First Car Stories: '79 Camaro Z28, Ford "Exploder" & Weber State Auto Tech 🏎️🔥

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What if your college classes involved rebuilding engines, testing 4-wheel dynos, and taking field trips to SEMA? 🎓🏎️

In this episode, we go back to school with Cade (Instructor) and Dallas (Student) from Weber State University's Automotive Technology Program in Ogden, Utah. Recently featured on PBS NewsHour, this unique program combines traditional automotive skills with cutting-edge computer science, preparing the next generation for the future of mobility.

We dive into their personal automotive histories, including Cade’s journey from a 1997 Dodge Neon Sport to diagnosing module programming at Ford Corporate, and Dallas's wild ride from a 2002 Mustang to a triple-black Range Rover Supercharged.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• 🔥 The "Exploder" Story: Dallas shares his harrowing experience with a Ford Explorer that lived up to its nickname in an Arby's drive-thru.
• 🏎️ The High School GTO: How Cade manifested a 2004 Pontiac GTO on his vision board and bought it the day before graduation.
• ⚡ Modern Mechanics: Why automotive technology is now housed in the same building as Computer Science and how students learn to fix everything from carburetors to EV battery modules.
• 🎓 The Weber State Advantage: A look inside the program that offers certificates, associate's, and bachelor's degrees—and sends students to SEMA in Las Vegas.
• 🔧 Project Cars: Dallas's ambitious Capstone project: building a Windows-powered, twin-turbo 2015 Mustang.

Listen to Caid and Dallas' favorite episode is with their colleagues from Weber's Automotive Technology Program, Brandon and McKenna: https://buzzsprout.com/2316026/episodes/16384509

Whether you are an aspiring mechanic, an industry pro, or just love a good story about blowing up cars in fast-food lines, this episode offers a fascinating look at the future of the trade.

🔗 Links & Resources:

• Check out the program: weber.edu/automotive
• Watch their tech videos: WeberAuto on YouTube
• Listen to our 60+ episodes on LinkTree 🔗🌲 https://linktr.ee/carsloved

📢 Join the Conversation: Did you take auto shop in school? What was your favorite project? Let us know on Instagram @toallthecarsivelovedbefore

Special Thanks to PBS NewsHour for connecting us with Weber State University’s leading Automotive Technology Program—where hands-on automotive education meets real-world automotive technology. 

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