Tales of a Gearhead
Stacey David
Updated 10 days agoCovering everything from current industry issues and trends, to answering questions and offering advice to gearheads across the nation, Stacey brings a lifetime of automotive knowledge and expertise to the Podcast listener. With Stacey's unique life experience, and deep pool of friends, the program is fun, informative, inspiring and like nothing else on the air.
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Episodes (145)
New Chevy Crate Engine
On this episode Stacey cracks open the crate on the new Chevy ZZ632/1000* crate engine — the largest and most powerful crate engine in the brand's history. A naturally aspirated 632-cubic-inch V-8 BEAST that produces 1,004 horsepower and 876 lb-ft of torque. From there, Stacey dives into all the other things big and small that you need to consider before purchasing a crate engine of any kind. After that, Stacey whips out his McPherson acoustic guitar to do a little follow up on his interview with Jerry Reed and jam out to show what made Jerry's style of playing so special and influential.
Jerry Reed Part 2
Stacey's interview with the one and only Jerry Reed continues, as they dig into Jerry's latest and greatest passion - working the Wounded Warriors charity, the importance of family in his life, his just finished Christmas single "Christmas at the Mall", his guitar collection and finally some more tales about his early days in Nashville doing session recordings with Chet Atkins.
Jerry Reed Part 1
On this episode, Stacey pulls a jewel out of the GEARZ vaults. The final interview with country legend Jerry Reed. Jerry and Stacey sat down and talked about everything from how Jerry met Burt Reynolds, to making "Smokey & The Bandit", the writing and recording of his greatest hit "Eastbound & Down", to recording with the king, Elvis Presley and the fate of Jerry's Bandit Trans-Am that was given to him by Burt and Bandit director Hal Needham.
Mario Andretti
Stacey shares his tale of how preparing to spend an afternoon at the track with racing legend Mario Andretti, was it's own stressful pit stop in a race against the clock. After that, he tackles the listener questions: "How to buy a used project?" and "Is it ever ok to leave rust on a vehicle?"
Cornwell Visit
Don and Blake from Cornwell Quality Tools drop by and talk new boxes and tool storage.
Shortages and Sales
Today Stacey talks about the MAVERICK's return, the Aftermarket doing well while the OEMs are dealing with chip shortages and catastrophic flooding and finally plays a game of "What if…." While going through RUSH drummer Neil Peart's auto collection that recently went up for auction.
Dream Builds vs. Reality
Stacey offers some advice to a listener who is wanting to return to the restoration biz after many years away. Then he goes into the dream projects you wish you could do vs the ones you have. After that, Stacey shares a tale about his first paint project - an old rail buggy his dad brought home. Then finally wraps everything up with some of the inspirations for Copperhead and the V8 Interceptor.
Ohio Cobra Club
Fresh from his appearance at the Ohio Cobra Club, Stacey recaps what a fun time he had and how it truly is one the best car events around for people of all ages. Then into the mailbag he goes to answer a listener question about what are some the best off-road lighting systems.
Reality TV vs. How-To TV
Stacey breaks down the differences/challenges between "reality" and "how-to" automotive television. Then gets into the joys of small projects, as well as dipping into the mailbag to answer a listener question about dropped forged tools. He wraps everything up with a gearhead tale about how the Rat Roaster rumble seat could be the ultimate endurance test.
Listener Question Jamboree
Ain't no party like a listener question party, because a listener question party don't stop! The mailbag is out and the questions are getting answered!
Tags, Titles & VINs
Stacey is your guide, as he leads you through all the lefts, rights, ups, downs, twists, turns, dos and don'ts of navigating the labyrinth that is getting a vehicle with no title and no VIN tag properly registered. So, grab that stale loaf of bread out of the kitchen and leave a breadcrumb trail so you don't get lost!
In's, Out's, Do's & Don't of being a parts hound
It's time to head to the swap meet and your favorite junkyard... Stacey is devoting this whole episode to what you need know when you're out looking for that perfect deal.
Fast cars, Fireade & Freeing your car from the shop
Stacey sits down with Joey Cudmore and talks about his early days on the NASCAR circuit and how it lead him into becoming one the biggest FIREADE dealers in the country. From the track, to the pit, to a new upcoming race series to be aired on CBS they dig into all. Then, Stacey hits the mailbag with advice for listener Glenn - and all of us - when we have a project that's been stranded at the local shop FOR YEARS.
Towing Safety & Electric Cars
With the recent story of a driver of a 2004 Ford F-350 Super Duty towing a 30-foot camper losing control, swerving over a guardrail and ending up dangling off a bridge over the Malad Gorge in Idaho... the only thing preventing them from crashing into the river over a 100 feet below, was the safety chains. Stacey discusses all the things you must consider to be able to tow something safely. Whether it's a little 10-foot U-haul or a full blown RV camper. After that, it's a dive into the pros, cons and things you maybe haven't considered about the impacts of electric vehicles. Then, Stacey answers a listener question about installing fog light on a Toyota Tacoma.
Street Racing & Big Oly
Stacey gets into the risks of street racing. Not just for the people racing and watching, but also how it could affect legislation down the road. That could mean bad news for everybody in the car world. After that, it's time to break open that piggy bank or dig up those coin jars out from under the porch because… Big Oly, the world's most famous Ford Bronco is going up for auction! Stacey digs into the history of Big Oly and tells a tale of hanging with Parnelli Jones at the wild BAJA 100 and what that classic Bronco could possibly end up going for on the auction block. Let's go!
Kit Cars & Movie Cars
Stacey talks about the recent changes to replica/kit car laws that should be music to a lot of enthusiasts' ears. From there Stacey pays respect to the passing of legendary stuntman Remy Julienne. Which opens a broader topic of how movies effect car culture and vice versa, Stacey's favorite car scenes and a round of movie car "what ifs" with a little dash of trivia.
Car Colors, Chuck Yeager & Bradley Fighting Vehicle
Stacey starts things off by getting into the thought process behind deciding the right color for a project. From there, he remembers the passing of the first person to break the sound barrier, the legendary Chuck Yeager. Then, its into the mailbag where Stacey answers questions about his preferred metal to work with, why a truck can be one of the best project vehicles to get and one of his closest calls while turning wrenches in the backyard. Finally, Stacey wraps it up with a tale about one of his most unique TV experiences... The Bradley Fighting vehicle.
Tales with Tim Watson
As this long year draws to a close. Stacey sits down with legendary fiddle player and old friend Tim Watson. Together, they share tales from their days working at the old Opry Land park as show musicians. To Tim's days as a standup comedian and session & touring player with everyone from Mel Tillis, Willie Nelson to Tammy Wynette. Then as these shop visits always do, they delve into their shared passion for all things automotive.
Rancheros, Cameos & Caminos
It's a listener question jamboree as Stacey answers whether or not Ben from Iowa should keep his '72 Ranchero stock or modify it. Which gets Stacey into the history of the Ranchero along with the '57 Cameo & Camino and the importance of driving original vehicles like that accordingly. After that Stacey answers listener Dominique's question about the things to look for when buying a vehicle.
Hot Wheels
Stacey climbs into the way back machine and deep dives into all things Hot Wheels. Yes, those little die-cast speed demons from our youth. Stacey shares his memories of the ones he always wanted, to their subliminal influence on his designs today, some history about the original designers who came up with all the wild styles and how Hot Wheels and other vehicle related toys can be a great gateway to engage kids to become interested in, and therefore, helping to keep automotive culture alive and well.
007 - F18 - R.I.P.
Stacey remembers Scottish icon, the great Sean Connery and gets into what made him and his Bond films so memorable. From the cool gadgets and even cooler cars. After that, Stacey celebrates another icon - this one American - the F-18 Hornet. With the Blue Angels recent announcement that they are retiring the F-18 Hornet for the F-18 Super Hornet. Stacey shares the tale of his visit to the Blue Angels and what it was like to preparer and then take a ride in one of the classic hot rods of the sky!
Electric Hummerland
Stacey starts things off discussing the new electric Hummer and what would be the better ways to spend it's nearly $100K price tag. Then it's mailbag jamboree time, with Stacey fielding questions about a '68 Ford F-600 rear end replacement, taking a '92 Chevy Sportside pickup from a 5-lug to a 6-lug and Nova body replacement options. Finally, Stacey wraps the episode up with a tale about a shortened VW bus that worked and a chopped Thunderbird that didn't!
331 mph
Stacey talks about the recent production car land speed record claimed by the SSC Tuatara. Using his time out at the Silver State Classic as an example, Stacey also shares his experience of what it's like to be in a car on public roads and reach speeds of near 180mph. Diving into the mailbag, Stacey helps out "Big Dave" with advice on custom frame recommendations for a '61 Nash Metropolitan and Robert's questions about upgrading his Silverado to disc brakes.
Eddie Van Halen Part 2
Stacey continues remembering the late great Eddie Van Halen, discussing how Eddie building his own custom guitars with what he had available in the studio carries over to us hotrodders out in the garage. Stacey then answers listener Shaggy's question about "What is a good first project vehicle?" and then answers listener Robby's question about the best items to bring when digging through the junkyard. Finally, Stacey shares a quick story about some of the critters and creepy crawlies he has ran into while out looking for that perfect project.
Eddie Van Halen RIP
Stacey shares his thoughts on the great Eddie Van Halen, who sadly passed away this month from a long battle with cancer. After that, Stacey discusses the importance of the concept car and how the far out designs you see on stage at the auto shows can end up down the line as some of the most practical features on your daily driver. Finally, Stacey answers some listener questions about wiring harnesses and weather stripping.