Bring a Trailer Podcast
Bring a Trailer Auctions
Updated 2 days agoBring a Trailer staffers chat and laugh about car enthusiasm, favorite auction listings, and industry news. Plus, our One-Year Garage game, in-depth car movie breakdowns, and interviews with guests from around the automotive world.
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Episodes (176)
Texas Legend: Jim Hall and his Chaparrals
Alex has the pleasure of interviewing none other than legendary racing pioneer Jim Hall as a preface to his conversation with president of the Motorsports Hall of Fame George Levy, who has just released a fantastic biography of Hall. The trio talk about the tragedy that punctuated Hall's formative years in Colorado; Hall's first incognito race car experience at 19; going to work for Carroll Shelby right out of college; the Maserati Birdcage; the early Hall photography of Bob Jackson, who would shortly become famous for quite another photo; buying a $2,600 war surplus P-51D Mustang over the phone; crash landing said Mustang into a churchyard; the doctrine of "there's always a better way"; Levy's experience interviewing other greats like Stewart, Gurney, and Penske for the book; overcoming telemarketer stigma to get to the good stuff; the most surprising information uncovered during that extensive research; the six important elements of every F1 car that were all introduced by Hall in the '60s; a writing trial by fire at Autoweek; how to order the book; the Motorsports Hall of Fame in Daytona; the Lancia Stratos as the perfect car for the taller man; and the wonders of happenstance. Links for items discussed in this episode are below, including where to purchase Levy's new book in bold: 9:10 Bob Jackson11:20 Winner of the 1964 Pulitzer Prize for Photography19:40 George's first book, Can-Am 50th Anniversary: Flat Out with North America's Greatest Race Series 1966-74, with photographer Pete Biro22:03 Chaparral 2F28:58 Chaparral 2J "sucker car"38:22 Jim Clark at the Wheel with Graham Gauld42:37 Chaparral 2K46:33 Petroleum Museum in Midland, Texas47:00 Pasteiner's in Detroit, Michigan47:04 Autobooks-Aerobooks in Burbank, California47:10 The Motorsport Collector in Downers Grove, Illinois47:18 Texas Legend: Jim Hall and his Chaparrals on Amazon47:49 Motorsports Hall of Fame of America50:20 A 1974 Lancia Stratos HF Stradale on BaT in 2017 Got questions for the BaT staff or suggestions for our next guest? Don’t hesitate to let us know! Write to [email protected] and we’ll do our best to address them.
Photography 201 with Professor Beck
Alex and Beck (not actually a professor, but himself a former AP photojournalist) go deep into the field of photos on BaT, moving beyond the basics to cover the relationship between attention-getting shots and informational shots; videos as proof of life; parental nurse cosplay; the optimum "pull gear" for a driving video; asset versus opportunity; things to look out for when hiring a pro; experiential photos for mid-auction engagement; the most important aspects of shooting a BaT Alumni Gathering; the perils of attempting rolling shots; a digression into the venerable, quickly appreciating W124 Mercedes-Benz; the wisdom of the seller-provided PPI and the omission of sales fluff; BaT firsts, even after all this time; a major deficiency in Beck's automotive upbringing; the '70s European cars ripe for modification; and automotive camera brand equivalents. Links for titles/listings discussed in this episode: 2017 Toyota Corolla iM Formula Drift Car911r user pageTheImageEngine photographer pageProfessional Photos and Video with Bring a Trailer PlusHow to Take Great Photos of Your CarBeck's Cheap 2002tii in 20171960 Porsche 356B Super w/ GT Fuel TankAlfaEvan photographer pageBaT Alumni Gathering Coverage on BaT and on YouTubeThe Local Partners Treatment: Selling Randy’s Lancia Delta Integrale on BaTmojocoggo photographer page2.4L Polo-Powered 1960 Porsche 356B Coupe Emory OutlawSingle-Family-Owned 1984 Audi Sport QuattroABPhoto photographer pageTrust-in-the-Machine photographer pageTed7 photographer pageDSFM2005 user page1600veloce user pageBeck's 1988 Mercedes-Benz 300E 5-Speed8,400-Mile 1995 Mercedes-Benz E300 Diesel and 10k-Mile 1995 Mercedes-Benz E300 DieselKarissalynne photographer pagerosskykerphoto photographer pageFerrari F40 model page10,764-Piece Collection of Porsche Brochures and Literature and Collection of Porsche Dealer Literature, Manuals, and Spare Parts CatalogsRupp model page1965 Rupp Dart KartHonda Z50s on BaT1975 Honda Z50A Mini TrailQuestion of the Week: What Topics or Guests Would You Like to Hear on the BaT Podcast?1968 Porsche 912 Emory Outlaw Race CarBay Area 02 Swap and Show 24BaT Podcast Episode 73: Hannah Elliott of Bloomberg Got questions for the BaT staff or suggestions for our next guest? Don’t hesitate to let us know! Write in to [email protected] and we’ll do our best to address them.
Recent Moto Highlights
Alex and Tyler regroup to review the 24th running of Riding into History in St. Augustine, Florida, and to explore the mysteries of the Ariel Square Four; highlights from this year's BaT Moto gathering at the Quail; the positive demeanor of the average motorcyclist facing hardship; the reciprocity of having fun; manifesting Tyler's dream bike; and the glut of cool motorcycles recently closed on BaT. Links for titles/listings discussed in this episode: BaT Podcast Episode 67: The Davidlee8 InterviewEvent Coverage: 24th Annual Riding into History Motorcycle Concours d’EleganceHonda CT70s on BaTAriel Square Fours on BaT1994 BMW K75RT Police For CharityK9s For WarriorsEvent Coverage: 2024 BaT Moto Gathering, May 4 at The Quail1972 BMW R50/5Suzuki Hayabusas on BaTSuzuki GSX-Rs on BaT0-Mile 2006 Suzuki GSX1300R Hayabusa1975 MV Agusta 750S AmericaMV Agusta model pageKawasaki H2 750-Powered QuadF5tigerIV user profile1930 Indian Four1-Mile 2000 Ducati 996SPS1996 Ducati 916 SPa Got questions for the BaT staff or suggestions for our next guest? Don’t hesitate to let us know! Write in to [email protected] and we’ll do our best to address them.
Hannah Elliott of Bloomberg
Randy and automotive journalist Hannah Elliott of Bloomberg attempt to see if lightning can strike twice! Their talk includes slow revelations about doing what comes naturally; the beginnings of her journalistic career; the advantages of coming onto a new beat as a total novice; avoiding your car being the most interesting thing about you; what the term "car guy" really means (hint: nothing); the importance of not boring oneself; the ongoing saga of modern F1; Hannah's own Bloomberg podcast, Hot Pursuit!; Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este and FuoriConcorso as a double header; touring the old test track atop Lingotto, the former Fiat factory, in Turin; the shocking lack of respect generated by a powder blue C3 in LA; and being in the market for a Rolls-Royce Camargue. Links for titles/listings discussed in this episode: Hannah's articles on BloombergFormula 1 Seeks More Money From Monaco on Eve of Grand Prix (paywall)Bloomberg Hot Pursuit!Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'EsteFuoriConcorso1967 Serenissima AgenaRolls-Royce 40/50 Phantom II ContinentalFiat Lingotto Factory & Test TrackRolls-Royce Camargue on BaT
Too Much Van Halen
Alex brings the whole crew in to give an overview of the Overcrest Redux rally in Utah and talk about a brief stop at a post-apocalyptic gas station; a religious experience with a '69 Road Runner; revelations on the Loneliest Road; driving the wide-open spaces of the desert West; a forced-induction rendezvous; single-day mileage records; our upcoming Meet-Up at LeMay - America's Car Museum in Tacoma, WA; our first event in Europe at the Historic Grand Prix in at Zandvoort in the Netherlands; the need to freshen the fleet; the unsung heroism of the Nissan Xterra; absolutely no discussion of at what age a car becomes vintage; mild offroading in a Ferrari; Questions of the Week; and Randy, mostly right as usual. <span data-mce-type="bookmark" style="display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;" class="mce_SELRES_start"> </span><span data-mce-type="bookmark" style="display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;" class="mce_SELRES_start"> </span><span data-mce-type="bookmark" style="display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;" class="mce_SELRES_start"> </span> The full episode is linked above, or you can listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Links for titles/listings discussed in this episode: 1983 Mercedes-Benz 300D Turbo5k-Mile 2003 Hyundai Elantra GT Hatchback 5-SpeedFather’s Day BaT Meet-Up! June 16th at LeMay America’s Car Museum in Tacoma, WAJoin BaT at the Zandvoort Historic Grand Prix!Randy’s 1991 Lancia Delta Integrale Evo 1 for CharityThe Local Partners Treatment: Selling Randy’s Lancia Delta Integrale on BaTXterra listings and usernamesJeep Wrangler Islanders on BaT1986 Alfa Romeo 75 TurboOne Family Since New 1971 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia Honda ATCs on BaT Got questions for the BaT staff or suggestions for our next guest? Don’t hesitate to let us know! Write in to [email protected] and we’ll do our best to address them.
Story Time with Bill Noon
Alex interviews community favorite Bill Noon of @Bill_Noon and @Symbolic_International on issues as wide-ranging as tractor envy; American Graffiti as a formative experience; seeing the world via Greek freighter; seeing the Persian Gulf via leaky US Navy minesweepers armed with boarding cutlasses; getting Tom Sawyered into flying a P-3 Orion on leave; visiting the shell of a Ferrari dealership in a Kuwaiti war zone; becoming serious about cars with a string of Ferraris; getting into vintage racing with help from the casual generosity of very wealthy clients, leading to a dizzying array of special on-track experiences; trading a Le Mans-winning 962 straight across for a 250 Testa Rossa; Symbolic International's time as the Noah's Ark of collectible car dealerships; getting the BaT celebrity treatment while doing photo shoots off the beaten path; the wisdom of prepaid parking tickets at Monterey; learning from one's mistakes; imperfections as the key to success; how to handle arguments in the comments; and the hidden bargains still to be had on BaT. Links for titles/listings discussed in this episode: No Reserve: 1941 Ford 9N TractorBronze 1953 Ferrari 375 MM “Fast Company” Sculpture by Stanley Wanlass1968 Volkswagen Type 2 Doka Four-Door ProjectDowntown Monterey Find: 1966 Iso Grifo1984 Porsche 911 SC/RSProteus Jaguar C-Type Re-Creation1965 Jaguar XKE Series I 4.2 RoadsterRoW 1998 Porsche 993 Turbo XLCCollection of TimersPersonalized Autohaus Porsche Parts CollectionFiat 508 C Parts Collection Got questions for the BaT staff or suggestions for our next guest? Don’t hesitate to let us know! Write in to [email protected] and we’ll do our best to address them.
Cars to Experience Before Kicking the Bucket
Alex sits down with Randy, Zac, and Howard to discuss cars they need to see (or see again) before their inevitable (but let us hope distant) demise; registration slips as keepsakes; makes or models that they've never managed to put eyes on; a theoretical invite to use an Amphicar for its intended purpose; the abandoned cars of Dubai and Detroit; breathtaking finds in museums; the likelihood of the Sultan of Brunei and Sergio Perez being BaT Podcast listeners; dirt track dreams; when it's better to drive than to own; anticipation for the upcoming F1 season, starting with podium position 2; defunct American street circuits; the innate luxury of a '32 Ford hot rod; one (1) dad joke; strong opinions on the XJ220; and the humdrum inanity of driving a borrowed 250 SWB as a teenager. Links for titles/listings discussed in this episode: 4-Speed Transaxle from James Dean’s 1955 Porsche 550 Spyder2019 BaT Alumni Gathering – Sonoma Speed FestivalRolling Bones ’32 Ford 5-Window Highboy5k-Mile 1994 Jaguar XJ220 Got questions for the BaT staff or suggestions for our next guest? Don’t hesitate to let us know! Write in to [email protected] and we’ll do our best to address them.
White Glove and Collection Sales
Alex brings on special guest Beck Diefenbach, manager of the BaT White Glove team, to discuss clandestine BaT operations; the differences between White Glove and Premium listings, as well as the differences between WG and other paths to auction; the singular experience of hitting a San Francisco pothole full-bore in a 911 SC Targa; high-end sellers and buyers who are shocked at the low fee structures at BaT versus what they might be used to; various collection highlights in BaT history; the merits of the early impact-bumper 911; dangerous words about the Fox-body Mustang and the SN95 that followed; the terrible greatness of Alex's Thunderbird Turbo Coupe; the curious spec of the final air-cooled Porsche sent to the US market, produced for one Jerry Seinfeld; and training oneself to shut up in the service of one's professional growth.
Our Far-Ranging Travels
Randy, Alex, Zac, and Howard discuss the undying popularity of the Lexus LFA and various Heritage Edition Ford GTs; Randy's experience at Tour Auto in Paris and the resulting aspirations for next year; Zac's recent adventures piloting hot kei cars in Japan, where the rain is slipperier than US rain and the car scene is otherworldly; hard-hitting questions about the JDM snack scene; the mysterious Edelbrock/Weber carburetor; Howard on seeing new parts of California in air-conditioned comfort on the 2024 Cal Mille, and the appropriate amount of prep time for an Alfa 1900 destined for such an event; opinion-gathering on the modern 935; the extensive requirements and eye-watering labor bill for an alignment on a 996 GT3 Cup car as compared to the street version; the endless, colorful expanse of Luft Air|Water, including a curious proliferation of pink; devising a new PTS-D color class for future Porsche shows; the sudden appearance of a Vector in its natural habitat; and the art of fending off chummy reserve inquiries.
The Davidlee8 Interview
In this episode, Tyler talks with country rock guitarist, vintage BMW aficionado, and frequent motorcycle seller David Lee, who has made quite a name for himself on BaT as he approaches 50 sales. They cover early parental concerns about motorcycle riding; obsessive tendencies; the power of the no-reserve auction format; a red door as branding; building community by selling from the heart; the upcoming Quail Motorcycle Gathering long-distance rides on old bikes; a near miss on the Autostrada and the life-changing insanity of riding in Italy; the endless wonders of the western USA, especially when experienced on a BMW GS; how to achieve success as a beginner on BaT; therapy through working on bikes; and the origins of the infamous “riding gloves.”
Cam Ingram of Road Scholars
Alex talks with Road Scholars founder and CEO Cam Ingram about the first 356 and 550 Spyder that made him fall in love with cars and Porsches as an art student in the '90s; sweeping floors at a local shop, as every good automotive career begins with; getting laid out on the floor by an angry painter; the evolution of the shop industry; the ultimate sexiness of the four-cam Fuhrmann motor; which "plastic Porsche" is the best; bringing new and younger interest to the brand; a recently discovered passion for the Dodge Demon; the necessity of trading in boats, houses, and helicopters to get to the good cars; daily driving an E36 M3; whether German cars should come in any color aside from white; the sublimity of the modern 935; various forms of anatomy on display at the Indy 500 infield; the requisite salty old Brit in the shop; the imminent future of Road Scholars, including training the next generation of automotive craftspeople; restoring the 94th Porsche ever built, for Miles Collier; and highlights of the family collection, including their award-winning 1961 356B Carrera Abarth GTL and a host of other highly notable P-cars. Links for titles/listings discussed in this episode: Roadscholars1 user page1967 Porsche 910BaT Auctions Presents: “Gruppe P” from Road Scholars and Bond Group2009 Foose Coupe7k-Mile 1975 Triumph TR6Porsche 935 (2019)1961 Porsche 356B Carrera Abarth GTLFiminod user page1960 Porsche 356B Super 90 GT Coupe Got questions for the BaT staff or suggestions for our next guest? Don’t hesitate to let us know! Write in to [email protected] and we’ll do our best to address them.
BaT Staff on Recent Events, Automobilia, and QoTW
In this episode, Alex and Howard (newly returned to the West Coast) talk about last weekend's Alumni Gathering in Scottsdale, Arizona; the upcoming California Mille; "racing budget dysmorphia"; the wide array of parts, memorabilia, artwork, and even furniture now available on BaT; current listings catching their eye; the BaT community's ability to discern between good, great, and exceptional; getting some color into your life via car collecting; forced learning about mid-'70s land yachts; an admission of QotW-related guilt; driving cross-country on a borrowed Hudson key; true automotive comfort versus simply not being crippled at the end of a long drive; the scariest corners, both real and digital; and mechanical insubordination.
The 1600veloce Interview
At long last, Randy sits down with Anthony Serra—the driving force, along with his superstar team, of the highest-volume seller on BaT with nearly 1,400 listings and counting. They discuss Anthony's lifetime in the car business, from the family trade in '80s gray-market imports to a racing career to his first BaT listing and beyond; the importance of putting systems in place to operate at scale; focusing on the long view rather than a single sale price; how detailed photos can make a sale; becoming known as a purveyor of the Ferrari BB; inducing happy tears in the first winner of such a car; the rise of the 1989 Porsche 911 Speedster; falling into the role of Local Partner to the world; maintaining a well-deserved reputation as an engaged and high-touch seller; the additive nature of every comment on BaT, even the negative ones; specializing in "dog cars" and dearly departed longroofs; cars that "flunk the shop"; how COVID changed the business forever; achieving success by surrounding oneself with passionate enthusiasts, dedicated friends, and the worldwide BaT community; and how that community may soon get to experience Smell-O-Vision, 1600Veloce style. Be on the lookout for an official announcement about our 2024 New York-area Alumni Gathering with 1600veloce! It's going to be a blast, and we'll publish details as soon as we can.
Spring Plans Aplenty
Alex and Zac discuss the highs and lows inherent of owning a fleet of first-world problems; shaming one's old supercar with one's FWD daily driver; sharing Laguna Seca with a Cybertruck; finding an age-appropriate classic; building the ultimate 356 in your head; what makes vintage vintage; Slantnose pros and cons; NSX desires, and preparing one for the long haul to the upcoming Overcrest Redux rally in May; Alex's first trip to the Indy 500; Zac's second trip to Japan, this time to partake in a Kei car rally; and Luftgekühlt Air|Water as an introductory car show.
Ken Lingenfelter's Corvettes, Ferraris, and Wide-Ranging BaT Watchlist
In this episode, Ken Lingengelter talks with Alex about his first career in title insurance; getting arrested for driving a Chevy in Dearborn; his lifelong love affair with the Corvette; taking on the Lingenfelter mantle from the late John, and the company's subsequent expansion; the Lingenfelter Collection's array of charitable endeavors; beating the Blue Angels to 60 in a C5 Corvette; the perils of a broad set of automotive interests; the perils and joys of being in the "Ferrari Club"; being married to an autocross monster; the legacy of Shirley Muldowney; a Chevette that gets all the attention; electric crate motors for muscle cars; the pleasures of the car-person community; and glowing praise for the C8 Corvette in all forms, not least his company's new 710-horsepower supercharged version.
Events, Favorite Listings, and Verified Checkout
Alex and Randy talk about our recent Meet-Up event on Saturday, March 16, in Encinitas, California; evading Ospreys while humming Kenny Loggins at Miramar; a plug for Randy's upcoming appearance on Spike's Car Radio; getting the good cars out of mothballs for the spring; correct California license plate colors; what they've got their eyes on in a time of record-breaking volume on BaT; imagining a Christmas morning present delivered via flatbed and forklift; divine intentions regarding 1960s headlights; the allure of driving a loud car slow; chain-drive gaskets as nightmare fuel; the recent glut of interesting Fairlanes on BaT; and how a V8 makes everything better on the Copperstate Rally. Also, they give an overview and discuss the benefits of BaT's new Verified Checkout service, which is rolling out this week!
Colin Comer
In this episode, Randy and Alex sit down with Shelby expert, restorer, journalist, author, and frequent BaT seller Colin Comer. The talk about his path from his first MGB GT into the world of bargain Ferraris on his ultimate path to Shelby collection and expertise; a (literal) run-in with the law as a teenager in a rusty GTV; his hot take on the Cobra Daytona Coupe versus a plain-Jane roadster; sharing a Lister Knobbly with Sam Smith for a thousand miles; telling Keith Martin to stick to sports cars; the pitfalls and history-preserving rewards of being talked into book authorship while driving a 427 Cobra in the snow; buying "plenty" of Bugeye Sprites on the advice of Peter Egan; and important things scrawled on bathroom walls. Links for items discussed in this episode: CC350 BaT Member ProfileTom Cotter's Cobra StoryBaT Exclusive: The Pastor's Bugeye SpriteColin Comer's books available for purchaseThe Comer CollectionColin's Classic Auto Got questions for the BaT staff or suggestions for our next guest? Don’t hesitate to let us know! Write in to [email protected] and we’ll do our best to address them.
Motorcycles at BaT
Sit down with Alex and get to know Tyler Greenblatt, BaT's resident motorcycle guru and just an all-around charming individual. The two talk about Ducatis, Harleys, Vincents, Hondas, and a number of other lovely or oddball bikes; the great time we had at the 2023 Quail Motorcycle Gathering, and every BaT Alumni Gathering; several "lightning round" questions of the slow lightning variety; and many, many tangents. We aim to feature more staff appearances on the podcast to go along with the roundtables and interviews you already know and love, and we have some notable motorcycle industry guests coming up on our roster who we are very excited about.
Peter Egan on His Career at Large
Here he is, folks—the one-and-only, the legendary, the beloved Peter Egan. He of Side Glances in Road & Track, of countless harebrained but inspirational road trips, of mock road tests, and so much more. This is the man so many of us at BaT and beyond like to think we've fashioned ourselves after; a modest and humble writer who, perhaps unknowingly, has played a formative role in our addictions to the great machinery of the world, the call of the open road, and the treasures to be found when they are combined. Peter sits down with Alex in his erstwhile stomping grounds of coastal Orange County, California, to discuss his career and the cars, bikes, planes, people, and places he formed it around. They cover his entry into journalism via Cycle World; the power of an interesting car (or a Piper Cub) to make friends out of strangers in faraway lands; the social advantage of touring in someone else's Ferrari; a memorable show with Chuck Berry and Billy Peek; catching a glimpse of the Old Man at Fiorano; the art of (somewhat) feigning ignorance; getting locked into the Morgan factory at Malvern, England; sharing the last Everest flight of the season with a lone co-passenger who happens to be Neil Sedaka; whether Egan's next project will be a 76-year-old British sports car or a 27-year-old Italian superbike; and how Barb stuck with him come fire and come rain (yes, Barb really is that great).
BaT Talks Emory Speedsters and JDM Legends
Alex and Zac discuss the impressive values attained by Emory Speedsters and their modded Porsche brethren; Zac dreams of a Mk IV Supra beater; Alex is presented with a lengthy, detailed, and possibly accurate primer on the R34 Skyline; the duo field questions from members of the BaT staff posing as BaT sellers; and Zac comes perilously close to softening his opinions on tastes held by other people.
AJ Baime on Go Like Hell, The Arsenal of Democracy, and More
In this episode, Alex sits down for an engaging conversation with prolific freelance writer and interviewer AJ Baime, author of Go Like Hell: Ford, Ferrari, and Their Battle for Speed and Glory at Le Mans; The Arsenal of Democracy: FDR, Detroit, and an Epic Quest to Arm an America at War; and his most recent collaboration, an autobiography of racer (and secret drug smuggler) Randy Lanier entitled Survival of the Fastest: Weed, Speed, and the 1980s Drug Scandal that Shocked the Sports World. Also covered is the Ford v Ferrari movie based on Baime's book, the joys and importance of interviewing the old guard of the motorsports world, and a Malibu afternoon spent in a Lamborghini with Ferrari director Michael Mann.
Getting on Track
Alex and Zac discuss their various experiences with track days and club racing; what defines a supercar; and their favorite engine swaps.
Jonathan Ward on ICON and Other Endeavors
Randy and Jonathan talk about high-end customs, matte finishes, artisanal leather goods, lasting and recognizable design language, and Go Campaign.
Stories from the Dawn of BaT Auctions
Join Randy, Zac, Howard, and Alex as they tell stories from the early days of BaT Auctions. Also, more myth-busting; the team reviews Michael Mann's Ferrari; Howard pronounces Peugeot for the entertainment of all.
Csaba Csere Shares Car and Driver Stories
Howard sits down with former Car and Driver Editor-in-Chief Csaba Csere (say it with us!) to talk about blouse shopping with David E. Davis, memorable overseas road tests, favorite racetrack experiences, and other highlights from his long and distinguished tenure at the magazine.