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

Carly, Doug & Dave: Classic Car Experts, Motorsports Enthusiasts and Automotive Storytellers
  • 4.9 (35)
  • AUTOMOTIVE
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The ultimate automotive history and classic car restoration podcast exploring the motoring memories behind iconic vehicles. Hosted by Carly, 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. C7 Corvette, Porsche 930 & Car Trailers: Towlos Startup 🏎️🔧

    MAY 12

    C7 Corvette, Porsche 930 & Car Trailers: Towlos Startup 🏎️🔧

    Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia! C7 Corvette track days and Porsche 930 history. Matt Jones on launching Towlos, the "Airbnb for car trailers"... In our newest episode, we sit down with Matt Jones, an orthopedic surgeon turned entrepreneur and the CEO/Founder of Towlos (towlos.com). Matt shares his incredible automotive journey, from learning to drive a manual in his dad's '73 Datsun to buying a 2018 C7 Corvette Grand Sport right before the pandemic used-car market exploded.  We dive deep into the origin story of Towlos—a peer-to-peer trailer rental marketplace born out of Matt’s own frustration trying to transport his track car to iconic raceways like Road America and VIR. We also discuss the timeless debate of "cars as art," specifically why a Pagani or a Porsche 930 "Widowmaker" provides an immersive, multi-sensory experience that a painting on a wall just can't match.  In this episode, you’ll hear: 🥶 The Bridge Spin-Out: Matt's terrifying 180-degree spin on an icy bridge in his first car, an iron-powered Chevy S10. 📈 Beating the Market: Buying a C7 Corvette Grand Sport with just 3,500 miles right before the 2020 used car market went completely crazy. 🏁 Track Day Intimidation: The nerves of taking your own car to the track for the first time, and why you always need an "enabler" buddy to push you out of your comfort zone. 💡 The Birth of Towlos: How buying a massive triple-axle trailer that sat unused in the driveway sparked the idea for a two-sided trailer rental marketplace. 🎨 Cars as Art: Why spending millions on a hypercar like a Pagani provides a mechanical, G-force-inducing masterpiece that you can actually experience. Don't miss the episode Matt referenced with Adam from Xtreme Xperience, discussing how to get everyday enthusiasts out onto the track! Whether you're a seasoned track veteran, a tech entrepreneur, or just love a good story about solving everyday problems, this episode is a must-listen. 🔗 Links & Resources: Rent a trailer or list your own: Towlos.comHave questions? Email Matt directly: matt@towlos.comListen to our 75+ episodes on LinkTree 🔗🌲 https://linktr.ee/carsloved📢 Join the Conversation: What is the weirdest thing you've ever had to tow, or what car do you consider a true "piece of art"? Let us know on Instagram @toallthecarsivelovedbefore           *** Your Favorite Podcast Automotive Nostalgia Podcast *** Connect with us:  📧 Email: stories@carsloved.com  🔗🌳 Visit our LinkTree for all 70+ episodes: https://linktr.ee/carsloved Love the show? Please follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

    49 min
  2. 🏎️ BMW E46 inspires Building an AI-Powered Podcast Platform for Car Junkies

    APR 28

    🏎️ BMW E46 inspires Building an AI-Powered Podcast Platform for Car Junkies

    Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia! How do you transition from a "utilitarian" view of driving to chasing the perfect analog feel of a 20-year-old BMW? In this episode, Doug sits down with Ryan Williams, a software engineer who discovered his passion for cars later in life while searching for a hobby that would get him off his "daily ride"—his computer. Ryan shares the story of his "lemon" yellow 1978 Mazda GLC and the reliable Nissan Sentra that powered his college years, before diving into his recent obsession: a 2004 BMW 330i ZHP bought sight-unseen from an auction site. Don't miss Ryan's favorite episode featuring rotary engines lover, John with Mazda USA: https://buzzsprout.com/2316026/episodes/16805989 We also get an exclusive look at Ryan’s new project, Car Curious, an AI-driven podcast player designed to deepen the listener's journey. Imagine listening to a car podcast and having the specs, chassis codes, and photos of the exact models being discussed pop up on your screen in real-time. Buckle up as we discuss: The "Mini M": Why the E46 ZHP is the perfect "bridge" car for new enthusiasts looking for that classic BMW feel.Auction Anxiety: The thrills and perils of buying a car from Cincinnati and shipping it to Oregon in the middle of winter.The Future of Car Media: How AI tools are helping new fans decode the complex language of car culture and "scratch the itch" of curiosity.Generational Shifts: The struggle of passing the "car bug" down to children who see vehicles as strictly utilitarian.🔗 Connect with Our Guest https://getcarcurious.com or https://instagram.com/getcarcuriousTry the Player: Experience the AI-integrated podcast player Ryan is building to help enthusiasts learn as they listen.          *** Your Favorite Podcast Automotive Nostalgia Podcast *** Connect with us:  📧 Email: stories@carsloved.com  🔗🌳 Visit our LinkTree for all 70+ episodes: https://linktr.ee/carsloved Love the show? Please follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

    32 min
  3. 2011 Subaru WRX & 1986 Honda Accord: Ethan Banks on Manual Transmissions 🏎️💥

    APR 14

    2011 Subaru WRX & 1986 Honda Accord: Ethan Banks on Manual Transmissions 🏎️💥

    Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia! 2011 Subaru WRX cross-country trip and 1986 Honda Accord memories. In this episode, we welcome Ethan Banks to the virtual garage. While the IT world knows him as the co-founder of the Packet Pushers podcast network, we’re turning back the odometer to explore his lifelong obsession with car culture and automotive history. Ethan shares the story of winning a World Rally Blue 2011 Subaru WRX on Cars & Bids and embarking on an unforgettable father-son road trip across America. We also dive into his first car stories, including a manual 1986 Honda Accord that suffered a snapped axle on the LA freeway, and his perspective on building a 300-horsepower VW GTI sleeper. In this episode, we cover: 🏎️ The WRX Road Trip: Buying a 2011 Subaru WRX and driving it from California to New Hampshire.💥 First Car Memories: Life in a manual 1986 Honda Accord hatchback and the move to a 1989 Ford Taurusbeater.🚀 The GTI Build: Teaching the next generation to drive stick in a modified VW GTI with a Cobb tuner.🏎️ Porsche Obsession: Why the Porsche 930 Slant Nose with the whale tail is the ultimate dream ride.🧠 Automotive History: The story of Ralph Teetor, the blind engineer who invented Cruise Control in 1950.🎮 Virtual Racing: Doug's sim racing laps in a Mazda Miata at P1 Sim Racing. Don't miss Ethan's favorite past episode with Neil and Ruchin, authors of The Kansal Clunker, discussing their 1998 Acura Integra restoration: https://buzzsprout.com/2316026/episodes/18696226 Connect with our guest:  🌐 Website: packetpushers.net  🎥 YouTube: Packet Pushers Network           *** Your Favorite Podcast Automotive Nostalgia Podcast *** Connect with us:  📧 Email: stories@carsloved.com  🔗🌳 Visit our LinkTree for all 70+ episodes: https://linktr.ee/carsloved Love the show? Please follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

    1h 8m
  4. AMC Gremlin & Mercedes AMG History: Matt DeLorenzo on the Dodge Viper 🏎️✍️

    MAR 31

    AMC Gremlin & Mercedes AMG History: Matt DeLorenzo on the Dodge Viper 🏎️✍️

    Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia! AMC Gremlin restoration and Mercedes AMG history with Matt DeLorenzo. Inside the birth of the Dodge Viper and the Honda CRX... In this episode, we sit down with automotive journalism royalty, Matt DeLorenzo. With over 45 years in the industry—including serving as the Editor of AutoWeek and a founding juror of the North American Car of the Year (NACTOY) awards—Matt has truly seen and driven it all. From buying a $2,000 AMC Gremlin as his first car to rubbing elbows with Carroll Shelby, Matt shares the unbelievable history and stories behind the metal. In this episode, we cover:  🚙 First Cars & Clutches: Matt’s $2,000 blue AMC Gremlin, and learning how to drop a transmission in a college parking lot.  🕹️ Saving the Manuals: Why out of all the hypercars he has driven, a simple 1984 Honda Civic CRX remains one of his favorite cars of all time.  📉 Design Disasters: A hilarious debate on "Badass Cars with Terrible Rear Ends," from the infamous BMW "Bangle Butt" to the Hyundai Ioniq 6.  📖 Automotive History: The true story of Mercedes-Benz's AMG division, Chrysler's 90s concepts, and how the Dodge Viper changed the industry.  ⚡ The Future of EVs: Why the future of the auto industry isn't just electric, but an "All of the Above" approach for consumers. Don't miss Matt's favorite episode with friend and colleague, John Davis from MotorWeek: https://buzzsprout.com/2316026/episodes/18157530 Whether you love modern hypercars, weird 90s concepts, or just the feeling of banging through the gears of a manual transmission, this episode is packed with automotive history.           *** Your Favorite Podcast Automotive Nostalgia Podcast *** Connect with us:  📧 Email: stories@carsloved.com  🔗🌳 Visit our LinkTree for all 70+ episodes: https://linktr.ee/carsloved Love the show? Please follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

    46 min
  5. 1985 Mazda RX-7 & Hudson Hornet: Zack Pradel on 1,700+ Car Reviews 🏎️🎥

    MAR 17

    1985 Mazda RX-7 & Hudson Hornet: Zack Pradel on 1,700+ Car Reviews 🏎️🎥

    Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia! 1985 Mazda RX-7 restoration and Hudson Hornet history with Zack Pradel. In this episode, we sit down with the founder of the Shooting Cars YouTube channel to discuss the logistics of filming over 1,700 car reviews and the "soul" of the machines that made us. Zack shares his personal automotive journey, from blowing up his first 12A rotary engine as a teenager to his family’s heirloom 1931 Ford Model A. We dive into the driving dynamics of the Hudson Hornet, why the R32 Nissan Skyline GT-R is the ultimate dream car, and the fascinating history behind abandoned Saturn dealerships and pop-up headlights. In this episode, we cover: 🏎️ The Rotary Obsession: Zack’s history with the Mazda RX-7 FB and FC, including engine swaps and rust-bucket rescues.🎥 The Art of the Review: How he built a catalog of 1,700+ automotive videos by reviewing everything from grandma’s car to the Chevy Traverse.⏱️ Automotive History: Video essays on 55-mph speedometers, the GM EV1, and the customer-first culture of Saturn.🇯🇵 JDM Legends: Why the Nissan Skyline GT-R is "sheer terror" and the joy of the 1993 Mazda Miata.🍦 Family Heirlooms: The heartwarming story of his grandfather’s 1931 Model A and the "Dairy Queen breakdown" dad jokeConnect with our guest:  🌐 Website: https://zackpradel.com  🎥 YouTube: https://youtube.com/@ShootingCars Connect with us:  📧 Email: stories@carsloved.com  Visit our LinkTree for all 70+ episodes: https://linktr.ee/carsloved Love the show? Please follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐           *** Your Favorite Podcast Automotive Nostalgia Podcast *** Connect with us:  📧 Email: stories@carsloved.com  🔗🌳 Visit our LinkTree for all 70+ episodes: https://linktr.ee/carsloved Love the show? Please follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

    37 min
  6. Air-Cooled VW Culture: Women Restoring Classic Volkswagens 🍃🚗

    MAR 3

    Air-Cooled VW Culture: Women Restoring Classic Volkswagens 🍃🚗

    Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia! Air-cooled VW culture and women in classic car restoration. Restoring Volkswagen Beetles and the "Muth" Super Beetle... “Every car tells a story, and those stories reveal exactly who we are.”  In this episode, Doug and Dave welcome professional corporate and lifestyle photographer Marla Aufmuth into the virtual garage. While Marla has documented landmark cultural events for brands like Nike and TED Talks, her heart belongs to the air-cooled Volkswagen community. 🏎️💨 Marla shares the history of "Muth"—the 1976 sunflower yellow Super Beetle convertible her father bought in Germany and shipped home nearly 50 years ago. Named after the German word for "strength" or "courage," the car became Marla’s classroom for life, where she mastered the clutch on the daunting hills of San Francisco. 🇩🇪✨ Inside This Episode: 📸 The VW Women Project: How Marla turned a pandemic hiatus into a mission to photograph and interview 40 women across 10 states to acknowledge their place in car culture.🌻 Sensory Nostalgia: Why the smell of horsehair, vinyl, and a hint of gasoline serves as a sensory time machine for vintage VW owners.🚐 Forbidden Fruit: Marla reveals her ultimate dream car: the European VW California—a hybrid "three-room" apartment on wheels that isn't available in the States.🇯🇵 The 25-Year Rule: Dave explains how the 25-year cutoff allowed him to import his own Japanese Kei van and how others can do the same.📐 Automotive Logistics: A hilarious debate on whether Marla's 6’3” husband can actually fit comfortably into a tiny Japanese Kei car.Don't miss Marla's favorite episode with Guinevere from Freccia Brothers, The air-cooled auto specialists in the North East. https://buzzsprout.com/2316026/episodes/16886205 Our full conversation with @marlaaufmuth from @vwwomen is officially live! We’re talking about the "thrum" of an air-cooled engine and why Marla is skipping the ID Buzz for a hybrid VW California camper. 📸🇩🇪 +2 From mastering San Francisco's hills to hearing about 28-bus restoration shops in Nevada, this episode is a deep dive into why we love the metal that shapes our lives. 🚐📐 +2 🏁 Link in Bio to listen to the full episode! While you’re there, check out our vault of 70+ episodes of the best car stories on the web! 🎙️🏎️  #ToAllTheCarsIveLovedBefore #CarsLovedPodcast #vwwomen #aircooled #vwbeetle #superbeetle #womenwhodrive #carphotography #muth #outnow #podcastlaunch Whether you are a lifelong "VW person" or just love a story about the metal that shapes our lives, this episode is a love letter to heritage, community, and the courage to stay in the driver's seat. 🎙️🛠️ Connect with Marla: Website: vwwomen.com 📸Instagram: @marlaaufmuth 🌻Binge the Library: If you enjoyed the trip down memory lane today, please follow us and tell a friend. With 71 episodes in the vault, we have a garage full of stories waiting for you! 🚗💨 Listen to past episodes: buzzsprout.com/2316026/episod          *** Your Favorite Podcast Automotive Nostalgia Podcast *** Connect with us:  📧 Email: stories@carsloved.com  🔗🌳 Visit our LinkTree for all 70+ episodes: https://linktr.ee/carsloved Love the show? Please follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

    39 min
  7. 1998 Acura Integra Restoration: Rebuilding a 'Teggy' for Mount Evans 🏎️⛰️

    FEB 17

    1998 Acura Integra Restoration: Rebuilding a 'Teggy' for Mount Evans 🏎️⛰️

    Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia! Classic car restoration of a 1998 Acura Integra. How a father and son rebuilt a "Teggy" to climb Mount Evans... "We sat on a rock in the driveway, stared at the car, and thought: What did we just do?" 🛠️🧩. What happens when a father humors his son’s "crazy idea" to buy a $5,000 project car during a global pandemic?. In this episode, we’re joined by Ruchin and Neil Kansal, the father-son duo behind the book The Kansal Clunker. Neil shares the incredible story of receiving his driver's license just 24 hours before the world shut down, leading to a deep obsession with a "piece of junk" 1998 Acura Integra named "Teggy". Together, they navigate a ground-up restoration with zero prior experience—learning everything from interior teardowns to wiring via YouTube and the support of a "mafia-like" car community. In this episode, we discuss: 🏎️ The "Teggy" Transformation: Taking a 1998 Integra from a clunker to a machine capable of climbing 14,130 feet to the summit of Mount Evans, Colorado.🛠️ Learning the Hard Way: How to rebuild a car when you’ve never even taken off a tire.🤝 The Power of Shared Projects: How the "Kansal Clunker" became a masterclass in collaboration, vulnerability, and father-son bonding.🚙 The 4Runner Debate: Neil’s shift to a new Toyota 4Runner and his defense of the controversial 4-cylinder turbo engine.🍎 Generational Legacies: From Ruchin’s silver Mitsubishi Galant memories to their current project—a 1983 Alfa Romeo Spider.Whether you're a seasoned mechanic or someone who just "sat on a rock" staring at a project, this episode is a beautiful reminder that every car tells a story—and the best ones are built together. Connect with our guests:  🌐 Website: thekansalclunker.com  📖 Book: The Kansal Clunker (Available at thekansalclunker.com/book or wherever books are sold)  🔗🌲 Find all our 70+ episodes, social links, and YouTube video podcasts here: linktr.ee/carsloved           *** Your Favorite Podcast Automotive Nostalgia Podcast *** Connect with us:  📧 Email: stories@carsloved.com  🔗🌳 Visit our LinkTree for all 70+ episodes: https://linktr.ee/carsloved Love the show? Please follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

    34 min
  8. '69 Camaro SS Restoration: Building a 383 Stroker for SEMA 🏁🔥

    FEB 3

    '69 Camaro SS Restoration: Building a 383 Stroker for SEMA 🏁🔥

    Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia! Automotive restoration of a '69 Camaro SS. Learn how Christina Lardie built a 383 Stroker engine for the SEMA show... What do you do when you inherit a classic car shell and a garage full of mystery parts? You buy a ticket to SEMA just to ask the manufacturers, "What is this and how do I install it?" In this episode, guest co-host Dave joins Doug to sit down with Christina Lardie (aka @ChristinasGarage). Christina is a medically retired EMT from the San Francisco Fire Department who is honoring her late father's legacy by building cars and breaking barriers. We discuss the incredible story of her 1969 Camaro SS (which her dad secretly bought and gifted to her in pieces), her journey learning to be a "Gearhead in Training" without formal mechanic school, connecting with like minded people in the automotive industry, and the heartwarming restoration of a 1952 Chevy Pickup that delivers toys to children in need. In this episode, we cover: 🏎️ The Secret Camaro: How her dad surprised her with a '69 Camaro SS unibody on jack stands for her 30th birthday.🚒 The Altenberg: Restoring the 1952 Chevy Pickup (with original patina!) for the San Francisco Firefighters Toy Program.🔧 The Engine: Building a monster Short Rod 383 Stroker with Rich from TEM Performance.🏁 The Great Race: Joining an all-female team with Riley's Rebuilds to race a '66 Fairlane across the country.🎓 SEMA & Learning: Overcoming "Imposter Syndrome" and learning to wrench by asking for help rather than risking injury.🔗 Links & Resources: Check out Christina's work: https://instagram.com/christinalardie/Watch her detailed builds on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@christinasgarageListen to our 60+ episodes on LinkTree 🔗🌲 https://linktr.ee/carsloved 📢 Join the Conversation: What's the best way to learn "wrenching" ? Let us know on Instagram @toallthecarsivelovedbefore           *** Your Favorite Podcast Automotive Nostalgia Podcast *** Connect with us:  📧 Email: stories@carsloved.com  🔗🌳 Visit our LinkTree for all 70+ episodes: https://linktr.ee/carsloved Love the show? Please follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

    42 min
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4.9
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About

The ultimate automotive history and classic car restoration podcast exploring the motoring memories behind iconic vehicles. Hosted by Carly, 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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