Horsepower Heritage
Host Maurice Merrick takes deep dives into automotive history with great storytelling and fascinating guests from the car and motorcycle world. It's all about the people and the stories behind the machines.
ONE of ONE with Ben Bertucci and So Naito
On a narrow street in Tokyo, there's a nondescript little workshop known as Naito Engineering, where some of the world's most desirable sports and racing cars are cared for by a small team of men.
Founded by Shinchi Naito in 1952, it's now a third generation business where, on any given day, you might find a Ferrari 250LM on the lift or a Porsche racing engine being rebuilt. Shinichi's son Masao and his grandsons So and Kei now carry on the tradition.
For seven years, filmmaker Ben Bertucci has been documenting the life of the shop, a...
Mel Harder, President and General Manager of Laguna Seca Raceway
One of the most historic racing circuits in the United States has a new helmsman.
Mel Harder is a motorsports management veteran who began his career at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and went on to manage Circuit of the Americas and the Chip Ganassi Racing Team.
In this episode, Mel talks about the past, present and future of Weathertech Raceway Laguna Seca and shares his insights on decades of experience in motorsports.
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Abarth Adventures with Lincoln Small
In the early 1960s, Lincoln Small fell in love with the perfomance-tuned FIATs built by Abarth. Soon he was obsessed with them, leading to a business venture with a pair of backyard-engineer brothers, John and Geoff Anstead, in which the three became the Abarth agents in the United Kingdom.
Under the Radbourne Motors banner, they imported, prepared, sold and raced the whole range of Abarth cars.
Now Lincoln Small has written an engaging and endearing account of his life among these cars entitled "Abarth, Radbourne Racing and Me: A memoir of iconic cars and racing a...
John Nikas: Racing, Writing and Rants
Few people speak more passionately about cars than John Nikas. He's a longtime vintage racing driver, an author of dozens of books, and a sought-after public speaker on automotive subjects.
His first love was for British sports cars in all their crudeness and stubborn tradition, but that was only the gateway to a lifetime spent behind the wheel and the writing desk.
In this conversation, John shares his thoughts about things like old MGs, the folly of the original Porsche 911, the heyday of Lotus in competition, some giants of racing, and the state of the ca...
Blake Swingle: Learning the Trade
Cultivating the next generation of automotive restorers and specialists is essential to the survival of the car hobby- whether your classic was built in 1900 or 1990.
Blake Swingle is one of these next-gen tradesmen. Soon to graduate from McPherson College (which offers the only Bachelor's degree in this field in the United States), Blake has learned the fundamentals of research, metalwork, machining, paint, upholstery and all of the other skills needed to preserve and even resurrect a classic car.
He's also an intern at The Singleton Collection in Orange County, California, home to some of the...
Dolce e Veloce: A Celebration of Italian Cars
"Sweet and fast" is a good way to describe the character of many classic Italian cars. Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Lancia, Ferrari, Maserati and other auto makers created enduring machines infused with the national culture.
In this episode we explore what makes them so special: things like design philosophy, emphasis on beautiful shapes, and performance-oriented engineering. Recorded live at the Petersen Automotive Museum's Dolce e Veloce Rally with guests Mike Baum of Macchinissima, automotive writer Robert Ross and collector Max Reyhani.
Visit Macchinissima: https://www.macchinissima.com
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Racing's Darkest Day: The 1955 Le Mans Disaster
The "Golden Age of Auto Racing" began after World War II and lasted until the early Seventies. It's a period that is frequently romanticized.
But that thin veneer was shattered at the 24 Hours of Le Mans on the afternoon of June 11, 1955, when a catastrophic collision caused the deaths of Mercedes-Benz driver Pierre Levegh and at least 83 spectators. Here's the story of that terrible day and its aftermath.
This episode was originally released in 2022 and is now updated and remastered.
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Juan Diego Calle of CLASSIC.COM
Combining his background in internet tech and vintage cars, Juan Diego Calle launched CLASSIC.COM to bring the collector car market together under one digital umbrella.
The website has seen tremendous user adoption and growth and it's become a prime destination for many people who want to buy or sell a special car.
Its useful data on market trends, pricing and past sales has become a valuable tool for anyone interested in the car hobby.
In this episode, Juan talks about CLASSIC as well as his other ventures like the FJ Company (bespoke Toy...
The Birth of Le Mans
It's arguably the greatest event in motorsport- The 24 Hours of LeMans. A grueling trial of men and machines, and for many drivers, the race they most want to win.
Its roots are as deep as the history of the automobile. This is the story of how it all began.
DOLCE è VELOCE AT THE PETERSEN MUSEUM:
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HEMI: Chrysler's Postwar Powerhouse
After World War II, the American auto industry became obsessed with power and performance, and Chrysler Corporation's Hemi engines became legendary.
This is the story of the Hemi like you've never heard it before.
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Hot Rod Mavericks with Tony Thacker
Veteran writer Tony Thacker has spent decades covering the world of hot rods and motorcycles for multiple magazines in the U.S. and UK, and is the author of over thirty books. His latest work is "Hot Rod Mavericks", which profiles the key builders, engineers and racers in the history of the hot rod movement.
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Fueling the Future (with Rob McGinnis of Prometheus Fuels)
Gasoline, Diesel and even jet fuel made out of thin air- it sounds like science fiction, but it's now a reality.
Rob McGinnis and his team at Prometheus Fuels in Santa Cruz, California have developed a way to extract the elemental building blocks from the atmosphere and turn it into synthetic hydrocarbons that can then be formulated into just about any fuel you want.
They say they'll beat the current price you see at the pump, and the process is carbon neutral, relying on what's already swirling around us. This could be the future of fu...
The Concours Club (with Aaron Weiss)
One of the biggest trends in the upper echelon of car culture is the development of private racing circuits... where members can really take their machines into "the zone" and exploit the performance of today's most sophisticated supercars.
The Concours Club is one such facility, a state-of-the art "motorsport country club" with all the amenities- a highly versatile circuit, professional driving coaches, a fleet of BMW M2 Club Sports, and gourmet food and beverage service in an elegant trackside restaurant- all just minutes from the heart of Miami, Florida.
It's also a venue for many...
The Virtual Car Collection
Let's be honest: we all spend way too much time online looking at cars for sale, right? It's irresistible. It's almost as if we're building a "virtual" car collection.
And that's the whole idea behind this episode- pick some cars to suit a few different needs and see what it might cost to put them all in your garage.
But an unlimited budget would make this easy- so keep it reasonable. You don't have to be rich to have fun with cars.
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Magnificent Obsession (Encore)
This is the fascinating true story of the most mysterious car collections ever assembled, a tale of international intrigue and relentless pursuit on a scale so grand that it sent shockwaves through the classic car world for decades.
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Chris Jacobs Keeps on Haulin'
From the monster TV hit "Overhaulin'" to the Mecum Auctions and more, Chris Jacobs has been able to combine his car passions with a long and successful career in front of the camera.
He's a die-hard MoPar guy and loves high performance, but also a family man and a true media professional. In this episode Chris and Maurice talk American muscle, career, and car culture. Enjoy!
Watch Dream Collections with Chris Jacobs:
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The Grand Palais Auction (with Eric Minoff of Bonham's Cars)
Ahh, Paris! Every February, the classic and collector car world converges on the City of Lights for Rétromobile- a massive assemblage of the best offerings in every category of automobilia.
It's also the site of Bonhams Cars Grand Palais auction, which has something for every taste, from the horseless carriages of the 19th Century to the supercars of today.
In this episode, Eric Minoff of Bonhams Cars joins us with a bevy of selections from this year's catalogue. Some of the picks may surprise you, from vintage racers to turbo titans. You're sure to fin...
Alex Porter of Bring a Trailer
From its beginning as a simple email newsletter to becoming the new paradigm of classic and collector car buying, Bring a Trailer has always had community at the heart of its success.
Alex Porter was such a fan of the website that he joined the team. He's seen it all as Bring a Trailer has grown, and in this episode, Alex shares his insights on the dynamics of buying and selling, trends in the marketplace, and how to craft a successful listing.
Alex and Maurice also discuss the phenomenon of "Power Sellers", th...
Restoration Specialist Forrest Davis of Griot's Motors
Anyone who's ever had a project car has a vision of the finished product in their mind's eye- but living up to the dream can be a challenge. Luckily, there are shops like Griot's Motors that take pains to do a proper job.
Forrest Davis is the shop foreman at Griot's and he's obsessive about the details that set a project apart from lesser efforts. From nuts and bolts to paint and body, an authentic restoration is more than the sum of its parts.
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Dan Gurney: The All-American Racer (with Kip Cyprus and Justin Gurney)
Daniel Sexton Gurney (1931-2018) was a Southern California Hot-Rodder who became one of the most successful racing drivers in the history of motorsport, with wins in Saloon Car, Sports Car, NASCAR, Indy Car and Formula One.
Gurney raced for the Arciero Brothers, Luigi Chinetti's North American Racing Team, Ferrari, Brabham, BRM and Porsche before teaming up with Carroll Shelby to found All American Racers in 1964.
Gurney was always seeking out men of motorsport at the top of their game: he collaborated with Colin Chapman of Lotus, engine maestro Harry Weslake, and the ambitious cadre at...
Ferrari 330 GTC: The Story of a Thoroughbred
The rearing horse emblem of Ferrari is meant to suggest a taut, muscular thoroughbred, straining at the reins, snorting and ready to bolt.
After all, that's what you want in a race horse: and pure specimen on the edge of control. And for years, that's what Ferrari's customers got when they were handed the keys of a new road car- under that sexy coachwork was a race-bred machine.
But there came a time when the firm's patrons wanted more refinement and sophistication. That car came in 1966 as the Ferrari 330 GTC. Soon it was proclaimed the finest...
PORSCHE OUTLAWS with Michael Alan Ross
Years ago, Michael Alan Ross decided to merge his two great passions: cars and photography. He's worked with scores of brands and publications such as Hot Rod, Porsche Cars North America, Porsche Panorama, Rodder's Journal, and many more.
His latest work chronicles the fascinating subculture of Porsche "Outlaws"- highly personalized automobiles that reflect the rebellious streak of their builders and owners.
Outlaws defy the conventional, and as an old-school Hot Rodder himself, Ross immediately recognized and appreciated this special phenomenon within the world of Porsche enthusiasts.
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TALES from the JUNKYARD with Jonas Lach and Daniel Harrison
Let us take you inside one of the most bizarre classic car auctions ever: RM Sotheby's JUNKYARD Auction (AKA the Rudi Klein Collection).
For decades, the reclusive Mr. Klein tucked away scores of desirable European sports cars. His Los Angeles salvage yard, "Porche Foreign Auto", was known for harboring hundreds of rare machines behind its walls, many of which had met with an untimely end- smashed seemingly beyond repair. But the decades of dry storage paid off, because most went far beyond their one-time scrap value in what was certainly one of the most unlikely auctions in t...
Ryan Fielding of RINGBROTHERS
It's time for SEMA 2024 and that means that all the top builders are revealing their latest creations. Mike and Jim Ring of Spring Green, Wisconsin bring the heat every year!
RINGBROTHERS continues to push the boundaries of Restomods, and Ryan Fielding plays a critical role in that effort. He's the Chief Fabricator, leading a team of skilled technicians who take high performance dreams and hammer them into reality.
Ryan did his turn in engineering school before committing to customs motorcycles, hotrods and sculpture as his vocation, but he always kept touch with Mike and Jim...
Brandon Hegedus, Master Craftsman
In a suburban garage in Alberta, Canada, Brandon Hegedus builds eye-popping replicas of some of the world's rarest and most desirable performance cars.
We're talking cars that virtually no one can own because they are either so rare or valuable that the only option is to recreate them.
It all started as a personal challenge to replicate a 1961 Ferrari Tipo 156 "Sharknose" Formula 1 car (the originals no longer exist).
Using modern materials like carbon fiber, Brandon recreated the iconic Sharknose bodywork. Underneath, he used modern mechanicals that approximated the original performance of the Tipo 156...
The Mysterious Case of Rudolf Diesel (Encore Presentation) with Douglas Brunt
You've probably never thought much about Diesel fuel or Diesel engines beyond the mere technical- but how about the man who invented the power plant that moves the world?
Few people realize that he disappeared without a trace on the evening of September 29, 1913 from a passenger ferry crossing from Antwerp, Belgium to London, England.
In his book "The Mysterious Case of Rudolf Diesel", New York Times
best-selling author Douglas Brunt plays detective and weaves a true story of innovation, intrigue and "Great Power" games- all culminating in the fascinating reveal of what happened to...
Inside Macchinissima
Italy has produced some true wonders: amazing food & wine, Renaissance art and architecture, and many of the world's most desirable cars.
Not long ago, three Los Angeles car enthusiasts decided to organize a new event celebrating the best Italian machinery in a distinctive location. Mike Baum, Bronson Page and Dorian Valenzuela are friends, collectors, and creatives behind MACCHINISSIMA.
It's more than just a car show- it's an immersive experience where every detail has been considered. In this episode you'll learn what's special about cars like Alfa Romeo and Lancia, how Italian design has been embraced...
Inside the Nethercutt Collection with Cameron Richards
J.B. Nethercutt ranked among the heavy hitters of car collecting for over fifty years, amassing a treasure trove of rare and remarkable machines numbering in the hundreds. Packard, Pierce-Arrow, Duesenberg, Cadillac, Chrysler, Marmon, Mercedes, Ruxton and Stutz are just some of the great nameplates he collected.
Today, the Nethercutt Collection is a world-class assemblage of the finest motorcars in history, and it's also one of the most accessible to the general public.
J.B.'s great grandson, Cameron Richards, serves as the vice president and curator of the collection. Cameron has been a regular gu...
DeLorean: The Man and Machine (with Matt Stone)
Engineer, marketing genius, GM executive, playboy, car maker. John DeLorean seemed to have it all. A thrilling career, a series of beautiful wives, and even an eponymous sports car that would usher in the 1980s. That is, until things turned desperate.
Automotive journalist and author Matt Stone joins the podcast to discuss his new book "DeLorean: The Rise, Fall, and Second Acts".
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The Mighty Merlin (Encore Episode)
Of all the internal combustion engines ever built, the Rolls-Royce Merlin, a 27-liter supercharged V-12 that powered fighters, bombers, boats and tanks, is arguably one of the most famous in history.
Developed on the eve of World War II, the Merlin helped win the Battle of Britain and eventually the liberation of an enslaved Europe. It was manufactured on both sides of the Atlantic by two of the finest carmakers in the world. This is the story of how it was developed, and what it meant to the many (and the few).
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Impossible Journey: Peking to Paris, 1907 (With Kassia St. Clair)
The early days of the motorcar were troublesome, frustrating, and most of all, adventurous- if you agree that "adventure" by definition means there's a chance of risking life and limb.
And why else would mankind attempt what might seem like folly or futility, other than for the excitement that adventure brings?
Such was the case with the 1907 Peking to Paris Motorcar Challenge, a stunt invented by a Paris newspaper and embraced by a motley bunch of daring automobilists: 8000 miles across tractless wastes and deep mire, pushing men and machines to the limit.
Kassia S...
Le Monstre- Chapter 2 (With Derek Drinkwater)
More of the adventures of Derek Drinkwater and his incredible 1950 Cadillac Series 61 special LeMans racer replica.
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Racing "Le Monstre" with Derek Drinkwater
Car builder, fabricator, collector, entrepreneur, TV presenter and racing driver are but a few of the things you'll find on Derek Drinkwater's resumé. He's always been interested in cars but one the really captivted him was the slab-sided Cadillac Series 61 special entered by American Sportsman Briggs Cunningham in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
It was unlike anything ever raced at LeMans, and the Americans were certainly a spectacle.
It was a fairly stock 1950 Cadillac custom-skinned by Grumman Aircraft Company of Long Island, New York, and when the French race fans saw it, they dubbed it "Le...
Bikes & Brews With Jeremy & Jeff DeConcini
In the desert, they like dirt bikes and cold beer. Brothers Jeremy and Jeff DeConcini grew up ripping through down trails in the Sonora Desert on
their motorcycles.
They graduated to ADV and sport bikes and took that love of riding into their business plan. Today, Jeremy and Jeff own Moto Sonora Brewing Company and produce a variety of beers with various themes such as motorcycles and auto racing.
Recently, Jeremy and Jeff rode their bikes out the the coast for a getaway, so we decided it was time for a summit.
...
Fly Ferraris, Plus: A Pikes Peak Report
Go inside an impeccably curated car collection with Dr. Gerald Alexander.
Plus, a boots on the ground report from the 2024 Pikes Peak International Hillclimb with special guest Ryan Bahrke, one of the hosts of the all-new podcast, "The Roadshow".
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Valerie Thompson, Queen of Speed
One day in the late Nineties, Valerie Thompson accidentally got on a motorcycle.
She was hooked immediately, and so began an impressive career in drag racing and land speed attempts.
Valerie is the fastest female on two wheels, a member of the 200 and 300 mile per hour clubs, and holds ten world records. She’s a member of the Sturgis Motorcycle Hall of Fame.
Valerie survived a horrific crash at Bonneville, and through it she all demonstrated the highest levels of professionalism. Her story is inspiring to anyone who has an interest in racing and person...
Bob Gurr: Designing Dreams
Although he had a legendary career as a Disney Imagineer, Bob Gurr originally trained in automotive design.
In his youth, Bob was a hot rodder and custom guy. He attended Art Center and was hired by Ford Motor Company before deciding to leave Detroit and make his living back in California, helping to conceive and build an entirely new world of wonders called Disneyland...but he's never lost his love of cars.
Recently Bob sat down with Maurice (and Bobby Green of The Old Crow Speed Shop) to look back on his lifelong fascination with ca...
SLEEPER! Prius V8
You know what they say: "LS swap everything". And that's became the General Motors LS family of V8 engines is cheap high performance for nearly every drifter, street rodder and resto-modder. But what putting an LS in a tired, high mileage econobox?
That's what Brant Stephenson did. He shoehorned an LS into a Toyota Prius and created an intriguing sleeper.
FOLLOW BRANT on Instagram and TikTok at @just_aint_care
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Sinuhe Xavier: Tranquilo Trails
The wide open spaces of the American West- especially the deserts- have always held a special appeal.
Sinuhe Xavier knows this well. He's explored thousands of square miles, mostly in Land Rovers, while at the same time writing, photographing and filming the landscape and its secrets.
He's skied professionally, ridden motorcycles in South America, crossed Morocco in a 4x4, and directed many television commercials to pay the bills. But it always comes back to wanderlust and the next adventure.
In this episode, Maurice talks overlanding and other things with Sinuhe (and his son...
Gulf Racing: The Glory Years
The Orange and Blue of Gulf Racing is one of the most familiar liveries in motorsport.
When Englishman John Wyer got together with a Texas oil executive named Grady Davis, they formed a fast friendship and a winning partnership, taking on Ferrari and the rest. From the Ford GT40 to the Mirage and Porsche 917K, this is the story behind the fast colors and fast cars that made history.
ENCORE EPISODE
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