Great Automotive Lives

Andrew the Classic Car Guy
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Great Automotive Lives dives into the extraordinary stories behind the world’s most influential automotive pioneers — from Henry Rolls and Ferruccio Lamborghini to Ivan Hirst, David Brown and more. Each episode explores their lives, passions, innovations, rivalries, and the challenges that shaped their legacy. Perfect for fans of classic cars, automotive history, and the lives of automotive behemoths.

Episodes

  1. Ep 12 - Henry Royce: The Relentless Perfectionist Who Powered Rolls-Royce

    04/28/2025

    Ep 12 - Henry Royce: The Relentless Perfectionist Who Powered Rolls-Royce

    You will probably certainly know the name of Henry Royce, but how much do you know about his life? He suffered a terribly deprived childhood and numerous early setbacks in his career. Despite this and his terribly frail health he went on to forge a legacy like few, if any, others in the automotive world. This inaugural season of Great Automotive Lives started with Charles Rolls and so it should, and does, end with the great Henry Royce. The following links relate to the Royce Landmarks as referred to in the "......footsteps" section of the pod. You're welcome: Details of Royce’s long term home Elmstead and the annualpilgrimage made by Rolls-Royce enthusiasts to mark the death of this toweringfigure: https://www.press.rolls-roycemotorcars.com/rolls-royce-motor-cars-pressclub/article/detail/T0382913EN/elmstead:-a-place-of-pilgrimage?language=en Royce’s winter home – Villa Mimosa: https://www.vrbo.com/en-gb/p483394 Claude Johnson’s neighbouring winter home – Villa Jaune: https://www.vrbo.com/en-gb/p1789031a The Henry Royce Memorial Window – Westminster Abbey: https://www.westminster-abbey.org/abbey-commemorations/commemorations/sir-henry-royce The final resting place of Royce’s ashes in the church atAlwalton: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/9716454/frederick_henry-royce The Henry Royce Foundation and archive: www.henryroyce.org.uk. Henry Royce statue in Derby: https://batch.artuk.org/discover/artworks/sir-frederick-henry-royce-18631933-304719 Henry Royce blue plaque, Quarndon, Derby: https://www.quarndon-pc.gov.uk/gallery/1206556   Great Automotive Lives is researched, written, presented, edited and produced by Andrew, the Classic Car Guy. I even make the tea, walk the dogs and clean the windows. You can contact the podcast with your thoughts and comments at: podcast@classiccarguy.co.uk Enjoy! Come back soon.

    40 min
  2. Ep 11 - David Brown: The Industrialist Behind Aston Martin’s Golden Era

    04/15/2025 · BONUS

    Ep 11 - David Brown: The Industrialist Behind Aston Martin’s Golden Era

    Welcome to the second Great Automotive Lives - In Brief episode. Sir David Brown was a suave, impeccably turned out business man but he knew a thing or two about cars. After the Second World War he answered a mysterious advert in the Times and here would start his Aston Martin adventure. Join me in a brief trot through the Great Automotive Life - In Brief which is David Brown. This podcast is researched, written, presented, edited and produced by Andrew, the Classic Car Guy. If you would like to share your thoughts, comments or racing tips with the podcast please email: podcast@classiccarguy.co.uk Enjoy!

    14 min
  3. Ep 10 - William Lyons: The Designer-Entrepreneur Who Defined Jaguar’s Elegance

    04/15/2025

    Ep 10 - William Lyons: The Designer-Entrepreneur Who Defined Jaguar’s Elegance

    William Lyons is a towering automotive figure and, seemingly, an eminently decent fellow to boot. From modest beginnings, this Blackpool lad forged a legacy that few can claim to match. What was his secret? God knows, but, this podcast may provide a few clues as to how this reticent, even somewhat shy, northerner transformed himself from Bill Lyons to Mr Jaguar. It's well worth a listen.......but I am quite biased. The following links relate to the Lyons Landmarks as referred to in the "......footsteps" section of the pod. You're welcome: Fancy a peek inside William Lyons beautiful Wappenbury Hall? Sadly, sold now before you go hunting for your cheque book (……..ask a pensioner): https://media.onthemarket.com/properties/2839277/doc_0_2.pdf The last resting place of Sir William and Lady Greta: https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/13130/ One of my favourite places, and coincidently awash withLyons stuff and the home of the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust: https://www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/ ….and here is the Trust themselves: https://www.jaguarheritage.com/ The Coventry Transport Museum, again a trove of Jaguar /Lyons treasure: https://www.transport-museum.com/ Fancy a peek inside the Lyons’ family home beforeWappenbury? Sadly, also now sold: https://www.rightmove.co.uk/house-prices/details/england-41078936-92948049?s=6c5fed9fa7f2293cdac1e310b984f92b0bf5597328107f34db0643a7bfb8a544 Browns Lane history and background: https://www.jaguarheritage.com/jaguar-history/jaguar-locations/browns-lane/ Great Automotive Lives is researched, written, presented, edited and produced by Andrew, the Classic Car Guy. I even make the tea, walk the dogs and clean the windows. You can contact the podcast with your thoughts and comments at: podcast@classiccarguy.co.uk Enjoy! Come back soon.

    46 min
  4. Ep 9 - Malcolm Sayer: The Aerodynamic Genius Behind the Jaguar E Type

    03/18/2025 · BONUS

    Ep 9 - Malcolm Sayer: The Aerodynamic Genius Behind the Jaguar E Type

    Welcome to the first of my condensed Great Automotive Lives - In Brief. These are potted versions of great automotive lives for, likely, no other reason than the scarcity of reliable research material. Despite this, a truncated form like this, still allows me to share the lives of some lesser written about automotive heroes of mine. There is no better inaugural subject than Malcolm Sayer, in my opinion. Most will know him, if at all, from his design of the Jaguar E Type. There's a lot more to the man than that, however. Probably one of the most overlooked British automotive geniuses in the post-war period, this podcast - although condensed - aims to put that right a little. Enjoy! If you have any comments, observations or even salacious gossip you can contact me at podcast@classiccarguy.co.uk This podcast is researched, written, presented, edited, and produced by Andrew, the Classic Car Guy. If there is anything wrong with it, it's undeniably my fault. I preemptively apologise - I'm British - that's what we do.

    12 min
  5. Ep 8 - Max Hoffman: The Refugee Visionary Who Put Porsche and Mercedes on American Roads

    03/15/2025

    Ep 8 - Max Hoffman: The Refugee Visionary Who Put Porsche and Mercedes on American Roads

    Max Hoffman was the world's first, and probably last, of the great automotive importers, bringing at least 21 European marques to the vast North American post-war car market. His influence went much deeper than that, however, successfully influencing the creation of some true landmark models. He was a controversial character, however, with ruthless methods bordering on the deeply troubling. I'd be fascinated to learn of your views of Max Hoffman and the value, or otherwise, of his legacy. You can contact the podcast via the following e-mail: podcast@classiccarguy.co.uk This podcast is researched, written, presented, edited and produced by Andrew, the Classic Car Guy. The following links will steer you to some further information about some of the items mentioned in the podcast: The Hoffman House: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Max_Hoffman_House The Hoffman Centre: https://hoffmancenter.org/ Million Dollar Middleman book: https://media.veloce.co.uk/2022/October/V5503/Max-Hoffman.html Enjoy! Don't be a stranger!

    51 min
  6. Ep 7 - André Citroën: The Marketing Maverick Who Revolutionised French Motoring

    02/11/2025

    Ep 7 - André Citroën: The Marketing Maverick Who Revolutionised French Motoring

    André Citroën was a soldier, a visionary, a prolific gambler and a staunch advocate for workers rights and welfare. Possibly above all he was the father of automotive marketing and promotion, bar none. A life irrevocably interwoven with the modern history of Paris and more archetypically French than a croissant. I like him. I like him a lot. I hope you will too. The disappointingly small number of links referred to in the "footsteps" section follow. They are disappointing.......and small......: Parc André Citroën where the mighty Quai de Javel factory once stood. Oh......and there's a balloon ride.....: https://www.paris.fr/lieux/parc-andre-citroen-1791 André Citroën's final resting place: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/3461/andr%C3%A9-citroen https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/639007/cimeti%C3%A8re-du-montparnasse Great Automotive Lives is researched, written, presented, edited and produced by Andrew the Classic Car Guy. I also make the tea and put out the bins. Contact for all things podcast related can be made via podcast@classiccarguy.co.uk We promise to read every message.......because they range in number from none to vanishingly few.

    49 min
  7. Ep 6 - Ivan Hirst: The British Officer Who Saved Volkswagen After WWII

    02/03/2025

    Ep 6 - Ivan Hirst: The British Officer Who Saved Volkswagen After WWII

    Hands up those that know of Major Ivan Hirst.......... As I thought. Not that many compared to some of the household automotive names covered thus far in Great Automotive Lives. Ivan Hirst was a bone fide war hero turned automotive saviour whose war stories could probably trump those of your average Major in the REME. If you love your classic Volkswagens, or even if you don't, this is a story you should know. Enjoy! Here are the links that are referred to in the "footsteps" section of the podcast: The final resting place of Ivan Hirst: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/181895209/ivan-hirst https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2489488/st-thomas-churchyard-friarmere The Chippenham based REME museum where Hirst’s VolkswagenBeetle model is housed: https://www.rememuseum.org.uk/ The fancy Volkswagen themed museum in dear old Wolfsburg: https://www.automuseum-volkswagen.de/en/ I'd, as ever, be delighted to hear from you and you can drop me an email at podcast@classiccarguy.co.uk This podcast is written, presented, edited and produced by Andrew, the Classic Car Guy.

    49 min
  8. Ep 5 - William Morris: From Bicycle Shop to Automotive Titan and Philanthropist

    02/01/2025

    Ep 5 - William Morris: From Bicycle Shop to Automotive Titan and Philanthropist

    For episode five of Great Automotive Lives we have our first somewhat contentious subject - William Morris Viscount Nuffield. By the end of the episode I hope you will agree about the breadth and depth of Morris's automotive legacy. What about his darker side, however? Let me know what you think. podcast@classiccarguy.co.uk As promised here follow the links referred to during this episode: Morris’s long term home, Nuffield Place, now under thestewardship of the National Trust: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/oxfordshire-buckinghamshire-berkshire/nuffield-place The last resting place of Morris: https://www.nuffieldparish.com/nuffield-church Part of the Cowley plant that remains as the current Minifactory under BMW ownership: https://www.mini.co.uk/en_GB/home/mini-news/oxford-100.html Other Morris tributes in and around Oxford: https://www.britainbycar.co.uk/oxford/229-w-r-m-motors-ltd?highlight=WyJ3aWxsaWFtIiwibW9ycmlzIl0= https://www.britainbycar.co.uk/cowley/224-morris?highlight=WyJ3aWxsaWFtIiwibW9ycmlzIl0= https://morrisoxford.co.uk/william-morris-viscount-nuffield/ The new Morris / Austin exhibit at the wonderful BritishMotor Museum at Gaydon: https://www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/news/british-motor-museum-to-host-a-new-exhibit-featuring-austin-morris-at-work https://www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/news/lord-austins-office-finds-a-new-home https://greatbritishcarjourney.com  https://nationalmotormuseum.org.uk  https://www.lakelandmotormuseum.co.uk  https://www.haynesmuseum.org https://www.cotswoldmotoringmuseum.co.uk https://www.transport-museum.com/ Great Automotive Lives is written, presented, edited and produced by Andrew, The Classic Car Guy

    43 min
  9. Ep 4 - Herbert Austin: The Engineer Who Motorised Britain

    01/30/2025

    Ep 4 - Herbert Austin: The Engineer Who Motorised Britain

    By the time Herbert Austin founded his eponymous car company and bought the Longbridge Works in Birmingham he was already well known. With a life long passion for drawing and an unorthodox approach to business, Herbert Austin lived a fascinating great automotive life. Here are the links referred to in the episode.......and one that isn't.......... Herbert and Helen’s last resting place: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Trinity_Church,_Lickey The superb museums also mentioned: https://www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/news/lord-austins-office-finds-a-new-home https://greatbritishcarjourney.com https://nationalmotormuseum.org.uk https://www.lakelandmotormuseum.co.uk https://www.haynesmuseum.org https://www.cotswoldmotoringmuseum.co.uk I’m terribly sorry to the Coventry Transport Museum forforgetting to mention them. There is most certainly Austin related informationand exhibits here and it’s generally a great day out (sorry again!): https://www.transport-museum.com The Great Automotive Lives podcast is written, presented, edited and produced by Andrew, the Classic Car Guy. Nice things, polite suggestions and positive ideas can be sent to podcast@classiccarguy.co.uk

    40 min
  10. Ep 3 - Ferruccio Lamborghini: The Tractor King Who Took On Ferrari

    01/19/2025

    Ep 3 - Ferruccio Lamborghini: The Tractor King Who Took On Ferrari

    Episode 3 of Great Automotive Lives travels to Italy to inject a little Mediterranean heat and passion into proceedings. Like all our lives so far, Ferruccio Lamborghini achieved a great deal in a relatively short time with plenty of twists and turn on the way. Huge apologies are preemptively made to any Italian speakers listening. Some of the pronunciations you will encounter will likely make your hair stand on end! As promised here follows the links made mention of in the "Footsteps....." section of the podcast: The first of the museums dedicated to Ferruccio Lamborghiniwith the original project overseen by his son Tonino: http://www.museolamborghini.it/ The museum at the Lamborghini factory focussing on thehistory of the marque: https://www.museolamborghini.com/en/the-museum/ The Lamborghini vineyard: https://winebylamborghini.com/pages The Lamborghini golf…….pitch: https://www.tenutalamborghini.com/golf The final resting place of Ferruccio Lamborghini: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/8896422/ferruccio-lamborghini If you'd like to make contact with the podcast, probably to severely lambast me for the pronunciations, then please reach out! podcast@classiccarguy.co.uk

    36 min
  11. Ep 2 - Donald Healey: From Rally Stages to the Birth of the Austin Healey Legend

    01/18/2025

    Ep 2 - Donald Healey: From Rally Stages to the Birth of the Austin Healey Legend

    Donald Healey was a proud Cornishman, pilot, racer and ultimately worldwide automotive icon. From humble origins Healey lived a long, eventful and celebrated life. Join me to find out what made the man tick and about some of the key business milestones that peppered his life. The following links are referenced in the "Footsteps....." section of the podcast. Enjoy! Healey’s childhood home and now swanky looking holidaycottage: https://www.woodbinecottageperranporth.com Site of Donald Healey memorial stained glass window: https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/2686/ Imagery of said stained glass window: https://www.cornishstainedglass.org.uk/mgsdb/window.xhtml?churchid=168&locid=17 Church, home to Healey’s grave: https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/2426/ Cornish home to Healey and his wife Ivy for around 10 yearsfrom 1963. Now open as show gardens: https://www.trebahgarden.co.uk/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA-aK8BhCDARIsAL_-H9nyzDyPTzcd1IC5Puav-YGyazuW41tPp6swGLoJ4AO2pL1-POsOrGgaAqvsEALw_wcB The company that now occupies the Healey Motor Company’sWarwickshire premises: https://www.jmehealeys.co.uk/our-company

    40 min

  12. 01/16/2025

    Ep. 1 - Charles Rolls: The Daredevil Aristocrat Who Co-Founded a Motoring Empire

    In this inaugural episode of Great Automotive Lives, I explore the extraordinary life, legacy and legend of Charles Rolls, the pioneering British engineer, aviator, and co-founder of the legendary Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. Discover how Rolls' passion for automobiles and aviation helped shape the luxury car industry and revolutionise transportation in the early 20th century. I delve into his groundbreaking partnership with Henry Royce, the birth of the iconic motoring marque, and how Rolls' daring spirit took him from the showroom to the skies. From his early days at Eton and Cambridge to becoming the first Briton to die in a powered aircraft accident, this is the story of a man driven by innovation, passion and his un-slakeable thirst for adventure. Join me as I honor a true icon of automotive history whose name still defines luxury, excellence and exclusivity today. Contact can be made with suggestions for future episodes, derision over pronunciation missteps or kind words of encouragement. podcast@classiccarguy.co.uk Here follow the promised links as covered in the "......Footsteps" section of the podcast: Formerly the Hendre, Rolls's family home in Monmouthshire and now a golf club: https://www.therollsgolfclub.co.uk/ The church that is home to Rolls's grave and memorial plaque in the chancel: https://friendsoffriendlesschurches.org.uk/church/st-cadocs-llangattock-vibon-avel-monmouthshire/ Information about the Charles Rolls statue in Monmouth: https://www.visitdeanwye.co.uk/explore/famous-people/charles-rolls Memorials around the site of Rolls's death near Bournemouth: https://crht1910.org.uk/ The Blue Plaque in London outside the former Rolls-Royce offices and showrooms: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/blue-plaques/charles-rolls/ Charles Rolls statue in Dover commemorating his historic channel crossing flight: https://www.dover-kent.co.uk/people/rolls.html I hope you enjoy learning more about this dishevelled giant and please join me again for a new and shiny episode of Great Automotive Lives. Keywords: Charles Rolls, Rolls-Royce, automotive history, luxury cars, Great Automotive Lives podcast, Henry Royce, Silver Ghost, aviation pioneer, classic cars, early motoring legends, British automotive industry.

    40 min
  • 12 Episodes

About

Great Automotive Lives dives into the extraordinary stories behind the world’s most influential automotive pioneers — from Henry Rolls and Ferruccio Lamborghini to Ivan Hirst, David Brown and more. Each episode explores their lives, passions, innovations, rivalries, and the challenges that shaped their legacy. Perfect for fans of classic cars, automotive history, and the lives of automotive behemoths.

Information

  • Creator
    Andrew the Classic Car Guy
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    12
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Andrew the Classic Car Guy
  • Show Website
    Great Automotive Lives