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Driven Radio Show #331: Rick Hunter of Hot Rod Express

Driven Radio Show #331: Rick Hunter of Hot Rod Express

Driven Radio Show Dec 05, 2025 93 min
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About this episode

Rick Hunter of Hot Rod Express joins the Driven Radio Show to discuss the latest in custom car builds, including his experiences with Thunderbird ownership and the challenges of restoring classic vehicles. The conversation dives into the intricacies of engine swaps, the importance of modern components, and the unique stories behind various projects at Hot Rod Express. Listeners will hear about the joys and frustrations of working on vintage cars, as well as insights into the automotive industry and the evolution of car culture.

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Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Company

Hagerty

"...Hagerty.com can get you a real-time insurance quote based on your zip code, right there, online."

Hagerty is a company that helps people insure their classic cars. They provide quotes and other services for car lovers.

Car

Dodge Custom

"...classic 1964 Dodge Custom 880 with a tank full of oxide? Maybe."

The Dodge Custom 880 is a large car made by Dodge in 1964. It was designed to be comfortable and stylish, often used by families.

Term

roadside services

"...you're going to need roadside services, and you did. And Hagerty's Driver's Club offers emergency roadside services."

Roadside services are help you can get when your car has problems while driving, like if you run out of gas or get a flat tire.

Car

Ford Thunderbird

"...bit just a second ago. What's new in the world of Thunderbird ownership? Thunderbird ownership."

The Ford Thunderbird is a classic car that many people admire for its beautiful design. It was made for a long time and is often collected by car enthusiasts.

Part

car cover

"I already have a tarp or a car cover for it."

A car cover is a protective blanket that you put over your car to keep it safe from things like dust and rain. It helps keep the car looking nice when it's not being used.

Car

Chevrolet Impala

"...you may or may not know somebody who used to own super slick custom sixty one impala hot rod..."

The 1961 Impala is a classic car made by Chevrolet. It's popular among car lovers for its cool design and performance, especially when modified or customized.

Term

owner's manual

"...I have an original owner's manual. Original, not a reprint. Very cool."

An owner's manual is a guide that tells you how to use and take care of your car. It includes details about the car's features and maintenance tips.

Car

Chevrolet Corvettes

"...Dodge there. Yeah. Well, I got one for each of my Corvettes from him. Nice. So he there's a good chance he's ..."

The Chevrolet Corvette is a fast and stylish sports car that many people love. It's been around for a long time and is famous for being one of the best American-made cars.

Car

Plymouth Fury

"I bought I wish I could bought a Plymouth from him a Plymouth Fury. Did you really over there? Yes, I did."

The Plymouth Fury is a classic car that was made by the Plymouth brand. It was popular in the 1960s and is known for its unique design and power.

Term

clay barring

"you can't explain to somebody about clay barring a car. Listen, this is the first step."

Clay barring is a way to clean a car's paint. It uses a special clay that removes dirt and other stuff stuck to the surface, making the paint feel smooth and look shiny.

Term

LS power

"It's going to have some big LS power in it. And and it's just it's painted."

LS power means using a specific type of engine made by General Motors. These engines are known for being powerful and are often used in modified cars to make them faster.

Company

Banned Steels

"Banned Steels helped us with a lot of all the suspension components."

Banned Steels is a company that makes parts for cars, especially parts that help with how the car handles and rides on the road.

Term

suspension system

"So it's got a pretty pretty nice suspension system under you."

The suspension system helps a car ride smoothly and stay stable while driving. It includes parts that absorb bumps and keep the tires on the ground.

Part

vinyl dye

"Well, you use like a vinyl dye sometimes. Well, 63 and 64. Sometimes we can wrap them in leather with some nice,"

Vinyl dye is a special paint that works well on vinyl materials, like car seats and dashboards. It lets you change the color easily without needing to do a lot of prep work.

Concept

restomod

"He never wants to work on his favorite resto mod alterations and some tips for putting a bigger power plant into your beast."

A restomod is when someone takes an old car and fixes it up with modern parts to make it better to drive, but still looks like the original car. It's a mix of restoration and modification.

Car

Chevrolet Express

"...he dream vehicle you've always wanted. At Hot Rod Express, they listen. They figure out how to make it happ..."

The Chevrolet Express is a big van that can carry a lot of people or cargo. It's useful for businesses or families who need extra space.

Car

Ford Model T

"...it was a 1913 T for a for a man. He'd been working on it for a long time to the point where he needed some help, which we finished it."

The Ford Model T is a historic car that was very popular in the early 1900s. It was one of the first cars made in large numbers, which helped many people afford their own vehicles.

Term

sheet metal

"We'd done, you know, put all the sheet metal on it, done all the painting. Wow, got it all up and going."

Sheet metal is a type of metal that is shaped into thin, flat pieces. In cars, it's used to make parts of the body, like doors and hoods.

Car

Land Defenders

"It's all done. Defenders are not running boards, all that stuff, motor, tr..."

The Land Rover Defender is a tough vehicle designed for driving off the beaten path. It's popular with people who like to go on adventures and need a car that can handle rough roads.

Car

Ford Ranger

"... It would have it would have been the the Polaris Ranger of its day, you know, as far as just durability, ..."

The Ford Ranger is a smaller pickup truck that can be used for work or fun. It's known for being tough and reliable, which makes it a good option for many people.

Part

coil

"Well, it's like a coil is coils. Coils, yeah. And it's a magnet. Luke's midnight coil service."

A coil helps start the engine by creating a strong electrical spark that ignites the fuel. It's an important part of the ignition system.

Part

spark plug

"So it's it's it's spark on plug."

A spark plug creates a small spark that helps ignite the fuel in the engine. Without it, the engine won't start or run properly.

Term

flat head

"...your flat head dodge motors, they don't go very fast. No, no, they're great for a parade or around the neighborhood or something like that."

A flathead engine is a type of engine where the top part is flat, which was common in older cars. It makes the engine simpler but not as powerful as modern designs.

Term

big block

"...I just got a car with a big block in it."

A big block engine is a type of large engine that can produce a lot of power. It's often found in powerful cars and trucks, making them faster and able to carry heavy loads.

Term

gas tank

"...once you replace the gas tank doesn't seem to be as bad as that was shocking. The difference of the way around."

The gas tank is where the fuel is stored in a car. It's important because the car needs fuel to run.

Term

horsepower

"...how much horsepower does this guy want? What kind of conveniences do you want? You can make it look really nice and modern under the hood."

Horsepower is a way to measure how powerful an engine is. The higher the horsepower, the faster and stronger the car can be.

Term

LS swap

"...there's more to just putting a motor in. We call some people, hey, I want to do an LS swap, LS swap."

An LS swap is when you take out the original engine of a car and put in a different engine from a GM vehicle, known for being powerful and reliable.

Term

Coyote engine

"You know, or put a coyote in a swap of world. Absolutely. And there's a reason why it's a fantastic motor."

The Coyote engine is a powerful V8 engine made by Ford. It's often used in different cars because it's small enough to fit in many places and can produce a lot of power.

Term

transmission

"...you got to think about more because then you got you got your nice motor in there now. Now you got a transmission that's got to work with it, got to handle it."

A transmission helps control how fast a car goes by transferring power from the engine to the wheels. It's an important part that makes sure the car runs smoothly.

Car

Ford Mustang

"...were putting, you know, tune port engines in. And Mustang 50 fuel injected motors, you know, and, you know,..."

The Ford Mustang is a classic American car known for being fast and stylish. It's been around for a long time and is loved by many car fans for its cool design and powerful engines.

Car

Chevrolet Camaro

"Spring, it was a 67 Camaro. That's, you know, it's kind of rest of a model."

The 1967 Camaro is a famous car from Chevrolet that is loved for its powerful engine and sporty look. It's part of a long line of Camaros that many car enthusiasts admire.

Term

five speed

"I would I'd like to have a five speed and I'd like to have one more gear to give it a little more highway."

A five-speed is a type of manual transmission that lets you shift through five different gears while driving. It helps the car go faster and use less fuel on the highway.

Car

Chevrolet Sparks

"I know it's beautiful, right? As long as you make sparks, you're well, you're getting stuff done. You and ..."

The Chevrolet Spark is a small and affordable car that's easy to drive around the city. It's great for people who want something that saves money on gas.

Car

Jeep Cj

"86 was the last year for the Jeep CJ seven."

The Jeep CJ-7 is a well-known model of Jeep that was made until 1986. It's famous for being tough and great for off-roading.

Part

wheel bearing

"I do know that there's one thing that will need to be done before, too. There's a wheel bearing that needs. Oh, hell, yeah."

A wheel bearing is a part that helps the wheels of a car turn smoothly. If it's not working well, it can cause problems with how the car drives.

Term

tire availability

"...But here's the first thing I'll tell you about 14s. You can't find tires. No, really?"

Tire availability means how easy it is to find tires for a certain size of wheels. Some sizes are harder to find tires for than others.

Car

Chevrolet Chevelle

"If I could lay my hands on, say, a 70 Chevelle SS that was a big block car, but was not an LS6."

The Chevrolet Chevelle SS is a sporty version of the Chevelle car made in 1970. It was famous for having strong engines and a cool look, which made it a favorite among car fans.

Term

LS6

"How tough is it to build two LS6 back? Well, the LS6 motor was completely different than the other one."

The LS6 is a powerful V8 engine made by General Motors. It's designed for high-performance cars and offers more power than regular engines.

Car

Ford Taurus

"Stock, yeah. And in today's show, Taurus is going to. No, Camry kicked the shit out of me."

The Ford Taurus is a big family car that was very popular a while ago. It's known for being comfortable and having a lot of space for passengers.

Car

Toyota Camry

"And in today's show, Taurus is going to. No, Camry kicked the shit out of me. That's what I'm saying..."

The Toyota Camry is a popular family car that is known for being reliable and easy to drive. Many people choose it because it gets good gas mileage and is comfortable for everyday use.

Car

Chevrolet Chevelle Supersport

"So we are finishing. I worked on a 1970 Chevelle Supersport. Blue and white convertible."

The Chevrolet Chevelle Super Sport is a classic American muscle car that is famous for being fast and powerful. Many car lovers admire it for its cool design and history.

Car

Renault Wind

"Let me out. We always wind up taking the truck because it's got to cover ove..."

The Renault Wind is a small car that you can drive with the roof down, making it fun for nice weather. It's known for its unique look and is a good choice for those who want a convertible.

Car

Chevrolet Suburban

"...ry, dad. And I'm used to that or, you know, Chevy Suburban and pickups. And I've had a bunch of Ford trucks ..."

The Chevrolet Suburban is a big SUV that can carry a lot of people and stuff. It's great for families or anyone who needs a lot of space in their vehicle.

Car

Mercedes-Benz SL

"... working on Tyler Hoover's. I think it's a 57 300 SL Goldway. Wow. And Nate knows every stinking thing..."

The Mercedes-Benz SL is a fancy sports car that looks great and drives really fast. It's known for being high-quality and is often seen as a status symbol.

Car

Lexus SC 400

"...on that thing and there's nobody on it. He had an SC 400 430. I think it was a 430."

The Lexus SC 400 is a fancy two-door car that is known for being comfortable and nice to drive. It's a classic car that many people admire.

Car

Mercury Mountaineer

"...for us here on this show. Daryl's work on Mercury Mountaineer. Yeah, classic Corvettes."

The Mercury Mountaineer is a family-friendly SUV that has a lot of space for passengers and cargo. It's similar to the Ford Explorer and is good for both city and off-road driving.

Car

Nissan XTerra

"Oh, yeah. Nissan Xterra. Mine."

The Nissan XTerra is a tough SUV that can handle rough roads and outdoor adventures. It's a good choice for people who like to explore and need a reliable vehicle.

21 cars featured

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