Classic Auto Mall - #248 Stewart Howden welcomes Don Weberg, Founder, Publisher and Editor of Garage Style Magazine

Enzo Ferrari was the founder of Ferrari and a central figure in the company’s racing-first identity. The “battle” reference is a nod to the historic rivalry between American performance makers (like Shelby) and Ferrari’s European racing dominance.

“Shelby” here refers to Carroll Shelby, the American racing driver and engineer most closely associated with the Shelby Cobra and other high-performance projects. When the host says Shelby “was king of the hill,” they’re pointing to Shelby’s dominance in the 1960s performance-car spotlight.

Restoring an old car means returning it to a previous condition—often by repairing worn parts, replacing missing components, and sometimes refinishing bodywork and interiors. In classic-car culture, restoration is a major way people preserve the car’s original character and historical value.

Fiat is an Italian automaker with a long corporate history dating back to the late 1800s. In the segment, the discussion pivots from identifying the car to how long Fiat has been in business.

The Ferrari 288 GTO is a homologation-style performance Ferrari from the 1980s, built around a turbocharged V8 and famous for its motorsport pedigree. The host points out that it can be mistaken for a different-looking Ferrari, even though the models are distinct.

The Ferrari 308 is a different classic Ferrari model line than the 288 GTO, and while they share a similar-era look, they’re separate cars with different engineering and identities. The host uses the 308 vs 288 GTO comparison to illustrate how enthusiasts should avoid dismissing people who misidentify cars.

The Ferrari Daytona Spider is a rare, open-top version of Ferrari’s Daytona nameplate, built around the iconic front-engine, V12 sports-car formula. “Spider” means it’s a convertible/roadster style with the top removed or folded, which is a big part of why these cars are so desirable.

The Mercedes-Benz SL 500 is a luxury roadster from Mercedes-Benz, known for its grand-touring comfort and typically V8 power in the “500” trim. In enthusiast circles, the SL line is often associated with a classic, stylish convertible/roadster look rather than hardcore track focus.

The BMW 3 Series convertible is part of BMW’s long-running 3 Series lineup, but with an open-top body style. The “convertible” version is notable because it combines the 3 Series’ driver-focused feel with the added complexity and weight of a retractable roof.

Kansas is referenced as the host’s (or the photographer’s) home region, explaining why certain cars are rare there. The point is that local availability affects what people get excited about when they travel.

Beverly Hills is referenced as a place where luxury cars are more common, which is why the person “goes crazy” seeing them. It’s being used as a shorthand for wealth and car variety compared to Kansas.

The Ford Explorer is a mainstream SUV that’s known for being practical and widely available, which makes it a contrast to the exotic cars being discussed. In this segment, it’s the “everyday” vehicle they’re using while spotting and photographing much rarer supercars.

The Mercedes-Benz SL is a luxury roadster/convertible line, and “SL 500” refers to a specific model variant in that lineup. In the segment, the speaker treats SL 500s (and related SL models) as the benchmark of wealth in their region.

The Chevrolet Camaro is a classic American sports coupe that became a long-running symbol of performance and style. It’s often discussed in car stories because it has a strong identity and a big fan base, making it a frequent “legend” topic in automotive conversations. In this episode, it’s referenced as a meaningful childhood/identity moment.

“Bleed Ford blue” is an enthusiast phrase meaning someone is intensely loyal to Ford. Here it’s used to contrast the speaker’s childhood “Camaro” obsession with his dad’s strong allegiance to Ford.

“Day to day use” is the contrast between how a car behaves in normal life (commuting, errands, frequent starts) versus how it performs in a specialized environment like racing. In this context, the speaker is saying the car’s weaknesses show up in everyday reliability and drivability.

A drag strip is a purpose-built straight-line race track where cars compete over a short distance (typically a quarter-mile or similar). It emphasizes acceleration and traction, so a car can feel “great” there even if it’s unreliable for everyday driving.

Bonneville refers to the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, a famous venue for land-speed records. Because it’s measured over long, flat distances, cars are often set up for sustained speed and stability rather than short-track handling.

El Mirage refers to El Mirage Dry Lake in California, another well-known venue for land-speed attempts and racing on a flat, dry lakebed. Like Bonneville, it’s used because the surface is wide and relatively smooth for high-speed runs.

The Volkswagen up! GTI is a small, sporty version of the up! hatchback, built to deliver a “hot hatch” feel in a compact package. It’s significant because it takes a practical city car and adds performance-focused tuning, which is why it may be described as a “souped up” version. The podcast references it as a simplified way to explain what the car is.

In car culture, detailing means carefully cleaning and restoring a vehicle’s appearance—typically including washing, polishing, and protecting paint and surfaces. It’s more involved than a quick car wash, and it can be a gateway into learning about cars and building relationships with owners. Here, the host says detailing was the start of his path into collections and journalism.

Audi Quattro refers to Audi’s well-known all-wheel-drive system and the cars built around it, which helped make traction a major part of performance. In the context of the podcast, it’s used as a shorthand for a specific kind of drivetrain capability. That’s why it comes up when someone is describing what a car is like or how it compares to another model.

The Ford F-150 Lightning is an electric pickup truck based on the F-150 platform, designed to bring EV power to a full-size truck role. It’s discussed in the episode in the context of weather and everyday usability—highlighting that it’s still a practical “go from garage to garage” vehicle. That makes it a notable modern example of how trucks are evolving.

The Cadillac Escalade is a full-size luxury SUV known for its big, comfortable cabin and high-end features. It’s a common “dealer auction” type vehicle because it attracts buyers who want a status-oriented family hauler rather than a niche enthusiast car.

“Barn find” refers to a vehicle that’s been stored away for a long time—often neglected—then rediscovered. The host is contrasting a clean, ready-to-sell car with one that would be more likely to need restoration work.

Classic Golf Club is the venue the host references while talking about how often cars have been “torn up” there. It’s mentioned as the location where the racing/track activity has been happening over multiple years.

Race car haulers are specialized trailers/transport trucks used to move race cars to and from events. They’re common at motorsport venues because race cars are typically transported rather than driven on public roads.

The Studebaker Avanti is a classic American grand touring car known for its distinctive styling and performance-oriented reputation. It’s significant in collector circles because it represents a unique era of Studebaker’s history and has strong enthusiast interest. The podcast references the Avanti in connection with a racing team, tying it to motorsport heritage.

“Avanti Petty Performance Racing Team” is a named racing team identity. In motorsport, team names often reflect sponsorship/branding and can indicate the outfit running the car(s) and logistics for a driver.

Kyle Cummins is identified here as a driver associated with the Avanti Petty Performance Racing Team. The host ties him to a major achievement: being the 2025 USAC National Champion.

USAC is the United States Auto Club, which runs American open-wheel and oval-track racing. Being a “USAC National Champion” means the driver won the national championship in a specific USAC series/class for that year.

The Sunbeam Alpine is a classic British roadster, and the 1965 Convertible is known for its simple, lightweight sports-car feel. In this listing, the key details are its 1,725 cc four-cylinder engine and dual SU carburetors, which help explain the car’s period-correct throttle response and sound.

SU carbs are SU-brand carburetors, a popular British design that meters fuel using a variable venturi (a moving piston/needle). “Dual” means there are two carburetors feeding the engine, typically improving throttle response and tuning flexibility compared with a single carb setup.

A four-speed manual transmission is a gearbox with four forward gears operated by a clutch and gear lever. On older cars like the 1965 Sunbeam Alpine, it usually means simpler mechanical design and a more engaging, driver-controlled feel than modern multi-speed automatics.

The Jeep Wrangler Sahara is a late-1990s trim of Jeep’s off-road-focused Wrangler, and the “four by four” indicates it’s equipped for four-wheel drive. In this segment, the host also calls out the exterior color as dark green Rhino Liner, which is a common protective coating used on off-road vehicles.

Rhino Liner is a brand name for a spray-on truck bed and body coating used to protect surfaces from dents, abrasion, and corrosion. When applied to a Wrangler, it’s typically done to make the exterior more durable for off-road use and impacts.

The Mercury Marauder is a mid-century Mercury model that’s remembered for its bold styling and period presence. In the episode, it’s specifically called out with a visual detail (“flat black trunk deck”), which suggests it’s being discussed as a memorable personal or family car. That kind of anecdote is typical when classic cars are brought up—people recall how they looked and stood out.

A supercharger forces extra air into the engine, which lets it burn more fuel and make more power than it would with only atmospheric pressure. It’s a common performance and off-road upgrade because it can improve throttle response and pulling power.

“Inline” describes an engine layout where the cylinders are arranged in a single row. That layout affects how the engine fits in the vehicle and can influence balance and packaging compared with V-shaped or flat engines.

Dana axles are heavy-duty axle assemblies made by Dana, a major supplier for off-road and commercial drivetrains. They’re popular in lifted or trail-focused builds because they’re designed to handle higher loads and tougher conditions.

A long arm lift kit raises the vehicle and replaces key suspension links with longer versions. Compared with basic lift setups, long-arm kits often improve ride quality and wheel articulation—useful for off-road traction and suspension travel.

“Rhino Line” refers to a spray-on truck bedliner/coating product used to protect the vehicle’s surfaces. It creates a tough, textured layer that resists scratches and helps keep the body looking good in harsh use.

The 1957 Oldsmobile Super 88 is a classic full-size Oldsmobile from the late-1950s, notable for its big V8 and cruiser-focused feel. In this segment, the host highlights its 371 cubic-inch V8 and “rocket V8” character, plus the Hydramatic four-speed automatic that was a big part of how these cars delivered effortless power.

A “continental kit” is an aftermarket-style body modification associated with late-1950s luxury cars, typically involving a distinctive spare-tire cover and trim that visually “fills out” the rear deck area. It’s a recognizable styling cue that can make a standard car look more upscale and customized.

Hydramatic is General Motors’ brand name for automatic transmissions, and in this context it refers to a four-speed automatic used in mid-to-late-1950s cars. It’s a key part of why these cars feel like relaxed cruisers rather than requiring constant shifting.

“Rocket V8” is Oldsmobile’s marketing name for its V8 engines in this era, emphasizing their smoothness and power. In the segment, it’s tied to the 371 cubic-inch, 277-horsepower output that defines the car’s classic muscle-cruiser character.

“Cubic inch” is an engine displacement measurement—how much total volume the engine’s cylinders can move. A 371 cubic-inch V8 indicates a large-displacement engine typical of 1950s American performance and torque-heavy cruising.

The host compares the 1957 Oldsmobile Super 88 to a Corvette to communicate how visually and stylistically “sporty” it looked in the lineup. Corvette is Chevrolet’s iconic American sports car brand, so the comparison is about presence and attitude, not that the cars are mechanically the same.

Connecticut is referenced as the location where the replica builder/craftsman is based. It’s relevant here because the host is crediting the maker’s craftsmanship and “museum quality” work.

The 1973 Plymouth Road Runner Coupe is a classic American muscle car from the early 1970s, known for its bold styling and performance heritage. In this segment, the host highlights a specific example with “340” power and a “numbers matching” setup, which is a big deal for collectors because it ties the car’s identity to its original drivetrain.

“Numbers matching” means the major components (most importantly the engine and sometimes the transmission/rear axle) are the original ones that were installed at the factory, and their serial numbers match the car’s identification records. For collectors, it’s a key authenticity marker that can strongly affect value and desirability.

In the context of a 1973 Plymouth Road Runner, “340” refers to the 340 cubic-inch V8 engine option. It’s a well-known displacement/engine designation that helps identify which performance package the car has.

The Buick Model 27 refers to an early Buick touring-car series from the 1910s, the kind of vehicle that helped define Buick’s presence in the brand’s formative years. The podcast’s mention places it in a list of related early touring models, suggesting a historical overview of Buick’s lineup. These early cars are often discussed for their role in automotive history and how they were marketed and built.

The 1913 Buick Model 25 (in the 24/25 series touring-car context) is an early-automobile “brass era” Buick, notable for being a pre-World War I touring car. The host also points out it won an AACA national first place, which signals it’s historically significant and well-preserved/restored.

AACA stands for the Antique Automobile Club of America, which runs judging events for classic cars. “National first place winner” indicates this Buick earned the top score at an AACA national-level competition, which is a strong credibility signal for restoration quality and historical correctness.

“Brass era” refers to the early period of automobiles (roughly the 1890s through the 1910s) when many cars featured prominent brass fittings and a more coachbuilt, craft-focused look. It’s also a collecting category, so calling something “brass era at its finest” is shorthand for its historical styling and period correctness.