This episode of The Thing About Cars features Annie Koehler, affectionately known as the “Hot-Rod Granny Annie.” Annie shares her incredible journey from owning nearly 100 cars to driving dump trucks professionally, and now competing—and winning—in burnout contests. And she just turned eighty. She tells us about her beloved 1957 Cadillac Series 62 DeVille, now modified with a 540-hp big block engine, and her epic 4,200-mile road trip across the American West. Annie also reflects on how car culture has changed since the 1950s, touching on everything from street racing to modern NASCAR.
Looking ahead, Annie is preparing for the Rockabilly Ruckus event in Ohio, where she’ll hit the dirt and drag strips once again. She’s got a full calendar of local events, all while searching for a tire sponsor to keep her burnout dreams alive. Annie’s story proves that passion for cars doesn’t fade with age—in fact, it just gets louder and smokier!
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