Car Chat

In this episode, we’re joined by Dave Cole, Co-Founder and Owner of King of the Hammers. Dave, a former off-road racer himself, has turned the rugged desert of Johnson Valley, California, into the ultimate proving ground for the world’s toughest drivers and machines. Known as the "toughest one-day off-road race on the planet," King of the Hammers combines high-speed desert racing with brutal rock crawling, pushing competitors to their absolute limits.We discuss Dave’s journey from racer to race organiser, the origins of King of the Hammers, and how it grew from a casual challenge among friends into a global motorsports phenomenon. With a mix of adrenaline, innovation, and a die-hard off-road community, Dave shares the magic that makes King of the Hammers more than just a race.Enjoy,Samhttps://kingofthehammers.com/Show Notes:00:00 Introduction to King of the Hammers03:12 The Evolution of Rock Crawling and Off-Road Racing05:59 The Technical Aspects of KOH08:55 The Challenges of Desert Racing11:54 The Dynamics of High-Speed Off-Roading14:48 The Importance of Vehicle Design and Engineering18:13 The Role of Strategy in Off-Road Racing21:09 The Future of Off-Road Racing and Vehicle Innovation23:50 Conclusion and Reflections on the Sport37:46 The Evolution of KOH50:04 Training and Preparing for KOH01:00:20 The Impact of COVID on Off-Road Events01:08:08 Memorable Experiences and Future Innovations

In this episode, we’re joined by Max Banks, one of the key figures behind Alfaholics, the world-renowned specialists in classic Alfa Romeo restorations and performance upgrades. Founded by a family with a deep passion for Alfa Romeo, Alfaholics has earned a global reputation for transforming vintage Alfas into meticulously restored and enhanced machines, blending classic beauty with cutting-edge engineering.Max shares the story of Alfaholics, the way their parts business helps the restomods (and keeps prices down) and we took their Super for a drive.Enjoy,Samhttps://www.alfaholics.com/https://www.instagram.com/alfaholicsltd/Show Notes:00:00 The Thrill of Lightweight Cars02:54 Max Banks and Alfaholics: A Family Legacy06:08 The Evolution of Alfaholics08:58 Racing Heritage and Development11:49 The GTA-R Program: Balancing Performance and Character14:45 Parts Supply and Market Positioning18:05 The Unique Business Model of Alfaholics20:54 The Process of Building a GTA-R24:14 Customer Relationships and Expectations27:05 The Future of Alfaholics and Car Development39:38 Evolution of the GTA-R and Track-Oriented Builds42:30 Memorable Nürburgring Experiences44:51 Driving Dynamics of the GTA-R46:46 The Joy of Driving Lightweight Cars47:15 Daily Drivers and the Appeal of SUVs50:06 Changing Customer Profiles in the Automotive Market52:02 Building and Pricing the GTA-R54:26 Racing Adventures and Championship Wins56:25 Driving the McLaren M6B01:00:12 The Team Behind the Racing01:02:40 Options Beyond the GTA-R01:05:01 Memorable Driving Trips and Car Preferences

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

Weekly 1-2hr episodes with a wide selection of the automotive industry. Enjoy, Sam