to handle a car under racing conditions. The Skip Barber Racing School has seen many graduates go on to race professionally. Patrick Dempsey Paul Newman and Jerry Seinfeld have frequented the driving programs at the racetrack. And icons Jeff Gordon and Chip Ganassi honed their careers at the facility's driving programs. For individuals or groups looking for time on the track or a detailed list of the racing season, visit <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://www.weathertechraceway.com/">WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca</a>. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends, and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. The idea of more eyeballs on more content works for us. Support our podcast by shopping on<a href="https://amzn.to/2PCdAr5"> Amazon.com</a>. A graphic display at the bottom of the post links to automotive selections of the online retailer. But there's also a search function for anything available directly from the site. If you shop via this site, we receive a small commission. It helps us continue to produce independent content. The site began in 2004 and includes more than 700 reviews. The podcast is in its third year, and we've had a diverse collection of guests — famous athletes, vintage car collectors, manufacturer CEOs, automotive book authors, industry analysts, Just like any business relying on visitors, WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca had it tough during 2020. Events were rescheduled and canceled. But management did its best to offer recreation opportunities when it could. One unheralded but important track use is the facility's access to non-competitive racing clubs and performance driving programs. Members rent or bring their vehicle to the racetrack and experience the famous layout. WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca has a full schedule of racing as well as programs for improving driving skills. Barry Toepke, the director of heritage racing at the WeatherTech Raceway, is our guest on this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with Toepke the upcoming 2021 season and the varied competitive events on the horizon. WeatherTech Raceway: Improve Your Driving But we also talk about programs available to the public to develop their skills behind the wheel. For a minimal fee, and sometimes a club membership, anyone can come and take part in a track day. Participation usually consists of five, 20-minute sessions circling the track. Several organizations such as Hooked on Driving and Speed SF also offer one-on-one professional coaching, for those who desire more confidence in a high-performance vehicle or want to take their skills to the next level. WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca is renowned for its varied motorsports racing. In many cases, professional instruction is required for those who’ve never driven on track before, ensuring the safety of all participants. There are manufacturer group programs as well, such as the Lexus Performance Driving School featuring instruction by championship driver Scott Pruett. For someone looking for a way to get a competition license and graduate into a professional series, regular renters like Skip Barber Racing School, the Allen Berg Racing School and the AMG Driving Academy offer enthusiasts the chance to learn from seasoned professionals how to get the most out of their car and themselves. As Toepke details, it's the best way to learn how to handle a car under racing conditions. The Skip Barber Racing School has seen many graduates go on to race professionally. Patrick Dempsey Paul Newman and Jerry Seinfeld have frequented the driving programs at the racetrack. And icons Jeff Gordon and Chip Ganassi honed their careers at the facility's driving programs. For individuals or groups looking for time on the track or a detailed list of the racing season, visit WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends, and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. The idea of more eyeballs on more content works for us. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. A graphic display at the bottom of the post links to automotive selections of the online retailer. But there's also a search function for anything available directly from the site. If you shop via this site, we receive a small commission. It helps us continue to produce independent content. The site began in 2004 and includes more than 700 reviews. The podcast is in its third year, and we've had a diverse collection of guests — famous athletes, vintage car collectors, manufacturer CEOs, automotive book authors, industry analysts, a movie stuntman and episodes from auto shows and car auctions. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform. Several of the more prominent platforms are listed below. Amazon.com Google Play iheartradio iTunes Spotify Stitcher https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=34589 https://theweeklydriver.com/2021/02/weathertech-raceway-ready-for-racing/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=weathertech-raceway-ready-for-racing Tue, 09 Feb 2021 00:30:12 +0000 1851 false full #169, Hagerty expert talks strong new 2021 auctions #169, Hagerty expert talks strong new 2021 auctions James Raia and Bruce Aldrich Auto auctions are back! Live, that is. Online auctions have continued during the pandemic, but January sales are a key indicator for collector car sales. And what a January it was. - Brian Rabold, Vice President of Valuation Services at Hagerty, Auto auctions are back! Live, that is. Online auctions have continued during the pandemic, but January sales are a key indicator for collector car sales. And what a January it was. Brian Rabold, Vice President of <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://www.hagerty.com">Valuation Services at Hagerty</a>, is our guest on this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia talk with Rabold about the new year, the return of live auctions and some of the surprising prices paid for vehicles. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/1957-Chrysler-New-Yorker-Town-and-Country-Station-Wagon-_0-640x427-1.jpg"></a>Hagerty reports a 1957 Chrysler New Yorker helped launch a resurgence in station wagon prices as the 2021 auction season began strongly in January with $181.9 million in sales. According to Hagerty, January 2021 auto auctions generated $181.9 million. The impressive tally doesn't include sales from the launch of the Barrett-Jackson campaign. It's been postponed until March. "For us at Hagerty and others in the collector car market, January is a huge month. It always has been," said Rabold. "Barrett Jackson is one the anchor events that happens every January and over the years nearly a dozen events have sprung up around it. "A lot of people look around and see whats's going on at those auctions, read the tea leaves and see where the market is headed. Of course, this year is very, very different." Hagerty: New Auction Season Strong Hagerty compiled a list of the top sellers about January and it's an impressive, diverse collection. The month kicked off with Mecum’s best-ever Kissimmee, Florida sale. Mecum offered 24 percent fewer lots than in 2020, but total sales were 27 percent higher thanks to a sell-through rate that jumped from 64 percent in 2020 to 83 percent in 2021. Average sale prices increased by 31 percent. This performance likely gave confidence to bidders at RM Sotheby’s and Bonhams sales, which respectively recorded 102 and 112-percent increases in average selling price. Gooding & Company’s average price fell 2 percent, from $293,501 to $287,100. The usual Ferrari, Corvette, Cobras and other popular collector vehicles all sold well. But, for something different, here two unique sales from January. A 1957 Chrysler Town & Country wagon sold for $67,200. The upscale machine has air conditioning and power everything—amenities a modern driver should greatly appreciate. It "straddles the line between family commuter and rip-snorting tire smoker," wrote Hagerty, "with fantastic 1950s jet-age styling and good performance from its 325-horsepower 392 engine." Mecum Auctions also sold a 1972 Chevrolet C10 CST for $88,000. The surprising price more than doubled the average condition value. The C10 short-bed pickup is equipped with a 400-cubic inch big block engine. It also has some cool features: bucket seats with houndstooth upholstery, a center console and faux wood-grain trim. Please join us as Rabold details what January meant to the collector industry. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. The idea of more eyeballs on more content works for us. Support our podcast by shopping on<a href="https://amzn.to/2PCdAr5"> Amazon.com</a>. A graphic display at the bottom of the post links to automotive selections of the online retailer. But there's also a search function for anything available directly from the site. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/1972-Chevy-C10-CST-Front. Auto auctions are back! Live, that is. Online auctions have continued during the pandemic, but January sales are a key indicator for collector car sales. And what a January it was. Brian Rabold, Vice President of Valuation Services at Hagerty, is our guest on this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia talk with Rabold about the new year, the return of live auctions and some of the surprising prices paid for vehicles. Hagerty reports a 1957 Chrysler New Yorker helped launch a resurgence in station wagon prices as the 2021 auction season began strongly in January with $181.9 million in sales. According to Hagerty, January 2021 auto auctions generated $181.9 million. The impressive tally doesn't include sales from the launch of the Barrett-Jackson campaign. It's been postponed until March. "For us at Hagerty and others in the collector car market, January is a huge month. It always has been," said Rabold. "Barrett Jackson is one the anchor events that happens every January and over the years nearly a dozen events have sprung up around it. "A lot of people look around and see whats's going on at those auctions, read the tea leaves and see where the market is headed. Of course, this year is very, very different." Hagerty: New Auction Season Strong Hagerty compiled a list of the top sellers about January and it's an impressive, diverse collection. The month kicked off with Mecum’s best-ever Kissimmee, Florida sale. Mecum offered 24 percent fewer lots than in 2020, but total sales were 27 percent higher thanks to a sell-through rate that jumped from 64 percent in 2020 to 83 percent in 2021. Average sale prices increased by 31 percent. This performance likely gave confidence to bidders at RM Sotheby’s and Bonhams sales, which respectively recorded 102 and 112-percent increases in average selling price. Gooding & Company’s average price fell 2 percent, from $293,501 to $287,100. The usual Ferrari, Corvette, Cobras and other popular collector vehicles all sold well. But, for something different, here two unique sales from January. A 1957 Chrysler Town & Country wagon sold for $67,200. The upscale machine has air conditioning and power everything—amenities a modern driver should greatly appreciate. It "straddles the line between family commuter and rip-snorting tire smoker," wrote Hagerty, "with fantastic 1950s jet-age styling and good performance from its 325-horsepower 392 engine." Mecum Auctions also sold a 1972 Chevrolet C10 CST for $88,000. The surprising price more than doubled the average condition value. The C10 short-bed pickup is equipped with a 400-cubic inch big block engine. It also has some cool features: bucket seats with houndstooth upholstery, a center console and faux wood-grain trim. Please join us as Rabold details what January meant to the collector industry. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. The idea of more eyeballs on more content works for us. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. A graphic display at the bottom of the post links to automotive selections of the online retailer. But there's also a search function for anything available directly from the site. Hagerty reports a 1972 Chevrolet C10 CST sold for $88,000 in January. If you shop via this site, we receive a small commission. It helps us continue to produce independent content. The site began in 2004 and includes more than 700 reviews. The podcast is in its third year, and we've had a diverse collection of guests — famous athletes, vintage car collectors, manufacturer CEOs, automotive book authors, industry analysts, a movie stuntman and episodes from auto shows and car auctions. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: j... https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=34510 https://theweeklydriver.com/2021/02/169-podcast-hagerty-valuation-talk/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=169-podcast-hagerty-valuation-talk Mon, 08 Feb 2021 20:38:18 +0000 1569 false full #168, Hershey’s world class auto museum reopens #168, Hershey’s world class auto museum reopens James Raia and Bruce Aldrich Its official name is the Antique Automobile Club of America Museum, but it's almost always called the AACA Museum or the Hershey Auto Museum. - By any name, the museum in Pennsylvania is among the country's most active facilities honoring the history ... Its official name is the Antique Automobile Club of America Museum, but it's almost always called the AACA Museum or the Hershey Auto Museum. By any name, the museum in Pennsylvania is among the country's most active facilities honoring the history of automobiles — and it's reopened. Jeffrey Bliemeister, the museum's Executive Director, is our guest on this week's episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/aacaimage.jpg"></a>The AACA Museum, among the country's most prominent auto museums, has reopened. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with Bliemeister the status of auto museums around the country during the coronavirus pandemic. Specifically, we talk about the AACA Museum and its approach to presenting the ever-fascinating world of vintage vehicles. The museum's vast digital experiences — tours, ride-alongs and collection chronicles — are all highlighted on the AACM website and YouTube channel. In-person visits began again on January 4. (A storm in the area temporarily stopped in-person visits again, but the museum has re-opened.) One compelling vehicle on display is a 1933 LaSalle. The artwork on wheels, sometimes known as the Cadillac Companion, was manufactured from 1927-1940. It was slotted between the Buick and Cadillac lineups, and like Cadillac, was named the Frenchmen who explored America in the 17th and 18th centuries. The museum's LaSalle is a two-door convertible coupe with a rumble seat. It has most of the features of the Cadillac line, including the 115 horsepower V8 engine. The trim and detail distinctions and an approximate $500 price difference set the two lines apart. Restored in the late 1970s, the car was shown then placed in long-term storage. It was donated to the Museum in 2017 by Walter Van Nuys of Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania. A new exhibit showcases the world of "Hemis." As the website explains: "Most people associate the word “Hemi” with Mopar/Chrysler vehicles; however, there are many more vehicles that have a “Hemi” engine that might surprise you! "The term “Hemi” refers to hemispherical combustion chambers – learn more about these robust engines and the vehicles they power." <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/McCandlessRace1.jpg"></a>The auto museum in Hershey, Pennsylvania, is often referred to as the AACA Museum or the Hershey Auto Museum. One of its current exhibits showcases "Hemis." Please join us for a lively discussion about all things auto museums. The AACA Museum, Inc., is located at 161 Museum Drive, Hershey, Pa. Tel. (717) 566-7100. Visit its website: <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://www.aacamuseum.org">AACA Museum</a>. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. The idea of more eyeballs on more content works for us. Support our podcast by shopping on<a href="https://amzn.to/2PCdAr5"> Amazon.com</a>. A graphic display at the bottom of the post links to automotive selections of the online retailer. But there's also a search function for anything available directly from the site. If you shop via this site, we receive a small commission. It helps us continue to produce independent content. The site began in 2004 and includes more than 700 reviews. The podcast is in its third year, and we've had a diverse collection of guests — famous athletes, vintage car collectors, manufacturer CEOs, automotive book authors, industry analysts, a movie stuntman and episodes from auto shows and car auctio... Its official name is the Antique Automobile Club of America Museum, but it's almost always called the AACA Museum or the Hershey Auto Museum. By any name, the museum in Pennsylvania is among the country's most active facilities honoring the history of automobiles — and it's reopened. Jeffrey Bliemeister, the museum's Executive Director, is our guest on this week's episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. The AACA Museum, among the country's most prominent auto museums, has reopened. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with Bliemeister the status of auto museums around the country during the coronavirus pandemic. Specifically, we talk about the AACA Museum and its approach to presenting the ever-fascinating world of vintage vehicles. The museum's vast digital experiences — tours, ride-alongs and collection chronicles — are all highlighted on the AACM website and YouTube channel. In-person visits began again on January 4. (A storm in the area temporarily stopped in-person visits again, but the museum has re-opened.) One compelling vehicle on display is a 1933 LaSalle. The artwork on wheels, sometimes known as the Cadillac Companion, was manufactured from 1927-1940. It was slotted between the Buick and Cadillac lineups, and like Cadillac, was named the Frenchmen who explored America in the 17th and 18th centuries. The museum's LaSalle is a two-door convertible coupe with a rumble seat. It has most of the features of the Cadillac line, including the 115 horsepower V8 engine. The trim and detail distinctions and an approximate $500 price difference set the two lines apart. Restored in the late 1970s, the car was shown then placed in long-term storage. It was donated to the Museum in 2017 by Walter Van Nuys of Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania. A new exhibit showcases the world of "Hemis." As the website explains: "Most people associate the word “Hemi” with Mopar/Chrysler vehicles; however, there are many more vehicles that have a “Hemi” engine that might surprise you! "The term “Hemi” refers to hemispherical combustion chambers – learn more about these robust engines and the vehicles they power." The auto museum in Hershey, Pennsylvania, is often referred to as the AACA Museum or the Hershey Auto Museum. One of its current exhibits showcases "Hemis." Please join us for a lively discussion about all things auto museums. The AACA Museum, Inc., is located at 161 Museum Drive, Hershey, Pa. Tel. (717) 566-7100. Visit its website: AACA Museum. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. The idea of more eyeballs on more content works for us. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. A graphic display at the bottom of the post links to automotive selections of the online retailer. But there's also a search function for anything available directly from the site. If you shop via this site, we receive a small commission. It helps us continue to produce independent content. The site began in 2004 and includes more than 700 reviews. The podcast is in its third year, and we've had a diverse collection of guests — famous athletes, vintage car collectors, manufacturer CEOs, automotive book authors, industry analysts, a movie stuntman and episodes from auto shows and car auctions. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform. Several of the more prominent platforms are listed below. Amazon.com Google Play iheartradio iTunes Spotify Stitcher https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=34431 https://theweeklydriver.com/2021/02/hersheys-auto-museum-reopens/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=hersheys-auto-museum-reopens Mon, 01 Feb 2021 21:21:37 +0000 1743 false full #167, 1956 Chevy Bel Air: A 65-year family affair #167, 1956 Chevy Bel Air: A 65-year family affair James Raia and Bruce Aldrich The Casagrande family car has a legacy that weaves through four generations beginning when Steve Casagrande's father purchased a new 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air Beauville. It's a three-row, nine-passenger station wagon with as much pride and pedigree as any... The Casagrande family car has a legacy that weaves through four generations beginning when Steve Casagrande's father purchased a new 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air Beauville. It's a three-row, nine-passenger station wagon with as much pride and pedigree as any car. Steve Casagrande, who operated a prominent Sacramento dentist practice for many years that's now run by his son Michael, grew up in the Chevy Bel Air with his four brothers. The wagon has had rotating family residences through the years. It also had years when it remained untouched. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/chevy1.-rotated.jpg"></a>A 1956 Chevy Bel Air Beauville station wagon and its accompanying Shasta travel trailer. Images Courtesy of Steve Casagrande. Casagrande, who was age seven when his father bought the wagon, is our guest on this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia talk with Steve about the car's legacy and what it means to his multi-generation family to share time in the vintage machine. Chevy Bel Air: Family Rare The Chevy Bel Air isn't the rarest or most sought after vehicle manufactured 65 years ago. But no other vehicle means more to the Casagrande family than the vintage wagon. It's taken the family on trips and provided brothers and their families with lifelong memories. It's escorted fathers and sons on hunting trips and brothers on fishing trips. It's taken wives, children and grandchildren on trips across states or just for short treks around Sacramento. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/steve1.jpg"></a>The Casagrande family's 1956 Chevy Bel Air and its accompanying Shasta travel trailer on display at the Sacramento Automobile Museum. "It was bought brand new in 1956 by my father at Good Chevrolet in Bakersfield," Casagrande explains. "Basically, it's as an original car now as it was back then. We've done nothing really to alter it. It's original and a good daily driver." Casagrande, who rebuilt the car, shares tales of riding in the third row when the wagon was driven from Taft to Los Angeles on hot summer days. It was an ordeal of negotiating the infamous "Grapevine." Casagrande explains getting his driver's license and going on his first date in the wagon, just like most of his siblings. He talks about working on the car through the years and the surreal feelings of taking his grandchildren for rides. "People just get a warm feeling about it," Steve says. "The colors, light blue and white. It's pleasing to the eye. You don't see those colors in cars today. They're gray and black and white. It catches peoples' eyes. It puts a smile on your face." "We're just lucky it's stayed in the family. It's become a rallying point, a focal point for the family." The Chevy Bel Air also has an accompanying Shasta travel trailer. It's an integral part of the story best saved for the podcast. Please join us for a half-hour of vintage car talk and the story of a family and the wondrous glory of its 65-year Chevrolet Bel Air Beauville. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. The idea of more eyeballs on more content works for us. Support our podcast by shopping on<a href="https://amzn.to/2PCdAr5"> Amazon.com</a>. A graphic display at the bottom of the post links to automotive selections of the online retailer. But there's also a search function for anything available directly from the site. If you shop via this site, we receive a small commission. It helps us continue to produce independent content. The Casagrande family car has a legacy that weaves through four generations beginning when Steve Casagrande's father purchased a new 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air Beauville. It's a three-row, nine-passenger station wagon with as much pride and pedigree as any car. Steve Casagrande, who operated a prominent Sacramento dentist practice for many years that's now run by his son Michael, grew up in the Chevy Bel Air with his four brothers. The wagon has had rotating family residences through the years. It also had years when it remained untouched. A 1956 Chevy Bel Air Beauville station wagon and its accompanying Shasta travel trailer. Images Courtesy of Steve Casagrande. Casagrande, who was age seven when his father bought the wagon, is our guest on this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia talk with Steve about the car's legacy and what it means to his multi-generation family to share time in the vintage machine. Chevy Bel Air: Family Rare The Chevy Bel Air isn't the rarest or most sought after vehicle manufactured 65 years ago. But no other vehicle means more to the Casagrande family than the vintage wagon. It's taken the family on trips and provided brothers and their families with lifelong memories. It's escorted fathers and sons on hunting trips and brothers on fishing trips. It's taken wives, children and grandchildren on trips across states or just for short treks around Sacramento. The Casagrande family's 1956 Chevy Bel Air and its accompanying Shasta travel trailer on display at the Sacramento Automobile Museum. "It was bought brand new in 1956 by my father at Good Chevrolet in Bakersfield," Casagrande explains. "Basically, it's as an original car now as it was back then. We've done nothing really to alter it. It's original and a good daily driver." Casagrande, who rebuilt the car, shares tales of riding in the third row when the wagon was driven from Taft to Los Angeles on hot summer days. It was an ordeal of negotiating the infamous "Grapevine." Casagrande explains getting his driver's license and going on his first date in the wagon, just like most of his siblings. He talks about working on the car through the years and the surreal feelings of taking his grandchildren for rides. "People just get a warm feeling about it," Steve says. "The colors, light blue and white. It's pleasing to the eye. You don't see those colors in cars today. They're gray and black and white. It catches peoples' eyes. It puts a smile on your face." "We're just lucky it's stayed in the family. It's become a rallying point, a focal point for the family." The Chevy Bel Air also has an accompanying Shasta travel trailer. It's an integral part of the story best saved for the podcast. Please join us for a half-hour of vintage car talk and the story of a family and the wondrous glory of its 65-year Chevrolet Bel Air Beauville. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. The idea of more eyeballs on more content works for us. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. A graphic display at the bottom of the post links to automotive selections of the online retailer. But there's also a search function for anything available directly from the site. If you shop via this site, we receive a small commission. It helps us continue to produce independent content. The site began in 2004 and includes more than 700 reviews. The podcast is in its third year, and we've had a diverse collection of guests — famous athletes, vintage car collectors, manufacturer CEOs, automotive book authors, industry analysts, a movie stuntman and episodes from auto shows and car auctions. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=34412 https://theweeklydriver.com/2021/01/167-1956-chevy-bel-air-a-65-year-family-affair/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=167-1956-chevy-bel-air-a-65-year-family-affair Tue, 26 Jan 2021 03:54:03 +0000 2098 false full #166 EV expert Steve Birkett discusses growing industry #166 EV expert Steve Birkett discusses growing industry James Raia and Bruce Aldrich Steve Birkett is an electric vehicle expert who embraces the automotive technology of sustainable choices. - Birkett, who lives and works in Boston, Mass., has owned several electric vehicles. He provides his expertise in the field and his advocacy of... Steve Birkett is an electric vehicle expert who embraces the automotive technology of sustainable choices. Birkett, who lives and works in Boston, Mass., has owned several electric vehicles. He provides his expertise in the field and his advocacy of the industry on the website <a href="https://www.findthebestcarprice.com/">findthebestcarprice.com </a>and other industry publications. And he's our guest on this episode of <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast">The Weekly Driver Podcast</a>. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/ev1.png"></a>The EV industry is expanding quickly. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with Birkett the industry at-large. We ask Birkett about his family experiences with EVs. (He drives to visit relatives in Ohio on occasion in addition to daily car use). Bruce and I chat with our guest about how the alternative fuel industry has changed. EV industry rapidly changing And, of course, we ask about how he views the industry's future and the pending competition between Tesla and the nearly dozen manufacturers in different stages of debuting electric cars and trucks. Birkett also provides his thoughts on the "electric highway" and the companies involved in providing recharging stations. He also discusses home charged, battery longevity, the promotion of the industry and pending legislation. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. The idea of more eyeballs on more content works for us. Support our podcast by shopping on<a href="https://amzn.to/2PCdAr5"> Amazon.com</a>. A graphic display at the bottom of the post links to automotive selections of the online retailer. But there's also a search function for anything available directly from the site. If you shop via this site, we receive a small commission. It helps us continue to produce independent content. The site began in 2004 and includes more than 700 reviews. The podcast is in its third year, and we've had a diverse collection of guests — famous athletes, vintage car collectors, manufacturer CEOs, automotive book authors, industry analysts, a movie stuntman and episodes from auto shows and car auctions. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="mailto:james@jamesraia.com">james@jamesraia.com</a>. All podcast episodes are archived on <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/podcast">theweeklydriver.com/podcast</a> Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform. Several of the more prominent platforms are listed below. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/THE-WEEKLY-DRIVER/dp/B08JJRSD13/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=the+weekly+driver+podcast&qid=1604441974&sr=8-2/">Amazon.com</a> <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://play.google.com/music/m/Iqzatcupnefrzflzyqr5fashc44?t=THE_WEEKLY_DRIVER">Google Play</a> <a href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/256-the-weekly-driver-31096156/">iheartradio</a> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-weekly-driver/id1280593178?mt=2">iTunes</a> <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/14uslDCRvZiMd8WTc7xZkd">Spotify</a> <a href="https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-weekly-driver-podcast">Stitcher</a> Steve Birkett is an electric vehicle expert who embraces the automotive technology of sustainable choices. Birkett, who lives and works in Boston, Mass., has owned several electric vehicles. He provides his expertise in the field and his advocacy of the industry on the website findthebestcarprice.com and other industry publications. And he's our guest on this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. The EV industry is expanding quickly. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with Birkett the industry at-large. We ask Birkett about his family experiences with EVs. (He drives to visit relatives in Ohio on occasion in addition to daily car use). Bruce and I chat with our guest about how the alternative fuel industry has changed. EV industry rapidly changing And, of course, we ask about how he views the industry's future and the pending competition between Tesla and the nearly dozen manufacturers in different stages of debuting electric cars and trucks. Birkett also provides his thoughts on the "electric highway" and the companies involved in providing recharging stations. He also discusses home charged, battery longevity, the promotion of the industry and pending legislation. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. The idea of more eyeballs on more content works for us. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. A graphic display at the bottom of the post links to automotive selections of the online retailer. But there's also a search function for anything available directly from the site. If you shop via this site, we receive a small commission. It helps us continue to produce independent content. The site began in 2004 and includes more than 700 reviews. The podcast is in its third year, and we've had a diverse collection of guests — famous athletes, vintage car collectors, manufacturer CEOs, automotive book authors, industry analysts, a movie stuntman and episodes from auto shows and car auctions. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform. Several of the more prominent platforms are listed below. Amazon.com Google Play iheartradio iTunes Spotify Stitcher https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=34311 https://theweeklydriver.com/2021/01/ev-expert-discusses-growing-industry/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=ev-expert-discusses-growing-industry Mon, 11 Jan 2021 21:28:51 +0000 2014 false full #165, 2020 in car news: COVID-19, new Corvette, recalls #165, 2020 in car news: COVID-19, new Corvette, recalls James Raia and Bruce Aldrich There's never a dull moment in the automotive industry. Car news never stops. Competition is intense. The emerging electric vehicle market continues to emerge but with its future unknown. - Recalls aren't going away anytime soon. There's never a dull moment in the automotive industry. Car news never stops. Competition is intense. The emerging electric vehicle market continues to emerge but with its future unknown. Recalls aren't going away anytime soon. And how consumers buy and sell vehicles is further transitioning from in-person sales to the online marketplace. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed everything. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/vette.jpg"></a>The debut of the 2020 Corvette CB Stingray is was among the top car news stories of the year of 2020. Image © Gretchen Gaither/2020 Overall, the automotive industry, just like most businesses, endured a turbulent 2020. Car News Abounds The Weekly Driver reported on much of the car news . . . recalls to bogus speed records, an iconic sports car's mid-engine revelation to a record sales in the vintage car sales market. Bruce Aldrich and I discuss on this episode of <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast">The Weekly Driver Podcast</a>. Here are our top news stories from 2020, scattered throughout the calendar year: DECEMBER 27: ODOMETER FRAUD ON THE RISE https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/12/odometer-fraud-on-the-rise Manipulating odometer readings is a well-known automotive fraud. Government agencies have attempted to curtail the cheating for years, but it’s getting worse. NOVEMBER 23: TAKATA AIRBAG MESS https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/11/takata-airbag-mess-means-7-million-gm-recalls/ The Takata airbag fiasco won’t go away, and it’s not good car news for General Motors, pickup truck and SUVs owners and the bankrupt Japanese company. NOVEMBER 15: MID-ENGINE CORVETTE C8 https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/11/corvette-mid-engine-rocks-auto-world/ The debuts of the 2020 C8 Corvette and its 2021 sibling, both delayed in production by the coronavirus pandemic, feature what Chevy considered for decades — a mid-engine. NOVEMBER 2: SHELBY SUPERCAR GETS NON-RECORD IN RECORD TIME https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/11/shelby-supercar-tuatara-gets-no-record/ The need for speed has resulted in the Shelby Supercar Tuatara crossing a line it hadn’t hoped to cross — in a blur of doubt. And, then the non-record was ratified. SEPTEMBER 24: MICHAEL SCHUMACHER VEGETATIVE https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/09/michael-schumacher-vegetative-recovery-unlikely/ Michael Schumacher, the legendary Formula 1 driver who has been in a coma since a 2013 skiing accident, is in a “vegetative state” and has a minimal possibility of returning. SEPTEMBER 20: FORD ANNOUNCES FIRST EV TRUCK https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/09/ford-announces-next-f-150-plus-first-ev-truck/ With several pickup trucks, including the much-touted all-electric options, competition is increasing. The <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://www.ford.com">Ford F-150</a> still rules, but the manufacturer isn’t resting on its success. SEPTEMBER 6: LA AUTO SHOW POSTPONED https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/09/covid-19-postpones-la-auto-show/ The LA Auto Show is annually held in November, but it’s the first major national showcase for new models of cars, trucks and sometimes campers and motorhomes. The show must go on, but it won’t be as planned because of Covid-19. AUGUST 20: FERRARI SETS SECOND SALES RECORD https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/08/rare-ferrari-sets-2nd-sales-mark-3-08-million/ Is there any more lucrative manufacturer in the vintage car market than Ferrari? Doesn’t it seem like it’s almost always collectors’ top choice? There's never a dull moment in the automotive industry. Car news never stops. Competition is intense. The emerging electric vehicle market continues to emerge but with its future unknown. Recalls aren't going away anytime soon. And how consumers buy and sell vehicles is further transitioning from in-person sales to the online marketplace. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed everything. The debut of the 2020 Corvette CB Stingray is was among the top car news stories of the year of 2020. Image © Gretchen Gaither/2020 Overall, the automotive industry, just like most businesses, endured a turbulent 2020. Car News Abounds The Weekly Driver reported on much of the car news . . . recalls to bogus speed records, an iconic sports car's mid-engine revelation to a record sales in the vintage car sales market. Bruce Aldrich and I discuss on this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Here are our top news stories from 2020, scattered throughout the calendar year: DECEMBER 27: ODOMETER FRAUD ON THE RISE https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/12/odometer-fraud-on-the-rise Manipulating odometer readings is a well-known automotive fraud. Government agencies have attempted to curtail the cheating for years, but it’s getting worse. NOVEMBER 23: TAKATA AIRBAG MESS https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/11/takata-airbag-mess-means-7-million-gm-recalls/ The Takata airbag fiasco won’t go away, and it’s not good car news for General Motors, pickup truck and SUVs owners and the bankrupt Japanese company. NOVEMBER 15: MID-ENGINE CORVETTE C8 https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/11/corvette-mid-engine-rocks-auto-world/ The debuts of the 2020 C8 Corvette and its 2021 sibling, both delayed in production by the coronavirus pandemic, feature what Chevy considered for decades — a mid-engine. NOVEMBER 2: SHELBY SUPERCAR GETS NON-RECORD IN RECORD TIME https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/11/shelby-supercar-tuatara-gets-no-record/ The need for speed has resulted in the Shelby Supercar Tuatara crossing a line it hadn’t hoped to cross — in a blur of doubt. And, then the non-record was ratified. SEPTEMBER 24: MICHAEL SCHUMACHER VEGETATIVE https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/09/michael-schumacher-vegetative-recovery-unlikely/ Michael Schumacher, the legendary Formula 1 driver who has been in a coma since a 2013 skiing accident, is in a “vegetative state” and has a minimal possibility of returning. SEPTEMBER 20: FORD ANNOUNCES FIRST EV TRUCK https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/09/ford-announces-next-f-150-plus-first-ev-truck/ With several pickup trucks, including the much-touted all-electric options, competition is increasing. The Ford F-150 still rules, but the manufacturer isn’t resting on its success. SEPTEMBER 6: LA AUTO SHOW POSTPONED https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/09/covid-19-postpones-la-auto-show/ The LA Auto Show is annually held in November, but it’s the first major national showcase for new models of cars, trucks and sometimes campers and motorhomes. The show must go on, but it won’t be as planned because of Covid-19. AUGUST 20: FERRARI SETS SECOND SALES RECORD https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/08/rare-ferrari-sets-2nd-sales-mark-3-08-million/ Is there any more lucrative manufacturer in the vintage car market than Ferrari? Doesn’t it seem like it’s almost always collectors’ top choice? AUGUST 20: AUCTION BACKFIRE HALTS RARE PORSCHE SALE What’s a $53 million error among friends, collectors and vintage Porsche fanciers? FEBRUARY 26: GENESIS UPENDS LEXUS IN JD POWER RATINGS https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/02/genesis-upends-lexus-as-most-dependable-carmaker-says-j-d-power/ J.D. Power named the Genesis, the industry’s most dependable in the renowned analysts’ detailed Dependability Study. The comprehensive study is an overview of owners’ repair history of their three-year-old models. JANUARY 22: SIX MILLION HONDA, TOYOTA MODELS RECALLED https://theweeklydriver. https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=34249 https://theweeklydriver.com/2021/01/car-news-covid-new-corvette-recalls/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=car-news-covid-new-corvette-recalls Fri, 01 Jan 2021 20:44:13 +0000 2479 false full #164, The art of buying and selling used cars #164, The art of buying and selling used cars James Raia and Bruce Aldrich Jim Brooks owns Approved Autos Bakersfield, California. It's a used car business, a constantly changing segment of the automotive landscape. - Brooks worked as a new salesman at a dealership for two years. Jim Brooks owns <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://www.approvedautosca.com/">Approved Autos</a> Bakersfield, California. It's a used car business, a constantly changing segment of the automotive landscape. Brooks worked as a new salesman at a dealership for two years. But he didn't like the sales practices and decided his own business was a better option. Fifteen years later, Brooks has witnessed lots of industry changes, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/usedavatar.jpg"></a>Jim Brooks owns Approved Autos, a used cars business in Bakersfield, California. Brooks is this week's guest on The Weekly Driver Podcast. The used cars sales market has changed Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia talk with Brooks about all aspects of buying and selling used cars, live and online auctions to financing, price negotiations to paperwork. Brooks also discusses some of the unusual vehicles he's bought and sold. We also talk about thr influx of national companies selling new and used vehicles online and without a customer "kicking the tires" of a vehicle before it's purchased. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. The idea of more eyeballs on more content works for us. Support our podcast by shopping on<a href="https://amzn.to/2PCdAr5"> Amazon.com</a>. A graphic display at the bottom of the post links to automotive selections of the online retailer. But there's also a search function for anything available directly from the site. If you shop via this site, we receive a small commission. It helps us continue to produce independent content. The site began in 2004 and includes more than 700 reviews. The podcast is in its third year, and we've had a diverse collection of guests — famous athletes, vintage car collectors, manufacturer CEOs, automotive book authors, industry analysts, a movie stuntman and episodes from auto shows and car auctions. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="mailto:james@jamesraia.com">james@jamesraia.com</a>. All podcast episodes are archived on <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/podcast">theweeklydriver.com/podcast</a> Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform. Several of the more prominent platforms are listed below. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/THE-WEEKLY-DRIVER/dp/B08JJRSD13/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=the+weekly+driver+podcast&qid=1604441974&sr=8-2/">Amazon.com</a> <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://play.google.com/music/m/Iqzatcupnefrzflzyqr5fashc44?t=THE_WEEKLY_DRIVER">Google Play</a> <a href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/256-the-weekly-driver-31096156/">iheartradio</a> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-weekly-driver/id1280593178?mt=2">iTunes</a> <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/14uslDCRvZiMd8WTc7xZkd">Spotify</a> <a href="https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-weekly-driver-podcast">Stitcher</a>   Jim Brooks owns Approved Autos Bakersfield, California. It's a used car business, a constantly changing segment of the automotive landscape. Brooks worked as a new salesman at a dealership for two years. But he didn't like the sales practices and decided his own business was a better option. Fifteen years later, Brooks has witnessed lots of industry changes, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic. Jim Brooks owns Approved Autos, a used cars business in Bakersfield, California. Brooks is this week's guest on The Weekly Driver Podcast. The used cars sales market has changed Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia talk with Brooks about all aspects of buying and selling used cars, live and online auctions to financing, price negotiations to paperwork. Brooks also discusses some of the unusual vehicles he's bought and sold. We also talk about thr influx of national companies selling new and used vehicles online and without a customer "kicking the tires" of a vehicle before it's purchased. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. The idea of more eyeballs on more content works for us. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. A graphic display at the bottom of the post links to automotive selections of the online retailer. But there's also a search function for anything available directly from the site. If you shop via this site, we receive a small commission. It helps us continue to produce independent content. The site began in 2004 and includes more than 700 reviews. The podcast is in its third year, and we've had a diverse collection of guests — famous athletes, vintage car collectors, manufacturer CEOs, automotive book authors, industry analysts, a movie stuntman and episodes from auto shows and car auctions. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform. Several of the more prominent platforms are listed below. Amazon.com Google Play iheartradio iTunes Spotify Stitcher https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=34216 https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/12/164-buyin-and-selling-used-cars/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=164-buyin-and-selling-used-cars Wed, 30 Dec 2020 07:46:49 +0000 2183 false full #163, The Weekly Driver Podcast’s Cars of the Year #163, The Weekly Driver Podcast’s Cars of the Year James Raia and Bruce Aldrich Welcome to the 14th annual Cars of the Year list, selected by TheWeeklyDriver.com. - This year, co-host Bruce Aldrich and I announce the top-10 list on this week's episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. - Welcome to the 14th annual Cars of the Year list, selected by TheWeeklyDriver.com. This year, co-host Bruce Aldrich and I announce the top-10 list on this week's episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/AM1.png"></a>The 2020 Aston Martin Vantage is among the Cars of the Year, announced on Episode #163 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Bruce and I individually picked 10 vehicles from the nearly 40 cars and trucks in 2020 models I reviewed and Bruce drove. Neither of us was surprised. Our choices for cars of the year were nearly identical, including our No. 1 choice, the <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/12/2020-corvette-stingray-car-of-the-year/">2020 Corvette Stingray.</a> Unlike many publications, we wait until the end of the year to announce our selections. A year's perspective is important. Cars of the Year Here are The Weekly Driver Podcast's choices for 2020 (with prices), followed by cars of the year lists dating to 2007. 2020 1. Corvette Stingray $78,265; 2. Aston Martin Vantage $182,000; 3. Genesis G90, $76,695; 4. Ford Bullitt Mustang, $52,000; 5. Hyundai Palisade, $43,115; 6. Jeep Gladiator, $54,145; 7. Kia Telluride,$41,900; 8. Mazda MX5 Miata, $36,005; 9. Volvo XC40 T5, $47,395; 10. Honda Civic, $26,130. 2019 Chevrolet Camaro Z1, Chrysler Pacifica (Hybrid), GMC Sierra, Honda Civic, Hyundai Ioniq (Hybrid), Infiniti QX90, Lexus LS500, Kia K900, Subaru Ascent, Toyota Camry. 2018 Audi A5, Genesis G80, Genesis G90, Honda Accord, Hyundai Ioniq, Infiniti QX60, Lexus GS300, Mazda3, Range Rover Velar, Volkswagen Golf SportWagen. 2017 Bentley Bentayga, Genesis G90, Honda CR-V, Kia Niro, Lincoln MKZ (Hybrid), Mazda3, Volvo S90, Volvo V90 Cross Country, Volkswagen Jetta, Toyota Prius Prime. 2016 Honda Accord (Sport), Honda Civic, Honda Fit, Honda Odyssey, Kia Optima, Lexus IS200t, Lexus RC F, Lincoln MKX, Mazda6, Scion iA, Toyota Avalon (Hybrid), Toyota Sienna. 2015 Buick Lacrosse, Chrysler 200, Ford F150, Ford Mustang, Honda Accord (Hybrid), Honda Civic, Hyundai Genesis, Hyundai Sonata, Kia K-900, Lexus ES350, Subaru Outback, Toyota Camry (Hybrid). 2014 Chevrolet Impala, Chevrolet SS, Ford Focus, Ford Fusion (Hybrid), Honda Accord, Honda Accord (Hybrid), Honda Odyssey, Hyundai Equus, Kia Cadenza, Volkswagen Jetta, TDI. Special Mention: Rolls Royce Wraith. 2013 Acura ILX, Audi Allroad, BMW 750 Li, Ford Fusion, Honda Accord, Honda Odyssey, Hyundai Santa Fe, Infiniti IPL, Mazda3, Volkswagen Beetle. 2012 Acura MDX, Acura TSX, Audi A7, Honda Odyssey, Honda Civic (Natural Gas), Hyundai Sonata, Infiniti G37 IPL, Kia Optima Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Nissan Maxima. 2011 Acura TSX, Buick Regal, Hyundai Elantra, Hyundai Sonata, Kia Optima, Mazda 2, Suzuki Kizashi, Toyota Avalon, Toyota Sienna, Volvo S60. 2010 Audi A5, Chevrolet Camaro, Ford Transit Connect, Honda Crosstour, Infiniti G37, Lexus LS 460, Mini Mayfair (Special Edition), Subaru Forester, Suzuki SX4, Volkswagen Golf. 2009 Acura TSX, Audi A3, BMW 335d, Honda Civic (Hybrid), Honda Fit, Infiniti G37, Lexus GS450h, Lexus IS350, Nissan Versa, Toyota Corolla. 2008 Audi A4, Audi A8 W12, BMW 128i, Cadillac CTS, Honda Accord, Honda Civic (Hybrid), Honda Fit, Kia Amanti, Mini-Cooper Clubman, Nissan Altima. 2007 Cadillac CTS, Honda CR-V, Honda Fit, Honda Ridgeline, Hyundai Elantra, Lincoln MKZ, Mini-Cooper, Saab 9-3, Saturn Aura, Volkswagen EOS. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. Welcome to the 14th annual Cars of the Year list, selected by TheWeeklyDriver.com. This year, co-host Bruce Aldrich and I announce the top-10 list on this week's episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. The 2020 Aston Martin Vantage is among the Cars of the Year, announced on Episode #163 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Bruce and I individually picked 10 vehicles from the nearly 40 cars and trucks in 2020 models I reviewed and Bruce drove. Neither of us was surprised. Our choices for cars of the year were nearly identical, including our No. 1 choice, the 2020 Corvette Stingray. Unlike many publications, we wait until the end of the year to announce our selections. A year's perspective is important. Cars of the Year Here are The Weekly Driver Podcast's choices for 2020 (with prices), followed by cars of the year lists dating to 2007. 2020 1. Corvette Stingray $78,265; 2. Aston Martin Vantage $182,000; 3. Genesis G90, $76,695; 4. Ford Bullitt Mustang, $52,000; 5. Hyundai Palisade, $43,115; 6. Jeep Gladiator, $54,145; 7. Kia Telluride,$41,900; 8. Mazda MX5 Miata, $36,005; 9. Volvo XC40 T5, $47,395; 10. Honda Civic, $26,130. 2019 Chevrolet Camaro Z1, Chrysler Pacifica (Hybrid), GMC Sierra, Honda Civic, Hyundai Ioniq (Hybrid), Infiniti QX90, Lexus LS500, Kia K900, Subaru Ascent, Toyota Camry. 2018 Audi A5, Genesis G80, Genesis G90, Honda Accord, Hyundai Ioniq, Infiniti QX60, Lexus GS300, Mazda3, Range Rover Velar, Volkswagen Golf SportWagen. 2017 Bentley Bentayga, Genesis G90, Honda CR-V, Kia Niro, Lincoln MKZ (Hybrid), Mazda3, Volvo S90, Volvo V90 Cross Country, Volkswagen Jetta, Toyota Prius Prime. 2016 Honda Accord (Sport), Honda Civic, Honda Fit, Honda Odyssey, Kia Optima, Lexus IS200t, Lexus RC F, Lincoln MKX, Mazda6, Scion iA, Toyota Avalon (Hybrid), Toyota Sienna. 2015 Buick Lacrosse, Chrysler 200, Ford F150, Ford Mustang, Honda Accord (Hybrid), Honda Civic, Hyundai Genesis, Hyundai Sonata, Kia K-900, Lexus ES350, Subaru Outback, Toyota Camry (Hybrid). 2014 Chevrolet Impala, Chevrolet SS, Ford Focus, Ford Fusion (Hybrid), Honda Accord, Honda Accord (Hybrid), Honda Odyssey, Hyundai Equus, Kia Cadenza, Volkswagen Jetta, TDI. Special Mention: Rolls Royce Wraith. 2013 Acura ILX, Audi Allroad, BMW 750 Li, Ford Fusion, Honda Accord, Honda Odyssey, Hyundai Santa Fe, Infiniti IPL, Mazda3, Volkswagen Beetle. 2012 Acura MDX, Acura TSX, Audi A7, Honda Odyssey, Honda Civic (Natural Gas), Hyundai Sonata, Infiniti G37 IPL, Kia Optima Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Nissan Maxima. 2011 Acura TSX, Buick Regal, Hyundai Elantra, Hyundai Sonata, Kia Optima, Mazda 2, Suzuki Kizashi, Toyota Avalon, Toyota Sienna, Volvo S60. 2010 Audi A5, Chevrolet Camaro, Ford Transit Connect, Honda Crosstour, Infiniti G37, Lexus LS 460, Mini Mayfair (Special Edition), Subaru Forester, Suzuki SX4, Volkswagen Golf. 2009 Acura TSX, Audi A3, BMW 335d, Honda Civic (Hybrid), Honda Fit, Infiniti G37, Lexus GS450h, Lexus IS350, Nissan Versa, Toyota Corolla. 2008 Audi A4, Audi A8 W12, BMW 128i, Cadillac CTS, Honda Accord, Honda Civic (Hybrid), Honda Fit, Kia Amanti, Mini-Cooper Clubman, Nissan Altima. 2007 Cadillac CTS, Honda CR-V, Honda Fit, Honda Ridgeline, Hyundai Elantra, Lincoln MKZ, Mini-Cooper, Saab 9-3, Saturn Aura, Volkswagen EOS. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. The idea of more eyeballs on more content works for us. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. A graphic display at the bottom of the post links to automotive selections of the online retailer. But there's also a search function for anything available directly from the site. If you shop via this site, we receive a small commission. It helps us continue to produce independent content. The site began in 2004 and includes more than 700 ... https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=34126 https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/12/163-cars-of-the-year/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=163-cars-of-the-year Fri, 18 Dec 2020 02:15:06 +0000 2107 false full #162, Chris Miller’s 3rd stone truck: 1929 Ford Model A #162, Chris Miller’s 3rd stone truck: 1929 Ford Model A James Raia and Bruce Aldrich Chris Miller has been a sculptor for several decades. He makes public art, primarily out of granite, marble and wood. But on Thanksgiving night, he returned home to Vermont from Maryland with swollen hands and tired from another creation of his latest ... Chris Miller has been a sculptor for several decades. He makes public art, primarily out of granite, marble and wood. But on Thanksgiving night, he returned home to Vermont from Maryland with swollen hands and tired from another creation of his latest passion — automotive art, as in a stone truck. Miller, who lives outside of Calais, Vermont, had just completed his third piece. The 125 percent-sized sculpture is located on the property of a business in Lexington Park, Maryland. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/truck1.jpg"></a>Chris Miller's latest stone truck, a 1929 Ford Model A. The business owner is a car and truck collector and semi-truck racer. Miller's stone truck creation is the signature for the combined home and business. It's a 1929 Ford Model A. Co-host Bruce Aldrich and James Raia interview Miller, a returning guest, on this week's episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Stone truck: 30,000 pounds of granite "It has all the curved fenders; it's from my favorite era of trucks," says Miller, who owns <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://www.chrismillerstudio.com">ChrisMillerStudio.com</a>. "It has beautiful lines." Miller still spends most of his time creating traditional sculptor work. He has commissions for several years. Automotive creations are his side work. "The stone trucks are sort of a fun way to get outside," Miller says. "I get out of the studio, do some traveling and work with a crew, that sort of thing." After completing his latest truck, Miller arrived home at 9 p.m. His right hand was swollen from swinging a four-pound hammer day for several weeks. His left hand was covering from wounds from the repeated wallops of the hammering of chisels. His body was sore and he couldn't use his hands for four days. His girlfriend has a turkey dinner waiting. "There are no plans; I make it up as I go," says Miller, reflecting particularly on the completion of his current piece. "You measure a vehicle, you draw it all out, you think out all of the different parts you'll need. But it's all quite a puzzle, a challenge and a lot of fun." Miller is primarily self-taught, although he studied art in college. He also studied anatomy and sculpture with the late Lothar Werslin of Sandgate Vt. He also studied drawing and anatomy under Billy Brauer of Warren Vt. He’s collaborated with several stone sculptors in nearby Barre Vt. Completion of the 1929 Ford Model A was a three-person project, Miller and a two-person crew. It took 700 hours, the craftsmen working nine-hour days. About 30,000 pounds of granite were used. "I don't know how much longer I am going to be able to swing a four-pound hammer every day," says Miller. "But I think I have a decade more in me. But I will slow down as I go." But it won't be soon. Miller's next stone vehicle project will be a 1952 Ford Truck and pending are a 2007 Peterbilt dump truck and at least one more creation. We also interviewed Miller last May on Episode #134: <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/05/134-vermont-artist-chris-millers-stone-truck/">Vermont Artist Chris Miller's Stone Truck</a> The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. The idea of more eyeballs on more content works for us. Support our podcast by shopping on<a href="https://amzn.to/2PCdAr5"> Amazon.com</a>. A graphic display at the bottom of the post links to automotive selections of the online retailer. But there's also a search function for anything available directly from the site. Chris Miller has been a sculptor for several decades. He makes public art, primarily out of granite, marble and wood. But on Thanksgiving night, he returned home to Vermont from Maryland with swollen hands and tired from another creation of his latest passion — automotive art, as in a stone truck. Miller, who lives outside of Calais, Vermont, had just completed his third piece. The 125 percent-sized sculpture is located on the property of a business in Lexington Park, Maryland. Chris Miller's latest stone truck, a 1929 Ford Model A. The business owner is a car and truck collector and semi-truck racer. Miller's stone truck creation is the signature for the combined home and business. It's a 1929 Ford Model A. Co-host Bruce Aldrich and James Raia interview Miller, a returning guest, on this week's episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Stone truck: 30,000 pounds of granite "It has all the curved fenders; it's from my favorite era of trucks," says Miller, who owns ChrisMillerStudio.com. "It has beautiful lines." Miller still spends most of his time creating traditional sculptor work. He has commissions for several years. Automotive creations are his side work. "The stone trucks are sort of a fun way to get outside," Miller says. "I get out of the studio, do some traveling and work with a crew, that sort of thing." After completing his latest truck, Miller arrived home at 9 p.m. His right hand was swollen from swinging a four-pound hammer day for several weeks. His left hand was covering from wounds from the repeated wallops of the hammering of chisels. His body was sore and he couldn't use his hands for four days. His girlfriend has a turkey dinner waiting. "There are no plans; I make it up as I go," says Miller, reflecting particularly on the completion of his current piece. "You measure a vehicle, you draw it all out, you think out all of the different parts you'll need. But it's all quite a puzzle, a challenge and a lot of fun." Miller is primarily self-taught, although he studied art in college. He also studied anatomy and sculpture with the late Lothar Werslin of Sandgate Vt. He also studied drawing and anatomy under Billy Brauer of Warren Vt. He’s collaborated with several stone sculptors in nearby Barre Vt. Completion of the 1929 Ford Model A was a three-person project, Miller and a two-person crew. It took 700 hours, the craftsmen working nine-hour days. About 30,000 pounds of granite were used. "I don't know how much longer I am going to be able to swing a four-pound hammer every day," says Miller. "But I think I have a decade more in me. But I will slow down as I go." But it won't be soon. Miller's next stone vehicle project will be a 1952 Ford Truck and pending are a 2007 Peterbilt dump truck and at least one more creation. We also interviewed Miller last May on Episode #134: Vermont Artist Chris Miller's Stone Truck The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. The idea of more eyeballs on more content works for us. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. A graphic display at the bottom of the post links to automotive selections of the online retailer. But there's also a search function for anything available directly from the site. If you shop via this site, we receive a small commission. It helps us continue to produce independent content. The site began in 2004 and includes more than 700 reviews. The podcast is in its third year, and we've had a diverse collection of guests — famous athletes, vintage car collectors, manufacturer CEOs, automotive book authors, industry analysts, a movie stuntman and episodes from auto shows and car auctions. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=34083 https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/12/chris-millers-3rd-stone-truck-1929-ford-model-a/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=chris-millers-3rd-stone-truck-1929-ford-model-a Mon, 14 Dec 2020 21:43:08 +0000 2085 false full #161, Clasiq.com, a start-up buying, selling classic cars #161, Clasiq.com, a start-up buying, selling classic cars James Raia and Bruce Aldrich New car sales are hurting during the COVID-19 pandemic. Used cars, car subscriptions, leasing, etc., are increasingly popular. Clasiq.com hopes for its share of the marketplace as an online start-up. - As its name implies, Clasiq. New car sales are hurting during the COVID-19 pandemic. Used cars, car subscriptions, leasing, etc., are increasingly popular. Clasiq.com hopes for its share of the marketplace as an online start-up. As its name implies, Clasiq.com sells classic cars. It streamlines the process of buying and selling a classic vehicle. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/clasiq.jpg"></a>Classic car start-up Clasiq.com specializes in buying and selling classic cars. Image © Jeremy Birenbaum. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia talk with Jeremy Birenbaum, Clasiq’s Creative Director, on this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Birenbaum says Clasiq.com defines a classic vehicle as dating from 1994 and older. As the car-buying and car-selling landscapes evolve during the pandemic, Birenbaum discusses the procedures of buying and selling from the company, including inspection, payments, pick-up and delivery. Clasiq.com Specializes In Classic Cars According to the company, Clasiq.com provides "peace of mind" to first-time buyers and veteran car buyers and sellers. "I developed the site when my casual social media posts on cool classic cars become the largest and fastest-growing online community of classic car lovers, and I realized through their comments that there simply wasn't a place for them to reliably trade," explained David Zysblat, CEO and Founder of Clasiq. "To make a solid business out of it, we at Clasiq promise to independently verify the condition and accurately price every car we list, and only put up for sale what we would happily buy ourselves." Clasiq.com does not charge a selling fee. The company arranges and obtains a professional car inspection and produces high-quality photos and videos at no cost to the seller, all in the name of presenting a transparent and trustworthy shopping experience to interested buyers. Clasiq.com offers an online auction platform and provides a secure escrow service through which a seller can be sure that the buyer has paid for the car before signing over the pink slip of ownership. The buyer and seller never have to have any contact at all through this COVID-friendly shopping experience. Xavier Martinez, who is selling his head-turning, red 1971 Fiat Spider, is using Clasiq because of the sense of security he feels with the process. "I've sold five classic cars in the past and had no idea what someone's intentions were when they expressed interest. Now, using Clasiq, I don't feel like I'm on my own. The hassle and worry are gone because the buyers are screened by Clasiq and I know that they are serious." The Clasiq.com website also has a free classic car valuation tool and hosts fun videos about interesting cars and their owners, classic car ownership guides and news from the car collecting world. Clasiq began 2016 as a social media presence focused on interesting classic cars. Nearing 900,000 in its audience, the business side of the brand launched in November 2020. Join us for another compelling episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. The idea of more eyeballs on more content works for us. Support our podcast by shopping on<a href="https://amzn.to/2PCdAr5"> Amazon.com</a>. A graphic display at the bottom of the post links to automotive selections of the online retailer. But there's also a search function for anything available directly from the site. If you shop via this site, we receive a small commission. It helps us continue to produce independent content. New car sales are hurting during the COVID-19 pandemic. Used cars, car subscriptions, leasing, etc., are increasingly popular. Clasiq.com hopes for its share of the marketplace as an online start-up. As its name implies, Clasiq.com sells classic cars. It streamlines the process of buying and selling a classic vehicle. Classic car start-up Clasiq.com specializes in buying and selling classic cars. Image © Jeremy Birenbaum. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia talk with Jeremy Birenbaum, Clasiq’s Creative Director, on this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Birenbaum says Clasiq.com defines a classic vehicle as dating from 1994 and older. As the car-buying and car-selling landscapes evolve during the pandemic, Birenbaum discusses the procedures of buying and selling from the company, including inspection, payments, pick-up and delivery. Clasiq.com Specializes In Classic Cars According to the company, Clasiq.com provides "peace of mind" to first-time buyers and veteran car buyers and sellers. "I developed the site when my casual social media posts on cool classic cars become the largest and fastest-growing online community of classic car lovers, and I realized through their comments that there simply wasn't a place for them to reliably trade," explained David Zysblat, CEO and Founder of Clasiq. "To make a solid business out of it, we at Clasiq promise to independently verify the condition and accurately price every car we list, and only put up for sale what we would happily buy ourselves." Clasiq.com does not charge a selling fee. The company arranges and obtains a professional car inspection and produces high-quality photos and videos at no cost to the seller, all in the name of presenting a transparent and trustworthy shopping experience to interested buyers. Clasiq.com offers an online auction platform and provides a secure escrow service through which a seller can be sure that the buyer has paid for the car before signing over the pink slip of ownership. The buyer and seller never have to have any contact at all through this COVID-friendly shopping experience. Xavier Martinez, who is selling his head-turning, red 1971 Fiat Spider, is using Clasiq because of the sense of security he feels with the process. "I've sold five classic cars in the past and had no idea what someone's intentions were when they expressed interest. Now, using Clasiq, I don't feel like I'm on my own. The hassle and worry are gone because the buyers are screened by Clasiq and I know that they are serious." The Clasiq.com website also has a free classic car valuation tool and hosts fun videos about interesting cars and their owners, classic car ownership guides and news from the car collecting world. Clasiq began 2016 as a social media presence focused on interesting classic cars. Nearing 900,000 in its audience, the business side of the brand launched in November 2020. Join us for another compelling episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. The idea of more eyeballs on more content works for us. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. A graphic display at the bottom of the post links to automotive selections of the online retailer. But there's also a search function for anything available directly from the site. If you shop via this site, we receive a small commission. It helps us continue to produce independent content. The site began in 2004 and includes more than 700 reviews. The podcast is in its third year, and we've had a diverse collection of guests — famous athletes, vintage car collectors, manufacturer CEOs, automotive book authors, industry analysts, a movie stuntman and episodes from auto shows and car auctions. https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=34003 https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/12/clasiq-com-buying-selling-classics/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=clasiq-com-buying-selling-classics Sat, 05 Dec 2020 00:52:07 +0000 1611 false full #160, Automotive books sure bets as holiday gifts #160, Automotive books sure bets as holiday gifts James Raia and Bruce Aldrich Easy. Appreciated. Two words and a holiday gift issue solved. Buy automotive books for the enthusiasts on your holiday shopping list. - Bruce Aldrich and I discuss a half-dozen automotive books on episode #160 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. - Easy. Appreciated. Two words and a holiday gift issue solved. Buy automotive books for the enthusiasts on your holiday shopping list. Bruce Aldrich and I discuss a half-dozen automotive books on episode #160 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/vette.jpg"></a>Automotive books make good holiday gifts for the car enthusiasts on your holiday shopping lists. We've had everal authors on the podcast in the past three years. All share a passion for the automotive industry — Chevrolet to Volkswagen, Jeep to the massive Takata airbag catastrophe. Here's a synopsis of three of the books we discuss: * Russell Hayes, like all automotive industry book authors, is passionate about his subject matter. Hayes’ interests cover several iconic carmakers, including his latest effort celebrating the 75th and 70th anniversaries of the Volkswagen Beetle and Bus. Automotive Books: VW to Jeep to Chevrolet For enthusiasts as interested in vehicles as the author, Hayes' coffee-table sized volume is Volkswagen Beetles and Buses: Smaller and Smarter (Quarto Publishing Group, $40). <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/jeep.jpg"></a>Automotive books are a good choice for the car and truck enthusiasts on your holiday shopping list. As Hayes explains, no carmaker’s history is as unique as Volkswagen — its association with the Nazi movement to the Hippie generation. * Patrick Foster knows as much as anyone about automaker Jeep. With more than 30 years in the automotive industry, Foster is a prolific journalist, particularly when writing about the long history of utilitarian, four-wheel-drive vehicles. Foster’s latest book is Jeep: Eight Decades From Willys to Wrangler (Motorbooks $32.99.) Accompanied by more than 200 photographs, the 192-page paperback is described as “the definitive book on the greatest four-wheel-drive vehicle ever.” Foster details his vast knowledge of Jeep, and he gives an insightful account of the stories behind its design and production. The automaker’s well-known World War II presence to current models are all covered. * Mick Mueller has written and another authoritative book on the history of the Corvette. The Complete Book of Corvette, a coffee table-sized volume detailing the first seven generations of “America’s Sports Car” (Quarto Publishing Group, $55), continues Mike Mueller's prolific writing career. Showcasing more than 60 years of Corvette history, the book was published in cooperation with General Motors. It's illustrated with 500 color and black-and-white photos from GM’s exclusive Design and Media Archives. Development, tech specs and visual prowess of the Corvette lineup are all covered in Mueller's second book on the iconic sports car. Bruce and I also discuss several other books, from a fascinating look at a junkyard of cars in Los Angeles to an expert who details the tragedy of the airbag crisis. <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast">The Weekly Driver Podcast</a> encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. The idea of more eyeballs on more content works for us. Support our podcast by shopping on<a href="https://amzn.to/2PCdAr5"> Amazon.com</a>. A graphic display at the bottom of the post links to automotive selections of the online retailer. But there's also a search function for anything available directly from the site. If you shop via this site, we receive a small commission. It helps us continue to produce independent content. Easy. Appreciated. Two words and a holiday gift issue solved. Buy automotive books for the enthusiasts on your holiday shopping list. Bruce Aldrich and I discuss a half-dozen automotive books on episode #160 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Automotive books make good holiday gifts for the car enthusiasts on your holiday shopping lists. We've had everal authors on the podcast in the past three years. All share a passion for the automotive industry — Chevrolet to Volkswagen, Jeep to the massive Takata airbag catastrophe. Here's a synopsis of three of the books we discuss: * Russell Hayes, like all automotive industry book authors, is passionate about his subject matter. Hayes’ interests cover several iconic carmakers, including his latest effort celebrating the 75th and 70th anniversaries of the Volkswagen Beetle and Bus. Automotive Books: VW to Jeep to Chevrolet For enthusiasts as interested in vehicles as the author, Hayes' coffee-table sized volume is Volkswagen Beetles and Buses: Smaller and Smarter (Quarto Publishing Group, $40). Automotive books are a good choice for the car and truck enthusiasts on your holiday shopping list. As Hayes explains, no carmaker’s history is as unique as Volkswagen — its association with the Nazi movement to the Hippie generation. * Patrick Foster knows as much as anyone about automaker Jeep. With more than 30 years in the automotive industry, Foster is a prolific journalist, particularly when writing about the long history of utilitarian, four-wheel-drive vehicles. Foster’s latest book is Jeep: Eight Decades From Willys to Wrangler (Motorbooks $32.99.) Accompanied by more than 200 photographs, the 192-page paperback is described as “the definitive book on the greatest four-wheel-drive vehicle ever.” Foster details his vast knowledge of Jeep, and he gives an insightful account of the stories behind its design and production. The automaker’s well-known World War II presence to current models are all covered. * Mick Mueller has written and another authoritative book on the history of the Corvette. The Complete Book of Corvette, a coffee table-sized volume detailing the first seven generations of “America’s Sports Car” (Quarto Publishing Group, $55), continues Mike Mueller's prolific writing career. Showcasing more than 60 years of Corvette history, the book was published in cooperation with General Motors. It's illustrated with 500 color and black-and-white photos from GM’s exclusive Design and Media Archives. Development, tech specs and visual prowess of the Corvette lineup are all covered in Mueller's second book on the iconic sports car. Bruce and I also discuss several other books, from a fascinating look at a junkyard of cars in Los Angeles to an expert who details the tragedy of the airbag crisis. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. The idea of more eyeballs on more content works for us. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. A graphic display at the bottom of the post links to automotive selections of the online retailer. But there's also a search function for anything available directly from the site. If you shop via this site, we receive a small commission. It helps us continue to produce independent content. The site began in 2004 and includes more than 700 reviews. The podcast is in its third year, and we've had a diverse collection of guests — famous athletes, vintage car collectors, manufacturer CEOs, automotive book authors, industry analysts, a movie stuntman and episodes from auto shows and car auctions. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podca... https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=33937 https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/12/auto-books-sure-bets-as-holiday-gifts/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=auto-books-sure-bets-as-holiday-gifts Wed, 02 Dec 2020 07:20:16 +0000 1449 false full #159, San Jose cannabis dispensary delivers in Teslas #159, San Jose cannabis dispensary delivers in Teslas James Raia and Bruce Aldrich Chris Lane is the chief marketing officer of Airfield Supply Co., a cannabis dispensary in San Jose, California. Its name is derived from the company's proximity to the San Jose International Airport. Its motto is "High Is A Place." - Chris Lane is the chief marketing officer of Airfield Supply Co., a cannabis dispensary in San Jose, California. Its name is derived from the company's proximity to the San Jose International Airport. Its motto is "High Is A Place." The company is thriving in the Silicon Valley, where marijuana delivery is a competitive segment of the business community. Airfield Supply also recently determined it can more efficiently deliver its product. It added six Tesla Model 3s to its delivery fleet. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Front_Lobby.jpg"></a>Airfield Supply Co. in San Jose, California, has six Teslas in its cannabis delivery fleet. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia talk with Lane about the cannabis industry in the Silicon Valley and the Airfield's decision to utilize the electric sports car in its business. With sales increasing during the COVID-19 pandemic, <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://www.airfieldsupplyco.com">Airfield’s delivery capabilities</a> are a new benchmark across the industry, the company notes. Cannabis Delivery In Style — Tesla According to industry reports, Silicon Valley has had a 400 percent increase in marijuana deliveries since the pandemic began. "The Tesla fleet is an investment that will in time pay for itself and considering that with future updates pushed directly to the vehicle, the Model 3 will only become more sustainable over time," said company CEO Marc Matulich. "This is really central to who we are.” Lane, who discussed regulations of cannabis delivery vehicles, noted the efficiency of the Teslas in the company fleet. Airfield says it saves about $10,000 per Tesla annually or $60,000 per year compared to gasoline vehicles. “We’ve expanded our delivery program, reduced prices and minimum ordering costs in order to be a better neighbor to our customers and to make it just that much more affordable and convenient for everyone,” Matulich said. The six Teslas are outfitted with GPS devices for San Jose police to track them, as required by the city’s regulations, in addition to lockable containers and front and rear dash security cameras. "Using smartphones, customers can now pre-pay for pickup and delivery of cannabis purchases, allowing for 100 percent secure, one-click transaction processes that decrease wait times as well as the spread of germs," said Matulich. Lane also discusses customers' reactions to their orders being delivered in Teslas. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. The idea of more eyeballs on more content works for us. Support our podcast by shopping on<a href="https://amzn.to/2PCdAr5"> Amazon.com</a>. A graphic display at the bottom of the post links to automotive selections of the online retailer. But there's also a search function for anything available directly from the site. If you shop via this site, we receive a small commission. It helps us continue to produce independent content. The site began in 2004 and includes more than 700 reviews. The podcast is in its third year, and we've had a diverse collection of guests — famous athletes, vintage car collectors, manufacturer CEOs, automotive book authors, industry analysts, a movie stuntman and episodes from auto shows and car auctions. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="mailto:james@jamesraia.com">james@jamesraia.com</a>. All podcast episodes are archived on <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/podcast">theweeklydriver.com/podcast</a> Chris Lane is the chief marketing officer of Airfield Supply Co., a cannabis dispensary in San Jose, California. Its name is derived from the company's proximity to the San Jose International Airport. Its motto is "High Is A Place." The company is thriving in the Silicon Valley, where marijuana delivery is a competitive segment of the business community. Airfield Supply also recently determined it can more efficiently deliver its product. It added six Tesla Model 3s to its delivery fleet. Airfield Supply Co. in San Jose, California, has six Teslas in its cannabis delivery fleet. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia talk with Lane about the cannabis industry in the Silicon Valley and the Airfield's decision to utilize the electric sports car in its business. With sales increasing during the COVID-19 pandemic, Airfield’s delivery capabilities are a new benchmark across the industry, the company notes. Cannabis Delivery In Style — Tesla According to industry reports, Silicon Valley has had a 400 percent increase in marijuana deliveries since the pandemic began. "The Tesla fleet is an investment that will in time pay for itself and considering that with future updates pushed directly to the vehicle, the Model 3 will only become more sustainable over time," said company CEO Marc Matulich. "This is really central to who we are.” Lane, who discussed regulations of cannabis delivery vehicles, noted the efficiency of the Teslas in the company fleet. Airfield says it saves about $10,000 per Tesla annually or $60,000 per year compared to gasoline vehicles. “We’ve expanded our delivery program, reduced prices and minimum ordering costs in order to be a better neighbor to our customers and to make it just that much more affordable and convenient for everyone,” Matulich said. The six Teslas are outfitted with GPS devices for San Jose police to track them, as required by the city’s regulations, in addition to lockable containers and front and rear dash security cameras. "Using smartphones, customers can now pre-pay for pickup and delivery of cannabis purchases, allowing for 100 percent secure, one-click transaction processes that decrease wait times as well as the spread of germs," said Matulich. Lane also discusses customers' reactions to their orders being delivered in Teslas. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. The idea of more eyeballs on more content works for us. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. A graphic display at the bottom of the post links to automotive selections of the online retailer. But there's also a search function for anything available directly from the site. If you shop via this site, we receive a small commission. It helps us continue to produce independent content. The site began in 2004 and includes more than 700 reviews. The podcast is in its third year, and we've had a diverse collection of guests — famous athletes, vintage car collectors, manufacturer CEOs, automotive book authors, industry analysts, a movie stuntman and episodes from auto shows and car auctions. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform. Several of the more prominent platforms are listed below. Amazon.com Google Play iheartradio iTunes Spotify Stitcher https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=33821 https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/11/san-jose-cannabis-dispensary-delivers-in-teslas/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=san-jose-cannabis-dispensary-delivers-in-teslas Mon, 30 Nov 2020 06:28:25 +0000 2023 false full #158, Electric car subscription: savvy one-stop shopping #158, Electric car subscription: savvy one-stop shopping James Raia and Bruce Aldrich Convenience, flexibility, and value are key attractions to car subscription company services offered by T4L, Inc., and several other regional and national companies. - The concept is the latest trend in the automobile industry. Convenience, flexibility, and value are key attractions to car subscription company services offered by T4L, Inc., and several other regional and national companies. The concept is the latest trend in the automobile industry. It caters to drivers who don't have the time or desire for the details of buying a vehicle but need transportation. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/cars.jpg"></a>Car subscription services are ideal for drivers who wish to avoid the paperwork and permanency of owning a vehicle. Allen Witters, the CEO of T4L, headquartered in Naples, Fla., is our guest on this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with Witters the new industry and the ideas behind the need for some to consider a car subscription. T4L membership prices range from about $600 to $2,270 per month for cars in the company's electric vehicle-only fleet. The fee is inclusive: insurance, taxes and registration to vehicle swap. Car Subscripti0n: All-In-On Transaction Full maintenance — tires, brakes, batteries, wiper blades, vehicle refresh and software updates, charging, roadside service support — are also provided as is priority concierge services. Prospective T4L car subscription members can build and request a vehicle. Once a vehicle has been configured and requested, a T4L concierge contacts every enrollee and provides membership, subscription, vehicle selection, deposit and delivery expectations. Vehicle delivery is expected within 90 days and all cars arrive fully charged and with a T4L new membership kit and a membership app. "As auto customers continue to explore the growing mobility market, service-related offerings are becoming more in demand," said Witters. "Our members will enjoy easier vehicle access, a better overall dollar value, a hassle-free transportation experience, and best-in-class customer service." The car subscription model has also been introduced in other regions of the country, some catering to higher-end vehicles, others to the expanding EV industry. Subscription car service companies are hoping for increased market shares, with consumers considering depreciation, dealer fees, interest rates, maintenance and other monetary and convenience factors. Auto subscriptions are not only all-inclusive, consumers using vehicles only when they need them is an environmentally savvy concept people embrace. "We believe this is priceless to someone who is passionate about electric vehicles," said Witters. "The trend is the result of consumers uncertain about a new purchase in uncertain times.” For more information, visit <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://t4l.me">https://t4l.me</a>. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. The idea of more eyeballs on more content works for us. Support our podcast by shopping on<a href="https://amzn.to/2PCdAr5"> Amazon.com</a>. A graphic display at the bottom of the post links to automotive selections of the online retailer. But there's also a search function for anything available directly from the site. If you shop via this site, we receive a small commission. It helps us continue to produce independent content. The site began in 2004 and includes more than 700 reviews. The podcast is in its third year, and we've had a diverse collection of guests — famous athletes, vintage car collectors, manufacturer CEOs, automotive book authors, industry analysts, a movie stuntman and episodes from auto shows and car auctions. Convenience, flexibility, and value are key attractions to car subscription company services offered by T4L, Inc., and several other regional and national companies. The concept is the latest trend in the automobile industry. It caters to drivers who don't have the time or desire for the details of buying a vehicle but need transportation. Car subscription services are ideal for drivers who wish to avoid the paperwork and permanency of owning a vehicle. Allen Witters, the CEO of T4L, headquartered in Naples, Fla., is our guest on this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with Witters the new industry and the ideas behind the need for some to consider a car subscription. T4L membership prices range from about $600 to $2,270 per month for cars in the company's electric vehicle-only fleet. The fee is inclusive: insurance, taxes and registration to vehicle swap. Car Subscripti0n: All-In-On Transaction Full maintenance — tires, brakes, batteries, wiper blades, vehicle refresh and software updates, charging, roadside service support — are also provided as is priority concierge services. Prospective T4L car subscription members can build and request a vehicle. Once a vehicle has been configured and requested, a T4L concierge contacts every enrollee and provides membership, subscription, vehicle selection, deposit and delivery expectations. Vehicle delivery is expected within 90 days and all cars arrive fully charged and with a T4L new membership kit and a membership app. "As auto customers continue to explore the growing mobility market, service-related offerings are becoming more in demand," said Witters. "Our members will enjoy easier vehicle access, a better overall dollar value, a hassle-free transportation experience, and best-in-class customer service." The car subscription model has also been introduced in other regions of the country, some catering to higher-end vehicles, others to the expanding EV industry. Subscription car service companies are hoping for increased market shares, with consumers considering depreciation, dealer fees, interest rates, maintenance and other monetary and convenience factors. Auto subscriptions are not only all-inclusive, consumers using vehicles only when they need them is an environmentally savvy concept people embrace. "We believe this is priceless to someone who is passionate about electric vehicles," said Witters. "The trend is the result of consumers uncertain about a new purchase in uncertain times.” For more information, visit https://t4l.me. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. The idea of more eyeballs on more content works for us. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. A graphic display at the bottom of the post links to automotive selections of the online retailer. But there's also a search function for anything available directly from the site. If you shop via this site, we receive a small commission. It helps us continue to produce independent content. The site began in 2004 and includes more than 700 reviews. The podcast is in its third year, and we've had a diverse collection of guests — famous athletes, vintage car collectors, manufacturer CEOs, automotive book authors, industry analysts, a movie stuntman and episodes from auto shows and car auctions. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform. Several of the more prominent platforms are listed below. Amazon.com Google Play iheartradio iTunes Spotify Stitcher RELATED CONTENT #122, https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=33705 https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/11/158-electric-car-subscriptions-one-stop-shopping/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=158-electric-car-subscriptions-one-stop-shopping Mon, 23 Nov 2020 01:08:35 +0000 1532 false full #157, 50 years of driving: Co-hosts talk good, bad, ugly #157, 50 years of driving: Co-hosts talk good, bad, ugly James Raia and Bruce Aldrich Turning age 66 doesn't have the same milestone traditions as ages 40, 50 and 65. But there are connections to the automotive world for me with double six on the horizon, including 50 years of driving. - Driving the iconic Route 66 is a bucket list ite... Turning age 66 doesn't have the same milestone traditions as ages 40, 50 and 65. But there are connections to the automotive world for me with double six on the horizon, including 50 years of driving. Driving the iconic Route 66 is a bucket list item for many travelers. I'd like to do that at age 66. And for those who acquired their first driver's license at age 16, a half-century of driving has likely provided plenty of opportunities for reflection. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/brucebug2.jpg"></a>50 Years of Driving: The Weekly Driver Podcast co-host Bruce Aldrich and his father share a moment in the family's 1959 Volkswagen Bug. During the past half-century, the automotive industry has advanced with the acceleration of a Tesla. So my friend and co-host Bruce Aldrich and I decided the time was right. We discuss our respective pending 50 years of driving on Episode #157 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://theweeklydriver.com/2018/12/commentary-elon-musk-unhinged-on-60-minutes/">Elon Musk</a>, the creator and eccentric owner of Tesla, has changed the automotive world with a quantum leap into the future of electric vehicles. How has the supercar changed the industry and its relationship with our world and its failing environment? Automotive technology has made cars safer with GPS navigation systems, back-up cameras and various driving warnings. But has technology overloaded? Autonomous driving and flying cars aren't too far in the future. Is it all good or a disaster waiting to happen? A lot more has also occurred. Consider: anti-lock braking systems (ABS), power steering, automated driving, navigation systems, infotainment centers were all developed in the past 50 years. Manual transmissions, once prominent, are larger gone. Taxis have given way to Uber and Lyft. Alternative fuels haven't yet grabbed the public. But gas-electric, plug-in hybrid and hydrogen cars and trucks are at least in the public consciousness. Will the technology ever sway the public-at-large? <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/jamesacura.jpg"></a>50 Years of Driving: The Weekly Driver Podcast co-host James Raia in front of a 2011 Acura TSX wagon during the 2011 USA Pro Challenge pro bicycle race in Colorado. Fifty years of driving changes skill levels. Drivers develop habits — good and bad. Eventually, good abilities begin to slip. The latter is discouraging. Bruce and I and surely many others agree: Our reaction times are slower. Peripheral vision isn't as good as it once was. Night driving is increasingly difficult. 50 Years Of Driving: Tickets To Family History Bruce and I also discuss 50 years of driving in other areas — tickets to accidents, family history to unusual circumstances. It makes for a lively episode. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on<a href="https://amzn.to/2PCdAr5"> Amazon.com</a>. A graphic display at the bottom of the post links to automotive selections of the online retailer. But there's also a search function for anything available directly from the site. If you shop via this site, we receive a small commission. It helps us continue to produce independent content. The site began in 2004 and includes more than 700 reviews. The podcast is in its third year, and we've had a diverse collection of guests — famous athletes, vintage car collectors, manufacturer CEOs, automotive book authors, industry analysts, a movie stuntman and episodes from auto shows and car auctions. Turning age 66 doesn't have the same milestone traditions as ages 40, 50 and 65. But there are connections to the automotive world for me with double six on the horizon, including 50 years of driving. Driving the iconic Route 66 is a bucket list item for many travelers. I'd like to do that at age 66. And for those who acquired their first driver's license at age 16, a half-century of driving has likely provided plenty of opportunities for reflection. 50 Years of Driving: The Weekly Driver Podcast co-host Bruce Aldrich and his father share a moment in the family's 1959 Volkswagen Bug. During the past half-century, the automotive industry has advanced with the acceleration of a Tesla. So my friend and co-host Bruce Aldrich and I decided the time was right. We discuss our respective pending 50 years of driving on Episode #157 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Elon Musk, the creator and eccentric owner of Tesla, has changed the automotive world with a quantum leap into the future of electric vehicles. How has the supercar changed the industry and its relationship with our world and its failing environment? Automotive technology has made cars safer with GPS navigation systems, back-up cameras and various driving warnings. But has technology overloaded? Autonomous driving and flying cars aren't too far in the future. Is it all good or a disaster waiting to happen? A lot more has also occurred. Consider: anti-lock braking systems (ABS), power steering, automated driving, navigation systems, infotainment centers were all developed in the past 50 years. Manual transmissions, once prominent, are larger gone. Taxis have given way to Uber and Lyft. Alternative fuels haven't yet grabbed the public. But gas-electric, plug-in hybrid and hydrogen cars and trucks are at least in the public consciousness. Will the technology ever sway the public-at-large? 50 Years of Driving: The Weekly Driver Podcast co-host James Raia in front of a 2011 Acura TSX wagon during the 2011 USA Pro Challenge pro bicycle race in Colorado. Fifty years of driving changes skill levels. Drivers develop habits — good and bad. Eventually, good abilities begin to slip. The latter is discouraging. Bruce and I and surely many others agree: Our reaction times are slower. Peripheral vision isn't as good as it once was. Night driving is increasingly difficult. 50 Years Of Driving: Tickets To Family History Bruce and I also discuss 50 years of driving in other areas — tickets to accidents, family history to unusual circumstances. It makes for a lively episode. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. A graphic display at the bottom of the post links to automotive selections of the online retailer. But there's also a search function for anything available directly from the site. If you shop via this site, we receive a small commission. It helps us continue to produce independent content. The site began in 2004 and includes more than 700 reviews. The podcast is in its third year, and we've had a diverse collection of guests — famous athletes, vintage car collectors, manufacturer CEOs, automotive book authors, industry analysts, a movie stuntman and episodes from auto shows and car auctions. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform. Several of the more prominent platforms are listed below. Amazon.com Google Play iheartradio iTunes Spotify Stitcher RELATED CONTENT #122, Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich, James Raia talk car stuff #7, Bruce Aldrich and his 1959 VW Bug #127, Hey, hey, https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=33653 https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/11/157-50-years-of-driving-co-hosts-talk-good-bad-ugly/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=157-50-years-of-driving-co-hosts-talk-good-bad-ugly Fri, 20 Nov 2020 05:35:32 +0000 2392 false full #156, Automobile writer Aaron Gold talks cars #156, Automobile writer Aaron Gold talks cars James Raia and Bruce Aldrich Aaron Gold is a veteran automobile writer who has contributed to many print and online publications. He's as enthusiastic about his work as anyone in the industry, and it shows in his articles and in conversation. - A staff writer for Automobile, Aaron Gold is a veteran automobile writer who has contributed to many print and online publications. He's as enthusiastic about his work as anyone in the industry, and it shows in his articles and in conversation. A staff writer for Automobile, Gold is our guest on this week's episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss the automotive industry with the journalist, with a particular interest in several of his recent articles. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/bricklin.jpg"></a>Automobile writer Aaron Gold discusses the Bricklin and many other Canadian cars on this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Canada isn't an automotive powerhouse, but Gold recently wrote: <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://www.automobilemag.com/news/canadian-cars-and-car-companies/">"Who Knew Canadian Cars Were a Thing? Well, They Are."</a> The article detailed Bricklin Motors to Conquest Vehicles, Felino to Magnum, Electra Meccanica to McLaughlin and several unique offerings. We hadn't heard of several of the vehicles, which made Gold's article all the more interesting. Aaron Gold: Automobile Writer Has Fun Gold recently wrote: <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://www.automobilemag.com/news/forgotten-cars-of-the-1970s-worth-remembering/">"Far Out and Funky Forgotten Cars of the 1970s Worth Remembering"</a> and <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://www.automobilemag.com/news/2021-rolls-royce-ghost-first-test-drive/">"The All-New 2021 Rolls-Royce Ghost Releases You From Sorrow."</a> Automobile was founded in 1986 with the working motto: "No Boring Cars." The publication ceased its print edition in early 2020, but the online edition remains true to the publication's mission. Among other recent articles, Gold's has written: <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://www.automobilemag.com/news/chevrolet-monte-carlo-cool-dads-car/">"How I Met Your Mother: Chevrolet’s Bad-Ass Monte Carlo"</a> and <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://www.automobilemag.com/news/1949-volkswagen-beetle-los-angeles-architecture-tour/">"Bugging Out: We Take a 1949 VW Beetle on a Fascinating 1949 Architectural Tour."</a> And we couldn't help ourselves. We thoroughly enjoyed talking about another article: "<a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://www.automobilemag.com/news/forgotten-cars-of-the-1970s-worth-remembering/">Far Out and Funky: 12 Forgotten Cars of the 1970s That Are Worth Remembering."</a> Cars are serious business. But please join us for a light-hearted podcast episode with journalist Aaron Gold. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on<a href="https://amzn.to/2PCdAr5"> Amazon.com</a>. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/podcast">theweeklydriver.com/podcast</a> Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/THE-WEEKLY-DRIVER/dp/B08JJRSD13/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=the+weekly+driver+podcast&qid=1604441974&sr=8-2/">Amazon.com</a> <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://play.google.com/music/m/Iqzatcupnefrzflzyqr5fashc44?t=THE_WEEKLY_DRIVER">Google Play</a> <a href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/256-the-weekly-driver-31096156/">iheartradio</a> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-weekly-driver/id1280593178?mt=2">iTunes</a> <a href="https://open. Aaron Gold is a veteran automobile writer who has contributed to many print and online publications. He's as enthusiastic about his work as anyone in the industry, and it shows in his articles and in conversation. A staff writer for Automobile, Gold is our guest on this week's episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss the automotive industry with the journalist, with a particular interest in several of his recent articles. Automobile writer Aaron Gold discusses the Bricklin and many other Canadian cars on this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Canada isn't an automotive powerhouse, but Gold recently wrote: "Who Knew Canadian Cars Were a Thing? Well, They Are." The article detailed Bricklin Motors to Conquest Vehicles, Felino to Magnum, Electra Meccanica to McLaughlin and several unique offerings. We hadn't heard of several of the vehicles, which made Gold's article all the more interesting. Aaron Gold: Automobile Writer Has Fun Gold recently wrote: "Far Out and Funky Forgotten Cars of the 1970s Worth Remembering" and "The All-New 2021 Rolls-Royce Ghost Releases You From Sorrow." Automobile was founded in 1986 with the working motto: "No Boring Cars." The publication ceased its print edition in early 2020, but the online edition remains true to the publication's mission. Among other recent articles, Gold's has written: "How I Met Your Mother: Chevrolet’s Bad-Ass Monte Carlo" and "Bugging Out: We Take a 1949 VW Beetle on a Fascinating 1949 Architectural Tour." And we couldn't help ourselves. We thoroughly enjoyed talking about another article: "Far Out and Funky: 12 Forgotten Cars of the 1970s That Are Worth Remembering." Cars are serious business. But please join us for a light-hearted podcast episode with journalist Aaron Gold. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: Amazon.com Google Play iheartradio iTunes Spotify Stitcher https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=33707 https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/11/156-automobile-writer-aaron-gold-talks-cars/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=156-automobile-writer-aaron-gold-talks-cars Wed, 18 Nov 2020 01:04:27 +0000 1882 false full #155, New book, speed record (not), electric trucks, oh my! #155, New book, speed record (not), electric trucks, oh my! James Raia and Bruce Aldrich A new book, a speed record (not), new truck towing capacities, autonomous vehicles and the future of electric trucks. There's always a lot happening in the automotive industry, and periodically Bruce Aldrich I just talk about a lot on The Weekly Driver... A new book, a speed record (not), new truck towing capacities, autonomous vehicles and the future of electric trucks. There's always a lot happening in the automotive industry, and periodically Bruce Aldrich I just talk about a lot on The Weekly Driver Podcast. We're are each other's guests this week to visit the above-mentioned news items. And it's the 155th episode of our slightly more than three-year-old, 30-minute broadcasts. First up this week is a new book by author Mike Mueller. It's The Complete Book of Corvette, a coffee table-sized book details all generations of the "America's Sports Car." The book is an all-encompassing volume showcasing more than 60 years of Corvette history. Created in cooperation with General Motors and illustrated with 500 color and black-and-white photos from GM’s exclusive Design and Media Archives, the book highlights the development, tech specs and visual prowess of the entire Corvette line. New Book Details Corvette History The book was released before the debut of the Corvette's eighth generation, mid-engined C8. Mueller's new book is an updated edition of his first <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/11/corvette-mid-engine-rocks-auto-world/">Corvette</a> title. But a third book may also be warranted detailing the 2020 model and its disruption of the industry. In this episode, Bruce and I also discuss: * The short-lived recent speed record of 331.15 mp set behind the wheels of the SSC Tuatara. Turns out the record wasn't accurate with eagle-eyed video watchers noticed some peculiarities. The record is no more; * A letter writer comment on a column I wrote recently, and he has plenty to say about the towing capacities of heavy trucks; * Autonomous cars are being tested in controlled circumstances in the streets of San Francisco; * Auto innovation usually seems like a great idea. How about a new solar-powered pickup truck bed liner? The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on<a href="https://amzn.to/2PCdAr5"> Amazon.com</a>. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/podcast">theweeklydriver.com/podcast</a> Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/THE-WEEKLY-DRIVER/dp/B08JJRSD13/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=the+weekly+driver+podcast&qid=1604441974&sr=8-2/">Amazon.com</a> <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://play.google.com/music/m/Iqzatcupnefrzflzyqr5fashc44?t=THE_WEEKLY_DRIVER">Google Play</a> <a href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/256-the-weekly-driver-31096156/">iheartradio</a> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-weekly-driver/id1280593178?mt=2">iTunes</a> <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/14uslDCRvZiMd8WTc7xZkd">Spotify</a> <a href="https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-weekly-driver-podcast">Stitcher</a> RELATED CONTENT <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://theweeklydriver.com/2019/12/114-indianapolis-motor-speedway-set-for-driverless-race/">Podcast #114, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Set For Autonomous Race</a> <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/05/131-greg-griffin-races-a-ferrari-builds-florida-homes/">Podcast #131: Greg Griffin Races A Ferrari, Builds Florida Homes</a> <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://theweeklydriver. A new book, a speed record (not), new truck towing capacities, autonomous vehicles and the future of electric trucks. There's always a lot happening in the automotive industry, and periodically Bruce Aldrich I just talk about a lot on The Weekly Driver Podcast. We're are each other's guests this week to visit the above-mentioned news items. And it's the 155th episode of our slightly more than three-year-old, 30-minute broadcasts. First up this week is a new book by author Mike Mueller. It's The Complete Book of Corvette, a coffee table-sized book details all generations of the "America's Sports Car." The book is an all-encompassing volume showcasing more than 60 years of Corvette history. Created in cooperation with General Motors and illustrated with 500 color and black-and-white photos from GM’s exclusive Design and Media Archives, the book highlights the development, tech specs and visual prowess of the entire Corvette line. New Book Details Corvette History The book was released before the debut of the Corvette's eighth generation, mid-engined C8. Mueller's new book is an updated edition of his first Corvette title. But a third book may also be warranted detailing the 2020 model and its disruption of the industry. In this episode, Bruce and I also discuss: * The short-lived recent speed record of 331.15 mp set behind the wheels of the SSC Tuatara. Turns out the record wasn't accurate with eagle-eyed video watchers noticed some peculiarities. The record is no more; * A letter writer comment on a column I wrote recently, and he has plenty to say about the towing capacities of heavy trucks; * Autonomous cars are being tested in controlled circumstances in the streets of San Francisco; * Auto innovation usually seems like a great idea. How about a new solar-powered pickup truck bed liner? The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: Amazon.com Google Play iheartradio iTunes Spotify Stitcher RELATED CONTENT Podcast #114, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Set For Autonomous Race Podcast #131: Greg Griffin Races A Ferrari, Builds Florida Homes David Letterman: Late Night Comedy, Sex and Race Cars https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=33556 https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/11/155-new-book-speed-record-not-electric-trucks-oh-my/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=155-new-book-speed-record-not-electric-trucks-oh-my Mon, 16 Nov 2020 23:49:50 +0000 2071 false full #154 Todd Reiners combines racing, philanthropy #154 Todd Reiners combines racing, philanthropy James Raia and Bruce Aldrich Todd Reiners is a race car enthusiast and philanthropist in Sacramento. He competes in vintage cars and is as passionate about his collection as anyone. - Reiners is our guest on Episode #154 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Todd Reiners is a race car enthusiast and philanthropist in Sacramento. He competes in vintage cars and is as passionate about his collection as anyone. Reiners is our guest on Episode #154 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. He discusses his long-time appreciation for cars as well as his fund-raising efforts and a unique, moving experience he shared with those less fortunate. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/image.png"></a>Todd Reiners has several vintage race cars including a 1974 Formula 5000 Vintage Lola T332 As a daily driver, Reiners negotiates Sacramento in a 1994 Honda Accord "with a dent." But it's Reiners' other vehicles he prefers to discuss. They include: * 1971 Detomaso Pantera, 351 CI Cleveland V8 Supercharged 600 HP; * 1972 Plymouth Barracuda, 383 CI V8; * 1974 Formula 5000 Vintage Lola T332 Chevy 305 Stock Block, Lucas McKay Injection 600 HP, 1200 pounds; * 1983 Lotus Esprit Turbo, 2.3 4 Cylinder Lotus 910 285 HP; * 1984 Porsche Carrara, 3.2 Flat 6; * 1985 Ferrari 308 GTSI, 3.0 V8. Todd Reiners: Race Car Driver, Philanthropist About a decade ago, Reiners, the Executive director at HOPE, Inc., who also works for McKesson Corporation and The McClatchy Company, had a keen idea to incorporate his interest in racing with the desire to help the Sacramento community. Reiners wasn't particularly comfortable with the attention, but he agreed to let the Sacramento Bee write an article on his Formula 500 Grand Prix car and its unusual crew. Reiners trained some of his homeless friends to change tires, fuel the car the work on his pit crew during a race. The car was sponsored by Loaves & Fishes, the Sacramento area's largest homeless service provider. Several thousand dollars were raised for the sponsor. And as added karma for the day, Reiners won the race. Please join co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia as we interview Reiners about his amateur racing career, his enjoyment of working on his cars and his philanthropic interests. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on<a href="https://amzn.to/2PCdAr5"> Amazon.com</a>. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on <a href="http://wwww.theweeklydriver.com/podcast">www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast</a> Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/THE-WEEKLY-DRIVER/dp/B08JJRSD13/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=the+weekly+driver+podcast&qid=1604441974&sr=8-2/">Amazon.com</a> <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://play.google.com/music/m/Iqzatcupnefrzflzyqr5fashc44?t=THE_WEEKLY_DRIVER">Google Play</a> <a href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/256-the-weekly-driver-31096156/">iheartradio</a> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-weekly-driver/id1280593178?mt=2">iTunes</a> <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/14uslDCRvZiMd8WTc7xZkd">Spotify</a> <a href="https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-weekly-driver-podcast">Stitcher</a> RELATED CONTENT <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://theweeklydriver.com/2019/12/114-indianapolis-motor-speedway-set-for-driverless-race/">Podcast #114, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Set For Autonomous Race</a> <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/05/131-greg-griffin-races-a-ferrari-builds-florida-homes/">Podcast #131: ... Todd Reiners is a race car enthusiast and philanthropist in Sacramento. He competes in vintage cars and is as passionate about his collection as anyone. Reiners is our guest on Episode #154 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. He discusses his long-time appreciation for cars as well as his fund-raising efforts and a unique, moving experience he shared with those less fortunate. Todd Reiners has several vintage race cars including a 1974 Formula 5000 Vintage Lola T332 As a daily driver, Reiners negotiates Sacramento in a 1994 Honda Accord "with a dent." But it's Reiners' other vehicles he prefers to discuss. They include: * 1971 Detomaso Pantera, 351 CI Cleveland V8 Supercharged 600 HP; * 1972 Plymouth Barracuda, 383 CI V8; * 1974 Formula 5000 Vintage Lola T332 Chevy 305 Stock Block, Lucas McKay Injection 600 HP, 1200 pounds; * 1983 Lotus Esprit Turbo, 2.3 4 Cylinder Lotus 910 285 HP; * 1984 Porsche Carrara, 3.2 Flat 6; * 1985 Ferrari 308 GTSI, 3.0 V8. Todd Reiners: Race Car Driver, Philanthropist About a decade ago, Reiners, the Executive director at HOPE, Inc., who also works for McKesson Corporation and The McClatchy Company, had a keen idea to incorporate his interest in racing with the desire to help the Sacramento community. Reiners wasn't particularly comfortable with the attention, but he agreed to let the Sacramento Bee write an article on his Formula 500 Grand Prix car and its unusual crew. Reiners trained some of his homeless friends to change tires, fuel the car the work on his pit crew during a race. The car was sponsored by Loaves & Fishes, the Sacramento area's largest homeless service provider. Several thousand dollars were raised for the sponsor. And as added karma for the day, Reiners won the race. Please join co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia as we interview Reiners about his amateur racing career, his enjoyment of working on his cars and his philanthropic interests. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: Amazon.com Google Play iheartradio iTunes Spotify Stitcher RELATED CONTENT Podcast #114, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Set For Autonomous Race Podcast #131: Greg Griffin Races A Ferrrari, Builds Florida Homes David Letterman: Late Night Comedy, Sex and Race Cars https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=33486 https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/10/154-todd-reiners-is-a-race-car-driver/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=154-todd-reiners-is-a-race-car-driver Sat, 31 Oct 2020 00:48:45 +0000 2071 false full #153, Author Russell Hayes’ new book on VW beetle, bus #153, Author Russell Hayes’ new book on VW beetle, bus James Raia and Bruce Aldrich Russell Hayes, like all automotive industry book authors, is passionate about his subject matter. Hayes' interests cover several iconic carmakers, including his latest effort celebrating the 75th and 70th anniversaries of the Beetle and Bus. - Russell Hayes, like all automotive industry book authors, is passionate about his subject matter. Hayes' interests cover several iconic carmakers, including his latest effort celebrating the 75th and 70th anniversaries of the Beetle and Bus. Hayes is the author of numerous automotive books ranging in topics from auto shows to Lotus to several offerings on Volkswagen. His latest book is the just-released "Volkswagen Beetles and Buses: Smaller and Smarter." <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/vw1.jpg"></a>Author Russell Hayes discusses the VW Beetle and Bug in a new coffee table-sized book. In a wide-ranging interview, Hayes is our guest on Episode #153 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia talk with the author about VW's two most iconic vehicles, the first Beetles spearheaded by Ferdinand Porsche in the 1940s to the buses that became synonymous with a generation. VW History As Unusual As Any Carmaker As Hayes explains, no carmaker's history is as unique as <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://vw.com">Volkswagen</a> — its association with the Nazi movement to the Hippie movement. More than 23 million VW Beetles have been manufactured since 1945. The book examines and celebrates all aspects of the vehicles and their more than 70 years as cultural symbols. Hayes looks back at the vehicles while focusing on the classic air-cooled VWs that ran into the late 1970s. He discusses, with accompanying photography, the Beetle and Bus at work and play. Plenty of cars and trucks having starring roles in film, but none likely as varied as VW, with its presence in films like The Love Bug, Little Miss Sunshine, Footloose, Fight Club, The Big Lebowski, and Fast Times at Ridgemont High. And there were roles in television shows like Lost and Once Upon a Time and on the covers of the Beatles’ Abbey Road and Bob Dylan’s Freewheelin’ album. Hayes covers all things VW and pop culture. He writes about the New Beetle and plans for the VW Buzz, a modern electric version of the iconic Microbus due in 2022. Please join us for an informative episode with the knowledgeable and funny author who knows Volkswagen as few others do. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on<a href="https://amzn.to/2PCdAr5"> Amazon.com</a>. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on <a href="http://wwww.theweeklydriver.com/podcast">www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast</a> Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://play.google.com/music/m/Iqzatcupnefrzflzyqr5fashc44?t=THE_WEEKLY_DRIVER">Google Play</a> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-weekly-driver/id1280593178?mt=2">iTunes</a> <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/14uslDCRvZiMd8WTc7xZkd">Spotify</a> <a href="https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-weekly-driver-podcast">Stitcher</a> <a href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/256-the-weekly-driver-31096156/">iheartradio</a> RELATED CONTENT <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/2018/12/vw-beetle-to-chevy-volt-to-ford-focus-goodbye-farewell/">VW Bug to Chevy Volt: Goodbye, Farewell</a> <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/08/vw-has-a-mini-van-with-a-camper-slinky/">VW Has New Van With Camper Slinkly</a> <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/2017/10/episode-7-bruce-aldrich-1959-vw-bug/:"> Episode 7: Bruce Ald... Russell Hayes, like all automotive industry book authors, is passionate about his subject matter. Hayes' interests cover several iconic carmakers, including his latest effort celebrating the 75th and 70th anniversaries of the Beetle and Bus. Hayes is the author of numerous automotive books ranging in topics from auto shows to Lotus to several offerings on Volkswagen. His latest book is the just-released "Volkswagen Beetles and Buses: Smaller and Smarter." Author Russell Hayes discusses the VW Beetle and Bug in a new coffee table-sized book. In a wide-ranging interview, Hayes is our guest on Episode #153 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia talk with the author about VW's two most iconic vehicles, the first Beetles spearheaded by Ferdinand Porsche in the 1940s to the buses that became synonymous with a generation. VW History As Unusual As Any Carmaker As Hayes explains, no carmaker's history is as unique as Volkswagen — its association with the Nazi movement to the Hippie movement. More than 23 million VW Beetles have been manufactured since 1945. The book examines and celebrates all aspects of the vehicles and their more than 70 years as cultural symbols. Hayes looks back at the vehicles while focusing on the classic air-cooled VWs that ran into the late 1970s. He discusses, with accompanying photography, the Beetle and Bus at work and play. Plenty of cars and trucks having starring roles in film, but none likely as varied as VW, with its presence in films like The Love Bug, Little Miss Sunshine, Footloose, Fight Club, The Big Lebowski, and Fast Times at Ridgemont High. And there were roles in television shows like Lost and Once Upon a Time and on the covers of the Beatles’ Abbey Road and Bob Dylan’s Freewheelin’ album. Hayes covers all things VW and pop culture. He writes about the New Beetle and plans for the VW Buzz, a modern electric version of the iconic Microbus due in 2022. Please join us for an informative episode with the knowledgeable and funny author who knows Volkswagen as few others do. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: Google Play iTunes Spotify Stitcher iheartradio RELATED CONTENT VW Bug to Chevy Volt: Goodbye, Farewell VW Has New Van With Camper Slinkly Episode 7: Bruce Aldrich And His '59 Bug https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=33483 https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/10/russell-hayes-book-on-vw-beetle-bus/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=russell-hayes-book-on-vw-beetle-bus Tue, 27 Oct 2020 06:25:50 +0000 2069 false full #152, Jonathan Pierce of Harman gives good sound advice #152, Jonathan Pierce of Harman gives good sound advice James Raia and Bruce Aldrich The 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, The 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 <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://www.harmanaudio.com">Harman,</a> 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." <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/harmonimage.jpg"></a>A new Harman consumer store in Munich, Germany. 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 Revel in Lincoln and Cadillac's new AKG system. It replaced Cadillac’s 30-year partnership with Bose. Pierce is our guest on this week's episode of <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://theweeklydriver.com/podcast">The Weekly Driver Podcast</a>. Co-host James Raia is the sole interviewer this week. Bruce Aldrich, the podcast's co-host and producer is on vacation. **** RELATED CONTENT <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/07/5-great-cars-for-drive-in-movie-visit-during-covid-19/">Five Great Cars For Drive-In Movies During COVID-19</a> <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/09/149-150-the-weekly-driver-podcast-celebrates-3-years-part-1/">The Weekly Driver Podcast Celebrate 3 Years, Part 1</a> <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/09/149-150-the-weekly-driver-podcast/">The Weekly Driver Podcast Celebrates 3 Years, Part 2</a> **** In a wide-ranging interview, Pierce discusses what makes a premium audio system better than a stock system. He explains why one top-end brand is better than a competitor. And he details when sound system marketing is worthy or overblown public relations. We also talk about what a consumer should listen for while testing an audio system. Ande Pierceshares his favorite songs to test a new system. Harman makes sound sound better Please join me for an informative episode with the renowned automotive audio expert from Harman. It may not exactly be music to your ears, but it's a comprehensive 30 minutes for anyone who appreciates listening to a sound system while driving or as a vehicle passenger. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on<a href="https://amzn.to/2PCdAr5"> Amazon.com</a>. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on <a href="http://wwww.theweeklydriver.com/podcast">www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast</a> Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://play.google.com/music/m/Iqzatcupnefrzflzyqr5fashc44?t=THE_WEEKLY_DRIVER">Google Play</a> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-weekly-driver/id1280593178?mt=2">iTunes</a> <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/14uslDCRvZiMd8WTc7xZkd">Spotify</a> <a href="https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-weekly-driver-podcast">Stitcher</a> <a href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/256-the-weekly-driver-31096156/">iheartradio</a>   The 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." A new Harman consumer store in Munich, Germany. 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 Revel in Lincoln and Cadillac's new AKG system. It replaced Cadillac’s 30-year partnership with Bose. Pierce is our guest on this week's episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-host James Raia is the sole interviewer this week. Bruce Aldrich, the podcast's co-host and producer is on vacation. **** RELATED CONTENT Five Great Cars For Drive-In Movies During COVID-19 The Weekly Driver Podcast Celebrate 3 Years, Part 1 The Weekly Driver Podcast Celebrates 3 Years, Part 2 **** In a wide-ranging interview, Pierce discusses what makes a premium audio system better than a stock system. He explains why one top-end brand is better than a competitor. And he details when sound system marketing is worthy or overblown public relations. We also talk about what a consumer should listen for while testing an audio system. Ande Pierceshares his favorite songs to test a new system. Harman makes sound sound better Please join me for an informative episode with the renowned automotive audio expert from Harman. It may not exactly be music to your ears, but it's a comprehensive 30 minutes for anyone who appreciates listening to a sound system while driving or as a vehicle passenger. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: Google Play iTunes Spotify Stitcher iheartradio https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=33380 https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/10/152-jonathan-pierce-of-harman-gives-good-sound-advice/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=152-jonathan-pierce-of-harman-gives-good-sound-advice Tue, 06 Oct 2020 22:22:32 +0000 2059 false full #151, Interstate 80 museum honors military history #151, Interstate 80 museum honors military history James Raia and Bruce Aldrich 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 o... 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. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/museum6.jpg"></a>The American Armory Museum features one of Gen. Geroge Patton's Jeeps. All Images © Bruce Aldrich/2020 <a href='https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/09/151-interstate-80-museum-honors-military-history/museum7/#main'></a> <a href='https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/09/151-interstate-80-museum-honors-military-history/museum8/#main'></a> <a href='https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/09/151-interstate-80-museum-honors-military-history/museum3-2/#main'></a> <a href='https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/09/151-interstate-80-museum-honors-military-history/museum2-2/#main'></a> 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 of vehicles and military memorabilia from several countries and several wars with co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia. The armory's history began in 2013 when Herman Rowland Sr., the former CEO of Jelly Belly, bought several military vehicles from the estate of armored vehicle collector Jacques Littlefield. The initial collection included an Israeli M-3 half-track, a self-propelled artillery piece and an M-113 Armored Personnel Carrier. Military museum has more than 60 vehicles Open to the public two years ago, the museum has guests ranging in age from primary grade school children to WWII veterans in their 90s. Many visitors find the roadside business by happenstance while driving along the Interstate. Positioned on eight acres and in a nearly 5,000-square-foot warehouse, the collection showcases about 60 vehicles and a vast collection of all things military — uniforms, flags, weapons, gear and soldier mannequins in full uniform. The vehicle collection, 90 percent of which is drivable, includes an Army Harley-Davidson from WWI and one of the Jeeps Gen. George Patton used in WWII. A British Scorpion and an M-60 Patton tank are also prominent. The collection includes donated pieces, items purchased and others on loan. Lippman wasn't in the military, but the former land developer and auto restorer in Florida has a vast knowledge of machinery and engines. He was hired by Rowland to repair the collector's original collection but then accepted his current position. He knows every vehicle intimately and works with numerous volunteers to get vehicles running properly. He also curates the facility. The museum's centerpiece is Patton's 1942 Command Jeep. The vehicle is accompanied by a display of Patton's history, including a video featuring Francis J. “Jeep” Sanza, Patton's driver. Sanza died two years ago in Napa. In addition to weekly outdoor church services, the museum hosts special events, including the Military Vehicle Demonstration Weekend, scheduled Oct. 10-11. Please join us in this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast as we travel to Fairfield for a tour of the American Armory Museum and a conversation with its general manager and curator. The American Armory Museum is located at 4144 Abernathy Rd., Fairfield, Ca., 94534. Tel. (707) 389-6846. Various membership levels are available. 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. The American Armory Museum features one of Gen. Geroge Patton's Jeeps. All Images © Bruce Aldrich/2020 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 of vehicles and military memorabilia from several countries and several wars with co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia. The armory's history began in 2013 when Herman Rowland Sr., the former CEO of Jelly Belly, bought several military vehicles from the estate of armored vehicle collector Jacques Littlefield. The initial collection included an Israeli M-3 half-track, a self-propelled artillery piece and an M-113 Armored Personnel Carrier. Military museum has more than 60 vehicles Open to the public two years ago, the museum has guests ranging in age from primary grade school children to WWII veterans in their 90s. Many visitors find the roadside business by happenstance while driving along the Interstate. Positioned on eight acres and in a nearly 5,000-square-foot warehouse, the collection showcases about 60 vehicles and a vast collection of all things military — uniforms, flags, weapons, gear and soldier mannequins in full uniform. The vehicle collection, 90 percent of which is drivable, includes an Army Harley-Davidson from WWI and one of the Jeeps Gen. George Patton used in WWII. A British Scorpion and an M-60 Patton tank are also prominent. The collection includes donated pieces, items purchased and others on loan. Lippman wasn't in the military, but the former land developer and auto restorer in Florida has a vast knowledge of machinery and engines. He was hired by Rowland to repair the collector's original collection but then accepted his current position. He knows every vehicle intimately and works with numerous volunteers to get vehicles running properly. He also curates the facility. The museum's centerpiece is Patton's 1942 Command Jeep. The vehicle is accompanied by a display of Patton's history, including a video featuring Francis J. “Jeep” Sanza, Patton's driver. Sanza died two years ago in Napa. In addition to weekly outdoor church services, the museum hosts special events, including the Military Vehicle Demonstration Weekend, scheduled Oct. 10-11. Please join us in this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast as we travel to Fairfield for a tour of the American Armory Museum and a conversation with its general manager and curator. The American Armory Museum is located at 4144 Abernathy Rd., Fairfield, Ca., 94534. Tel. (707) 389-6846. Various membership levels are available. Admission: Adults $7; Children 11-under, $3; Military and Veterans with ID are free; Group & Membership rates available; Hours: Wednesday-Saturday, 10 a..m.-3 p.m. Donations are accepted. Volunteer opportunities are available; Website: americanarmorymuseum.org. RELATED CONTENT Auto World Museum: Fulton, Missouri Don Martine: Pacific Grove Inn Owner, MG Museum Curator Blackhawk Museum, Danville, California The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=33376 https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/09/151-interstate-80-museum-honors-military-history/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=151-interstate-80-museum-honors-military-history Tue, 29 Sep 2020 00:11:12 +0000 1649 false full #149, #150: The Weekly Driver Podcast celebrates 3 years (Part 2) #149, #150: The Weekly Driver Podcast celebrates 3 years (Part 2) James Raia and Bruce Aldrich 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. - 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. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/James_Bruce.jpg"></a>Bruce Aldrich (left) and James Raia interview Alex Guberman, an electric vehicle expert who has a vast following on the YouTube Channel, E For Electric, on The Weekly Driver Podcast 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 <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://www.chrismillerstudio.com">artist Chris Miller</a>. An article posted in the creative newsletter Atlas Obscura about Miller's first stone truck creation many years ago led to email contact and Chris agreeing to be our guest. Based in Calais, Vermont, Miller has been a traditional sculptor and mason for more than 45 years. Miller's hobby and now a new income source: He creates elaborate life-size trucks from stone. He recently completed his second creation and has contracts for three more. During the three years of The Weekly Driver Podcast, we've had diverse guests: authors, CEOs, analysts, vintage car colleges, website owners, race car and motorcycle drivers, a stuntman and a museum curator. We've talked with a city mayor, small business owners, memorabilia collectors, auto show guests, car auction experts, vintage car rental shop owners, an automotive painter, a former cyclist who restores classic junkers and experts who haul junk cars. The audio for episodes #149 and #150 is the same. Listen to episode #149 for the details of my five guests and episode #150 for Bruce's top-five picks: Bruce's top guests include: 5. <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/05/134-vermont-artist-chris-millers-stone-truck/">#134, Chris Miller: Stone truck artist</a> 4. <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/01/120-author-patrick-foster-celebrates-80-years-of-jeep/">#120, Author Patrick Foster: 80 years of Jeep</a> 3. <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://theweeklydriver.com/2019/12/114-indianapolis-motor-speedway-set-for-driverless-race/">#114, Autonomous Racing, Indy Motor Speedway</a> 2. <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://theweeklydriver.com/2019/04/84-david-ankin-toymakerz-hit-season-3-finale/">#84, David Ankin: ToyMakerz TV Show</a> 1. <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://theweeklydriver.com/2018/11/58-consumer-reports-expert-discusses-reliability-survey/">#58, Consumer Reports Reliability Survey</a> <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/09/149-150-the-weekly-driver-podcast-celebrates-3-years-part-1/">Visit part 1 in our double episode when James reveals his top-5 podcast episodes.</a> We'll be back with new episodes soon. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on<a href="https://amzn.to/2PCdAr5"> Amazon.com</a>. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on <a href="http://wwww.theweeklydriver.com/podcast">www. 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. Bruce Aldrich (left) and James Raia interview Alex Guberman, an electric vehicle expert who has a vast following on the YouTube Channel, E For Electric, on The Weekly Driver Podcast 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 and Chris agreeing to be our guest. Based in Calais, Vermont, Miller has been a traditional sculptor and mason for more than 45 years. Miller's hobby and now a new income source: He creates elaborate life-size trucks from stone. He recently completed his second creation and has contracts for three more. During the three years of The Weekly Driver Podcast, we've had diverse guests: authors, CEOs, analysts, vintage car colleges, website owners, race car and motorcycle drivers, a stuntman and a museum curator. We've talked with a city mayor, small business owners, memorabilia collectors, auto show guests, car auction experts, vintage car rental shop owners, an automotive painter, a former cyclist who restores classic junkers and experts who haul junk cars. The audio for episodes #149 and #150 is the same. Listen to episode #149 for the details of my five guests and episode #150 for Bruce's top-five picks: Bruce's top guests include: 5. #134, Chris Miller: Stone truck artist 4. #120, Author Patrick Foster: 80 years of Jeep 3. #114, Autonomous Racing, Indy Motor Speedway 2. #84, David Ankin: ToyMakerz TV Show 1. #58, Consumer Reports Reliability Survey Visit part 1 in our double episode when James reveals his top-5 podcast episodes. We'll be back with new episodes soon. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: Google Play iTunes Spotify Stitcher iheartradio https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=33298 https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/09/149-150-the-weekly-driver-podcast/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=149-150-the-weekly-driver-podcast Wed, 09 Sep 2020 06:15:59 +0000 2429 false full #149, #150: The Weekly Driver Podcast celebrates 3 years (Part 1) #149, #150: The Weekly Driver Podcast celebrates 3 years (Part 1) James Raia and Bruce Aldrich The 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. - The 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. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/brucejames1.jpg"></a>Bruce Aldrich and James Raia interview automotive guests every week on The Weekly Driver Podcast. 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 <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://chrismillerstudio.com">artist Chris Miller</a>. An article posted in the creative newsletter Atlas Obscura about Miller's first stone truck creation many years ago led to email contact and Chris agreeing to be our guest. Based in Calais, Vermont, Miller has been a traditional sculptor and mason for more than 45 years. Miller's hobby and now a new income source: He creates elaborate life-size trucks from stone. He recently completed his second creation and has contracts for three more. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/stone21.jpg"></a>Chris MIller's stone truck creation was among our favorite episodes of the first three years of The Weekly Driver Podcast. During the three years of The Weekly Driver Podcast, we've had diverse guests: authors, CEOs, analysts, vintage car colleges, website owners, race car and motorcycle drivers, a stuntman and a museum curator. We've talked with a city mayor, small business owners, memorabilia collectors, auto show guests, car auction experts, vintage car rental shop owners, an automotive painter, a former cyclist who restores classic junkers and experts who haul junk cars. The audio for episodes #149 and #150 is the same. Listen to episode #149 for the details of my five guests and episode #150 for Bruce's top-five picks: My top guests include: 5. #134, <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/05/134-vermont-artist-chris-millers-stone-truck">Chris Miller: Stone truck artist (May 22, 2020)</a> 4. #109,<a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://theweeklydriver.com/2019/10/109-sacramento-collector-talks-vintage-cars/"> Joe Palmer, Sacramento, backyard vintage car owner (Oct. 27, 2019)</a> 3. #105, <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://theweeklydriver.com/2019/10/109-sacramento-collector-talks-vintage-cars/">Stuntman Robert Nagle talks about his work on Ford vs. Ferrari (Oct. 1, 2019)</a> 2. #98, <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://theweeklydriver.com/2019/08/98-mary-mcgee-shares-her-career-as-motorcycle-icon/">Mary McGee, pioneering female motorcycle racer (Aug. 14, 2019)</a> 1. #22, <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://theweeklydriver.com/2018/01/episode-22-famed-climber-alex-honnold-prefers-life-van/">Alex Honnold, El Capitan free solo mountain climber, life in a van (Jan. 13, 2018)</a> <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/09/149-150-the-weekly-driver-podcast/">Visit part 2 in our double episode when Bruce Aldrich reveals his top-5 podcast episodes.</a> We'll be back with new episodes soon. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on<a href="https://amzn.... The 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. Bruce Aldrich and James Raia interview automotive guests every week on The Weekly Driver Podcast. 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 and Chris agreeing to be our guest. Based in Calais, Vermont, Miller has been a traditional sculptor and mason for more than 45 years. Miller's hobby and now a new income source: He creates elaborate life-size trucks from stone. He recently completed his second creation and has contracts for three more. Chris MIller's stone truck creation was among our favorite episodes of the first three years of The Weekly Driver Podcast. During the three years of The Weekly Driver Podcast, we've had diverse guests: authors, CEOs, analysts, vintage car colleges, website owners, race car and motorcycle drivers, a stuntman and a museum curator. We've talked with a city mayor, small business owners, memorabilia collectors, auto show guests, car auction experts, vintage car rental shop owners, an automotive painter, a former cyclist who restores classic junkers and experts who haul junk cars. The audio for episodes #149 and #150 is the same. Listen to episode #149 for the details of my five guests and episode #150 for Bruce's top-five picks: My top guests include: 5. #134, Chris Miller: Stone truck artist (May 22, 2020) 4. #109, Joe Palmer, Sacramento, backyard vintage car owner (Oct. 27, 2019) 3. #105, Stuntman Robert Nagle talks about his work on Ford vs. Ferrari (Oct. 1, 2019) 2. #98, Mary McGee, pioneering female motorcycle racer (Aug. 14, 2019) 1. #22, Alex Honnold, El Capitan free solo mountain climber, life in a van (Jan. 13, 2018) Visit part 2 in our double episode when Bruce Aldrich reveals his top-5 podcast episodes. We'll be back with new episodes soon. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: Google Play iTunes Spotify Stitcher iheartradio https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=33266 https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/09/149-150-the-weekly-driver-podcast-celebrates-3-years-part-1/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=149-150-the-weekly-driver-podcast-celebrates-3-years-part-1 Wed, 09 Sep 2020 06:06:38 +0000 2429 false full #148, Tow truck driver talks COVID-19, airbags #148, Tow truck driver talks COVID-19, airbags James Raia and Bruce Aldrich 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). - 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 (<a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://www.idiotsontheinterstate.com">idiotsontheinterstate.com</a>). 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. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Screen-Shot-2020-08-31-at-5.34.00-PM.png"></a>Ray Elliott, a tow truck driver in the south San Francisco Bay Area, discusses how the coronavirus has changed driving habits. 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 reader quickly know what he's all about: "I have saved lives, fought fires, washed dishes, driven nails, and now I tow. If there is one thing I know, it’s towing. And you people can’t drive, so I have job security. That said, let’s get to what you should expect when you call for a tow truck. "Let me tell you what it’s like being a tow truck driver. I come to rescue you and your vehicle in any situation you can put your vehicle in. I have removed cars from places you can’t get a car into. I have seen cars on all four sides and front and end. Quite often, I arrive at the scene of an accident before the fire department. "I know all the streets in all the cities I work in. I know every short cut to get you where you need to take your car. I know most of the automotive shops in my area. I know we all make mistakes, myself included. I have set tow rates that I cannot bargain lower prices. "I know what your car needs. I have done this for a long time and have seen your situation more than once. My goal being there, at your aid, is not just to tow your car, but to make sure that you, being my customer, are also safe and off of the side of the road, and hopefully, driving away." Tow Truck Driver: Times Have Changed It's the reason Elliott is among our favorite guests on The Weekly Driver Podcast. On episode #148, co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with Elliott how the coronavirus has changed the driving landscape and his job as a tow truck driver. As many have likely noticed, fewer vehicles are on the highway. One major result — drivers are driving faster. And Elliott is busy. Elliott has written two essays for theweeklydriver.com: <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://theweeklydriver.com/2019/02/ray-elliott-commentary-never-buy-a-chrysler-product/">NEVER BUY A CHRYSLER PRODUCT</a> and <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://theweeklydriver.com/2018/12/opinion-driving-is-a-privilege-its-not-your-right/">DRIVING IS A PRIVILEGE, IT'S NOT YOUR RIGHT</a> Elliott was also our guest on <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://theweeklydriver.com/2018/11/60-bay-area-tow-truck-driver-videos-interstate-idiots/">Episode #60</a> in November 2018. He told us about the crappy engineering in cars, chastised the use of frontal airbags and his many experiences. He says want he wants without a filter. Join us for another lively episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. 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. Ray Elliott, a tow truck driver in the south San Francisco Bay Area, discusses how the coronavirus has changed driving habits. 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 reader quickly know what he's all about: "I have saved lives, fought fires, washed dishes, driven nails, and now I tow. If there is one thing I know, it’s towing. And you people can’t drive, so I have job security. That said, let’s get to what you should expect when you call for a tow truck. "Let me tell you what it’s like being a tow truck driver. I come to rescue you and your vehicle in any situation you can put your vehicle in. I have removed cars from places you can’t get a car into. I have seen cars on all four sides and front and end. Quite often, I arrive at the scene of an accident before the fire department. "I know all the streets in all the cities I work in. I know every short cut to get you where you need to take your car. I know most of the automotive shops in my area. I know we all make mistakes, myself included. I have set tow rates that I cannot bargain lower prices. "I know what your car needs. I have done this for a long time and have seen your situation more than once. My goal being there, at your aid, is not just to tow your car, but to make sure that you, being my customer, are also safe and off of the side of the road, and hopefully, driving away." Tow Truck Driver: Times Have Changed It's the reason Elliott is among our favorite guests on The Weekly Driver Podcast. On episode #148, co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with Elliott how the coronavirus has changed the driving landscape and his job as a tow truck driver. As many have likely noticed, fewer vehicles are on the highway. One major result — drivers are driving faster. And Elliott is busy. Elliott has written two essays for theweeklydriver.com: NEVER BUY A CHRYSLER PRODUCT and DRIVING IS A PRIVILEGE, IT'S NOT YOUR RIGHT Elliott was also our guest on Episode #60 in November 2018. He told us about the crappy engineering in cars, chastised the use of frontal airbags and his many experiences. He says want he wants without a filter. Join us for another lively episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: Google Play iTunes Spotify Stitcher iheartradio https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=33235 https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/08/tow-truck-driver-talks-covid-19-airbags/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tow-truck-driver-talks-covid-19-airbags Tue, 01 Sep 2020 01:13:41 +0000 1852 false full #147, Electrify America debuts new coast-to-coast route #147, Electrify America debuts new coast-to-coast route James Raia and Bruce Aldrich Driving 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 f... Driving 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. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/cdn.corporate.walmart.com_.jpeg"></a>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 the pending second route. We also discuss the overall EV industry, from new vehicles to charging stations to the public's awareness of the technology. And with a nod to our podcast's headquarters in Sacramento, we also discuss the capital city's status as the Green City/Electrify America national hub. The debuting route extends from Los Angeles, CA to Washington, DC. It spans 11 states and more than 2,700 miles utilizing Electrify America's open DC fast-charging network. It's called the Northern Route. The first cross-country route travels along Interstates 15 and 70, providing high-powered chargers with speeds up to 350kW. <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://www.electrifyamerica.com">Electrify America</a> charging stations are on average about 70 miles apart in metro areas and near highway routes located conveniently by shopping and dining amenities. The second route, expected to be completed by the end of summer, is the Southern Route. Electric vehicle travelers can cross the southern portion of the U.S., from Jacksonville to San Diego, on interstate highways starting near I-10 and finishing along I-8. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on<a href="https://amzn.to/2PCdAr5"> Amazon.com</a>. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on <a href="http://wwww.theweeklydriver.com/podcast">www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast</a> Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://play.google.com/music/m/Iqzatcupnefrzflzyqr5fashc44?t=THE_WEEKLY_DRIVER">Google Play</a> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-weekly-driver/id1280593178?mt=2">iTunes</a> <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/14uslDCRvZiMd8WTc7xZkd">Spotify</a> <a href="https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-weekly-driver-podcast">Stitcher</a> <a href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/256-the-weekly-driver-31096156/">iheartradio</a>   Driving 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. 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 the pending second route. We also discuss the overall EV industry, from new vehicles to charging stations to the public's awareness of the technology. And with a nod to our podcast's headquarters in Sacramento, we also discuss the capital city's status as the Green City/Electrify America national hub. The debuting route extends from Los Angeles, CA to Washington, DC. It spans 11 states and more than 2,700 miles utilizing Electrify America's open DC fast-charging network. It's called the Northern Route. The first cross-country route travels along Interstates 15 and 70, providing high-powered chargers with speeds up to 350kW. Electrify America charging stations are on average about 70 miles apart in metro areas and near highway routes located conveniently by shopping and dining amenities. The second route, expected to be completed by the end of summer, is the Southern Route. Electric vehicle travelers can cross the southern portion of the U.S., from Jacksonville to San Diego, on interstate highways starting near I-10 and finishing along I-8. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: Google Play iTunes Spotify Stitcher iheartradio https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=33204 https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/08/147-electrify-america-debuts-new-coast-to-coast-route/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=147-electrify-america-debuts-new-coast-to-coast-route Fri, 21 Aug 2020 18:27:45 +0000 2216 false full #146, Carmel (Ind.) mayor Jim Brainard has city in circles #146, Carmel (Ind.) mayor Jim Brainard has city in circles James Raia and Bruce Aldrich Jim 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, Jim 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 <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://www.carmel.in.gov/">Carmel, Indiana</a> 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. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Roundabouts-Inline1.jpg"></a>Mayor Jim Brainard of Carmel, Indiana believes in 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 interested in roundabouts as a graduate student at Oxford University in England. The first modern roundabout, built in 1909, is located in Letchworth, England. Mayor Jim Brainard: Roundabouts Save Lives “Roundabouts have reduced traffic fatalities by 90 percent in Carmel,” said Brainard, who has traveled to many countries to study roundabouts. "The U.S. average fatality rate per 100,000 people is 14. It tends to be higher in suburban areas because the roads are built wider for faster speeds. Indianapolis has done a little bit better than normal—11.7 per 100,000. The average in Carmel is two.” By definition, a roundabout (also called a circle, traffic circle, road circle, rotary, rotunda or island) is a circular intersection or junction in which road traffic is permitted to flow in one direction around a central island. The priority is typically given to traffic already in the junction. Brainard has been Carmel's mayor since 1996. In addition to the current roundabouts in the city, at least another seven more are planned. The mayor has also consulted with many cities around the country about the benefits of roundabouts. He often cites safety. "With cars moving at 10-15 mph, a pedestrian who gets hit has a much better chance of surviving than if someone blows through a light or a stop sign at 50,” he said. According to Brainard, a stoplight encourages drivers to increase their speed to get through an intersection. In a roundabout, he says drivers have to decrease their speed to 15 to 25 miles per hour. As a result, Brainard notes vehicle accidents involving occupant injuries requiring hospital visits have been reduced by more than 75 percent. Modern roundabouts became more popular in the United States in the 1990s, much in part to Brainard. About 5,000 roundabouts are located throughout the country. Carmel has the most of any city by several-fold. Not everyone is a believer. According to Wikipedia, the first modern roundabout in the United States was constructed in Summerlin, Nevada in 1990. It dismayed many residents, and a local news program reported, "Even police agree, roundabouts can be confusing at times." Eighty years earlier, architect John McLaren designed one of the first American roundabouts for both autos and streetcars (trams) in the Hatchett Residence Park. It's now named San Jose, California. In many European countries, roundabouts are the rule, not the exception. France, by its latest official government tally, has more than 50,000 roundabouts. The United Kingdom has about 25,000 roundabouts. During the podcast, Brainard also discusses the costs of making roundabouts, environmental aesthetics and the public's response to the city's reputation as the "Roundabout Capital of the World." <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://theweeklydriver. Jim 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. Mayor Jim Brainard of Carmel, Indiana believes in 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 interested in roundabouts as a graduate student at Oxford University in England. The first modern roundabout, built in 1909, is located in Letchworth, England. Mayor Jim Brainard: Roundabouts Save Lives “Roundabouts have reduced traffic fatalities by 90 percent in Carmel,” said Brainard, who has traveled to many countries to study roundabouts. "The U.S. average fatality rate per 100,000 people is 14. It tends to be higher in suburban areas because the roads are built wider for faster speeds. Indianapolis has done a little bit better than normal—11.7 per 100,000. The average in Carmel is two.” By definition, a roundabout (also called a circle, traffic circle, road circle, rotary, rotunda or island) is a circular intersection or junction in which road traffic is permitted to flow in one direction around a central island. The priority is typically given to traffic already in the junction. Brainard has been Carmel's mayor since 1996. In addition to the current roundabouts in the city, at least another seven more are planned. The mayor has also consulted with many cities around the country about the benefits of roundabouts. He often cites safety. "With cars moving at 10-15 mph, a pedestrian who gets hit has a much better chance of surviving than if someone blows through a light or a stop sign at 50,” he said. According to Brainard, a stoplight encourages drivers to increase their speed to get through an intersection. In a roundabout, he says drivers have to decrease their speed to 15 to 25 miles per hour. As a result, Brainard notes vehicle accidents involving occupant injuries requiring hospital visits have been reduced by more than 75 percent. Modern roundabouts became more popular in the United States in the 1990s, much in part to Brainard. About 5,000 roundabouts are located throughout the country. Carmel has the most of any city by several-fold. Not everyone is a believer. According to Wikipedia, the first modern roundabout in the United States was constructed in Summerlin, Nevada in 1990. It dismayed many residents, and a local news program reported, "Even police agree, roundabouts can be confusing at times." Eighty years earlier, architect John McLaren designed one of the first American roundabouts for both autos and streetcars (trams) in the Hatchett Residence Park. It's now named San Jose, California. In many European countries, roundabouts are the rule, not the exception. France, by its latest official government tally, has more than 50,000 roundabouts. The United Kingdom has about 25,000 roundabouts. During the podcast, Brainard also discusses the costs of making roundabouts, environmental aesthetics and the public's response to the city's reputation as the "Roundabout Capital of the World." The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on www.theweeklydriver. https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=33177 https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/08/146-carmel-ind-mayor-jim-brainard-has-city-in-circles/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=146-carmel-ind-mayor-jim-brainard-has-city-in-circles Tue, 18 Aug 2020 01:03:10 +0000 1818 false full Tesla Cybertruck: build me big in Texas, color me rainbow Tesla Cybertruck: build me big in Texas, color me rainbow James Raia and Bruce Aldrich As if the pending Tesla Cybertruck hasn't received enough attention, leave it to company owner Elon Musk to generate more attention for the futuristic-looking machine. - After announcing the electric-vehicle manufacturer's plans to build a new factory... As if the pending Tesla Cybertruck hasn't received enough attention, leave it to company owner Elon Musk to generate more attention for the futuristic-looking machine. After announcing the electric-vehicle manufacturer's plans to build a new factory in Austin, Texas, Musk hinted at a few of his new truck's color choices. The possible options are as unique as the car. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/rainbow2.jpg"></a>The Tesla Cybertruck may be offered with a rainbow exterior paint theme. Musk suggested a pure white option or a treatment to offer a rainbow option. If the Cybertruck in rainbow adornment is ever offered, it will likely be an aftermarket option, not a dealership choice. And it wouldn't the first rainbow-colored <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/03/why-not-tow-your-rv-with-a-tesla-cybertruck/">Tesla</a>. Several models have received rainbow wraps in Tesla's support of various events. Tesla Cybertruck: Color me rainbow The rainbow option has also been presented on other supercars in recent years. But there wouldn't be any more polarizing vehicle on the road than a multi-colored Tesla Cybertruck. Musk doesn't do subtle well. So, while the rainbow the idea doesn't seem shocking for the Tesla Cybertruck, it still won't present the innovative new vehicle at its best. The new truck its described as “an all-electric, battery-powered, light commercial vehicle.” Three models have been announced, with range estimates of 250–500 miles and an estimated 0–60 mph time of 2.9–6.5 seconds, depending on the model. <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://www.tesla.com">According to Tesla</a> specs, the Cybertruck will be constructed “with cold-pressed, unpainted stainless steel.” It will have a towing capacity of as much as 14,000 pounds. As if the pending Tesla Cybertruck hasn't received enough attention, leave it to company owner Elon Musk to generate more attention for the futuristic-looking machine. After announcing the electric-vehicle manufacturer's plans to build a new factory in Austin, Texas, Musk hinted at a few of his new truck's color choices. The possible options are as unique as the car. The Tesla Cybertruck may be offered with a rainbow exterior paint theme. Musk suggested a pure white option or a treatment to offer a rainbow option. If the Cybertruck in rainbow adornment is ever offered, it will likely be an aftermarket option, not a dealership choice. And it wouldn't the first rainbow-colored Tesla. Several models have received rainbow wraps in Tesla's support of various events. Tesla Cybertruck: Color me rainbow The rainbow option has also been presented on other supercars in recent years. But there wouldn't be any more polarizing vehicle on the road than a multi-colored Tesla Cybertruck. Musk doesn't do subtle well. So, while the rainbow the idea doesn't seem shocking for the Tesla Cybertruck, it still won't present the innovative new vehicle at its best. The new truck its described as “an all-electric, battery-powered, light commercial vehicle.” Three models have been announced, with range estimates of 250–500 miles and an estimated 0–60 mph time of 2.9–6.5 seconds, depending on the model. According to Tesla specs, the Cybertruck will be constructed “with cold-pressed, unpainted stainless steel.” It will have a towing capacity of as much as 14,000 pounds. https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=33159 https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/08/tesla-cybertruck-build-me-big-in-texas-color-me-rainbow/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tesla-cybertruck-build-me-big-in-texas-color-me-rainbow Wed, 12 Aug 2020 22:53:18 +0000 1600 false full #145, Author unloads on Takata in new Killer Airbags book #145, Author unloads on Takata in new Killer Airbags book James Raia and Bruce Aldrich Jerry 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 co... Jerry 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 <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://theweeklydriver.com/podcast">The Weekly Driver Podcast</a>. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/KillerAirbags.jpg"></a>Jerry W. Cox is the author of the new book, "Killer Airbags." 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 scandal that rocked the automotive industry. Cox also criticizes a recent decision by the Trump Administration not to recall an additional 30 million newer-model cars with Takata airbags. Killer Airbags in 70 million vehicles Ammonium nitrate, the chemical used in the airbags made and installed in 70 million cars in 19 different models by Takata, exploded in the defective airbags and led to hundreds of deaths and thousands of serious injuries, Cox states. The airbags were eventually recalled in the largest consumer product ever, but 12 million cars still have these devices that still have not been replaced. Cox writes he warned the company to recall the devices completely in 2014, but it didn't listen. "Takata chose ammonium nitrate to inflate its airbags because it was vastly cheaper than more stable propellants,” Cox said. “They faked reports showing ammonium nitrate was suitable and lied about the danger until 2017 when the company was convicted of criminal fraud and went bankrupt.” In 2015, federal regulators gave Takata until the end of 2019 to prove these “desiccated” inflators safe or to recall the 30 million affected 2018 and later-model vehicles. Instead of seeking an independent assessment, the Trump Transportation Department secretly solicited an engineering study from the motor vehicle manufacturers who were responsible for paying for the recall. It decided in May 2020 not to recall those vehicles. "The Transportation Department never asked the Takata engineers who designed those inflators whether they are safe,” said Cox. “All of those experts insist the inflators eventually will turn into hand grenades and that nobody should be driving a car with ammonium nitrate in their airbags.” By that time, Cox hadn't been consulting with Takata for a few years. In 2016, Cox viewed a gruesome image of Joel Knight. As Cox details in the podcast, Knight was driving his pickup truck and hit a cow. It was a minor accident, but the Takata airbags deployed. The canister blew like a hand grenade sending a chunk of shrapnel the size of a hockey puck through the airbag and through Knight’s neck – killing him instantly. Cox said he then vowed to tell the inside story of how Knight and now at least 23 others have been killed and more than 300 have been injured by Takata airbags. The book details how Takata’s fraud scheme worked and exposes actions by current and former federal government officials that delayed and prevented safety recalls. "I feel I am morally obligated to write the book," said Cox, who further details the airbag issue on his website: <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://www.killerairbags.com">www.killerairbags.com</a>. The book is available on the author's website as well as on Amazon.com. Please join Bruce Aldrich and me as we hear from the author in a compelling episode. Jerry 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. Jerry W. Cox is the author of the new book, "Killer Airbags." 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 scandal that rocked the automotive industry. Cox also criticizes a recent decision by the Trump Administration not to recall an additional 30 million newer-model cars with Takata airbags. Killer Airbags in 70 million vehicles Ammonium nitrate, the chemical used in the airbags made and installed in 70 million cars in 19 different models by Takata, exploded in the defective airbags and led to hundreds of deaths and thousands of serious injuries, Cox states. The airbags were eventually recalled in the largest consumer product ever, but 12 million cars still have these devices that still have not been replaced. Cox writes he warned the company to recall the devices completely in 2014, but it didn't listen. "Takata chose ammonium nitrate to inflate its airbags because it was vastly cheaper than more stable propellants,” Cox said. “They faked reports showing ammonium nitrate was suitable and lied about the danger until 2017 when the company was convicted of criminal fraud and went bankrupt.” In 2015, federal regulators gave Takata until the end of 2019 to prove these “desiccated” inflators safe or to recall the 30 million affected 2018 and later-model vehicles. Instead of seeking an independent assessment, the Trump Transportation Department secretly solicited an engineering study from the motor vehicle manufacturers who were responsible for paying for the recall. It decided in May 2020 not to recall those vehicles. "The Transportation Department never asked the Takata engineers who designed those inflators whether they are safe,” said Cox. “All of those experts insist the inflators eventually will turn into hand grenades and that nobody should be driving a car with ammonium nitrate in their airbags.” By that time, Cox hadn't been consulting with Takata for a few years. In 2016, Cox viewed a gruesome image of Joel Knight. As Cox details in the podcast, Knight was driving his pickup truck and hit a cow. It was a minor accident, but the Takata airbags deployed. The canister blew like a hand grenade sending a chunk of shrapnel the size of a hockey puck through the airbag and through Knight’s neck – killing him instantly. Cox said he then vowed to tell the inside story of how Knight and now at least 23 others have been killed and more than 300 have been injured by Takata airbags. The book details how Takata’s fraud scheme worked and exposes actions by current and former federal government officials that delayed and prevented safety recalls. "I feel I am morally obligated to write the book," said Cox, who further details the airbag issue on his website: www.killerairbags.com. The book is available on the author's website as well as on Amazon.com. Please join Bruce Aldrich and me as we hear from the author in a compelling episode. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=33145 https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/08/145-podcast-killer-airbags/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=145-podcast-killer-airbags Thu, 06 Aug 2020 23:28:25 +0000 2600 false full #144, Rolls-Royce is back with a wicked ghost of a machine #144, Rolls-Royce is back with a wicked ghost of a machine James Raia and Bruce Aldrich Rolls-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. - Rolls-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. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/imagejpeg_0.jpg"></a>The 2020 Rolls-Royce Wraith defines power, opulence and obsession. Image © Bruce Aldrich/2020 Elizabeth Williams, the company's product communications manager, discusses the <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://www.rolls-roycemotorcars.com">Rolls-Royce return</a> 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 — the legacy of the brand to the current lineup. The podcast episode seemed like a natural after my recent opportunity to review a 2020 Rolls Royce Wraith. The Wraith remains the company's high-performance model. It features a twin-turbocharged 6.6-liter V12 engine that produces 624 horsepower. It's the most powerful car the company has ever made. It weighs 5,380 pounds but has serious, controlled speed. Named after the Scottish word meaning the image of a ghost or spirit, The Wraith debuted in 2013 as a 2014 model. For 2020, The body style is a two-door, pillar-less coupe with iconic suicide doors. The door handles are likely the largest ever installed in a car. Their girth suggests they weigh more than a Chevy Spark. The Wraith's interior is an opulent living room where the old world meets modern, understated technology. The analog features are complemented by the digital age working in the background. Every surface has a unique texture and color. The stitching and hides are different. Rolls-Royce has all the top-scale necessities in the back, but it forgot a place for adult-sized legs, so the rear seats are only for the small <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/07/2020-rolls-royce-wraith-pricey-worthy-ghost-of-xmas-now/">A Rolls-Royce's performance</a> is always at least equally matched by its beauty. The lines are a juxtaposition. Its battle-tank strength front flows into elegant curves at the rear of the beast. The Wraith offers a poised and unassuming in city driving — as if a Rolls-Royce can be understated. Feel the need to accelerate to merge into traffic at ease or maneuver around a pending situation, the Rolls' power prevails. Beyond the Wraith, Williams discusses the uniqueness of Rolls-Royce, including the new Black Bade trim. It's a $50,000 option — 21-inch carbon wheels to illuminate treadplates. Rolls-Royce extravagance also includes signature features, the shooting star headliner to its Teflon-coated hidden umbrella. Williams details who's buying the Wraith and its stature as a vehicle weighing more than 5,000 pounds, possessing 624 horsepower and with 0-to-60 miles per hour acceleration in 4.4 seconds Please join for an episode full of facts and figures and the glorious history of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on<a href="https://amzn.to/2PCdAr5"> Amazon.com</a>. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. Rolls-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. The 2020 Rolls-Royce Wraith defines power, opulence and obsession. Image © Bruce Aldrich/2020 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 — the legacy of the brand to the current lineup. The podcast episode seemed like a natural after my recent opportunity to review a 2020 Rolls Royce Wraith. The Wraith remains the company's high-performance model. It features a twin-turbocharged 6.6-liter V12 engine that produces 624 horsepower. It's the most powerful car the company has ever made. It weighs 5,380 pounds but has serious, controlled speed. Named after the Scottish word meaning the image of a ghost or spirit, The Wraith debuted in 2013 as a 2014 model. For 2020, The body style is a two-door, pillar-less coupe with iconic suicide doors. The door handles are likely the largest ever installed in a car. Their girth suggests they weigh more than a Chevy Spark. The Wraith's interior is an opulent living room where the old world meets modern, understated technology. The analog features are complemented by the digital age working in the background. Every surface has a unique texture and color. The stitching and hides are different. Rolls-Royce has all the top-scale necessities in the back, but it forgot a place for adult-sized legs, so the rear seats are only for the small A Rolls-Royce's performance is always at least equally matched by its beauty. The lines are a juxtaposition. Its battle-tank strength front flows into elegant curves at the rear of the beast. The Wraith offers a poised and unassuming in city driving — as if a Rolls-Royce can be understated. Feel the need to accelerate to merge into traffic at ease or maneuver around a pending situation, the Rolls' power prevails. Beyond the Wraith, Williams discusses the uniqueness of Rolls-Royce, including the new Black Bade trim. It's a $50,000 option — 21-inch carbon wheels to illuminate treadplates. Rolls-Royce extravagance also includes signature features, the shooting star headliner to its Teflon-coated hidden umbrella. Williams details who's buying the Wraith and its stature as a vehicle weighing more than 5,000 pounds, possessing 624 horsepower and with 0-to-60 miles per hour acceleration in 4.4 seconds Please join for an episode full of facts and figures and the glorious history of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: Google Play iTunes Spotify Stitcher iheartradio https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=33127 https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/08/144-rolls-royce-is-back-with-a-wicked-ghost-of-a-machine/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=144-rolls-royce-is-back-with-a-wicked-ghost-of-a-machine Wed, 05 Aug 2020 06:26:59 +0000 1758 false full #143, Record sale for Mustang; goodbye Chevy Sonic, Honda Fit #143, Record sale for Mustang; goodbye Chevy Sonic, Honda Fit James Raia and Bruce Aldrich 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 sellin... 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 <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://theweeklydriver.com/2018/05/2018-honda-fit-money-car-for-budget-minded-buyers/">Honda Fit</a> 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. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/imagejpeg_0.jpg"></a>The 2020 Rolls-Royce Wraith defines power, opulence and obsession. Bruce Aldrich and I discuss it and several other topics like the recent sale of a 1965 Ford Mustang for a record price during this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Image © Bruce Aldrich/2020. 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 has a great heritage. It was once driven by Ken Miles of <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://theweeklydriver.com/2019/11/stuntman-robert-nagle-silent-car-star-in-ford-v-ferrari/">“Ford v Ferrari”</a> fame. It sold at the recent <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://theweeklydriver.com/2019/07/95-mecum-auctions-defines-fun-during-monterey-auto-week/">Mecum Auctions</a> event in Indianapolis. The sale marked the second record Mustang sale this year. In January, the long-lost 1968 Mustang featured in the Steve McQueen film “Bullitt” sold for $3.74 million. Bruce and I discuss that, too. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/mustang1.jpg"></a>This 1965 Ford Mustang sold recently for a record $3.85 million at Mecum Auctions in Indianapolis In this episode, we talk about the cancellation of all but one event of <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/04/coronavirus-concerns-crash-monterey-auto-week/">Monterey Auto Week</a>. More than 30 events are held annually for about 10 days in August. The only event left is a 100-mile auto rally in Pacific Grove. The vehicles involved won't be on display as usual, but the yearly drive for charity will remain. And was there any bigger news recently than the return of the <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/07/141-2021-ford-bronco-debuts-hagerty-expert-praises-icon/">Ford Bronco</a>? We've got that covered, too And lastly, Bruce and I chat about my recent review of a <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/07/2020-rolls-royce-wraith-pricey-worthy-ghost-of-xmas-now/">2020 Rolls-Royce Wraith</a>. It's among the most opulent vehicles I've ever driven during my 16 years as a car reviewer. As always, <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://theweeklydriver.com/podcast">The Weekly Driver Podcast</a> encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on<a href="https://amzn.to/2PCdAr5"> Amazon.com</a>. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on <a href="http://wwww.theweeklydriver.com/podcast">www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast</a> Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://play.google.com/music/m/Iqzatcupnefrzflzyqr5fashc44?t=THE_WEEKLY_DRIVER">Google Play</a> <a href="https://itunes.apple. 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. The 2020 Rolls-Royce Wraith defines power, opulence and obsession. Bruce Aldrich and I discuss it and several other topics like the recent sale of a 1965 Ford Mustang for a record price during this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Image © Bruce Aldrich/2020. 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 has a great heritage. It was once driven by Ken Miles of “Ford v Ferrari” fame. It sold at the recent Mecum Auctions event in Indianapolis. The sale marked the second record Mustang sale this year. In January, the long-lost 1968 Mustang featured in the Steve McQueen film “Bullitt” sold for $3.74 million. Bruce and I discuss that, too. This 1965 Ford Mustang sold recently for a record $3.85 million at Mecum Auctions in Indianapolis In this episode, we talk about the cancellation of all but one event of Monterey Auto Week. More than 30 events are held annually for about 10 days in August. The only event left is a 100-mile auto rally in Pacific Grove. The vehicles involved won't be on display as usual, but the yearly drive for charity will remain. And was there any bigger news recently than the return of the Ford Bronco? We've got that covered, too And lastly, Bruce and I chat about my recent review of a 2020 Rolls-Royce Wraith. It's among the most opulent vehicles I've ever driven during my 16 years as a car reviewer. As always, The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: Google Play iTunes Spotify Stitcher iheartradio Editor's note: This post has been corrected. Chevrolet will discontinue the Sonic, not the Spark as previously written, https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=33085 https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/07/143-record-sale-for-mustang-goodbye-chevy-sonic-honda-fit/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=143-record-sale-for-mustang-goodbye-chevy-sonic-honda-fit Sat, 25 Jul 2020 00:01:50 +0000 1603 false full #142, Pickup truck rarity: 1958 Chevy an homage to SF Giants #142, Pickup truck rarity: 1958 Chevy an homage to SF Giants James Raia and Bruce Aldrich 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. 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. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/zen3.jpg"></a>A 1958 Chevy pickup truck in the SF Giants colors is for sale at Zen Auto Sales in Sacramento, California. Image © Bruce Aldrich/2020. Daneshvar is our guest on Episode #142 of <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://theweeklydriver.com/podcast">The Weekly Driver Podcast</a>. 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 few feet away. A one-of-a-kind 1958 pickup truck Apache was Chevrolet's terminology for the light-duty trucks of the so-called Task Force line. It was introduced as a replacement for the Advance Design line. The Apache was sold in the Fleetside configuration starting in 1958 and it's become an industry favorite for customization. The pickup truck's exterior paint is dominated by the team's primary colors, orange and black. The team logos on the pickup truck are original 1958 Giants decals. "We just call it a nice daily driver," said Daneshvar, who has owned Zen Auto Sales since June of 2006. "It's a vehicle somebody took the time to dedicate to the appreciation and his love of the team." "I guess with any of these vehicles you can pick it apart with a fine comb. But for the most part, anybody who likes to have a token of a sports team, this is a really nice example of it. We are pleased and honored to have it." Not all details of the pickup truck are known. It's had a few owners and on consignment by its current owner, Julio Peix. He owns Lefty's, a taproom and grill across the street from Zen Auto. Peix bought the vehicle years ago and had plans to use it in opening day parades for youth baseball teams. He tried make an arrangement with the Giants to use the vehicle for marketing or promotional events but that didn't happen. The Sacramento River Cats, the AAA affiliate of the Giants, weren't interested, either. Prix decided owning two food businesses in Sacramento took precedent and the vehicle is now on consignment. "It's not overdone like some trucks can be," said Daneshvar. "It's tastefully done. It's just a nice example for someone." "And I think when people buy these vehicles, they understand that they are not the comfort features of the vehicles you buy cars. But this one does have air conditioning, power steering and disc brakes on it." Daneshvar, a former pharmaceutical salesman whose father works in the same building space in a complementary business, is happy to discuss more details of the truck as well as the histories of his other vehicles. The price of the pickup truck isn't posted on the vehicle, a usual approach in the vintage car business. But the Zen Auto Sales' owner estimated its worth at approximately $22,000. For additional information, visit or contact Zeno Auto Sales: 5613 Elvas Ave, Sacramento, CA 95819. Tel. (916) 743-1165; Email: Website: <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://www.zenauto.biz">https://www.zenauto.biz</a>. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. 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. A 1958 Chevy pickup truck in the SF Giants colors is for sale at Zen Auto Sales in Sacramento, California. Image © Bruce Aldrich/2020. 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 few feet away. A one-of-a-kind 1958 pickup truck Apache was Chevrolet's terminology for the light-duty trucks of the so-called Task Force line. It was introduced as a replacement for the Advance Design line. The Apache was sold in the Fleetside configuration starting in 1958 and it's become an industry favorite for customization. The pickup truck's exterior paint is dominated by the team's primary colors, orange and black. The team logos on the pickup truck are original 1958 Giants decals. "We just call it a nice daily driver," said Daneshvar, who has owned Zen Auto Sales since June of 2006. "It's a vehicle somebody took the time to dedicate to the appreciation and his love of the team." "I guess with any of these vehicles you can pick it apart with a fine comb. But for the most part, anybody who likes to have a token of a sports team, this is a really nice example of it. We are pleased and honored to have it." Not all details of the pickup truck are known. It's had a few owners and on consignment by its current owner, Julio Peix. He owns Lefty's, a taproom and grill across the street from Zen Auto. Peix bought the vehicle years ago and had plans to use it in opening day parades for youth baseball teams. He tried make an arrangement with the Giants to use the vehicle for marketing or promotional events but that didn't happen. The Sacramento River Cats, the AAA affiliate of the Giants, weren't interested, either. Prix decided owning two food businesses in Sacramento took precedent and the vehicle is now on consignment. "It's not overdone like some trucks can be," said Daneshvar. "It's tastefully done. It's just a nice example for someone." "And I think when people buy these vehicles, they understand that they are not the comfort features of the vehicles you buy cars. But this one does have air conditioning, power steering and disc brakes on it." Daneshvar, a former pharmaceutical salesman whose father works in the same building space in a complementary business, is happy to discuss more details of the truck as well as the histories of his other vehicles. The price of the pickup truck isn't posted on the vehicle, a usual approach in the vintage car business. But the Zen Auto Sales' owner estimated its worth at approximately $22,000. For additional information, visit or contact Zeno Auto Sales: 5613 Elvas Ave, Sacramento, CA 95819. Tel. (916) 743-1165; Email: Website: https://www.zenauto.biz. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: Google Play iTunes Spotify Stitcher iheartradio https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=33046 https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/07/142-pickup-truck-rarity-1958-chevy-an-homage-to-sf-giants/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=142-pickup-truck-rarity-1958-chevy-an-homage-to-sf-giants Mon, 20 Jul 2020 19:48:44 +0000 2082 false full #141, 2021 Ford Bronco debuts; Hagerty expert praises icon #141, 2021 Ford Bronco debuts; Hagerty expert praises icon James Raia and Bruce Aldrich Nearly 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, Nearly 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. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/9504824-1966-ford-bronco-thumb.jpg"></a>The Ford Bronco debuted in 1966 and the 2021 edition was unveiled July 13, 2021. Brian Rabold, vice president of valuation services for Hagerty, is our guest on this episode of <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://theweeklydriver.com/podcast">The Weekly Driver Podcast</a> 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 model years, generations and trims, has increased in value rapidly in recent years. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia talk with Rabold about the history of the Bronco and Hagerty's insights into the vehicle's chronology and its re-emergence. According to Hagerty, consider some facts and figures: * the age of the average owner of Bronco owner is 54, seven years younger than the average collector car owner; * The first generation (’66-‘77 Broncos) are the most valuable at a median value at $50,600. The ’73-’77 Wagon 4x4 with the 302cid engine is the most valuable model with a median value of $60,200; * The highest sale for an unmodified Bronco at auction is $143,000 for a 1971 Bronco Stroppe Baja Edition. Rabold discusses all of the Bronco's attributes and he has an impressive knowledge of the vehicle's place in American automotive culture. He also gives us an opinion about one oddity of the debut of the new Bronco. Originally scheduled for July 9, the planned debut of the <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://www.ford.com/bronco/">2021 Ford Bronco</a> coincided with the birthday of O.J. Simpson. Simpson, the former Heisman Trophy winner and National Football League star, was wanted in the slayings of ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend, Ronald Goldman. After Simpson failed to turn himself in, a national television audience of 95 million watched for hours as the drama unfolded of Simpson slowly being pursued on Los Angeles Freeways as the passenger in a 1993 white Bronco driven by his friend. Simpson was acquitted a year later in one of the most closely watched murder trials in American history. But the Bronco has since been associated with the bizarre day. Ford officials said it was “pure coincidence” when they announced the debut's original date. But Ford dropped the Bronco in 1996. Rabold said he "gives Ford the benefit of the doubt." The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on<a href="https://amzn.to/2PCdAr5"> Amazon.com</a>. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on <a href="http://wwww.theweeklydriver.com/podcast">www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast</a> Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://play.google.com/music/m/Iqzatcupnefrzflzyqr5fashc44?t=THE_WEEKLY_DRIVER">Google Play</a> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-weekly-driver/id1280593178?mt=2">iTunes</a> <a href="https://open. Nearly 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. The Ford Bronco debuted in 1966 and the 2021 edition was unveiled July 13, 2021. 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 model years, generations and trims, has increased in value rapidly in recent years. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia talk with Rabold about the history of the Bronco and Hagerty's insights into the vehicle's chronology and its re-emergence. According to Hagerty, consider some facts and figures: * the age of the average owner of Bronco owner is 54, seven years younger than the average collector car owner; * The first generation (’66-‘77 Broncos) are the most valuable at a median value at $50,600. The ’73-’77 Wagon 4x4 with the 302cid engine is the most valuable model with a median value of $60,200; * The highest sale for an unmodified Bronco at auction is $143,000 for a 1971 Bronco Stroppe Baja Edition. Rabold discusses all of the Bronco's attributes and he has an impressive knowledge of the vehicle's place in American automotive culture. He also gives us an opinion about one oddity of the debut of the new Bronco. Originally scheduled for July 9, the planned debut of the 2021 Ford Bronco coincided with the birthday of O.J. Simpson. Simpson, the former Heisman Trophy winner and National Football League star, was wanted in the slayings of ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend, Ronald Goldman. After Simpson failed to turn himself in, a national television audience of 95 million watched for hours as the drama unfolded of Simpson slowly being pursued on Los Angeles Freeways as the passenger in a 1993 white Bronco driven by his friend. Simpson was acquitted a year later in one of the most closely watched murder trials in American history. But the Bronco has since been associated with the bizarre day. Ford officials said it was “pure coincidence” when they announced the debut's original date. But Ford dropped the Bronco in 1996. Rabold said he "gives Ford the benefit of the doubt." The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: Google Play iTunes Spotify Stitcher iheartradio https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=32998 https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/07/141-2021-ford-bronco-debuts-hagerty-expert-praises-icon/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=141-2021-ford-bronco-debuts-hagerty-expert-praises-icon Mon, 13 Jul 2020 04:55:47 +0000 1842 false full #140, RV expert Chuck Woodbury discusses Covid-19 #140, RV expert Chuck Woodbury discusses Covid-19 James Raia and Bruce Aldrich Chuck 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, Chuck 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. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/camping-4086895_960_720-1.jpg"></a>The RV industry is changing quickly during the coronavirus pandemic. 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 <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://www.rvtravel.com">RVTravel.com</a>, is our guest on Episode #140 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. The coronavirus has impacted the RV industry Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with Woodbury how the coronavirus affected his journey. How did the virus affect various campgrounds and trailer parks in different states? <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/chuck883.jpg"></a>Chuck Woodbury, Editor and Publisher of RVTravel.com, discusses the impact of the coronavirus on the RV industry. Woodbury, previously a guest on our podcast in episodes Nos. 25 and 104, also discusses the industry's boom. With restaurants, movie theaters, grocery stores and airline travel all suffering during the virus, sales have escalated. For dubious reasons, the motorhome industry, which had tapered in recent years, is returning to a peak when about a half-million vehicles were sold per year. According to a recent article in the Los Angeles Times, sales have increased by nearly 200 percent in the last year, via statistics provided by an industry association. The article's author, describing RVing, wrote: "Travelers carry their homes, complete with personally sanitized bedrooms, bathrooms and kitchens, with them in tortoise-like fashion." As an industry advocate with a critical eye on the lack of quality control in craftsmanship and repair, Woodbury also discusses the manufacturing component of the industry. Can the new demand be meet by consistency in the manufacture of new motorhomes? Or will quality control remain problematic? With more travelers on the road in RVs, can the repair industry work efficiently and with consistency in quality control? Woodbury gives his opinions on those topics and several others during our 30-minute conversation. He's concerned about how reservation systems will work? Will campgrounds and state parks experience overcrowding? In a recent issue of the RVTravel.com newsletter, Woodbury wrote in his Roadside Journal: "If this buying frenzy continues, I worry that there may often be times when there is no place to stay with an RV except on public lands or in Walmart parking lot. But that’s not part of the 'RV dream' for most of the newbies." "They are not campers in the sense of roasting marshmallows over the campfire, and most never dreamed that one day they could be so lucky to sit in their lawn chair in a Walmart parking lot and celebrate solar-heated asphalt." Please join Bruce and me as we talk with a preeminent industry expert about the current and potential future of RV travel. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on<a href="https://amzn.to/2PCdAr5"> Amazon.com</a>. Chuck 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. The RV industry is changing quickly during the coronavirus pandemic. 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 The Weekly Driver Podcast. The coronavirus has impacted the RV industry Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with Woodbury how the coronavirus affected his journey. How did the virus affect various campgrounds and trailer parks in different states? Chuck Woodbury, Editor and Publisher of RVTravel.com, discusses the impact of the coronavirus on the RV industry. Woodbury, previously a guest on our podcast in episodes Nos. 25 and 104, also discusses the industry's boom. With restaurants, movie theaters, grocery stores and airline travel all suffering during the virus, sales have escalated. For dubious reasons, the motorhome industry, which had tapered in recent years, is returning to a peak when about a half-million vehicles were sold per year. According to a recent article in the Los Angeles Times, sales have increased by nearly 200 percent in the last year, via statistics provided by an industry association. The article's author, describing RVing, wrote: "Travelers carry their homes, complete with personally sanitized bedrooms, bathrooms and kitchens, with them in tortoise-like fashion." As an industry advocate with a critical eye on the lack of quality control in craftsmanship and repair, Woodbury also discusses the manufacturing component of the industry. Can the new demand be meet by consistency in the manufacture of new motorhomes? Or will quality control remain problematic? With more travelers on the road in RVs, can the repair industry work efficiently and with consistency in quality control? Woodbury gives his opinions on those topics and several others during our 30-minute conversation. He's concerned about how reservation systems will work? Will campgrounds and state parks experience overcrowding? In a recent issue of the RVTravel.com newsletter, Woodbury wrote in his Roadside Journal: "If this buying frenzy continues, I worry that there may often be times when there is no place to stay with an RV except on public lands or in Walmart parking lot. But that’s not part of the 'RV dream' for most of the newbies." "They are not campers in the sense of roasting marshmallows over the campfire, and most never dreamed that one day they could be so lucky to sit in their lawn chair in a Walmart parking lot and celebrate solar-heated asphalt." Please join Bruce and me as we talk with a preeminent industry expert about the current and potential future of RV travel. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: Google Play iTunes Spotify Stitcher iheartradio To listen to previous episodes of The Weekly Driver Podcast with Woodbury as our guest, visit: Episode #25: Website publisher shares RV horror stories on Facebook Episode #104: RV expert discusses the ever-changing industry https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=32937 https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/07/140-podcast-rv-with-chuck/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=140-podcast-rv-with-chuck Fri, 03 Jul 2020 01:22:08 +0000 1970 false full #139, Cars.com index reveals ‘Made in America’ gains importance #139, Cars.com index reveals ‘Made in America’ gains importance James Raia and Bruce Aldrich 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. Kelsey Mays, senior consumer affairs and vehicle evaluations editor for <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://www.cars.com">Cars.com</a>, 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. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/ranger.jpg"></a>The 2020 Ford Ranger is the most American made vehicle in cars.com recently released 15th American Mage Index. 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 car due to the current health and economic crisis. Four percent said they were less likely. Additionally, 26 percent of those surveyed said “unpatriotic” to buy a non-American-made car. It's an increase of eight percent from 2019. 2020 Ford Rangers gets Cars.com top marks “This marks the 15th year we have released the American-Made Index, and for the first time, we are ranking a full, comprehensive list of qualifying American-made cars available in the U.S. Of some 350 cars on the market for 2020, 91 models qualified for our index,” said Mays. “The auto industry is highly globalized, but these 91 models bring jobs to America and investments to our local communities — a growing concern for Americans in the current climate.” For 2020, the No. 1 most American-made vehicle for is the Michigan-built Ford Ranger. The Jeep Cherokee, assembled in northern Illinois, is No. 2 in the survey. New entrant Tesla took three spots among the top 10. Cars.com’s American-Made Index ranks cars based on five factors: assembly location, parts sourcing as determined by the American Automobile Labeling Act, U.S. factory employment relative to vehicle production, engine sourcing and transmission sourcing. The survey, conducted May 26-28, included more than 1,000 participants from an independent, third-party provider. With rising interest in buying American amid the economic disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic, cars.com has changed its methodology and expanded its rankings to all qualified cars built in the U.S. Here are the top 10 finishers on the 2020 <a href="http://cars.com/">Cars.com</a> American-Made Index:   Rank Make/Model U.S. Assembly Plant Location(s) 1. Ford Ranger Wayne, Mich. 2. Jeep Cherokee Belvidere, Ill. 3. Tesla Model S Fremont, Calif. 4. Tesla Model 3 Fremont, Calif. 5. Honda Odyssey Lincoln, Ala. 6. Honda Ridgeline Lincoln, Ala. 7. Honda Passport Lincoln, Ala. 8. Chevrolet Corvette Bowling Green, Ky. 9. Tesla Model X Fremont, Calif. 10. Chevrolet Colorado Wentzville, Mo. “Expanding the American-Made Index required significant updates to certain elements of our methodology, but the results accommodate a long-standing desire of AMI audiences: to see the full list,” Mays said. In total, the 2020 American-Made Index ranks cars from 13 automakers built in 14 states. 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. The 2020 Ford Ranger is the most American made vehicle in cars.com recently released 15th American Mage Index. 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 car due to the current health and economic crisis. Four percent said they were less likely. Additionally, 26 percent of those surveyed said “unpatriotic” to buy a non-American-made car. It's an increase of eight percent from 2019. 2020 Ford Rangers gets Cars.com top marks “This marks the 15th year we have released the American-Made Index, and for the first time, we are ranking a full, comprehensive list of qualifying American-made cars available in the U.S. Of some 350 cars on the market for 2020, 91 models qualified for our index,” said Mays. “The auto industry is highly globalized, but these 91 models bring jobs to America and investments to our local communities — a growing concern for Americans in the current climate.” For 2020, the No. 1 most American-made vehicle for is the Michigan-built Ford Ranger. The Jeep Cherokee, assembled in northern Illinois, is No. 2 in the survey. New entrant Tesla took three spots among the top 10. Cars.com’s American-Made Index ranks cars based on five factors: assembly location, parts sourcing as determined by the American Automobile Labeling Act, U.S. factory employment relative to vehicle production, engine sourcing and transmission sourcing. The survey, conducted May 26-28, included more than 1,000 participants from an independent, third-party provider. With rising interest in buying American amid the economic disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic, cars.com has changed its methodology and expanded its rankings to all qualified cars built in the U.S. Here are the top 10 finishers on the 2020 Cars.com American-Made Index: Rank Make/Model U.S. Assembly Plant Location(s) 1. Ford Ranger Wayne, Mich. 2. Jeep Cherokee Belvidere, Ill. 3. Tesla Model S Fremont, Calif. 4. Tesla Model 3 Fremont, Calif. 5. Honda Odyssey Lincoln, Ala. 6. Honda Ridgeline Lincoln, Ala. 7. Honda Passport Lincoln, Ala. 8. Chevrolet Corvette Bowling Green, Ky. 9. Tesla Model X Fremont, Calif. 10. Chevrolet Colorado Wentzville, Mo. “Expanding the American-Made Index required significant updates to certain elements of our methodology, but the results accommodate a long-standing desire of AMI audiences: to see the full list,” Mays said. In total, the 2020 American-Made Index ranks cars from 13 automakers built in 14 states. Please join us for an informative episode as we chat the Mays about all things involving American-made cars and trucks. CARS is a leading digital marketplace and solutions provider for the automotive industry that connects car shoppers with sellers. Launched in 1998 with the flagship marketplace cars.com and headquartered in Chicago, the Company empowers shoppers with the data, resources and digital tools needed to make informed buying decisions and seamlessly connect with automotive retailers. CARS enables dealerships and OEMs with innovative technical solutions and data-driven intelligence to better reach and influence ready-to-buy shoppers, increase inventory turn and gain market share. For more information on the 2020 Cars. https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=32918 https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/06/139-cars-com-index-reveals-made-in-america-gains-importance/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=139-cars-com-index-reveals-made-in-america-gains-importance Mon, 29 Jun 2020 20:28:42 +0000 2084 false full #138, Tom Britzman: A 1917 Saxon and 80 years of driving #138, Tom Britzman: A 1917 Saxon and 80 years of driving James Raia and Bruce Aldrich 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, 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 <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://theweeklydriver.com/podcast">The Weekly Driver Podcast.</a> Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia talk with Britzman about his 80 years of driving. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Saxon-1915.jpg"></a>Tom Britzman drove a 1917 Saxon as a freshman at Lodi High School. Now living with his wife in the unincorporated community of East Garrison (formerly Ft. Old), Britzman was an experienced driver when he acquired his first driver's license at age 14. It was the former minimum age. 1917 Saxon: A competitor to Ford's Model T As a freshman, Britzman began driving a <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saxon_Motor_Car_Company">1917 Saxon</a> to Lodi High School. His father purchased the car for $35. "Basically, it was made like a hotrod, but there's was no such thing as a hotrod in 1917," said Britzman, who recalls his life with automobiles with vivid detail. "I have a picture in my garage with me sitting in it with my Levis rolled up about six inches. Of course, there are no doors, so you can see a lot of me in the picture." Saxon Motor Car Company, based in Detroit later in Ypsilanti, Michigan, had a decade-long run beginning in 1913. It was offered as a two-seat roadster with a 2 or 3-speed rear axle gearbox. It cost $395. Headlights were an option until electric lighting became standard in 1915. That's when a Saxon Six, with seating for five, a 112-inch wheelbase and 32x3 1/2-inch wheels, debuted. The price was $785. A record 27,800 Saxon vehicles were made in 1916, followed by a name change (Saxon-Duplex) in 1921. The company's demise occurred two years later. Britzman didn't have his 1917 Saxon long. An alternative to a Model-T, the Saxon Six had two more cylinders than its more renowned competitor. "Four-cylinder cars of the day vibrated a lot, Britzman said. "A six-cylinder didn't vibrate quite as much." Britzman's high school car was painted red and white, the colors of Lodi High School. The word Lodi was emblazoned across the grille, which was actually the radiator. The car didn't have a self-starter, so Britzman learned how to crank start the engine. The Saxon also didn't have a top, doors, running boards or fenders. While still in high school, Britzman upgraded to a Ford Model-A. It was a substantial improvement, but the car was also topless. Britzman made a top for his new wheels in shop class. "It was fine, even when it rained," Britzman recalled of his Saxon. "When you are 14 and you're in high school and you have wheels, you think you are pretty good. The car had a windshield and it was really kind of neat. But I think the car was more well-known than I was." Lots of vehicles followed, including a '37 Ford with 60 horsepower, a '58 Chevy Nomad station wagon and a '54 Chevy Corvette he bought used for $1,300. Britzman, 90, currently drives a 2010 Ford Fusion. He limits trips to five miles. "The last moving violation I got was in the 1970s," he said. "Well, I've deserved a lot more. I did a favor for someone in the 1960s. I was helping the (California) Highway Patrol do something. 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. Tom Britzman drove a 1917 Saxon as a freshman at Lodi High School. Now living with his wife in the unincorporated community of East Garrison (formerly Ft. Old), Britzman was an experienced driver when he acquired his first driver's license at age 14. It was the former minimum age. 1917 Saxon: A competitor to Ford's Model T As a freshman, Britzman began driving a 1917 Saxon to Lodi High School. His father purchased the car for $35. "Basically, it was made like a hotrod, but there's was no such thing as a hotrod in 1917," said Britzman, who recalls his life with automobiles with vivid detail. "I have a picture in my garage with me sitting in it with my Levis rolled up about six inches. Of course, there are no doors, so you can see a lot of me in the picture." Saxon Motor Car Company, based in Detroit later in Ypsilanti, Michigan, had a decade-long run beginning in 1913. It was offered as a two-seat roadster with a 2 or 3-speed rear axle gearbox. It cost $395. Headlights were an option until electric lighting became standard in 1915. That's when a Saxon Six, with seating for five, a 112-inch wheelbase and 32x3 1/2-inch wheels, debuted. The price was $785. A record 27,800 Saxon vehicles were made in 1916, followed by a name change (Saxon-Duplex) in 1921. The company's demise occurred two years later. Britzman didn't have his 1917 Saxon long. An alternative to a Model-T, the Saxon Six had two more cylinders than its more renowned competitor. "Four-cylinder cars of the day vibrated a lot, Britzman said. "A six-cylinder didn't vibrate quite as much." Britzman's high school car was painted red and white, the colors of Lodi High School. The word Lodi was emblazoned across the grille, which was actually the radiator. The car didn't have a self-starter, so Britzman learned how to crank start the engine. The Saxon also didn't have a top, doors, running boards or fenders. While still in high school, Britzman upgraded to a Ford Model-A. It was a substantial improvement, but the car was also topless. Britzman made a top for his new wheels in shop class. "It was fine, even when it rained," Britzman recalled of his Saxon. "When you are 14 and you're in high school and you have wheels, you think you are pretty good. The car had a windshield and it was really kind of neat. But I think the car was more well-known than I was." Lots of vehicles followed, including a '37 Ford with 60 horsepower, a '58 Chevy Nomad station wagon and a '54 Chevy Corvette he bought used for $1,300. Britzman, 90, currently drives a 2010 Ford Fusion. He limits trips to five miles. "The last moving violation I got was in the 1970s," he said. "Well, I've deserved a lot more. I did a favor for someone in the 1960s. I was helping the (California) Highway Patrol do something. They gave me a miniature highway patrol badge. "I have it attached in my wallet. If I am stopped, which I have been occasionally, it's generally for going too fast. I always find a way to fumble around to get to my driver's license so that they see the badge. I've gotten some warnings, but I haven't gotten a ticket." As for the 1917 Saxon, Britzman said he understood the engine was used in a irrigation ditch to water plants. https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=32912 https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/06/138-podcast-1917-saxon-6/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=138-podcast-1917-saxon-6 Sun, 21 Jun 2020 19:51:49 +0000 1767 false full #137, SellMax will buy your used car, junker to classic #137, SellMax will buy your used car, junker to classic James Raia and Bruce Aldrich 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, 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 <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://theweeklydriver.com/podcast">The Weekly Driver Podcast</a>. 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. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/yard.jpg"></a>SellMax is a nationwide used-car-buying service headquartered in San Diego that simplifies the process of selling a used car — in any condition. The goal of SellMax (<a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://www.sellmax.com">www.sellmax.com</a>) 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 in response to the 2008 recession, so as you can imagine there were lots of ups and downs." In addition to its San Diego base, SellMax has eight additional locations in California, five in Washington as four in Texas and in other states. SellMax will buy your used car <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/sean.jpeg"></a>Sean Pour is a co-founder of SellMax, a nationwide company that streamlines the process of selling a used car regardless of its condition. Among other topics, Pour discusses vehicles that retain resale value, getting a good price when buying or selling a car, and how to avoid internet car scams on Craigslist and other online car-buying platforms. Since he's been in the business for more a decade, Pour and his co-workers have seen a lot of cars. They know the selling patterns, fair pricing and the oddities of the automotive industry. Some vehicles end up going to auction, some are sold for scrap metal. Pour recalls SellMax once had a vehicle the FBI was interested as a part of a criminal investigation. And then there was the time the steering wheel of one of the company's vehicles fell off. In a 2019 article in the publication techrepublic.com, Pour details SellMax is in contact with 7,000 customers a month and purchases about 4,200 vehicles a month. He estimates buying 6,000 vehicles a month by the end of 2020. Pour reiterates SellMax's goal is to simplify the process of selling a vehicle. Among the company's mottos: "We Ain't Picky. Don't sweat it! At SellMax, we love all cars equally. Whether your car's falling apart or state-of-the-art, we'll make sure it'll find a home for a fair, competitive price." SellMax enjoys its business and it shows. It advertises its business in a folksy, humorous way. But, of course, the buying of used cars is a business. The company's slogans also include: "We hate complications. That’s why we’ve streamlined things for you. With quick quotes, minimal paperwork, and free, flexible pick-ups, you expend minimal effort to get maximum profits. It’s that easy." "Welcome to SellMax. We're not magicians, but we'll make your old car disappear and leave a fat stack of cash." Please join us for an entertaining episode with Sean Pour and his journey in the business of buying and selling cars quickly, regardless of condition and circumstances. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. 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. SellMax is a nationwide used-car-buying service headquartered in San Diego that simplifies the process of selling a used car — in any condition. 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 in response to the 2008 recession, so as you can imagine there were lots of ups and downs." In addition to its San Diego base, SellMax has eight additional locations in California, five in Washington as four in Texas and in other states. SellMax will buy your used car Sean Pour is a co-founder of SellMax, a nationwide company that streamlines the process of selling a used car regardless of its condition. Among other topics, Pour discusses vehicles that retain resale value, getting a good price when buying or selling a car, and how to avoid internet car scams on Craigslist and other online car-buying platforms. Since he's been in the business for more a decade, Pour and his co-workers have seen a lot of cars. They know the selling patterns, fair pricing and the oddities of the automotive industry. Some vehicles end up going to auction, some are sold for scrap metal. Pour recalls SellMax once had a vehicle the FBI was interested as a part of a criminal investigation. And then there was the time the steering wheel of one of the company's vehicles fell off. In a 2019 article in the publication techrepublic.com, Pour details SellMax is in contact with 7,000 customers a month and purchases about 4,200 vehicles a month. He estimates buying 6,000 vehicles a month by the end of 2020. Pour reiterates SellMax's goal is to simplify the process of selling a vehicle. Among the company's mottos: "We Ain't Picky. Don't sweat it! At SellMax, we love all cars equally. Whether your car's falling apart or state-of-the-art, we'll make sure it'll find a home for a fair, competitive price." SellMax enjoys its business and it shows. It advertises its business in a folksy, humorous way. But, of course, the buying of used cars is a business. The company's slogans also include: "We hate complications. That’s why we’ve streamlined things for you. With quick quotes, minimal paperwork, and free, flexible pick-ups, you expend minimal effort to get maximum profits. It’s that easy." "Welcome to SellMax. We're not magicians, but we'll make your old car disappear and leave a fat stack of cash." Please join us for an entertaining episode with Sean Pour and his journey in the business of buying and selling cars quickly, regardless of condition and circumstances. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: Google Play iTunes Spotify Stitcher iheartradio https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=32828 https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/06/137-sellmax-will-buy-your-used-car-junker-to-classic/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=137-sellmax-will-buy-your-used-car-junker-to-classic Tue, 16 Jun 2020 01:42:53 +0000 1814 false full #136, Prof. Brian Marks talks cars, Covid-19 #136, Prof. Brian Marks talks cars, Covid-19 James Raia and Bruce Aldrich Brian Marks is the Executive Director of the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Program at the University of New Haven in West Haven, Conn. He has a Ph.D. in Economics, a law degree, several additional titles and plenty of academic responsibilities. - Brian Marks is the Executive Director of the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Program at the University of New Haven in West Haven, Conn. He has a Ph.D. in Economics, a law degree, several additional titles and plenty of academic responsibilities. Marks' opinions are thought-provoking and concisely address the COVID-19 and how it has and will continue to affect the automotive world. While covering many areas of the industry, Marks is our guest this week on <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://theweeklydriver.com/podcast">The Weekly Driver Podcast</a>. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia, continuing our social- distancing podcast, speak with Marks from Bruce's backyard in Sacramento, California. Our guest joins us from his basement office in Connecticut. How has COVID-19 changed the auto landscape? How will buyers' habits change? How will autonomous driving move forward? As the COVID-19 restrictions lift, will the workforce retain its current collective home office practices? Or will commuting, highway congestion and other pre-virus driving dilemmas quickly return? Marks believes buyers' preferences, shared driving platforms, business models and public transportation will all remain unlike it they were prior to the health crisis. And the industry will remain different for the foreseeable future. Join us for Episode #136 of The Weekly Driver Podcast as we welcome an expert who presents a healthy dose of practical expertise on how COVID-19 is affecting the automotive industry. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on<a href="https://amzn.to/2PCdAr5"> Amazon.com</a>. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on <a href="http://wwww.theweeklydriver.com/podcast">www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast</a> Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://play.google.com/music/m/Iqzatcupnefrzflzyqr5fashc44?t=THE_WEEKLY_DRIVER">Google Play</a> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-weekly-driver/id1280593178?mt=2">iTunes</a> <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/14uslDCRvZiMd8WTc7xZkd">Spotify</a> <a href="https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-weekly-driver-podcast">Stitcher</a> <a href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/256-the-weekly-driver-31096156/">iheartradio</a>   Brian Marks is the Executive Director of the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Program at the University of New Haven in West Haven, Conn. He has a Ph.D. in Economics, a law degree, several additional titles and plenty of academic responsibilities. Marks' opinions are thought-provoking and concisely address the COVID-19 and how it has and will continue to affect the automotive world. While covering many areas of the industry, Marks is our guest this week on The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia, continuing our social- distancing podcast, speak with Marks from Bruce's backyard in Sacramento, California. Our guest joins us from his basement office in Connecticut. How has COVID-19 changed the auto landscape? How will buyers' habits change? How will autonomous driving move forward? As the COVID-19 restrictions lift, will the workforce retain its current collective home office practices? Or will commuting, highway congestion and other pre-virus driving dilemmas quickly return? Marks believes buyers' preferences, shared driving platforms, business models and public transportation will all remain unlike it they were prior to the health crisis. And the industry will remain different for the foreseeable future. Join us for Episode #136 of The Weekly Driver Podcast as we welcome an expert who presents a healthy dose of practical expertise on how COVID-19 is affecting the automotive industry. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: Google Play iTunes Spotify Stitcher iheartradio https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=32801 https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/06/136-prof-brian-marks-talks-cars-covid-19/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=136-prof-brian-marks-talks-cars-covid-19 Tue, 09 Jun 2020 02:21:58 +0000 1851 false full New drink honors iconic Laguna Seca turn 8 New drink honors iconic Laguna Seca turn 8 James Raia and Bruce Aldrich - (At the top of this post is an encore presentation of our recent podcast with Barry Toepke, the marketing and communications director at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Several changes for the 2020 season were announced after the orginal podcast ...   (At the top of this post is an encore presentation of our recent podcast with Barry Toepke, the marketing and communications director at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Several changes for the 2020 season were announced after the orginal podcast brodcast April 14, 2020.) Like all businesses, WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca has altered its plans several times this year as the COVID-19 pandemic situation remains ever-evolving. When the multi-disciple racing season finally begins this summer, visitors to the <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://theweeklydriver.com/2017/01/monterey-peninsula-mecca-things-automotive/">Monterey Peninsula</a> may wish to taste a new cocktail, created to celebrate the delayed-but still-scheduled season. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/drink-1.jpg"></a>The Corkscrew Paradise is a new drink created to celebrate the iconic corkscrew turn 8 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. To commemorative the start of the unique season, Estéban restaurant in downtown Monterey has created the Corkscrew Paradise. It celebrates the iconic corkscrew turn 8 on the raceway. Cheers: Laguna Seca honored by drink The cocktail pairs El Jefe Tequila with ginger ale and raspberry puree. El Jefe is distilled in Jalisco, Mexico at Casa Maestri from 100 percent Blue Weber Agave. The goal of El Jefe is to strike the perfect balance of quality tequila made by traditional methods that will appeal to the American palate. The Corkscrew Paradise will on the Estéban cocktail menu from June through December, in honor of our extended racing season. The 2020 premier event schedule: the Monterey Motorsports Pre-Reunion August 7-9, Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion August 13-16, the IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car Championship featuring the Hyundai Monterey Sports Car Championship September 4-6, and the NTT IndyCar Series featuring the Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey Doubleheader September 18-20, the Ferrari Challenge September 24-27, the GEICO Motorcycle MotoAmerica Superbike Speedfest at Monterey October 23-25, and the Trans Am SpeedFest December 1-3. The 2020 Season Pass offers savings on admission to all six premier events on the schedule. Here's the Corkscrew Paradise official recipe: • 2 oz El Jefe Reposado Tequila • 1.5 oz Fever Tree Smoky Ginger Ale • 0.5 oz House-Made Raspberry purée Pour tequila and ginger ale over ice in an 11 oz rocks glass, top with purée and stir. Garnish with a lime wheel and fresh raspberries. For information about VIP hospitality packages, multi-day and individual day tickets, and preferred parking, visit: <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://www.weathertechraceway.com">www. WeatherTechRaceway.com</a> or by calling 831-242-8200.   (At the top of this post is an encore presentation of our recent podcast with Barry Toepke, the marketing and communications director at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Several changes for the 2020 season were announced after the orginal podcast brodcast April 14, 2020.) Like all businesses, WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca has altered its plans several times this year as the COVID-19 pandemic situation remains ever-evolving. When the multi-disciple racing season finally begins this summer, visitors to the Monterey Peninsula may wish to taste a new cocktail, created to celebrate the delayed-but still-scheduled season. The Corkscrew Paradise is a new drink created to celebrate the iconic corkscrew turn 8 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. To commemorative the start of the unique season, Estéban restaurant in downtown Monterey has created the Corkscrew Paradise. It celebrates the iconic corkscrew turn 8 on the raceway. Cheers: Laguna Seca honored by drink The cocktail pairs El Jefe Tequila with ginger ale and raspberry puree. El Jefe is distilled in Jalisco, Mexico at Casa Maestri from 100 percent Blue Weber Agave. The goal of El Jefe is to strike the perfect balance of quality tequila made by traditional methods that will appeal to the American palate. The Corkscrew Paradise will on the Estéban cocktail menu from June through December, in honor of our extended racing season. The 2020 premier event schedule: the Monterey Motorsports Pre-Reunion August 7-9, Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion August 13-16, the IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car Championship featuring the Hyundai Monterey Sports Car Championship September 4-6, and the NTT IndyCar Series featuring the Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey Doubleheader September 18-20, the Ferrari Challenge September 24-27, the GEICO Motorcycle MotoAmerica Superbike Speedfest at Monterey October 23-25, and the Trans Am SpeedFest December 1-3. The 2020 Season Pass offers savings on admission to all six premier events on the schedule. Here's the Corkscrew Paradise official recipe: • 2 oz El Jefe Reposado Tequila • 1.5 oz Fever Tree Smoky Ginger Ale • 0.5 oz House-Made Raspberry purée Pour tequila and ginger ale over ice in an 11 oz rocks glass, top with purée and stir. Garnish with a lime wheel and fresh raspberries. For information about VIP hospitality packages, multi-day and individual day tickets, and preferred parking, visit: www. WeatherTechRaceway.com or by calling 831-242-8200. https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=32786 https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/06/laguna-seca-honored-with-new-cocktail/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=laguna-seca-honored-with-new-cocktail Wed, 03 Jun 2020 00:01:52 +0000 2056 false full #135, Buying a new car like it’s 2019 #135, Buying a new car like it’s 2019 James Raia and Bruce Aldrich If you're interested in purchasing a vehicle, why not considering buying a new car that's nearly two years old? - There's a huge inventory of 2019 vehicles available, particularly for consumers interested in Dodge. - Here's the deal. If you're interested in purchasing a vehicle, why not considering buying a new car that's nearly two years old? There's a huge inventory of 2019 vehicles available, particularly for consumers interested in Dodge. Here's the deal. The covid-19 pandemic stalled production of 2020 models for carmakers and resulted in the temporary closing of many car dealerships. Sales suffered. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/caravan.jpg"></a>The 2019 Dodge Caravan is available for sale as a new car despite being nearly two years old. But a positive emerged from the health crisis, and Julie Blackley, an analyst at <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://www.iseecars.com">iseecars.com</a>, is our guest on this week's episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast to discuss the issue. Dodge Caravan: New Car, Nearly Age 2 Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia talk with Blackley and she details the reasons why such large inventories of 2019 vehicles are available from different manufacturers. According to iSeeCars.com, the online automotive search engine and research website based in Woburn, Mass., there’s a 10.8 percent industry average of new 2019 vehicles still in inventory. Surprisingly, some models, dubiously led by the Dodge Grand Caravan, have six times the national average of 2019 vehicles still in inventory. The top-20 vehicles on the list all have at least 20 percent of 2019 inventory available. Of course, not all of the list's vehicles are available in every state. iSeeCars.com analyzed its national inventory of more than 1 million new cars for sale to determine which models have more inventory from the 2019 model year available. “These cars provide opportunities for buyers to get a good deal on a new vehicle and are likely to come with generous incentives,” the website’s analysts wrote. “A surplus of vehicles from the 2019 model year might remain on dealer lots because a car’s popularity is declining because car buyers want to wait for an upcoming redesign, or because dealers simply have too much inventory,” said Phong Ly, the iSeeCars.com CEO. “More significant deals may be found on its remaining 2019 inventory, so consumers must examine their options for both model years and understand their negotiating power on 2019 vehicles.” Three additional Dodge models made the list including the third-ranked Dodge Journey, 11th-ranked Dodge Challenger and 18th-ranked Dodge Charger. “Discontinued after 2020, the Dodge Journey is limiting its trim and engine options for its final year, and is only advertising deals on its new 2019 models which include up to $5,000 off MSRP,” said Ly. “Meanwhile, the Dodge Charger saw record sales in 2019, but buyers may be opting for 2020 versions that have wider wheelbases including the SRT Hellcat and Scat Pack models.” The 2020 Dodge Grand Caravan is not available in 13 states due to emissions regulations, so dealers in those states are only selling new vehicles from the 2019 model year. Current offers on a 2019 Grand Caravan include $4,250 cash allowance and 0.9 percent APR financing for 84 months. Generous incentives are being offered on 2020 Charger and Challenger models including zero-percent financing and between $3,050 to $7,970 cashback. Similar to the Journey, another discontinued American car made the list: the Chevrolet Impala. “Although a reliable and highly-rated car, the discontinuation of the Impala shows that the large sedan isn’t in high demand,” said Ly. By segment, minivans, led by the Dodge Grand Caravan, have the largest available inventory, 66. 3 percent. Compact luxury SUVs have the least available inventory, 14.3 percent. If you're interested in purchasing a vehicle, why not considering buying a new car that's nearly two years old? There's a huge inventory of 2019 vehicles available, particularly for consumers interested in Dodge. Here's the deal. The covid-19 pandemic stalled production of 2020 models for carmakers and resulted in the temporary closing of many car dealerships. Sales suffered. The 2019 Dodge Caravan is available for sale as a new car despite being nearly two years old. But a positive emerged from the health crisis, and Julie Blackley, an analyst at iseecars.com, is our guest on this week's episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast to discuss the issue. Dodge Caravan: New Car, Nearly Age 2 Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia talk with Blackley and she details the reasons why such large inventories of 2019 vehicles are available from different manufacturers. According to iSeeCars.com, the online automotive search engine and research website based in Woburn, Mass., there’s a 10.8 percent industry average of new 2019 vehicles still in inventory. Surprisingly, some models, dubiously led by the Dodge Grand Caravan, have six times the national average of 2019 vehicles still in inventory. The top-20 vehicles on the list all have at least 20 percent of 2019 inventory available. Of course, not all of the list's vehicles are available in every state. iSeeCars.com analyzed its national inventory of more than 1 million new cars for sale to determine which models have more inventory from the 2019 model year available. “These cars provide opportunities for buyers to get a good deal on a new vehicle and are likely to come with generous incentives,” the website’s analysts wrote. “A surplus of vehicles from the 2019 model year might remain on dealer lots because a car’s popularity is declining because car buyers want to wait for an upcoming redesign, or because dealers simply have too much inventory,” said Phong Ly, the iSeeCars.com CEO. “More significant deals may be found on its remaining 2019 inventory, so consumers must examine their options for both model years and understand their negotiating power on 2019 vehicles.” Three additional Dodge models made the list including the third-ranked Dodge Journey, 11th-ranked Dodge Challenger and 18th-ranked Dodge Charger. “Discontinued after 2020, the Dodge Journey is limiting its trim and engine options for its final year, and is only advertising deals on its new 2019 models which include up to $5,000 off MSRP,” said Ly. “Meanwhile, the Dodge Charger saw record sales in 2019, but buyers may be opting for 2020 versions that have wider wheelbases including the SRT Hellcat and Scat Pack models.” The 2020 Dodge Grand Caravan is not available in 13 states due to emissions regulations, so dealers in those states are only selling new vehicles from the 2019 model year. Current offers on a 2019 Grand Caravan include $4,250 cash allowance and 0.9 percent APR financing for 84 months. Generous incentives are being offered on 2020 Charger and Challenger models including zero-percent financing and between $3,050 to $7,970 cashback. Similar to the Journey, another discontinued American car made the list: the Chevrolet Impala. “Although a reliable and highly-rated car, the discontinuation of the Impala shows that the large sedan isn’t in high demand,” said Ly. By segment, minivans, led by the Dodge Grand Caravan, have the largest available inventory, 66. 3 percent. Compact luxury SUVs have the least available inventory, 14.3 percent. Here’s the list of the top-20 vehicles in the United States with the largest percentage of new vehicles remaining in inventory from 2019. 1. Dodge Grand Caravan, 66.3 percent; 2. Chrysler 300 (50.9); 3. Dodge Journey (45.8); 4. Nissan Titan (43.7); 5. Ford Ranger (41.9); 6. Audi Q7 (40.9); 7. Ram Pickup 1500 Classic (39.4); 8. Volkswagen Atlas (37.1); 9. Alfa Romeo Giulia (32.8); 10. Chevrolet Impala, 31.8. 11. https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=32779 https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/06/135-buying-a-new-car-like-its-2019/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=135-buying-a-new-car-like-its-2019 Mon, 01 Jun 2020 20:02:38 +0000 1656 false full #134, Vermont artist Chris Miller’s stone truck #134, Vermont artist Chris Miller’s stone truck James Raia and Bruce Aldrich Chris Miller, a sculptor who lives Maples Corner, a hamlet outside Calais, Vermont, began carving about 45 years ago. He works in granite, wood and marble, and his work is featured in private collections and sculpture galleries. Chris Miller, a sculptor who lives Maples Corner, a hamlet outside Calais, Vermont, began carving about 45 years ago. He works in granite, wood and marble, and his work is featured in private collections and sculpture galleries. It all gets its share of acclaim, including one of his most unique creations — a stone truck. Miller's truck sculpture was inspired by a stone creation of a <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://theweeklydriver.com/2018/12/vw-beetle-to-chevy-volt-to-ford-focus-goodbye-farewell/">Volkswagen Beetle</a> built in Ithaca, New York in 1976. It's also an homage to an automotive phenomenon. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/stronetruck1.jpg"></a>Chris Miller, a sculptor and stonemason in Vermont, created a stone truck in 2012. As our guest on this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast, Miller discusses driving in the rural Northeast where abandon vehicles are sighted often. Sometimes they share nature with overgrown weeds. Sometimes, the vehicles carry a beautiful patina, complemented by wildflowers. A small town, a big stone truck Podcast co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia talk with Miller about his long art career, particularly the process of creating his stone vintage truck built in 2012. It was created in five weeks after Miller launched a Kickstarter campaign with a goal of $2,500. He received $3,200 from 85 backers. The truck attracts visitors from several states.   According to his bio on<a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://www.chrismillerstudio.com"> www.chrimillerstudio.com</a>, Miller is primarily self-taught, although he studied art in college. He also studied anatomy and sculpture with the late Lothar Werslin of Sandgate Vt., and drawing and anatomy under Billy Brauer of Warren Vt. He's collaborated with several stone sculptors in nearby Barre Vt. There's a lot involved in making a true-to-size stone truck. Miller's piece included 8 loads of quarry stone, 2 pallets of bluestone, a marble tailgate and big chunks of granite. The truck weighs about 40 thousand pounds. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/trucke.jpg"></a>A vintage truck showcased in rural Georgia. Image courtesy of Chris Miller/<a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://www.chrismillerstudio.com">www.chrismillerstudio.com</a>. While continuing our series of podcasts from Bruce's backyard in Sacramento during the coronavirus, we reached Miller in rural Tennessee. He was touring several states, including a visit with a client for another stone vehicle. Miller said his trip was also to cultivate inspiration for additional artworks. He forwarded the image of a truck he observed in Georgia. Please join us as Miller shares his world as a sculptor and stonemason. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on<a href="https://amzn.to/2PCdAr5"> Amazon.com</a>. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on <a href="http://wwww.theweeklydriver.com/podcast">www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast</a> Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://play.google.com/music/m/Iqzatcupnefrzflzyqr5fashc44?t=THE_WEEKLY_DRIVER">Google Play</a> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-weekly-driver/id1280593178?mt=2">iTunes</a> <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/14uslDCRvZiMd8WTc7xZkd">Spotify</a> <a href="https://www.stitcher. Chris Miller, a sculptor who lives Maples Corner, a hamlet outside Calais, Vermont, began carving about 45 years ago. He works in granite, wood and marble, and his work is featured in private collections and sculpture galleries. It all gets its share of acclaim, including one of his most unique creations — a stone truck. Miller's truck sculpture was inspired by a stone creation of a Volkswagen Beetle built in Ithaca, New York in 1976. It's also an homage to an automotive phenomenon. Chris Miller, a sculptor and stonemason in Vermont, created a stone truck in 2012. As our guest on this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast, Miller discusses driving in the rural Northeast where abandon vehicles are sighted often. Sometimes they share nature with overgrown weeds. Sometimes, the vehicles carry a beautiful patina, complemented by wildflowers. A small town, a big stone truck Podcast co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia talk with Miller about his long art career, particularly the process of creating his stone vintage truck built in 2012. It was created in five weeks after Miller launched a Kickstarter campaign with a goal of $2,500. He received $3,200 from 85 backers. The truck attracts visitors from several states. According to his bio on www.chrimillerstudio.com, Miller is primarily self-taught, although he studied art in college. He also studied anatomy and sculpture with the late Lothar Werslin of Sandgate Vt., and drawing and anatomy under Billy Brauer of Warren Vt. He's collaborated with several stone sculptors in nearby Barre Vt. There's a lot involved in making a true-to-size stone truck. Miller's piece included 8 loads of quarry stone, 2 pallets of bluestone, a marble tailgate and big chunks of granite. The truck weighs about 40 thousand pounds. A vintage truck showcased in rural Georgia. Image courtesy of Chris Miller/www.chrismillerstudio.com. While continuing our series of podcasts from Bruce's backyard in Sacramento during the coronavirus, we reached Miller in rural Tennessee. He was touring several states, including a visit with a client for another stone vehicle. Miller said his trip was also to cultivate inspiration for additional artworks. He forwarded the image of a truck he observed in Georgia. Please join us as Miller shares his world as a sculptor and stonemason. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: Google Play iTunes Spotify Stitcher iheartradio https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=32741 https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/05/134-vermont-artist-chris-millers-stone-truck/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=134-vermont-artist-chris-millers-stone-truck Fri, 22 May 2020 22:38:24 +0000 1990 false full #133, AACA Museum adapts, goes virtual during Covid-19 #133, AACA Museum adapts, goes virtual during Covid-19 James Raia and Bruce Aldrich 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... 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.   <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/aacaimage.jpg"></a>The AACA Museum of Hersey (Pennsylvania) offers virtual tours and videos during the coronavirus. 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 featured the 71,000-square foot facility that opened in 2003. We've included Part 1 of 3 celebrating Tucker, with Bliemeister as the commentator. Close to the Hersey's Chocolate World, the vehicle collectors' nirvana is self-described as "Offering noteworthy exhibits and an ever-growing permanent collection and welcoming guests of all ages to enjoy the wonders of invention, interactive educational displays, famous and one-of-a-kind vehicles, and family fun." In addition to a half-dozen permanent exhibits, the facility has numerous classes, including learning how to drive a Ford Model-T. While the various galleries cover a wide range of automotive eras, the AACA is widely heralded for its designated as having the world's largest collection of Tucker Automobiles and memorabilia. It's officially called the Cammack Tucker Collection and is named after Tucker historian and collector David Cammack. A focus on the 1940s wouldn't be complete with a detailed examination of Preston Tucker and his innovative vehicles. The display is an interactive exhibit chronicling Tucker’s vision, determination, and struggles to build the “Car of Tomorrow.” The Tucker history is presented on the AACA website in a three-part virtual tour. The AACA Museum, which also houses the Museum of Bus Transportation Collection, sponsors workshops and activities designed to raise public awareness and appreciation of the role the automobile has played in shaping 20th century America. A popular exhibit started in the spring of 2020 is The “Age of Aquarius.” According to the museum, the exhibition "harkens back to the era of tie-dye and muscle cars. Times were changing. So were the vehicles manufactured and marketed from 1967 (the release of the Broadway musical Hair) through the mid-1970s. The 'flower power' generation manifested itself vividly in the bold cars produced in Detroit and beyond." Another recent exhibit in the museum's Williams-Clyne Gallery features DeSoto. The display, guest curated by the Colonial Chapter of the National DeSoto Club, features vintage vehicles, along with an array of DeSoto dealer promotional material, magazine advertisements, and memorabilia. From the beginning Chrysler Corporation introduced the DeSoto brand in 1928 to fill the more upscale role in Chrysler’s offerings. Wanting the car to be perceived as strong and exotic, Walter Chrysler named the division after the famed Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto. Additional displays include elaborate collections of horn buttons, 5000 model busses and a display of Pennsylvania law enforcement vehicles. Classes for students of all ages are offered. Volunteer opportunities and membership are also available. 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. The AACA Museum of Hersey (Pennsylvania) offers virtual tours and videos during the coronavirus. 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 featured the 71,000-square foot facility that opened in 2003. We've included Part 1 of 3 celebrating Tucker, with Bliemeister as the commentator. Close to the Hersey's Chocolate World, the vehicle collectors' nirvana is self-described as "Offering noteworthy exhibits and an ever-growing permanent collection and welcoming guests of all ages to enjoy the wonders of invention, interactive educational displays, famous and one-of-a-kind vehicles, and family fun." In addition to a half-dozen permanent exhibits, the facility has numerous classes, including learning how to drive a Ford Model-T. While the various galleries cover a wide range of automotive eras, the AACA is widely heralded for its designated as having the world's largest collection of Tucker Automobiles and memorabilia. It's officially called the Cammack Tucker Collection and is named after Tucker historian and collector David Cammack. A focus on the 1940s wouldn't be complete with a detailed examination of Preston Tucker and his innovative vehicles. The display is an interactive exhibit chronicling Tucker’s vision, determination, and struggles to build the “Car of Tomorrow.” The Tucker history is presented on the AACA website in a three-part virtual tour. The AACA Museum, which also houses the Museum of Bus Transportation Collection, sponsors workshops and activities designed to raise public awareness and appreciation of the role the automobile has played in shaping 20th century America. A popular exhibit started in the spring of 2020 is The “Age of Aquarius.” According to the museum, the exhibition "harkens back to the era of tie-dye and muscle cars. Times were changing. So were the vehicles manufactured and marketed from 1967 (the release of the Broadway musical Hair) through the mid-1970s. The 'flower power' generation manifested itself vividly in the bold cars produced in Detroit and beyond." Another recent exhibit in the museum's Williams-Clyne Gallery features DeSoto. The display, guest curated by the Colonial Chapter of the National DeSoto Club, features vintage vehicles, along with an array of DeSoto dealer promotional material, magazine advertisements, and memorabilia. From the beginning Chrysler Corporation introduced the DeSoto brand in 1928 to fill the more upscale role in Chrysler’s offerings. Wanting the car to be perceived as strong and exotic, Walter Chrysler named the division after the famed Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto. Additional displays include elaborate collections of horn buttons, 5000 model busses and a display of Pennsylvania law enforcement vehicles. Classes for students of all ages are offered. Volunteer opportunities and membership are also available. Visit the AACA Museum HERE. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=32709 https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/05/133-acaa-museum-adapts-goes-virtual-during-covid-19/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=133-acaa-museum-adapts-goes-virtual-during-covid-19 Mon, 18 May 2020 20:54:00 +0000 1449 false full #132, ValChoice goal: insurance trust #132, ValChoice goal: insurance trust James Raia and Bruce Aldrich 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 le... 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. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/choice.jpg"></a>Dan Karr is CEO of ValChoice.com, an insurance company analytics company. 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 mission of <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://www.valchoice.com">ValChoice.com</a>. " I vowed to fix this problem," Karr writes on the bio page of his company's website. "I vowed to apply my technology background to make sure no other family ever experience the same thing my family went through." The analytics company's goal is insurance company transparency in its automotive and home insurance. It rates companies on customer service, claims payment records and price. As Karr explains, the data used is compiled from a comprehensive list of companies, large and small. We also discuss with Karr how the insurance industry and its customers are conducting business during the coronavirus pandemic. According to a report in the San Jose Mercury, Karr's company was compared by Forbes as "something akin to Carfax vehicle background reports." The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on<a href="https://amzn.to/2PCdAr5"> Amazon.com</a>. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on <a href="http://wwww.theweeklydriver.com/podcast">www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast</a> Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://play.google.com/music/m/Iqzatcupnefrzflzyqr5fashc44?t=THE_WEEKLY_DRIVER">Google Play</a> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-weekly-driver/id1280593178?mt=2">iTunes</a> <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/14uslDCRvZiMd8WTc7xZkd">Spotify</a> <a href="https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-weekly-driver-podcast">Stitcher</a> <a href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/256-the-weekly-driver-31096156/">iheartradio</a> 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. Dan Karr is CEO of ValChoice.com, an insurance company analytics company. 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 mission of ValChoice.com. " I vowed to fix this problem," Karr writes on the bio page of his company's website. "I vowed to apply my technology background to make sure no other family ever experience the same thing my family went through." The analytics company's goal is insurance company transparency in its automotive and home insurance. It rates companies on customer service, claims payment records and price. As Karr explains, the data used is compiled from a comprehensive list of companies, large and small. We also discuss with Karr how the insurance industry and its customers are conducting business during the coronavirus pandemic. According to a report in the San Jose Mercury, Karr's company was compared by Forbes as "something akin to Carfax vehicle background reports." The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: Google Play iTunes Spotify Stitcher iheartradio https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=32663 https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/05/132-valchoice-goal-insurance-trust/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=132-valchoice-goal-insurance-trust Tue, 12 May 2020 01:04:18 +0000 1718 false full #131, Greg Griffin races a Ferrari, builds Florida homes #131, Greg Griffin races a Ferrari, builds Florida homes James Raia and Bruce Aldrich Greg 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, Greg 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 <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://griffinbuildersflorida.com/about-us/">Griffin Builders in Naples, Florida</a>, 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. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/ferrari-458-COTA.jpg"></a>Greg Griffin of Naples, Florida, races a Ferrari 458 and builds custom homes. 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 weekly podcast with practicing social distancing from the backyard of the home Bruce share with his wife and Doberman Pinscher , Indy. Griffin discusses growing up Ferraris and he discusses how his passion for the vehicles began. He also talks about the intricacies of driving, his dislike of iRacing and several other topics. "Ferraris in the 1970s weren't nice cars, they were like little Fiats," recalls Griffin, 51. "My grandfather thought they were nice cars but they weren't as expensive as they are today. He bought one from Wyatt. He was using it on his farm because of its powerful engine." Griffin grew up cleaning the family collection and helping with maintenance. He remembers people saying how fast Ferraris were but he wondered why no one was taking them on tracks. Eventually, Griffin did. It’s his passion and a metaphor for his life. "Enzo Ferrari (the founder of Ferrari) always said, 'The cars are better than the drivers. The drivers need to learn to drive these cars,' " Griffin says. "So I became fascinated with improving myself as a driver and trying to live up to the performance of the car. "When you take a Ferrari on a track, it's just a different animal. It's just a different experience. You have no idea a car you go stoplight to spotlight to pick up groceries with is such as capable machine on the track. I need to improve my driving skills and that what I set put to do." Griffin has been "tracking" since the mid-1990s and started competitive racing 15 years ago. He owns a Ferrari 458 Challenge. Like others, his interest piqued in the mid-1980s when the television show Miami Vice debuted. The co-lead detective played by Don Johnson drove a black 1972 Ferrari 365 GTS/4 Daytona. "I am a pretty hardcore amateur," Griffin says. "We do really good amateur racing but on a budget." Although motorsports schedules have changed with the coronavirus pandemic, Griffin has several competitions planned later this year, including the Classic 24-Hour at Daytona International Speedway in November and 12-Hour Classic at Sebring International Raceway in December. "One thing they quickly teach you is to look where you are going, not where you don't want to go. If you are going around a corner and you're looking at the wall, you are going to hit the wall. You always look where you want to go." "I know it's a silly thing, but a lot of racing analogies go hand-in-hand with life. It's a little sentimental, but it's true. Life is racing. It really is. It's the same thing. I like the challenge." The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on<a href="https://amzn.to/2PCdAr5"> Amazon.com</a>. Greg 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. Greg Griffin of Naples, Florida, races a Ferrari 458 and builds custom homes. 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 weekly podcast with practicing social distancing from the backyard of the home Bruce share with his wife and Doberman Pinscher , Indy. Griffin discusses growing up Ferraris and he discusses how his passion for the vehicles began. He also talks about the intricacies of driving, his dislike of iRacing and several other topics. "Ferraris in the 1970s weren't nice cars, they were like little Fiats," recalls Griffin, 51. "My grandfather thought they were nice cars but they weren't as expensive as they are today. He bought one from Wyatt. He was using it on his farm because of its powerful engine." Griffin grew up cleaning the family collection and helping with maintenance. He remembers people saying how fast Ferraris were but he wondered why no one was taking them on tracks. Eventually, Griffin did. It’s his passion and a metaphor for his life. "Enzo Ferrari (the founder of Ferrari) always said, 'The cars are better than the drivers. The drivers need to learn to drive these cars,' " Griffin says. "So I became fascinated with improving myself as a driver and trying to live up to the performance of the car. "When you take a Ferrari on a track, it's just a different animal. It's just a different experience. You have no idea a car you go stoplight to spotlight to pick up groceries with is such as capable machine on the track. I need to improve my driving skills and that what I set put to do." Griffin has been "tracking" since the mid-1990s and started competitive racing 15 years ago. He owns a Ferrari 458 Challenge. Like others, his interest piqued in the mid-1980s when the television show Miami Vice debuted. The co-lead detective played by Don Johnson drove a black 1972 Ferrari 365 GTS/4 Daytona. "I am a pretty hardcore amateur," Griffin says. "We do really good amateur racing but on a budget." Although motorsports schedules have changed with the coronavirus pandemic, Griffin has several competitions planned later this year, including the Classic 24-Hour at Daytona International Speedway in November and 12-Hour Classic at Sebring International Raceway in December. "One thing they quickly teach you is to look where you are going, not where you don't want to go. If you are going around a corner and you're looking at the wall, you are going to hit the wall. You always look where you want to go." "I know it's a silly thing, but a lot of racing analogies go hand-in-hand with life. It's a little sentimental, but it's true. Life is racing. It really is. It's the same thing. I like the challenge." The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: Google Play iTunes Spotify Stitcher iheartradio https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=32631 https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/05/131-greg-griffin-races-a-ferrari-builds-florida-homes/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=131-greg-griffin-races-a-ferrari-builds-florida-homes Tue, 05 May 2020 05:38:32 +0000 1710 false full #130, Fair provides safe car leasing Covid-19 option #130, Fair provides safe car leasing Covid-19 option James Raia and Bruce Aldrich Craig 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 vehic... Craig 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<a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://theweeklydriver.com/2017/12/forget-dealer-stress-buy-lease-car-via-app/"> Fair</a>. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/fair.com_.png"></a>The Fair.com app provides a "subscription" service for consumers interested in using a vehicle for short or long-term needs. The car leasing option, Fair calls a subscription, is increasingly popular during the coronavirus. Consumers are still buying vehicles but car dealerships aren't currently a viable option. Car leasing safe with Fair.com Conceived to fill the white space between long-term car renting, car-sharing and car ownership, Fair provides no commitment, all-in leases, allowing its customers to drive the vehicle for as short or as long as they'd like. Dealerships sign up to offer inventory via the Fair app, and customers use the app to browse available inventory. Even without a health crisis, more consumers are buying and selling vehicles online. The "brick and mortar" car-buying options are less appealing for more people. Car leasing is smart option. According to its mission statement: "Fair aims to grant access to mobility to everyone by pioneering the car-as-a-service (CaaS) concept. It gives customers the freedom to drive the car they want for as long as they want, and the flexibility to walk away at any time." Fair has undergone management changes. The company had expanded its availability to 27 states. But it's currently available in California and Florida. Expansion is pending. Join us as we discuss the Nehamen the demographics of Fair's customer base and how the company's business is changing during the coronavirus. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on<a href="https://amzn.to/2PCdAr5"> Amazon.com</a>. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on <a href="http://wwww.theweeklydriver.com/podcast">www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast</a> Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://play.google.com/music/m/Iqzatcupnefrzflzyqr5fashc44?t=THE_WEEKLY_DRIVER">Google Play</a> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-weekly-driver/id1280593178?mt=2">iTunes</a> <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/14uslDCRvZiMd8WTc7xZkd">Spotify</a> <a href="https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-weekly-driver-podcast">Stitcher</a> <a href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/256-the-weekly-driver-31096156/">iheartradio</a>   Craig 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 Fair.com app provides a "subscription" service for consumers interested in using a vehicle for short or long-term needs. The car leasing option, Fair calls a subscription, is increasingly popular during the coronavirus. Consumers are still buying vehicles but car dealerships aren't currently a viable option. Car leasing safe with Fair.com Conceived to fill the white space between long-term car renting, car-sharing and car ownership, Fair provides no commitment, all-in leases, allowing its customers to drive the vehicle for as short or as long as they'd like. Dealerships sign up to offer inventory via the Fair app, and customers use the app to browse available inventory. Even without a health crisis, more consumers are buying and selling vehicles online. The "brick and mortar" car-buying options are less appealing for more people. Car leasing is smart option. According to its mission statement: "Fair aims to grant access to mobility to everyone by pioneering the car-as-a-service (CaaS) concept. It gives customers the freedom to drive the car they want for as long as they want, and the flexibility to walk away at any time." Fair has undergone management changes. The company had expanded its availability to 27 states. But it's currently available in California and Florida. Expansion is pending. Join us as we discuss the Nehamen the demographics of Fair's customer base and how the company's business is changing during the coronavirus. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: Google Play iTunes Spotify Stitcher iheartradio https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=32593 https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/04/130-fair-provides-safe-car-leasing-covid-19-option/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=130-fair-provides-safe-car-leasing-covid-19-option Thu, 30 Apr 2020 19:34:33 +0000 1428 false full #129, A Subaru Impreza, a sudden crash, a family heals #129, A Subaru Impreza, a sudden crash, a family heals James Raia and Bruce Aldrich Ron Richman, an attorney in San Francisco, recently received a phone call from the eldest of his two sons, Sam, a lawyer in Los Angeles. The father immediately heard something in his son's voice that wasn't right. - His instincts were accurate. Ron Richman, an attorney in San Francisco, recently received a phone call from the eldest of his two sons, Sam, a lawyer in Los Angeles. The father immediately heard something in his son's voice that wasn't right. His instincts were accurate. The younger Richman, 29, had been driving his 2014 Subaru Impreza hatchback with a friend as a passenger on Santa Monica Blvd. at 30-35 miles per hour. He was hit from behind by a car witnesses estimated was traveling about 80 mph. The Subaru Impreza then hit a bus.   <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/car3.jpg"></a>The totaled driver's side of a 2014 Subaru Impreza hatchback after a recent Los Angeles crash. All images © Ron Richman/2020. <a href='https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/car2.jpg'></a> <a href='https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/car3.jpg'></a> <a href='https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/car1.jpg'></a> <a href='https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/car4.jpg'></a> Sam Richman suffered a concussion, bruised lungs and kidneys, deep bruises from his seatbelt, a sprained ankle and a concussion. Sam's friend, whose name is not being used via request, suffered two crushed fingers, a sprained left hand, bruises and a black eye. Both are recovering well. The elder Richman, who lives with his wife Kathleen in Foster City, California, is our guest in Episode #129 of <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://theweeklydriver.com/podcast">The Weekly Driver Podcast.</a> Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss the accident and its aftermath with Richman. We talked about how a used Subaru Impreza helped saved the lives of his son and his son's friend. Subaru Impreza impressive "My son said he never saw the car coming," said Richman. "The next thing he knows he's is hit from behind, spinning the car around and into oncoming traffic. His car then hit an oncoming LA Metro Bus. The bus driver was able to slow down some and swerve, avoiding a head-on collision." Richman, who drove to Los Angeles with his wife to assist their son, further explains: "The Subaru had front and side airbags, front and back seats, all deployed. The side airbags truly did their job, but as little as I know about car design and crumple zones, it appears the car did exactly what it was designed to do, absorb the impact and protect the driver and passengers." "After seeing the car, I was just shocked, and amazed that my son and his friend were able to walk away from that crash with relatively minor injuries." Richman, who supplied the images in this post, also explains how talking about what happened has helped him. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on<a href="https://amzn.to/2PCdAr5"> Amazon.com</a>. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on <a href="http://wwww.theweeklydriver.com/podcast">www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast</a> Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://play.google.com/music/m/Iqzatcupnefrzflzyqr5fashc44?t=THE_WEEKLY_DRIVER">Google Play</a> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-weekly-driver/id1280593178?mt=2">iTunes</a> <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/14uslDCRvZiMd8WTc7xZkd">Spotify</a> <a href="https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-weekly-driver-podcast">Stitcher</a> Ron Richman, an attorney in San Francisco, recently received a phone call from the eldest of his two sons, Sam, a lawyer in Los Angeles. The father immediately heard something in his son's voice that wasn't right. His instincts were accurate. The younger Richman, 29, had been driving his 2014 Subaru Impreza hatchback with a friend as a passenger on Santa Monica Blvd. at 30-35 miles per hour. He was hit from behind by a car witnesses estimated was traveling about 80 mph. The Subaru Impreza then hit a bus. The totaled driver's side of a 2014 Subaru Impreza hatchback after a recent Los Angeles crash. All images © Ron Richman/2020. Sam Richman suffered a concussion, bruised lungs and kidneys, deep bruises from his seatbelt, a sprained ankle and a concussion. Sam's friend, whose name is not being used via request, suffered two crushed fingers, a sprained left hand, bruises and a black eye. Both are recovering well. The elder Richman, who lives with his wife Kathleen in Foster City, California, is our guest in Episode #129 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss the accident and its aftermath with Richman. We talked about how a used Subaru Impreza helped saved the lives of his son and his son's friend. Subaru Impreza impressive "My son said he never saw the car coming," said Richman. "The next thing he knows he's is hit from behind, spinning the car around and into oncoming traffic. His car then hit an oncoming LA Metro Bus. The bus driver was able to slow down some and swerve, avoiding a head-on collision." Richman, who drove to Los Angeles with his wife to assist their son, further explains: "The Subaru had front and side airbags, front and back seats, all deployed. The side airbags truly did their job, but as little as I know about car design and crumple zones, it appears the car did exactly what it was designed to do, absorb the impact and protect the driver and passengers." "After seeing the car, I was just shocked, and amazed that my son and his friend were able to walk away from that crash with relatively minor injuries." Richman, who supplied the images in this post, also explains how talking about what happened has helped him. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: Google Play iTunes Spotify Stitcher iheartradio https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=32557 https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/04/129-a-subaru-impreza-a-sudden-crash-a-family-heals/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=129-a-subaru-impreza-a-sudden-crash-a-family-heals Tue, 21 Apr 2020 22:10:45 +0000 1548 false full #128, WeatherTech Raceway adjusts to COVID-19, stays on course #128, WeatherTech Raceway adjusts to COVID-19, stays on course James Raia and Bruce Aldrich Without one vehicle negotiating its 18 percent devilish descent on turn 8 or even one engine starting, WeatherTech Laguna Seca Raceway has negotiated a lot of racing in recent weeks. - But it's all been behind the scenes and against the calendar clock... Without one vehicle negotiating its 18 percent devilish descent on turn 8 or even one engine starting, WeatherTech Laguna Seca Raceway has negotiated a lot of racing in recent weeks. But it's all been behind the scenes and against the calendar clock and uncertainty of the coronavirus. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/unnamed_8_1.jpg"></a>WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca gas amended its season calendar and will now begin to host the competition in July. Image © WeatherTech Laguna Seca Raceway. Joining the ever-lengthening list of sports teams and venues, the raceway and recreation area has amended its yearly calendar with a series of rapid-fire announcements. Barry Toepke, director of marketing and communications for the raceway, is our guest on this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. He discusses with co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia how the famous raceway has adjusted its season in conjunction with various national series calendars. WeatherTech Raceway season 3 months away With an amended schedule, raceway competition will start in July and extend through early December. The schedule will include a rare doubleheader. With the cancellation of the Detroit Grand Prix in late May due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey will now also include a second race Sept. 19. It will join the previously scheduled race Sept. 20. Likewise, because of the coronavirus, the Trans America SpeedFest and IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and Sea Otter Classic cycling festival, all international events, have been rescheduled. Local events, including the Twilight Cycling event and Cars & Coffee, both scheduled for late April, have been canceled. Campers already sheltering in place can remain at their sites if rental fees are current. While the track remains closed, hiking and biking trails remain open, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. "We have a 500-plus acre park and people want to come out for a little respite," said Toepke. "You see the deer and the bobcats around; there's more wildlife. It's quiet." Toepke said because of the rescheduled calendar of early in the season, the recreation area's hillsides remain green. "Being such a big park, there's a lot of landscaping that needs to be done,” he said. "Without on-track activities, our team can go out a start the landscaping and clean up the weeds. When we do open our doors, hopefully in July, people are going to notice the difference, that the place looks good." In addition to maintenance, management had also planned to begin a track repaving project in September. But the rescheduling of the race calendar has postponed the project. Two weeks after the MotoAmerica Superbike Superfest, the Ferrari Challenge Series is scheduled (July 23-26). It will be followed by the Monterey Pre-Reunion (Aug. 8-9), Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion (Aug. 13-16), Monterey SportsCar Championship (Sept. 4-6), Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey (Sept. 18-20) and Trans Am Speedfest (Dec. 3-6). The Sea Otter Classic will be held Oct. 1-4. Spectators who have already purchased tickets to any impacted events can use their tickets on rescheduled dates. Additional ticket information is available via email: tickets@laguna-seca.com or via the website: <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="http://www.weathertechraceway.com">www.weathertechraceway.com</a>. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on<a href="https://amzn.to/2PCdAr5"> Amazon.com</a>. Please send comments and suggestions for new ep... Without one vehicle negotiating its 18 percent devilish descent on turn 8 or even one engine starting, WeatherTech Laguna Seca Raceway has negotiated a lot of racing in recent weeks. But it's all been behind the scenes and against the calendar clock and uncertainty of the coronavirus. WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca gas amended its season calendar and will now begin to host the competition in July. Image © WeatherTech Laguna Seca Raceway. Joining the ever-lengthening list of sports teams and venues, the raceway and recreation area has amended its yearly calendar with a series of rapid-fire announcements. Barry Toepke, director of marketing and communications for the raceway, is our guest on this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. He discusses with co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia how the famous raceway has adjusted its season in conjunction with various national series calendars. WeatherTech Raceway season 3 months away With an amended schedule, raceway competition will start in July and extend through early December. The schedule will include a rare doubleheader. With the cancellation of the Detroit Grand Prix in late May due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey will now also include a second race Sept. 19. It will join the previously scheduled race Sept. 20. Likewise, because of the coronavirus, the Trans America SpeedFest and IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and Sea Otter Classic cycling festival, all international events, have been rescheduled. Local events, including the Twilight Cycling event and Cars & Coffee, both scheduled for late April, have been canceled. Campers already sheltering in place can remain at their sites if rental fees are current. While the track remains closed, hiking and biking trails remain open, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. "We have a 500-plus acre park and people want to come out for a little respite," said Toepke. "You see the deer and the bobcats around; there's more wildlife. It's quiet." Toepke said because of the rescheduled calendar of early in the season, the recreation area's hillsides remain green. "Being such a big park, there's a lot of landscaping that needs to be done,” he said. "Without on-track activities, our team can go out a start the landscaping and clean up the weeds. When we do open our doors, hopefully in July, people are going to notice the difference, that the place looks good." In addition to maintenance, management had also planned to begin a track repaving project in September. But the rescheduling of the race calendar has postponed the project. Two weeks after the MotoAmerica Superbike Superfest, the Ferrari Challenge Series is scheduled (July 23-26). It will be followed by the Monterey Pre-Reunion (Aug. 8-9), Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion (Aug. 13-16), Monterey SportsCar Championship (Sept. 4-6), Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey (Sept. 18-20) and Trans Am Speedfest (Dec. 3-6). The Sea Otter Classic will be held Oct. 1-4. Spectators who have already purchased tickets to any impacted events can use their tickets on rescheduled dates. Additional ticket information is available via email: tickets@laguna-seca.com or via the website: www.weathertechraceway.com. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: Google Play iTunes Spotify Stitcher iheartradio https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=32539 https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/04/128-weathertech-raceway-adjusts-to-covid-19-stays-on-course/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=128-weathertech-raceway-adjusts-to-covid-19-stays-on-course Wed, 15 Apr 2020 00:45:19 +0000 2056 false full #127, Hey, we’re back: coronavirus halts auto world #127, Hey, we’re back: coronavirus halts auto world James Raia and Bruce Aldrich The Weekly Driver Podcast took a brief hiatus during the continuing coronavirus crisis. But Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia both live in Sacramento, Calif., are back to discuss the coronavirus in the auto world The Weekly Driver Podcast took a brief hiatus during the continuing coronavirus crisis. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia both live in Sacramento, Calif., and are adhering to the social distancing regulations. But we're back to discuss how the pandemic is affecting the automotive industry. Our usual headquarters is the Aldrich kitchen. Bruce lives with his wife Alene, a physician's assistant, and their Doberman, Indy, a few miles from where I live with my wife, Gretchen, a ceramic artist and retired teacher, and our two cats, Willow and Mia. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/pod2-1.jpg"></a>The Weekly Driver Podcast co-hosts James Raia (left), Bruce Aldrich and consultant Indy discuss how the coronavirus has affected the auto industry. Images © Alene Aldrich/2020 With an indoor podcast broadcast not wise, we set up remotely in Bruce's backyard. And we kept our distance for episode #127. Coronavirus affects auto sales Like every facet of business and personal lives, coronavirus has drastically impacted every component of the automotive world. New car sales have plummeted. Brick and motor car dealerships are closed. The gig economy for Uber and Lyft drivers is awful. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/pod1.jpg"></a>Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich (front) and James Raia discuss the coronavirus on Episode #127 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Car and truck manufacturers have stopped production, although it took some carmakers longer than others. Notably, Tesla delayed the closure of its San Francisco Bay Area production facility until company founder Elon Musk finally acquiesced under pressure. In China, the world's largest car market, Geely is now finalizing vehicle purchases by dropping new keys to customers via drones. Bruce and I discuss all of the areas in our new episode. Please join us. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on<a href="https://amzn.to/2PCdAr5"> Amazon.com</a>. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on <a href="http://wwww.theweeklydriver.com/podcast">www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast</a> Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://play.google.com/music/m/Iqzatcupnefrzflzyqr5fashc44?t=THE_WEEKLY_DRIVER">Google Play</a> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-weekly-driver/id1280593178?mt=2">iTunes</a> <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/14uslDCRvZiMd8WTc7xZkd">Spotify</a> <a href="https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-weekly-driver-podcast">Stitcher</a> <a href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/256-the-weekly-driver-31096156/">iheartradio</a>   The Weekly Driver Podcast took a brief hiatus during the continuing coronavirus crisis. But Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia both live in Sacramento, Calif., are back to discuss the coronavirus in the auto world https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=32468 https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/04/127-hey-were-back-coronavirus-halts-auto-world/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=127-hey-were-back-coronavirus-halts-auto-world Mon, 06 Apr 2020 05:54:47 +0000 1530 false full #126 podcast: Couple embraces home tech business #126 podcast: Couple embraces home tech business 1 James Raia and Bruce Aldrich Valerie Antkowiak and Mark Pallone are retired Intel engineers, but they're still involved in their careers via a home-based business about home technology. - The husband-wife team, who lives in El Dorado Hills, California, Valerie Antkowiak and Mark Pallone are retired Intel engineers, but they're still involved in their careers via a home-based business about home technology. The husband-wife team, who lives in El Dorado Hills, California, publishes the website <a href="https://www.appmyhome.com">AppMyHome.com</a>. The site and their home is the testing ground for all things in the extended home technology field. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkv2ha2ZnTQ"></a>Valerie Antkowiak of appmyhome.com discussing the technology in her new 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe. Antkowiak is our guest on episode No. 126 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss talk with Antowiak about the couple's history with the site and their process for testing home technology equipment. The couple's home technology extends to the automobile industry, and we discuss that, too. We talk about navigation systems to the future of autonomous driving. Antkowiak and Pallone recently purchased a Hyundai Santa Fe, and they're impressed with varied and efficient technology functions the South Korean SUV features. Antkowiak narrates and Pallone produces a piece on the extensive features available on the Hyundai. It's among the many videos the couple has featured on their YouTube channel. Here's how Antkowiak and Pallone define their business: “Exploring technology and products available for the Smart Home, the Kitchen and Travel. We test and review products in our own home or occasionally, at our friends’ and relatives’ homes, and share our experience with stories and videos.” For more tech reviews, visit: <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://www.appmyhome.com">www.appmyh</a><a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://www.appmyhome.com">om</a><a style="color: #333333;" href="https://www.appmyhome.com">e.com</a>. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on<a href="https://amzn.to/2PCdAr5"> Amazon.com</a>. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on <a href="http://wwww.theweeklydriver.com/podcast">www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast</a> Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://play.google.com/music/m/Iqzatcupnefrzflzyqr5fashc44?t=THE_WEEKLY_DRIVER">Google Play</a> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-weekly-driver/id1280593178?mt=2">iTunes</a> <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/14uslDCRvZiMd8WTc7xZkd">Spotify</a> <a href="https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-weekly-driver-podcast">Stitcher</a> <a href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/256-the-weekly-driver-31096156/">iheartradio</a>   Valerie Antkowiak and Mark Pallone are retired Intel engineers, but they're still involved in their careers via a home-based business about home technology. The husband-wife team, who lives in El Dorado Hills, California, publishes the website AppMyHome.com. The site and their home is the testing ground for all things in the extended home technology field. Valerie Antkowiak of appmyhome.com discussing the technology in her new 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe. Antkowiak is our guest on episode No. 126 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss talk with Antowiak about the couple's history with the site and their process for testing home technology equipment. The couple's home technology extends to the automobile industry, and we discuss that, too. We talk about navigation systems to the future of autonomous driving. Antkowiak and Pallone recently purchased a Hyundai Santa Fe, and they're impressed with varied and efficient technology functions the South Korean SUV features. Antkowiak narrates and Pallone produces a piece on the extensive features available on the Hyundai. It's among the many videos the couple has featured on their YouTube channel. Here's how Antkowiak and Pallone define their business: “Exploring technology and products available for the Smart Home, the Kitchen and Travel. We test and review products in our own home or occasionally, at our friends’ and relatives’ homes, and share our experience with stories and videos.” For more tech reviews, visit: www.appmyhome.com. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: Google Play iTunes Spotify Stitcher iheartradio https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=32372 https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/03/126-podcast-couple-embraces-home-tech-business/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=126-podcast-couple-embraces-home-tech-business Tue, 17 Mar 2020 00:42:42 +0000 2517 false full #125 podcast, Drive Toward A Parkinson’s Disease Cure #125 podcast, Drive Toward A Parkinson’s Disease Cure 1 James Raia and Bruce Aldrich Deb Pollack has been involved in the automotive industry for decades. She's worked for small and large companies and several manufacturers, Ferrari to Maserati and General Motors to Mitsubishi - Pollack's work in public relations, Deb Pollack has been involved in the automotive industry for decades. She's worked for small and large companies and several manufacturers, Ferrari to Maserati and General Motors to Mitsubishi Pollack's work in public relations, which the Los Angeles-based businesswoman describes as the "blending of cars and camaraderie," has also resulted in her national philanthropic efforts with the organization she founded, Drive Toward A Cure (<a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://www.drivetowardacure.org">www.drivetowardacure.org</a>). <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Deb.jpg--scaled.jpg"></a>Deb Pollack (driving) is the founder of the non-profit Drive Toward A Cure. It raises money to benefit the fight against Parkinson's Disease. Image courtesy of Deb Pollack. In addition to currently working as the publicist for the boutique restoration house Singer Vehicle Design, Pollack advocates the ability to team cars and camaraderie to raise funds to benefit the battle against Parkinson's Disease. Pollack is our guest on Episode #125 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with the organization's founder how her idea — fundraising automotive-travel events around the country — has grown, and what's planned this year. "Having been in the car industry for several decades — blending cars and camaraderie has always been something of second nature," said Pollack, based in Los Angeles. "But when I lost my mom to Parkinson’s in 2006, I realized there were meaningful ways to share friendships and the emotional bonds and gratification that driving can bring to support the challenges others may face." The first of a diverse series of Drive Toward A Cure events this season is the organization's inaugural 'weekend getaway.' Specifically, it's The Kentucky Bourbon Trail Getaway. As Pollack describes the weekend: "It's a full day of unlimited Touring Lapping at the NCM Motorsports Park before heading to Louisville. After we’ve checked into the historic Brown Hotel, we’ll hit a local 'speakeasy' for great food and libations, and a chance to unwind. "Saturday will feature a relaxing day touring several hand-picked Kentucky Bourbon distilleries and three great meals. Finally, on Sunday we apply the tried-and-true Drive Toward a Cure formula of great back road driving, crossing state lines into Tennessee and changing time zones with great visits to the Bavarian Bierhaus in Nashville and the Lane Motor Museum!" In addition to other rally-travel days, Drive Toward A Cure also recently expanded its fundraising efforts to support for those challenged by Parkinson’s Disease by establishing an all-new "Special Assistance Fund." It will provide financial assistance to qualified applicants following extenuating circumstances, such as the recent devastating tornado in Nashville, Tennessee. Since its inception, Drive Toward A Cure has raised more than $300,000, including contributions that provide financial assistance for research and patient programs. For program details and this season's schedule of events, visit: <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://www.drivetowardacure.org">www.drivetowardacure.org</a> The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on<a href="https://amzn.to/2PCdAr5"> Amazon.com</a>. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on <a href="http://wwww.theweeklydriver.com/podcast">www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast</a> Deb Pollack has been involved in the automotive industry for decades. She's worked for small and large companies and several manufacturers, Ferrari to Maserati and General Motors to Mitsubishi Pollack's work in public relations, which the Los Angeles-based businesswoman describes as the "blending of cars and camaraderie," has also resulted in her national philanthropic efforts with the organization she founded, Drive Toward A Cure (www.drivetowardacure.org). Deb Pollack (driving) is the founder of the non-profit Drive Toward A Cure. It raises money to benefit the fight against Parkinson's Disease. Image courtesy of Deb Pollack. In addition to currently working as the publicist for the boutique restoration house Singer Vehicle Design, Pollack advocates the ability to team cars and camaraderie to raise funds to benefit the battle against Parkinson's Disease. Pollack is our guest on Episode #125 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with the organization's founder how her idea — fundraising automotive-travel events around the country — has grown, and what's planned this year. "Having been in the car industry for several decades — blending cars and camaraderie has always been something of second nature," said Pollack, based in Los Angeles. "But when I lost my mom to Parkinson’s in 2006, I realized there were meaningful ways to share friendships and the emotional bonds and gratification that driving can bring to support the challenges others may face." The first of a diverse series of Drive Toward A Cure events this season is the organization's inaugural 'weekend getaway.' Specifically, it's The Kentucky Bourbon Trail Getaway. As Pollack describes the weekend: "It's a full day of unlimited Touring Lapping at the NCM Motorsports Park before heading to Louisville. After we’ve checked into the historic Brown Hotel, we’ll hit a local 'speakeasy' for great food and libations, and a chance to unwind. "Saturday will feature a relaxing day touring several hand-picked Kentucky Bourbon distilleries and three great meals. Finally, on Sunday we apply the tried-and-true Drive Toward a Cure formula of great back road driving, crossing state lines into Tennessee and changing time zones with great visits to the Bavarian Bierhaus in Nashville and the Lane Motor Museum!" In addition to other rally-travel days, Drive Toward A Cure also recently expanded its fundraising efforts to support for those challenged by Parkinson’s Disease by establishing an all-new "Special Assistance Fund." It will provide financial assistance to qualified applicants following extenuating circumstances, such as the recent devastating tornado in Nashville, Tennessee. Since its inception, Drive Toward A Cure has raised more than $300,000, including contributions that provide financial assistance for research and patient programs. For program details and this season's schedule of events, visit: www.drivetowardacure.org The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: Google Play iTunes Spotify Stitcher iheartradio https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=32333 https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/03/125-podcast-drive-toward-a-parkinsons-disease-cure/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=125-podcast-drive-toward-a-parkinsons-disease-cure Tue, 10 Mar 2020 01:20:08 +0000 1415 false full #124, Cartoonist is auto world’s wacky, witty futurist #124, Cartoonist is auto world’s wacky, witty futurist 1 James Raia and Bruce Aldrich Steven M. Johnson is a cartoonist with a fondness for the absurd. With astute detail, humor and poignancy, he's a purveyor of wacky, futuristic product ideas. It's all silly, except for when it's not. - Johnson, Steven M. Johnson is a cartoonist with a fondness for the absurd. With astute detail, humor and poignancy, he's a purveyor of wacky, futuristic product ideas. It's all silly, except for when it's not. Johnson, an editorial cartoonist and illustrator for nearly 60 years, is our guest on this week's episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. The 81-year-old author of 10 books lives and works in Carmichael, California. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/patent3.jpg"></a>The Honest Commute (above) is among Steven M. Johnson's Patent Depending panels about the auto industry. Below, left to right, a cover of one of Johnson's books and two additional examples of Patent Depending series. All images courtesy of Steven M. Johnson. <a href='https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/03/124-cartoonist-is-auto-worlds-wacky-witty-futurist/patent2/#main'></a> <a href='https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/03/124-cartoonist-is-auto-worlds-wacky-witty-futurist/patent4/#main'></a> <a href='https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/03/124-cartoonist-is-auto-worlds-wacky-witty-futurist/patent/#main'></a> A former city planner who attended Yale but transferred and graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in Journalistic Studies, Johnson was a long-time general assignment cartoonist for the Sacramento Bee. He also had a weekly panel at the newspaper with future ideas called A Step Ahead. Feature reporters were fortunate when Johnson was assigned to illustrate their stories. We didn't work together often, but more than 35 years ago, I wrote an article about taking "gambler's buses" for the newspaper'a long-ago defunct section called Out & About. It was a glimpse into the popular transportation method of many pensioners who enjoyed making the trip from Sacramento to Lake Tahoe. Johnson's illustration showed the bus, newly equipped with arms and legs, sitting a poker table playing card with other patrons. It one of my brief moments into the cartoonist's world. On another occasion, during the major long-distance running frenzy in the 1980s, Johnson illustrated an article I wrote for the same outdoors section on newfangled running gear. The cartoon showed a runner burdened with all kinds of contraptions, some of which were included in the article. Johnson added other ideas for embellishment, hilarious doses of worthy, light-hearted sarcasm about some of the ludicrous products. The former high school and collegiate runner had already accomplished much before his 17-year career at the newspaper. And much has happened since. Johnson's favorite topics include the automobile and transportation industries. It was how his admirable career began at age 36 while he was employed as the editorial cartoonist for formerly titled Sierra Club Bulletin. "The first assignment that triggered the 'inner inventor' in me was in 1974 when I was asked to envision future RVs," Johnson recalls. "The editor wanted 16 cartoons and I created 109. I could not stop!" Follow his tenure working for the Bee, Johnson was hired as a "futurist" for the research and development division of Honda. It's part of Johnson's collection of employment titles, some self-determined like whimsicalist and possibilitist. Some of Johnson's bizarre ideas have proven prophetic. In 1975, Johnson fashioned the idea of pre-torn clothing. He described a product similar to Google Glasses in 1992. Several ideas in his theme of Public Therapy Buses have been made. His auto panels include Road Office, Honest Commute and Tunnel Bus. Thousands of his ideas abound in cartoons. Nearly a decade ago, Johnson began his involvement with the Maker Faire, the global yearly gathering of inventors and artists. He had a booth in Xian China in 2017 and in Shenzhen two years ago. Steven M. Johnson is a cartoonist with a fondness for the absurd. With astute detail, humor and poignancy, he's a purveyor of wacky, futuristic product ideas. It's all silly, except for when it's not. Johnson, an editorial cartoonist and illustrator for nearly 60 years, is our guest on this week's episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. The 81-year-old author of 10 books lives and works in Carmichael, California. The Honest Commute (above) is among Steven M. Johnson's Patent Depending panels about the auto industry. Below, left to right, a cover of one of Johnson's books and two additional examples of Patent Depending series. All images courtesy of Steven M. Johnson. A former city planner who attended Yale but transferred and graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in Journalistic Studies, Johnson was a long-time general assignment cartoonist for the Sacramento Bee. He also had a weekly panel at the newspaper with future ideas called A Step Ahead. Feature reporters were fortunate when Johnson was assigned to illustrate their stories. We didn't work together often, but more than 35 years ago, I wrote an article about taking "gambler's buses" for the newspaper'a long-ago defunct section called Out & About. It was a glimpse into the popular transportation method of many pensioners who enjoyed making the trip from Sacramento to Lake Tahoe. Johnson's illustration showed the bus, newly equipped with arms and legs, sitting a poker table playing card with other patrons. It one of my brief moments into the cartoonist's world. On another occasion, during the major long-distance running frenzy in the 1980s, Johnson illustrated an article I wrote for the same outdoors section on newfangled running gear. The cartoon showed a runner burdened with all kinds of contraptions, some of which were included in the article. Johnson added other ideas for embellishment, hilarious doses of worthy, light-hearted sarcasm about some of the ludicrous products. The former high school and collegiate runner had already accomplished much before his 17-year career at the newspaper. And much has happened since. Johnson's favorite topics include the automobile and transportation industries. It was how his admirable career began at age 36 while he was employed as the editorial cartoonist for formerly titled Sierra Club Bulletin. "The first assignment that triggered the 'inner inventor' in me was in 1974 when I was asked to envision future RVs," Johnson recalls. "The editor wanted 16 cartoons and I created 109. I could not stop!" Follow his tenure working for the Bee, Johnson was hired as a "futurist" for the research and development division of Honda. It's part of Johnson's collection of employment titles, some self-determined like whimsicalist and possibilitist. Some of Johnson's bizarre ideas have proven prophetic. In 1975, Johnson fashioned the idea of pre-torn clothing. He described a product similar to Google Glasses in 1992. Several ideas in his theme of Public Therapy Buses have been made. His auto panels include Road Office, Honest Commute and Tunnel Bus. Thousands of his ideas abound in cartoons. Nearly a decade ago, Johnson began his involvement with the Maker Faire, the global yearly gathering of inventors and artists. He had a booth in Xian China in 2017 and in Shenzhen two years ago. Johnson's involvement resulted in a contract with a publisher in China. His current two-book project is scheduled for publication this year in the world's largest automotive market. Please join co-host Bruce Aldrich and me for our interview with Johnson. We discuss the artist's long-time fascination with automobiles and other transportation matters, all wonderfully absurd. The full spectrum of Johnson's work is available on www.patentdepending.com. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=32311 https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/03/124-cartoonist-is-auto-worlds-wacky-witty-futurist/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=124-cartoonist-is-auto-worlds-wacky-witty-futurist Tue, 03 Mar 2020 19:49:16 +0000 2097 false full #123, Danny Shapiro discusses 2020 Nvidia GTC Technology Show #123, Danny Shapiro discusses 2020 Nvidia GTC Technology Show 1 James Raia and Bruce Aldrich Danny Shapiro, Senior Director of Automotive at Nvidia Corporation in Santa Clara, California, is as knowledgeable as anyone in the autonomous automotive industry. The technology company is at the forefront of delivering solutions to automakers for sel... Danny Shapiro, Senior Director of Automotive at Nvidia Corporation in Santa Clara, California, is as knowledgeable as anyone in the autonomous automotive industry. The technology company is at the forefront of delivering solutions to automakers for self-driving cars, infotainment, digital instrument clusters, rear-seat entertainment and advanced driver assistance systems. Nvidia's GTC Technology Conference, scheduled March 22-26 in San Jose, California, is the premier AI and deep learning event, providing you with training, insights, and direct access to experts from NVIDIA and other leading organizations. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/gtc.png"></a>Danny Shapiro discusses Nvidia and the 2020 GTC Technology Conference in this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Shapiro is our guest on this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-host Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss all things related to the future of autonomous vehicles with the 25-year veteran of the computer graphics and semiconductor industries. Shapiro has degrees in electrical engineering, computer science and business administration from Princeton and UC Berkeley. And he's keen on the solutions that will enable faster and better design of automobiles, as well as in-vehicle solutions for infotainment, navigation and driver assistance. Since 2014, Nvidia has diversified its business focusing on four markets: gaming, professional visualization, data centers and auto. Nvidia is also now focused on artificial intelligence. In addition to manufacturing, Nvidia provides parallel processing capabilities to researchers and scientists that allow them to efficiently run high-performance applications. They are deployed in supercomputing sites around the world. Where is the future of autonomous driving? We discuss that. How safe is it? We cover that, too, as well as the fierce competition in the marketplace of the Silicon Valley in California and China. Join us for an informative episode from an expert in the future of autonomous vehicles. For additional information, visit: <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/gtc/">GTC Technology Conference</a> The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on<a href="https://amzn.to/2PCdAr5"> Amazon.com</a>. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on <a href="http://wwww.theweeklydriver.com/podcast">www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast</a> Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://play.google.com/music/m/Iqzatcupnefrzflzyqr5fashc44?t=THE_WEEKLY_DRIVER">Google Play</a> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-weekly-driver/id1280593178?mt=2">iTunes</a> <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/14uslDCRvZiMd8WTc7xZkd">Spotify</a> <a href="https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-weekly-driver-podcast">Stitcher</a> <a href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/256-the-weekly-driver-31096156/">iheartradio</a>   Danny Shapiro, Senior Director of Automotive at Nvidia Corporation in Santa Clara, California, is as knowledgeable as anyone in the autonomous automotive industry. The technology company is at the forefront of delivering solutions to automakers for self-driving cars, infotainment, digital instrument clusters, rear-seat entertainment and advanced driver assistance systems. Nvidia's GTC Technology Conference, scheduled March 22-26 in San Jose, California, is the premier AI and deep learning event, providing you with training, insights, and direct access to experts from NVIDIA and other leading organizations. Danny Shapiro discusses Nvidia and the 2020 GTC Technology Conference in this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Shapiro is our guest on this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-host Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss all things related to the future of autonomous vehicles with the 25-year veteran of the computer graphics and semiconductor industries. Shapiro has degrees in electrical engineering, computer science and business administration from Princeton and UC Berkeley. And he's keen on the solutions that will enable faster and better design of automobiles, as well as in-vehicle solutions for infotainment, navigation and driver assistance. Since 2014, Nvidia has diversified its business focusing on four markets: gaming, professional visualization, data centers and auto. Nvidia is also now focused on artificial intelligence. In addition to manufacturing, Nvidia provides parallel processing capabilities to researchers and scientists that allow them to efficiently run high-performance applications. They are deployed in supercomputing sites around the world. Where is the future of autonomous driving? We discuss that. How safe is it? We cover that, too, as well as the fierce competition in the marketplace of the Silicon Valley in California and China. Join us for an informative episode from an expert in the future of autonomous vehicles. For additional information, visit: GTC Technology Conference The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: Google Play iTunes Spotify Stitcher iheartradio https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=32282 https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/02/123-danny-shapiro-discusses-2020-nvidia-gtc-technology-show/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=123-danny-shapiro-discusses-2020-nvidia-gtc-technology-show Tue, 25 Feb 2020 01:30:37 +0000 1392 false full #122, Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich, James Raia talk car stuff #122, Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich, James Raia talk car stuff 1 James Raia and Bruce Aldrich 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— ... 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. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/brucejames1.jpg"></a>Bruce Aldrich and James Raia interview automotive experts every week on The Weekly Driver Podcast. 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 many areas of the automotive world. We've talked with famous people, renowned mountain climber and van enthusiast <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://theweeklydriver.com/2018/01/episode-22-famed-climber-alex-honnold-prefers-life-van/">Alex Honnold</a> to <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://theweeklydriver.com/2019/03/77-peugeot-president-discusses-iconic-cars-return/">Larry Dominique</a>, President of Peugeot North America. We've chatted with spokespeople from trade shows, auctions and various entrepreneurs. We interviewed vintage car collectors, artists and memorabilia experts. We're having a blast. The Weekly Driver Podcast also needs our listeners' assistance. The more listeners, the better our chances of secure funding to expand what we do best — staying abreast of the automotive industry. Spread the word about our podcast via your social media accounts. The archives of our 2 1/2 years of podcasting, all my automotive reviews dating to 2005 as well a sign-up for my just-debuting electronic weekly newsletter are all available on my website, <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://theweeklydriver.com">theweeklydriver.com</a>. If you'd like to support theweekldydriver.com financially via advertising or sponsorship, please contact me via email: james@jamesraia.com. The Weekly Driver Podcast also encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Also support our podcast by shopping on<a href="https://amzn.to/2PCdAr5"> Amazon.com</a>. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on <a href="http://wwww.theweeklydriver.com/podcast">www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast</a> Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://play.google.com/music/m/Iqzatcupnefrzflzyqr5fashc44?t=THE_WEEKLY_DRIVER">Google Play</a> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-weekly-driver/id1280593178?mt=2">iTunes</a> <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/14uslDCRvZiMd8WTc7xZkd">Spotify</a> <a href="https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-weekly-driver-podcast">Stitcher</a> <a href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/256-the-weekly-driver-31096156/">iheartradio</a>   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 Aldrich and James Raia interview automotive experts every week on The Weekly Driver Podcast. 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 many areas of the automotive world. We've talked with famous people, renowned mountain climber and van enthusiast Alex Honnold to Larry Dominique, President of Peugeot North America. We've chatted with spokespeople from trade shows, auctions and various entrepreneurs. We interviewed vintage car collectors, artists and memorabilia experts. We're having a blast. The Weekly Driver Podcast also needs our listeners' assistance. The more listeners, the better our chances of secure funding to expand what we do best — staying abreast of the automotive industry. Spread the word about our podcast via your social media accounts. The archives of our 2 1/2 years of podcasting, all my automotive reviews dating to 2005 as well a sign-up for my just-debuting electronic weekly newsletter are all available on my website, theweeklydriver.com. If you'd like to support theweekldydriver.com financially via advertising or sponsorship, please contact me via email: james@jamesraia.com. The Weekly Driver Podcast also encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Also support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: Google Play iTunes Spotify Stitcher iheartradio https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=32241 https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/02/122-co-hosts-bruce-aldrich-james-raia-talk-car-stuff/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=122-co-hosts-bruce-aldrich-james-raia-talk-car-stuff Wed, 19 Feb 2020 06:28:09 +0000 2342 false full #121, Best used cars, best enduring cars from iseecars.com #121, Best used cars, best enduring cars from iseecars.com James Raia and Bruce Aldrich Julie Blackley, communications manager for the car search engine iSeeCars.com, is a frequent guest on The Weekly Driver Podcast. Blackley writes and distributes monthly studies that analyze automotive data, Julie Blackley, communications manager for the car search engine <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="http://www.iseecars.com">iSeeCars.com</a>, is a frequent guest on The Weekly Driver Podcast. Blackley writes and distributes monthly studies that analyze automotive data, on topics ranging best used cars to popular car colors to states with the most pick-ups. The wide-ranging categories, according to the website, are aggregations of a massive amount of information tabulated from "proprietary algorithms to objectively analyze, score and rank millions of cars and tens of thousands of dealers, providing helpful insights and guidance to users to find a good car at a good price from a trustworthy seller." <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/usedcars-scaled.jpg"></a>Best used cars, best new cars, best enduring cars from iseecars.com. For automotive statistics junkies, the site is a tremendous fix. Blackley was our recent guest in her fourth appearance on The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discussed with her the results of data from three recent studies: 1. Top 15 Vehicles Owners Keep for 15 Years or Longer; 2. The Most Popular Cars By State (the 10 largest states) ; 3. The Best Used Cars For 2020. Due to technical issues, our interview with Blackley is not available. Instead, Bruce and James revisit the three areas of the most recent iSeeCars.com surveys and recap the knowledge and insight Blackley provided. In separate posts, I have also published each of the surveys and well as a new analysis of the most popular car colors. Links to the posts our archived podcast episodes with Blackley are also provided below. The <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="http://www.iseecars.com">iSeeCars.com</a> site is a comprehensive platform for all car buyers, and The Weekly Driver Podcast recommends visiting the site for practical information to help determine your next purchase. As Blackley says, "I write and disseminate monthly studies that analyze iSeeCars data on topics that help consumers navigate the difficult car-buying process." The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on<a href="https://amzn.to/2PCdAr5"> Amazon.com</a>. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on <a href="http://wwww.theweeklydriver.com/podcast">www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast</a> Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://play.google.com/music/m/Iqzatcupnefrzflzyqr5fashc44?t=THE_WEEKLY_DRIVER">Google Play</a> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-weekly-driver/id1280593178?mt=2">iTunes</a> <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/14uslDCRvZiMd8WTc7xZkd">Spotify</a> <a href="https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-weekly-driver-podcast">Stitcher</a> <a href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/256-the-weekly-driver-31096156/">iheartradio</a>   Julie Blackley, communications manager for the car search engine iSeeCars.com, is a frequent guest on The Weekly Driver Podcast. Blackley writes and distributes monthly studies that analyze automotive data, on topics ranging best used cars to popular car colors to states with the most pick-ups. The wide-ranging categories, according to the website, are aggregations of a massive amount of information tabulated from "proprietary algorithms to objectively analyze, score and rank millions of cars and tens of thousands of dealers, providing helpful insights and guidance to users to find a good car at a good price from a trustworthy seller." Best used cars, best new cars, best enduring cars from iseecars.com. For automotive statistics junkies, the site is a tremendous fix. Blackley was our recent guest in her fourth appearance on The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discussed with her the results of data from three recent studies: 1. Top 15 Vehicles Owners Keep for 15 Years or Longer; 2. The Most Popular Cars By State (the 10 largest states) ; 3. The Best Used Cars For 2020. Due to technical issues, our interview with Blackley is not available. Instead, Bruce and James revisit the three areas of the most recent iSeeCars.com surveys and recap the knowledge and insight Blackley provided. In separate posts, I have also published each of the surveys and well as a new analysis of the most popular car colors. Links to the posts our archived podcast episodes with Blackley are also provided below. The iSeeCars.com site is a comprehensive platform for all car buyers, and The Weekly Driver Podcast recommends visiting the site for practical information to help determine your next purchase. As Blackley says, "I write and disseminate monthly studies that analyze iSeeCars data on topics that help consumers navigate the difficult car-buying process." The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: Google Play iTunes Spotify Stitcher iheartradio https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=32238 https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/02/121-best-used-cars-best-enduring-cars-from-iseecars-com/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=121-best-used-cars-best-enduring-cars-from-iseecars-com Fri, 07 Feb 2020 20:56:46 +0000 1419 false full #120, Author Patrick Foster celebrates 80 years of Jeep #120, Author Patrick Foster celebrates 80 years of Jeep James Raia and Bruce Aldrich Author Patrick Foster knows as much as anyone about automaker Jeep. With more than 30 years in the automotive industry, Foster is a prolific journalist, particularly when writing about the long history of the utilitarian, four-wheel-drive vehicles. Author Patrick Foster knows as much as anyone about automaker Jeep. With more than 30 years in the automotive industry, Foster is a prolific journalist, particularly when writing about the long history of the utilitarian, four-wheel-drive vehicles. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia interview Foster in episode #120 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/jeepcover.jpg"></a>The eight-decade of Jeep is detailed in Patrick Foster's new book. Foster's latest book is JEEP: EIGHT DECADES FROM WILLYS TO WRANGLER (Motorbooks $32.99.) Accompanied by more than 200 photographs, the 192-page paperback is described as "the definitive book on the greatest four-wheel-drive vehicle ever." During our 30-minute interview, Foster details his passion for Jeep and gives an insightful account of the stories behind the design and production of the vehicle. The automaker's well-known World War II presence to current models are all covered. Military-issued Jeeps, as well as the first post-war JC and now-classic SUVs, are all included in Foster's impressive chronicling of the enduring machines. The new volume updates Foster's previous Jeep books. It includes five years of new model editions and prototypes, Jeep's return to the pickup market, and recent marketplace successes. The book's color and black-and-white photographs are complemented by unique Jeep advertisement material from throughout its tenure. Foster's latest book, as well as his collection of previous works, are available on his website <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="http://www.oldemilfordpress.com">www.oldemilfordpress.com</a>. New buyers receive signed copies. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on<a href="https://amzn.to/2PCdAr5"> Amazon.com</a>. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on <a href="http://wwww.theweeklydriver.com/podcast">www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast</a> Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://play.google.com/music/m/Iqzatcupnefrzflzyqr5fashc44?t=THE_WEEKLY_DRIVER">Google Play</a> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-weekly-driver/id1280593178?mt=2">iTunes</a> <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/14uslDCRvZiMd8WTc7xZkd">Spotify</a> <a href="https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-weekly-driver-podcast">Stitcher</a> <a href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/256-the-weekly-driver-31096156/">iheartradio</a> The Weekly Driver, published since 2004, has also reviewed many Jeeps. Visit: <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://theweeklydriver.com/?s=Jeep">JEEP REVIEWS</a> Author Patrick Foster knows as much as anyone about automaker Jeep. With more than 30 years in the automotive industry, Foster is a prolific journalist, particularly when writing about the long history of the utilitarian, four-wheel-drive vehicles. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia interview Foster in episode #120 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. The eight-decade of Jeep is detailed in Patrick Foster's new book. Foster's latest book is JEEP: EIGHT DECADES FROM WILLYS TO WRANGLER (Motorbooks $32.99.) Accompanied by more than 200 photographs, the 192-page paperback is described as "the definitive book on the greatest four-wheel-drive vehicle ever." During our 30-minute interview, Foster details his passion for Jeep and gives an insightful account of the stories behind the design and production of the vehicle. The automaker's well-known World War II presence to current models are all covered. Military-issued Jeeps, as well as the first post-war JC and now-classic SUVs, are all included in Foster's impressive chronicling of the enduring machines. The new volume updates Foster's previous Jeep books. It includes five years of new model editions and prototypes, Jeep's return to the pickup market, and recent marketplace successes. The book's color and black-and-white photographs are complemented by unique Jeep advertisement material from throughout its tenure. Foster's latest book, as well as his collection of previous works, are available on his website www.oldemilfordpress.com. New buyers receive signed copies. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: Google Play iTunes Spotify Stitcher iheartradio The Weekly Driver, published since 2004, has also reviewed many Jeeps. Visit: JEEP REVIEWS https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=32196 https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/01/120-author-patrick-foster-celebrates-80-years-of-jeep/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=120-author-patrick-foster-celebrates-80-years-of-jeep Wed, 22 Jan 2020 06:52:52 +0000 1901 false full #119, Pro cycling teams rely on team cars’ assistance #119, Pro cycling teams rely on team cars’ assistance James Raia and Bruce Aldrich 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. 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. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Acura-scaled.jpg"></a>The Rally Cycling Team supports its men's and women's team with 2019 Acura RDX sport utility vehicles. Images courtesy of Sam Wiebe/Rally Cycling Team. <a href='https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/rally2-scaled.jpg'></a> <a href='https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/rally-scaled.jpg'></a> <a href='https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/rally4-scaled.jpg'></a> <a href='https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/rally5-scaled.jpg'></a> <a href='https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Andy-Bajadali-scaled.jpg'></a> <a href='https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/rally1-scaled.jpg'></a> 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 their riders. Co-host James Raia talks with Bajadali from the passenger seat of a 2019 Acura RDX during the opening day of the team's training camp in Oxnard, California. Bruce Aldrich, the broadcast's other co-host, produced the episode from Sacramento. During more than a four-hour team ride along the Pacific Coast Highways and into the surrounding foothills, Bajadali and I discuss the learning curve of the transition of a pro career into a director's role. It includes learning from other directors the ins-and-outs driving during races that may 150 cyclists and several-dozen team cars “A team car is really there to support in all ways,” said Bajadali. “I don’t know if people who don’t know the ins-and-outs of the sport know how important it is to have a car there. It’s a major luxury.” Unlike cycling teams of yesteryear that relied on panel vans or mini cars with questionable reliability, most current teams opt for all-wheel drive wagons or SUVs. One now-defunct team in recent years had two Porsche Panamera sports cars as support vehicles. It didn’t go well. During training and races, team vehicles transport extra bikes, wheels, various equipment, food, water and medical equipment. If a race includes 20 teams, 40 team vehicles, plus official race vehicles, all advance along the route in an ever-changing processional that also may include 150 riders. Every team’s vehicles are detailed in team colors and have signage for its sponsors. A road race may advance smoothly for hours on a long, open road. But chaos can occur in an instant after a crash. Team cars require skilled drivers, usually former pro cyclists, who negotiate winding roads often at high speeds to assist riders. “Basically, you’re just always learning,” said Bajadali who first drove a team car in the early season Dubai Tour. “It was amazing just to see a race on that level. You learn a lot. It was my first day driving solo. You’re just working your way up in understanding. A few years into it, you find your groove and your way of doing things. You just have to get in there and get your hands dirty.” If a cyclist needs a new bike or medical assistance, the exchange between the team car and rider is similar to a pitstop in auto rac... 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. The Rally Cycling Team supports its men's and women's team with 2019 Acura RDX sport utility vehicles. Images courtesy of Sam Wiebe/Rally Cycling Team. 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 their riders. Co-host James Raia talks with Bajadali from the passenger seat of a 2019 Acura RDX during the opening day of the team's training camp in Oxnard, California. Bruce Aldrich, the broadcast's other co-host, produced the episode from Sacramento. During more than a four-hour team ride along the Pacific Coast Highways and into the surrounding foothills, Bajadali and I discuss the learning curve of the transition of a pro career into a director's role. It includes learning from other directors the ins-and-outs driving during races that may 150 cyclists and several-dozen team cars “A team car is really there to support in all ways,” said Bajadali. “I don’t know if people who don’t know the ins-and-outs of the sport know how important it is to have a car there. It’s a major luxury.” Unlike cycling teams of yesteryear that relied on panel vans or mini cars with questionable reliability, most current teams opt for all-wheel drive wagons or SUVs. One now-defunct team in recent years had two Porsche Panamera sports cars as support vehicles. It didn’t go well. During training and races, team vehicles transport extra bikes, wheels, various equipment, food, water and medical equipment. If a race includes 20 teams, 40 team vehicles, plus official race vehicles, all advance along the route in an ever-changing processional that also may include 150 riders. Every team’s vehicles are detailed in team colors and have signage for its sponsors. A road race may advance smoothly for hours on a long, open road. But chaos can occur in an instant after a crash. Team cars require skilled drivers, usually former pro cyclists, who negotiate winding roads often at high speeds to assist riders. “Basically, you’re just always learning,” said Bajadali who first drove a team car in the early season Dubai Tour. “It was amazing just to see a race on that level. You learn a lot. It was my first day driving solo. You’re just working your way up in understanding. A few years into it, you find your groove and your way of doing things. You just have to get in there and get your hands dirty.” If a cyclist needs a new bike or medical assistance, the exchange between the team car and rider is similar to a pitstop in auto racing. It’s not uncommon for riders to take advantage of a team car’s speed and hang on too long for a rest. But race officials are watchful for infractions. “Team cars in road cycling is just part of the game,” said Bajadali, who rode as a passenger in team cars before assuming driving responsibilities. “It kind of equalizes the race where everyone has that kind of support and you can get down to business and do tactics and fast racing.” The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: jam... https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=32178 https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/01/119-pro-cycling-teams-rely-on-team-cars-assistance/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=119-pro-cycling-teams-rely-on-team-cars-assistance Tue, 14 Jan 2020 19:42:50 +0000 1865 false full #118, Alex Guberman: YouTube electric vehicle expert #118, Alex Guberman: YouTube electric vehicle expert James Raia and Bruce Aldrich Alex Guberman is a force in the electric vehicle industry. A recent new resident in Sacramento, Guberman publishes the increasingly popular YouTube Channel, E For Electric. - A native of Moscow, Russia, the former resident of the Silicon Valley, Alex Guberman is a force in the electric vehicle industry. A recent new resident in Sacramento, Guberman publishes the increasingly popular YouTube Channel, E For Electric. A native of Moscow, Russia, the former resident of the Silicon Valley, is also a former Tesla owner. But he's also passionate about Byton, for which he's worked as an ambassador, and other prominent and pending electric vehicle manufacturers. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/electric.jpg"></a>Alex Guberman is a prominent electric vehicle expert on YouTube and on other social media platforms. Guberman is our guest on Episode #118 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with Guberman, who moved to the United States in 1992, the current status of the electric vehicle industry and what the future may hold. Guberman, who in addition to his prominent YouTube, Instagram and Facebook prominence recently joined TikTok, has lots of opinions and he shares them with a keen knowledge of the fast-moving electric vehicle industry. For example, he appreciates Tesla and its status and the innovation of owner Elon Musk. But he's not a "fanboy." It's the term Guberman uses the describe those who follow the manufacturer without discretion. Guberman is prolific. He produces a lot of videos per day for his channel. He breaks electric vehicle news. He discusses trends in the industry and talks about his travels to vehicle debuts, including China. He was also our guest on <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://theweeklydriver.com/2019/03/76-alex-guberman-youtube-electric-vehicle-maverick/">Episode #76 of The Weekly Driver Podcast.</a> The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on<a href="https://amzn.to/2PCdAr5"> Amazon.com</a>. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on <a href="http://wwww.theweeklydriver.com/podcast">www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast</a> Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://play.google.com/music/m/Iqzatcupnefrzflzyqr5fashc44?t=THE_WEEKLY_DRIVER">Google Play</a> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-weekly-driver/id1280593178?mt=2">iTunes</a> <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/14uslDCRvZiMd8WTc7xZkd">Spotify</a> <a href="https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-weekly-driver-podcast">Stitcher</a> <a href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/256-the-weekly-driver-31096156/">iheartradio</a>   Alex Guberman is a force in the electric vehicle industry. A recent new resident in Sacramento, Guberman publishes the increasingly popular YouTube Channel, E For Electric. A native of Moscow, Russia, the former resident of the Silicon Valley, is also a former Tesla owner. But he's also passionate about Byton, for which he's worked as an ambassador, and other prominent and pending electric vehicle manufacturers. Alex Guberman is a prominent electric vehicle expert on YouTube and on other social media platforms. Guberman is our guest on Episode #118 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with Guberman, who moved to the United States in 1992, the current status of the electric vehicle industry and what the future may hold. Guberman, who in addition to his prominent YouTube, Instagram and Facebook prominence recently joined TikTok, has lots of opinions and he shares them with a keen knowledge of the fast-moving electric vehicle industry. For example, he appreciates Tesla and its status and the innovation of owner Elon Musk. But he's not a "fanboy." It's the term Guberman uses the describe those who follow the manufacturer without discretion. Guberman is prolific. He produces a lot of videos per day for his channel. He breaks electric vehicle news. He discusses trends in the industry and talks about his travels to vehicle debuts, including China. He was also our guest on Episode #76 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: Google Play iTunes Spotify Stitcher iheartradio https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=32170 https://theweeklydriver.com/2020/01/118-alex-guberman-youtube-electric-vehicle-expert/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=118-alex-guberman-youtube-electric-vehicle-expert Mon, 06 Jan 2020 17:36:18 +0000 2508 false full #117, New decade auto predictions from Cars.com #117, New decade auto predictions from Cars.com James Raia and Bruce Aldrich The automotive industry is ever-changing. Advancement in technology, autonomous driving and alternative fuels, keep manufacturers moving quickly. Joe Wiesenfelder, executive editor of Cars.com and a 25-year automotive expert, The automotive industry is ever-changing. Advancement in technology, autonomous driving and alternative fuels, keep manufacturers moving quickly. Joe Wiesenfelder, executive editor of <a href="https:/www.theweeklydriver.com">Cars.com</a> and a 25-year automotive expert, knows the industry trends as well as anyone. He's our guest on episode #117 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/carslogo.com_.jpg"></a>Joe Wisenfelder, executive editor of Cars.com, discusses the top-5 auto trends for the next decade. Wiesenfelder discusses with co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia the top five trends in the industry that will shape the automotive future for the next decade. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/joew.jpg"></a>Joe Wisenfelder, executive editor of Cars.com The prominent automotive website believes increasing consumer expectations, connected technology, rising loan prices, a pivotal presidential election, and an infatuation with electric and autonomous vehicles will shape the automotive future. As such, Wiesenfelder believes the consumer marketplace will offer markedly different experiences for buyers and sellers. The website's editors report: "As new competitors are entering and disrupting auto retail, car manufacturers are attempting to sell online, and car dealers are adopting new technology to change the car buying process forever. "But due to the expensive, personal and emotional nature of the car purchase, in the next decade, most consumers will still want and need to 'touch' and 'feel' their new vehicle before collecting the keys. By tapping into advanced technology on the market that better connects the online and in-store experience, car dealers are best positioned to dominate this space." Wisenfelder knows of what he speaks. He oversees a digital marketplace and solutions provider for the automotive industry online since 1998. Headquartered in Chicago, Cars.com provides data, resources and digital tools needed to make informed buying decisions. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on<a href="https://amzn.to/2PCdAr5"> Amazon.com</a>. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on <a href="http://wwww.theweeklydriver.com/podcast">www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast</a> Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://play.google.com/music/m/Iqzatcupnefrzflzyqr5fashc44?t=THE_WEEKLY_DRIVER">Google Play</a> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-weekly-driver/id1280593178?mt=2">iTunes</a> <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/14uslDCRvZiMd8WTc7xZkd">Spotify</a> <a href="https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-weekly-driver-podcast">Stitcher</a> <a href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/256-the-weekly-driver-31096156/">iheartradio</a>   The automotive industry is ever-changing. Advancement in technology, autonomous driving and alternative fuels, keep manufacturers moving quickly. Joe Wiesenfelder, executive editor of Cars.com and a 25-year automotive expert, knows the industry trends as well as anyone. He's our guest on episode #117 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Joe Wisenfelder, executive editor of Cars.com, discusses the top-5 auto trends for the next decade. Wiesenfelder discusses with co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia the top five trends in the industry that will shape the automotive future for the next decade. Joe Wisenfelder, executive editor of Cars.com The prominent automotive website believes increasing consumer expectations, connected technology, rising loan prices, a pivotal presidential election, and an infatuation with electric and autonomous vehicles will shape the automotive future. As such, Wiesenfelder believes the consumer marketplace will offer markedly different experiences for buyers and sellers. The website's editors report: "As new competitors are entering and disrupting auto retail, car manufacturers are attempting to sell online, and car dealers are adopting new technology to change the car buying process forever. "But due to the expensive, personal and emotional nature of the car purchase, in the next decade, most consumers will still want and need to 'touch' and 'feel' their new vehicle before collecting the keys. By tapping into advanced technology on the market that better connects the online and in-store experience, car dealers are best positioned to dominate this space." Wisenfelder knows of what he speaks. He oversees a digital marketplace and solutions provider for the automotive industry online since 1998. Headquartered in Chicago, Cars.com provides data, resources and digital tools needed to make informed buying decisions. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: Google Play iTunes Spotify Stitcher iheartradio https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=32139 https://theweeklydriver.com/2019/12/117-new-decade-auto-predictions-from-cars-com/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=117-new-decade-auto-predictions-from-cars-com Mon, 30 Dec 2019 18:42:06 +0000 1995 false full #116, The Weekly Driver Podcast’s 2019 Best Cars, Trucks #116, The Weekly Driver Podcast’s 2019 Best Cars, Trucks James Raia and Bruce Aldrich The Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 to the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid and the Kia K900 to the Toyota Camry. These four diverse vehicles are on the list of the 2019 Best Cars and Trucks of the Year, announced by The Weekly Driver Podcast. - The Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 to the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid and the Kia K900 to the Toyota Camry. These four diverse vehicles are on the list of the 2019 Best Cars and Trucks of the Year, announced by The Weekly Driver Podcast. Podcast co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss the list on episode #116 of the weekly program that reports on all things automotive. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/camaro-1.jpg"></a>The 2019 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 is among the top-10 Cars and Trucks of 2019, according to Bruce Aldrich and James Raia, co-hosts of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Image © James Raia. As is our logical way, we wait until the end of the year to name our selections. As in previous years, the 2019 choices were selected only from the list of 35-40 cars and trucks manufacturers provided for weekly reviews for my weekly syndicated automotive column. It's published by Bay Area News Group in San Jose, California, Motors Matters in Delaware and Gulfshore Business in Naples, Florida. Bruce also drove most of the cars on the list and we have a lively discussion during the podcast. Which is to say, we disagreed on some of the choices. The 10 vehicles on the 2019 Best Cars and Trucks list include manufacturers from the United States, South Korea and Japan. The Weekly Driver has been writing about our main automotive vent for years. How do prestigious industry publications determine their vehicles-of-the-year selections before the calendar year starts? Selecting a list of the year’s best at the end of the calendar year makes sense. How can a 2020 list be announced (several have) in December of 2019 when not all of the 2020 models vehicles are available. Here's the list in alphabetical order of the 2019 Best Cars and Trucks of the Year: Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, GMC Sierra, Honda Civic, Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid, Infiniti QX80, Kia K900, Lexus LS500, Subaru Ascent, Toyota Camry. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/K900new.jpg"></a>The Kia K900 is among The Weekly Driver Podcast's 2019 Best Cars and Trucks. All of the vehicles on the list are reviewed on <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://theweeklydriver.com/podcast">The Weekly Driver.com</a>. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on<a href="https://amzn.to/2PCdAr5"> Amazon.com</a>. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on <a href="http://wwww.theweeklydriver.com/podcast">www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast</a> Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://play.google.com/music/m/Iqzatcupnefrzflzyqr5fashc44?t=THE_WEEKLY_DRIVER">Google Play</a> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-weekly-driver/id1280593178?mt=2">iTunes</a> <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/14uslDCRvZiMd8WTc7xZkd">Spotify</a> <a href="https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-weekly-driver-podcast">Stitcher</a> <a href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/256-the-weekly-driver-31096156/">iheartradio</a>   The Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 to the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid and the Kia K900 to the Toyota Camry. These four diverse vehicles are on the list of the 2019 Best Cars and Trucks of the Year, announced by The Weekly Driver Podcast. Podcast co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss the list on episode #116 of the weekly program that reports on all things automotive. The 2019 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 is among the top-10 Cars and Trucks of 2019, according to Bruce Aldrich and James Raia, co-hosts of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Image © James Raia. As is our logical way, we wait until the end of the year to name our selections. As in previous years, the 2019 choices were selected only from the list of 35-40 cars and trucks manufacturers provided for weekly reviews for my weekly syndicated automotive column. It's published by Bay Area News Group in San Jose, California, Motors Matters in Delaware and Gulfshore Business in Naples, Florida. Bruce also drove most of the cars on the list and we have a lively discussion during the podcast. Which is to say, we disagreed on some of the choices. The 10 vehicles on the 2019 Best Cars and Trucks list include manufacturers from the United States, South Korea and Japan. The Weekly Driver has been writing about our main automotive vent for years. How do prestigious industry publications determine their vehicles-of-the-year selections before the calendar year starts? Selecting a list of the year’s best at the end of the calendar year makes sense. How can a 2020 list be announced (several have) in December of 2019 when not all of the 2020 models vehicles are available. Here's the list in alphabetical order of the 2019 Best Cars and Trucks of the Year: Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, GMC Sierra, Honda Civic, Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid, Infiniti QX80, Kia K900, Lexus LS500, Subaru Ascent, Toyota Camry. The Kia K900 is among The Weekly Driver Podcast's 2019 Best Cars and Trucks. All of the vehicles on the list are reviewed on The Weekly Driver.com. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: Google Play iTunes Spotify Stitcher iheartradio https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=32122 https://theweeklydriver.com/2019/12/116-the-weekly-driver-podcasts-2019-best-cars-trucks/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=116-the-weekly-driver-podcasts-2019-best-cars-trucks Tue, 17 Dec 2019 20:30:18 +0000 2142 false full #115, Charity sweepstakes starts for 36 rare Corvettes #115, Charity sweepstakes starts for 36 rare Corvettes James Raia and Bruce Aldrich 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 Corve... 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. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/vettes-scaled.png"></a>The Corvette Heroes charity will give away 36 Corvettes in a sweepstakes. 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 about the project and its usual circumstances. The collection is known both as "The Lost Corvettes" and the Peter Max Collection because the renowned pop artist once owned the vehicles. He was going to use the cars as canvases for a series of paintings but never pursued the project. The cars were stored in parking garages throughout New York for more than 25 years. But a few years ago, a representative for Max reached out to Scott Heller, who for two decades helped his friend move the cars to the garages. The agent asked Heller if he was interested in purchasing the collection. Heller discussed the offer with his sons Michael and Adam Heller, and his cousin Peter Heller, as well as real estate associates Gary, Adam and Fred Spindler. They contacted Mazzilli to determine what it would take to restore the cars. Mazzilli compiled a detailed analysis for the group on what each car needed and the cost of repairs and then the decision was made to purchase the entire collection. Among the vehicles is a 1953 Corvette, among the rarest years of the automotive icon. The collection also includes a 1956 Corvette, resplendent in Cascade Green, and a highly coveted 1967 Corvette convertible. Mazzilli also discusses the restoration details and the idea to make the project into a charity with the podcast co-hosts. Proceeds from the sweepstakes of what is believed to be the greatest collection of Corvettes in history will go to American military veterans through the National Guard Educational Foundation. To participate in the sweepstakes, donation entries (ages 18 years of age or older) are $3 each with discounts for multiple entries. Visit <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="http://www.thelostcorvettesgiveaway.com">www.thelostcorvettesgiveaway.com</a>. The deadline is April 30. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on<a href="https://amzn.to/2PCdAr5"> Amazon.com</a>. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on <a href="http://wwww.theweeklydriver.com/podcast">www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast</a> Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://play.google.com/music/m/Iqzatcupnefrzflzyqr5fashc44?t=THE_WEEKLY_DRIVER">Google Play</a> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-weekly-driver/id1280593178?mt=2">iTunes</a> <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/14uslDCRvZiMd8WTc7xZkd">Spotify</a> <a href="https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-weekly-driver-podcast">Stitcher</a> 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. The Corvette Heroes charity will give away 36 Corvettes in a sweepstakes. 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 about the project and its usual circumstances. The collection is known both as "The Lost Corvettes" and the Peter Max Collection because the renowned pop artist once owned the vehicles. He was going to use the cars as canvases for a series of paintings but never pursued the project. The cars were stored in parking garages throughout New York for more than 25 years. But a few years ago, a representative for Max reached out to Scott Heller, who for two decades helped his friend move the cars to the garages. The agent asked Heller if he was interested in purchasing the collection. Heller discussed the offer with his sons Michael and Adam Heller, and his cousin Peter Heller, as well as real estate associates Gary, Adam and Fred Spindler. They contacted Mazzilli to determine what it would take to restore the cars. Mazzilli compiled a detailed analysis for the group on what each car needed and the cost of repairs and then the decision was made to purchase the entire collection. Among the vehicles is a 1953 Corvette, among the rarest years of the automotive icon. The collection also includes a 1956 Corvette, resplendent in Cascade Green, and a highly coveted 1967 Corvette convertible. Mazzilli also discusses the restoration details and the idea to make the project into a charity with the podcast co-hosts. Proceeds from the sweepstakes of what is believed to be the greatest collection of Corvettes in history will go to American military veterans through the National Guard Educational Foundation. To participate in the sweepstakes, donation entries (ages 18 years of age or older) are $3 each with discounts for multiple entries. Visit www.thelostcorvettesgiveaway.com. The deadline is April 30. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: Google Play iTunes Spotify Stitcher iheartradio https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=32083 https://theweeklydriver.com/2019/12/115-charity-sweepstakes-starts-for-36-rare-corvettes/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=115-charity-sweepstakes-starts-for-36-rare-corvettes Tue, 10 Dec 2019 01:35:20 +0000 1563 false full #114, Indianapolis Motor Speedway set for driverless race #114, Indianapolis Motor Speedway set for driverless race James Raia and Bruce Aldrich The Indianapolis Motor Speedway has been the home to many of motorsports' greatest drivers and races. In less than two years, the renowned racetrack will host another iconic racing event — without drivers. - The Indianapolis Motor Speedway has been the home to many of motorsports' greatest drivers and races. In less than two years, the renowned racetrack will host another iconic racing event — without drivers. The speedway (IMS) and Energy Systems Network (ESN) recently announced a two-year, $1 million prize competition that will culminate in a head-to-head, high-speed autonomous vehicle race Oct. 23, 2021, around the Speedway's famed 2.5-mile oval. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Indy-scaled.jpg"></a>The Indianapolis Motor Speedway will host an autonomous car race in 2021. Matt Peak, director of mobility at Energy Systems Network, is our guest on this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Peak talks with co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia about the pending event, The Indy Autonomous Challenge. The competition will be among universities to create software that enables self-driving Indy Lights race cars to compete in a head-to-head race on the IMS track. The development of the software can help speed the commercialization of fully autonomous vehicles and enhance existing advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) in people-driven cars. These technologies help drivers remain in control and avoid accidents by prompting awareness and improving accuracy. "What we're asking universities to do is hard," said Peak. "Our hope is that by bringing together and offering up to participating teams the world's premier automotive proving ground, performance chassis manufacturer, engineering research center and simulation platform, as well as nearly $1.5 million in total cash awards, universities will see the Challenge as not just throwing down the gauntlet but also extending the helping hand to accelerate innovation and the arrival of new technologies." The Challenge consists of five rounds. Teams submit a short white paper during the first round, and in the second round, teams must demonstrate vehicular automation by sharing a short video of an existing vehicle or by participating in Purdue University's self-driving go-kart competition at IMS. Five universities registered for the competition upon its opening this morning: Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST), Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI), University of Florida, University of Illinois and the University of Virginia. Registration is open for accredited, tax-exempt colleges and universities (including foreign institutions of higher education) through Feb. 28, 2020. For more information and to register for the competition, visit <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="http://www.indyautonomouschallenge.com">www.indyautonomouschallenge.com</a>. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on<a href="https://amzn.to/2PCdAr5"> Amazon.com</a>. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on <a href="http://wwww.theweeklydriver.com/podcast">www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast</a> Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://play.google.com/music/m/Iqzatcupnefrzflzyqr5fashc44?t=THE_WEEKLY_DRIVER">Google Play</a> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-weekly-driver/id1280593178?mt=2">iTunes</a> <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/14uslDCRvZiMd8WTc7xZkd">Spotify</a> <a href="https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-weekly-driver-podcast">Stitcher</a> <a href="https://www.iheart. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway has been the home to many of motorsports' greatest drivers and races. In less than two years, the renowned racetrack will host another iconic racing event — without drivers. The speedway (IMS) and Energy Systems Network (ESN) recently announced a two-year, $1 million prize competition that will culminate in a head-to-head, high-speed autonomous vehicle race Oct. 23, 2021, around the Speedway's famed 2.5-mile oval. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway will host an autonomous car race in 2021. Matt Peak, director of mobility at Energy Systems Network, is our guest on this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Peak talks with co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia about the pending event, The Indy Autonomous Challenge. The competition will be among universities to create software that enables self-driving Indy Lights race cars to compete in a head-to-head race on the IMS track. The development of the software can help speed the commercialization of fully autonomous vehicles and enhance existing advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) in people-driven cars. These technologies help drivers remain in control and avoid accidents by prompting awareness and improving accuracy. "What we're asking universities to do is hard," said Peak. "Our hope is that by bringing together and offering up to participating teams the world's premier automotive proving ground, performance chassis manufacturer, engineering research center and simulation platform, as well as nearly $1.5 million in total cash awards, universities will see the Challenge as not just throwing down the gauntlet but also extending the helping hand to accelerate innovation and the arrival of new technologies." The Challenge consists of five rounds. Teams submit a short white paper during the first round, and in the second round, teams must demonstrate vehicular automation by sharing a short video of an existing vehicle or by participating in Purdue University's self-driving go-kart competition at IMS. Five universities registered for the competition upon its opening this morning: Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST), Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI), University of Florida, University of Illinois and the University of Virginia. Registration is open for accredited, tax-exempt colleges and universities (including foreign institutions of higher education) through Feb. 28, 2020. For more information and to register for the competition, visit www.indyautonomouschallenge.com. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: Google Play iTunes Spotify Stitcher iheartradio https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=32058 https://theweeklydriver.com/2019/12/114-indianapolis-motor-speedway-set-for-driverless-race/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=114-indianapolis-motor-speedway-set-for-driverless-race Thu, 05 Dec 2019 01:56:55 +0000 1910 false full #113, Fiat 500, Maine cheapest car, state for insurance #113, Fiat 500, Maine cheapest car, state for insurance James Raia and Bruce Aldrich Where you live and what kind of vehicle you drive has a lot to do with how much your car insurance is going to cost. carinsurance.com has all the data. - It's crunched the numbers and determined the cheapest cars to insure in every state and the cheap... Where you live and what kind of vehicle you drive has a lot to do with how much your car insurance is going to cost. <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="http://www.carinsurance.com">carinsurance.com</a> has all the data. It's crunched the numbers and determined the cheapest cars to insure in every state and the cheapest state in which to insure vehicles. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/fiat.jpg"></a>The 2019 Fiat 500 Pop is the least expensive car to insure in 15 states, according to carinsurance.com Penny Gusner, a Consumer Analyst for the website, is our guest on this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Gusner talks with co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia about the cheapest cars to insure in every state and how the results were determined. She details how cars are built and how other factors fit into the equation. Road quality, technology, weather, etc., all contribute to a vehicle's insurance rate. "Most new vehicles are loaded with technology and that can lead to a safety discount, but all of that technology also comes with increased repair costs," said Gusner. “In luxury vehicles, due materials used, a teak wood interior is much more expensive to repair than a plastic one.” CarInsurance.com’s numbers determined that 15 vehicles were the cheapest to insure in at least one state during 2019. Subaru has the best results. It has three models on the list. Fiat, Jeep, Mazda and Honda had two models on the list. The Fiat Pop 500 is the least expensive vehicle to insure in 15 states. Maine is the least expensive state to insure a car, with the Mazda CX-3 the least expensive vehicle in the state to insure at the cost of $695. Michigan is the most expensive state to insure a vehicle. The Ford F-150 costs $2,501 per year on average to insure. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on<a href="https://amzn.to/2PCdAr5"> Amazon.com</a>. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on <a href="http://wwww.theweeklydriver.com/podcast">www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast</a> Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://play.google.com/music/m/Iqzatcupnefrzflzyqr5fashc44?t=THE_WEEKLY_DRIVER">Google Play</a> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-weekly-driver/id1280593178?mt=2">iTunes</a> <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/14uslDCRvZiMd8WTc7xZkd">Spotify</a> <a href="https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-weekly-driver-podcast">Stitcher</a> <a href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/256-the-weekly-driver-31096156/">iheartradio</a>   Where you live and what kind of vehicle you drive has a lot to do with how much your car insurance is going to cost. carinsurance.com has all the data. It's crunched the numbers and determined the cheapest cars to insure in every state and the cheapest state in which to insure vehicles. The 2019 Fiat 500 Pop is the least expensive car to insure in 15 states, according to carinsurance.com Penny Gusner, a Consumer Analyst for the website, is our guest on this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Gusner talks with co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia about the cheapest cars to insure in every state and how the results were determined. She details how cars are built and how other factors fit into the equation. Road quality, technology, weather, etc., all contribute to a vehicle's insurance rate. "Most new vehicles are loaded with technology and that can lead to a safety discount, but all of that technology also comes with increased repair costs," said Gusner. “In luxury vehicles, due materials used, a teak wood interior is much more expensive to repair than a plastic one.” CarInsurance.com’s numbers determined that 15 vehicles were the cheapest to insure in at least one state during 2019. Subaru has the best results. It has three models on the list. Fiat, Jeep, Mazda and Honda had two models on the list. The Fiat Pop 500 is the least expensive vehicle to insure in 15 states. Maine is the least expensive state to insure a car, with the Mazda CX-3 the least expensive vehicle in the state to insure at the cost of $695. Michigan is the most expensive state to insure a vehicle. The Ford F-150 costs $2,501 per year on average to insure. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: Google Play iTunes Spotify Stitcher iheartradio https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=32041 https://theweeklydriver.com/2019/12/113-fiat-500-maine-cheapest-car-state-for-insurance/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=113-fiat-500-maine-cheapest-car-state-for-insurance Wed, 04 Dec 2019 01:23:39 +0000 1758 false full #112, LA Auto Show, Day 2: Kia president touts new Seltos SUV #112, LA Auto Show, Day 2: Kia president touts new Seltos SUV James Raia and Bruce Aldrich The huge banner promotes the 2019 Kia Telluride as the Motor Trend sport utility vehicle of the year. It's a perfect marketing location for the manufacturer since the signage is hanging above the Los Angeles Convention Center, The huge banner promotes the 2019 Kia Telluride as the Motor Trend sport utility vehicle of the year. It's a perfect marketing location for the manufacturer since the signage is hanging above the Los Angeles Convention Center, the site of the 2019 LA Auto Show. Named the 2020 SUV of the year, the Telluride also has a new stablemate, the 2021 Kia Seltos. It's positioned between the Kia Soul and Sportage as an entry-level SUV. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/seltos-scaled.jpg"></a>Michael Cole, President of Kia Motors America, unveils the 2021 Kia Seltos at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Image © Bruce Aldrich/2019 Michael Cole, the newly named President of Kia Motors America, is our guest on Day 2 of The Weekly Driver Podcast special episodes from the LA Auto Show. Co-host Bruce Aldrich and James Raia speak with Cole about two hours after he presided over the reveal of the Seltos to a large crowd of media representatives on Day 2 of this year's show. While seated in a conference room overlooking a showroom floor, we discuss with Cole the anticipated debut of the entry-level SUV. According to Kia, the Seltos "combines the SUV capability of available All-Wheel Drive with advanced driver assistance technologies, available Bose premium sound and exceptional cargo space." While the price of the Seltos hasn't been announced, it's expected to debut next February. Cole also discusses the history of Kia, how the company decided on its new SUV's name, the status of the industry and the continuing popularity of the SUV segment. Kia hasn't announced its plans for the electric or autonomous vehicle segment but Cole commented: "We'll be ready, rest assured." Join us for an engaging episode. Cole is enthusiastic and optimistic about the future of Kia. And he convinced us. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on<a href="https://amzn.to/2PCdAr5"> Amazon.com</a>. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on <a href="http://wwww.theweeklydriver.com/podcast">www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast</a> Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://play.google.com/music/m/Iqzatcupnefrzflzyqr5fashc44?t=THE_WEEKLY_DRIVER">Google Play</a> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-weekly-driver/id1280593178?mt=2">iTunes</a> <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/14uslDCRvZiMd8WTc7xZkd">Spotify</a> <a href="https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-weekly-driver-podcast">Stitcher</a> <a href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/256-the-weekly-driver-31096156/">iheartradio</a>   The huge banner promotes the 2019 Kia Telluride as the Motor Trend sport utility vehicle of the year. It's a perfect marketing location for the manufacturer since the signage is hanging above the Los Angeles Convention Center, the site of the 2019 LA Auto Show. Named the 2020 SUV of the year, the Telluride also has a new stablemate, the 2021 Kia Seltos. It's positioned between the Kia Soul and Sportage as an entry-level SUV. Michael Cole, President of Kia Motors America, unveils the 2021 Kia Seltos at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Image © Bruce Aldrich/2019 Michael Cole, the newly named President of Kia Motors America, is our guest on Day 2 of The Weekly Driver Podcast special episodes from the LA Auto Show. Co-host Bruce Aldrich and James Raia speak with Cole about two hours after he presided over the reveal of the Seltos to a large crowd of media representatives on Day 2 of this year's show. While seated in a conference room overlooking a showroom floor, we discuss with Cole the anticipated debut of the entry-level SUV. According to Kia, the Seltos "combines the SUV capability of available All-Wheel Drive with advanced driver assistance technologies, available Bose premium sound and exceptional cargo space." While the price of the Seltos hasn't been announced, it's expected to debut next February. Cole also discusses the history of Kia, how the company decided on its new SUV's name, the status of the industry and the continuing popularity of the SUV segment. Kia hasn't announced its plans for the electric or autonomous vehicle segment but Cole commented: "We'll be ready, rest assured." Join us for an engaging episode. Cole is enthusiastic and optimistic about the future of Kia. And he convinced us. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: Google Play iTunes Spotify Stitcher iheartradio https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=32067 https://theweeklydriver.com/2019/11/112-la-auto-show-day-2-kia-president-touts-new-seltos-suv/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=112-la-auto-show-day-2-kia-president-touts-new-seltos-suv Thu, 21 Nov 2019 01:07:14 +0000 1210 false full #111, Day 1: LA Auto Show: Brembo, Bollinger Motors #111, Day 1: LA Auto Show: Brembo, Bollinger Motors James Raia and Bruce Aldrich Welcome to The Weekly Driver Podcast. We're broadcasting special daily episodes this week from the 2019 Los Angeles Auto Show at the LA Convention Center. - It's the day before the showroom floors open for the global and North American debuts of sever... Welcome to The Weekly Driver Podcast. We're broadcasting special daily episodes this week from the 2019 Los Angeles Auto Show at the LA Convention Center. It's the day before the showroom floors open for the global and North American debuts of several dozen vehicle debuts. But there's still plenty to see and discuss. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/bolinger.jpg"></a>Bollinger Motors is exhibiting the pre-production models of its utilitarian, electric pickups at the LA Auto Show. Image © Bruce Alrdrich/2019 Co-hosts James Raia and Bruce Aldrich conduct interviews with Daniel Sandberg, President and CEO at Brembo North America, Inc., and Robert Bollinger, CEO of Bollinger Motors. The two executives couldn't be further apart in their respective areas of expertise in the automotive landscape. Sandberg oversees the industry's most well-known innovator of premium disc brake technology. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/brembo.jpg"></a>Brembo is showcasing its braking systems at the LA Auto Show. Image © Bruce Aldrich/2019. In addition to its long history in the racing industry, Brembo is the forefront in the design, development and production of braking systems and components for passenger cars, motorbikes, industrial vehicles and machinery. Sandberg discusses the company's involvement in the various markets. He also talks about the continuation of a previous career. A former radio announcer in Detroit, Sandberg hosts the Brembo Red Podcast. Guests have included Jay Leno, Adam Carolla and Wayne Carini. Bollinger manufactures the B1 Electric Sport Utility Truck and B2 Electric Pickup Truck. Both are currently in pre-production mode. The company recently announced the aluminum truck's debut MSRP of $125,000, with reservations of $1,000 available for the pending two vehicles. A 4x4 off-road and street legal, all-wheel-drive electric truck, Bollinger's utilitarian looks challenge the norms of mainstream truck design. Its specs include a 200-mile range, 514 horsepower dual motor and 15-inch ground clearance. For additional information about Brembo, visit: <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="http://www.brembo.com">www.brembo.com</a>. For additional information about Bollinger Motors, visit: <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="http://www.bollingermotors.com">www.bollingermotors.com</a>. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on<a href="https://amzn.to/2PCdAr5"> Amazon.com</a>. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on <a href="http://wwww.theweeklydriver.com/podcast">www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast</a> Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://play.google.com/music/m/Iqzatcupnefrzflzyqr5fashc44?t=THE_WEEKLY_DRIVER">Google Play</a> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-weekly-driver/id1280593178?mt=2">iTunes</a> <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/14uslDCRvZiMd8WTc7xZkd">Spotify</a> <a href="https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-weekly-driver-podcast">Stitcher</a> <a href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/256-the-weekly-driver-31096156/">iheartradio</a>   Welcome to The Weekly Driver Podcast. We're broadcasting special daily episodes this week from the 2019 Los Angeles Auto Show at the LA Convention Center. It's the day before the showroom floors open for the global and North American debuts of several dozen vehicle debuts. But there's still plenty to see and discuss. Bollinger Motors is exhibiting the pre-production models of its utilitarian, electric pickups at the LA Auto Show. Image © Bruce Alrdrich/2019 Co-hosts James Raia and Bruce Aldrich conduct interviews with Daniel Sandberg, President and CEO at Brembo North America, Inc., and Robert Bollinger, CEO of Bollinger Motors. The two executives couldn't be further apart in their respective areas of expertise in the automotive landscape. Sandberg oversees the industry's most well-known innovator of premium disc brake technology. Brembo is showcasing its braking systems at the LA Auto Show. Image © Bruce Aldrich/2019. In addition to its long history in the racing industry, Brembo is the forefront in the design, development and production of braking systems and components for passenger cars, motorbikes, industrial vehicles and machinery. Sandberg discusses the company's involvement in the various markets. He also talks about the continuation of a previous career. A former radio announcer in Detroit, Sandberg hosts the Brembo Red Podcast. Guests have included Jay Leno, Adam Carolla and Wayne Carini. Bollinger manufactures the B1 Electric Sport Utility Truck and B2 Electric Pickup Truck. Both are currently in pre-production mode. The company recently announced the aluminum truck's debut MSRP of $125,000, with reservations of $1,000 available for the pending two vehicles. A 4x4 off-road and street legal, all-wheel-drive electric truck, Bollinger's utilitarian looks challenge the norms of mainstream truck design. Its specs include a 200-mile range, 514 horsepower dual motor and 15-inch ground clearance. For additional information about Brembo, visit: www.brembo.com. For additional information about Bollinger Motors, visit: www.bollingermotors.com. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: Google Play iTunes Spotify Stitcher iheartradio https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=32060 https://theweeklydriver.com/2019/11/111-day-1-la-auto-show-brembo-bollinger-motors/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=111-day-1-la-auto-show-brembo-bollinger-motors Wed, 20 Nov 2019 01:28:26 +0000 2649 false full #110, What’s in a used car color? Beige saves big bucks #110, What’s in a used car color? Beige saves big bucks James Raia and Bruce Aldrich Julie Blackley is a favorite guest on The Weekly Driver Podcast. She's an analyst for iseecars.com, the Boston-based online automotive search engine and research website. - Blackley is a whirlwind of automotive industry statistics, Julie Blackley is a favorite guest on The Weekly Driver Podcast. She's an analyst for <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="http://www.iseecars.com">iseecars.com</a>, the Boston-based online automotive search engine and research website. Blackley is a whirlwind of automotive industry statistics, and she's the first guest who's joined us three times. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/sienna.jpg"></a>Used Toyota Sienna vans in beige are a great car color for good discounts, according to iseecars.com. During this episode, Bruce Aldrich and I discuss with Julie how certain exterior car colors are more likely to result in significant savings for used car shoppers according to a recent study the company conducted. The automotive research firm analyzed more than 4.1 million vehicles to determine which car colors were more likely to provide deals, defined as savings of at least 10 percent of a car’s market value. The analysis found less-popular colors don’t always amount to the most significant savings. Both common and uncommon colors can provide deals to used car shoppers. The average vehicle has significant savings on 11.3 percent of its inventory. The car color where consumers are most likely to find a deal is beige, which is 24.3 percent more likely to have a deal than the average vehicle. Ranking ninth in terms of popularity among vehicle colors, beige is not among the most popular color choices for consumers . . . black, white, silver and gray. The Volkswagen Passat, Chevrolet Malibu, Chevrolet Equinox and Toyota Sienna are among the most popular cars available in beige. Julie also discusses how the industry and public have reacted to the current survey on iseecars.com. In previous episodes, Julie discussed: <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://theweeklydriver.com/2018/12/66-on-demand-insurance-year-end-car-deals/">Best End of the Year Deals (Episode #66)</a> <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://theweeklydriver.com/2018/11/57-jeep-gets-depreciation-honors-nissan-leaf-falls/">Best Depreciation After Five Years of Ownership (Episode #57)</a> The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on<a href="https://amzn.to/2PCdAr5"> Amazon.com</a>. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on <a href="http://wwww.theweeklydriver.com/podcast">www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast</a> Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://play.google.com/music/m/Iqzatcupnefrzflzyqr5fashc44?t=THE_WEEKLY_DRIVER">Google Play</a> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-weekly-driver/id1280593178?mt=2">iTunes</a> <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/14uslDCRvZiMd8WTc7xZkd">Spotify</a> <a href="https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-weekly-driver-podcast">Stitcher</a> <a href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/256-the-weekly-driver-31096156/">iheartradio</a>   Julie Blackley is a favorite guest on The Weekly Driver Podcast. She's an analyst for iseecars.com, the Boston-based online automotive search engine and research website. Blackley is a whirlwind of automotive industry statistics, and she's the first guest who's joined us three times. Used Toyota Sienna vans in beige are a great car color for good discounts, according to iseecars.com. During this episode, Bruce Aldrich and I discuss with Julie how certain exterior car colors are more likely to result in significant savings for used car shoppers according to a recent study the company conducted. The automotive research firm analyzed more than 4.1 million vehicles to determine which car colors were more likely to provide deals, defined as savings of at least 10 percent of a car’s market value. The analysis found less-popular colors don’t always amount to the most significant savings. Both common and uncommon colors can provide deals to used car shoppers. The average vehicle has significant savings on 11.3 percent of its inventory. The car color where consumers are most likely to find a deal is beige, which is 24.3 percent more likely to have a deal than the average vehicle. Ranking ninth in terms of popularity among vehicle colors, beige is not among the most popular color choices for consumers . . . black, white, silver and gray. The Volkswagen Passat, Chevrolet Malibu, Chevrolet Equinox and Toyota Sienna are among the most popular cars available in beige. Julie also discusses how the industry and public have reacted to the current survey on iseecars.com. In previous episodes, Julie discussed: Best End of the Year Deals (Episode #66) Best Depreciation After Five Years of Ownership (Episode #57) The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: Google Play iTunes Spotify Stitcher iheartradio https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=32027 https://theweeklydriver.com/2019/11/110-whats-in-a-used-car-color-beige-saves-big-bucks/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=110-whats-in-a-used-car-color-beige-saves-big-bucks Tue, 12 Nov 2019 01:44:02 +0000 1411 false full #109, Sacramento collector talks vintage cars #109, Sacramento collector talks vintage cars James Raia and Bruce Aldrich Like other ollectors, Joe Palmer of Sacramento has a passion for vintage cars with character, and chrome. If a vehicle has a long history, Palmern takes pleasure in sharing its pedigree. - The real estate businessman and musician currently owns 14 car... Like other ollectors, Joe Palmer of Sacramento has a passion for vintage cars with character, and chrome. If a vehicle has a long history, Palmern takes pleasure in sharing its pedigree. The real estate businessman and musician currently owns 14 cars and he's possessed more than 30 vehicles. He likes Lincoln, Cadillac and Rolls-Royce. And he also has a 1956 Bentley and a 1966 Ford Mustang. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/joe-1-e1572237558800.jpg"></a>Joe Palmer of Sacramento has a collective of 14 vintage cars. Palmer, 59, is our guest on this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia talked with the collector recently from inside one of his vintage Lincolns that was just purchased a young woman from Southern California. The Lincoln and many of his other vehicles are located in the backyard of his Midtown Sacramento home. He has the 23rd of 25 Rolls-Royce ever made and he has a 1941 Lincoln that weighs nearly 4,000 pounds and has a V12 engine. Palmer enjoys tinkering, restoring and talking about all things cars. He appreciates little things about cars as much as how they perform. He likes the loud sound of big, booming horns. And he appreciates moveable emblems as much power. He knows the value of vintage cars, but he also seemingly equally appreciates them as works of art and history on wheels. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on<a href="https://amzn.to/2PCdAr5"> Amazon.com</a>. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on <a href="http://wwww.theweeklydriver.com/podcast">www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast</a> Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://play.google.com/music/m/Iqzatcupnefrzflzyqr5fashc44?t=THE_WEEKLY_DRIVER">Google Play</a> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-weekly-driver/id1280593178?mt=2">iTunes</a> <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/14uslDCRvZiMd8WTc7xZkd">Spotify</a> <a href="https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-weekly-driver-podcast">Stitcher</a> <a href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/256-the-weekly-driver-31096156/">iheartradio</a>   Like other ollectors, Joe Palmer of Sacramento has a passion for vintage cars with character, and chrome. If a vehicle has a long history, Palmern takes pleasure in sharing its pedigree. The real estate businessman and musician currently owns 14 cars and he's possessed more than 30 vehicles. He likes Lincoln, Cadillac and Rolls-Royce. And he also has a 1956 Bentley and a 1966 Ford Mustang. Joe Palmer of Sacramento has a collective of 14 vintage cars. Palmer, 59, is our guest on this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia talked with the collector recently from inside one of his vintage Lincolns that was just purchased a young woman from Southern California. The Lincoln and many of his other vehicles are located in the backyard of his Midtown Sacramento home. He has the 23rd of 25 Rolls-Royce ever made and he has a 1941 Lincoln that weighs nearly 4,000 pounds and has a V12 engine. Palmer enjoys tinkering, restoring and talking about all things cars. He appreciates little things about cars as much as how they perform. He likes the loud sound of big, booming horns. And he appreciates moveable emblems as much power. He knows the value of vintage cars, but he also seemingly equally appreciates them as works of art and history on wheels. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: Google Play iTunes Spotify Stitcher iheartradio https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=31990 https://theweeklydriver.com/2019/10/109-sacramento-collector-talks-vintage-cars/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=109-sacramento-collector-talks-vintage-cars Mon, 28 Oct 2019 04:53:41 +0000 2209 false full #108, Vintage auto poster collecting expert Tony Singer #108, Vintage auto poster collecting expert Tony Singer James Raia and Bruce Aldrich Everett Anton Singer, known mostly by everyone as Tony, is a vintage auto poster collecting expert and founder of Automobilia Monterey. It's the memorabilia segment of Monterey Auto Week, the yearly August gathering of car shows, Everett Anton Singer, known mostly by everyone as Tony, is a vintage auto poster collecting expert and founder of Automobilia Monterey. It's the memorabilia segment of <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/2013/08/monterey-auto-week-call-it-cars-by-the-sea/">Monterey Auto Week</a>, the yearly August gathering of car shows, auctions and nearly every component of the industry. Expanded to three days this year, Singer's vintage automotive posters were an integral part of the show held at the Embassy Suites in Seaside. And he's our guest on this week's episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/auto.jpg"></a>Tony Singer is an expert in the niche collecting market of vintage auto posters. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with Singer the world of vintage auto poster collecting and as well the larger scope of car memorabilia. Singer, who has been in the vintage automobile poster business since 1980, publishes the website <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="http://www.vintageautoposters.com">www.vintageautoposters.com</a>. It features a vast collection of posters and other memorabilia. Our guest discusses various areas of poster collecting — automotive-related movies and celebrities to racetracks and iconic events. He also details fraud in the industry, how the marketplace has changed and his travels around the world to find rare authentic posters. As Singer states on the website: "Whether building a collection or seeking a single decorative piece, most discerning buyers have sought expertise and personal service. The vast inventory begins in the late 1890s and runs primarily through the 1960s, featuring marque, event, and product advertising. Each poster is guaranteed original and is professionally archival linen mounted. Sizes are indicated in inches. Also available is a fine assortment of vintage auto-related window cards, signs and pins." Monterey Automobilia in 2020 will be held Aug. 10-12. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on<a href="https://amzn.to/2PCdAr5"> Amazon.com</a>. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on <a href="http://wwww.theweeklydriver.com/podcast">www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast</a> Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://play.google.com/music/m/Iqzatcupnefrzflzyqr5fashc44?t=THE_WEEKLY_DRIVER">Google Play</a> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-weekly-driver/id1280593178?mt=2">iTunes</a> <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/14uslDCRvZiMd8WTc7xZkd">Spotify</a> <a href="https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-weekly-driver-podcast">Stitcher</a> <a href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/256-the-weekly-driver-31096156/">iheartradio</a> Everett Anton Singer, known mostly by everyone as Tony, is a vintage auto poster collecting expert and founder of Automobilia Monterey. It's the memorabilia segment of Monterey Auto Week, the yearly August gathering of car shows, auctions and nearly every component of the industry. Expanded to three days this year, Singer's vintage automotive posters were an integral part of the show held at the Embassy Suites in Seaside. And he's our guest on this week's episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Tony Singer is an expert in the niche collecting market of vintage auto posters. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with Singer the world of vintage auto poster collecting and as well the larger scope of car memorabilia. Singer, who has been in the vintage automobile poster business since 1980, publishes the website www.vintageautoposters.com. It features a vast collection of posters and other memorabilia. Our guest discusses various areas of poster collecting — automotive-related movies and celebrities to racetracks and iconic events. He also details fraud in the industry, how the marketplace has changed and his travels around the world to find rare authentic posters. As Singer states on the website: "Whether building a collection or seeking a single decorative piece, most discerning buyers have sought expertise and personal service. The vast inventory begins in the late 1890s and runs primarily through the 1960s, featuring marque, event, and product advertising. Each poster is guaranteed original and is professionally archival linen mounted. Sizes are indicated in inches. Also available is a fine assortment of vintage auto-related window cards, signs and pins." Monterey Automobilia in 2020 will be held Aug. 10-12. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: Google Play iTunes Spotify Stitcher iheartradio https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=31977 https://theweeklydriver.com/2019/10/107-vintage-auto-poster-collecting-expert-tony-singer/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=107-vintage-auto-poster-collecting-expert-tony-singer Tue, 22 Oct 2019 20:02:20 +0000 2631 false full #107, LA Auto Show set for industry spotlight #107, LA Auto Show set for industry spotlight James Raia and Bruce Aldrich The yearly LA Auto Show is about a month away. It’s always a must-attend event as the first major car show of the automotive season despite is unique dates near the end of the calendar year. Alexis Evans, the show’s communications director, The yearly LA Auto Show is about a month away. It’s always a must-attend event as the first major car show of the automotive season despite is unique dates near the end of the calendar year. Alexis Evans, the show’s communications director, is our guest on Episode #107 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/byton.jpg"></a>The Byton all-electric sports car debut at the 2018 LA Auto Show. Image © James Raia/2018 Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss this year’s show with Evans. The event’s public days are scheduled Nov. 22. to Dec. 1 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. The location is the multi-floor, multi-hall venue for dozens of manufacturers and the North American or global debuts of their vehicles. With the vastness of the LA Convention Center, the show provides an all-encompassing automotive experience. It’s all about entry-level cars, top-end luxury vehicles, the ever-expanding alternative fuel industry, custom made machines and unique concepts. In addition to her communications’ responsibilities, Evans also oversees the top-10 start-up competition, Hackathon, for Automobility. It’s the four-day press and trade show that precedes the public show. With several halls of new vehicles, Evans shares tips for attending the show. She explains that unlike visiting a car dealership, the public is encouraged to ask manufacturers, sometimes called ambassadors, about the new vehicles. The carmakers’ representatives aren’t salespeople, but happy to help Evans reminds potential visitors the LA Auto can be a hands-on experience. Test drives are offered by many manufacturers. Several companies have interactive exhibits. The LA Convention Center is located in one of the busiest areas of metropolitan Los Angeles. Evans provides suggestions for parking and well as public transportation. Comprehensive details are available via the website https://laautoshow.com. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on<a href="https://amzn.to/2PCdAr5"> Amazon.com</a>. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on <a href="http://wwww.theweeklydriver.com/podcast">www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast</a> Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://play.google.com/music/m/Iqzatcupnefrzflzyqr5fashc44?t=THE_WEEKLY_DRIVER">Google Play</a> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-weekly-driver/id1280593178?mt=2">iTunes</a> <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/14uslDCRvZiMd8WTc7xZkd">Spotify</a> <a href="https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-weekly-driver-podcast">Stitcher</a> <a href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/256-the-weekly-driver-31096156/">iheartradio</a>   The yearly LA Auto Show is about a month away. It’s always a must-attend event as the first major car show of the automotive season despite is unique dates near the end of the calendar year. Alexis Evans, the show’s communications director, is our guest on Episode #107 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. The Byton all-electric sports car debut at the 2018 LA Auto Show. Image © James Raia/2018 Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss this year’s show with Evans. The event’s public days are scheduled Nov. 22. to Dec. 1 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. The location is the multi-floor, multi-hall venue for dozens of manufacturers and the North American or global debuts of their vehicles. With the vastness of the LA Convention Center, the show provides an all-encompassing automotive experience. It’s all about entry-level cars, top-end luxury vehicles, the ever-expanding alternative fuel industry, custom made machines and unique concepts. In addition to her communications’ responsibilities, Evans also oversees the top-10 start-up competition, Hackathon, for Automobility. It’s the four-day press and trade show that precedes the public show. With several halls of new vehicles, Evans shares tips for attending the show. She explains that unlike visiting a car dealership, the public is encouraged to ask manufacturers, sometimes called ambassadors, about the new vehicles. The carmakers’ representatives aren’t salespeople, but happy to help Evans reminds potential visitors the LA Auto can be a hands-on experience. Test drives are offered by many manufacturers. Several companies have interactive exhibits. The LA Convention Center is located in one of the busiest areas of metropolitan Los Angeles. Evans provides suggestions for parking and well as public transportation. Comprehensive details are available via the website https://laautoshow.com. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: Google Play iTunes Spotify Stitcher iheartradio https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=31975 https://theweeklydriver.com/2019/10/107-la-auto-show-set-for-industry-spotlight/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=107-la-auto-show-set-for-industry-spotlight Mon, 14 Oct 2019 23:28:16 +0000 1677 false full #106, Andrew Noakes’ new book celebrates Bentley centenary #106, Andrew Noakes’ new book celebrates Bentley centenary James Raia and Bruce Aldrich Sometimes forgotten in the 100-year legacy of Bentley is the English manufacturer's legacy at LeMans, the famous French racetrack and its 24-hour race. - Joseph Bentley, the company earlier in-house designer was against the idea of participating in th... Sometimes forgotten in the 100-year legacy of Bentley is the English manufacturer's legacy at LeMans, the famous French racetrack and its 24-hour race. Joseph Bentley, the company earlier in-house designer was against the idea of participating in the event. He believed it was too severe to race a car at top speeds for 24 hours. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/bentley.jpg"></a>Andrew Noakes' new book celebrates Bentley on its 100th anniversary. But after attending the race, Bentley changed his mind and the manufacturer changed its perspective. Bentley won five of the first eight 24 Hours of LeMans events beginning in 1924 — and the legacy of the luxury vehicle had begun. Andrew Noakes, the author of the new book 100 Years of Bentley, writes about Bentley's legacy at LeMans and many other topics in his volume that celebrates the manufacturer's centenary. Noakes is our guest from England in Episode #106 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with Noakes the celebration of of the iconic carbuilder — from its earliest models to its modern-day vehicles. Featuring more than 200 images, including some never seen in prints, 100 Years of Bentley include the history of W.O. Bentley’s early days as a railway engineer along with his first attempts at modifying French DFP cars, to the company’s early racing exploits. Despite its prominence, Bentley has endured financial difficulties One result was its acquisition by Rolls-Royce in 1933. The respective brands’ vehicles were exceedingly similar, particularly during the 1970s. The companies separated in 1998 after a contentious legal negotiation. Rolls-Royce is now owned by BMW; Bentley is part of Volkswagen AG. Bentley’s reliance on others for its continuing heritage doesn’t diminish its long tenure of individualism. It's all in the book and it's all part of our interview with Noakes. Please join us. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on<a href="https://amzn.to/2PCdAr5"> Amazon.com</a>. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on <a href="http://wwww.theweeklydriver.com/podcast">www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast</a> Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://play.google.com/music/m/Iqzatcupnefrzflzyqr5fashc44?t=THE_WEEKLY_DRIVER">Google Play</a> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-weekly-driver/id1280593178?mt=2">iTunes</a> <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/14uslDCRvZiMd8WTc7xZkd">Spotify</a> <a href="https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-weekly-driver-podcast">Stitcher</a> <a href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/256-the-weekly-driver-31096156/">iheartradio</a>   Sometimes forgotten in the 100-year legacy of Bentley is the English manufacturer's legacy at LeMans, the famous French racetrack and its 24-hour race. Joseph Bentley, the company earlier in-house designer was against the idea of participating in the event. He believed it was too severe to race a car at top speeds for 24 hours. Andrew Noakes' new book celebrates Bentley on its 100th anniversary. But after attending the race, Bentley changed his mind and the manufacturer changed its perspective. Bentley won five of the first eight 24 Hours of LeMans events beginning in 1924 — and the legacy of the luxury vehicle had begun. Andrew Noakes, the author of the new book 100 Years of Bentley, writes about Bentley's legacy at LeMans and many other topics in his volume that celebrates the manufacturer's centenary. Noakes is our guest from England in Episode #106 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with Noakes the celebration of of the iconic carbuilder — from its earliest models to its modern-day vehicles. Featuring more than 200 images, including some never seen in prints, 100 Years of Bentley include the history of W.O. Bentley’s early days as a railway engineer along with his first attempts at modifying French DFP cars, to the company’s early racing exploits. Despite its prominence, Bentley has endured financial difficulties One result was its acquisition by Rolls-Royce in 1933. The respective brands’ vehicles were exceedingly similar, particularly during the 1970s. The companies separated in 1998 after a contentious legal negotiation. Rolls-Royce is now owned by BMW; Bentley is part of Volkswagen AG. Bentley’s reliance on others for its continuing heritage doesn’t diminish its long tenure of individualism. It's all in the book and it's all part of our interview with Noakes. Please join us. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: Google Play iTunes Spotify Stitcher iheartradio https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=31946 https://theweeklydriver.com/2019/10/106-andrew-noakes-new-book-celebrates-bentley-centenary/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=106-andrew-noakes-new-book-celebrates-bentley-centenary Sat, 05 Oct 2019 06:43:53 +0000 2160 false full #105, Stuntman Robert Nagle talks Ford v Ferrari, long career #105, Stuntman Robert Nagle talks Ford v Ferrari, long career James Raia and Bruce Aldrich Robert Nagle is a Hollywood star. But he’s unheralded except for industry insiders who know his stuntman and engineering talents. Name a movie with the hard-to-fathom automotive scenes and Nagle problem was part of it. - Robert Nagle is a Hollywood star. But he’s unheralded except for industry insiders who know his stuntman and engineering talents. Name a movie with the hard-to-fathom automotive scenes and Nagle problem was part of it. Nagle’s current project is the soon-to-be-released movie Ford v Ferrari, and he’s our guest on Episode #105 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/ford-v-ferrari.jpg"></a>Matt Damon and Christian Bale star in the racing movie Ford v Ferrari. In 2015, Nagle was awarded an Academy Technical Achievement Award (with Allan Padelford). The honor was presented for the self-propelled, high-performance, drivable camera and vehicle platform dubbed "The Biscuit Jr.”). The platform was named after a similar giant rig put on mechanical horses on to film the actors up close in the movie Sea Biscuit. The vehicle was also used in the movie Aviator. Tragedy struck when the platform was lost in a fire. Biscuit Jr., was made a few years later. And it's an integral part of Ford v Ferrari. The movie, which premiered at the recent Toronto Film Festival and Telluride Film Festival, is scheduled for nationwide release November 15.   The movis stars Christian Bale as British-born driving icon Ken Miles and Matt Damon as Carroll Shelby, the visionary car builder. They’re dispatched by Henry Ford II and Lee Iacocca, then an executive with Ford, with the mission of building the Ford GT40, a new car with the potential to finally defeat the perennially dominant Ferrari. Shelby and Miles battle corporate interference, the laws of physics and their individual demons to build a revolutionary race car for Ford and challenge Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966. During our podcast, Nagle discusses working with Damon and Bale and training the actors to a skill level above what they'll need to for the movie. Nagle also discusses his long tenure in filmmaking and gives us behind-the-scenes insight into working with famous actors, the art of his craft and revisits his long career. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on<a href="https://amzn.to/2PCdAr5"> Amazon.com</a>. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on <a href="http://wwww.theweeklydriver.com/podcast">www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast</a> Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://play.google.com/music/m/Iqzatcupnefrzflzyqr5fashc44?t=THE_WEEKLY_DRIVER">Google Play</a> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-weekly-driver/id1280593178?mt=2">iTunes</a> <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/14uslDCRvZiMd8WTc7xZkd">Spotify</a> <a href="https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-weekly-driver-podcast">Stitcher</a> <a href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/256-the-weekly-driver-31096156/">iheartradio</a> Robert Nagle is a Hollywood star. But he’s unheralded except for industry insiders who know his stuntman and engineering talents. Name a movie with the hard-to-fathom automotive scenes and Nagle problem was part of it. Nagle’s current project is the soon-to-be-released movie Ford v Ferrari, and he’s our guest on Episode #105 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Matt Damon and Christian Bale star in the racing movie Ford v Ferrari. In 2015, Nagle was awarded an Academy Technical Achievement Award (with Allan Padelford). The honor was presented for the self-propelled, high-performance, drivable camera and vehicle platform dubbed "The Biscuit Jr.”). The platform was named after a similar giant rig put on mechanical horses on to film the actors up close in the movie Sea Biscuit. The vehicle was also used in the movie Aviator. Tragedy struck when the platform was lost in a fire. Biscuit Jr., was made a few years later. And it's an integral part of Ford v Ferrari. The movie, which premiered at the recent Toronto Film Festival and Telluride Film Festival, is scheduled for nationwide release November 15. The movis stars Christian Bale as British-born driving icon Ken Miles and Matt Damon as Carroll Shelby, the visionary car builder. They’re dispatched by Henry Ford II and Lee Iacocca, then an executive with Ford, with the mission of building the Ford GT40, a new car with the potential to finally defeat the perennially dominant Ferrari. Shelby and Miles battle corporate interference, the laws of physics and their individual demons to build a revolutionary race car for Ford and challenge Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966. During our podcast, Nagle discusses working with Damon and Bale and training the actors to a skill level above what they'll need to for the movie. Nagle also discusses his long tenure in filmmaking and gives us behind-the-scenes insight into working with famous actors, the art of his craft and revisits his long career. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: Google Play iTunes Spotify Stitcher iheartradio https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=31916 https://theweeklydriver.com/2019/10/105-stuntman-robert-nagle-talks-ford-v-ferrari-long-career/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=105-stuntman-robert-nagle-talks-ford-v-ferrari-long-career Wed, 02 Oct 2019 00:06:33 +0000 1681 false full #104, RV expert discusses the ever-changing industry #104, RV expert discusses the ever-changing industry James Raia and Bruce Aldrich 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. - 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. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/rvtravel.jpg"></a>Chuck Woodbury, publisher of RVTravel.com, joins The Weekly Driver Podcast to discuss the ever-changing RV industry. 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 of the RV world. But he's also a savvy watchdog of an industry ripe with major issues. Too many RV buyers are taken advantage of by RV manufacturers offering vehicles poorly constructed. Buyer recourse in the industry needs revision. Some financing programs benefit the sellers, not the buyers. Woodbury's website and his free comprehensive weekly newsletter and his five-times-per week travel tips newsletter are must reads for RV travelers and those considering it. Revisit our first interview with Woodbury about the RV industry from February 2018 in Episode # 25. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on<a href="https://amzn.to/2PCdAr5"> Amazon.com</a>. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on <a href="http://wwww.theweeklydriver.com/podcast">www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast</a> Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://play.google.com/music/m/Iqzatcupnefrzflzyqr5fashc44?t=THE_WEEKLY_DRIVER">Google Play</a> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-weekly-driver/id1280593178?mt=2">iTunes</a> <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/14uslDCRvZiMd8WTc7xZkd">Spotify</a> <a href="https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-weekly-driver-podcast">Stitcher</a> <a href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/256-the-weekly-driver-31096156/">iheartradio</a> 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. Chuck Woodbury, publisher of RVTravel.com, joins The Weekly Driver Podcast to discuss the ever-changing RV industry. 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 of the RV world. But he's also a savvy watchdog of an industry ripe with major issues. Too many RV buyers are taken advantage of by RV manufacturers offering vehicles poorly constructed. Buyer recourse in the industry needs revision. Some financing programs benefit the sellers, not the buyers. Woodbury's website and his free comprehensive weekly newsletter and his five-times-per week travel tips newsletter are must reads for RV travelers and those considering it. Revisit our first interview with Woodbury about the RV industry from February 2018 in Episode # 25. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: Google Play iTunes Spotify Stitcher iheartradio https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=31910 https://theweeklydriver.com/2019/09/104-rv-expert-discusses-the-ever-changing-industry/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=104-rv-expert-discusses-the-ever-changing-industry Wed, 25 Sep 2019 00:26:15 +0000 2077 false full #103, On the mend for years, U.S. roads crumbling again #103, On the mend for years, U.S. roads crumbling again James Raia and Bruce Aldrich Poor newspaper delivery, slow internet speed and increasing utility costs are constant public annoyances. But arguably at the top of the list of everyday frustrations is the worsening condition of roads. - Poor newspaper delivery, slow internet speed and increasing utility costs are constant public annoyances. But arguably at the top of the list of everyday frustrations is the worsening condition of roads. The <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://reason.org/">Reason Foundation</a> has been reporting on the issue for nearly a quarter-century. And in its recently released 24th Annual Highway Report, the libertarian think tank based in Los Angeles reports the nation's roads are deteriorating. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/road.jpg"></a>U.S. roads crumbling again after years of improvement. Baruch Feigenbaum, lead author of the Annual Highway Report and assistant director of transportation at Reason Foundation, is our guest this week in an abbreviated edition of The Weekly Driver Podcast. We experienced technical difficulties in this episode, but podcast co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss the new report with Feigenbaum. He explains the reasons for fluctuation in yearly results and how states react to the Reason Foundation's determinations. In the current report, North Dakota, Virginia, and Missouri have the best performing, most cost-efficient state highway systems. New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Hawaii have the worst. The 24th annual report is a definitively summarized: "After decades of incremental progress in several key highway categories, the Reason Foundation's Annual Highway Report published finds the nation’s highway conditions are deteriorating, especially in a group of problem-plagued states struggling to repair deficient bridges, maintain Interstate pavement and reduce urban traffic congestion." Feigenbaum, who has am eight-year tenure with the Reason Foundation, reports: "In looking at the nation's highway system as a whole, there was a decades-long trend of incremental improvement in some key categories, but the overall condition of the highway system has now worsened. "We see some improvement on structurally deficient bridges, but pavement conditions on rural and urban highways are declining, the rise in traffic fatalities is worrying, and we aren't making needed progress on traffic congestion in our major cities." The 24th Annual Highway Report, based on data that states submitted to the federal government, ranks each state’s highway system in 13 categories, including traffic fatalities, pavement condition, congestion, spending per mile and nd administrative costs, among other data. The new report uses state-submitted highway data from 2016. It's the most recent year with complete figures currently available. Traffic congestion and bridge data from 2017 is included in the report. North Dakota ranks first in overall performance and cost-effectiveness rankings of state highway systems for the second straight year. North Dakota’s rural and urban Interstate pavement conditions both rank in the top 10 and the state has kept its per-mile costs down. Virginia jumps an impressive 25 spots in the rankings—from 27th overall in the previous annual report—into second-place in performance and cost-effectiveness. Missouri, Maine and Kentucky round out the top five states. The state highway systems in New Jersey (50th), Alaska (49th), Rhode Island (48th), Hawaii (47th), Massachusetts (46th) and New York (45th) rank at the bottom of the nation in overall performance and cost-effectiveness. Despite spending more money per mile than any other state, New Jersey has the worst urban traffic congestion and among the worst urban Interstate pavement conditions in the country. The study finds pavement conditions on both urban Interstates and rural Interstates are deteriorating, with the percentage of urban Interstate mileage in poor condition increasing in 29 of 50 states... Poor newspaper delivery, slow internet speed and increasing utility costs are constant public annoyances. But arguably at the top of the list of everyday frustrations is the worsening condition of roads. The Reason Foundation has been reporting on the issue for nearly a quarter-century. And in its recently released 24th Annual Highway Report, the libertarian think tank based in Los Angeles reports the nation's roads are deteriorating. U.S. roads crumbling again after years of improvement. Baruch Feigenbaum, lead author of the Annual Highway Report and assistant director of transportation at Reason Foundation, is our guest this week in an abbreviated edition of The Weekly Driver Podcast. We experienced technical difficulties in this episode, but podcast co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss the new report with Feigenbaum. He explains the reasons for fluctuation in yearly results and how states react to the Reason Foundation's determinations. In the current report, North Dakota, Virginia, and Missouri have the best performing, most cost-efficient state highway systems. New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Hawaii have the worst. The 24th annual report is a definitively summarized: "After decades of incremental progress in several key highway categories, the Reason Foundation's Annual Highway Report published finds the nation’s highway conditions are deteriorating, especially in a group of problem-plagued states struggling to repair deficient bridges, maintain Interstate pavement and reduce urban traffic congestion." Feigenbaum, who has am eight-year tenure with the Reason Foundation, reports: "In looking at the nation's highway system as a whole, there was a decades-long trend of incremental improvement in some key categories, but the overall condition of the highway system has now worsened. "We see some improvement on structurally deficient bridges, but pavement conditions on rural and urban highways are declining, the rise in traffic fatalities is worrying, and we aren't making needed progress on traffic congestion in our major cities." The 24th Annual Highway Report, based on data that states submitted to the federal government, ranks each state’s highway system in 13 categories, including traffic fatalities, pavement condition, congestion, spending per mile and nd administrative costs, among other data. The new report uses state-submitted highway data from 2016. It's the most recent year with complete figures currently available. Traffic congestion and bridge data from 2017 is included in the report. North Dakota ranks first in overall performance and cost-effectiveness rankings of state highway systems for the second straight year. North Dakota’s rural and urban Interstate pavement conditions both rank in the top 10 and the state has kept its per-mile costs down. Virginia jumps an impressive 25 spots in the rankings—from 27th overall in the previous annual report—into second-place in performance and cost-effectiveness. Missouri, Maine and Kentucky round out the top five states. The state highway systems in New Jersey (50th), Alaska (49th), Rhode Island (48th), Hawaii (47th), Massachusetts (46th) and New York (45th) rank at the bottom of the nation in overall performance and cost-effectiveness. Despite spending more money per mile than any other state, New Jersey has the worst urban traffic congestion and among the worst urban Interstate pavement conditions in the country. The study finds pavement conditions on both urban Interstates and rural Interstates are deteriorating, with the percentage of urban Interstate mileage in poor condition increasing in 29 of 50 states. One-third, 33 percent, of the nation's urban Interstate mileage in poor condition is concentrated in just five states: California, Delaware, Hawaii, Louisiana, and New York. It’s not just urban Interstates with the rougher pavement, however, the Annual Highway Report also finds the percentage of rural arterial... https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=31905 https://theweeklydriver.com/2019/09/103-on-the-mend-for-years-u-s-roads-crumbling-again/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=103-on-the-mend-for-years-u-s-roads-crumbling-again Tue, 17 Sep 2019 01:30:40 +0000 534 false full #102, Sacramento renaissance man drives a 1961 Studebaker #102, Sacramento renaissance man drives a 1961 Studebaker James Raia and Bruce Aldrich Dean Seavers has long appreciated vintage cars. He's owned several, a passion that continues a family heritage. Seavers' now-deceased father worked for General Motors in Fremont, California, and his son learned about mechanics and vehicle history at a ... Dean Seavers has long appreciated vintage cars. He's owned several, a passion that continues a family heritage. Seavers' now-deceased father worked for General Motors in Fremont, California, and his son learned about mechanics and vehicle history at a young age. Seavers is also a renaissance man. He likes old stuff in his East Sacramento home. He appreciates craftsmanship from yesterday. Seavers' interests are represented ideally by his current favorite automobile — a 1961 Studebaker Lark VIII station wagon. He's owned the car for about three years and seemingly knows every inch of it. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Stude1.jpg"></a>Dean Seavers of Sacramento owns a 1961 Studebaker Lark VIII. Image Courtesy of Dean Seavers. Seavers is our guest on Episode #102 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia talk with Seavers at a coffee shop near his downtown Sacramento workplace. Seavers, a procurement officer for the State of California, sometimes drives his Studebaker to work. But mostly it's a weekend car and he enjoys working participating in Studebaker clubs of like-minded folks. The Studebaker company, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 1952, ceased automobile production in 1966. The Lark was made from 1959 to 1966. Studebaker and Packard were once aligned. Both companies independently and together made heavy vehicles with lots of chrome. The vehicles were simultaneously innovative and problematic. Studebaker owners are passionate about their cars as any vintage car enthusiasts. Seavers is no exception. Please join us in this episode, a lively discussion with Seavers. He talks about acquiring parts, working on his vehicle and his appreciation for Studebaker. It's a manufacturer he believes is largely under-appreciated. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on<a href="https://amzn.to/2PCdAr5"> Amazon.com</a>. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on <a href="http://wwww.theweeklydriver.com/podcast">www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast</a> Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://play.google.com/music/m/Iqzatcupnefrzflzyqr5fashc44?t=THE_WEEKLY_DRIVER">Google Play</a> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-weekly-driver/id1280593178?mt=2">iTunes</a> <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/14uslDCRvZiMd8WTc7xZkd">Spotify</a> <a href="https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-weekly-driver-podcast">Stitcher</a> <a href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/256-the-weekly-driver-31096156/">iheartradio</a> Dean Seavers has long appreciated vintage cars. He's owned several, a passion that continues a family heritage. Seavers' now-deceased father worked for General Motors in Fremont, California, and his son learned about mechanics and vehicle history at a young age. Seavers is also a renaissance man. He likes old stuff in his East Sacramento home. He appreciates craftsmanship from yesterday. Seavers' interests are represented ideally by his current favorite automobile — a 1961 Studebaker Lark VIII station wagon. He's owned the car for about three years and seemingly knows every inch of it. Dean Seavers of Sacramento owns a 1961 Studebaker Lark VIII. Image Courtesy of Dean Seavers. Seavers is our guest on Episode #102 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia talk with Seavers at a coffee shop near his downtown Sacramento workplace. Seavers, a procurement officer for the State of California, sometimes drives his Studebaker to work. But mostly it's a weekend car and he enjoys working participating in Studebaker clubs of like-minded folks. The Studebaker company, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 1952, ceased automobile production in 1966. The Lark was made from 1959 to 1966. Studebaker and Packard were once aligned. Both companies independently and together made heavy vehicles with lots of chrome. The vehicles were simultaneously innovative and problematic. Studebaker owners are passionate about their cars as any vintage car enthusiasts. Seavers is no exception. Please join us in this episode, a lively discussion with Seavers. He talks about acquiring parts, working on his vehicle and his appreciation for Studebaker. It's a manufacturer he believes is largely under-appreciated. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: Google Play iTunes Spotify Stitcher iheartradio https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=31891 https://theweeklydriver.com/2019/09/102-sacramento-renaissance-man-drives-a-1961-studebaker/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=102-sacramento-renaissance-man-drives-a-1961-studebaker Fri, 06 Sep 2019 01:05:03 +0000 2014 false full #101, Mark Aldrich has 33-year family affair with ’59 Metro #101, Mark Aldrich has 33-year family affair with ’59 Metro James Raia and Bruce Aldrich Ferraris and Porsches are fine and define precision performance. Mark Aldrich appreciates those iconic cars as much as anyone. But the Aliso Viejo, California, lawyer's preferred vehicle is a 1959 Metro 1500. - Ferraris and Porsches are fine and define precision performance. Mark Aldrich appreciates those iconic cars as much as anyone. But the Aliso Viejo, California, lawyer's preferred vehicle is a 1959 Metro 1500. When high-end machines arrive at car shows with their distinctive growls, massive engines or flawless designs as mechanical works of art, Aldrich makes his entrance in a 60-year-old masterpiece. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/metro.jpg"></a>Attorney Mark Aldrich drives a 1959 Metro 1500 convertible. Image © James Raia/2019 Aldrich is our guest on Episode #101 of <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://theweeklydriver.com/podcast">The Weekly Driver Podcast</a>. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich (no relation) and James Raia discuss with Mark his nearly lifelong interest in Metropolitan, Nash, Rambler and all vehicles under the umbrella of the American Motors Corporation. I met Mark and his friend at the Concours on the Avenue, the early week gathering during Monterey Auto Week on Ocean Ave. (and many side streets) in Carmel. The 12th annual show, held in mid-August, is it is every year, featured the full spectrum of vintage cars and trucks. Surrounded by muscle cars, a massive military vehicle and monstrous sedans replete with protruding body parts and lots of chrome, the Metro may have looked out of place. But it wasn't, and it never is in other automotive events. "The car gets a lot of attention because it is unusual," said Aldrich. “We live near Laguna Beach where a Porsche doesn't get a second look. This car goes down the street and people look. My saying is 'Children laugh and dogs bark.' " Aldrich bought the Metropolitan 33 years ago for $3,000 and the extend the legacy of his family owning classic, simple American cars. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on<a href="https://amzn.to/2PCdAr5"> Amazon.com</a>. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on <a href="http://wwww.theweeklydriver.com/podcast">www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast</a> Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://play.google.com/music/m/Iqzatcupnefrzflzyqr5fashc44?t=THE_WEEKLY_DRIVER">Google Play</a> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-weekly-driver/id1280593178?mt=2">iTunes</a> <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/14uslDCRvZiMd8WTc7xZkd">Spotify</a> <a href="https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-weekly-driver-podcast">Stitcher</a> <a href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/256-the-weekly-driver-31096156/">iheartradio</a>   Ferraris and Porsches are fine and define precision performance. Mark Aldrich appreciates those iconic cars as much as anyone. But the Aliso Viejo, California, lawyer's preferred vehicle is a 1959 Metro 1500. When high-end machines arrive at car shows with their distinctive growls, massive engines or flawless designs as mechanical works of art, Aldrich makes his entrance in a 60-year-old masterpiece. Attorney Mark Aldrich drives a 1959 Metro 1500 convertible. Image © James Raia/2019 Aldrich is our guest on Episode #101 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich (no relation) and James Raia discuss with Mark his nearly lifelong interest in Metropolitan, Nash, Rambler and all vehicles under the umbrella of the American Motors Corporation. I met Mark and his friend at the Concours on the Avenue, the early week gathering during Monterey Auto Week on Ocean Ave. (and many side streets) in Carmel. The 12th annual show, held in mid-August, is it is every year, featured the full spectrum of vintage cars and trucks. Surrounded by muscle cars, a massive military vehicle and monstrous sedans replete with protruding body parts and lots of chrome, the Metro may have looked out of place. But it wasn't, and it never is in other automotive events. "The car gets a lot of attention because it is unusual," said Aldrich. “We live near Laguna Beach where a Porsche doesn't get a second look. This car goes down the street and people look. My saying is 'Children laugh and dogs bark.' " Aldrich bought the Metropolitan 33 years ago for $3,000 and the extend the legacy of his family owning classic, simple American cars. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: Google Play iTunes Spotify Stitcher iheartradio https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=31878 https://theweeklydriver.com/2019/09/101-mark-aldrich-has-33-year-family-affair-with-59-metro/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=101-mark-aldrich-has-33-year-family-affair-with-59-metro Wed, 04 Sep 2019 02:16:18 +0000 1729 false full #100, Artist Robert Carter rides, vividly paints the auto world #100, Artist Robert Carter rides, vividly paints the auto world James Raia and Bruce Aldrich As a young commercial artist, Robert Carter left England for a motorcycle adventure in the United States. He malfunctioned one day in Chico, California. It's now been the entrepreneur’s home and workplace for more than 45 years. - As a young commercial artist, Robert Carter left England for a motorcycle adventure in the United States. He malfunctioned one day in Chico, California. It's now been the entrepreneur’s home and workplace for more than 45 years. A vintage car and motorcycle enthusiast, Carter owns Carter Artworks. He creates large, vivid paintings of famous cars and motorsports venues. He’s also a motorsports enthusiast with extensive knowledge of the machines he paints. Carter is our guest on Episode #100 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and I began the podcast nearly two years ago. We've covered a lot of miles with a diverse selection of guests. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/carpaiting.jpg"></a>Artist Robert Carter of Carter Artworks in Chico, California, had some of his work displayed at Monterey Automobilia during Monterey Auto Week. Image © James Raia/2019 Carter is as enthusiastic as any of our interviewees. We talk with him about his automotive paintings, his passion for cars and motorcycles, fraud in the automotive memorabilia industry and his worldwide travels on bikes. Often creating 4x6-foot presentations in enamel, Carter works for museums and raceways, and he has pieces in well-known automotive auction houses. His works range from $5,000 to $20,000. But Carter's driving passion remains with motorcycles. He owns many and participates in rallies and riding adventures in far-flung countries. Carter's career in Chico began with contracts with agricultural companies to make fruit labels. But the demand for his specialty work waned after more than a decade. “I was still a motorcycle nut and still into cars,” Carter said recently during Automobilia Monterey, the three-day memorabilia expo during Classic Car Week. “One day, I just took a fruit truck label and instead of adding oranges, I put a Ferrari in there. “It looked so much better. That's how it got started. One painting I have is really the best canned tomato label you’ll ever see.” The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on<a href="https://amzn.to/2PCdAr5"> Amazon.com</a>. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on <a href="http://wwww.theweeklydriver.com/podcast">www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast</a> Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://play.google.com/music/m/Iqzatcupnefrzflzyqr5fashc44?t=THE_WEEKLY_DRIVER">Google Play</a> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-weekly-driver/id1280593178?mt=2">iTunes</a> <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/14uslDCRvZiMd8WTc7xZkd">Spotify</a> <a href="https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-weekly-driver-podcast">Stitcher</a> <a href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/256-the-weekly-driver-31096156/">iheartradio</a>   As a young commercial artist, Robert Carter left England for a motorcycle adventure in the United States. He malfunctioned one day in Chico, California. It's now been the entrepreneur’s home and workplace for more than 45 years. A vintage car and motorcycle enthusiast, Carter owns Carter Artworks. He creates large, vivid paintings of famous cars and motorsports venues. He’s also a motorsports enthusiast with extensive knowledge of the machines he paints. Carter is our guest on Episode #100 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and I began the podcast nearly two years ago. We've covered a lot of miles with a diverse selection of guests. Artist Robert Carter of Carter Artworks in Chico, California, had some of his work displayed at Monterey Automobilia during Monterey Auto Week. Image © James Raia/2019 Carter is as enthusiastic as any of our interviewees. We talk with him about his automotive paintings, his passion for cars and motorcycles, fraud in the automotive memorabilia industry and his worldwide travels on bikes. Often creating 4x6-foot presentations in enamel, Carter works for museums and raceways, and he has pieces in well-known automotive auction houses. His works range from $5,000 to $20,000. But Carter's driving passion remains with motorcycles. He owns many and participates in rallies and riding adventures in far-flung countries. Carter's career in Chico began with contracts with agricultural companies to make fruit labels. But the demand for his specialty work waned after more than a decade. “I was still a motorcycle nut and still into cars,” Carter said recently during Automobilia Monterey, the three-day memorabilia expo during Classic Car Week. “One day, I just took a fruit truck label and instead of adding oranges, I put a Ferrari in there. “It looked so much better. That's how it got started. One painting I have is really the best canned tomato label you’ll ever see.” The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: Google Play iTunes Spotify Stitcher iheartradio https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=31861 https://theweeklydriver.com/2019/08/100-artist-robert-carter-rides-vividly-paints-the-auto-world/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=100-artist-robert-carter-rides-vividly-paints-the-auto-world Fri, 23 Aug 2019 01:41:30 +0000 1833 false full #99, Pacific Grove Auto Rally celebrates 25th anniversary #99, Pacific Grove Auto Rally celebrates 25th anniversary James Raia and Bruce Aldrich The Pacific Grove Concours Auto Rally is among the most popular free-to-spectator events in the celebration of all things automotive during Monterey Auto Week. - The trek through portions of the picturesque Monterey Peninsula is scheduled Friday, The Pacific Grove Concours Auto Rally is among the most popular free-to-spectator events in the celebration of all things automotive during Monterey Auto Week. The trek through portions of the picturesque Monterey Peninsula is scheduled Friday, Aug. 16. It began in 1995 with automotive legend Caroll Shelby participating to help raise money for charity. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/auto-rally-photo-7786.jpg"></a>The Pacific Grove Auto Rally is celebrating its 25ht anniversary. Image courtesy of Pacific Grove Chamber of Commerce. To celebrate the rally's 25th anniversary, the legendary Cobra (Shelby's creation) Cobra will be the marque for the parade of drivers and their classics, sports cars and vintage machines. David Laws, a key event organizer, is our guest on Episode #99 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with Laws the history of the event and the iconic vehicles involved through the years. He also stress the importance of the event's charity mission with the Rotary Club of Pacific Grove's projects and local youth programs. As organizers state, "Even if you don’t own Cobra, join us to help celebrate our Silver Anniversary. Enjoy the show in historic downtown, followed by a coastal drive along scenic 17-Mile Drive through Pebble Beach." "On return to town, all are welcome to enjoy a barbecue dinner in Chautauqua Hall. Bring your family and friends to discover our great restaurants and fine shops." As per tradition, spectators are encouraged to witness the rally along the course. There may be a Cobra or two in the parade, but as Laws explains, participating vehicles are as varied as the automobile industry. Laws details how the rally is planned in cooperation with city officials and law enforcement jurisdictions. He recalls some of the unusual circumstances that have occurred during the rally's tenure. It's not too late to participate in the rally, observe the vehicles or help celebrate after the event in the community barbecue. Another option is to revisit the podcast as a reminder early next year and put the rally on your schedule for Monterey Auto Week 2020. For registration and the full schedule, visit: <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="http://pgrotary.org/lawyer/Event-Registration_cp8085.htm">Pacific Grove Concours Auto Rally</a> The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on<a href="https://amzn.to/2PCdAr5"> Amazon.com</a>. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on <a href="http://wwww.theweeklydriver.com/podcast">www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast</a> Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://play.google.com/music/m/Iqzatcupnefrzflzyqr5fashc44?t=THE_WEEKLY_DRIVER">Google Play</a> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-weekly-driver/id1280593178?mt=2">iTunes</a> <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/14uslDCRvZiMd8WTc7xZkd">Spotify</a> <a href="https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-weekly-driver-podcast">Stitcher</a> <a href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/256-the-weekly-driver-31096156/">iheartradio</a>   The Pacific Grove Concours Auto Rally is among the most popular free-to-spectator events in the celebration of all things automotive during Monterey Auto Week. The trek through portions of the picturesque Monterey Peninsula is scheduled Friday, Aug. 16. It began in 1995 with automotive legend Caroll Shelby participating to help raise money for charity. The Pacific Grove Auto Rally is celebrating its 25ht anniversary. Image courtesy of Pacific Grove Chamber of Commerce. To celebrate the rally's 25th anniversary, the legendary Cobra (Shelby's creation) Cobra will be the marque for the parade of drivers and their classics, sports cars and vintage machines. David Laws, a key event organizer, is our guest on Episode #99 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with Laws the history of the event and the iconic vehicles involved through the years. He also stress the importance of the event's charity mission with the Rotary Club of Pacific Grove's projects and local youth programs. As organizers state, "Even if you don’t own Cobra, join us to help celebrate our Silver Anniversary. Enjoy the show in historic downtown, followed by a coastal drive along scenic 17-Mile Drive through Pebble Beach." "On return to town, all are welcome to enjoy a barbecue dinner in Chautauqua Hall. Bring your family and friends to discover our great restaurants and fine shops." As per tradition, spectators are encouraged to witness the rally along the course. There may be a Cobra or two in the parade, but as Laws explains, participating vehicles are as varied as the automobile industry. Laws details how the rally is planned in cooperation with city officials and law enforcement jurisdictions. He recalls some of the unusual circumstances that have occurred during the rally's tenure. It's not too late to participate in the rally, observe the vehicles or help celebrate after the event in the community barbecue. Another option is to revisit the podcast as a reminder early next year and put the rally on your schedule for Monterey Auto Week 2020. For registration and the full schedule, visit: Pacific Grove Concours Auto Rally The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: Google Play iTunes Spotify Stitcher iheartradio https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=31833 https://theweeklydriver.com/2019/08/99-pacific-grove-auto-rally-celebrates-25th-anniversary/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=99-pacific-grove-auto-rally-celebrates-25th-anniversary Fri, 16 Aug 2019 00:24:21 +0000 1661 false full #98, Mary McGee shares her career as motorcycle icon #98, Mary McGee shares her career as motorcycle icon James Raia and Bruce Aldrich Mary McGee has been busy lately. In July, she was a guest at the Superbike World Championships at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca on the Monterey Peninsula. A few weeks later, McGee was a guest at The Sacramento Mile, Mary McGee has been busy lately. In July, she was a guest at the Superbike World Championships at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca on the Monterey Peninsula. A few weeks later, McGee was a guest at The Sacramento Mile, the long-standing motorcycle event. McGee's presence at various events provides a chance for the public to recognize the pioneering race car and motorcycle driver now age 82. Inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame last November, Mary is our guest on episode #98 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/mary.jpg"></a>Mary McGee in 1962 competed in the first motorcycle race held at Laguna Seca Raceway. Image © Bob Heathcote/WeatherTech Laguna Seca Rcaway. I had the opportunity to interview McGee during the Superbike World Championships. Bruce joined me when we interviewed Mary in the coffee shop at the DoubleTree in Sacramento the day before the Sacramento Mile. McGee arrived earlier in the day after a several-hour drive in her 17 1/2-year old Toyota Tundra from her home in Gardnerville, Nev., to Sacramento. During our wide-ranging podcast, the women's sports pioneer discussed the trials, tribulations and successes of her career. She stopped riding at age 77 because of severe arthritis in her hands. She talks with the energy of youth, walks with a purpose and remains fit. Mary grins and laughs often. She dons a healthy supply of curly white hair. Please join us for this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on<a href="https://amzn.to/2PCdAr5"> Amazon.com</a>. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on <a href="http://wwww.theweeklydriver.com/podcast">www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast</a> Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://play.google.com/music/m/Iqzatcupnefrzflzyqr5fashc44?t=THE_WEEKLY_DRIVER">Google Play</a> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-weekly-driver/id1280593178?mt=2">iTunes</a> <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/14uslDCRvZiMd8WTc7xZkd">Spotify</a> <a href="https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-weekly-driver-podcast">Stitcher</a> <a href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/256-the-weekly-driver-31096156/">iheartradio</a> Mary McGee has been busy lately. In July, she was a guest at the Superbike World Championships at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca on the Monterey Peninsula. A few weeks later, McGee was a guest at The Sacramento Mile, the long-standing motorcycle event. McGee's presence at various events provides a chance for the public to recognize the pioneering race car and motorcycle driver now age 82. Inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame last November, Mary is our guest on episode #98 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Mary McGee in 1962 competed in the first motorcycle race held at Laguna Seca Raceway. Image © Bob Heathcote/WeatherTech Laguna Seca Rcaway. I had the opportunity to interview McGee during the Superbike World Championships. Bruce joined me when we interviewed Mary in the coffee shop at the DoubleTree in Sacramento the day before the Sacramento Mile. McGee arrived earlier in the day after a several-hour drive in her 17 1/2-year old Toyota Tundra from her home in Gardnerville, Nev., to Sacramento. During our wide-ranging podcast, the women's sports pioneer discussed the trials, tribulations and successes of her career. She stopped riding at age 77 because of severe arthritis in her hands. She talks with the energy of youth, walks with a purpose and remains fit. Mary grins and laughs often. She dons a healthy supply of curly white hair. Please join us for this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: Google Play iTunes Spotify Stitcher iheartradio https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=31830 https://theweeklydriver.com/2019/08/98-mary-mcgee-shares-her-career-as-motorcycle-icon/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=98-mary-mcgee-shares-her-career-as-motorcycle-icon Thu, 15 Aug 2019 06:29:47 +0000 2995 false full #97, Don Martine, Pacific Grove inn owner, MG museum curator #97, Don Martine, Pacific Grove inn owner, MG museum curator James Raia and Bruce Aldrich It'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. It'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. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Monterey-3-1.jpg"></a>Don Martine owns the Martine Inn in Pacific Grove. He's also a renowned MG expert and former race car driver who houses a museum for the British race cars on the property. Images © Bruce Aldrich/2019. 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 Monterey Auto Week nears, Martine is our guest on Episode #97 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Martine guides podcast co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia throughout his Inn. He discusses his long history with MG. Martine's father owned a 1949 MGTC and the younger Martine also witnessed Johnny Von Neumann drive his 1950 MGTD Special to victory at the inaugural Pebble Beach Road Races. Martine raced and owned the Von Neuman Special for 30 years. While often not driving the fastest or most powerful vehicle, Martine won on racing strategy. He discusses his track savvy and relationships with drivers. The MG garage and cave-like and open-air displays areas at the Martine Inn include watercolor and oil paintings in automotive themes. Car-related auto posters, prints, photos, tools, signs and gas pumps are among other memorabilia. Martine also has a restoration shop near the Martine Inn where he joins friends and mechanics to restore vintage MGs and share their respective passion for little, prideful vintage cars. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on<a href="https://amzn.to/2PCdAr5"> Amazon.com</a>. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on <a href="http://wwww.theweeklydriver.com/podcast">www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast</a> Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://play.google.com/music/m/Iqzatcupnefrzflzyqr5fashc44?t=THE_WEEKLY_DRIVER">Google Play</a> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-weekly-driver/id1280593178?mt=2">iTunes</a> <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/14uslDCRvZiMd8WTc7xZkd">Spotify</a> <a href="https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-weekly-driver-podcast">Stitcher</a> <a href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/256-the-weekly-driver-31096156/">iheartradio</a>   It'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. Don Martine owns the Martine Inn in Pacific Grove. He's also a renowned MG expert and former race car driver who houses a museum for the British race cars on the property. Images © Bruce Aldrich/2019. 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 Monterey Auto Week nears, Martine is our guest on Episode #97 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Martine guides podcast co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia throughout his Inn. He discusses his long history with MG. Martine's father owned a 1949 MGTC and the younger Martine also witnessed Johnny Von Neumann drive his 1950 MGTD Special to victory at the inaugural Pebble Beach Road Races. Martine raced and owned the Von Neuman Special for 30 years. While often not driving the fastest or most powerful vehicle, Martine won on racing strategy. He discusses his track savvy and relationships with drivers. The MG garage and cave-like and open-air displays areas at the Martine Inn include watercolor and oil paintings in automotive themes. Car-related auto posters, prints, photos, tools, signs and gas pumps are among other memorabilia. Martine also has a restoration shop near the Martine Inn where he joins friends and mechanics to restore vintage MGs and share their respective passion for little, prideful vintage cars. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: Google Play iTunes Spotify Stitcher iheartradio https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=31791 https://theweeklydriver.com/2019/08/97-don-martine-pacific-grove-inn-owner-mg-museum-curator/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=97-don-martine-pacific-grove-inn-owner-mg-museum-curator Wed, 07 Aug 2019 22:45:56 +0000 2779 false full #96, Husband-wife turn personal vintage car fleet into rentals #96, Husband-wife turn personal vintage car fleet into rentals James Raia and Bruce Aldrich Erin Sollecito looks into the spacious warehouse and begins to talk about the vintage car fleet spread in front of her like they're part of a family. She's driven many of the vehicles rented by Monterey Touring Vehicles and knows their pedigrees. - Erin Sollecito looks into the spacious warehouse and begins to talk about the vintage car fleet spread in front of her like they're part of a family. She's driven many of the vehicles rented by Monterey Touring Vehicles and knows their pedigrees. Sollecito, the company's vice president of business development, is our guest this week on The Weekly Driver Podcast. The episode is particularly timely since Monterey Auto Week, now nearly two weeks long, begins unofficially on Aug. 5 and ends on Aug. 18. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/DSC_3344.jpg"></a>A 1961 (23-window) Volkswagen Van is part of the vintage car fleet available for rent at Monterey Touring Vehicles. It's popular for children's birthday parties. All images © Bruce Aldrich/2019. <a href='https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/DSC_3351.jpg'></a> <a href='https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/DSC_3350.jpg'></a> <a href='https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/DSC_3346.jpg'></a> <a href='https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/DSC_3354.jpg'></a> <a href='https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/DSC_3342.jpg'></a> <a href='https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/DSC_3353.jpg'></a> Monterey Touring Vehicles is the creation of Heather and Rob Gardner, a husband-wife team who live in Carmel Valley. Rob Gardner is a physician; Heather is a research scientist. And they decided their private vintage car fleet is best served as a driveable museum of individual works of art. It's better known as a vintage car rental company. The Gardners don’t host a rally, auction or concours. But they could and they are involved with their vehicles as sponsors of various component of the gathering of all things automotive on the peninsula. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss the varied vintage car fleet with Sollecito. Muscle cars to kit cars and classic convertibles to a more than 80-year-old Mercedes limousine fill the 10,000 square-foot showroom. We discuss the rental process, insurance to vehicles that may be added to the fleet and some in the current stable that may be sold. We also talk about what vehicles renters' favorites: a 1965 Shelby Cobra Tribute, 1965 Mustang GT (blue), 1961 VW 23-window Bus, 1965 Camaro SS (teal and white) or a 1957 Porsche Speedster Tribute? The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on<a href="https://amzn.to/2PCdAr5"> Amazon.com</a>. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on <a href="http://wwww.theweeklydriver.com/podcast">www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast</a> Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://play.google.com/music/m/Iqzatcupnefrzflzyqr5fashc44?t=THE_WEEKLY_DRIVER">Google Play</a> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-weekly-driver/id1280593178?mt=2">iTunes</a> <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/14uslDCRvZiMd8WTc7xZkd">Spotify</a> <a href="https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-weekly-driver-podcast">Stitcher</a> <a href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/256-the-weekly-driver-31096156/">iheartradio</a>   Erin Sollecito looks into the spacious warehouse and begins to talk about the vintage car fleet spread in front of her like they're part of a family. She's driven many of the vehicles rented by Monterey Touring Vehicles and knows their pedigrees. Sollecito, the company's vice president of business development, is our guest this week on The Weekly Driver Podcast. The episode is particularly timely since Monterey Auto Week, now nearly two weeks long, begins unofficially on Aug. 5 and ends on Aug. 18. A 1961 (23-window) Volkswagen Van is part of the vintage car fleet available for rent at Monterey Touring Vehicles. It's popular for children's birthday parties. All images © Bruce Aldrich/2019. Monterey Touring Vehicles is the creation of Heather and Rob Gardner, a husband-wife team who live in Carmel Valley. Rob Gardner is a physician; Heather is a research scientist. And they decided their private vintage car fleet is best served as a driveable museum of individual works of art. It's better known as a vintage car rental company. The Gardners don’t host a rally, auction or concours. But they could and they are involved with their vehicles as sponsors of various component of the gathering of all things automotive on the peninsula. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss the varied vintage car fleet with Sollecito. Muscle cars to kit cars and classic convertibles to a more than 80-year-old Mercedes limousine fill the 10,000 square-foot showroom. We discuss the rental process, insurance to vehicles that may be added to the fleet and some in the current stable that may be sold. We also talk about what vehicles renters' favorites: a 1965 Shelby Cobra Tribute, 1965 Mustang GT (blue), 1961 VW 23-window Bus, 1965 Camaro SS (teal and white) or a 1957 Porsche Speedster Tribute? The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: Google Play iTunes Spotify Stitcher iheartradio https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=31749 https://theweeklydriver.com/2019/07/96-husband-wife-turn-personal-vintage-car-fleet-into-rentals/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=96-husband-wife-turn-personal-vintage-car-fleet-into-rentals Tue, 30 Jul 2019 23:41:48 +0000 1504 false full #95, Mecum Auctions defines fun during Monterey Auto Week #95, Mecum Auctions defines fun during Monterey Auto Week James Raia and Bruce Aldrich Somewhere on the spectrum between the Concours d'LeMons and Concours d'Elegance, the three-day Mecum Auctions during Monterey Auto Week is perfectly positioned. Attainable daily drivers to rarities, it's an automotive whirlwind of buying and selling. Somewhere on the spectrum between the Concours d'LeMons and Concours d'Elegance, the three-day Mecum Auctions during Monterey Auto Week is perfectly positioned. Attainable daily drivers to rarities, it's an automotive whirlwind of buying and selling. The country's largest automotive auction, Mecum annually progresses to 13 stops around the country, January through December and Kissimmee, Fla. to Louisville, Ky., to Monterey. Its offerings include seven-figure works of art on wheels, family heirlooms, celebrity-owned cars, oddities and cars of infamous pedigree. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/cobra.jpg"></a>A 1954/1959 Ferrari 0432M from the collection of Dana Patti Mecum will be auctioned during Mecum Auctions' three-day auction during Monterey Auto Week. Image courtesy of Mecum Auctions. "I call it a car show with a pulse," said John Kraman, Mecum's long-time director of consignments and a television commentator's during the auction's extensive television broadcasts on NBCSN. "I think that's accurate." Kraman is our guest on episode #95 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with Kraman, the mix of cars and motorcycles included in this year's event. The Mecum Auction in Monterey, scheduled Aug. 14-16, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency and Old Del Monte Golf Course in Monterey, California, has some of both extremes and everything between. "We all go to car shows, and it's great," said Kraman. "But there's something a little bit extra, a little magic about the cars moving on the runway, the grumbling and the auction environment itself." Mecum's Auction, the only daytime auction during Monterey Auto Week, is expected to sell about 600 vehicles during its three-day run. Thursday, as Kraman relates, is an open day. A 1968 Oldsmobile worth $15,000 is more than welcome. "We like entry-level, normal traditional Mecum customers, seeking affordable cars," Kraman said. Friday and Saturday auctions are "catalog days" featuring vehicles are with reserve pricing set at least $50,000. The catalog days are closed for sellers; the Thursday auction remains open for sellers. "Come out, buy or sell a car or spectate; it doesn't matter," said Kraman. "We invite everybody and then give them time to do other things in the evening." In recent years, Mecum Auctions' selling trends in Monterey have included vintage pickups, muscle cars and certain varieties of Volkswagen vans. This year, the emphasis will be on individuals' collections. "We are dependent on what consigners want to bring to our auction," said Kraman. "It's not like we pick and choose what we want to come to our auction. This year, it's collections. "We have nine separate collections from some of the top collectors. We're talking, pre-war classics to modern exotics. An eclectic mix of collections is going to be the headline news." Dana Mecum, the company founder, and his wife Patti are selling vehicles from their private collection including a 1954/1959 Ferrari 0432 and a 1965 Shelby 289 Cobra CSX2588. The latter was the last of its kind sold to the public. Mecum Auctions also has a second-chance auction. It's called "bid goes on." It comprises about 10 percent of vehicle sales. "Your best opportunity to get it sold is still while the vehicle is up on the red carpet," Kraman said. "That's our business model. But four full-timers are working in the bid-goes-on process. We will try to get a deal that way for about 50-60 cars." Mecum Auctions' haul of cars and motorcycles in this year's event and well as schedule details and television broadcast times are available on <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="http://www.mecum.com">www.mecum.com</a>. Somewhere on the spectrum between the Concours d'LeMons and Concours d'Elegance, the three-day Mecum Auctions during Monterey Auto Week is perfectly positioned. Attainable daily drivers to rarities, it's an automotive whirlwind of buying and selling. The country's largest automotive auction, Mecum annually progresses to 13 stops around the country, January through December and Kissimmee, Fla. to Louisville, Ky., to Monterey. Its offerings include seven-figure works of art on wheels, family heirlooms, celebrity-owned cars, oddities and cars of infamous pedigree. A 1954/1959 Ferrari 0432M from the collection of Dana Patti Mecum will be auctioned during Mecum Auctions' three-day auction during Monterey Auto Week. Image courtesy of Mecum Auctions. "I call it a car show with a pulse," said John Kraman, Mecum's long-time director of consignments and a television commentator's during the auction's extensive television broadcasts on NBCSN. "I think that's accurate." Kraman is our guest on episode #95 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with Kraman, the mix of cars and motorcycles included in this year's event. The Mecum Auction in Monterey, scheduled Aug. 14-16, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency and Old Del Monte Golf Course in Monterey, California, has some of both extremes and everything between. "We all go to car shows, and it's great," said Kraman. "But there's something a little bit extra, a little magic about the cars moving on the runway, the grumbling and the auction environment itself." Mecum's Auction, the only daytime auction during Monterey Auto Week, is expected to sell about 600 vehicles during its three-day run. Thursday, as Kraman relates, is an open day. A 1968 Oldsmobile worth $15,000 is more than welcome. "We like entry-level, normal traditional Mecum customers, seeking affordable cars," Kraman said. Friday and Saturday auctions are "catalog days" featuring vehicles are with reserve pricing set at least $50,000. The catalog days are closed for sellers; the Thursday auction remains open for sellers. "Come out, buy or sell a car or spectate; it doesn't matter," said Kraman. "We invite everybody and then give them time to do other things in the evening." In recent years, Mecum Auctions' selling trends in Monterey have included vintage pickups, muscle cars and certain varieties of Volkswagen vans. This year, the emphasis will be on individuals' collections. "We are dependent on what consigners want to bring to our auction," said Kraman. "It's not like we pick and choose what we want to come to our auction. This year, it's collections. "We have nine separate collections from some of the top collectors. We're talking, pre-war classics to modern exotics. An eclectic mix of collections is going to be the headline news." Dana Mecum, the company founder, and his wife Patti are selling vehicles from their private collection including a 1954/1959 Ferrari 0432 and a 1965 Shelby 289 Cobra CSX2588. The latter was the last of its kind sold to the public. Mecum Auctions also has a second-chance auction. It's called "bid goes on." It comprises about 10 percent of vehicle sales. "Your best opportunity to get it sold is still while the vehicle is up on the red carpet," Kraman said. "That's our business model. But four full-timers are working in the bid-goes-on process. We will try to get a deal that way for about 50-60 cars." Mecum Auctions' haul of cars and motorcycles in this year's event and well as schedule details and television broadcast times are available on www.mecum.com. Tickets are $20 in advance, $30 at the auction. https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=31740 https://theweeklydriver.com/2019/07/95-mecum-auctions-defines-fun-during-monterey-auto-week/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=95-mecum-auctions-defines-fun-during-monterey-auto-week Fri, 19 Jul 2019 21:46:39 +0000 1787 false full #94, West Sacramento truck company helps Paradise Fire cleanup #94, West Sacramento truck company helps Paradise Fire cleanup James Raia and Bruce Aldrich Not too long ago, I overheard a conversation in a Starbucks in Sacramento. The barista asked the woman in front of me what she does for a living. The response: "My husband and I own a dump truck." - It turns out, the Maricela and Adam Fry, Not too long ago, I overheard a conversation in a Starbucks in Sacramento. The barista asked the woman in front of me what she does for a living. The response: "My husband and I own a dump truck." It turns out, the Maricela and Adam Fry, husband and wife, own Big Country Restoration and Transport in West Sacramento. They own three massive dump trucks and have one of many contracts to help the cleanup of The Camp Fire in Paradise, California. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/IMG_20190712_185032_01.jpg"></a>Adam Fry and his crew from Big Country Restoration and Transport in West Sacramento are part of the massive cleanup project from the devastating Paradise Fire last November. Images courtesy of Adam Fry. <a href='https://theweeklydriver.com/2019/07/94-west-sacramento-truck-company-helps-paradise-fire-cleanup/img_20190712_185104_01/#main'></a> <a href='https://theweeklydriver.com/2019/07/94-west-sacramento-truck-company-helps-paradise-fire-cleanup/img_20190712_185054_01/#main'></a> <a href='https://theweeklydriver.com/2019/07/94-west-sacramento-truck-company-helps-paradise-fire-cleanup/img_20190712_185135_01/#main'></a> Adam Fry is our guest on this episode of The Weekly Drive Podcast. The fire started in Paradise on Nov. 9 2018 and was the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in California history. It was also the deadliest wildfire in the United States since the Cloquet fire in 1918. The fire covered 153,336 acres. More than 18,000 buildings were destroyed and at least 85 people died. Fry discusses with co-hosts James Raia and Bruce Aldrich what his crews are doing in the cleanup. He repeatedly states the top priority of the project is safety. He also discusses at length the stress the workers on hundreds of trucks have endured. He talks openly about companies on the project that have not adhered to rules. Although it's been about eight months since the fire, Paradise remains a disaster area. Fry notes phase 1 of the cleanup and restoration may be complete in October. He talks about animal remains his crews have discovered and how the aftermath of the tragedy remains raw and complicated. Please join us for a fascinating episode. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on<a href="https://amzn.to/2PCdAr5"> Amazon.com</a>. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All episodes of the podcast are archived on <a href="http://wwww.theweeklydriver.com/podcast">www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast</a> Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://play.google.com/music/m/Iqzatcupnefrzflzyqr5fashc44?t=THE_WEEKLY_DRIVER">Google Play</a> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-weekly-driver/id1280593178?mt=2">iTunes</a> <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/14uslDCRvZiMd8WTc7xZkd">Spotify</a> <a href="https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-weekly-driver-podcast">Stitcher</a> <a href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/256-the-weekly-driver-31096156/">iheartradio</a>   Not too long ago, I overheard a conversation in a Starbucks in Sacramento. The barista asked the woman in front of me what she does for a living. The response: "My husband and I own a dump truck." It turns out, the Maricela and Adam Fry, husband and wife, own Big Country Restoration and Transport in West Sacramento. They own three massive dump trucks and have one of many contracts to help the cleanup of The Camp Fire in Paradise, California. Adam Fry and his crew from Big Country Restoration and Transport in West Sacramento are part of the massive cleanup project from the devastating Paradise Fire last November. Images courtesy of Adam Fry. Adam Fry is our guest on this episode of The Weekly Drive Podcast. The fire started in Paradise on Nov. 9 2018 and was the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in California history. It was also the deadliest wildfire in the United States since the Cloquet fire in 1918. The fire covered 153,336 acres. More than 18,000 buildings were destroyed and at least 85 people died. Fry discusses with co-hosts James Raia and Bruce Aldrich what his crews are doing in the cleanup. He repeatedly states the top priority of the project is safety. He also discusses at length the stress the workers on hundreds of trucks have endured. He talks openly about companies on the project that have not adhered to rules. Although it's been about eight months since the fire, Paradise remains a disaster area. Fry notes phase 1 of the cleanup and restoration may be complete in October. He talks about animal remains his crews have discovered and how the aftermath of the tragedy remains raw and complicated. Please join us for a fascinating episode. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All episodes of the podcast are archived on www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: Google Play iTunes Spotify Stitcher iheartradio https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=31689 https://theweeklydriver.com/2019/07/94-west-sacramento-truck-company-helps-paradise-fire-cleanup/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=94-west-sacramento-truck-company-helps-paradise-fire-cleanup Sun, 14 Jul 2019 20:52:18 +0000 1395 false full #92, Vintage firetruck converted into Ohio mobile pub #92, Vintage firetruck converted into Ohio mobile pub James Raia and Bruce Aldrich Kevin Mullan is an easy guy to like, particularly if you appreciate beer, vintage firetrucks and the entrepreneurial spirit. Mullan owns a 1987 E-One pumper first E-One pumper firetruck converted into a mobile brewpub. Mullan, 38, of Toledo, Ohio,   Kevin Mullan is an easy guy to like, particularly if you appreciate beer, vintage firetrucks and the entrepreneurial spirit. Mullan owns a 1987 E-One pumper first E-One pumper firetruck converted into a mobile brewpub. Mullan, 38, of Toledo, Ohio, purchased the truck, had a walk-in cooler with 10 beer taps installed, and named the business-on- wheels Ladder 419 beer truck. The name is a nod to the city's area code. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/the-engine-1.jpg"></a>Kevin Mullan has converted a vintage firetruck into a mobile pub. <a href='https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/the-truck-1-e1562008976329.jpg'></a> <a href='https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/truck-taps-1.jpg'></a> <a href='https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/driniking-beer-1.jpg'></a> <a href='https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/beer-truck-main-1561370207-1.jpg'></a> <a href='https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/beer-taps-1.jpg'></a> <a href='https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/also-419-1.jpg'></a> As co-hosts of The Weekly Driver Podcast, Bruce Aldrich and I are now bonafide members of the Mullan's fan club. He's our guest on Episode #92 of our weekly discussion of all things automotive. The beer truck, which debuted in late June in Blissfield, Michigan, is unique. Its walk-in cooler was installed after the 1,500-gallon water tank was removed. There's room for onboard C02 and a capacity for 15 kegs. Beer seems like the best choice. But the taps can be used for wine, soft drinks or coffee. During the podcast, Mullan details his ownership trials, tribulations, alcohol licensing, experiences with the new business and the vast potential for his mobile beverage operation. The firetruck, Mullan explains, was purchased at a surprisingly reasonable price in Leonidas Township in Michigan. It looks, according to its new owner, like what might be expected — an old firetruck. Levers and hookups are still intact, as are the words "Emergency 911." Rental for Ladder 419 is $450 for four hours. Additional details are available on the company's website, <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="http://www.tapped419.com.">www.tapped419.com </a> The Weekly Driver encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners and viewers. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. Please also consider reposting the links from the podcast episodes to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on<a href="https://amzn.to/2PCdAr5"> Amazon.com</a>. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All episodes of the podcast are archived on <a href="http://wwww.theweeklydriver.com/podcast">www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast</a> Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://play.google.com/music/m/Iqzatcupnefrzflzyqr5fashc44?t=THE_WEEKLY_DRIVER">Google Play</a> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-weekly-driver/id1280593178?mt=2">iTunes</a> <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/14uslDCRvZiMd8WTc7xZkd">Spotify</a> <a href="https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-weekly-driver-podcast"> Stitcher </a> The Weekly Driver Podcast is now also available on <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/256-the-weekly-driver-31096156/">iHeart Radio</a>. SPONSOR THANKS The Weekly Driver Podcast is presented by <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="http://www.americanmuscle.com">www.americanmuscle.com.</a>   Kevin Mullan is an easy guy to like, particularly if you appreciate beer, vintage firetrucks and the entrepreneurial spirit. Mullan owns a 1987 E-One pumper first E-One pumper firetruck converted into a mobile brewpub. Mullan, 38, of Toledo, Ohio, purchased the truck, had a walk-in cooler with 10 beer taps installed, and named the business-on- wheels Ladder 419 beer truck. The name is a nod to the city's area code. Kevin Mullan has converted a vintage firetruck into a mobile pub. As co-hosts of The Weekly Driver Podcast, Bruce Aldrich and I are now bonafide members of the Mullan's fan club. He's our guest on Episode #92 of our weekly discussion of all things automotive. The beer truck, which debuted in late June in Blissfield, Michigan, is unique. Its walk-in cooler was installed after the 1,500-gallon water tank was removed. There's room for onboard C02 and a capacity for 15 kegs. Beer seems like the best choice. But the taps can be used for wine, soft drinks or coffee. During the podcast, Mullan details his ownership trials, tribulations, alcohol licensing, experiences with the new business and the vast potential for his mobile beverage operation. The firetruck, Mullan explains, was purchased at a surprisingly reasonable price in Leonidas Township in Michigan. It looks, according to its new owner, like what might be expected — an old firetruck. Levers and hookups are still intact, as are the words "Emergency 911." Rental for Ladder 419 is $450 for four hours. Additional details are available on the company's website, www.tapped419.com The Weekly Driver encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners and viewers. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. Please also consider reposting the links from the podcast episodes to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All episodes of the podcast are archived on www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: Google Play iTunes Spotify Stitcher The Weekly Driver Podcast is now also available on iHeart Radio. SPONSOR THANKS The Weekly Driver Podcast is presented by www.americanmuscle.com. https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=31464 https://theweeklydriver.com/2019/07/92-vintage-firetruck-converted-into-ohio-mobile-pub/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=92-vintage-firetruck-converted-into-ohio-mobile-pub Mon, 01 Jul 2019 22:33:02 +0000 2276 false full #91, Sacramento vintage car collector Andy Harris #91, Sacramento vintage car collector Andy Harris James Raia and Bruce Aldrich 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 vintag... 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. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/BruceJames-1.jpg"></a>Bruce Aldrich and James Raia host another episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. 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 behemoth Chrysler Crown Imperial gets the largest share of onlookers and curiosity seekers. "Even if you're just going to get a tank of gas, you had better not be in a hurry," says Harris of the vehicle he inherited from his grandmother. "The Imperial is 19 1/2 feet long and 7 1/2-feet wide. It's spent its entire life in Sacramento. People who are in their 70s and 80s will walk up and know the car. I have to open the hood. It's a conversation piece. I always get surrounded." The recently 1973 Citroen SM is Harris' fourth Citroen. With its 6-cylinder 3.0-liter, 185-horsepower engine, the Citroen SM is among the most polarizing cars of its time. "You either think they look hideous or you think they're the most beautiful car you've ever seen," Harris says. "They're really polarizing. I really love the car. I am a lover of all things quirky and unusual and nothing is more unusual and quirkier than a Citroen? Harris also owns a 1991 Mazda Miata and a 2013 Fiat 500 Abarth. Being a vintage car collector has sspecific requirement. We discuss with Harris his cars' legacies — maintenance to insurance, history to the overall enjoyment of driving vintage cars. The Weekly Driver encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on<a href="https://amzn.to/2PCdAr5"> Amazon.com</a>. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All episodes of the podcast are archived on <a href="http://wwww.theweeklydriver.com/podcast">www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast</a> Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://play.google.com/music/m/Iqzatcupnefrzflzyqr5fashc44?t=THE_WEEKLY_DRIVER">Google Play</a> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-weekly-driver/id1280593178?mt=2">iTunes</a> <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/14uslDCRvZiMd8WTc7xZkd">Spotify</a> <a href="https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-weekly-driver-podcast">Stitcher </a> The Weekly Driver Podcast is presented by <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="http://www.americanmuscle.com">www.americanmuscle.com.</a> 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. Bruce Aldrich and James Raia host another episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. 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 behemoth Chrysler Crown Imperial gets the largest share of onlookers and curiosity seekers. "Even if you're just going to get a tank of gas, you had better not be in a hurry," says Harris of the vehicle he inherited from his grandmother. "The Imperial is 19 1/2 feet long and 7 1/2-feet wide. It's spent its entire life in Sacramento. People who are in their 70s and 80s will walk up and know the car. I have to open the hood. It's a conversation piece. I always get surrounded." The recently 1973 Citroen SM is Harris' fourth Citroen. With its 6-cylinder 3.0-liter, 185-horsepower engine, the Citroen SM is among the most polarizing cars of its time. "You either think they look hideous or you think they're the most beautiful car you've ever seen," Harris says. "They're really polarizing. I really love the car. I am a lover of all things quirky and unusual and nothing is more unusual and quirkier than a Citroen? Harris also owns a 1991 Mazda Miata and a 2013 Fiat 500 Abarth. Being a vintage car collector has sspecific requirement. We discuss with Harris his cars' legacies — maintenance to insurance, history to the overall enjoyment of driving vintage cars. The Weekly Driver encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All episodes of the podcast are archived on www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: Google Play iTunes Spotify Stitcher The Weekly Driver Podcast is presented by www.americanmuscle.com. https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=31327 https://theweeklydriver.com/2019/06/91-sacramento-vintage-car-collector-andy-harris/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=91-sacramento-vintage-car-collector-andy-harris Mon, 24 Jun 2019 19:02:15 +0000 2255 false full #90 The Weekly Driver podcast gets USA Today car karma #90 The Weekly Driver podcast gets USA Today car karma James Raia and Bruce Aldrich 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, 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. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/BruceJames-1.jpg"></a>Bruce Aldrich and James Raia host another episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. My choices in the various areas included: <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="http://los angeles auto show">The Los Angeles Auto Show</a>, <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://theweeklydriver.com/2013/08/monterey-auto-week-call-it-cars-by-the-sea/">Monterey Auto Week</a> and <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://theweeklydriver.com/2017/05/pacific-coast-dream-machines-all-things-for-all-engines/">Pacific Coast Dream Machines</a> 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, Bruce hosts the show from our base in Sacramento. I contribute from Pebble Beach, California, during a break from reporting on the recent U.S. Open golf tournament. Additionally, Bruce and I discuss the recently announced innovation from Rivian, the pending all-electric sport utility vehicle and pickup. Its latest innovation is vehicle-to-vehicle recharging and auxiliary battery packs. Both ideas are among the manufacturer's marketing initiatives while the much-touted vehicles are still pending. And Bruce and I also discuss a few other trends in the automotive industry. The Weekly Driver podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support us by shopping on<a href="https://amzn.to/2PCdAr5"> Amazon.com</a>. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All episodes of the are archived on <a href="http://wwww.theweeklydriver.com/podcast">www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast</a> Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://play.google.com/music/m/Iqzatcupnefrzflzyqr5fashc44?t=THE_WEEKLY_DRIVER">Google Play</a> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-weekly-driver/id1280593178?mt=2">iTunes</a> <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/14uslDCRvZiMd8WTc7xZkd">Spotify</a> <a href="https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-weekly-driver-podcast">Stitcher </a> The Weekly Driver Podcast is presented by <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="http://www.americanmuscle.com">www.americanmuscle.com.</a> 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. Bruce Aldrich and James Raia host another episode 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, Bruce hosts the show from our base in Sacramento. I contribute from Pebble Beach, California, during a break from reporting on the recent U.S. Open golf tournament. Additionally, Bruce and I discuss the recently announced innovation from Rivian, the pending all-electric sport utility vehicle and pickup. Its latest innovation is vehicle-to-vehicle recharging and auxiliary battery packs. Both ideas are among the manufacturer's marketing initiatives while the much-touted vehicles are still pending. And Bruce and I also discuss a few other trends in the automotive industry. The Weekly Driver podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support us by shopping on Amazon.com. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All episodes of the are archived on www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: Google Play iTunes Spotify Stitcher The Weekly Driver Podcast is presented by www.americanmuscle.com. https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=31271 https://theweeklydriver.com/2019/06/90-the-weekly-driver-podcast-gets-usa-today-car-karma/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=90-the-weekly-driver-podcast-gets-usa-today-car-karma Fri, 21 Jun 2019 17:52:23 +0000 1723 false full #88, Moving a space shuttle, other big stuff on roads #88, Moving a space shuttle, other big stuff on roads James Raia and Bruce Aldrich 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, 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. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/endeavor.jpg"></a>Moving The Endeavor Space Shuttle was challenge met by Commercial Truck and Equipment Trader. 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 trees as the move progressed. Ayala, whose father owned a trucking company, provides insight into how Commercial Truck Trader makes recommendations to companies for their moving needs. In addition to the Endeavor, Commercial Truck Trader has been involved in transporting projects from moving 340-ton boulders to wind turbine blades and a power station transformer to a custom-built trailer with 192 wheels. Ayala fills us in on all of the details of the company's massive projects in a wide-ranging episode. The Weekly Driver encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on<a href="https://amzn.to/2PCdAr5"> Amazon.com</a>. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All episodes of the podcast are archived on <a href="http://wwww.theweeklydriver.com/podcast">www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast</a> Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://play.google.com/music/m/Iqzatcupnefrzflzyqr5fashc44?t=THE_WEEKLY_DRIVER">Google Play</a> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-weekly-driver/id1280593178?mt=2">iTunes</a> <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/14uslDCRvZiMd8WTc7xZkd">Spotify</a> <a href="https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-weekly-driver-podcast">Stitcher </a> The Weekly Driver Podcast is presented by <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="http://www.americanmuscle.com">www.americanmuscle.com.</a> 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. Moving The Endeavor Space Shuttle was challenge met by Commercial Truck and Equipment Trader. 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 trees as the move progressed. Ayala, whose father owned a trucking company, provides insight into how Commercial Truck Trader makes recommendations to companies for their moving needs. In addition to the Endeavor, Commercial Truck Trader has been involved in transporting projects from moving 340-ton boulders to wind turbine blades and a power station transformer to a custom-built trailer with 192 wheels. Ayala fills us in on all of the details of the company's massive projects in a wide-ranging episode. The Weekly Driver encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All episodes of the podcast are archived on www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: Google Play iTunes Spotify Stitcher The Weekly Driver Podcast is presented by www.americanmuscle.com. https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=31196 https://theweeklydriver.com/2019/06/88-moving-a-space-shuttle-other-big-stuff-on-roads/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=88-moving-a-space-shuttle-other-big-stuff-on-roads Thu, 06 Jun 2019 00:03:30 +0000 1450 false full Episode 87, Cars, bikes mix in cycling caravan Episode 87, Cars, bikes mix in cycling caravan James Raia and Bruce Aldrich For every cyclist competing in a professional bike race, there's seemingly a corresponding vehicle. But it's not an exact parallel. In fact, in top-level races, there are several times more team, organization, media and sponsor vehicles, For every cyclist competing in a professional bike race, there's seemingly a corresponding vehicle. But it's not an exact parallel. In fact, in top-level races, there are several times more team, organization, media and sponsor vehicles, equipment trucks, fans' motorhomes and police cars and motorcycles than competitors. Like the cyclists, race vehicles get down time at hotels, but otherwise, they're all almost always on the move, climbing mountains, negotiating narrow roads and descending at top speeds. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/volvo3.jpg"></a>The USA Cycling National Team has a new relationship with Volvo during the 2019 Amgen Tour of California. Its team cars during the 14th annual event are 2019 Volvo V60s. All images © James Raia/2019. <a href='https://theweeklydriver.com/volvo3-5/'></a> <a href='https://theweeklydriver.com/vw-12/'></a> <a href='https://theweeklydriver.com/volvo1-6/'></a> <a href='https://theweeklydriver.com/volvo2-7/'></a> Volvo saw an opportunity at this year's event and provided three V60 AWD T6 Inscription trim wagons for the seven-rider team. Team managers Michael Sayers and Michael Creed are driving the cars during every stage. Scott Schnitzspahn, USA Cycling's vice president of Elite Athletics, has often piloted the third vehicle. Several European manufacturers, including Fiat, Citroën, Peugeot and Renault, have also had partnerships with the Tour de France and other international cycling events. All of the vehicles' drivers enthusiastically praised the Volvo V60s as ideal vehicles in bike racing caravans but simultaneously as luxury wagons. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and I discuss the Volvo and my vehicle during the 14th annual event, a 2019 Volkswagen GLI, in Episode #87 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. I've driven from start to finish during the race's editions, this year from Sacramento to South Lake Tahoe and then on a North to South route toward the finish in Pasadena on May 18. I've driven about 900 miles so far in the Jetta GLI, and it has performed admirably as a four-door sedan with a sports car persona. For example, it's rated at 32 mph on the freeway. I've averaged 35.6 mpg. Bruce, who hosts the episode from Sacramento, and I also talk about the history of vehicles in the Tour de France. I'm reporting from during a morning break before continuing to the end of stage 4 in Morro Bay, California. The Weekly Driver encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on<a href="https://amzn.to/2PCdAr5"> Amazon.com</a>. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All episodes of the podcast are archived on <a href="http://wwww.theweeklydriver.com/podcast">www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast</a> Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://play.google.com/music/m/Iqzatcupnefrzflzyqr5fashc44?t=THE_WEEKLY_DRIVER"> Google Play </a> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-weekly-driver/id1280593178?mt=2"> iTunes</a> <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/14uslDCRvZiMd8WTc7xZkd"> Spotify</a> <a href="https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-weekly-driver-podcast">Stitcher </a> The Weekly Driver Podcast is presented by <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="http://www.americanmuscle.com">www.americanmuscle.com.</a> For every cyclist competing in a professional bike race, there's seemingly a corresponding vehicle. But it's not an exact parallel. In fact, in top-level races, there are several times more team, organization, media and sponsor vehicles, equipment trucks, fans' motorhomes and police cars and motorcycles than competitors. Like the cyclists, race vehicles get down time at hotels, but otherwise, they're all almost always on the move, climbing mountains, negotiating narrow roads and descending at top speeds. The USA Cycling National Team has a new relationship with Volvo during the 2019 Amgen Tour of California. Its team cars during the 14th annual event are 2019 Volvo V60s. All images © James Raia/2019. Volvo saw an opportunity at this year's event and provided three V60 AWD T6 Inscription trim wagons for the seven-rider team. Team managers Michael Sayers and Michael Creed are driving the cars during every stage. Scott Schnitzspahn, USA Cycling's vice president of Elite Athletics, has often piloted the third vehicle. Several European manufacturers, including Fiat, Citroën, Peugeot and Renault, have also had partnerships with the Tour de France and other international cycling events. All of the vehicles' drivers enthusiastically praised the Volvo V60s as ideal vehicles in bike racing caravans but simultaneously as luxury wagons. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and I discuss the Volvo and my vehicle during the 14th annual event, a 2019 Volkswagen GLI, in Episode #87 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. I've driven from start to finish during the race's editions, this year from Sacramento to South Lake Tahoe and then on a North to South route toward the finish in Pasadena on May 18. I've driven about 900 miles so far in the Jetta GLI, and it has performed admirably as a four-door sedan with a sports car persona. For example, it's rated at 32 mph on the freeway. I've averaged 35.6 mpg. Bruce, who hosts the episode from Sacramento, and I also talk about the history of vehicles in the Tour de France. I'm reporting from during a morning break before continuing to the end of stage 4 in Morro Bay, California. The Weekly Driver encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All episodes of the podcast are archived on www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: Google Play iTunes Spotify Stitcher The Weekly Driver Podcast is presented by www.americanmuscle.com. https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=31160 https://theweeklydriver.com/2019/05/episode-87-cars-bikes-mix-in-cycling-caravan/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=episode-87-cars-bikes-mix-in-cycling-caravan Fri, 17 May 2019 22:22:43 +0000 1960 false full #85, Donald Farr debuts new book, BOSS Mustang: 50 Years #85, Donald Farr debuts new book, BOSS Mustang: 50 Years James Raia and Bruce Aldrich Historian Donald Farr likely doesn't have many equals when the topic has anything to do with the Ford Mustang. But he doesn't see it that way, and he's too humble. He cites others as all-knowing experts when the topic is the famous sports car. - Historian Donald Farr likely doesn't have many equals when the topic has anything to do with the <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://theweeklydriver.com/2018/10/ford-mustang-bullitt-gt-coupe-honors-films-50th-anniversary/">Ford Mustang</a>. But he doesn't see it that way, and he's too humble. He cites others as all-knowing experts when the topic is the famous sports car. Farr, a Mustang owner, journalist and author, is our guest on Episode #85 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with Farr his new book "BOSS Mustang: 50 Years." <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/mustang.jpg"></a>Donald Farr has written a new book about the iconic edition of the BOSS Mustang on its 50rh anniversary. The book includes the complete history of the most iconic pony car ever made. It details racing and street histories of the 302 and 429 models. Photography and interviews feature BOSS Mustang designers, engineers and racers and provide a comprehensive study of the powerful machine. Farr also discusses his family history with car brand and his enduring passion for the legendary car and how it influenced the launch of several now also iconic sports cars. He also details the Mustang's successes and failures in Trans-Am racing. He writes the firsthand accounts from the people who created the original Boss, as well as the team that resurrected Ford’s most iconic Mustang. Mustang owners as passionate as car enthusiasts. Farr, a Mustang owner since 1970 and the current editor of Mustang Monthly exemplifies the consummate enthusiast. It's clearly evident in our interview with the author, and it should be. Farr has been writing about the famous vehicle for more than 30 years. The Weekly Driver encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on<a href="https://amzn.to/2PCdAr5"> Amazon.com</a>. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episode are archived on <a href="http://wwww.theweeklydriver.com/podcast">www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast</a> Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://play.google.com/music/m/Iqzatcupnefrzflzyqr5fashc44?t=THE_WEEKLY_DRIVER">Google Play</a> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-weekly-driver/id1280593178?mt=2">iTunes</a> <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/14uslDCRvZiMd8WTc7xZkd">Spotify</a> <a href="https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-weekly-driver-podcast">Stitcher </a> The Weekly Driver Podcast is presented by <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="http://www.americanmuscle.com">www.americanmuscle.com.</a> Historian Donald Farr likely doesn't have many equals when the topic has anything to do with the Ford Mustang. But he doesn't see it that way, and he's too humble. He cites others as all-knowing experts when the topic is the famous sports car. Farr, a Mustang owner, journalist and author, is our guest on Episode #85 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with Farr his new book "BOSS Mustang: 50 Years." Donald Farr has written a new book about the iconic edition of the BOSS Mustang on its 50rh anniversary. The book includes the complete history of the most iconic pony car ever made. It details racing and street histories of the 302 and 429 models. Photography and interviews feature BOSS Mustang designers, engineers and racers and provide a comprehensive study of the powerful machine. Farr also discusses his family history with car brand and his enduring passion for the legendary car and how it influenced the launch of several now also iconic sports cars. He also details the Mustang's successes and failures in Trans-Am racing. He writes the firsthand accounts from the people who created the original Boss, as well as the team that resurrected Ford’s most iconic Mustang. Mustang owners as passionate as car enthusiasts. Farr, a Mustang owner since 1970 and the current editor of Mustang Monthly exemplifies the consummate enthusiast. It's clearly evident in our interview with the author, and it should be. Farr has been writing about the famous vehicle for more than 30 years. The Weekly Driver encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episode are archived on www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: Google Play iTunes Spotify Stitcher The Weekly Driver Podcast is presented by www.americanmuscle.com. https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=31125 https://theweeklydriver.com/2019/05/85-donald-farr-debuts-new-book-boss-mustang-50-years/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=85-donald-farr-debuts-new-book-boss-mustang-50-years Thu, 09 May 2019 06:08:07 +0000 1906 false full #84, David Ankin, ToyMakerz hit season 3 finale #84, David Ankin, ToyMakerz hit season 3 finale James Raia and Bruce Aldrich The finale of Season 3 of ToyMakerz, the increasingly popular automotive reality television program hosted by David Ankin, will be broadcast on April 28. It will feature a guest appearance by Dean Cain, the actor who portrayed Superman/Clark Kent on ... The finale of Season 3 of ToyMakerz, the increasingly popular automotive reality television program hosted by David Ankin, will be broadcast on April 28. It will feature a guest appearance by Dean Cain, the actor who portrayed Superman/Clark Kent on the television series Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. Ankin is a repeat guest on The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia, talk in Episode #84 with Ankin about his three years on the show and his plans for future seasons. We also discuss his friendship with Cain, the veteran movie actor. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/toymakerz.jpg"></a>David Ankin (center) and his colleagues from the automotive reality show, ToyMakerz. The final episode's challenge is building a "completely out-of-the-box, over-the-top" exhibition car based on a 1941 Willys Coupe. The customized vehicle is described as being able to "make tracks like no other car." Cain arrives for a visit as do the show's top 3, "Show Us Your Ride" finalists. ToyMakerz is broadcast on the HISTORY Channel and FYI, in partnership with A+E Networks. The last episode of the show's third season will lead into the rerun season, with the series featuring Ankin's wild creations repeated often. The episodes are also available via social media. Ankin's boundless energy is a highlight of the series, and he spoke with the same enthusiasm about the pending Season 4. He couldn't reveal many details, but he shared one of his upcoming creations will be unlike anything anyone has ever seen. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on<a href="https://amzn.to/2PCdAr5"> Amazon.com</a>. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All episodes of the podcast are archived on <a href="http://wwww.theweeklydriver.com/podcast">www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast </a> Here's the link to our first interview with <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/2019/02/3-the-weekly-driver-podcast-video-toymakerz-season-3/">ToyMakerz</a> from February. Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://play.google.com/music/m/Iqzatcupnefrzflzyqr5fashc44?t=THE_WEEKLY_DRIVER"> Google Play </a> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-weekly-driver/id1280593178?mt=2"> iTunes </a> <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/14uslDCRvZiMd8WTc7xZkd"> Spotify </a> <a href="https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-weekly-driver-podcast"> Stitcher </a> The Weekly Driver Podcast is presented by <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="http://www.americanmuscle.com">www.americanmuscle.com.</a> The finale of Season 3 of ToyMakerz, the increasingly popular automotive reality television program hosted by David Ankin, will be broadcast on April 28. It will feature a guest appearance by Dean Cain, the actor who portrayed Superman/Clark Kent on the television series Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. Ankin is a repeat guest on The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia, talk in Episode #84 with Ankin about his three years on the show and his plans for future seasons. We also discuss his friendship with Cain, the veteran movie actor. David Ankin (center) and his colleagues from the automotive reality show, ToyMakerz. The final episode's challenge is building a "completely out-of-the-box, over-the-top" exhibition car based on a 1941 Willys Coupe. The customized vehicle is described as being able to "make tracks like no other car." Cain arrives for a visit as do the show's top 3, "Show Us Your Ride" finalists. ToyMakerz is broadcast on the HISTORY Channel and FYI, in partnership with A+E Networks. The last episode of the show's third season will lead into the rerun season, with the series featuring Ankin's wild creations repeated often. The episodes are also available via social media. Ankin's boundless energy is a highlight of the series, and he spoke with the same enthusiasm about the pending Season 4. He couldn't reveal many details, but he shared one of his upcoming creations will be unlike anything anyone has ever seen. The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All episodes of the podcast are archived on www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast Here's the link to our first interview with ToyMakerz from February. Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: Google Play iTunes Spotify Stitcher The Weekly Driver Podcast is presented by www.americanmuscle.com. https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=31104 https://theweeklydriver.com/2019/04/84-david-ankin-toymakerz-hit-season-3-finale/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=84-david-ankin-toymakerz-hit-season-3-finale Thu, 25 Apr 2019 21:21:03 +0000 1481 false full #83 GIG one-way rental car debuts in Sacramento #83 GIG one-way rental car debuts in Sacramento James Raia and Bruce Aldrich Tony Bizjak, the long-time transportation writer for the Sacramento Bee, recently wrote an article and was the driver in the publication's online video about GIG. It's the new on-demand, one-way rental car service available in Sacramento and other sele... Tony Bizjak, the long-time transportation writer for the Sacramento Bee, recently wrote an article and was the driver in the publication's online video about GIG. It's the new on-demand, one-way rental car service available in Sacramento and other select cities. Bizjak is the first of our two guests on Episode #83 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Our second guest is Mike Blasky, the Media Relations Specialist of AAA for Northern California, Nevada and Utah. He's based in Walnut Creek, California. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/gig.jpg"></a>GIG, the one-way car rental service, recently made its Sacramento debut. GIG (Get In, Go) is working in conjunction with AAA on the project. GIG relies on the Toyota Prius hybrids in San Francisco Bay Area, but the Sacramento region is using all-electric Chevrolet Bolts. An estimated 260 Bolts will be positioned around Sacramento's main neighborhoods and central district of the city by the end of April Bizjak shares his experience using the GIG app to find the closest vehicle and then takes it for a drive. He also explains the different options of rental time frames and their corresponding payments. Sacramento is the first city selected by Electrify America for its investment in electric vehicle usage. Blasky explains AAA's involvement in GIG, details of the program, how the public has reacted to the project. The Weekly Driver encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts.Support our podcast by shopping on<a href="https://amzn.to/2PCdAr5"> Amazon.com</a>. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All episodes of the podcast are archived on <a href="http://wwww.theweeklydriver.com/podcast">www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast </a> Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://play.google.com/music/m/Iqzatcupnefrzflzyqr5fashc44?t=THE_WEEKLY_DRIVER"> Google Play </a> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-weekly-driver/id1280593178?mt=2"> iTunes </a> <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/14uslDCRvZiMd8WTc7xZkd"> Spotify </a> <a href="https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-weekly-driver-podcast"> Stitcher </a> The Weekly Driver Podcast is presented by <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="http://www.americanmuscle.com">www.americanmuscle.com.</a> Tony Bizjak, the long-time transportation writer for the Sacramento Bee, recently wrote an article and was the driver in the publication's online video about GIG. It's the new on-demand, one-way rental car service available in Sacramento and other select cities. Bizjak is the first of our two guests on Episode #83 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Our second guest is Mike Blasky, the Media Relations Specialist of AAA for Northern California, Nevada and Utah. He's based in Walnut Creek, California. GIG, the one-way car rental service, recently made its Sacramento debut. GIG (Get In, Go) is working in conjunction with AAA on the project. GIG relies on the Toyota Prius hybrids in San Francisco Bay Area, but the Sacramento region is using all-electric Chevrolet Bolts. An estimated 260 Bolts will be positioned around Sacramento's main neighborhoods and central district of the city by the end of April Bizjak shares his experience using the GIG app to find the closest vehicle and then takes it for a drive. He also explains the different options of rental time frames and their corresponding payments. Sacramento is the first city selected by Electrify America for its investment in electric vehicle usage. Blasky explains AAA's involvement in GIG, details of the program, how the public has reacted to the project. The Weekly Driver encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts.Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All episodes of the podcast are archived on www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: Google Play iTunes Spotify Stitcher The Weekly Driver Podcast is presented by www.americanmuscle.com. https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=31081 https://theweeklydriver.com/2019/04/83-gig-one-way-rental-car-debuts-in-sacramento/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=83-gig-one-way-rental-car-debuts-in-sacramento Tue, 23 Apr 2019 20:11:37 +0000 2408 false full #81 Author Libby Edelman on women who love cars #81 Author Libby Edelman on women who love cars James Raia and Bruce Aldrich Libby Edelman spent years raising a family, living in several locations around the United States and working as a fashion editor for national magazines. She also spent a lot of time thinking about women who love their cars, Libby Edelman spent years raising a family, living in several locations around the United States and working as a fashion editor for national magazines. She also spent a lot of time thinking about women who love their cars, a curiosity prompted by a headline in The National Enquirer. While waiting in line at a grocery store one day, Edelman read in the supermarket tabloid about a woman who loved her car so much, she was buried with it. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Untitled.png"></a>Lovin' My Car: Women in the Driver's Seati is written by Libby Edelman. The result, while less bizarre but equally dramatic, is the new book <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://amzn.to/2IBKY25">Lovin' My Car: Women in the Driver's Seat.</a> Edelman is our guest this week on Episode #81 of <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://theweeklydriver.com/podcast">The Weekly Driver Podcast.</a> Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with the author the stories and images of women who love driving and love their cars. The book features a range of car styles, fancy to quirky, as well as mundane models uniquely customized.< The women featured in the book all have compelling stories. It's a diverse community, all united through their passion for their cars. The owners of the vehicles are as elegant and quirky as their vehicles. Edelman spent nearly 20 years writing the book, although she had extended writing breaks. The finished product, as the book's notations describe, are "Snapshots celebrating the proud female owner and her motor vehicle paired with an anecdote about the vehicle’s history." While possessing different ages, personalities and life experiences, the women in the book are connected. Edelman believes their cars provide something they may not have known they were missing. In some instances, Edelman explained, the women who bought a great car purchased it because their husbands had a great car. They experienced the enjoyment their spouse had for a vehicle and now were similarly pleased. The Weekly Driver encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. (Lovin' My Car: Women in the Driver's Seat, Libby Edelman; powerHouse Cultural Entertainment, Incorporated; ISBN: 978-1-57687-917-7; 128 pages, $24.95). Support our podcast by shopping on<a href="https://amzn.to/2PCdAr5"> Amazon.com</a>. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com.All episodes of the podcast are archived on <a href="http://wwww.theweeklydriver.com/podcast">www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast </a> Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://play.google.com/music/m/Iqzatcupnefrzflzyqr5fashc44?t=THE_WEEKLY_DRIVER"> Google Play</a> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-weekly-driver/id1280593178?mt=2">iTunes</a> <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/14uslDCRvZiMd8WTc7xZkd">Spotify </a> <a href="https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-weekly-driver-podcast">Stitcher </a> The Weekly Driver Podcast is presented by <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="http://www.americanmuscle.com">www.americanmuscle.com.</a> The book is available on Amazon.com here: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1576879178/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1576879178&linkCode=as2&tag=byjamesraiaco-20&linkId=864f7252e12003a1da3ee9935afc0fef" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Lovin' My Car: Women in the Driver's Seat</a> Libby Edelman spent years raising a family, living in several locations around the United States and working as a fashion editor for national magazines. She also spent a lot of time thinking about women who love their cars, a curiosity prompted by a headline in The National Enquirer. While waiting in line at a grocery store one day, Edelman read in the supermarket tabloid about a woman who loved her car so much, she was buried with it. Lovin' My Car: Women in the Driver's Seati is written by Libby Edelman. The result, while less bizarre but equally dramatic, is the new book Lovin' My Car: Women in the Driver's Seat. Edelman is our guest this week on Episode #81 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with the author the stories and images of women who love driving and love their cars. The book features a range of car styles, fancy to quirky, as well as mundane models uniquely customized.< The women featured in the book all have compelling stories. It's a diverse community, all united through their passion for their cars. The owners of the vehicles are as elegant and quirky as their vehicles. Edelman spent nearly 20 years writing the book, although she had extended writing breaks. The finished product, as the book's notations describe, are "Snapshots celebrating the proud female owner and her motor vehicle paired with an anecdote about the vehicle’s history." While possessing different ages, personalities and life experiences, the women in the book are connected. Edelman believes their cars provide something they may not have known they were missing. In some instances, Edelman explained, the women who bought a great car purchased it because their husbands had a great car. They experienced the enjoyment their spouse had for a vehicle and now were similarly pleased. The Weekly Driver encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. (Lovin' My Car: Women in the Driver's Seat, Libby Edelman; powerHouse Cultural Entertainment, Incorporated; ISBN: 978-1-57687-917-7; 128 pages, $24.95). Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com.All episodes of the podcast are archived on www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: Google Play iTunes Spotify Stitcher The Weekly Driver Podcast is presented by www.americanmuscle.com. The book is available on Amazon.com here: Lovin' My Car: Women in the Driver's Seat https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=31066 https://theweeklydriver.com/2019/04/81-author-libby-edelman-on-women-who-love-cars/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=81-author-libby-edelman-on-women-who-love-cars Mon, 22 Apr 2019 23:58:22 +0000 1863 false full #80, Elon Musk, Toyota Camry and WeatherTech Raceway #80, Elon Musk, Toyota Camry and WeatherTech Raceway James Raia and Bruce Aldrich There's never a dull moment in the automotive industry — recalls to new technology, debuting vehicles to car shows. In many ways, the world revolves around transportation. Co-hosts Bruch Aldrich and James Raia discuss several issues on Episode #80 of... There's never a dull moment in the automotive industry — recalls to new technology, debuting vehicles to car shows. In many ways, the world revolves around transportation. Co-hosts Bruch Aldrich and James Raia discuss several issues on Episode #80 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/truck-2.jpg"></a>The Tu Simple autonomous truck was displayed the GTU conference in San Jose, Calif. Image © James Raia/2019 As a weekly automotive columnist for Bay Area News Group (the San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek), I periodically receive letters from readers. Last week, two letters referenced my recent review of the 2019 Toyota Camry. Another reader emailed asking advice about her ailing more than 20-year-old Ford Escort. Bruce has the perfect answers. We also discuss several other topics: * The latest maneuverings of Elon Musk, the always controversial founder of Tesla; * The new automotive season at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. (It will conclude in September with the return of IndyCar racing; * A recap of our recent visit to the GTU Technology Conference in San Jose, California. The Weekly Driver encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on<a href="https://amzn.to/2PCdAr5"> Amazon.com</a>. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All episodes of the podcast are archived on <a href="http://wwww.theweeklydriver.com/podcast">www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast </a> Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://play.google.com/music/m/Iqzatcupnefrzflzyqr5fashc44?t=THE_WEEKLY_DRIVER"> Google Play</a> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-weekly-driver/id1280593178?mt=2">iTunes</a> <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/14uslDCRvZiMd8WTc7xZkd">Spotify </a> <a href="https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-weekly-driver-podcast">Stitcher </a> The Weekly Driver Podcast is presented by <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="http://www.americanmuscle.com">www.americanmuscle.com.</a> There's never a dull moment in the automotive industry — recalls to new technology, debuting vehicles to car shows. In many ways, the world revolves around transportation. Co-hosts Bruch Aldrich and James Raia discuss several issues on Episode #80 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. The Tu Simple autonomous truck was displayed the GTU conference in San Jose, Calif. Image © James Raia/2019 As a weekly automotive columnist for Bay Area News Group (the San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek), I periodically receive letters from readers. Last week, two letters referenced my recent review of the 2019 Toyota Camry. Another reader emailed asking advice about her ailing more than 20-year-old Ford Escort. Bruce has the perfect answers. We also discuss several other topics: * The latest maneuverings of Elon Musk, the always controversial founder of Tesla; * The new automotive season at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. (It will conclude in September with the return of IndyCar racing; * A recap of our recent visit to the GTU Technology Conference in San Jose, California. The Weekly Driver encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All episodes of the podcast are archived on www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: Google Play iTunes Spotify Stitcher The Weekly Driver Podcast is presented by www.americanmuscle.com. https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=31049 https://theweeklydriver.com/2019/04/80-elon-musk-toyota-camry-and-weathertech-raceway/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=80-elon-musk-toyota-camry-and-weathertech-raceway Fri, 05 Apr 2019 23:54:35 +0000 2144 false full #79 Autonomous future featured at GPU Technology Conference #79 Autonomous future featured at GPU Technology Conference James Raia and Bruce Aldrich The huge truck cab couldn't have been any more conspicuous. It dominated the back of the main showroom at the recent GPU Technology Conference in San Jose, California, and attracted plenty of attention. - The huge truck cab couldn't have been any more conspicuous. It dominated the back of the main showroom at the recent GPU Technology Conference in San Jose, California, and attracted plenty of attention. The all-electric prototype from TuSimple is aimed at providing cheaper, more-efficient long-hauling trucking. TuSimple, with offices in China and the United States, is among numerous startups working to automate parts of the long-haul trucking and parcel delivery industries. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/xpeng-g3-1.jpg"></a>The Chinese electric car XPENG was part of the recent GPU Technolgy Conference in San Jose. As part of the technology, semi-trucks would be allowed to operate beyond the 11-hour daily restriction for human drivers. Bruce Aldrich and James Raia, co-hosts of The Weekly Driver Podcast, interview with Xiaodi Hou, the chief technology officer of TuSimple, as our second guest on our latest episode. With another company representative, we conduct the interview inside the cavernous TuSimple cab. We discuss the future of the autonomous truck industry and the company’s experiences testing its technology. During the episode, all recorded at the conference held at the San Jose Convention Center, will also speak with Robert Liu of XPENG Motors and first guest Cameron Gieda from AutonomouStuff. Liu is the director of program management for the Chinese electric vehicle and technology company based in Beijing but with an office in San Jose. Gieda, the regional sales manager of the AutonomouStuff, discusses the San Jose-based company’s position as a supplier R&D platforms, products, software and engineering services for the advancement of robotics and autonomy systems. The Weekly Driver encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on<a href="https://amzn.to/2PCdAr5"> Amazon.com</a>. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All episodes of the podcast are archived on <a href="http://wwww.theweeklydriver.com/podcast">www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast</a> Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://play.google.com/music/m/Iqzatcupnefrzflzyqr5fashc44?t=THE_WEEKLY_DRIVER">Google Play</a> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-weekly-driver/id1280593178?mt=2">iTunes</a> <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/14uslDCRvZiMd8WTc7xZkd">Spotify</a> <a href="https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-weekly-driver-podcast">Stitcher </a> The Weekly Driver Podcast is presented by <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="http://www.americanmuscle.com">www.americanmuscle.com.</a>   The huge truck cab couldn't have been any more conspicuous. It dominated the back of the main showroom at the recent GPU Technology Conference in San Jose, California, and attracted plenty of attention. The all-electric prototype from TuSimple is aimed at providing cheaper, more-efficient long-hauling trucking. TuSimple, with offices in China and the United States, is among numerous startups working to automate parts of the long-haul trucking and parcel delivery industries. The Chinese electric car XPENG was part of the recent GPU Technolgy Conference in San Jose. As part of the technology, semi-trucks would be allowed to operate beyond the 11-hour daily restriction for human drivers. Bruce Aldrich and James Raia, co-hosts of The Weekly Driver Podcast, interview with Xiaodi Hou, the chief technology officer of TuSimple, as our second guest on our latest episode. With another company representative, we conduct the interview inside the cavernous TuSimple cab. We discuss the future of the autonomous truck industry and the company’s experiences testing its technology. During the episode, all recorded at the conference held at the San Jose Convention Center, will also speak with Robert Liu of XPENG Motors and first guest Cameron Gieda from AutonomouStuff. Liu is the director of program management for the Chinese electric vehicle and technology company based in Beijing but with an office in San Jose. Gieda, the regional sales manager of the AutonomouStuff, discusses the San Jose-based company’s position as a supplier R&D platforms, products, software and engineering services for the advancement of robotics and autonomy systems. The Weekly Driver encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All episodes of the podcast are archived on www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: Google Play iTunes Spotify Stitcher The Weekly Driver Podcast is presented by www.americanmuscle.com. https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=31037 https://theweeklydriver.com/2019/03/79-autonomous-future-featured-at-gpu-technology-conference/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=79-autonomous-future-featured-at-gpu-technology-conference Thu, 28 Mar 2019 23:09:41 +0000 1496 false full #78 Futurist Mark Pesce discusses the next billion cars #78 Futurist Mark Pesce discusses the next billion cars James Raia and Bruce Aldrich The automotive industry manufactures two cars a second. Never have so many had access to motorized transportation. In the next 15 years — the time it will take to build the next billion cars — the automobile expectations and the experience they provide... The automotive industry manufactures two cars a second. Never have so many had access to motorized transportation. In the next 15 years — the time it will take to build the next billion cars — the automobile expectations and the experience they provide will transform completely. It's the focus of a new podcast series called The Next Billion Cars, hosted by futurist Mark Pesce. He’s our guest on this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/billion.jpg"></a>Futurist Mark Pesce hosts the podcast The New Billion Cars Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with Pesce, reached in Australia via Skype, the premise of the 10-part podcast, which debuted in February. It's produced with innovator Sally Domingue, a Wheels Car of the Year judge, and auto industry insider Drew Smith. An American now living in Australia, Pesce is a futurist, inventor, writer, entrepreneur, educator and podcaster. Pesce co-invented VRML, a 3D interface for the internet, in 1994. The podcast surveys the landscape of electrification, autonomy, mobility — and an automotive future that looks nearly nothing like the past. Dominguez is a multi-award-winning product designer and architect of the Adventurous Thinking innovation strategy which she has implemented at organizations including NASA, Stanford and Breville. Drew is visiting lecturer at the Royal College of Art, advising automotive design Masters and Ph.D. students. He founded the Automobility Group, a global community exploring the future of urbanism, design and software. The Weekly Driver encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on<a href="https://amzn.to/2PCdAr5"> Amazon.com</a>. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All episodes of the podcast are archived on <a href="http://wwww.theweeklydriver.com/podcast">www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast</a> Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://play.google.com/music/m/Iqzatcupnefrzflzyqr5fashc44?t=THE_WEEKLY_DRIVER">Google Play</a> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-weekly-driver/id1280593178?mt=2">iTunes</a> <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/14uslDCRvZiMd8WTc7xZkd">Spotify</a> <a href="https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-weekly-driver-podcast">Stitcher </a> The Weekly Driver Podcast is presented by <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="http://www.americanmuscle.com">www.americanmuscle.com.</a>   The automotive industry manufactures two cars a second. Never have so many had access to motorized transportation. In the next 15 years — the time it will take to build the next billion cars — the automobile expectations and the experience they provide will transform completely. It's the focus of a new podcast series called The Next Billion Cars, hosted by futurist Mark Pesce. He’s our guest on this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Futurist Mark Pesce hosts the podcast The New Billion Cars Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with Pesce, reached in Australia via Skype, the premise of the 10-part podcast, which debuted in February. It's produced with innovator Sally Domingue, a Wheels Car of the Year judge, and auto industry insider Drew Smith. An American now living in Australia, Pesce is a futurist, inventor, writer, entrepreneur, educator and podcaster. Pesce co-invented VRML, a 3D interface for the internet, in 1994. The podcast surveys the landscape of electrification, autonomy, mobility — and an automotive future that looks nearly nothing like the past. Dominguez is a multi-award-winning product designer and architect of the Adventurous Thinking innovation strategy which she has implemented at organizations including NASA, Stanford and Breville. Drew is visiting lecturer at the Royal College of Art, advising automotive design Masters and Ph.D. students. He founded the Automobility Group, a global community exploring the future of urbanism, design and software. The Weekly Driver encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All episodes of the podcast are archived on www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: Google Play iTunes Spotify Stitcher The Weekly Driver Podcast is presented by www.americanmuscle.com. https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=31018 https://theweeklydriver.com/2019/03/78-futurist-mark-pesce-discusses-the-next-billion-cars/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=78-futurist-mark-pesce-discusses-the-next-billion-cars Tue, 19 Mar 2019 01:46:34 +0000 1661 false full #77, Peugeot president discusses iconic car’s return #77, Peugeot president discusses iconic car’s return James Raia and Bruce Aldrich Groupe PSA is the multinational manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles sold under the Peugeot, Citroën, DS, Opel and Vauxhall brands. In late February, the French company announced it will soon re-introduce Peugeot to the North American market. Groupe PSA is the multinational manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles sold under the Peugeot, Citroën, DS, Opel and Vauxhall brands. In late February, the French company announced it will soon re-introduce Peugeot to the North American market. Larry Dominique, President and CEO, PSA North America, Inc., is our guest on this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with Dominique reasons for the iconic vehicle's return after nearly a three-decade absence. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/peugeotimage.jpg"></a>Peugeot will soon return to the North American market Dominique cites facts and figures and industry and trends. He explains that after China, the United States is the world's second-largest car market. The industry is extraordinarily competitive, but Dominique explains Peugeot again realizes it must be sold in North America to correctly be identified as a global brand. With the announcement, Jean-Philippe Imparato, Peugeot Brand Chief Executive Officer, said: “With more than 208 years of history, including two early victories of the Indianapolis 500, Peugeot's international adventure continues with new territories and new challenges. Our clear positioning as the best high-end generalist brand is based on a solid and coherent strategy, which all the teams are eager and proud to bring to the North American customers, with this promise always kept and renewed, to include Peugeot’s Excellence, Allure and Emotion in each of our cars." Dominique didn't offer a time frame or specific vehicles Peugeot will offer in North America. But he did say it will follow industry trends, which likely means an SUV and a hybrid or and electric vehicle. With its pending North America re-entry, Peugeot will be offered in approximately 160 countries on five continents. The brand sold more than 1.7 million vehicles in 2018. The Weekly Driver encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on<a href="https://amzn.to/2PCdAr5"> Amazon.com</a>. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All episodes of the podcast are archived on <a href="http://wwww.theweeklydriver.com/podcast">www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast</a> Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://play.google.com/music/m/Iqzatcupnefrzflzyqr5fashc44?t=THE_WEEKLY_DRIVER">Google Play</a> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-weekly-driver/id1280593178?mt=2">iTunes</a> <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/14uslDCRvZiMd8WTc7xZkd">Spotify</a> <a href="https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-weekly-driver-podcast">Stitcher </a> The Weekly Driver Podcast is presented by <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="http://www.americanmuscle.com">www.americanmuscle.com.</a> Groupe PSA is the multinational manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles sold under the Peugeot, Citroën, DS, Opel and Vauxhall brands. In late February, the French company announced it will soon re-introduce Peugeot to the North American market. Larry Dominique, President and CEO, PSA North America, Inc., is our guest on this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with Dominique reasons for the iconic vehicle's return after nearly a three-decade absence. Peugeot will soon return to the North American market Dominique cites facts and figures and industry and trends. He explains that after China, the United States is the world's second-largest car market. The industry is extraordinarily competitive, but Dominique explains Peugeot again realizes it must be sold in North America to correctly be identified as a global brand. With the announcement, Jean-Philippe Imparato, Peugeot Brand Chief Executive Officer, said: “With more than 208 years of history, including two early victories of the Indianapolis 500, Peugeot's international adventure continues with new territories and new challenges. Our clear positioning as the best high-end generalist brand is based on a solid and coherent strategy, which all the teams are eager and proud to bring to the North American customers, with this promise always kept and renewed, to include Peugeot’s Excellence, Allure and Emotion in each of our cars." Dominique didn't offer a time frame or specific vehicles Peugeot will offer in North America. But he did say it will follow industry trends, which likely means an SUV and a hybrid or and electric vehicle. With its pending North America re-entry, Peugeot will be offered in approximately 160 countries on five continents. The brand sold more than 1.7 million vehicles in 2018. The Weekly Driver encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All episodes of the podcast are archived on www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: Google Play iTunes Spotify Stitcher The Weekly Driver Podcast is presented by www.americanmuscle.com. https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=30993 https://theweeklydriver.com/2019/03/77-peugeot-president-discusses-iconic-cars-return/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=77-peugeot-president-discusses-iconic-cars-return Tue, 12 Mar 2019 17:15:07 +0000 1406 false full #76, Alex Guberman, YouTube electric vehicle maverick #76, Alex Guberman, YouTube electric vehicle maverick James Raia and Bruce Aldrich Alex Guberman is as passionate as anyone about the electric vehicle industry. A recent transplant from the Silicon Valley in the San Francisco Bay Area to Sacramento, California, Guberman runs E For Electric on YouTube. - Guberman, Alex Guberman is as passionate as anyone about the electric vehicle industry. A recent transplant from the Silicon Valley in the San Francisco Bay Area to Sacramento, California, Guberman runs E For Electric on YouTube. Guberman, now driving his third Tesla, is prolific. He produces three videos per day for his channel. He breaks electric vehicle news. He discusses trends in the industry. And he provides strong opinions. <a href="https://theweeklydriver.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/electric.jpg"></a>Alex Guberman, EV master on the YouTube channel E for Electric. A new business friend, Guberman is our guest on this episode of <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://www.theweeklydriver/podcast">The Weekly Driver Podcast.</a> Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with Guberman, a native of Moscow, Russia, who moved to the United States with his parents in 1992, his success in the electric vehicle industry. Guberman is often a guest at electric vehicle debuts around the world and other industry functions. According to his channel, Guberman provides: "LIVE daily scoop and analysis of what's happening now in the world of electric cars and the exciting technologies around them. "I cover Tesla and Elon Musk with their best hits of Model S, Model X and Model 3, as well as Chevy Bolt, Lucid Air, Nissan Leaf, BMW i3 and many other EVs that are coming out this year!" Among many other topics, we talk with Guberman about Musk and his unique recent behavior. We examine <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://theweeklydriver.com/2018/11/61-la-auto-show-day-1-byton-concept-new-airstream/">Byton</a> and Rivian, new international start-ups in the electric vehicle industry with connections to Northern California. The Weekly Driver encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on<a href="https://amzn.to/2PCdAr5"> Amazon.com</a>. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All episodes of the podcast are archived on <a href="http://wwww.theweeklydriver.com/podcast">www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast</a> Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="https://play.google.com/music/m/Iqzatcupnefrzflzyqr5fashc44?t=THE_WEEKLY_DRIVER">Google Play</a> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-weekly-driver/id1280593178?mt=2">iTunes</a> <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/14uslDCRvZiMd8WTc7xZkd">Spotify</a> <a href="https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-weekly-driver-podcast">Stitcher </a> Please also visit The Weekly Driver's You Tube Channel, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/TheWeeklyDriver">here</a> The Weekly Driver Podcast is presented by <a style="color: #0000ff;" href="http://www.americanmuscle.com">www.americanmuscle.com.</a> Alex Guberman is as passionate as anyone about the electric vehicle industry. A recent transplant from the Silicon Valley in the San Francisco Bay Area to Sacramento, California, Guberman runs E For Electric on YouTube. Guberman, now driving his third Tesla, is prolific. He produces three videos per day for his channel. He breaks electric vehicle news. He discusses trends in the industry. And he provides strong opinions. Alex Guberman, EV master on the YouTube channel E for Electric. A new business friend, Guberman is our guest on this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with Guberman, a native of Moscow, Russia, who moved to the United States with his parents in 1992, his success in the electric vehicle industry. Guberman is often a guest at electric vehicle debuts around the world and other industry functions. According to his channel, Guberman provides: "LIVE daily scoop and analysis of what's happening now in the world of electric cars and the exciting technologies around them. "I cover Tesla and Elon Musk with their best hits of Model S, Model X and Model 3, as well as Chevy Bolt, Lucid Air, Nissan Leaf, BMW i3 and many other EVs that are coming out this year!" Among many other topics, we talk with Guberman about Musk and his unique recent behavior. We examine Byton and Rivian, new international start-ups in the electric vehicle industry with connections to Northern California. The Weekly Driver encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All episodes of the podcast are archived on www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform: Google Play iTunes Spotify Stitcher Please also visit The Weekly Driver's You Tube Channel, here The Weekly Driver Podcast is presented by www.americanmuscle.com. https://theweeklydriver.com/?p=30941 https://theweeklydriver.com/2019/03/76-alex-guberman-youtube-electric-vehicle-maverick/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=76-alex-guberman-youtube-electric-vehicle-maverick Fri, 01 Mar 2019 19:07:59 +0000 2771 false