Send us Fan Mail Powered by: ➡️ Red Line Synthetic Oil: redlineoil.com ➡️ AMD: autometaldirect.com What does 50 years in the automotive aftermarket teach you about building a company, building cars, and keeping the next generation engaged? In this episode of Gearheads n’ Gasoline, Barry Alt and Jesse Henke sit down with Rick Love, president of Vintage Air, to talk about his path from a young hot rodder in upstate New York to a decades-long career with one of the most recognized names in the aftermarket. Rick shares how he first connected with Vintage Air founder Jack, the family moment that changed the direction of his career, and why simply showing up, asking questions, and building relationships can open doors in this industry. The conversation digs into the future of hot rodding and restoration, including the challenge of engaging younger enthusiasts, the growing importance of relatable platforms like JDM cars, Fox bodies, OBS trucks, Jeeps, G-bodies, and S-10s, and how Vintage Air decides which vehicles are worth developing new systems for. Rick also walks through the 60-to-90-day development process behind a new SureFit application and explains how market feedback, other manufacturers, shows, and customer demand help guide product decisions. They also talk about marketing, creators, Cars & Coffee, Vintage Air’s 50th anniversary, road tours, the value of face-to-face connection, and why the best part of owning an old car is still getting out and driving it. Rick closes with two pieces of advice that apply well beyond the garage: make better decisions, and choose your battles. -- Subscribe for conversations with the best shop owners, builders, manufacturers, and aftermarket pros in the restoration, performance & racing industry. -- Takeaways: Relationships create careers. Rick’s path to Vintage Air grew from showing up, helping with R&D, attending events, and building genuine connections.Family can clarify your path. A question from Rick’s young son pushed him to rethink a travel-heavy career and ultimately join Vintage Air.The aftermarket still runs on mentorship. Experienced builders and manufacturers can have a lasting impact simply by sharing knowledge and helping others learn.Youth engagement has to be relatable. Fox bodies, JDM cars, OBS trucks, S-10s, Jeeps, and other familiar platforms can help draw younger enthusiasts in.Nostalgia changes with each generation. Tomorrow’s collector cars are often the vehicles people remember from childhood or their early driving years.Product development goes far beyond installation. Vintage Air can spend 60–90 days scanning, designing, testing, documenting, and developing a new application.The market helps decide what comes next. Vintage Air watches demand, affordability, show trends, and aftermarket support before developing a new application.Marketing is now multi-channel. Print, social media, YouTube, creators, email, events, and distributors all play a role in reaching customers.In-person interaction still matters. Events give customers a chance to see products, ask questions, meet the people behind the brand, and build relationships.The cars matter, but the memories matter more. Rick’s ’39 Ford is special because of the friends, experiences, and decades of memories tied to it.Guest Bio: Rick Love is president of Vintage Air and a lifelong hot-rod enthusiast with more than four decades in the automotive aftermarket. He began working with Vintage Air through installations, shows, and R&D before joining the company full-time in 1998. A longtime SEMA and HRIA volunteer, Rick was inducted into the SEMA Hall of Fame in 2021 and continues to champion mentorship, product innovation, and driving the cars we build. Guest: Rick Love, President, Vintage Air, LLC https://vintageair.com/https://www.facebook.com/vintageairinchttps://www.instagram.com/vintageair_https://www.youtube.com/user/va197653Host: Barry Alt, Motorhead Digital maximizesales@motorheaddigital.comhttps://motorheaddigital.comhttps://facebook.com/Motorhead.Digitalhttps://instagram.com/motorhead.digitalhttps://linkedin.com/company/motorhead-digitalGuest Co-Host: Jesse Henke, JH Restorations https://jhrestorations.cahttps://www.facebook.com/jhrestorationshttps://www.instagram.com/jh_restorationshttps://www.youtube.com/@jhrestorationsltdDon’t miss an episode from Gearheads n’ Gasoline! facebook.com/GearheadsNGasolineinstagram.com/gearheadsngasolinelinkedin.com/company/gearheadsngasolineyoutube.com/@GearheadsNGasolineYou can reach us at gngoperations@motorheaddigital.com
