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Storytime on Wheels: Michael's Journey from First Car to Children’s Author

Storytime on Wheels: Michael's Journey from First Car to Children’s Author

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About this episode

Michael Myers shares his unique journey from car enthusiast to children's author, discussing his first car, a Nissan 240SX, and how it inspired his love for writing. He highlights the importance of engaging kids with automotive themes through his books, such as 'Tea is for Turbo' and 'The Noisy Snails.' The episode also features anecdotes about car shows, the joy of sharing automotive passion with families, and his involvement in charitable events like Skids for Kids, which brings joy to children in hospitals. Michael's story is a heartfelt blend of nostalgia, creativity, and community.

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Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Concept

Five Flags Speedway

"...in Pensacola at the Five Flags Speedway, where, by the way, the Snowball Derby short track race is going to be held..."

Five Flags Speedway is a racetrack in Pensacola, Florida, where different types of car races take place. It's famous for hosting the Snowball Derby, a well-known race.

Concept

Snowball Derby

"...the Snowball Derby short track race is going to be held on December 5th. If anybody is into that, I will be there."

The Snowball Derby is a big car race that happens every year in Pensacola. It's popular among racing fans and features many skilled drivers competing against each other.

Brand

Volkswagen

"They were all VWs."

Volkswagen is a car brand from Germany that makes popular cars like the Beetle and Golf.

Car

Volkswagen Rabbit

"...the rabbit is near and dear to my heart. Saw a diesel rabbit, beautiful."

The Volkswagen Rabbit is a small car that many people liked in the past because it was easy to drive and good on gas.

Car

Chevrolet Corvette

"What was it? The Corvette Corvette? Yeah, I'm safe at any speed."

The Chevrolet Corvette is a fast and stylish sports car that many people admire. It's known for being powerful and fun to drive, making it a favorite among car enthusiasts.

Car

Carmen Ghia

"Yeah, they had right hand drive. There was Carmen Gia's bugs and on and on and on. The car we voted for was this gorgeous Carmen Gia."

The Karmann Ghia is a vintage Volkswagen car that looks sporty and stylish. It was made between the 1950s and 1970s and is loved by collectors for its unique design.

Car

DeLorean

"Through my with my DeLorean, I have done a few paid..."

The DeLorean is a unique car known for its shiny metal body and doors that open upwards. It became very popular because of its role in the 'Back to the Future' movies.

Car

Delorean DMC-12

"...l weekend car related as well. Through my with my DeLorean, I have done a few paid Doug Post, he's clever."

The DeLorean DMC-12 is a one-of-a-kind car that has doors that open upwards. It's known for its shiny metal body and became really famous because of a popular movie.

Car

Chevrolet Camaro

"lady who was on the show. Lisa talking about her Camaro and other vehicles. That's how we met her."

The Chevrolet Camaro is a cool and powerful car that looks sporty and can go really fast. It's been around for a long time and is loved by many people who enjoy driving.

Part

V4 engine

"...it has a V4, little tiny engine. So two cylinders on each side in a V configuration."

A V4 engine has four cylinders that are arranged in a 'V' shape. This design helps the engine be smaller while still providing enough power for the car.

Car

Nissan 240SX

"...I'm going to bring you back to your 1995 when your Nissan 240SX was brought into the world. You didn't buy it in 95. But tell us about that car."

The Nissan 240SX is a sporty car made by Nissan that was popular in the 1990s. People like it for its ability to be customized and used in racing events like drifting.

Part

SR20 turbocharged engine

"It came with an SR20 turbocharged engine in it. It was a real lightweight rear wheel drive stick shift fun car."

The SR20 is a type of engine made by Nissan that can be turbocharged, meaning it has a device that forces more air into the engine to make it more powerful.

Concept

Universal Technical Institute (UTI)

"They all went to a school called UTI, which is a Universal Technical Institute, which pretty much trained them to be mechanics."

Universal Technical Institute is a school that teaches people how to work on cars and other vehicles, helping them become mechanics.

Car

Nissan Skyline R32

"One guy even got his hands on an old R32 skyline back in the day."

The Nissan Skyline R32 is a famous sports car that many people love for its speed and handling. It's known for being very good at racing and has a strong following among car fans.

Term

right-hand drive

"...Well, it's right hand drive."

Right-hand drive means the steering wheel is on the right side of the car, which is how cars are set up in some countries like Japan. This affects how you drive and where the driver sits.

Term

JDM

"...Yeah, JDM only car that you can now import."

JDM means cars that are made for Japan. They can be different from the same models sold in other countries, often with special features or designs.

Car

Nissan 240

"...I saved up some pennies and purchased my 240, which was pennies on a dollar compared to what they're worth now."

The Nissan 240 is a sports car that many people enjoy modifying and racing. It's known for being affordable and fun to drive, especially for younger car enthusiasts.

Car

Nissan S13

"...I believe what you're referring to is yours was an S-13. And I believe those came in the notch and the hatch..."

The Nissan S13 is a model of car that is popular for racing and drifting. It's known for being light and having good handling.

Car

Nissan S14

"...And mine was the following model, the S-14. And it was the Zenki refers to the front end..."

The Nissan S14 is another model in the Silvia/240SX family, known for its better performance and updated look compared to the S13.

Term

Zenki

"...And it was the Zenki refers to the front end. So they call them Zenki headlights..."

Zenki is a term used to describe the first version of the Nissan S14, which has a unique front end and headlights compared to the later version.

Car

Nissan S15

"...When they went to the S-15, they..."

The Nissan S15 is the last model in the Silvia/240SX lineup, famous for its stylish look and good performance.

Term

S-13

"...anybody who knows about cars is going to know when we say S-13, S-14, they're going to have that background and know exactly what Mike..."

The S-13 is a model of a Nissan car that was made a long time ago. It's known for being fun to drive and is popular with people who like racing or drifting.

Term

S-14

"...anybody who knows about cars is going to know when we say S-13, S-14, they're going to have that background and know exactly what Mike..."

The S-14 is another model of Nissan's Silvia car that came after the S-13. It is also known for being a good car for driving and racing.

Term

twin turbocharger

"It's based around a twin turbocharger setup. And it just hit me that, you know, I had these characters in my head..."

A twin turbocharger is a system that uses two small turbochargers instead of one big one. This helps the engine get more air, which can make it more powerful and efficient.

Car

Pontiac GTO

"...but he had a Barbados blue GTO. And that was one of the, if not the first car I experienced drifting and burnouts..."

The Pontiac GTO is a famous muscle car from the 1960s and 70s. It's known for being fast and powerful, making it popular among car enthusiasts.

Term

drifting

"...I experienced drifting and burnouts and having fun with a vehicle."

Drifting is when a car slides sideways while still being controlled by the driver. It's a fun way to drive and is often seen in car racing and shows.

Term

burnouts

"...I experienced drifting and burnouts and having fun with a vehicle."

A burnout is when a car's tires spin while the car is not moving, creating smoke. It's a way to show off the car's power and is often done at car events.

Concept

front engine, rear-wheel drive

"...there's a theme in all your cars, at least the early ones. Front engine, rear-wheel drive, right?"

In a front engine, rear-wheel drive car, the engine is at the front, and it sends power to the back wheels. This setup helps with driving stability and is often found in sports cars.

Term

manual transmission

"...also in a manual transmission. Yeah, also in a manual."

A manual transmission is a car feature where you have to change gears yourself using a stick and a pedal. It can make driving feel more engaging and gives you more control over the car.

Term

traditional manual

"...it was traditional manual."

A traditional manual is a type of car transmission where the driver has to change gears by pressing a pedal and moving a stick. It gives the driver more control over how the car drives.

Car

Toyota Supra

"Correct, yeah. Which was also in the Supra, depending on which generation."

The Toyota Supra is a fast and sporty car that many people love for its speed and cool looks. It's famous for being fun to drive and is often seen in car shows and racing events.

Part

2J engine

"One day I will turbo that 2J engine in there."

The 2J engine is a strong engine made by Toyota, often found in the Supra, and is popular for making a lot of power when modified.

Concept

road racing

"Actually, I had a dream to do some road racing. I had done a little bit in vehicles that were not my own."

Road racing is a sport where cars race on roads or tracks. It's about going fast and making sharp turns, and it can be really exciting to watch or participate in.

Car

Cadillac Atsv

"Well, I wouldn't quite call it the daily, but I think you're referring to the Cadillac ATS-V. The Caddy."

The Cadillac ATS-V is a sporty version of the regular ATS car, made for people who love fast driving. It has a powerful engine and looks really cool, making it a fun car to drive.

Car

Cadillac CTS

"Not many people are familiar with the ATS. The CTS is an awesome car as well. And I originally thoug..."

The Cadillac CTS is a fancy car that is comfortable to ride in and has lots of cool features. It's designed to look nice and drive well, making it a great choice for those who want a luxury experience.

13 cars featured

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