To All The Cars I've Loved Before: Classic Car Restoration, JDM, and Automotive History

To All The Cars I've Loved Before: Classic Car Restoration, JDM, and Automotive History

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Carly, Doug & Dave: Classic Car Experts, Motorsports Enthusiasts and Automotive Storytellers

Updated 11 days ago
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The ultimate automotive history and classic car restoration podcast exploring the motoring memories behind iconic vehicles. Hosted by Carly, Doug and Dave, we trade technical specs for the unfiltered stories and family car history that reveal the soul of car culture. Join us every #TorqueTuesday for a deep dive into automotive nostalgia with restoration junkies and vintage vehicle enthusiasts. 🏎️🛠️

Episodes (162)

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From Datsun to Range Rover: What Dora's First Car Taught Her About Success

Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia!Dora has loved cars from the moment her dad taught her to drive as a kid, and her episode reads like an encyclopedia of automotive memories. In this rich narrative, she recounts her mastery of every vehicle she’s owned – from the classic Datsun 160J that started it all, to a quirky Dodge Dart K that added intrigue, a sporty Ford Probe that tested her limits, an efficient Smart Fortwo that showcased modern minimalism, and finally the luxurious Range Rover that crowns her journey. Dora’s storytelling is investigative and engaging; the hosts joke that they had to “Ford Probe like Woodward and Bernstein” to dig up all her Datsun details. Listeners will gain insight into each model’s place in automotive history (expect fun facts about Datsun engineering and Range Rover’s off-road pedigree) and how Dora planned her next car at every stage of life. Dora's favorite episode is Mason's Classic Car Path - https://www.buzzsprout.com/2316026/episodes/17426714-how-a-mcpherson-college-grad-arrived-at-f40-motorsports-mason-s-classic-car-pathThis episode offers a heartfelt exploration of a lifelong auto enthusiast’s journey – a celebration of automotive lifestyle, family bonding over cars, and the emotional milestones marked by each beloved ride. *** Your Favorite Automotive Podcast - Now Arriving Weekly!!! *** Listen on your favorite platform and visit https://carsloved.com for full episodes, our automotive blog, Guest Road Trip Playlist and our new CAR-ousel of Memories photo archive. Don't Forget to Rate & Review to keep the engines of automotive storytelling—and personal restoration—running strong.

S1E8 Apr 30, 2024 33 min 27 annotations

1962 Dodge Lancer Dirt Mobile: College Car to PT Cruiser Dreams

Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia!David's not a car guy - he'll tell you cars are terrible investments. But his 1962 Dodge Lancer, nicknamed "The Dirt Mobile," became legendary on his college campus. Purchased for $350 through a dealer connection, this white 4-door with a slant-6 engine and 3-on-the-tree transmission accumulated trash up to the back seat level, bottles of Ripple wine, and a DIY black racing stripe painted during a drunken night with friends.Episode Highlights:Learning to drive stick shift on a 3-speed column shifterWhy he never changed the oil or cleaned the car (and wore it as a badge of honor)Blowing a hole in the muffler while learning to shift without the clutchCollege fraternity brothers as "duty-bound" chauffeurs before the LancerFinding someone living in the car after selling it for $1 to "Fair Claire"From Dirt Mobile to PT Cruiser GT Turbo convertible - a 20th anniversary giftWhy David suspects his wife increased his life insurance after the PT Cruiser purchaseThe safety ratings that made him question the "gift"David shares candid stories of college life in the late 1960s, where freedom came with four doors and a manual transmission. Despite claiming he's "not a car person," his tales of the indestructible Chrysler slant-6 engine and later embracing a rare PT Cruiser GT convertible prove that even non-enthusiasts have automotive stories worth telling. From dust to dreams indeed.Don't miss David's favorite episode is "Lessons in Classics – Richard’s Tale of Corvairs, Beetles, and a Lifetime of Learning" https://www.buzzsprout.com/2316026/episodes/15271241-lessons-in-classics-richard-s-tale-of-corvairs-beetles-and-a-lifetime-of-learning *** Your Favorite Automotive Podcast - Now Arriving Weekly!!! *** Listen on your favorite platform and visit https://carsloved.com for full episodes, our automotive blog, Guest Road Trip Playlist and our new CAR-ousel of Memories photo archive. Don't Forget to Rate & Review to keep the engines of automotive storytelling—and personal restoration—running strong.

S1E7 Apr 16, 2024 24 min 31 annotations

Slant-6 to V8: Mike’s Dodge Dart and Buick Dreams

Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia!Mike Johnson's automotive journey started with the ultimate hand-me-down - his grandmother's 1965 white Dodge Dart with the legendary slant-6 engine. After earning the car through family chores, Mike discovered the indestructible nature of Mopar's classic compact, complete with its metal dashboard and magnetic speakers. But this IT professional's story doesn't stop at one Dart - he bought a second early-70s 2-door version before finding his true passion project.Episode Highlights:First car memories: 1965 Dodge Dart from grandma with slant-6 engineWhy Mike bought TWO Dodge Darts back-to-backThe 1965 Buick Special restoration with factory paint codesInstalling a 310 Wildcat engine producing 300 horsepowerFrom auto parts store employee to meticulous restorerMetal dashboards, magnetic speakers, and column shiftersCurrent ride: 2022 Genesis GV80 Ultimate - from Dodge to luxury SUVThe dealer who wouldn't deliver: Flying to North Carolina for the GenesisMike shares candid stories of high school adventures, what really "happened in the Dart," and how working at an auto parts store helped him source original GM paint codes for his show-quality Buick Special restoration. From earning his first car through family work to navigating pandemic-era car buying challenges, this episode showcases the evolution of an enthusiast from classic muscle to modern luxury.Don't miss Mike's favorite episode featuring another Mopar legend - https://www.buzzsprout.com/2316026/episodes/14867457-1962-dodge-lancer-first-car-david-s-dirt-mobile-college-stories-pt-cruiser-convertible *** Your Favorite Automotive Podcast - Now Arriving Weekly!!! *** Listen on your favorite platform and visit https://carsloved.com for full episodes, our automotive blog, Guest Road Trip Playlist and our new CAR-ousel of Memories photo archive. Don't Forget to Rate & Review to keep the engines of automotive storytelling—and personal restoration—running strong.

S1E6 Apr 02, 2024 18 min 30 annotations

Triumph TR-7 First Car - Eric's Story - Daily Driving a British Classic

Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia!Eric’s car stories span continents and eras, offering a fun and nostalgic tour of automotive history. A self-described “legal eagle,” Eric starts by recounting his first conquest: a British Racing Green Triumph TR-7 that would make James Bond green with envy. He then takes us into the quirky world of the Porsche 914 – the original VW-Porsche crossover – sharing how that mid-engine gem stole his heart and taught him about classic sports car engineering. Finally, Eric brings us stateside with a Cadillac CTS, reflecting on why “never trust a lawyer not in a Caddy” became his tongue-in-cheek motto.Eric loves this old school episode - "From Ford Tempo to Flux Capacitor – Brian’s High-Octane Car History" https://pod.link/1733902541/episode/21d79744e55c1253139f92207c9bba70Throughout his tales, Eric sprinkles in automotive trivia and witty anecdotes from the courtroom to the open road. This episode blends humor and insight, delivering a “best in class” experience for listeners who love diverse classic cars, a bit of luxury, and the life lessons that come with each ride. *** Your Favorite Automotive Podcast - Now Arriving Weekly!!! *** Listen on your favorite platform and visit https://carsloved.com for full episodes, our automotive blog, Guest Road Trip Playlist and our new CAR-ousel of Memories photo archive. Don't Forget to Rate & Review to keep the engines of automotive storytelling—and personal restoration—running strong.

S1E5 Mar 26, 2024 24 min 31 annotations

How To Bang Gears The Wrong Way - Adam’s Modded Imports and Track Day Tales

Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia!Adam’s automotive journey is a tale of youthful innovation and speed. He transports us back to the late ’80s with his first ride, a peppy 1987 Toyota Corolla FX-16, and shares how it ignited his inner “shade-tree mechanic.” Listeners will hear how Adam pushed boundaries by modifying a ’96 Nissan Maxima – even engineering an automatic to “bang gears” like a manual – reflecting true car enthusiast creativity. As he moves into the modern era with an Infiniti Q50, Adam doesn’t just commute – he takes it to the track, proving that everyday cars can deliver heart-pounding automotive adventures. This episode is rich with car trivia and tuning insights: from garage tinkering victories to the adrenaline of tracking a sport sedan. Adam's favorite episode is the one featuring his wife, Melissa Turbo - "Turbocharged Memories – Melissa’s Road from High School LeBaron to Family SUV"  https://www.buzzsprout.com/2316026/episodes/16066469-turbocharged-memories-melissa-s-road-from-high-school-lebaron-to-family-suvIt’s an inspiring look at automotive culture and personal growth, sure to fuel anyone who craves car stories about customization, performance, and living life in the fast lane. *** Your Favorite Automotive Podcast - Now Arriving Weekly!!! *** Listen on your favorite platform and visit https://carsloved.com for full episodes, our automotive blog, Guest Road Trip Playlist and our new CAR-ousel of Memories photo archive. Don't Forget to Rate & Review to keep the engines of automotive storytelling—and personal restoration—running strong.

S1E4 Mar 12, 2024 17 min 25 annotations

Free Classic Car Story - Tim's DIY Journey - When a Clutch Job Becomes an Adventure

Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia!Tim’s story celebrates classic cars, DIY repairs, and the nostalgic pull of the past. In this episode, he fondly recalls his first car, a ’72 Chevy Monte Carlo handed down from a little old lady, and the pure classic car nostalgia it brought. Tim then relives the trial-by-fire of reviving a clunky Plymouth Horizon TC3 – an early front-wheel-drive requiring a full engine pull to replace the clutch. Through dusty Chilton’s manuals and determination, he restored life to that second car, sparking a lifelong appreciation for restoration stories and automotive technology. Finally, Tim shares regrets over parting with his beloved Isuzu Trooper II and the inventive hack he used to fix its faulty ignition switch.Tim's favorite episode features another infamous car - "Dust to Dreams – David’s College Car Capers and Convertible Comeback" https://www.buzzsprout.com/2316026/episodes/14867457-dust-to-dreams-david-s-college-car-capers-and-convertible-comebackThis episode delivers car history and heart, showing listeners the value of perseverance, the thrill of hands-on car repair, and the emotional journeys tied to every vehicle we’ve loved and lost. *** Your Favorite Automotive Podcast - Now Arriving Weekly!!! *** Listen on your favorite platform and visit https://carsloved.com for full episodes, our automotive blog, Guest Road Trip Playlist and our new CAR-ousel of Memories photo archive. Don't Forget to Rate & Review to keep the engines of automotive storytelling—and personal restoration—running strong.

S1E3 Mar 01, 2024 23 min 18 annotations
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