Sean Smith Designs
About this episode
Sean Smith shares his journey from a young car enthusiast and talented artist to a professional automotive designer. Raised in a hot rod family in California, Sean's passion for drawing cars began in kindergarten and led him to pursue formal education at Art Center College of Design after some initial setbacks. He discusses his early internships at Mazda and Honda, his experience working on motorcycle projects, and how his unique educational path, including continuation school, shaped his creative career. The conversation also touches on the challenges and realities of breaking into the automotive design industry.
This week on Oil & Whiskey, we’re joined by Sean Smith of Sean Smith Designs for a conversation that dives into the world of automotive design, custom cars, and the path from OEM design to the custom car industry.Sean shares how he got started working with major manufacturers including Honda, Mazda, and Hyundai, designing everything from motorcycles and concept vehicles to production projects, before carving out his own path in the custom car world. The conversation moves into how design thinking translates from OEM programs to custom builds, how the industry has evolved, and why collaboration between designers and builders could push the craft even further.Along the way the guys get into:Sean’s early career in automotive and motorcycle designThe differences between OEM design and custom car buildingCollaboration between designers in the industryCreativity, competition, and why the custom car world is evolvingAnd the usual Oil & Whiskey tangents and storiesIf you’re into car design or the creative side of automotive culture, this is a great episode to check out.Grab official Oil & Whiskey gear at oilandwhiskey.com. Good time, bad advice, great shirts.
Honda
"Well, Honda was the first job. I interned at Mazda twice and then Honda once. Concept car at Honda and some production projects at Mazda. I interviewed with Ford and then a few other companies and then I settled on Honda."
Honda is a big company that makes cars and motorcycles that many people use every day.
Honda is a major Japanese automotive and motorcycle manufacturer known for producing reliable cars and motorcycles worldwide.
Mazda
"I interned at Mazda twice and then Honda once. Concept car at Honda and some production projects at Mazda."
Mazda is a company that makes cars that are fun to drive and use special engines.
Mazda is a Japanese automaker known for its sporty and efficient cars, as well as innovative technologies like the rotary engine.
Nissan
"and their Volkswagen, Audi, Bugatti, Nissan, Toyota, GM."
Nissan is a car company from Japan that makes many types of cars, from family cars to sports cars.
Nissan is a Japanese automotive manufacturer known for producing a wide range of vehicles including sports cars, sedans, and SUVs.
GM
"and their Volkswagen, Audi, Bugatti, Nissan, Toyota, GM."
GM is a big American car company that owns several car brands like Chevrolet and Cadillac.
GM (General Motors) is a major American automotive corporation that owns brands like Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac, and Buick.
Volkswagen
"and their Volkswagen, Audi, Bugatti, Nissan, Toyota, GM."
Volkswagen is a big car company from Germany that makes many different types of cars.
Volkswagen is a major German automotive manufacturer known for producing a wide range of vehicles from economy cars to luxury models.
Audi
"and their Volkswagen, Audi, Bugatti, Nissan, Toyota, GM."
Audi is a fancy car brand from Germany that makes high-quality cars.
Audi is a German luxury car manufacturer, part of the Volkswagen Group, known for its advanced technology and performance vehicles.
Bugatti
"and their Volkswagen, Audi, Bugatti, Nissan, Toyota, GM."
Bugatti is a very expensive car brand that makes super fast and fancy cars.
Bugatti is a French high-performance luxury car manufacturer famous for producing some of the fastest and most expensive cars in the world.
internship
"They start posting them on the bulletin board and so you apply for those. And those are real internships. Those aren't like, get coffee and go get this, go get that."
An internship is a short job where students learn by working on real car projects to get experience.
An internship in the automotive industry is a temporary work position where students or recent graduates gain practical experience, often working on real projects like concept cars.
concept car
"It's like, here's your desk, you're working on a concept car. You got three to six months. This is what we're doing."
A concept car is a special car made to show new ideas and designs that might be used in future cars.
A concept car is a prototype vehicle created by manufacturers to showcase new designs, technologies, or ideas before they go into production.
OEM
"And most the kids that in order to get an OEM job, you have to have at least two or three internships."
OEM means the company that makes the cars or parts themselves, like Toyota or Honda.
OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer, referring to companies that produce vehicles or parts under their own brand names.
Hyundai Kona
"OK. You were that car? Vaguely pre Kona. Yeah, I'm trying to try to picture it."
The Kona is a small SUV made by Hyundai that is good for city driving and has a cool look. You can get one that runs on electricity or gas.
The Hyundai Kona is a subcompact SUV known for its value, modern design, and available electric version. It’s popular among buyers looking for an affordable and practical small SUV.
Chevrolet Camaro
"Where? Lucky Camaro that it. Yeah. OK, yeah."
The Camaro is a sporty car made by Chevrolet that looks cool and can go really fast. People like it because it’s fun to drive and has a strong engine.
The Chevrolet Camaro is a classic American muscle car known for its powerful performance and aggressive styling. It's often discussed for its rivalry with the Ford Mustang and its significance in car culture as an affordable yet sporty coupe.
Chevrolet C6
"Yeah, those in super rod. Yeah, like C6 tail lights or something, didn't it? Right. And ..."
The Corvette is a fast, sporty car made by Chevrolet that many people think looks really cool and goes very fast. It’s famous for being a great car to drive and for its special style.
The Chevrolet Corvette is an iconic American sports car celebrated for its high performance and distinctive design, especially noted in models like the C6 with unique tail lights. It’s often referenced in discussions about affordable supercars and American automotive innovation.
Rivian
"He was a Nike, but he helped found Rivian. Really, really talented."
Rivian is a company that makes electric cars and trucks that are good for outdoor activities.
Rivian is an American electric vehicle manufacturer specializing in electric trucks and SUVs. It is known for its focus on adventure-oriented electric vehicles.
Ford Explorer
"...m like, I don't know. Like she's like, we got an explorer. I'm going to do a little better than that."
The Explorer is a bigger car that can carry more people and stuff, made by Ford. It’s good for families or anyone who needs extra room and likes to go on adventures.
The Ford Explorer is a popular midsize SUV known for its family-friendly features and versatility. It’s often mentioned as a practical vehicle choice for those wanting more space and capability than a typical car.
Land Rover Range Rover
"... Group. This is when they owned Aston Martin and Range Rover, Jaguar, and all that stuff."
The Range Rover is a fancy and comfortable big car that can drive on rough roads and looks very stylish. It’s popular with people who want a nice car that can also go off-road.
The Range Rover is a luxury SUV from Land Rover, known for combining off-road capability with high-end comfort and style. It’s often discussed in the context of British automotive brands and luxury vehicle ownership.
Dodge Charger
"...f it. I think we all know that the average Dodge Charger customer is not interested in that. Not interest..."
The Charger is a big car that looks strong and can go very fast. It’s good for people who want a car that’s fun to drive but still has four doors.
The Dodge Charger is a full-size sedan with muscle car roots, known for its powerful engine options and bold styling. It’s often associated with performance enthusiasts and those who want a sporty yet practical vehicle.
Challenger Hellcat
"...lan. They're going back now and re-releasing the Hellcat stuff. Exactly. Like anything else with the worl..."
Ford Gt
"..., like 16, 17, when Ford was like GT 350 and the Ford GT and the Raptor and then everything else is going..."
The Ford GT is a very fast and special car made by Ford that looks like a race car. It’s made for people who want the best speed and design.
The Ford GT is a high-performance supercar inspired by Ford’s racing heritage, featuring advanced aerodynamics and a powerful engine. It’s often highlighted for its exclusivity and technological innovation.
horsepower
"Yeah, it had shit tons of horsepower, too."
Horsepower tells you how powerful a car's engine is and how much it can help the car go fast.
Horsepower is a unit of measurement that indicates the power output of an engine, which affects how fast and strong a car can accelerate.
all wheel drive
"They can get the all wheel drive to break loose, huh?"
All wheel drive means the car sends power to all four wheels so it can grip the road better and not slip as much.
All wheel drive (AWD) is a drivetrain system that sends power to all four wheels of a vehicle, improving traction and handling, especially in slippery conditions.
OBD-II
""Small blocks over, you know, you get to import and you got LS and you got this. OBD two came around and it was nobody could build a car anymore. OBD two is out, you know, and it adapts, but it takes the aftermarket to adapt the aftermarket adapts hard enough.""
OBD-II is a system in cars that helps check if something is wrong with the engine or other parts. It gives information that helps fix the car when it has problems.
OBD-II (On-Board Diagnostics II) is a standardized system for self-diagnostics and reporting in vehicles, introduced in the mid-1990s. It allows mechanics and aftermarket devices to access data from the engine control unit to diagnose issues and monitor performance.
rarity
"What do you think the correct dollar figure to volume run meaning rarity could be because we talked about the amount of super car guys..."
Rarity means how rare or hard to find a car is, which can make it more special and expensive.
Rarity in cars refers to how uncommon or limited a vehicle is, often affecting its desirability and value.
supercar
"...because we talked about the amount of super car guys that have the means right to purchase within realm..."
A supercar is a very fast and special car that is better than most regular cars.
A supercar is a high-performance sports car that offers exceptional speed, handling, and exclusivity, often costing significantly more than regular sports cars.
Ferrari
"...choice of the Ferraris or the Porsches and some of these things."
Ferrari is a famous car company from Italy that makes very fast and expensive sports cars.
Ferrari is an Italian luxury sports car manufacturer known for its high-performance supercars and racing heritage.
business model
"...there's not that anybody knows there's a business model behind the scenes..."
A business model is how a car company plans to make money by selling cars, like how many cars to make and how much to charge.
A business model in the automotive context refers to the plan or strategy a company uses to make money from selling cars, including pricing, production volume, and costs.
bill of materials
"...Focus on the bill of materials. You know, I know at Selene, we used to do a lot of this..."
The bill of materials is a list of everything needed to make a car, which helps figure out how much it costs.
The bill of materials is a detailed list of all the parts and components needed to build a car, used to calculate production costs.
Ford Mustang
"...e, we used to do a lot of this, you know, Selene Mustang and then and then that model addition would run o..."
The Mustang is a famous fast car made by Ford that many people love because it looks cool and is fun to drive. It has been popular for a long time.
The Ford Mustang is one of the most iconic American muscle cars, celebrated for its performance, affordability, and cultural impact since the 1960s. It’s frequently discussed for its various model updates and special editions.
Lamborghini Kuntash
"...uch like, you know, old school, 80s, muscle car, Kuntash vibes. I see that as a trend coming back in the ..."
The Countach is a very fast and flashy car from Italy that looks like a spaceship. It was made a long time ago but is still loved for how cool it looks.
The Lamborghini Countach is a legendary Italian supercar from the 1980s, famous for its sharp, angular design and powerful V12 engine. It’s often referenced as an icon of exotic car styling and performance.
Porsche Carrera GT
"... I like that. You see a lot of stuff on like the Carrera GT and how it's like a driver's car and there's no ..."
The Carrera GT is a very fast and special car made by Porsche that is built to be driven by people who really love cars. It’s known for being exciting and hard to drive well.
The Porsche Carrera GT is a rare and highly regarded supercar known for its naturally aspirated V10 engine and driver-focused experience. It’s often praised as one of the best driver’s cars ever made.
six speed manual
"You need a car with the six speed manual and you need one of those because that experience is so good, you know, can't shift it faster."
This is a type of car transmission where you use a stick and a pedal to change gears yourself, and it has six different gear options to choose from.
A six speed manual transmission is a traditional gearbox where the driver manually shifts through six forward gears using a clutch pedal and gear lever, offering direct control over the car’s power delivery.
rev matching
"The sound is so cool. The rev matching, the flat shifting, it does a lot of cool shit."
Rev matching means making the engine spin faster at the right time when you change to a lower gear, so the car shifts smoothly without jerking.
Rev matching is a technique used during downshifting where the engine speed is increased to match the lower gear’s speed, resulting in smoother gear changes and less wear on the drivetrain.
flat shifting
"The sound is so cool. The rev matching, the flat shifting, it does a lot of cool shit."
Flat shifting means changing gears without letting go of the gas pedal, so the car keeps going fast without slowing down even a little.
Flat shifting is a performance driving technique where the driver shifts gears without lifting off the throttle, maintaining continuous power delivery for faster acceleration.
Chevrolet Impala
"Obviously, Troy, Gudgel, BBT, I mean, that Impala was absolutely amazing. It's going to it's alrea..."
The Impala is a big car made by Chevrolet that’s comfortable and good for families. It has been around for a long time and many people have used it as a daily car.
The Chevrolet Impala is a full-size sedan with a long history in American automotive culture, known for its spacious interior and smooth ride. It’s often discussed for its classic models and as a practical family car.
Lucid Air
"I don't want to sound stupid. I know the air in the back of a pickup bed does some weird thing..."
The Lucid Air is a fancy electric car that can go very far on one charge and has lots of smart features. It’s made to be comfortable and fast without using gas.
The Lucid Air is a luxury electric sedan known for its long range, advanced technology, and high performance. It represents a new wave of electric vehicles competing with established brands.
Chevrolet C10
"I don't know. I don't know if a C10 would be able to touch the track if you didn't pu..."
The C10 is an old-style truck made by Chevrolet that many people fix up and make look new again. It’s popular because it’s easy to work on and looks cool.
The Chevrolet C10 is a classic American pickup truck known for its simple design and strong aftermarket support, often used in restoration and customization projects. It’s a staple in vintage truck culture.
Plymouth Cuda
"...u say you're running a Hellcat and like this is a CUDA and like we're on the ground like but you don't ..."
The Cuda is an old fast car made by Plymouth that many people like because it looks strong and can go very fast. It’s a favorite for car collectors.
The Plymouth Cuda is a classic American muscle car from the late 1960s and early 1970s, known for its powerful engines and aggressive styling. It’s highly sought after by collectors and muscle car enthusiasts.
Eagle Summit
"...Rings did and and what was the one car that from Summit Racing, the Quadra Juice Coupe? Oh, yeah."
The Summit is a small and simple car that was made to be cheap and easy to drive. It’s not very fancy but works well for getting around.
The Eagle Summit was a compact car produced in the late 1980s and early 1990s, known for being an affordable and practical vehicle. It’s often remembered as a basic transportation option rather than a performance car.
Ford Bronco
"...him, actually. And doing a really crazy two door Bronco with Jason from Fat Fender for SEMA. That's pret..."
The Bronco is a tough car made by Ford that can drive on rough paths and looks a bit like old cars from the past. People like it for going on trips where the roads are not smooth.
The Ford Bronco is a rugged SUV known for its off-road capabilities and retro-inspired design, recently revived with modern technology. It’s popular among enthusiasts who enjoy outdoor adventures and customization.
Hot Wheels
"And then he was one of the early people at Hot Wheels that adopted like he did Twin Mill and Diora and those big cars"
Hot Wheels makes small toy cars that look like real cars.
Hot Wheels is a brand of die-cast toy cars and tracks, popular worldwide for their detailed miniature car models.
Holden Caprice
"...ct cars. I've had had a first car built was a 93 Caprice wagon that was airbag. Yeah, it was all black."
The Caprice is a big and comfortable car made in Australia that many people use for long trips because it’s roomy and smooth to drive.
The Holden Caprice is a large luxury sedan from Australia, known for its spacious interior and smooth ride. It’s often discussed among enthusiasts familiar with Australian domestic market vehicles.
Dodge Magnum
"Hell yeah. Yeah. And then I had a Magnum that I built for SEMA and I've had a couple of Mu..."
The Magnum is a car that looks like a wagon but can go fast like a sports car. It’s good if you want space for stuff but also want a fun ride.
The Dodge Magnum is a sporty station wagon produced in the mid-2000s, combining muscle car performance with practical cargo space. It’s often appreciated by enthusiasts for its unique blend of style and utility.
Buick Roadmaster
"...ind building another Caprice wagon. Yeah, I do a roadmaster. I was so actually mine was a roadmaster."
The Roadmaster is a big and comfortable car made by Buick that was popular for families and long drives. It’s known for being smooth and roomy.
The Buick Roadmaster is a large American sedan and wagon known for its smooth ride and classic luxury features, popular in the 1990s. It’s often discussed in the context of traditional American full-size cars.
Chevrolet El Camino
"Nobody knows anything. What's El Camino? Was it El Camino?"
The El Camino is a car that also works like a small truck, so you can carry things in the back. It’s different from regular cars and trucks and was made a long time ago.
The Chevrolet El Camino is a unique vehicle that blends the characteristics of a car and a pickup truck, popular in the 1950s through the 1980s. It’s often noted for its distinctive style and versatility.
Toyota A80
"So we were really, really fucking close. We I take it as a 80 percent win. It's too good."
The Supra is a fast and sporty car made by Toyota that many people like because it drives well and can be made even faster with changes. It’s famous from movies and car shows.
The Toyota Supra is a legendary Japanese sports car known for its performance, tuning potential, and cultural significance, especially the Mk4 and the modern revival. It’s often praised for its balance of power and handling.
Pontiac Firebird
"...th smoking the bandit is not Bert Reynolds or the Firebird. What? No, it's snowman. No."
The Firebird is a fast and sporty car made by Pontiac that looks cool and was in some famous movies. It’s similar to another car called the Camaro.
The Pontiac Firebird is a classic American muscle car closely related to the Chevrolet Camaro, known for its sporty design and performance. It’s often remembered for its role in popular culture, such as the 'Smokey and the Bandit' movies.
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