Mike Fernie spent 8+ years at DriveTribe, became Head of Video, and helped build some of the channel’s most-loved nerdy engine deep dives — now he’s gone solo on his own YouTube channel. We talk Clarkson/Hammond/May behind-the-scenes, how YouTube actually rewards consistency, and what Mike’s building next (including a big-turbo XJS and the infamous V10 MX-5). https://www.youtube.com/Mike_Fernie Enjoy. Show Notes: 00:00 Mike Fernie: the quick backstory (engineering → car media) 03:06 Leaving Driv...
Dec 25, 2025•1 hr 49 min•Season 1Ep. 259
Petrol Ped joins me to talk hybrids, from plug-ins to Porsche’s new 911 GTS-T Hybrid. We dig into whether a hybrid is better than the same car without. What makes a good PHEV, why real-world MPG figures are nonsense, and how Porsche is bringing back the ICE Boxster / Cayman. Enjoy. 👉 https://www.youtube.com/@PetrolPed Show Notes: 02:51 Plug-In Hybrids vs. Full EVs — The Real-World Trade-Off 06:03 How Modern Plug-In Hybrids Finally Got Good 09:00 Charging, Battery Health, and the Myths Around 3-...
Oct 28, 2025•1 hr 48 min•Season 1Ep. 258
I sit down with Tiff Needell — racer first, TV legend second — to talk F1 beginnings, Le Mans nights, and how the airfield days birthed that trademark opposite-lock testing style. We get honest about what makes a car feel alive , the quiet magic of cheap manuals, EV tradeoffs, and Tiff’s forever garage from McLaren F1 to Morris 1000. Tiff's Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/1L311xIKsJMmXpyaF1jbbZ Enjoy, Show Notes: 00:00 Tiff Needell: End of an Era for Drivers 02:49 Racing Driver → TV: Car ...
Sep 30, 2025•1 hr 32 min•Season 1Ep. 257
Al Clark is the founder of Outrun Films and one of the leading automotive directors working in the industry today. From Bugatti and McLaren to Aston Martin, Al’s career spans viral films, major commercials, and the evolution of CGI car production. We discuss his journey from grassroots filming to global campaigns, what goes into making hypercars look their best on screen, and how the industry is adapting to new platforms. Enjoy, https://www.outrun.tv/ 00:00 – Intro & Al Clark’s path into car...
Sep 23, 2025•1 hr 56 min•Season 1Ep. 256
Miro Zrnčević is the Chief Test and Development Driver at Bugatti Rimac. We talk about his journey from Croatian car journalist to driving the most powerful hypercars in the world, what makes a great test driver, and how you balance engineering, feel, and feedback at 400 km/h. Enjoy. https://www.rimac-automobili.com/ https://www.bugatti.com/ Show Notes: 00:00 The New Era of Hypercars 09:44 From Journalist to Test Driver 16:44 What Makes a Great Test Driver? 24:14 How to Talk to Engineers 30:08 S...
Aug 05, 2025•1 hr 42 min•Season 1Ep. 255
Rod Chong is a creative director and automotive cultural icon whose career spans music videos, video games, and real-world car culture. In this episode, Sam explores Rod’s journey from directing rock music videos to co-founding Speedhunters, leading creative direction on Need for Speed and Project CARS , and building cutting-edge car experiences at Race Service with brands like Ferrari and Porsche. It’s a deep dive into racing games, car culture storytelling, and the art of blending virtual and ...
Jul 29, 2025•1 hr 15 min•Season 1Ep. 254
George Williams returns to talk about launching Get Lost Automotive and their first build, Project Safari — a lifted, reimagined Lotus Elise S1. We cover everything from road trip stories to suspension geometry, design philosophy, and how he’s applying his photographic eye to building cars. Enjoy. https://www.getlostautomotive.com/ https://www.gfwilliams.net/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
Jul 22, 2025•1 hr 51 min•Season 1Ep. 253
Katarina Kyvalova races everything from pre-war Bentleys to Jaguar E-Types at places like Le Mans, Spa, and Monaco. We talk about her mad first race in a 1928 Bentley, how she handles gearboxes with no synchro, and what it’s really like driving five weeks across the world in the Beijing to Paris rally. Enjoy. https://www.instagram.com/kkyvalova/ Chapters: 00:00 – Why Racing Is Addictive 03:01 – From Classic Rally Co-Driver to Vintage Race Addict 05:57 – Baptism by Fire: Her First Race Was a 24-H...
Jul 15, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Season 1Ep. 252
Jingyi Chen, Head of Battery at Breathe Battery Technologies, joins me to discuss how software is transforming the way EV batteries are charged, managed, and designed. We get into the science behind fast charging, battery degradation, and why Breathe’s tech is already being used by major OEMs like Volvo, Rimac and Cosworth. Enjoy. https://www.breathebatteries.com Chapters: 00:00 - Intro: Smarter batteries, faster charging 02:48 - What makes lithium-ion batteries tick 05:44 - Battery management s...
Jun 24, 2025•44 min•Season 1Ep. 251
Matt Prior is back for a good rant about car tech gone wrong — from driver-monitoring nags to touchscreens where buttons should be. We cover the charm of the Ineos Grenadier, the Ariel Nomad, small luxury cars, and Matt’s latest purchase, plus behind-the-scenes stories from Autocar’s “My Week in Cars.” Enjoy. https://www.autocar.co.uk/ Show Notes: 00:00 – Why Cars Nag You: Attention Assist and Driver Monitoring 03:02 – How The Podcast Started (and Who’s Behind It) 05:55 – Weird Cars We Love: Nic...
Jun 17, 2025•1 hr 30 min•Season 1Ep. 250
Simon Saunders, founder of Ariel Motor Company, returns to chat about the all-new Nomad 2, the future of EVs, Ariel's experimental hypercar, and why some cars just make people smile. We also dive into titanium 3D printing, rally testing, and the psychology of driving. Enjoy, https://www.arielmotor.co.uk Chapters: 03:01 Introducing the Nomad 2: Design and Performance Changes 05:58 Off-Road Capabilities and Customer Experiences 08:58 Testing and Development: Real-World Applications 11:51 The Psych...
Jun 10, 2025•48 min•Season 1Ep. 249
Goran Turkic, founder and CEO of Tedson Motors, returns to the podcast to discuss their bold new project: the Etna. Based on the Lamborghini Gallardo, yet radically re-engineered and redesigned, the Etna aims to deliver the most authentic driving experience possible in 2025. Goran shares insights into the challenges of blending Lamborghini's iconic V10 heritage with cutting-edge technology, achieving over 10,000 RPM, and how they've completely reimagined the Gallardo chassis and aesthetics. Enjo...
Jun 03, 2025•51 min•Season 1Ep. 248
Paul Howse shares insights from his fascinating career as a car designer, highlighted by his 11-year tenure at McLaren Automotive where he was instrumental in designing iconic cars like the McLaren P1 and the 720S. From drawing cars in his school books to refining automotive design at Northumbria and the Royal College of Art, Paul discusses the delicate balance between aesthetics, functionality, and innovation in automotive design. He also shares personal stories about the pressures and triumphs...
May 27, 2025•1 hr 25 min•Season 1Ep. 247
Amy Heynes (Shore) is an acclaimed automotive and lifestyle photographer known for her distinctive, storytelling style that blends photojournalism with classic automotive scenes. In this episode, Amy joins Sam Moores to delve into her journey from wedding photography to becoming a prominent figure capturing the emotional and human elements of the automotive world. They discuss the nuances of developing a personal style, navigating commercial pressures, and finding genuine inspiration beyond the ...
Apr 29, 2025•1 hr 43 min•Season 1Ep. 246
Howden Haynes is the Technical Director and co-owner of Progressive Motorsport, known for his engineering skills and extensive experience in top-level racing with Audi Sport Team Joest and Bentley’s Le Mans programs. Howden shares insights into his motorsport journey, from early days at hill climbs to engineering wins at iconic races like Le Mans and DTM. He provides a behind-the-scenes look at the innovations and challenges involved with racing technology, including Audi’s diesel prototypes and...
Apr 22, 2025•1 hr 47 min•Season 1Ep. 245
In this episode of the Car Chat Podcast, photographer Kevin McCauley, renowned for his distinctive automotive imagery shares insights from his journey from graphic design to professional car photography. Kevin details his evolution from shooting exclusively on iPhones to producing editorial, commercial, and auction photography for leading automotive brands. The discussion explores his unique approach to capturing cars, the importance of embracing event atmospheres, and his new book, "Waiting for...
Apr 15, 2025•1 hr 49 min•Season 1Ep. 244
Steffen Dobke is the founder of Analogue Automotive, a company that restores and reimagines the Lotus Series 1 Elise. Steffen shares his journey, the philosophy behind Analogue Automotive, and what makes their builds stand out in a world full of ultra expensive 911 restomods. Discover the story and ethos that has shaped these builds. https://analogueautomotive.co.uk/ Enjoy. Show Notes: 00:00 The Journey of Customisation in Automotive 03:09 Passion for Performance Cars 06:05 The Art of Suspension...
Apr 07, 2025•1 hr 19 min•Season 1Ep. 243
Joey Seely, founder of E-Motion Engineering, joins the Car Chat Podcast to discuss his journey from motorsport mechanic to running one of the premier automotive tuning and suspension setup companies. Joey shares his expertise on vehicle dynamics, suspension tuning, his motorsport adventures, and what it takes to make a car truly handle. A deep dive for enthusiasts who appreciate the art and science of automotive engineering. Enjoy. https://emotionengineering.co Show Notes: 00:00 The Art of Porsc...
Mar 31, 2025•1 hr 56 min•Season 1Ep. 242
In this episode, I'm joined by Masa Kuji, co-founder of Built By Legends, the renowned Japanese restomod company that brings iconic cars like the Skyline GT-R and classic Honda Civics into the modern age. Masa shares the fascinating journey from producing English-dubbed versions of legendary Japanese car films like Best Motoring and Hot Version to creating bespoke, high-quality restorations with legendary Japanese tuning houses Mines and Spoon Sports. We dive into the meticulous details involved...
Mar 24, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Season 1Ep. 241
Jonny Hart, founder of Classic Retrofit, joins the podcast to talk about modernising classic cars while preserving their charm. With a background in aerospace and electronics, Jonny has developed innovative plug-and-play solutions that improve reliability, from fuse panels to full climate control systems. We discuss the challenges of integrating modern tech into old-school vehicles, working with restomod pioneers like Singer, and the future of automotive electronics. Enjoy. https://www.classicre...
Mar 17, 2025•2 hr 12 min•Season 1Ep. 240
Luca Betti, founder and CEO of Kimera Automobili, is a former professional rally driver who now specializes in creating exceptional restomod vehicles, reviving iconic rally legends through modern engineering and innovation. Luca discusses his early career in rallying, sharing pivotal experiences from competing internationally and his transition into entrepreneurship. He reveals the inspiration and meticulous development process behind Kimera Automobili’s acclaimed Evo 37 restomod, designed to ho...
Mar 10, 2025•56 min•Season 1Ep. 239
Riccardo Quaggio is the founder and creative force behind Totem Automobili. Riccardo shares his journey from being a designer at Alfa Romeo to launching a brand that builds fully re-engineered, handcrafted Alfa Romeo Giulia GT restomods with modern technology, custom-built engines, and obsessive attention to detail. https://totemautomobili.com/ We discuss how Totem began with an electric restomod before shifting focus to an ultra-lightweight twin-turbo V6 version, the challenges of designing an ...
Mar 03, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 238
This week we are joined by Daniel Morad , professional racing driver and AMG factory driver, to dive into his journey from karting at eight years old to competing on the world’s biggest endurance racing stages. We talk about his early days in go-karting, the challenges of moving through the ranks, and the intense physical demands of racing – including how he bulked up his neck to survive 5G corners! https://moradness.com/ Daniel shares the highs and lows of his career, from winning championships...
Feb 24, 2025•1 hr 50 min•Season 1Ep. 237
This week we sit down with Tim Dutton, the man behind Ivan Dutton, a specialist restoration business dedicated to pre-war Bugattis. Tim shares his deep-rooted family history in motorsport and Bugatti restoration, tracing back to his grandfather’s time as a riding mechanic at Brooklands. https://www.duttonbugatti.co.uk/ The conversation covers the intricacies of restoring and maintaining these historic machines, from the engineering brilliance of Ettore Bugatti to the evolving world of vintage ca...
Feb 17, 2025•1 hr 42 min•Season 1Ep. 236
Marlon Goldberg shares his journey from car dealerships to founding Workshop 5001, diving into Porsche restoration, car culture, and the importance of technical knowledge in sales. We cover the philosophy behind Workshop 5001 and what makes these cars so special. https://workshop5001.com/ Show Notes: 00:00 The Porsche Restoration Landscape 02:58 Marlon Goldberg: Journey into Porsche Restoration 06:13 The Evolution of Car Dealerships 09:01 From Sales to Operations: A Career Shift 11:47 Building R...
Feb 10, 2025•1 hr 44 min•Season 1Ep. 235
Gordian Von Schöning (CTO at HWA) joins us for a chat about his journey with HWA. We cover what goes on at this impressive company, a bit about it's genesis and the projects along the way including their new HWA Evo. This is not your average restomod. https://www.hwalegacy.com/ https://www.hwaag.com/en/ Enjoy, Sam Show Notes: 00:00 Rethinking Restomodding 00:49 Gordian's Engineering Journey 03:07 HWA's Legacy in Motorsports 05:56 The Evolution of HWA 08:48 Technology in DTM Racing 12:13 The Rela...
Feb 03, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Season 1Ep. 234
Craig Callum, Senior Design Manager at Hot Wheels (@cforcraig), joins us for a fascinating conversation about his journey through the automotive and toy industries. From dreaming of being a car designer at age five to working at MG Rover, Lego, and now Hot Wheels, Craig has always been driven by creativity. We discuss his time freelancing for Lego while snowboarding in the Alps, his role in creating the popular Speed Champions line, and how he's now leading the design of Hot Wheels' iconic mini ...
Jan 27, 2025•1 hr 35 min•Season 1Ep. 233
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Jan 13, 2025•2 min•Season 1Ep. 232
Bruce Wood is the Managing Director of Cosworth. Bruce shares his journey from starting at Cosworth as a graduate in 1987 to leading the company through iconic projects like the Cosworth Sierra, IndyCar engines, and modern hypercars like the Aston Martin Valkyrie. https://www.cosworth.com/ Enjoy, Sam Show Notes: 00:00 The Passion for Engineering and Design 02:55 Bruce Wood's Journey at Cosworth 05:50 The Evolution of Cosworth in Motor Racing 09:12 The Impact of Technology on Engine Design 12:07 ...
Jan 06, 2025•2 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 226
Robin Shute is an engineer and 4x Pikes Peak Champion. He competes in the top class with his Wolf based racer. Robin joins me at home for a chat about Pikes Peak, racing, his engineering background and his upcoming car designed to smash records. A great chat with some real depth. Enjoy, Sam https://www.instagram.com/robin.shute/?hl=en https://www.youtube.com/@thesendyclub Show Notes: Chapters 00:00 The Basics of Engineering and Racing 00:46 Robin Shute: A Racing Journey 04:00 Early Influences an...
Dec 30, 2024•1 hr 48 min•Season 1Ep. 225
