Pump your brakes and settle in as Alan brings you another super charged show. This week he welcomes Karl Brauer - Automotive Industry Analyst, Forbes Autos Contributor, North American Car…
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THE DRIVE with Alan Taylor | Episode #376
Kicking off the show, Autotrader, Kelley Blue Book, Dealer.com Executive Publisher, Karl Brauer, is relaxing in Costa Rica for the “Lexus Milestones” 30th Anniversary event. We discuss the brands ascent to legendary luxury status, how it disrupted the industry, and how Kia and Hyundai are doing similar things in today’s world. Karl also fills us in on the new Ford/Volkswagen alliance. Then, Collins Bros. Jeep and Black Mountain Jeep, Dennis Collins, shares his latest creation: the first 2020 Jeep Gladiator with a 6.4L V8 HEMI! Also, Dennis discusses the opening of a new Black Mountain Jeeps location, Pebble Beach Concours, and other upcoming events. Shifting gears, Motorsport Auction Group Founder, Mike Oberle, divulges what’s in store for their auction during Hot August Nights on August 8th, 9th, and 10th, including Alan’s serial number 8 Dodge Demon! Then, Hot August Nights Executive Director, Mike Whan, gives us a detailed outline of the awesome entertainment and events they have in store, including appearances by The Temptations, Little River Band, Chubby Checker, and more! Changing lanes, Fast N’ Loud, Richard Rawlings, describes how Chad McQueen approached him to create the recent two hour epic episode in which they shut down the streets of San Fansico to recreate the legendary Bullitt Mustang chase sequence. Richard also fills us in on his new podcast, Beer:30, asks for malt liquor suggestions for his new wine cellar, and drops some exclusive, big news about his deal with Discovery! Closing out the show, Cartender Co-Founder, and freelance automotive journalist for CarGurus, Boston Globe, U.S. News & World Report, George Kennedy III, compares his time in the Rolls-Royce Cullinan with his test drive of the 2020 Jeep Gladiator. Find out why George thinks the Jeep Gladiator is the perfect weekend warrior machine.
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THE DRIVE with Alan Taylor | Episode #354
The action from the Shell Pioneering Performance Stage is back for our final episode of coverage from SEMA 2018. Among those affected by the string of hurricanes these past few years was legendary designer and CEO of Hennessey Performance, John Hennessey. That’s why he’s very appreciative of Nissan’s Paws One Titan XD, as well as his Shell and Pennzoil extended family that helped him through the crisis of Hurricane Harvey. We also learn more about the Hennessey Venom F5, which is set to break the 300 mph production car barrier. Next up, Brembo North America President and CEO, Dan Sandberg, shares how they’re using the power of artificial intelligence (A.I.) to design the toughest brakes in the industry. Then, Dan is joined by Automotive Journalists, Nik Miles, and Automotive/Motorcycle Industry Insider Mike Caudill, from Our Auto Expert to discuss the Nissan Paws One Titan XD and Nexen Tire’s ‘American Muscle for American Heroes’ initiative. Changing lanes, eBay Motors Parts and Accessories Senior Director, Jordan Hettinga, gives us some astounding stats about the presence of eBay motors, including a catalog of 80 million car parts. Shifting gears, Owner of the 1968 Ford Mustang Fastback (Bullitt – ‘559), Sean Kiernan, Historic Vehicle Association (HVA) President, Mark Gessler, and “Barn Find Hunter” Host, Tom Cotter, chronicle the unique history of Steve McQueen’s legendary film-car. Tom also issues a warning: rust never sleeps, so keep your vehicles out of the weather! Then, “Big Chris” Smith and Dennis Collins of Black Mountain Jeep, and Restore A Muscle Car and Operator, Dave Hall, trade wild car stories, pay their respects to industry icon Chip Foose, and talk about their favorite classics. Closing out the show, Koester Racing Driver, Larry Koester, Tjin Edition Roadshow Automotive Designer, Neil Tjin, and his son, Collin Tjin, talk about the therapeutic properties of getting behind the wheel and going for a drive. We also learn about Tjin family projects, including a Ford Mustang design-off between father and son, in conjunction with Vaughn Gittin, Jr. Don’t miss the final episode of SEMA 2018 coverage.
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THE DRIVE with Alan Taylor | Episode #352
We’re bringing you interviews with an all-star cast from the Shell Pioneering Performance Stage at SEMA 2018 in this action-packed episode of The DRIVE. Kicking things off, Meguiar’s President and Founder, Barry Meguiar, discusses his family’s passion for cars, and his new show, “Ignite Your Life”, which is a unique blend of faith and the automotive hobby. Changing lanes, “Chasing Classic Cars” Host, Wayne Carini, updates us on his show, upcoming project cars, and what he looks forward to when he comes to SEMA. Then, ClassicCars.com President and Founder, Roger Falcione, “Wheeler Dealers” Co-Host, Mike Brewer, and Celebrity Kustoms’ John D’Agostino join Wayne on stage and chat about their wives’ cars, ClassicCars.com, and how to properly value your vintage machine. Next up, Amanda Martin, Joe Martin, and Jayson “Shag” Arrington of “Iron Resurrection” fill us in on their favorite cars, and the Season 3 finale focused on a third generation Chevrolet Nova. Shifting gears, NHRA Top Fuel Champion, Antron Brown, shares how hard work and uncomfortable situations got him where he is today. Then, LOWRIDER Magazine’s Joe Ray gushes about lowrider culture and its influence on the hobby-at-large. Next, find out how Tommy Pike Customs Car Customizer, Tommy Pike, can find inspiration for his next build in everything from old-school Chicago architecture to the hanging fabric at the SEMA Show. Changing lanes, Historic Vehicle Association (HVA) President and Founder, Mark Gessler, fills us in on what makes a car historic and gives us the story behind Steve McQueen’s recently recovered Bullitt Mustang. Closing the show, Barrett-Jackson Chairman & CEO, Craig Jackson, forecasts an exciting year in 2019 for the world’s greatest collector car auction, with the conclusion of the Driven Hearts campaign and record-breaking auctions set up for the coming year and after. Don’t miss these amazing interviews!
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THE DRIVE with Alan Taylor | Episode #328
It’s been called ‘America’s smallest automobile museum’ and it sits in the middle of the National Mall for one month every year. Created in 2014, Cars at the Capital, organized by the Historic Vehicle Association, attracts approximately 500,000 viewers. A special car with historic value is placed in a gorgeous glass box for passersby to admire as they explore Washington DC. Partnered with the National Vehicle Register and the Library of Congress, Cars at the Capital was created to honor our automotive heritage. Our first interview is with the President of the Historic Vehicle Association, Mark Gessler, who details the event and introduces the 1968 Bullitt Mustang; Steve McQueen famously drove this vehicle 50 years ago in the popular blockbuster, ‘Bullitt‘. Next, we hear from Sean Kiernan, owner of the Bullitt, about the car’s exciting history. Then, since the event is also celebrating the 54th anniversary of the Mustang, we chat with Carl Widmann, Chief Product Engineer for the Ford Mustang, about the rich past of this nostalgic car. After that, Doug Clark and Tabetha Hammer of Hagerty Classic Cars sound off about their efforts to share automotive passion with future generations. Changing lanes, Kevin Marti, Founder of Marti Auto Works, describes how they work with Ford to create the ‘Marti Report‘. Then, Paul Ianuario, Senior Advisor for the Historic Vehicle Association, explains how the glass display box was approved to be in the National Mall. Next, the owner of a 1918 Cadillac US1257X, Marc Lassen, discloses the exciting story of how he obtained this historic vehicle that was Rev. Dr. J.H. Denison’s car in WWI and once chauffeured President Theodore Roosevelt’s daughter-in-law. Lastly, we catch up with Shell’s Nancy Bruner and Mark Henry about their involvement with Cars at the Capital and why it is so important to them. Take a trip down memory lane for this special event broadcast.