Car Chat

Thierry Nardone is the founder and CEO of Nardone Automotive, a French company behind the restomod of the Porsche 928. Thierry’s passion for transaxle Porsches, particularly the 928, inspired him to reimagine this classic grand tourer, blending its original elegance with modern performance and luxury.Nardone Automotive’s reinterpretation features a carbon-fiber body, a meticulously upgraded V8 engine producing approximately 400 horsepower, and a bespoke interior adorned with Foglizzo leather and Alcantara. The vehicle also boasts contemporary amenities like a Porsche Classic Communication Management system with Apple CarPlay. Thierry wants the car to drive like a sports car but also retain and improve upon the 928s ability to serve as a grand tourer with refinement not found in a 911 etc.https://www.nardone-automotive.com/https://www.instagram.com/nardone_automotive/Enjoy,SamShow Notes:00:00 Introduction to Thierry Nardone and Nardone Automotive02:54 The Journey to Restomods: Passion and Experience05:47 The Concept of Restomods and Initial Projects09:10 Building a Network: Collaborations and Partnerships12:05 Designing the Nightweight: Vision and Execution15:01 The Launch of the Gold 928: Marketing and Reception17:56 Defining the 928: Engineering and Aesthetics20:48 Monterey Experience: Feedback and Future Plans24:09 Customer Alignment: Vision and Expectations36:35 Customer Engagement and Company Growth37:30 Performance Goals and Engine Development40:20 Gearbox Innovations and Torque Management42:15 Sound Design: Balancing Comfort and Performance44:44 Weight Management and Vehicle Dynamics46:40 High-End Sound Systems in Resto Mods51:00 Driving Experiences and Road Trips01:01:07 Future Developments and Technology Integration

Maurizio Reggiani, born on February 8, 1959, in San Martino Spino, Italy, is a distinguished automotive engineer renowned for his significant contributions to the high-performance automotive industry. He graduated from the University of Modena with a degree in mechanical engineering.Reggiani began his career at Maserati in 1982, focusing on engine development, notably for the Maserati Biturbo. In 1987, he joined Bugatti under Paolo Stanzani, overseeing the development of the EB110’s engine, gearbox, and transmission.In 1995, Reggiani moved to Lamborghini, leading the development of the Murciélago. By 2001, he headed research and development for powertrains and suspension. His tenure as Chief Technical Officer from 2006 saw the launch of models like the Aventador, Huracán, and Urus. In January 2022, he became Vice President of Lamborghini Motorsport, overseeing the company’s motorsport division.In April 2023, the University of Bologna awarded Reggiani a Laurea ad Honorem, recognizing his contributions to automotive engineering.Enjoy,Samhttps://eccentricacars.com/https://www.instagram.com/eccentricaofficial/Show Notes:00:00 The Journey Begins: From Maserati to Lamborghini02:48 Engineering Excellence: The Bugatti Experience06:07 Transitioning to Lamborghini: Challenges and Innovations09:02 The Birth of the Gallardo: A New Era11:54 The Impact of Audi Ownership on Lamborghini14:48 Defining the Soul of Lamborghini18:06 The Evolution of Lamborghini's Engine Technology21:02 The Success of the Urus: A Game Changer23:57 Future of Lamborghini: Hybridization and Beyond54:36 Energy Storage Challenges in Automotive Engineering58:52 The Evolution of Hypercars and Performance Expectations01:00:44 Innovations in Resto Mods: The Eccentrica Vision01:05:07 Balancing Tradition and Modern Technology in Car Design01:10:32 Driving Experience: Comparing the Eccentrica to the Original Diablo01:15:20 Challenges of Low-Volume Production in Luxury Cars01:20:34 Customization and Personalization in High-End Automotive Projects01:24:03 Future Prospects for Eccentrica and the Automotive Industry01:29:25 Memorable Driving Experiences and Personal Favorites01:35:37 The Most Undervalued and Interesting Cars Today

Sasha Selipanov is the founder of NILU27 (https://nilu27.com/), a new hypercar company focused on delivering an engaging manual V12 experience. Sasha shares his incredible journey, from designing icons like the Bugatti Chiron, Lamborghini Huracán, and Genesis Essentia, to his latest venture with NILU27, where he aims to reshape the hypercar landscape.We explore Sasha’s design philosophy as he talks about balancing the artistry of classical beauty with modern engineering, his hands-on approach to design, and his vision for analog, emotionally-driven sports cars. Hear stories from his remarkable journey through car design, including major stops at Bugatti, Lamborghini, Genesis, and Koenigsegg. Sasha shares insights into the creation of the Gemera and CC850 at Koenigsegg, and how those experiences inspired him to pursue his lifelong dream of crafting a hypercar that prioritizes emotion over sheer numbers. Discover the passion behind NILU’s vision for redefining the modern hypercar and the car Sasha has always wanted to create.https://www.instagram.com/nilu27_official/Enjoy,SamShow Notes:00:00 The Allure of Classic Sports Cars02:47 Sasha Selipanov: A Journey in Car Design06:06 The Competitive Nature of Exterior Design08:57 The Chiron Project: A Designer's Perspective12:14 Reflections on Design Choices15:08 Heritage vs. Innovation in Car Design17:57 The Koenigsegg Experience: A Dream Realised20:53 Designing the Gemera: Challenges and Triumphs24:13 Creating a New Hypercar: The Vision Behind Nilu2727:04 The Shift from Numbers to Emotion in Car Design39:47 The Shift in Automotive Values42:06 Beauty and Experience in Car Design45:55 The Joy of Manual Driving49:49 Craftsmanship vs. Industrial Production54:34 Market Dynamics and Customer Interest01:00:21 The Future of Manual Cars01:02:21 Innovative Designs and the Cybertruck01:10:27 Personal Favorites and Dream Cars

Lee Gray is the Co-Founder of Kyron Audio. Kyron started building loudspeakers for the discerning ears of professional musicians in 2001, and have continued the quest for the most realistic and musical home audio systems.One of the things you will notice is the Open-baffle design. Unlike traditional boxed speakers, Kyron’s systems employ an open-baffle design, eliminating enclosures to reduce resonance and coloration. This approach enhances clarity and delivers a more natural sound.https://kyronaudio.com.au/Enjoy,SamShow Notes:00:00 The Journey Begins: From Childhood to Audio Design06:11 Crafting the World's Best Loudspeakers11:57 Innovative Speaker Technology: The Dipole Design17:51 Active Systems vs. Passive Systems: A New Approach24:04 Bespoke Audio Solutions: Tailoring to Client Needs29:53 The Art of Speaker Design: Beyond the Box34:45 Crafting Perfection in Audio Design47:10 Innovations in Amplification Technology49:32 The Perfectionist Mindset in Audio Engineering52:58 The Emotional Experience of Listening to Music01:00:45 Challenges of Daily Listening and Audio Quality01:04:06 The Importance of Speaker Design and Quality01:09:20 Judgment and Perception in Hi-Fi01:12:45 The Shift from Forums to Personal Connections01:15:38 The Desire for a Hassle-Free Audio Experience01:18:57 The Evolution of Technology and Consumer Expectations01:24:18 Nerding Out: Passion vs. Practicality01:30:58 Memorable Journeys and Experiences01:34:06 Choosing the Right Sound System

Le Mans Coupes is the UK importer of a bunch of cool cars. From Superformance GT40s and Cobras to the Hyper Racer X1 and Spartan. I have a sit down with the boss Oliver Hulme after a drive in a GT40 to discuss these cars and the others they have for sale.https://lemanscoupes.com/Enjoy,SamShow Notes:00:00 The Journey into Classic Cars03:13 Understanding Superformance and Its Offerings06:02 Driving Experience of the GT4008:57 The Evolution of the GT40 Engine12:13 The Community of GT40 Enthusiasts15:02 The Appeal of Classic Cars in Modern Times32:18 Performance and Aesthetics of Classic Cars36:07 Navigating Regulations: The IVA Process37:05 Introducing the Spartan: A Track-Focused Sports Car39:55 Specifications and Performance of the Spartan41:45 Driving Experience: Manual vs. Sequential Gearbox44:08 Adjustable Suspension: Enhancing Performance47:27 Fuel Efficiency and Track Day Considerations49:41 Downforce Dynamics and Driving Confidence53:30 Exploring the Hyper Racer: A New Racing Opportunity01:04:48 The Joy of Track Days01:12:48 The Thrill of Racing01:20:11 The Allure of Historic Racing01:28:32 The Value of Underrated Cars01:35:38 Dream Cars and Future Aspirations

Misha Charoudin is a Nürburgring-based Youtuber and now racing driver. He began by filming videos at the track and has since progressed to filming himself driving multiple cars daily at the Nürburgring.. Misha shares in-car driving, vlogs and lots of behind the scenes footage of car setups, local culture etc.In addition, Misha is the CEO and co-founder of Vulcan Alpha, a company that designs and produces high-performance car parts focused on aerodynamics, such as wings and splitters. Known for his approachable style and deep knowledge of motorsport, Misha's videos attract millions of fans worldwide, establishing him as one of the most prominent Nürburgring content creators.https://www.vulcan-alpha.com/https://www.youtube.com/@mgcharoudinhttps://www.instagram.com/mgcharoudin/Enjoy,SamShow Notes:Chapters00:00 Introduction to Misha Charoudin and His Journey04:57 The Rise of Boosted Boris09:54 Content Creation at the Nürburgring15:11 The Challenges of Driving and Filming Cars19:52 The Evolution of Apex and New Ventures35:18 Reflections on Apex and Future Endeavors41:12 Memorable Driving Experiences and Lessons Learned46:25 The Birth of a New Company: Vulcan Alpha55:20 Experiences in Australia: Racing and Community Support01:01:56 The Changing Landscape of Automotive Media and Influence01:09:24 Future Aspirations and Diversifying Ventures01:10:51 Expanding Horizons and Regrets01:11:47 The Dream Track Car01:12:44 The Essence of Driving01:14:09 The Challenge of Content Creation01:16:05 Building Unique Projects01:17:30 Favourite Car Builders and Projects01:19:24 Understanding Time Attack Racing01:21:15 The Evolution of Car Builds01:24:11 5 Questions

Jan Kalmar is the founder of KALMAR Automotive and a lifelong petrolhead. Based in Denmark, Jan has dedicated his life to automotive innovation, combining his love for fast cars and endurance racing with a passion for building rugged vehicles. Jan has set some crazy long distance records and has a real passion for adventure drives. Kalmar Automotive specialises in bespoke restomod Porsches for road, off-road and track.https://kalmarautomotive.com/home/https://www.instagram.com/kalmarautomotive/Show Notes:00:00 Introduction to Jan Kalmar and His Passion for Cars02:27 The Journey of Building Cars and Racing04:54 Long-Distance Driving Adventures and World Records10:09 Challenges and Lessons from Extreme Driving Experiences13:27 Planning and Logistics for Long Road Trips24:39 The Philosophy of Adventure and Risk in Driving36:41 The Capabilities of the Cayenne in Off-Roading43:31 Building Off-Road 911s and the Evolution of Adventure Cars51:14 The Shift from Track Racing to Adventure Driving54:31 The RestoMod Experience57:29 Modern Technology Meets Classic Design01:01:05 The Adventure Range Philosophy01:06:15 Creating a Unique Driving Experience01:10:05 Aerodynamics and Performance Challenges01:15:55 The Philosophy of Modern Coach Building01:20:11 The Evolution of Porsche Design01:25:12 The 9X9 Project: A New Class of Cars01:30:57 The Future of Performance Cars01:38:17 Final Thoughts and Five Questions

Jayde Deverson is a renowned designer of luxury garages for car collectors. Jayde has spent over 15 years transforming garages from simple storage spaces into bespoke, functional environments that reflect the owner’s passions and car collections. Starting with a fascination for cars inspired by his father, Jayde discovered his true calling at 40, when he decided to pursue garage design full-time. His first project, an Art Deco revival garage, gained international recognition and launched him into a niche industry, where he's worked with collectors worldwide.https://www.equusauto.co.uk/https://www.deversondesign.com.au/Enjoy,SamShow Notes:00:00 Introduction to Luxury Garage Design03:03 The Journey to Designing Garages05:59 First Project and Building Reputation08:57 The Importance of Practical Experience11:58 Challenges in Garage Design15:06 Client Confidentiality and Promotion17:45 The Garage Design Landscape21:08 Creating Personal Spaces24:03 Unique Design Inspirations27:01 The Balance of Aesthetics and Functionality29:58 Cultural Differences in Garage Design32:53 Future Trends in Garage Spaces50:19 Designing Automotive Country Clubs59:40 Building Design for Car Preservation01:12:58 The Balance of Car Usage and Preservation01:21:26 Memorable Driving Experiences and Car Choices

Tom Ford, Associate Editor for Top Gear Magazine, has carved out a unique space within the motoring world. With his career spanning from TV shows like Fifth Gear and Top Gear America to his current role at Top Gear Magazine, Tom has always pursued the unconventional. Known for his adventures with everyday vehicles on extraordinary journeys, he combines his passion for storytelling with a love for car culture, from supercars to small hatchbacks.In this episode of Car Chat, Tom shares his transition from supercar fanatic to someone more enamored with the people and stories in car culture. He talks about taking a humble Kia Picanto down some of France’s narrowest roads and navigating icy Swedish landscapes in sports cars ill-suited for the conditions. Tom's approach to road trips, whether in rugged vehicles or unexpected places, reflects his belief that the best journeys aren’t about the cars themselves but the experiences and stories they create.https://www.instagram.com/tomwookieford/https://www.topgear.com/car-news/tom-fordShow Notes:Chapters00:00 Introduction to Tom Ford and His Journey02:48 The Joy of Car Culture and Adventure06:02 The Difference Between Driving and Road Tripping08:55 Memorable Road Trips and Experiences11:49 Getting Started in Automotive Journalism15:07 The Evolution of Automotive Journalism17:59 The Impact of Time on Car Reviews20:53 Resto Mods and Unique Car Projects23:51 Exploring Car Culture in Japan and China33:26 Embracing the Slow Life in Cars37:18 The Impact of Injury on Driving41:42 The Intersection of Wealth and Car Collections45:35 The Personal Connection to Cars50:52 The Evolution of Performance Cars54:15 The Joy of Driving Unique Cars01:00:53 Reflections on Car Ownership and Identity01:07:40 The Skoda Yeti: A Personal Favorite01:14:23 The Evolution of Electric Vehicles01:25:00 Exploring the World of Camper Vans01:39:25 Dream Garage: The Ultimate Car Collection