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 share some of his most memorable auction moments over the years. (9.45) John shares about some of the types of cars that have been the most desirable over the years, and ones that may continue to be. (12:00) Robert and John share about where vintage restoration modding is heading and why it’s such a strong trend right now. (13:30) John chats about how the domestic and international markets are changing with the younger generation entering the scene. 

After the break (22:16) Robert asks John if there are any “rules” to being a collector, and John shares some of his best advice yet. (25:00) John shares a story about why the worry of “overpaying” shouldn’t be as big of a deal as people make it. What about bargain hunting? (28:15) John shares some tips on what to look for. (30:15) Robert asks John what he thinks about pre-war cars and where they might be headed. (32:45) Mecum is also involved in motorcycle sales and is one of the worlds largest sellers via auction. John shares about Mecum selling not only cars and motorcycles but all sorts of different categories of vehicles and the great success Mecum has had with them as they approach the infamous 1 Billion dollar checkpoint in total sales. (35:20) Finally, Robert asks John a bit about himself and how he got into the hobby of car collecting.

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Hosted by: Robert Ross

Produced and Edited by: AJ Moseley

Theme Music by: Celleste and Eric Dick

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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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) Gary shares the intricacies and methodology of modern day judging for some of the best car shows in the world. (11:20) Robert asks Gary about the intimate relationship between serving a customers restoration wants while also preserving the sensitive value of a car and it’s original design. (15:08) Are previously restored cars coming back for restoration many years down the line?

After the break (17:20) Gary and Robert discuss the difficult road ahead in finding Italian car restoration workers in the US given the landscape of the job. (18:50) Gary dives into his love of the Lamborghini Miura and why he has positioned himself as the perennial expert in restoring said vehicles. (25:10) Robert asks Gary what his favorite Italian cars are to drive, and Gary shares some of the best for different occasions. (29:09) Gary and Robert talk about one of Gary’s favorite projects in restoring the prototype rolling chassis Miura that was presented at the Turin Auto Show and some of the unique obstacles it presented. 

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Hosted by: Robert Ross

Produced and Edited by: AJ Moseley

Theme Music by: Celleste and Eric Dick

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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 Derek shares the times when the film got a little 'too real' (21:16). Lastly, Robert brings up the product placement prevalent in the film (25:07), Marshall shares the impact the movie had on McQueen (30:53), and then the guests consider the impact the film had on car culture as a whole. 

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Hosted by: Robert Ross

Produced and Edited by: Chris Porter

Theme Music by: Celleste and Eric Dick

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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, Robert circles back to discuss how Bobby came to be where he is in life (39:50), his time as an aerial photographer (43:03), and how his relationship to Stacey ultimately changed his life for the better (47:42).

https://www.haasmotomuseum.com/
https://www.gentlemansride.com/

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Hosted by: Robert Ross

Produced and Edited by: Chris Porter

Theme Music by: Celleste and Eric Dick

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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 BMW (33:52), and pioneered a designer program (43:21).

https://fulminea.com/

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Hosted by: Robert Ross

Produced and Edited by: Chris Porter

Theme Music by: Celleste and Eric Dick

A CurtCo Media production

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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 Marlon dissects exactly what makes Workshop 5001's take on cars original and honorific of the original vehicles (25:23). Lastly, Robert and Marlon share their thoughts on the current Porsche community (30:24) before wrapping up with Marlon's opinion on the electrification of Porsches (34:02).

Learn More: https://workshop5001.com/

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Hosted by: Robert Ross

Produced and Edited by: Chris Porter

Theme Music by: Celleste and Eric Dick

A CurtCo Media production

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 and where it's going.

Episode Timestamps:

Prologue (0:00) - Robert introduces this very special episode examining the origins of Jeep and its pivotal role in WWII by considering where the name 'Jeep' actually came from.

Past (3:39) - Paul Bruno, author of ‘Project Management in History: The First Jeep’ and ‘The Original Jeeps,’ explains the unlikely origins of the first models of Jeep--made with minimal time in a period of national crisis. 

Present (16:17) - Randall Withrow of the U.S. Veterans Memorial Museum explains what has been done to honor and preserve Jeeps since WWII and explains how the museum came to have its collection--including the original Ford Pygmy, which is a part of the National Register of Historic Vehicles.

Future (29:06)- Mark Allen, Director Head of Design at Jeep explains how the past designs inform the present and what the company has in mind for the future, as the brand growing into a worldwide name.

Epilogue (36:28) - Robert muses on how such a small and simply made car could have impacted the world so greatly. 

Special thanks to Casey Maxon and the Historic Vehicle Association.

Learn More:
https://memorialmuseum.org/

jeep.com

https://originaljeeps.com/

https://www.hagerty.com/drivers-club/my-garage/78598943/national-historic-vehicle-register

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Hosted by: Robert Ross

Produced and Edited by: Chris Porter

Theme Music by: Celleste and Eric Dick

A CurtCo Media production

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 opinions on where Jeep is going in the future (22:28). Then Robert has Mark explain the origins of the Jeep Gladiator (25:55). Then, Robert digs into the interesting colors of Jeep (28:12) and Mark explains how his career led him to Jeep (31:02)

Learn More: Jeep.com

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Learn More: Cars That Matter

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Hosted by: Robert Ross

Produced and Edited by: Chris Porter

Theme Music by: Celleste and Eric Dick

A CurtCo Media production

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.