Tag: podcast

Art and Walt Arfons, Need for Speed

Art and Walt Arfons, Need for Speed

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Art and Walt Arfons were brothers and drag racing pioneers who gained fame in the 1950s and 1960s for their innovative approach to high-speed racing.

An Arfons Mill calendar from the late 1950s showing Walt Arfons (right) and Art Arfons with three of their dragsters (courtesy Tom Joswick, Walt and Art’s nephew) (Source Samuel Hawley – http://www.samuelhawley.com/)

Art Arfons, born in 1926 in Ohio, was a mechanic by trade who became interested in drag racing as a teenager. He began building his own race cars in the early 1950s, and soon gained a reputation for his engineering and driving skills. In 1953, he set a new land speed record of 145.16 mph in his self-built “Green Monster” jet-powered car. He went on to set several more records and was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2007.

Walt Arfons, born in 1916, was Art’s older brother and also a skilled mechanic and racer. He began building race cars in the 1940s and teamed up with Art in the 1950s to form the Akron-Canton Airport Dragway team. Together, they built and raced a series of jet-powered cars, including the “Green Monster” and the “Wingfoot Express,” which set new land speed records and became crowd favorites at drag strips around the country.

Tom Green working on the body of the first Wingfoot Express in his garage in Wheaton, Illinois
(courtesy Tom Groh, Tom Green’s stepson) (Source Samuel Hawley – http://www.samuelhawley.com/)

Although the Arfons brothers eventually went their separate ways in the 1960s and 1970s, they left an indelible mark on the sport of drag racing and high-speed racing in general. Their innovative designs and engineering approaches helped pave the way for the modern era of high-speed racing, and their names remain synonymous with speed, power, and daring.

If this article has peaked your interest I’d suggest listening to the excellent Dork-O-Motive podcast episode showcasing the Arfons Brothers

The Dork-O-Motive Podcast by Brian Lohnes

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This podcast is a great listen, highly recommended!

The Dork-O-Motive Podcast hosted by Brian Lohnes is a research driven, story fueled, mechanically stoked look at the machines, people, and history that make up the modern mechanical world. Whether it’s the stories of the men and women who have done amazing things in racing, the machines that roar around tracks and shape the Earth, or some bizarre mechanized history, Dork-O-Motive is here to bring you the story in a fun, well-researched, and informative way!

Here’s a list of the episodes

Along with the podcast and other strings to his bow he’s the NHRA announcer on Fox

Kate Cook, owner and artist at Asphalt Canvas Custom Art, on Women Shifting Gears Powered by Hemmings – Amanda Busick @Hemmings

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It was at an early age that Kate Cook knew her passion in life was art.  By picking up commission pieces in high school, Kate was able to purchase her first car, a 1966 Jeepster Commando that she worked on with her father and brother

. It would be that Jeep that inspired her to combine her two loves into an artistic technique she calls “pinstripe illustration”. While she started her career in watercolor, ink and oil paint, she decided to meld the traditional methods of painting with versatile enamel car paint. 

Her latest series of illustrator paintings, entitled “She’s been everywhere, man!” are inspired by nostalgic Americana with a colorful contemporary twist focusing on classic cars, travel, and the timeless female figure. Kate’s husband and biggest cheerleader Morgan encouraged her to take the leap of faith and paint full time.

It’s because of his support, Kate is able to live her dream, one illustration at a time through her studio Asphalt Canvas Custom Art.

Season 3, Episode 51 – Kate Cook – Owner and Artist of Asphalt Canvas Custom Art Women Shifting Gears with Amanda Busick

It was at an early age that Kate Cook knew her passion in life was art.  By picking up commission pieces in high school, Kate was able to purchase her first car, a 1966 Jeepster Commando that she worked on with her father and brother.  It would be that Jeep that inspired her to combine her two loves into an artistic technique she calls “pinstripe illustration”.  While she started her career in watercolor, ink and oil paint, she decided to meld the traditional methods of painting with versatile enamel car paint.   Her latest series of illustrator paintings, entitled “She’s been everywhere, man!” are inspired by nostalgic Americana with a colorful contemporary twist focusing on classic cars, travel, and the timeless female figure. Kate’s husband and biggest cheerleader Morgan encouraged her to take the leap of faith and paint full time.  It’s because of his support, Kate is able to live her dream, one illustration at a time through her studio Asphalt Canvas Custom Art.    Our biggest takeaway in this latest edition of Women Shifting Gears Driven by Hemmings is that anything is possible when you have love and support around you.  
  1. Season 3, Episode 51 – Kate Cook – Owner and Artist of Asphalt Canvas Custom Art
  2. Season 3, Episode 50 – Anja Kempermann, U.S. Events Manager and Race Series Manager for Masters Historic Racing
  3. Season 3, Episode 49 – Daphne Norris – Car Enthusiast – Team Shelby
  4. Season 3, Episode 48 – Mia Walsh – Porsche Club of America – National High Performance Driver Education Chair
  5. Season 3, Episode 47 – Beth Paretta and Lyn St. James

A Brief History of Shelby Cars – Hagerty Media

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This is a really interesting listen from the Hagerty Sidedrafts podcast, Carroll Shelby did more than Ford

Carroll Shelby behind the wheel in 1964.Credit…Associated Press

Listen here

Everyone knows Carroll Shelby’s work with race cars and Mustangs, but he’s done so much more than that! Join us for a fun conversation about some of the lesser-known Shelby cars, hosted by Shelby expert, Colin Comer, and Brad Phillips, Executive Director of LeMay America’s Car Museum.

Myth and Mogul : John DeLorean – New Documentary @Netflix

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Netflix have released a recent documentary on the rise and fall of John DeLorean

Plus a look back at previous DeLorean content here on Automotive American

The documentary is a mixture of footage from a previous documentary and interviews with those involved at the time including family members.

For me it’s the best one so far and I guess may be the last?

For John’s back story you can go to Wikipedia

Information on the documentary can be found here at Netflix

A few years ago I interviewed Chris Parnham historian of the DeLorean Owners Club UK for my podcast, and I thought this would make a good companion to the new documentary. Details of the club can be found here

Chris is a lovely man and the interview can be found below

https://automotiveamerican.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/chris-parnham-delorean-blog.mp3

I was lucky to be given a copy of Chris’s and Andy Withers excellent book – DeLorean – Celebrating the Impossible 

The original article is here

Chrome Pipes and Pinstripes Podcast Episode 202 : Iron Trap Garage

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Episode 202 : Iron Trap Garage

In this episode Royboy talks with Matt Murray of Iron Trap Garage out of PA.

Listen in and hear the story of how he started the channel 4 years ago and grew it to the point that he’s leaving his day job so that he can do Iron Trap Garage full time.

Listen here

BLASPHEMI – The Inside Scoop on Finnegan’s Gasser! – 1320 Video

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Excellent video diary from 1320 Video on Mike Finnegan’s heroic efforts on the 2018 Hot Rod Drag Week. Mike’s aim was to complete the week and break nine seconds, did he make it?

Watch and find out!

You can find the excellent Kibbe & Finnegan podcast here for more information on the trip.

2018 Hot Rod Hill Climb Photos — Royboy Productions

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Take a look at Travis’s excellent coverage of the 2018 Hot Rod Hill Climb in Colorado.

Whilst you are there take a look at all of his articles and maybe buy a copy of his book covering his epic 48 cars in 48 states trip, also don’t forget his podcast!

620 more words

via 2018 Hot Rod Hill Climb Photos — Royboy Productions

Knight Rider Historians

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If you were a fan of the Knight Rider series back in the 80’s then this is the site for you!

These guys are the absolute authorities on the show and the KITT cars.

 

The site can be found here  you can find an interview with AJ Palmgren of Knight Rider Historians on Rob Kibbe’s excellent The Muscle Car Place podcast here

 

 

Revology – Classic Mustangs Reimagined

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Taking the restomod so much futher are Florida based Revology who are reinventing everything but the shape of the classic Ford Mustang.

These vehicles are a true work of art as you can see here

You can listen to an interview with Tom Scarpello of Revology on Rob Kibbe’s excellent Muscle Car Place podcast via this link