To All The Cars I've Loved Before: Classic Car Restoration, JDM, and Automotive History

Doug & Dave: Classic Car Experts, Motorsports Enthusiasts and Automotive Storytellers
  • 4.9 (39)
  • Automotive
  • Updated Weekly

The ultimate automotive history and classic car restoration podcast exploring the motoring memories behind iconic vehicles. Hosted by Doug and Dave, we trade technical specs for the unfiltered stories and family car history that reveal the soul of car culture. Join us every #TorqueTuesday for a deep dive into automotive nostalgia with restoration junkies and vintage vehicle enthusiasts. 🏎️🛠️

  1. Sep 1

    Flipping Alois Ruf's Turbo & Ultra-Rare Porsches w/ Bill Patel

    Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia! How do you go from buying a broken-down $3,000 Porsche 944 to owning hundreds of air-cooled 911s and flipping some of the rarest vehicles in the world? This week, Doug goes solo to sit down with Bill Patel, an automotive broker and Porsche collector who has been living the gearhead dream for nearly 25 years. From spotting Alois Ruf's personal 1984 RUF Turbo at a random Chicago dealership to preserving a 1-of-20 IMSA homologation 1992 Porsche 964 Turbo S2, Bill’s deep archives of car knowledge have led to some of the most incredible vehicle discoveries we’ve ever heard on the show. In this episode, we cover: The 1-of-20 Unicorn: The history of the 1992 Porsche 964 Turbo S2 and how ANDIAL modified 20 street-legal versions for IMSA racing.The Ultimate Flip: How an old AutoWeek magazine helped Bill identify and buy Alois Ruf's personal RUF Turbo for $65,000 and flip it weeks later for $145,000.The Widowmaker: Why the 930 Turbo remains Bill's all-time favorite car, and his quest to own every single model year.Porsche Market Secrets: Why manual 981 Boxster GTSs and 997.2s are the ultimate modern classics, and why the 996 is the best budget buy right now.Dangerous Rides: Surviving the unpredictable Dodge Viper GTS and the heartbreak of wrecking a 930 just 15 minutes after buying it.Don't miss Bill's favorite episode with Brad Phillips on The Great Race, Ferraris, and Vintage Porsches: https://buzzsprout.com/2316026/episodes/19238276 Plus, Bill shares his humble beginnings learning to drive stick in a Chevy S10 Blazer and surviving a wrecked Toyota pickup, as well as his family's incredible dedication to supporting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. If you love air-cooled lore, the thrill of the automotive hunt, and the unfiltered reality of car flipping, this episode is an absolute must-listen! Connect with Us: Got a great car story? Email us at stories@carsloved.com. Find all our content and social links here: linktr.ee/carsloved. Podcast News: Our co-host, Doug was a guest on the Driven Radio Show Podcast to share the origin story of our podcast and connecting with his late father through his DeLorean project.Check out the amazing article about the podcast by Elevate Society and Tal Gur, author of "The Art of Fully Living"Feedspot selected To All The Cars I've Loved Before in their list of Top 100 Car Podcasts and 31 Best Road Trip Podcasts For Your DriveOur co-host, Doug was featured in this magazine article along with his DeLore...

    Flipping Alois Ruf's Turbo & Ultra-Rare Porsches w/ Bill Patel

  2. Aug 18

    Off-Roading the INEOS Grenadier, Land Cruiser Memories & Wrenching with Anastasia

    Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia! From surviving a scary collision in a massive Toyota Land Cruiser as a teenager to swapping out suspension springs on a 7,500-lb INEOS Grenadier in her driveway, Anastasia Kim Carpenter proves that taking the path less traveled is always the best route! In this episode of To All The Cars I've Loved Before, Doug sits down with Anastasia—founder of the Women's INEOS Grenadier Club—to talk about the rapidly growing world of overlanding, off-roading, and female empowerment in the automotive space. Anastasia shares incredible stories from her youth balancing Vaganova ballet with driving rugged 4x4s, explains the fascinating origins of the INEOS Grenadier, and breaks down the real challenges (and massive rewards!) of being an early adopter of a brand-new, highly capable off-road vehicle. Don't miss Anastasia's favorite episode with superstar father-daughter duo, Dane and Riley from Riley's Rebuilds - https://buzzsprout.com/2316026/episodes/18447947 If you love tales from the trail, hands-on wrenching, and the magic of sitting around a campfire after a long day of wheeling, this episode is for you! In this episode, we cover: 🚙 The Land Cruiser Days: Anastasia’s teenage years behind the wheel of big, burly Toyota Land Cruisers—including a white 5th-gen, a blue one that saved her in a scary collision, and a River Rock Green Mica 6th-gen! 🩰 Ballet Meets 4x4s: The hilarious contrast of driving a massive 4x4 to a Nutcracker rehearsal as a ballerina. 🔧 The INEOS Grenadier: Why she fell in love with the utilitarian, ladder-frame INEOS Grenadier (Trial Master edition) and how she tackles complex DIY mods like installing Eibach springs. 💪 Women in Motorsport: The inspiring story behind founding the Women's INEOS Grenadier Club to empower female off-roaders to take control in the garage and on the trail. 🍻 Trivia Time: Find out exactly where INEOS founder Sir Jim Ratcliffe first sketched the concept for the Grenadier! Connect with Us: Got a great car story? Email us at stories@carsloved.com. Find all our content and social links here: linktr.ee/carsloved. Podcast News: Our co-host, Doug was a guest on the Driven Radio Show Podcast to share the origin story of our podcast and connecting with his late father through his DeLorean project.Check out the amazing article about the podcast by Elevate Society and Tal Gur, author of "The Art of Fully Living"Feedspot selected To All The Cars I've Loved Before in their list of Top 100 Car Podcasts and 31 Best Road Trip Podcasts For Your DriveOur co-host, Doug was featured in this magazine article along with his DeLore...

    Off-Roading the INEOS Grenadier, Land Cruiser Memories & Wrenching with Anastasia

  3. Aug 4

    Prototyping EVs, 115 MPH in Grandpa’s Cadillac & Building Rivians with John Gravelyn

    Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia! What is the difference between engineering vehicles at a 100-year-old legacy automaker versus a high-speed EV startup? In this episode of To All The Cars I've Loved Before, host Doug sits down with former Ford and Rivian engineering manager turned real estate founder, John Gravelyn. From fixing his own beaters out of pure pragmatism as a teenager to working in top-secret prototype shops, John shares an incredible insider look at how modern vehicles get built—and the hilarious personal car stories along the way. What We Cover in This Episode: First Car & Pure Freedom: The 300+ horsepower 1997 Cadillac STS gift from his grandfather, keeping it waxed, and the terrifying moment he tested its top speed at 115 MPH only to discover aerodynamic lift!The Practical Ranger: How a basic 1998 Ford Ranger 5-speed manual launched his teenage lawn care business and taught him hands-on repair skills.Worst Car & Commute Nightmare: Losing his clutch in a Mercury Milan on I-94 during a 1.5-hour Detroit rush-hour commute, stalling 20 times, and trading it in for $300.Inside Ford's Prototype Shop: Working on top-secret builds like the Bronco in a historic 1950s Lincoln shop, plus testing Mustang Mach-E range in the emissions lab during COVID.The Rivian EV Shift: The stark culture contrast between Ford's established systems and Rivian’s fast-paced, "bootstrapped" prototype environment where custom parts were needed instantly.The Future of Auto Techs & AI: Invaluable advice for the next generation of technicians on using problem-solving frameworks and AI tools to diagnose complex modern vehicles.Dream Cars & First Principles: Why John’s ultimate dream car is a mid-70s Lincoln Continental Mark IV, and how he now uses an engineering mindset to help analytical professionals with real estate at First Principles Partners.Connect with Our Guest: First Principles Partners: thefppartners.comConnect with Us: Got a great car story? Email us at stories@carsloved.com. Find all our content and social links here: linktr.ee/carsloved. Podcast News: Our co-host, Doug was a guest on the Driven Radio Show Podcast to share the origin story of our podcast and connecting with his late father through his DeLorean project.Check out the amazing article about the podcast by Elevate Society and Tal Gur, author of "The Art of Fully Living"Feedspot selected To All The Cars I've Loved Before in their list of Top 100 Car Podcasts and 31 Best Road Trip Podcasts For Your DriveOur co-host, Doug was featured in this magazine article along with his DeLore...

    Prototyping EVs, 115 MPH in Grandpa’s Cadillac & Building Rivians with John Gravelyn

  4. Jul 21

    From Karting to NASCAR Late Models with Kaeden Ballos

    Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia! Welcome back to To All The Cars I've Loved Before! This week, Doug is going solo in the garage to sit down with 18-year-old racing phenom Kaeden Ballos. As a fourth-generation racer, Kaeden is currently making waves in the NASCAR weekly series behind the wheel of the number 19 late model. In this episode, Kaeden shares the incredible story of his racing origins, starting at just six years old. We hear about the wild moment he barrel-rolled a dirt champ kart down the back straightaway—and how that crash actually removed his fear of racing. Kaeden also dives into his experiences driving a clutchless Bandolero at the Summer Shootout at Charlotte Motor Speedway, stepping up to the highly competitive Cars Tour, and his recent test runs in F3 and F4 cars where he almost set a track record. Don't miss Kaeden's favorite episode with Porsche Carrera Cup North America driver, Sabre' Cook and her amazing motocross legend father, Stacey Cook https://buzzsprout.com/2316026/episodes/19386773 Whether you are a devoted NASCAR fan or love the adrenaline of open-wheel testing, this episode takes you directly into the driver's seat. In this episode, we cover: A Racing Bloodline: How Kaeden's grandfather, a former NASCAR race director, and his parents shaped his passion for the track.Meeting a Legend: Kaeden shares a memorable story of meeting his childhood favorite driver, Kyle Busch.The First Big Crash: The wild story of barrel-rolling a dirt champ kart at Capital City Speedway and how it changed his driving mindset.Driving a "Brick on Wheels": What it is actually like to race Bandolero cars in a "war zone" of competition.Open-Wheel Testing: Kaeden's recent experience testing F4 and F3 cars, getting within a second of the track record at the Autobahn South course.Podcast Trivia: The surprising historical reason why American oval tracks run counterclockwise!Connect with Us: Got a great car story? Email us at stories@carsloved.com. Find all our content and social links here: linktr.ee/carsloved. Podcast News: Our co-host, Doug was a guest on the Driven Radio Show Podcast to share the origin story of our podcast and connecting with his late father through his DeLorean project.Check out the amazing article about the podcast by Elevate Society and Tal Gur, author of "The Art of Fully Living"Feedspot selected To All The Cars I've Loved Before in their list of Top 100 Car Podcasts and 31 Best Road Trip Podcasts For Your DriveOur co-host, Doug was featured in this magazine article along with his DeLore...

    From Karting to NASCAR Late Models with Kaeden Ballos

  5. Jul 7

    The Lost 1983 Turbo Mustang & Mopar Restomod Nightmares

    Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia! Welcome back to To All The Cars I've Loved Before! This week, Doug is sitting down with his friend and ultimate gearhead, Tony Funk. Over the years, Tony has owned over 35 different vehicles, and he brings some of the most unbelievable automotive stories we've ever heard into the garage. In this episode, Tony shares the miraculous story of his rare 1983 Ford Mustang GT Turbo. After a hurricane brought a massive tree down on it, a frustrated Tony simply gave the crushed car away. In a wild twist of fate, the owner offered it back to him six years later. The craziest part? The title was still in Tony's name with his signature on it! We also dive deep into Tony's latest headache: a 1970 Dodge Dart Swinger tribute car. Originally a base-model slant-six , this 360-swapped project turned into an 8-week legal nightmare with the North Carolina DMV over mismatched hidden body stamps and some generic Home Depot rivets. Don't miss Tony's favorite episode with Ethan's amazing WRX - https://buzzsprout.com/2316026/episodes/19011189 Whether you are hunting for your dream 1968 Charger RT or wondering how to navigate classic Mopar restorations, this episode is packed with hard-earned wrenches and wisdom. In this episode, we cover: First Car Heartbreak: The short-lived glory of a brown 1980 Dodge Mirada that was rear-ended and totaled at a red light.The Escort Era: Surviving the Pennsylvania summer heat in an un-air-conditioned 1983 Ford Escort painted in infamous "porno red".The Foxbody Miracle: Giving away a crushed '83 Mustang GT Turbo and getting it back six years later.Mopar Title Nightmares: The extreme stress of titling a 1970 Dodge Dart tribute car and why you must always check for pentastar rivets.ZZ Top Trivia: The history and the rival engine hiding under the hood of Billy Gibbons' famous 1933 Ford Coupe, the "Eliminator".Sponsor Shoutout: Want to learn more about the cars we discussed today? This episode is sponsored by Car Curious! Their free audio player syncs annotations directly to our transcript, explaining every car, part, and term. Test drive it right now at carslove.com/listen. Connect with Us: Got a great car story? Email us at stories@carsloved.com. Find all our content and social links here: linktr.ee/carsloved. Podcast News: Our co-host, Doug was a guest on the Driven Radio Show Podcast to share the origin story of our podcast and connecting with his late father through his DeLorean project.Check out the amazing article about the podcast by Elevate Society and Tal Gur, author of "The Art of Fully Living"Feedspot selected To All The Cars I've Loved Before in their list of Top 100 Car Podcasts and 31 Best Road Trip Podcasts For Your DriveOur co-host, Doug was featured in this magazine article along with his DeLore...

    The Lost 1983 Turbo Mustang & Mopar Restomod Nightmares

  6. Jun 23

    The Racing Gene: Pro Porsche Driver Sabré Cook & Hall of Fame Dad Stacey Cook

    Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia! A Father’s Day Special: The Unbreakable Bond of a Racing Family Happy Father’s Day! This week on To All The Cars I've Loved Before, we are celebrating the ultimate father-daughter racing duo. We’re sitting down with Sabré Cook—a mechanical engineer and professional driver for JDX Racing in the Porsche Carrera Cup North America—and her dad, Stacey Cook, a former professional motocross rider who was inducted into the Colorado Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2023. In this episode, we dive deep into the Cook family’s high-octane history. Stacey shares his incredible journey from racing a $800, 200,000-mile Datsun pickup across Colorado with dirt bikes in the back, to the terrifying realization of watching his own daughter speed past him in a formula car. Sabré discusses her disciplined path to the driver's seat (which required straight A's just to get a Chevy Equinox!), her ultimate goal to race in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and why she believes a $2 Million Porsche 911 DLS Singer is the ultimate dream car. Don't miss Sabre' and Stacey's favorite episode featuring Monster Truck Jam driver, Nicole Johnson - https://buzzsprout.com/2316026/episodes/15924202 Whether you are looking to get into track days yourself or just want to hear a heartwarming story about a father who supported his daughter's drive to the top, this episode is packed with life lessons, laughs, and serious horsepower. In this episode, we cover: Stacey's wild early days: Street racing a 1965 Corvette and surviving cross-country trips in an orange Datsun.Safety Evolution: The shocking differences between a 1970s Datsun and Sabré's modern safety cocoon.How to start racing: Sabré's advice on using simulators (like iRacing and Assetto Corsa) and buying a Mazda Miata to build track skills on a budget.The emotional toll of motorsports: Stacey opens up about the sacrifices Sabré makes to be a pro driver, working 24/7 with little social life.Trivia: What common safety feature was invented out of necessity at the very first Indy 500 in 1911?.Follow Sabré Cook: Check out her website and find the hidden Easter egg photo of her at 3 months old on her dad's vintage motorcycle: sabrecookracing.com. Connect with Us: Got a great car story? Email us at stories@carsloved.com. Find all our content and social links here: linktr.ee/carsloved. Podcast News: Our co-host, Doug was a guest on the Driven Radio Show Podcast to share the origin story of our podcast and connecting with his late father through his DeLorean project.Check out the amazing article about the podcast by Elevate Society and Tal Gur, author of "The Art of Fully Living"Feedspot selected To All The Cars I've Loved Before in their list of Top 100 Car Podcasts and 31 Best Road Trip Podcasts For Your DriveOur co-host, Doug was featured in this magazine article along with his DeLore...

    The Racing Gene: Pro Porsche Driver Sabré Cook & Hall of Fame Dad Stacey Cook

  7. Jun 9

    911 Barn Find & 40 Years of Porsche Sales Secrets

    Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia! What happens when a lifetime of automotive passion becomes a 40-year career? This week, Doug goes solo from Myrtle Beach to sit down with luxury car sales legend Mike Maurer. Mike has been navigating the high-end automotive world since the 1980s, working with legendary dealerships like Brumos Porsche. In this episode, Mike pulls back the curtain on the reality of high-end car sales. He shares incredible, unfiltered stories—from growing up riding in the back of an air-cooled Porsche 356 bathtub across Europe to his early days crashing a classic Austin Healey into a tree while racing a Lotus Elan in Annapolis. We also dive deep into the ultimate "one that got away" story involving a pristine 1967 Porsche 911 S, a hidden barn, and an unexpected journey to Australia. Don't miss Mike's favorite episode with Dirk Dekker on the track with 911 - https://buzzsprout.com/2316026/episodes/17927079 Whether you're a rabid Porsche purist who demands three pedals on the floor or someone dreaming of breaking into luxury automotive marketing, Mike's 40 years of industry experience serves as the ultimate masterclass. Key Takeaways & Timestamps Garage Updates: Doug checks in from vacation in Myrtle Beach and recaps our previous feature with Marla from BWomen.com.Perks of the Showroom Floor: Mike explains how luxury sales professionals spec'd out new cars every single year to master their product knowledge.The Hustle is Real: The brutal reality, demanding 11-to-12-hour days, and the pressure of working in high-end retail during the 1980s and 90s.The First Car Heartbreak: Buying a derelict 1957 Austin Healey 100 with college tuition savings, and why it wouldn't start by day two.Racing in Annapolis: How totaling a brand new Austin Healey 3000 while chasing a Lotus Elan through the woods paved the way to his very first Porsche 911.The 20-Toyota Challenge: The unique ultimatum a legendary dealership owner gave Mike before allowing him to sell premium sports cars.The Legend of Brumos Porsche: Working alongside legendary endurance racers Peter Gregg and Hurley Haywood at a dealership that shaped Porsche culture.The Last Last of the Analog Cars: Why Mike's manual transmission 2007 Porsche 911 (997) Carrera 4S is an absolute keeper compared to modern digital platforms.The Worst Cars Driven: Hilarious deep dives into sorting out the infamous Geo Metro and a nightmare Saab Turbo ownership experience.The Ultimate Barn Find Story: How Mike acquired a pristine, original-owner 1967 Porsche 911 S out of a small hidden barn for $20,000, and what happened when he tried to buy it back from Australia years later.Career Blueprint: Modern career advice for younger enthusiasts looking to break into luxury dealership sales, corporate wholesale, or online auction platforms like Bring a Trailer.Master Class Trivia: Mike breaks down the legendary history behind why the Porsche 911 was almost called the 901Hidden Options & Factory Battles: How Mike bypasses corporate constraints to build highly customized, one-of-one vehicles directly with factory insiders.In the Shop: Mentioned Cars & Media 1957 Austin Healey 100 & Austin Healey 3000Porsche 356 "Bathtub"Porsche 911 (Classic 1967 911 S)Porsche 911 (997 Gen) Carrera 4S (Manual)Porsche Macan (The daily grocery & dog hauler)Lotus ElanGeo Metro Saab TurboPorsche Posters: The legendary "Kill Bugs Faster" Arena Red 993 Turbo campaign.The Soundtrack: Life in the Fast Lane by The Eagles. Connect with Our Guest Have questions about ordering a bespoke Porsche, navigating the current collector market, or tracking down an air-cooled classic? Reach out to Mike Maurer directly at Mike911@gmail.com.Join the Cars Love Nation Community! If this episode sparked a memory of your own first ride or a long-forgotten project gathering dust in your garage, we want to hear about it! Submit Your Story: Email us at stories@carslove.comBinge the Backlog: Stream all 70-plus episodes of automotive history and car culture.All Links & Content: Visit our master link directory at linktr.ee/carslovedConnect with Us: Got a great car story? Email us at stories@carsloved.com. Find all our content and social links here: linktr.ee/carsloved. Podcast News: Our co-host, Doug was a guest on the Driven Radio Show Podcast to share the origin story of our podcast and connecting with his late father through his DeLorean project.Check out the amazing article about the podcast by Elevate Society and Tal Gur, author of "The Art of Fully Living"Feedspot selected To All The Cars I've Loved Before in their list of Top 100 Car Podcasts and 31 Best Road Trip Podcasts For Your DriveOur co-host, Doug was featured in this magazine article along with his DeLore...

    911 Barn Find & 40 Years of Porsche Sales Secrets

  8. May 26

    Brad Phillips on The Great Race, Ferraris, and Vintage Porsches

    Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia! Welcome back to All the Cars I've Loved Before, the podcast where we park the data at the door to focus on the stories that matter 🎙️. In this episode, Doug sits down with Brad Phillips, a globally recognized collector car expert and hardcore gearhead who firmly believes that classic cars are meant to be driven 🛠️. Brad currently serves as the Director of Events for Coker Group and the Great Race 🏁. From wrenching on a 1965 Mustang 2+2 Fastback as a teenager 🐎 to MacGyvering a right-hand-drive JDM Toyota Century across the United States 🗺️, Brad shares his incredible, lifelong journey through the automotive hobby 🚗. We dive deep into what it takes to navigate a 1916 Hudson Speedster across 2,500 miles of backroads ⏱️, the thrill of reviving a seized 1968 Porsche 911 T 🇩🇪, and why he still regrets letting go of his Saab 9000 Turbo 🇸🇪. In This Episode, We Cover: The Great Race 🏆: An inside look at the 2,500-mile time speed endurance rally for pre-1974 vintage cars, including details on the upcoming Route 66 centennial route starting in Springfield, Illinois 🛣️.First Rides 🚗💨: Brad’s memories of his 1965 Ford Mustang 2+2, painted Rangoon red, and its unfortunate demise in a slow-speed race against a Dodge Dart 💥.Cross-Country Classics 🏜️: Pushing the limits of cargo capacity and reliability by road-tripping an '83 Ferrari 308 GTS Quattrovalvole and a V8 Toyota Century 🚙.Pre-War Projects 🕰️: The unique challenges of driving and maintaining century-old vehicles like his 1917 Willys-Overland 90BT 🔧.The Ones That Got Away (and the ones that stayed) ❤️‍🩹: From a 400-horsepower Saab 9000 Turbo to a fully modern-equipped 1966 Sunbeam Tiger 🐯. We caDon't miss our full episode with Brad's good friend and classic Ferrari restorer, Tom Yang for more stories: https://buzzsprout.com/2316026/episodes/16626040 If you’re enjoying the show, the best way to support us is hit subscribe and leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts, share this episode with a friend, or shoot us an email ✉️ to stories@carsloved.com Connect with Us: Got a great car story? Email us at stories@carsloved.com. Find all our content and social links here: linktr.ee/carsloved. Podcast News: Our co-host, Doug was a guest on the Driven Radio Show Podcast to share the origin story of our podcast and connecting with his late father through his DeLorean project.Check out the amazing article about the podcast by Elevate Society and Tal Gur, author of "The Art of Fully Living"Feedspot selected To All The Cars I've Loved Before in their list of Top 100 Car Podcasts and 31 Best Road Trip Podcasts For Your DriveOur co-host, Doug was featured in this magazine article along with his DeLore...

    Brad Phillips on The Great Race, Ferraris, and Vintage Porsches
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The ultimate automotive history and classic car restoration podcast exploring the motoring memories behind iconic vehicles. Hosted by Doug and Dave, we trade technical specs for the unfiltered stories and family car history that reveal the soul of car culture. Join us every #TorqueTuesday for a deep dive into automotive nostalgia with restoration junkies and vintage vehicle enthusiasts. 🏎️🛠️

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