automotive

Curating Car Culture: Inside the Peterson Automotive Museum with Autumn

Published: 8 July 2025


Join hosts Mickey, Ben, Dave, and Tim as they chat with Autumn, Associate Curator at the Peterson Automotive Museum in Los Angeles. Discover what makes the Peterson one of the world’s most respected car museums, from its legendary lowrider exhibits to the hidden treasures in its vault. Autumn shares behind-the-scenes insights on how exhibits are chosen, the intersection of cars and culture, and why even non-car enthusiasts will find something to love. Plus, don’t miss the trivia showdown: Which car was briefly sold at Sears?

Key Topics Discussed:

  • The Peterson’s three-floor layout: history, industry, and artistry (including the famed lowrider exhibit).
  • Behind the scenes: How exhibits are curated (spoiler: it’s not just about cars—it’s about storytelling).
  • The Vault: A secret trove of 300+ cars, including presidential limos and race cars.
  • Why cars are cultural artifacts: Autumn’s journey from anthropology to automotive curation.
  • Funding the museum: Sponsorships, tire companies, and keeping corporate influence at bay.
  • Trivia Time: Was it the Allstate, the Subaru 360, or the Nash Metropolitan sold at Sears? (Answer revealed in-episode!)

Fun Moments:

  • Dave’s obsession with driving gloves (and Ben’s hack for buying them cheap).
  • The museum’s unexpected bestsellers: Peterson-branded socks (yes, really).
  • Mickey’s dream of a Thing About Cars road trip to LA—with a Home Alone twist.

We welcome your support via Patreon and your questions and feedback via our website.



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Bollards, Breakups, and the Battle for F1: Hamilton’s Ferrari Move & Andretti’s Snub

Published: 17 June 2025

In this hilariously sharp and candid episode of The Thing About Cars, Mickey and the gang unpack some seismic shifts in the world of Formula One. Is Lewis Hamilton really leaving Mercedes for Ferrari? Why did the FIA reject Andretti Global’s bid to become the 11th F1 team—and is there a whiff of politics and anti-American sentiment in the decision?

We also check in on Phil the Ballard’s tumultuous love life, Misty rails against Ferrari’s questionable strategies (and perhaps their marinara-fueled pit lane choices), and the gang debates whether better speakers can actually improve your gas mileage. Spoiler: it’s not the speakers—it’s the noise cancellation masking the booms from fuel-saving engine functions.
Plus:

  • Oldsmobile’s surprisingly advanced powertrain history
  • Car mechanic simulator therapy
  • Misty Manhattan cocktail dreams
  • And the true meaning of being “moderately Nito”

Buckle up for an episode full of speed, sass, trivia, and the occasional reflective traffic cone heartbreak.

🎧 Brought to you by The Thing About Cars podcast — where the curves are sharp, and the commentary’s sharper.

We welcome your support via Patreon and your questions and feedback via our website.

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Lamborghini Dreams: Should You or Shouldn’t You?

Published: 17 April 2025

Few names in the automotive world stir the soul like Lamborghini. It’s a brand that’s equal parts exotic flair, unapologetic power, and sheer spectacle. For many enthusiasts, owning one is the ultimate dream. But dreams and reality don’t always align—and as thrilling as it sounds to own a Lambo, there are some serious things to consider before you pull the trigger.

Let’s take a balanced look at both sides of this rolling, roaring, V12-powered coin.

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Brian's Mazda and Misty's Wombat

Published: 4 March 2025

Our guest Brian Phillips and his uniquely named car tells us how he turned a traffic accident into getting a nicer car with an even more unique name via some friendly dealings with a pre-loved vehicle purveyor. We ponder the longevity of cars with cylinder deactivation. Misty and Tim talk about the peculiar events of the 2023 Las Vegas F1 race; regarding rules, flagging, staffing and scheduling. The gang discusses the city of Atlanta’s Erica’s law if it could lead to less automotive mayhem on the city’s streets. We find out why it is hard to get a Tesla off a freighter in Sweden and why Coffee & Cars in Houston banned Camaros, Mustangs and Chargers (at least temporarily). Our trivia question is about the Solar Car Challenge. And Misty needs a wombat.

We welcome your support via Patreon and your questions and feedback via our website.

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