Vienna Cars + Coffee Podcast VODC Productions & Rick Bernstein

Adam Ashmore is an Oakton, Va resident by way of the UK, who two-and-a-half years ago shipped over his 1969 Jaguar E-Type ("XKE" in the North American market) Series 2 handed over to him by his father in 2007. On this episode of the Vienna Cars & Coffee Podcast, Adam shares what's under the bonnet of this 4.2L straight-six engine right hand driver, the update that cost today about the same as the purchase price was for this classic in 1985, the light modifications made to drive the Series 2 in the modern world, and the track experiences Adam continues to share with his father that makes this vintage British heirloom the gift that keeps giving.

The advanced luxury electric vehicle market is beginning to take root with Lucid Motors out of Newark, California. Dave Sullivan is a local Viennan who has spent close to 40 years in service departments fixing cars and is new to EV's and the luxury performance market and the proud owner of 1 of 520 Lucid Air Dream models in the United States. On this episode of the Vienna Cars & Coffee Podcast, Dave discusses how he learned about Lucid, traveling to New York to see the car in studio, the vehicle's head snapping acceleration and regenerative breaking system, the small Lucid family that is beginning to form in Northern Virginia, and the role Vienna Cars & Coffee indirectly played in securing the loan Dave needed to put the Lucid Air Dream in his garage after a one year pursuit.

What began as an idea amongst neighbors over drinks at a local watering hole in Vienna, VA during the Summer of 2021 soon became a family-friendly event that has drawn hundreds of Northern Virginians together to celebrate a love of cars, car culture, and has raised money to help drive away food insecurity in the community. On this episode of the pod, Steve, Frank, and Rick discuss highlights from the ten Vienna Cars & Coffee events put on in 2021, the amazing support from local businesses and organizations, and how participation from the community at-large has far exceeded any expectations imagined for these events. We wish everyone a happy and healthy New Year and we look forward to sharing more stories and adding more fun twists to our events in 2022.

Over a decade ago Jim Lawson relocated to United States from the UK and had to decide if his 2005 Alpha Romeo 147 GTA would make the trip. Well as you probably guessed, of course it did. On this episode of the pod, Jim shares his love for Italian cars and the marriage of form and function, his previous ownership of several other Alpha Romeos over the years and how his bond to this upgraded 3.8 V6 British spec with right hand drive has lasted over the years. Per Jim and the tags on the back, this model and spec is the only one you will find on the roads in the United States and is just 1 of 5,000 worldwide made between 2003-2005. There is heavy horsepower on this future classic that Jim saves mostly for driving to and from Vienna Cars + Coffee events and other car shows in the area.

Fred Mei has been a Vienna Cars + Coffee mainstay since our first event in August 2021. On this episode of the pod, Fred shares his story of finding his 2013 Cadillac CTS-V Wagon in upstate NY at a Ferrari dealership after a trade-in from the previous owner needing a 14th Ferrari (sure, why not). Fred was looking for a 6-speed manual Wagon, Pre-owned and that is just what he got in Thunder Gray Chromaflair. Upon purchase in 2013 this spec was only 1 of 15 and one of GM's rarest manufactured cars at the time. When not parked at Vienna Cars + Coffee, you'll find Fred's CTS-V occasionally around town and thrilling his kids letting them choose quiet or loud mode as they head to and from school.  

Growing up on a farm outside of Pittsburgh, PA forty-five minutes from the nearest auto center, Scott Phillips gained a love for cars and engine rebuilding at a young age. On this episode of the podcast, Scott shares his early love of cars, specifically turbos, and finding his 1962 Oldsmobile F-85 Jetfire Turbo Sports Convertible in Yuma, Arizona back in 2001. There are very few of these models actively running, this one being the only active running convertible in the United States today. Shipped in a thousand pieces, Scott rebuilt the engine through local community college classes and worked on a second rebuild of the engine within the last few years. Scott has passed on his love for classic cars to his kids and is an advocate for STEM training as a middle school principal at Eagle Ridge Middle School in Ashburn, VA. Scott also serves as an officer for the Capitol City Rockets where word of mouth landed him at his first Vienna Cars + Coffee event.