Heather Storm + Flying Sparks Garage's Emily & Aaron Reeves
About this episode
Heather Storm, known from 'Garage Squad', shares her journey into the automotive world, discussing her passion for classic cars, particularly her 1965 Mustang. She emphasizes the importance of driving and experiencing small towns across America in her car. The episode also features Emily and Aaron Reeves from Flying Sparks Garage, who recount their journey from a teenage couple to successful YouTubers, highlighting their hands-on approach to car projects and the importance of family values in their work. The conversation touches on the challenges and joys of working together as a couple in the automotive space.
Stacey is out of the shop and on the road at the IOLA OLD CAR SHOW in Iola, Wisconsin!
First up - Stacey chats with HEATHER STORM. They talk about her work in television hosting the Discovery/Velocity series GARAGE SQUAD and turning her passion for food, wine, and travel into her multi-media lifestyle blog, ON THE ROAD.
After that - Stacey has an in-depth conversation with Emily & Aaron Reeves from FLYING SPARKS GARAGE. They cover everything from creating and building their highly successful YouTube channel, navigating the ever-changing media landscape, and how their faith and love of family has helped and guided them every step of the way.
car rescue
"people who don't know about it, aren't familiar with the show. Yeah. It's a car rescue, not a restoration. And that's an important distinction."
Car rescue is when people take old or broken cars and fix them just enough to make them driveable again, instead of making them look brand new. It's a quicker and cheaper way to bring cars back to life.
Car rescue refers to the process of saving and reviving vehicles that are in poor condition, rather than fully restoring them to their original state. This often involves getting the car operational again with minimal investment.
restoration
"not a restoration. And that's an important distinction. Big difference."
Restoration means fixing up a car to make it look and work just like it did when it was new. This can take a lot of time and money because you might have to replace many parts.
Restoration in the automotive context refers to the process of restoring a vehicle to its original condition, often involving extensive repairs, refinishing, and sometimes a complete overhaul. This can be a costly and time-consuming process.
$8,000 per build
"we're not building $100,000, $200,000 cars. We had $8,000 per build. That's it. That's enough."
$8,000 per build means that each time they fix up a car, they spend about $8,000. This money is used to buy parts and pay for any work needed to get the car running again.
The phrase '$8,000 per build' indicates the budget allocated for each car rescue project. This budget typically covers all necessary repairs, parts, and labor to make the vehicle operational again without extensive restoration.
test drive
"did you have a favorite car or two that you worked on that that you liked? There had to be one or two that kind of hung out. Everyone that I got to test drive became my favorite."
A test drive is when someone drives a car to see how it feels and works before deciding to buy it or after fixing it up. It's a way to check if everything is okay with the car.
A test drive is the process of driving a vehicle to assess its performance, handling, and overall condition before making a purchase or after repairs. It allows drivers to experience how the car operates firsthand.
Chevrolet El Camino
"...he had an El Camino that I remember. He's an El Camino guy. No, not always, but I just remember this one specific El Camino that I hated..."
The Chevrolet El Camino is a type of vehicle that looks like a car in the front but has a truck bed in the back. It's used for carrying things like a truck but drives more like a car.
The Chevrolet El Camino is a unique vehicle that combines the features of a car and a pickup truck, often referred to as a 'car-truck'. It was produced by Chevrolet from 1959 to 1987 and is known for its versatility and distinctive styling.
Ford Mustang
"So you're known for a Mustang, correct? I have a 65 Mustang coupe. It's 289 engine and I love that car."
The Ford Mustang is a famous sports car that has been popular in America since the 1960s. The 1965 model is known for its powerful engine and stylish look.
The Ford Mustang is an iconic American muscle car first introduced in 1964. The 1965 model is particularly celebrated for its classic design and performance, featuring a range of engine options including the 289 cubic inch V8.
Pontiac Firebird
"Okay. Why a Mustang? Why not a Camaro? Why not a Firebird? What about the Mustang?"
The Pontiac Firebird is another sports car that was popular in the same era as the Mustang and Camaro. It has a unique look and is known for being powerful.
The Pontiac Firebird is a classic American muscle car that was produced from 1967 to 2002. It is known for its performance and distinctive styling, often associated with the 'Trans Am' variant.
Chevrolet Camaro
"...d I love that car. Okay. Why a Mustang? Why not a Camaro? Why not a Firebird? Why not a Roadrunner? What a..."
Plymouth Roadrunner
"Okay. Why a Mustang? Why not a Camaro? Why not a Firebird? What about the Mustang?"
The Plymouth Road Runner is another classic American muscle car that was known for being fast and fun to drive.
The Plymouth Road Runner is a classic muscle car that was produced from 1968 to 1980. It is known for its performance and affordability, often featuring powerful V8 engines.
manual transmission
"...It's an automatic. It's an automatic, okay. But I can drive a manual. As long as you can drive one..."
A manual transmission is a type of car gear system where you have to change the gears yourself using a stick and a pedal. It can give you more control over how the car drives.
A manual transmission, also known as a stick shift, requires the driver to manually change gears using a clutch pedal and gear stick. This type of transmission offers more control over the vehicle's performance compared to automatic transmissions.
Volkswagen Beetle
"...I think we, I forget what year of the bug we did, but then I got to test drive that. And that was actually the car that I learned to drive a stick on when I was kid..."
The Volkswagen Beetle is a well-known car with a unique shape. Many people learned to drive using this car because it's simple and fun to handle.
The Volkswagen Beetle, also known as the 'Bug', is a classic car that has been popular for decades. It's known for its distinctive rounded shape and rear-engine layout, making it a favorite for many drivers learning to drive stick shifts.
driving experience
"...to me, cars are meant to be driven. Okay. You got to take care of them, but they're meant to be driven..."
The driving experience is about how fun and enjoyable it is to drive a car. Some people think cars should be used often, not just kept in a garage.
The driving experience refers to how enjoyable and engaging it is to operate a vehicle. Enthusiasts often believe that cars should be driven regularly to appreciate their performance and features, rather than being left unused.
Flying Spark Garage
"...It's Emily and Erin Reeves from Flying Spark Garage. Yes. And you guys have a huge following and stuff. So let's talk about how you got into cars."
Flying Spark Garage is a business that creates content about cars, especially classic ones. They are popular for sharing their car projects and connecting with other car lovers.
Flying Spark Garage is a company known for its automotive content, often focusing on classic cars and restoration projects. They have built a significant following through their engaging content and community involvement.
Chevrolet C10
"...we actually just watched you on Saturday mornings at her parents' house. Oh, that's awesome. And so we now have a C10 and an early Bronco probably inspired by you. Really?"
The C10 is a classic Chevy truck that many people love for its strong design and usefulness. It was made for many years and is often restored or modified by car fans.
The Chevrolet C10 is a classic pickup truck that was produced from 1960 to 1987. It's known for its sturdy build and versatility, making it a popular choice among classic car enthusiasts.
Ford Bronco
"...'s awesome. And so we now have a C10 and an early Bronco probably inspired by you. Really? Yeah. So we sit..."
MG Midget
"...my mom and her sisters drove MG Midgets in high school. So there was a little bit of car vibe in my family..."
The MG Midget is a small sports car that was made by a British company called MG. It's known for being fun to drive and was popular in the past, especially among young drivers.
The MG Midget is a small, affordable sports car produced by MG from the 1960s to the 1980s. It is known for its lightweight design and sporty handling, making it popular among car enthusiasts.
valves
"...I'm looking at these valves and I know that the valves have springs there and I'm looking at all that stuff because I saw him build the heads."
Valves are parts in an engine that let air and fuel in and allow exhaust to escape. They open and close quickly to help the engine run smoothly.
Valves are critical components in an engine that control the flow of air and fuel into the combustion chamber and the exhaust gases out. They work in conjunction with valve springs to open and close at the right times during the engine's operation.
pistons
"I see the pistons. I see the spark plug makes the fire and then there's an explosion. And when we hit the key on that car..."
Pistons are parts inside an engine that move up and down. They help turn the fuel into power to make the car go.
Pistons are cylindrical components that move up and down within an engine's cylinders. They play a crucial role in converting the energy from fuel combustion into mechanical energy, which ultimately powers the vehicle.
spark plug
"I see the pistons. I see the spark plug makes the fire and then there's an explosion. And when we hit the key on that car..."
A spark plug is a small part in the engine that creates a spark to ignite the fuel. This helps the engine run and power the car.
A spark plug is a device in an internal combustion engine that ignites the air-fuel mixture by creating a spark. This ignition is essential for the engine to run smoothly and efficiently.
Jeeps
"I started YouTube doing diesel swaps and jeeps. Okay. And I didn't stick with it, but I got enough success to know that it was going to be something."
Jeeps are a type of car that is very good for driving off-road. They are tough and can handle rough terrain, making them popular for outdoor activities.
Jeeps are a brand of vehicles known for their off-road capabilities and rugged design. They are popular for outdoor adventures and are often modified for enhanced performance.
parts
"...his part of the business that I don't do is ordering parts and assembling the builds..."
Parts are the different pieces that come together to make a car work. This can be anything from the engine to the tires.
In automotive terms, 'parts' refer to the individual components that make up a vehicle, including everything from the engine and transmission to smaller items like bolts and gaskets.
exhaust system
"...we want to do this exhaust system. We want to do this unique element to the build..."
The exhaust system is what helps remove the gases that come out of the engine and makes sure your car isn't too loud. It also helps your car run cleaner.
An exhaust system is a series of components that directs exhaust gases away from the engine and reduces noise. It typically includes the exhaust manifold, catalytic converter, muffler, and pipes.
CRC
"...So I'll take CRC for example, we break clean..."
CRC makes products that help keep cars clean and running well, like cleaners and oils.
CRC is a company that specializes in manufacturing automotive chemicals and maintenance products, including cleaners, lubricants, and rust inhibitors.
Delorean DMC-12
"...I want to do a DeLorean. I'm going to do whatever's on Marketplace that I'm like, oh, yeah, that guy..."
The DeLorean is a unique car that became famous for its unusual design and its role in movies. It has doors that open upwards and a body made of stainless steel, making it look very different from most cars.
The DeLorean DMC-12 is a sports car manufactured by the DeLorean Motor Company from 1981 to 1983. It is known for its distinctive stainless steel body and gullwing doors, and it gained iconic status due to its appearance in the 'Back to the Future' film series.
Jaguar
"...I started doing Jags and all these other things that are like, and people were like, I didn't know you could do that..."
Jaguar is a brand that makes luxury cars, known for being stylish and fast. They have a long history of producing high-quality vehicles.
Jaguar is a British luxury car manufacturer known for its high-performance vehicles and elegant designs. The brand has a rich history and is associated with both luxury and sportiness.
Pontiac GTO
"...what car did you drive away from your wedding? We drove away in my first car, which is a late model GTO. Her name's Roxy, an O5 GTO. So I got that car when I was 18."
The Pontiac GTO is a well-known muscle car that was popular in the 1960s and was brought back in the early 2000s. The 2005 version has a strong engine and a stylish look, making it a favorite among car enthusiasts.
The Pontiac GTO is a classic American muscle car that was produced by Pontiac from 1964 to 1974 and then again in 2004-2006. The 2005 model is part of the modern revival of the GTO nameplate, featuring a powerful V8 engine and a sporty design.
Mazda Miata
"...e're working on, whether if it's a Peterbilt or a Miata or a Duramax swap yacht, like that's what we're d..."
The Mazda Miata is a small, fun car that seats two people and is designed for driving enjoyment. It's known for being easy to handle and is often loved by people who like to drive on winding roads or race tracks.
The Mazda Miata, also known as the MX-5, is a lightweight two-seater sports car that has gained a cult following since its debut in 1989. Renowned for its balance, handling, and affordability, the Miata is often discussed in automotive circles for its engaging driving experience and as a great entry point into sports car ownership.
Peterbilt
"...whether if it's a Peterbilt or a Miata or a Duramax swap yacht, like that's what we're doing."
Peterbilt makes big trucks that are used for transporting goods. They're known for being strong and reliable, making them popular among truck drivers.
Peterbilt is a manufacturer of medium- and heavy-duty trucks known for their durability and performance. They are often used in long-haul trucking and are recognized for their distinctive styling.
Duramax
"...whether if it's a Peterbilt or a Miata or a Duramax swap yacht, like that's what we're doing."
Duramax refers to a type of strong diesel engine made by General Motors. It's often used in big trucks to help them pull heavy loads.
Duramax is a brand of diesel engines produced by General Motors, primarily used in their heavy-duty trucks. Known for their power and torque, these engines are popular for towing and hauling.
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