Cars from the 1950’s and 60’s that you’ve probably never heard of. Do you think you know about classic cars? What about rare cars? Some car buffs might recognize the brands Frazier or Devin but mention “Grantham” and they might think you are talking about Downton Abbey. What about Allied, Glasspar, Ferber, LaDawri or Voodoo? … Read more

Dan Plan from the Midwest Racing Connection, an expert on short track racing, visits the gang on Dawn’s birthday and sees us at our befuddled best. Dawn relives her 21st birthday. Misty’s new nickname is “Racing Nugget.” We start a conspiracy theory that JFK was killed by Mr. Bean. Phil the Bollard survives bollard carnage. … Read more

We apologize in advance for our our kitchen apparel fashion tips. With a three of our crew missing, the remaining cast members try to channel our missing mates (seance not included.) We discuss the action and results of the 2023 24 Hours of Le Mans sports car race, which leads to creating The Thing About … Read more

Ben’s buddy Derek tells us about his road trips around the world. Namibia! West Africa! Kazakhstan! Connecticut! What do they have in common? You can find warm Coca-Cola everywhere in the world! We welcome your support via Patreon and your questions and feedback via our website. Support The Thing About Cars by contributing to their … Read more

The Mistyry box: Misty gets a shipment from the ‘States.

Nobody here but us cheeckens with Micky away on the west coast.

Misty sets a new record for getting to moist, our guest is a no-show, and Dave sheds some light on J.D. Power.

Ben reviews a BMW X5.

It’s a One-Butt Kitchen: Mickey is going to send Misty a mystery-box and also announces that he’s purchased a house that will eventually have his dream-garage, and we’re all waiting for the garage-warming party!

Loxley Browne of Club Athena makes a quick visit to talk about a special event in partnership with DHL and Andretti Autosport. Seven dedicated “Athenians” will be chosen to spend two days trackside with Andretti and DHL Express team members as they learn from industry experts and have fun with hands-on experiences.  

Our guest no-shows, so the panel goes on a corvette-conversational-out-of-body experience.

Misty’s Miata Madness

Formula SAE racing: Returning guest Dean Case tells us about his involvement with the Society of Automotive Engineers’ student programs including racing.

Playing with Hot Wheels: We speak with Hot Wheels historian and brand ambassador Mike Zarnock about all things Hot Wheels.

Peanut Butter and Tire Sammiches! The crew starts with culinary bravery- what don’t you want in YOUR sammich? We welcome Greg Barner back to the table to discuss tires. Is Goodyear’s new sustainable tire as good as it sounds? What about Michelin’s airless tire?

Good Wishes and Duct Tape: Mickey generates his own susnspots! Dave and Jay from The Auto Authorities podcast join us to tell us all about their iAtoAgent business for being your agent to buy cars. What cars are always in demand? Have we found our new theme song? Misty has a thing about things that start with F.

Don’t Deny The Fun! How much intelligence is required for defensive driving? Misty is no longer contemplating sewing underwear for her cats but still has a serious grudge against Ford. How much charge can you get from an electric Dodge Charger? How much cheezy fake exhaust-noise does it need? Does Mickey need a muscle-car or an SUV? Tune in and be offended!

Shortest Episode Ever: Dave sounds phlegmish and has BeeGees in his carburettors. Do you really need those BG services that dealers offer? Should you kiss your mechanic? Misty rants about Dutch Mazda dealers. Tim’s rental car REALLY wants him to BRAKE!!! And just what the heck does Escalade mean anyway?

Film-maker Scott Hardie made a documentary about Paul Moller, who has worked for decades to make flying cars a reality. Is Moller a genius or a crackpot?

Paul Sher talks about his work with movie and TV cars. How much fun is it to drive the A-Team van?

We are visited by Sam Fiorani, who has a background as an automotive salesman, author, show judge, industry forecaster and museum board member.

I’ll Tell You In A Second: Dave has a special challenge for us because he missed us all horribly and trivia asks us when the rumble seat last graced us with its presence.

Regular listeners of The Thing About Cars will know that since the beginning of the show, I’ve been driving a Mazda and loving it. Unfortunately, in late December of 2021 that Mazda got totaled. It was a 2013 Mazda 3 hatchback in the top-of-the-line iGrand Touring trim level. I’d bought it gently used in 2015 … Read more

After some exhaustive research, Ben lets us know which vehicles are most likely to be Left Lane Bandits and slow us down in the fast lane.

A Blast From The Recent Past In this casually non-themed episode from a few months back, we do a poor job of foreshadowing already released The Abby K episode, then the gang meanders around some random topics to give us their take on: Flying Ferrari F1 cars at Imola, Italy. How can we do a … Read more

Abby K rocks our show. Professional rock singer and bassist Abby K joins us for this episode and we learn: Is she the sister of Alice Cooper’s and Demi Lovato’s guitarist Nita Strauss? Why does former TTAC guest Ricky Rachtman give her career advice? What kind of cars does an up and coming rock star … Read more

Professional rock singer and bassist Abby K joins us for this episode and we learn: Is she the sister of Alice Cooper’s and Demi Lovato’s guitarist Nita Strauss?

TTAC seeks Marketing / Social Media Intern

More Miata Madness: As we continue with Bob Hall’s history of co-designing the original MX-5 Miata, we find out: What car Bob refuses to design in the future. Why “Designed in California” is a positive message about a cars and other products to the global audience. Concept cars: why we see some in production and … Read more

Bob Hall, Part 2

Much ado about Miatas: We are joined by Bob Hall, one of the founding fathers of the original MX-5 Miata. Among the unique questions that are answered: What pricing number is considered lucky in Japan and China? Why was the original Miata priced higher than it needed to be and why did the price point … Read more

Bob Hall: Co-Designer of the Original Miata

Or: Tag, You’re It   The display of registration status on cars is a funny thing, in both senses of the word. The humble license plate, number plate as they call it in the UK, or just plain ‘tag’ as many Americans call it, goes back almost as far as the automobile itself and serves … Read more

Sometimes we replace the cars we love. Ben reveals how he was involved in a multiple mangled Mazda mishap which led him to buying a new (to him) car. Misty misses her mate’s Mazda and is not a fan of the replacement. Nissan’s recent styling ideas are brought into question and Dave speaks up for … Read more

Roses & Birthday Cake Sometimes we replace the cars we love.

The gang discusses which vehicles sell best in the USA overall and region by region. The results then lead us to a journey meandering around: Which vehicles can haul and tow which items and where? Which vehicles are best for tailgating and what items could and should be brought along? If you are an American … Read more

A Tailgating Culinary Corner Short Stack

Dreams, the demi-monde, a double header of trivia, dangerous Jeddah, and where in the world is Dennis’ McLaren. Mickey starts off with his odd dreams, and Dave speaks fondly of weaponized silence and the demi-monde nightlife. Mickey hits us with a double dose of trivia. Misty cries foul on the Jeddah GP, and waxes poetic … Read more

Dreams, the demi-monde, a double header of trivia, dangerous Jeddah, and where in the world is Dennis’ McLaren. Mickey starts off with his odd dreams, and Dave speaks fondly of weaponized silence and the demi-monde nightlife. Mickey hits us with a double dose of trivia. Misty cries foul on the Jeddah GP, and waxes poetic … Read more

We’re all fired up today but the BBQ will have to wait. Grand Trivia Auto asks who first made cars in Japan. Dave wants to know what all the formulae in racing mean, Tim tries to explain it but we go down the rabbit-hole of engineering and competitiveness in different types of racing Misty confesses … Read more

We’re all fired up today but the BBQ will have to wait. Grand Trivia Auto asks who first made cars in Japan. Dave wants to know what all the formulae in racing mean, Tim tries to explain it but we go down the rabbit-hole of engineering and competitiveness in different types of racing Misty confesses … Read more

We are joined by our friend Spencer for a wide-ranging discuss of ambulances and the life of emergency medical providers. We kick off with a discussion of Sharena sol. We unbraid the Pontiac rope drive. And, we learn the real meaning of the Pontiac Fiero! We promised the link to the Suicide Prevention Lifeline. If … Read more

We are joined by our friend Spencer for a wide-ranging discuss of ambulances and the life of emergency medical providers. We kick off with a discussion of Sharena sol. We unbraid the Pontiac rope drive. And, we learn the real meaning of the Pontiac Fiero! We promised the link to the Suicide Prevention Lifeline. If … Read more

Our guest Liam tells us about his unique collection of British motor vehicles and a Mopar econobox; British car jokes abound.The gang tries to remember which Mitsubishis are Dodges, which other Mitsubishi is a Chrysler and which Chrysler Corp.’s cars are amalgamations of parts from yet other manufacturers. Apparently, if you know more about this … Read more

Gaffney’s Butt On A Stick

Ben’s on some really good back pain medication and advises us on how long to refrigerate our car parts. He also presents our trivia question pondering the meaning of Pantera – both the car and by the associative property, also the metal band. Dave is shocked to find that Pep Boys no longer carries fuses, … Read more

Ben’s on some really good back pain medication and advises us on how long to refrigerate our car parts. He also presents our trivia question pondering the meaning of Pantera – both the car and by the associative property, also the metal band. Dave is shocked to find that Pep Boys no longer carries fuses, … Read more

Mickey and Ben drool over some really cool German cars! We lament a lack of sausage and beer, discuss older and newer German cars, admire many of the ones present, get indecisive about which one we’d like to take home, but abandon our indecision to go find some schnitzel. It was an AUSGEZEICHNET day to … Read more

Mickey and Ben drool over some really cool German cars! We lament a lack of sausage and beer, discuss older and newer German cars, admire many of the ones present, get indecisive about which one we’d like to take home, but abandon our indecision to go find some schnitzel. It was an AUSGEZEICHNET day to … Read more

Ford’s Bronco Pickup, Mustang Mach E, taking cats on car trips. Carrol Shelby, Spokane, WA, Hagerty goes public. Mickey lets us know that Ford’s Bronco Pickup version might be a miss while the Mustang Mach E might be a hit. The whole gang tells tales of taking cats on car trips. Ben relay’s his sightings … Read more

Ford’s Bronco Pickup, Mustang Mach E, taking cats on car trips. Carroll Shelby, Spokane, WA, Hagerty goes public. Mickey lets us know that Ford’s Bronco Pickup version might be a miss while the Mustang Mach E might be a hit. The whole gang tells tales of taking cats on car trips. Ben relay’s his sightings … Read more

KTM Ambassador Paolo tells us all about his adventures traveling the world on two wheels. We hope he survives India! Misty wants to get violent with root-vegetables, and a listener question gives us gas but we’d rather have a limoncello. We welcome your support via Patreon and your questions and feedback via our website. Source … Read more

KTM Ambassador Paolo tells us all about his adventures traveling the world on two wheels. We hope he survives India! Misty wants to get violent with root-vegetables, and a listener question gives us gas but we’d rather have a limoncello. We welcome your support via Patreon and your questions and feedback via our website. Source … Read more

Clint, from the Car Space (formerly known as The Auto Riff) podcast joins us to talk about how he got sucked into cars and into podcasting. We talk about running boot, running things into houses, Japanese K-Cars. Dave preemptively apologizes for his distant Canadian relatives, then we all fall slightly in love with K-Cars. Clint … Read more

Clint, from the Car Space (formerly known as The Auto Riff) podcast joins us to talk about how he got sucked into cars and into podcasting. We talk about running boot, running things into houses, Japanese K-Cars. Dave preemptively apologizes for his distant Canadian relatives, then we all fall slightly in love with K-Cars. Clint … Read more

Dawn, Ben & Mickey take a field trip to Italian Car Day, 2021, thanks to our friend John Montgomery. (Who knew that Italian Car Day welcomes French cars?) We explore the history of the Alfa Romeo logo. Ben reminisces about his “Ferris Bueller” joy ride in his father’s Alfa. The panel discusses whether to tell … Read more

Dawn, Ben & Mickey take a field trip to Italian Car Day, 2021, thanks to our friend John Montgomery. (Who knew that Italian Car Day welcomes French cars?) We explore the history of the Alfa Romeo logo. Ben reminisces about his “Ferris Bueller” joy ride in his father’s Alfa. The panel discusses whether to tell … Read more

After a multi-lingual introduction, our guest Jennifer expresses the love she had for her 1994 Ford Ranger. Mickey gives us 2, (yes, two!) trivia questions for the price of one. Misty lets us know where you can find a VW Microbus bar attached to a pool. Speaking of drinks, we debate which alcohol fueled group … Read more

After a multi-lingual introduction, our guest Jennifer expresses the love she had for her 1994 Ford Ranger. Mickey gives us 2, (yes, two!) trivia questions for the price of one. Misty lets us know where you can find a VW Microbus bar attached to a pool. Speaking of drinks, we debate which alcohol fueled group … Read more

Mickey explains the unintended hiatus with an apology. We welcome your support via Patreon and your questions and feedback via our website. This podcast is powered by Pinecast. Source link

Mickey explains the unintended hiatus with an apology. We welcome your support via Patreon and your questions and feedback via our website. This podcast is powered by Pinecast. Source link

The hosts of Full Circle With Nick & Fred join the group, touching on the finer points of 1980’s Porsches, Mustang Shaming, and Hurricane Shaming, among other things. We find an alternative to The Tail Of The Dragon, hear stories of insects invading automobiles, and the gang tries to solve a condiment Catch-22. We welcome … Read more

The hosts of Full Circle With Nick & Fred join the group, touching on the finer points of 1980’s Porsches, Mustang Shaming, and Hurricane Shaming, among other things. We find an alternative to The Tail Of The Dragon, hear stories of insects invading automobiles, and the gang tries to solve a condiment Catch-22. We welcome … Read more

Misty is in love with “Claudette,” wants to give her gifts, and can’t let her go. On the other hand, Ben enjoys playing the field on a weekly basis (automotively speaking, of course). The gang ponders a listener’s question about what you lose when you disconnect a vehicle’s battery. Our trivia question has us thinking … Read more

Misty is in love with “Claudette,” wants to give her gifts, and can’t let her go. On the other hand, Ben enjoys playing the field on a weekly basis (automotively speaking, of course). The gang ponders a listener’s question about what you lose when you disconnect a vehicle’s battery. Our trivia question has us thinking … Read more

Mickey ponders purple’s poor popularity. Misty prefers pink and likes things that run like a sewing machine. Ben breaks the news that the company who brought us Prius zealots likes electrically powered vehicles only if they also have an internal combustion engine. Dave and Ben discuss what determines if a car is a classic or … Read more

Mickey ponders purple’s poor popularity. Misty prefers pink and likes things that run like a sewing machine. Ben breaks the news that the company who brought us Prius zealots likes electrically powered vehicles only if they also have an internal combustion engine. Dave and Ben discuss what determines if a car is a classic or … Read more

Just three of us for this one. Dave is feeling al dente while Mickey grinds his gears and Dawn forgets to use the high beams. Does Mickey have a nun-fetish? And why can’t we get those cool concept cars? We welcome your support via Patreon and your questions and feedback via our website. This podcast … Read more

Just three of us for this one. Dave is feeling al dente while Mickey grinds his gears and Dawn forgets to use the high beams. Does Mickey have a nun-fetish? And why can’t we get those cool concept cars? We welcome your support via Patreon and your questions and feedback via our website. This podcast … Read more

Our good friend, Trivia Czar Tim joins us to discuss the merits of various songs about cars. Dave and Misty bring the bling and class with Swarovski and Venetian Lace accessories leaving Mickey and Dawn feeling woefully underdressed. Dave admits a little too much familiarity with last-chance gas and Beyonce, Ben takes a moment to … Read more

Our good friend, Trivia Czar Tim joins us to discuss the merits of various songs about cars. Dave admits a little too much familiarity with last-chance gas and Beyonce, Ben takes a moment to talk about muscle-car sales and angry police cars. We chew on some listener questions, and we hope Misty isn’t smelling toast. … Read more

First, we answer a listener question about whether aviation fuel can be run in a car (don’t do it!). Then we discuss our favourite cars in movies–don’t crash your Ferrari through the garage wall, and don’t drive your Lotus underwater! Dawn drives the decades right into the ’90s and gives Ben a chance to critique … Read more

First, we answer a listener question about whether aviation fuel can be run in a car (don’t do it!). Then we discuss our favourite cars in movies–don’t crash your Ferrari through the garage wall, and don’t drive your Lotus underwater! Dawn drives the decades right into the ’90s and gives Ben a chance to critique … Read more

Happy Pride! We record this show on the 50th anniversary of the first Pride Parade in Atlanta. We celebrate Pride Dave introduces us to the Lambda Car Club, the largest club for LGBTQ+ car enthusiasts in the country. Ben recounts his visit to the Worship Cruise In where he learned about the Cops-In-Cars Car Show … Read more

Happy Pride! We record this show on the 50th anniversary of the first Pride Parade in Atlanta. We celebrate Pride Dave introduces us to the Lambda Car Club, the largest club for LGBTQ+ car enthusiasts in the country. Ben recounts his visit to the Worship Cruise In where he learned about the Cops-In-Cars Car Show … Read more

Dean Case was a junior engineer at Mazda R&D when the Miata was developed. We discuss his career, the history of the Miata, and the connection to a Taco Bell Test Kitchen. (Bob Hall is the true father of the Miata.) In Cultural Collision, Misty wants to talk about Miatas in Film. (And who knew … Read more

Dean Case was a junior engineer at Mazda R&D when the Miata was developed. We discuss his career, the history of the Miata, and the connection to a Taco Bell Test Kitchen. (Bob Hall is the true father of the Miata.) In Cultural Collision, Misty wants to talk about Miatas in Film. (And who knew … Read more

This week, Dave celebrates No Pants Day, Misty brings our Grand Trivia Auto question, and Ben introduces Paul Harmon, proud (2nd)owner of a Million (plus) Mile Mercedes 240D. Paul waxes poetic about his 4 cylinder, 4-speed manual transmission 1981 Mercedes 2401D, how many 240Ds were produced in Germany for the US market (480,000+!), buying a … Read more

This week, Dave celebrates No Pants Day, Misty brings our Grand Trivia Auto question, and Ben introduces Paul Harmon, proud (2nd)owner of a Million (plus) Mile Mercedes 240D. Paul waxes poetic about his 4 cylinder, 4-speed manual transmission 1981 Mercedes 2401D, how many 240Ds were produced in Germany for the US market (480,000+!), buying a … Read more

Stephe Koontz joins us to discuss her long and varied history in the world of hot rod cars! I That New Car Smell, Ben digs into the impact of the computer ship shortage on automotive production lines. Misty’s having an existential crisis over trading in Claudette, causing the panel to stage an intervention. In the … Read more

Stephe Koontz joins us to discuss her long and varied history in the world of hot rod cars! I That New Car Smell, Ben digs into the impact of the computer ship shortage on automotive production lines. Misty’s having an existential crisis over trading in Claudette, causing the panel to stage an intervention. In the … Read more

Our friends Mary & Libby Williams join us for a show exploring sibling rivalry and automotive death. Mickey explores Libby’s passion for hats and addiction to paint. Mary discusses the artistic evolution of her Nissan Pioneer. The team discusses what makes a great convertible. In Relationship Roadster, Misty takes us through family history of her … Read more

Our friends Mary & Libby Williams join us for a show exploring sibling rivalry and automotive death. Mickey explores Libby’s passion for hats and addiction to paint. Mary discusses the artistic evolution of her Nissan Frontier. The team discusses what makes a great convertible. In Relationship Roadster, Misty takes us through family history of her … Read more

Mary and Libby share tales of their worst car, a 1974 Austin Marina (aka Morris Marina). We welcome your support via Patreon and your questions and feedback via our website. Source link

Mary and Libby share tales of their worst car, a 1974 Austin Marina (aka Morris Marina). We welcome your support via Patreon and your questions and feedback via our website. Source link

Loxley Brown joins us to talk about Athena Racing, a nonprofit dedicated to opening doors for young women into the transportation industry, we talk about Trivia Czars, favorite movies about cars, rescuing cars displayed without their consent, and Dave’s probably possessed Jeep. First up is a straw poll on electing Tim as our Trivia Czar … Read more

Czars, Cars, and Summer Camp with Loxley

Our guest Brian Phillips tells us all about his cars, which he put more thought into names for than some people put into names for their children, and about what a thorough car-shopper he is. Dawn brings us up to speed (figuratively, thank goodness!) about new legislation against street-racing, but Brian’s super-power derails the discussion. … Read more

Our guest Brian Phillips tells us all about his cars, which he put more thought into names for than some people put into names for their children, and about what a thorough car-shopper he is. Dawn brings us up to speed (figuratively, thank goodness!) about new legislation against street-racing, but Brian’s super-power derails the discussion. … Read more

The TTAC Gang is taking a short break and could use your help finding new celebrities and guests to join us on the program. Plus, Amy tells us about the worst car she has ever known. She says “calling it a lemon would be saying something nice about it.” We welcome your support via Patreon … Read more

The TTAC Gang is taking a short break and could use your help finding new celebrities and guests to join us on the program. Plus, Amy tells us about the worst car she has ever known. She says “calling it a lemon would be saying something nice about it.” We welcome your support via Patreon … Read more

Stephanie Stuckey, CEO of Stuckey’s, joins us for some hard talk about road trips, the history of Stuckey’s, and how she’s trying to bring back the nostalgic magic of Stuckey’s while piloting a family-owned business into the future (by embracing EV, solar panels, hosting car swaps, using pecan shells for bioenergy and fertilizing, etc). Mickey … Read more

Stephanie Stuckey, CEO of Stuckey’s, joins us for some hard talk about road trips, the history of Stuckey’s, and how she’s trying to bring back the nostalgic magic of Stuckey’s while piloting a family-owned business into the future (by embracing EV, solar panels, hosting car swaps, using pecan shells for bioenergy and fertilizing, etc). Mickey … Read more

Ross Robbins regales us with tales of utter madness driving his Lotus cars all over the USA: long distances, how to avoid breakdowns by carrying spare parts, why ‘the car knows,’ and how to make Hydraulic Cheese. Is the electric Microbus finally about to be real? We share a worst car story that’s pretty hard … Read more

Ross Robbins regales us with tales of utter madness driving his Lotus cars all over the USA: long distances, how to avoid breakdowns by carrying spare parts, why ‘the car knows,’ and how to make Hydraulic Cheese. Is the electric Microbus finally about to be real? We share a worst car story that’s pretty hard … Read more

Riki Rachtman joins the panel to talk about Nascar, his issues with driving a McLaren, his charity rides, his current wheels, and anything else that crosses his mind in a very special and very free-wheeling episode We welcome your support via Patreon and your questions and feedback via our website. Source link

Riki Rachtman joins the panel to talk about Nascar, his issues with driving a McLaren, his charity rides, his current wheels, and anything else that crosses his mind in a very special and very free-wheeling episode

I have heard a story (probably untrue) that the city we know as Atlanta, after having been known previously as Marthasville and Terminus, was eventually re-named Atlanta as part of a plan for a pair of railroad hubs on both US coasts. The name Terminus came from the railroad history, as the city was a … Read more

Our guest is Ferrari Market Letter editor Jim Weed, who tells us all about Ferraris and their owners, and how his old hippie-van led to a career working with Italy’s most famous fast cars. Dave recalls being a pirate on the high seas and confesses a desire to name a hamster Civic, Mickey sleeps in … Read more

Fun With Ferraris, Part I