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Driven Radio Show #329: K. Mikael Wallin and Holly Ansman

Driven Radio Show #329: K. Mikael Wallin and Holly Ansman

Driven Radio Show Nov 22, 2025 113 min
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About this episode

K. Mikael Wallin and Holly Ansman join the Driven Radio Show to share their experiences in the car culture, from classic car restoration to unique automotive events. They discuss the differences between U.S. and Scandinavian car scenes, touching on customs, restorations, and the universal bond among gearheads. Holly shares her journey with her beloved 'Lil Bubba' and her charity event, while Mikael reflects on his adventures in Sweden. The episode is filled with humorous anecdotes, car stories, and insights into the vibrant automotive community.

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Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Car

Ford Thunderbirds

"...mid-50s Plymouths and late-50s, early-to-mid-60s Thunderbirds."

The Ford Thunderbird is a type of car that was made by Ford, known for being a luxury vehicle with a sporty design, popular in the 1950s and 1960s.

Company

Bring a Trailer

"I now have a full-fledged account on Bring a Trailer. Oh, did you? I can bid like a big boy now..."

Bring a Trailer is a website where people can buy and sell classic cars through auctions. You can place bids on cars you like, and if you win, you get to buy it.

Car

Chevrolet Chevelles

"...but I'm looking at Chevelle's that are going to be at Meekum, Kansas. I saw that one."

The Chevelle is a car made by Chevrolet that was popular in the 1960s and 70s. It's known for its sporty look and powerful engines, often considered a classic muscle car.

Concept

Meekum

"...that are going to be at Meekum, Kansas. I saw that one."

Meekum is a company that auctions classic cars. People can buy and sell cars at these events, which are popular among car lovers.

Term

454

"Well, that's what I need is a Chevelle with a 454. And I guess what I'm going to pull apart your knees."

The 454 is a large engine made by Chevrolet that is known for being very powerful. It's often used in muscle cars and trucks to give them a lot of strength and speed.

Term

LS5

"It's an LS5, so it's a 454 360 horse car. But an LS5 can become an LS6 pretty quick."

The LS5 is a type of powerful engine made by Chevrolet that helps cars go really fast. It's part of the big-block engine family and was used in some of their sportier models.

Term

LS6

"But an LS5 can become an LS6 pretty quick. And I know the parts you got to swap to do it."

The LS6 is an upgraded version of the LS5 engine, giving even more power to cars. It's also a big-block engine and is famous for making cars go really fast.

Term

compression ratio

"I think they were like 11 and a quarter to one compression. They were really high."

Compression ratio tells us how much the engine squeezes the air and fuel mixture before it burns. Higher numbers usually mean the engine can make more power, but it might need special fuel to run well.

Term

horsepower

"But they were very conservatively rated at 450 horse. People who knew them better said 500 was closer to three."

Horsepower is a way to measure how powerful an engine is. More horsepower usually means the car can go faster and perform better.

Car

Dodge Custom

"...Have a classic 1964 Dodge custom 880 with a tank full of oxide."

The Dodge Custom 880 is a big car made by Dodge in 1964. It's known for being comfortable and stylish, popular among classic car enthusiasts.

Company

Hagerty

"And Haggerty's drivers club offers emergency roadside services. I have used those really with the Corvette."

Hagerty is a company that helps people with insurance for classic cars and provides help if your car breaks down.

Car

Chevrolet Corvette

"I have used those really with the Corvette. They scooped it up and took it over to Rick's Hot Rod Express."

The Corvette is a fast sports car made by Chevrolet, famous for its speed and stylish looks.

Car

Chrysler Newport

"...when a mid 60s Chrysler bomber shows up on there, some either a Newport or a New Yorker. And you could just set it and go..."

The Chrysler Newport is a large car made by Chrysler. It was popular in the 1960s and 1970s and is known for being comfortable and stylish.

Car

Chrysler New Yorker

"...when a mid 60s Chrysler bomber shows up on there, some either a Newport or a New Yorker. And you could just set it and go..."

The Chrysler New Yorker is a luxury car made by Chrysler. It was known for being very comfortable and having lots of features, and it was popular for many years.

Concept

Hot Rod

"the Hot Rod Holly's Christmas Morning Cruise. Always warm and friendly."

A Hot Rod is a classic car that has been changed to go faster and look cooler. People often customize them with new engines and paint jobs.

Car

Buick Grand National

"...oming out more in the car scene and it was at the Grand National Roadster show. I believe I was cleaning my truck ..."

The Buick Grand National is a fast car made by Buick in the 1980s. It has a powerful engine and a cool black design, which makes it popular among car fans. People talk about it because it was one of the fastest cars of its time.

Concept

Grand National Roadster Show

"...it was at the Grand National Roadster show. I believe I was cleaning my truck and Michael had come up and said hello."

The Grand National Roadster Show is a famous car event where people display their custom and classic cars. It's a great place for car lovers to meet and see unique vehicles.

Car

Cadillac Eldorado

"1959 Cadillac Eldorado be rich convertibles in the same place. Wow. Like six years ago, there was 15 of them lined up."

The Cadillac Eldorado is a fancy car made by Cadillac, known for being luxurious. The 1959 version is famous for its unique look and is a favorite among classic car lovers.

Car

Cadillac (1959)

"So a 59 caddy or a 67 old sir Buick limited, they were worth 50 cents."

The 1959 Cadillac is a classic car famous for its flashy design and large size, representing a time when cars were built for style and comfort.

Car

Buick Limited (1967)

"So a 59 caddy or a 67 old sir Buick limited, they were worth 50 cents."

The 1967 Buick Limited is a large, comfortable car that was popular for its luxury features and smooth driving experience.

Car

Jaguar I Marks

"But there was hundreds of thousands of cars that went over to Sweden that way. Well, I know that Mark and I, Mark's got a passion for the fifties and sixties tanks. Yeah, he just loves the big stuff."

The Jaguar Mark I is a fancy car made in the late 1950s and early 1960s. It’s known for its beautiful design and was one of the first cars to make Jaguar famous for quality. People talk about it because it looks great and is important in the history of British cars.

Car

Plymouth

"Nice. My first car was in my dream car, but that's what I could afford at the time. I know the feel. I got a fifty. My first car was in nineteen fifty five Plymouth."

Plymouth was a car brand that made affordable cars in the mid-1900s. A 1955 Plymouth would be a classic car from that time, often appreciated by collectors and enthusiasts.

Car

Kaiser

"...my mom had rolled in a forty eight Kaiser and thrown out the back windshield survived, but they they rolled the car back over and drove it back into town."

Kaiser was a car brand that made vehicles in the mid-20th century. They are not very common today, but some people find them interesting because of their unique designs.

Car

Shelby Cobra

"... cowl that is kind of reminiscent. Was it not the Cobra? Oh, what the hell was it?"

The Shelby Cobra is a super-fast sports car made in the 1960s. It’s known for being lightweight and having a strong engine, which makes it really quick. People talk about it because it’s a classic car that has a big place in racing history.

Car

Dodge Viper

"...Was it not the Cobra? Oh, what the hell was it? It was a Dodge Viper. OK, all righty."

The Dodge Viper is a fast sports car made by Dodge. It has a big engine and a unique look that many car fans love.

Car

Chevrolet Impalas

"Impala are very popular, the 60s Impalas"

The Chevrolet Impala is a big car that many people liked in the 1960s. It was known for being comfortable and having a nice look.

Car

Tesla Model

"...the most popular cars in Sweden are like the Tesla Model Y and several Volvos..."

The Tesla Model Y is an electric SUV known for its long battery range and high-tech features, like autopilot driving assistance.

Car

Saab 900

"...I just did an appraisal on a Saab 900 turbo convertible here and you don't see very many Saabs here anymore..."

The Saab 900 Turbo Convertible is a type of car that has a roof that can be opened, making it a convertible. It has a turbocharged engine, which means it can go faster and perform better than regular engines.

Car

Plymouth Roadrunner

"from it was the, you had asked about the Roadrunner, the Roadrunner Sign Lighting"

The Plymouth Roadrunner is a fun and fast car made in the late 1960s and early 1970s. It’s famous for its unique horn that goes 'beep-beep' and was made to be affordable for people who wanted a speedy car. Many car fans talk about it because it represents a fun time in car history.

Car

Toyota Land Cruiser

"it's the same with Penn East West Coast Fast and Cruiser National which is the 45th annual this year too"

The Toyota Land Cruiser is a tough SUV that can handle rough roads and off-road adventures. It has been around since the 1950s and is known for lasting a long time and being very reliable. People like to talk about it because it combines comfort with the ability to go anywhere.

Car

Chevy 1956 pickup

"Lil Bubba is my 1956 Chevy pickup I have owned for like 27 years I believe now"

The 1956 Chevy pickup is an old model of truck made by Chevrolet. It's popular among collectors because of its unique design and reliability.

Car

Mercury Monterey

"to see what was that it was a 1965 Mercury Monterey with the breezeway window in the back"

The Mercury Monterey is a big car made by Mercury from the late 1950s to the early 1970s. It’s known for being spacious and stylish, making it a good choice for families. People talk about it because it represents a cool time in American car design.

Car

Pontiac Firebird

"or I know you've got is it a Firebird or Camaro? you've got a Camaro don't you?"

The Pontiac Firebird is a sporty car that was made from the late 1960s to the early 2000s. It’s known for being fast and stylish, and it has appeared in many movies, which makes it a favorite among car lovers. People often compare it to another popular car called the Camaro.

Car

Chevrolet Camaro

"or I know you've got is it a Firebird or Camaro? you've got a Camaro don't you?"
Car

Chevrolet El Caminos

"...sn't there an El Camino in the mix too? I had two El Caminos a 72 was my first El Camino"

The Chevrolet El Camino is a special vehicle that looks like a car but has a truck bed in the back. Made from 1959 to 1987, it’s popular because it can carry stuff while still being comfortable for passengers. People talk about it because it’s a classic and has a unique design.

Term

numbers matching

"...it's a numbers matching car so you don't get to change anything on it"

'Numbers matching' means that the main parts of the car, like the engine, are the original ones that came with it. This is important for collectors because it shows the car is authentic and can be worth more.

Car

Dodge Challenger

"...the first and only new car I've ever owned is a 2013 Dodge Challenger..."

The Dodge Challenger is a sporty car that looks like the classic muscle cars from the past. The 2013 version is known for being powerful and stylish, making it a favorite among car enthusiasts.

Car

Plymouth Barracuda

"1969 Barracuda the 360 automatic okay good start"

The Plymouth Barracuda is a classic American muscle car that was popular in the late 1960s. The 1969 version had a strong engine that made it fast and exciting to drive.

Part

rods

"...I lost one of the rods through the side of the block oh my god..."

Rods in an engine connect the moving parts that help it run. If one breaks, it can cause a lot of damage to the engine.

Car

Ford Mustang

"to race a guy in a wax body Mustang but it had had"

The Ford Mustang is a famous American car that started being made in 1964. It’s known for being fast and having a cool look, making it very popular among car fans. Many people talk about it because it has a long history and is often seen in movies and races.

Car

Chevrolet Sonics

"...he time they were doing live radio for all of the sonics and this was you know umpteen years ago"

The Chevrolet Sonic is a small car made from 2011 to 2020 that is affordable and practical. It’s known for being good on gas and having useful features, making it a great choice for people who want to save money. Many people talk about it because it offers good value for a small car.

Car

Mercury Mountaineer

"Daryl is working on Mercury Mountaineer Classic Corvettes"

The Mercury Mountaineer is a mid-size SUV made from 1997 to 2010 that is comfortable and has a lot of space inside. It’s similar to the Ford Explorer and is good for families. People talk about it because it’s reliable and can handle different types of driving.

Car

Nissan XTerra

"Classic Corvettes Nissan Xterra Unusual Mercedes"

The Nissan XTerra is a small SUV made from 1999 to 2015 that is great for off-road adventures. It’s known for being tough and useful, making it a good choice for families and people who like outdoor activities. Many people talk about it because it offers good value when buying used.

27 cars featured

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