Listen to exclusive insights into the dedication, precision, and relentless pursuit of perfection required to compete on the toughest showfields, along with fascinating tales of near misses and lessons learned along the way. Step into the world of award-winning Porsche restorer Joseph DeMeo, who invites us into his busy workshop, home to over 30 classic vehicles in various stages of restoration. DeMeo explains the machinations—and the mindset—that elevate a car to top concours standards, pushing...
Jun 17, 2025•36 min•Season 2Ep. 4
Jay Leno opens his legendary garage and discusses the incredible story of Bugatti and the enduring influence of classic French design in the automotive world. Jay and Robert journey back to the early days of Bugatti, highlighting the technical hurdles designers faced in creating groundbreaking vehicles that excelled not only in speed and power but also in aesthetic beauty and design. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 03, 2025•27 min•Season 2Ep. 3
Take a tour of this impressive collection of Le Mans race cars, including Porsches, Ferraris, and Corvettes—one still bearing the mud from its historic victory - all from the collection of Bruce Meyer, world-renowned car collector and enthusiast. Robert dives into Bruce's significant involvement with the Petersen Automotive Museum and its efforts in fostering a community dedicated to car culture and the preservation of classic vehicles. Finally, Bruce talks about his iconic Shelby Cobra, recount...
May 20, 2025•29 min•Season 2Ep. 2
Foose Design, founded by Chip Foose in 1998, has earned an international reputation for building some of the world’s most celebrated custom cars. Whether turning clunkers into dream rides on his ten-season hit series Overhaulin’, or winning six of hot rodding’s prestigious Ridler Award with his multi-million-dollar creations, this designer’s work is legend. The youngest inductee into the Hot Rod Hall of Fame, Foose shares insights into his creative process, while explaining how advancements like...
May 06, 2025•30 min•Season 2Ep. 1
Robert Ross narrates the ultimate celebration of fine automobiles for anyone who collects or just appreciates the designs and pedigree of Cars That Matter. He emphasizes that while cars matter, the people behind them matter more. Cars That Matter is an exploration of automotive history, introducing listeners to the legends behind the world’s most important cars. With stunning visuals of classic and exotic vehicles in motion and on display, the trailer teases a series of in-depth conversations wi...
Apr 23, 2025•2 min•Season 2Ep. 1
Robert dives into Hagerty Insurance with McKeel Hagerty, who shares initiatives for the next generation of car collectors, different ways that children can interact with cars--ways no generation has been able to experience it before, personal stories, predictions, and his unique approach car reporting. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 12, 2025•45 min•Ep. 61
Robert Ross and Bill Curtis speak with Ian Cameron and Verena Kloos about about their years working in automotive design and how their approaches to luxury and function differ. Ian and Bill enjoy discussing Ian's time with Rolls Royce and some of the more famous features belonging to the mark. Verena looks back at her years with Designworks and BMW. They discuss cars that have changed automotive history and why after looking back on their own relationship. They also examine luxury and function i...
Jan 29, 2025•44 min•Ep. 4
Robert is joined by a panel of guests (Derek Bell, Marshall Terrill, and Jay Gillotti) to discuss what it was really like to drive in Le Mans in the 1970s, how the film came to be, the intertwined histories of the movies and the 917, what making the movie was actually like, and the impact the film had on car culture as a whole. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jan 15, 2025•39 min•Ep. 70
Robert Ross and Bill Curtis sit down with David Gooding of Gooding and Company. They discuss David's record-breaking Monterrey auction, the step-by-step process for getting a car to auction, where David's passion came from, what's happening to the collector car market, tips on how to strategize at an auction, and what cars David thinks might be collectible in the future. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jan 01, 2025•30 min
Robert Ross speaks with Pete Stout and Alex Palevsky about their years long friendship in regards to their love of cars--a friendship that led them to create 000, a luxury magazine for all things Porsche. They share insider stories about car reviews and test trials and even tell some stories about Porsche's place in automotive history and the future of cars that matter. https://www.000magazine.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Dec 18, 2024•45 min•Ep. 2
Before race car driver and automotive innovator Carroll Shelby passed in 2012, Robert Ross (host of Cars That Matter and friend of Shelby) recorded conversations with Shelby reviewing his place in history, his legacy, and even telling first-hand accounts of events depicted in the feature film Ford V. Ferrari. In this episode, Robert shares these recordings that span from 2002 to 2010. There will never be another like Carroll Shelby. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Dec 03, 2024•51 min•Ep. 6
Come along for a culinary thrill as Foods That Matter transports the epicures, the foodies, and the gastronauts to different corners of the world through stories of adventure with food archeologist John Robert Sutton, also known as 'The Indiana Jones of Food.' John has invited us to continue unlocking the secrets to the globe's most extraordinary cuisines, as he's been doing throughout his travel in over 120 countries. While he pushes on enriching top grocery stores and Michelin-starred chefs wi...
Jul 31, 2024•37 min
Today, Cars That Matter has the great fortune of welcoming on the legendary John Kraman to the show. John is the host of the Mecum Broadcast where he gets to fully represent all the car fans of the world on Motortrend TV. Robert and Mecum start by chatting (3:50) about how televised car auctions impact the market today. (6:00) Robert reminisces about some of the great sales that he’s seen on the Mecum auction (such as the rare Shelby Daytona Coupe going for 10 million dollars), and asks John to ...
Jan 23, 2023•42 min•Ep. 72
Cars That Matter is back with a special episode. On this week’s show, Robert chats with long time competition judge and owner of Bobileff Motorcar company Gary Bobileff. Gary specializes in Italian car restoration and is one of the leaders in the country for his custom work. Gary and Robert start off (1:50) chatting about their recent trip judging at the Las Vegas Concours d’Elegance at the Wynn and how this event is uniquely positioned to be a future top car event for many years to come. (6:00)...
Dec 08, 2022•36 min•Ep. 71
After Robert introducing the panel of guests, Robert asks Derek to describe what it was really like to drive in Le Mans in the 1970s (3:20). Then Marshall explains how the film came to be (6:15) and Jay dives into the intertwined histories of the movies and the 917 (7:17). Then Robert puts the conversation into high gear by asking what making the movie was actually like (8:41). Then Robert asks what Steve McQueen was like as a person (13:14), the parallels to reality in the film (19:05), and Der...
Jun 28, 2021•42 min•Ep. 70
After Robert justifies an entire episode about motorcycles, he introduces Bobby Haas and Stacey Mayfield and asks them to detail their museum (1:59), its stunning collection (6:57), and how they go about commissioning custom bikes (13:14). Following a short break, Robert redirects the conversation into "Leaving Tracks," Haas and Mayfield's new documentary: how it came to be (18:37), the people involved (23:43), and how the film examines the unique 'brotherhood' between bikers (29:14). Then, Robe...
Jun 21, 2021•53 min•Ep. 69
After a brief introduction, Robert asks Alex to detail the recent founding of Automobili Estrema (1:46) and how he got involved with Fulminea and what the vehicle is designed to be (3:22). Then Robert and Alex share their thoughts on the rapid embracing of electric vehicles (13:53). After a short break, Alex details when the car will come to market and what he thinks the future of cars will be (23:49). Finally, Alex shares how he got into design (30:22), found his way through Mercedes-Benz and B...
Jun 14, 2021•48 min•Ep. 68
After introducing Marlon, Robert asks about the origins and goals of the company (1:26) before diving into some specific models Robert had seen in Marlon's workshop (6:41). Then, the two men dig into the details of the engines and how Marlon approaches his work on those parts of the automobiles (13:22). After a short break, Robert asks Marlon to explain the torque and suspension in Marlon's latest Porsche update (18:58). Robert praises Marlon's beautiful and unique interiors (21:32), and then Ma...
Jun 07, 2021•36 min•Ep. 67
In honor of Memorial Day, Robert Ross re-examines the origins of Jeep--a vehicle that ultimately turned the tides of WW2 for America. By delving back into interviews with author Paul Bruno and Director Head of Design for Jeep, along with a new interview with Randall Withrow of the U.S. Veterans Memorial Museum (which houses an impressive collection of Jeeps used in the U.S. military, including the oldest surviving Jeep, the Ford Pygmy), Robert unpacks the underdog story of where Jeep came from a...
May 31, 2021•38 min•Ep. 66
After introductions, Robert asks Mark to delve into the origins of Jeep as a brand and how it was 'sold' to Americans following WWII (1:07). Then Mark drills down into how Jeep upholds the 'authentic' reputation it's had since its creation (3:35), how new designs must pay tribute to its past (6:52), and how the brand new 2021 Wagoneer continues that tradition (13:13). After a short break, Mark shares how Bronco's competition could expand Jeep's consumer base (17:34) and Robert asks for Mark's op...
May 24, 2021•38 min•Ep. 65
After introducing Tim, Robert asks Tim to explain what make M1 Concourse so special and the events that will be held there (21:20), including by focusing on the Woodward Dream Cruise and Show (4:41). Then detours to discuss their own personal relationship as it has related to cars over the years (6:36), before asking Tim to consider the difference between the CA car community and the Detroit car community (12:59). Then Tim shares details about an event he has created called the American Speed Fe...
May 17, 2021•38 min•Ep. 64
Jim Marietta and Ted Sutton, members of the Original Venice Crew, join to discuss their time working with Carroll Shelby, Ken Miles, Peter Brock, and Phil Remington, and the purpose of their new company and the cars they seek to create and preserve. Robert picks up where they left off and Jim explains the origins of The Original Venice Crew and how their designs came directly from the original designers and drivers (0:33). Then Jim shares the continuation cars the OVC are making today and how un...
May 10, 2021•32 min•Ep. 63
Jim Marietta and Ted Sutton, members of the Original Venice Crew, discuss their time working with Carroll Shelby, Ken Miles, Peter Brock, and Phil Remington, and the purpose of their new company and the cars they seek to create and preserve. Robert introduces Jim and Ted (0:39) and Jim explains 'who' the Original Venice Crew is and what they do (1:04). Then, Ted shares the story of how he got hired by Carroll Shelby and some of his time working in his shop (5:14) before Jim shares his own unlike...
May 03, 2021•30 min•Ep. 62
This week, we revisit a "Classic" Episode of Cars That Matter: Conversations with Carroll Shelby. In anticipation of next week's guests, who knew and worked with Shelby, Robert shares previously unheard conversations recorded eight years apart, introducing you to the man behind the legend and reviewing his place in history. Episode Notes: 0:05 - Prologue - Robert explains the importance and purpose of revisiting these recordings. 1:35 - Introducing Carroll - Robert shares the background and hist...
Apr 26, 2021•53 min
After some introductory banter, Robert dives into what Hagerty Insurance does (2:22). Then, McKeel shares a story of how he realized he should take his company to the next level by introducing initiatives for the next generation of car collectors (5:01). Then McKeel shares the different ways that children can interact with cars--ways no generation has been able to experience it before (12:49). Then Robert takes a moment to discuss the magazine produced by Hagerty and its unique approach car repo...
Apr 19, 2021•47 min•Ep. 61
After introductions, Robert and Dustin begin by discussing the road trip he recently completed in the 2021 VW ID.4 (0:57), what the ID.4 means to Volkswagen (4:10), and the benefits that come from owning an electric vehicle and what makes the ID.4 different (7:07). Then Robert asks Dustin to explain VW's longterm objectives for EV models (11:41) and how the car's marketing differs between the US and the rest of the world (13:14). After a short break, Dustin explains the production and use of bat...
Apr 12, 2021•32 min•Ep. 60
Eddie jumps straight back into the conversation by asking about Robert's fascination with watches and analog vs. digital (0:35) before digging into what makes a car 'matter' to Robert (3:04). Then Robert shares his regrets over the current 'grill wars' on the road and the loss of honest design in automobiles (5:30). Then Eddie asks Robert where he thinks the automotive landscape is heading with electric vehicles (8:28), then Eddie brings up the subject of cars becoming a decorative element in ho...
Apr 05, 2021•30 min•Ep. 59
After introducing Robert, Eddie asks Robert to detail where his passions originated in his childhood (2:43). Then Eddie and Robert consider the value and purpose of collections and how one approaches them (4:23) before finding out where his early interest in cars came from (7:46) and touching on Robert's art degree and how it ties into his overall passions (10:23). After a short break, Eddie asks Robert to explain how he turned his artistic passions turned into employment and automotive writing ...
Mar 29, 2021•33 min•Ep. 58
Following introductions, Robert asks Bert to reveal some details of how his book, Carchitecture: Houses with Horsepower , came together (1:30). Then, Robert dives into some chapters, photographs, and cars that caught his attention, including 'Classical Gas' (4:03) and a rare BMW 502 called the 'Baroque Angel' (5:43). Bert and Robert muse on how the twentieth century had to adapt to the automobile (7:06) before turning the conversation towards French design in both cars and buildings (11:55). The...
Mar 22, 2021•33 min•Ep. 57
After introducing Charlie Randall, Robert asks how Charlie got started at McIntosh Labs and how the company has changed over his time there (1:44). Then, Charlie shares McIntosh's partnership with Jeep on the upcoming release of their re-launched Wagoneer (5:05). Robert and Charlie discuss the pros and cons of working with car audio (8:52) and some of the other brands McIntosh Group is collaborating with in sound for automobiles (10:44). Charlie also shares his thoughts on the future of audio re...
Mar 15, 2021•34 min•Ep. 56
