The Round Six Podcast

“YOU DON’T WANT A GRILLE THAT LOOKS LIKE SOMEONE KICKED IT IN WITH THEIR FOOT” Dan Baker of Alumicraft Street Rod Grilles jumps from the road home to the Round Six Podcast and talks all manners of turning aluminum chunks into chips. More than that, we talk starting a small business, career transition, life lessons, and bartering work for a Pines Winterfront grille. Heck, we even touch on the demise of some Schwinn Stingray bikes. It’s got drama, heartbreak and Maytag repair. You aren’t going to find that kind of range at twice the price anywhere else. THINGS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE: * Dan’s involvement in a couple of 2019 Ridler Great-8 cars * The history of Alumicraft Street Rod Grilles * Attending the 1971 Street Rod Nationals * Growing up in the industry * Starting small in the back room of Dad’s house * Using a bandsaw and table saw to craft a grille insert * From Maytag repairman to building custom grille inserts * The ugly 1937 Dodge sedan that started it allRoad trip tales of Dan’s first car * Scavenging parts from a “buck-a-whack” car * The sad demise of that first car (and some Schwinn Stingrays, too) * Life lessons and getting priorities in order * Building everything to order * Watching the most popular grille go from 1936 Chevy to 1937 Chevy car grilles * Having your product ripped-off by one of your dealers * The multitude of grilles for fiberglass-bodied cars * Making sure that a grille fits when it gets to the other side of the world * The Pines Winterfront barter story * When to call in a pro * Keeping up with trends– When discretionary income dictates a trend * Working with a designer versus recreating a factory piece * The importance of setting up at shows * Go-karting * The WD-40 connection * Window-licking and wearing a helmet; Brad takes a shot at Brian * Dan butters us up * Brian sees his shadow and decrees the start of show season * Alex explores early-Springtime fashion on the left coast

“AFTER ABOUT FIFTEEN YEARS, I’M LIKE ‘MAYBE I COULD BUILD A CAR!'” Luc De Lay sat down with the Gearheads in The Round Six Experience at the 70th Grand National Roadster Show. The son of famed metalsmith Marcel De Lay of Marcel’s Custom Metal Shaping (Corona, CA) fame, he has been actively forming custom steel for some of the world’s finest hot rods, custom cars and high-end restorations for over thirty-five years. THINGS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE: * Noting Luc’s involvement in nine of the cars across the aisle from our booth * Humble beginnings * Getting work with builders like chip Foose, Roy Brizio, Rick Dore, Boyd and more * A thirty-year family affair in the shop– Working with his Dad and brother * First projects on his own– Having Dad drop in– Marcel finds his way back into the shop after retirement– On keeping up with eighty-six year old Dad– The unfortunate passing of Marcel at eighty-nine * The trials of working alone * “You don’t see a lot of morbidly obese metal shapers” * “Dad’s fingers are smoking…” * The story of Marcel narrowly avoiding bombs during the war * Learning because you have to * Luc discusses his dream car * The attempt to round up a tribute retrospective of cars that the DeLays have worked on– A roughly ninety-car list * On having shaped eleven Ridler and AMBR cars * Brian proposes the “De Lay Memorial Metal Shaping Award”– The gang proposes making the actual award from fiberglass– “Planishing fists” * Moving from classics like Duesenbergs and Delahayes to hot rods * The Boydster * Boyd’s ’36 Roadstar– A discussion on a car being ahead of its time– The Sportstar * A discussion of “relatable” cars and design * The best bang for your “buck” (…is this thing on?) * Always building for a builder– The difference between building for an individual versus a shop * On knowing when to stop– Fabrication shop hours VS paint shop hours * “How big is your scrap pile?” * Riding dirt bikes * Having the help of his wife in the shop

LARRY ERICKSON GOES FREEWHEELING WITH THE GEARHEADS The Gearheads had the good fortune to sit down for a while with legendary Automotive Designer Larry Erickson in The Round Six Experience at the 70th Grand National Roadster Show. In keeping with the original vision of the podcast, it’s a free-form conversation with a master… No outline, no agenda, just a group of friends talking cars, and we’re stoked to be able to bring you along.If you’ve ever wondered what influences an influential designer, this one has your answer. We dig deep into the process of deign, the organic nature, and the progression of the skill, and dive into the build history of one of the most significant custom cars of all time, Cadzilla. Talk gets uncensored and real, and you’ll be amazed at just how delicately interconnected so much of hot rodding’s history is. THINGS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE: * The shift in hot rod culture in the early-1960’s * The industry-insider’s * Larry digs into the genesis of the podcast– That moment when your hero is interested in what you do– Karaoke night leads to a podcast– The other side of the podcast, Stories n’ Steel– Creating something that no one else has * Larry on the importance of documenting industry heroes and their stories– Having to add asterisks every year to the Hall of Fame members list– Learning from heroes, and preserving that knowledge * On rounding up the cars for a special exhibition– The power of networking * Brad and Brian trade jabs * The ever-changing aesthetic of AMBR contending cars– Traditional meets Indy car-themed meets early speed product look–Reflection of the time in a car * What influences Larry CADZILLA * The Cadzilla project process– Pre-internet collaborative design challenges– The importance of having a team of actively-involved car people– The cost of a marquee build– Billy Gibbons goes down the rabbit hole * The evolution of Cadzilla– The Jack Chisenhall/Billy Gibbons connection– The Eliminator Coupe finds its way onto yet another conversation– Getting microscopic on details– On selecting the right car for the project, the Sedanette– Selling the project on one sketch– Staying the course– “Why the Moon tank?” gets answered    • “Like Robert DeNiro without the mole”– Another Harry Hibler connection– Air-freighting a 500ci Caddy motor– Art Chrisman’s take on the “junk” motor– Trivia: The 500-inch Cadillac engine was the mule motor for the Presidential Limousine– When things get “too cute”– Driving Cadzilla “You can’t see the road for 1/4 mile ahead of you, but you feel cool“)   • Cadzilla in the Detroit snow– The Round Six connection to the Cadzilla tour motorcycles (Brad takes a gamble)– The Mick Jenkins connection TALKING PERSONAL PROJECTS AND MORE * On car ownership, and what happens to a car after it’s built * Larry’s 1932 Chevy Roadster– “It’s a six figure car, and I’m a five-figure guy” * The cost of detailing * A veritable who’s who of hot rodding * “Work with what you have” * Back to the bikes– The Bob Bauder and Jesse James connections * Redefining Cadillac design in the 1990’s * Even more macrame’ * Larry heaps praise on some of our friends,

“IN A WORLD…” James Owens drops into The Round Six Experience at the 70th Grand National Roadster Show, and talks art, acting, cars and the mysteries of the mighty (and oft-misunderstood) Gaffer.In what quickly became our most quotable episode ever,  things immediately slide waaaayyy off of the rails, and from there is an on-the-rails/off-the-rails adventure. From early days in art school and school plays to working with A-list studios, James has had a diverse and creatively-fueled career that beautifully paved a path to his present. Follow along, and get an uncensored look at forging a career path in both Hollywood and automotive art. THINGS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE: * The mysterious career activities of the Gaffer * Jim’s hat * Alternate-dimension Chip Foose biopic * Things go all Maury Povich * “We’re definitely using some of that” * “Feign happiness” * Lay pigment and get paid * Founding of the Brush Bastards * The thunder of Doc Marten boots, the pitter-patter of Vans and the squeak of Converse All-Stars * “Stomp’s less-intelligent cousin, Mosey“ * James Owens: the Switzerland of the podcast * Painting or acting * Jim on the move to Eastern Tennessee * From advertising to acting– Making an agent money prior to ever meeting them * From the Dad in a Dollywood commercial to the Sultan of Sable– Brian proposes a disastrous ten-year commercial cast reunion project * Navigating the LA/So-Cal acting and automotive art worlds– Where the real money is in acting * How you can help a fellow artist * James’ first commission, Speed Demon * “Name that car” * Center for Creative Studies * “I spent my twenties marker high“ – Honing art skills with markers * A flood of puns and double-entendres * A sexually-induced stupor * The genesis of Car Noir– Telling a story in the art * Avoiding predictability * Knowing when to pull the plug on a piece * Brian proposes “Frankencanvas,” the ultimate cast-off art show * The magic of Fordite– Mechanical dentures meet Fine Art * The creative process * “Let’s see you act your way out of this, Funny Man” * Jim’s Hudson Pacemaker * ATM mogul * “Neckwear Bouillabaisse” * Things get… “furry”

“WHO LEFT THE SKID MARK IN THE BATHROOM?” The Round Six Experience at the 70th Grand National Roadster Show was a hotbed of activity, and played host to a number of great guests! Here on Episode forty-five, we’re joined by pat guests (“repeat offenders”) Chip Foose and Carson Lev. It’s a two-fer of the highest order, and these guys were a blast. Chip was being honored as “Builder of the Decade,” and had an impressive display of a dozen cars, right across the aisle from the Gearheads, and talk turned quickly to judging and building cars to compete for the title of America’s Most Beautiful Roadster… As well as macrame, bad puns and poop jokes, naturally.Better than just a social visit, this one goes deep into lessons on licensing, indemnity and marketing, not to mention some great connections with Disney, CarsLand and Round Six. Heck, we’ll even throw in some behind-the-scenes history on a few iconic builds. All of that and some Hot Rod Elvis approval on marketing gone weird with our stickers. Enjoy. THINGS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE: * Skid marks and giant rings * Carson goes sock-free * The gang talks AMBR picks – Chip goes outside of the box with his pick * The ever-evolving path to AMBR– What it takes today VS in the past– “Beauty” being the operative word VS the entire skill set * The process of elimination VS optimization– Good execution of an idea VS poor design/aesthetic of an idea * Builder of the Decade, and how that came to be– Even “Hot Rod Elvis” is not immune to oversight– Keeping the spirit of Boyd in a car– Speaking of Boyd… that photo– A discussion of the styling cues on some of Chip’s display vehicle choices * The 0032 * The genesis of Foose Design– The whole story behind the building and the steps that led to it * Boydster 1 and 2– The Boyd bankruptcy * The AMBR rules change alleged controversy story * The Hemisfear and the JL Full-Throttle story– A lesson in IP and indemnification– Driving a Hillborn-injected 640HP, 2,300-lb car– The last Dick Landy Hemi that almost was– The Tom Gale connection– The cease and desist letter   – A lesson in names and licensing   – “We don’t have to be right; we just have to crush you”   – On not being afraid to change directions * The Cars Land story– Brad’s tool box– A lesson in humility and having things work out well– The Round Six/Radiator Springs connection– The Disney security gate/name problem– The last remaining original DisneyLand parking lot * Round Six marketing – “Always a Happy Ending” * “Cheese, Everyone”

“IT’LL LOOK GOOD ON THE MENU.” The Gearheads spent the weekend at the 70th Grand National Roadster Show, and sat with our good friend, Jeff Allison and talked design, careers and rum-based drink concepts.Forging a career with unique art, ideas and a ton of personality, Jeff Allison is presently the Creative Design Consultant at Shine Speed Shop, where he is re-branding what has become an iconic name in the industry, and having a ton of fun doing it. From humble beginnings, Jeff made a name for himself through his art, and is a lesson in success from the “go your own way” school of thinking.As things often do when you put artists at the same table, conversation freewheels and spins delightfully off of the rails. A laid-back time with a good friend at the Granddaddy of them All, this was a highlight of Saturday in the Round Six Experience. Big thanks to Jeff for stopping by, hanging out with us, and letting loose for a while. Look for more with Jeff here ion the podcast, and be sure to check out all of the latest cool stuff going on over at Shine Speed Shop and Allison Design by visiting the links below in the show notes. THINGS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE: * The joy of being regular * Jeff taking the position of Creative Design Consultant for Shine Speed Shop– Making your own business cards is a rite of passage * An organ stand isn’t a suggestive exercise– Yet another ZZ Top reference on the show * Re-branding a company as a day job * Utilizing a skill set that many don’t know you possess * Return of the Chrysler Airflow * Customizing an iconic design– Risk VS reward– Winning Designer’s Choice at Eyes on Design– Revisionist historical tomfoolery for project success– The method design process * The gang goes Tiki– Rum-based drinks– Tang finds redemption– The dangers of freeze-dried rum * Early art inspiration– CARtoons Magazine, Ed Roth, George Trosley * Developing a unique style in a sea of similarly-influenced artists and designers * Embracing the digital toolkit * Working with Mattel– The Hot Wheels Days– If Hot Wheels weren’t enough, Star Wars Hot Wheels doubles-down on cool– The Jar-Jar concept– The ones that didn’t make it– Actual research VS Robot Chicken-style research– Barbie the destroyer * Toy designers want to design real cars; car designers want to design toys * There’s always haters * The creative process * “Compare with…” * Jeff goes alternate-dimension on a Jaguar with Rob Ida * Jeff plots a simplistic Model A * What’s next for Jeff

“TRY NOT TO MAKE IT LOOK LIKE A CHRISTMAS TREE.” Dave Lane. We could probably leave it at that, and images of perfect top chops and stance and wheel and tire combos would dance in your head all night long. You’re about to embark on a journey that brings oh-so-much more. What does a world-class builder build for himself? What part of a build makes or breaks a man? Has he ever been confused with a guy who fishes for Carp? Some things are better left unknown, but we go there for you because we care.In episode forty-three, leading into the Grand National Roadster Show, we sit with Dave Lane and talk humble beginnings, the process of building a great car, and where stye comes from. We dig deep into the psychology of running a one-man shop, attracting and maintaining a steady flow of work from dedicated clients, and then glance long and hard at what saved the industry back in 2008.If you’re just starting out, or even working to restructure your shop or studio or brand, this one is a treasure trove of insight and a case study in the right way to go about it. THINGS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE: * Days and days of sanding louvers maketh (or breaketh) a man * Attracting the right clients for your shop and build style * Retaining a core group of clients * How to schedule the next project * The value of having your clients communicate with one another– Putting the client at ease– Establishing trustworthiness– Seeking clients who share a similar vision * Balancing the car’s budget VS what it needs– Why Dave’s builds don’t have radios * Brian throws down the George Poteet/Sparkomatic/Pyramid amp challenge * The guys wax nostalgic over a Pioneer Super Tuner and N-50’s * A history of building model cars * Dave’s first car * A chance meeting with Harry Hibler * Dave’s affair with the ZZ Top Eliminator coupe– The ZZ Top video litmus test– Brad finds a local tie-in to the “Legs” video– Brian picks on Brad– Every red car was “the ZZ Top car”– The ubiquitous ZZ Top key chain * Building a car while working full-time and going to school– Starting out with a Pontiac– Putting every dime into a car project * Network design in Germany * The wagon– Thirteen thousand miles in three and-a-half months– On building a car with zero expectations– Making memories– The roller skate incident * Discussing the importance of staying positive through a project– That feeling of accomplishment overcomes the pain every time * Using the overall car as the focal point, versus one or two stand-out parts * The thunderous impact of subtlety * Moving a ’33 ford grille shell * Dave’s first time on a drag strip * “Bland when bland wasn’t cool” * Building a ’32 roadster in ninety days AN EXPLORATION OF PATRONAGE IN THE HOT ROD INDUSTRY * On training your clients * An exploration of “high-dollar” builds– The pricing game– Determining “high-end” VS “entry level” at at what level– Perception of price VS recognition of value– Relativistic pricing– When stainless steel brake line meant that you’d made it * How hot rod patrons keep the “car thing” going * Survival and growth following 2008– Keeping twenty-three cars moving forward in a stagnant economy– A love for the hobby and keeping it alive * The legitimization of the hobby by Boyd

“HAVE AS MUCH FUN AS POSSIBLE.” We finally get the chance to fully explore a shop with a true in-house design with Dave and Dom Tucci, a father-and-son powerhouse from Macy, New York.For twenty-one years, Tucci Hot Rods has been building some of the coolest and most finely-detailed and designed cars on the planet, and have forged a reputation a one of the best. A study in humility, this multi-generational family affair is proof that hard work and being of stand-up character will get you everywhere. With Dom leading the next wave and launching his own company, Dom Tucci Design, he’s embraced modern technology, design sensibilities and processes, and is forging his own name into the hot rod industry and beyond.This isn’t merely an episode that walks down memory lane; it’s a study in relationships both in the shop and beyond, and there is a level of sincere respect that just flows at every turn. So much to be learned here from anyone making their way either into or ahead in the industry, ans a lesson in how to take your lumps with grace. Look for more of these guys in the coming year, as we enjoy the heck out of them, and appreciate their friendship. Hope you enjoy learning more about this incredibly talented and hard-working pair. THINGS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE: * Talking NSRA Syracuse giveaway cars * Growing up around hot cars and appliance repair * The Keith Black-blown HEMI Willys * Dave’s first ride, a 529-wedge motor-powered Falcon – Cruising Genesee Street * Working on appliances by day, hot rods by night * Rob Ida’s skills are everywhere… even this episode * Family discussion leads to hot rod building as a career * The green GMC that put the shop on the map * The fight to feature the truck * A twenty-eight and nineteen year old take a truck to SEMA • Hand-rolling FIVE-THOUSAND posters * Repairing a broken show truck on the road– Alone in San Francisco, no luggage… and Roy Brizio to the rescue * The VERY last-minute SEMA thrash * The Fiesta project for Ford– Establishing a relationship with the manufacturer * Dom discusses school and earning his degree in Industrial Design * The power of networking and bringing in the right players to your team * The growth and ever-expanding capabilities of Dom Tucci Design * Building sword guards * Brian triggers Dave’s hatred of rust * Salt dust– Like Bonneville without the cool * Salt-ternatives– “Pickle-scented roads!” * Playing with windshields, Tucci Hot Rods style * The Nomad * Breaking the story on the Syracuse Nationals giveaway car! * 181MPH first pass * Coolant on fire! * Alex gets salty

“THE LONGEST ROADS OFTEN LEAD TO THE BEST DESTINATIONS.” We start the new year with a fresh season of the podcast, and our first guest of 2019 is a guy who was one of the first on Brian’s list, Josh Mishler.Having started his career very young, writing for the Goodguys Gazette at seventeen years old, and moving up the ranks in the magazine world, Josh has a lot to offer by way of career advice. If you’re a young writer or photographer looking to break into the field, you can learn a lot from his story. It’s hard work, tenacity, a willingness to learn and networking.Josh is a guy who defines “truly connected” in the industry, and is a testament to how being a considerate, hard-working member of the community can pave the way to a long and fulfilling career.We get into tips and tricks to help make your custom plating experience a breeze, too. A value-packed episode indeed. THINGS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE: * The big August fire at Advanced Plating– Resilience in the hot rod industry– Looking back on the flood of 2010 * On starting out in the Hot Rod Industry * Climbing the ladder in automotive publications– The importance of thanking those who helped to get that first foothold * Writing for Goodguys Gazette at seventeen years old * Josh’s career path and a lot of great advice for anyone looking to make their break– On “knowing someone”– Shadowing the legendary Steve Anderson– The value of learning as you go– From Goodguys to Buckaroo–On looking up to Scott Killeen’s work and meeting him– Learning more over a weekend than at school– Freelancing while still in school * The whole midwest explosion– Location, location, location * First publication in The Rodder’s Journal * Differences in shooting in the studio to outdoors * Nightmares about lighting * Brian picks on Brad’s lighting set-up * Josh on school– A discussion of completing a degree– Josh and Brian on presenting nothing but automotive art through school– The value of a rounded education through formal lasses– The benefit of formal critiques strengthen and prepare you for having a sense of reality about your work– On being diverse in your skill set * On being elected to the SEMA Hot Rod Industry Alliance, and taking over the Education Days at the NSRA Street Rod Nationals– Josh’s focus on educating and promoting the industry to the youth– Granting knowledge from industry leaders for free to those willing to learn– Making knowledge accessible to all to help solve common issues LET’S GET SHINY: TALKING CHROME AND MORE * Josh and Brian reminisce about finishes on the Nailed Buick by Rad Rides– On pushing the envelope with finishes being used in unique ways– The hard work that goes into satin and brushed finishes * Tips for prepping parts for plating– Make a detailed packing list– Disassemble parts s far as you can– Don’t grind; electrostrip– Don’t grind your welds– On filling and the copper stage– It’s all about the prep work * Don’t say “dip it” to a chrome plater * “Show chrome” VS “Triple Plating”– Any bumper is going to have at least three passes though plating; “show” refers to the extra prep work * Hexavalent VS Trivalent chrome plating– How the nickel solution affects the finish– Chrome is a transparent deposit * Exploring chrome quality by application * How quality trumps factory-authentic flaws today in a restoration

“A YEAR IN REVIEW EPISODE? THAT’S SLIGHTLY BETTER THAN WATCHING CORVETTE SUMMER AGAIN.“ The Gearheads take a look back at 2018, and do their best version of a 1990’s sit-com, and relive the past thirty-nine episodes, the events, travels and terrible puns that made 2018 well… this past year.HUGE thanks to our friends and family for supporting us as we launched this mess, and to Carson for the representation, guidance, and for pushing us through a few big doors.To you, our amazing listeners, fans, followers and friends both old and new… THANK YOU. You’ve been there through growing pains, bad audio, questionable jokes, and technical struggles. We get better both because of and for you. Thanks for being there over the past year, and we hope that you’ll be along for the amazing ride ahead. Good things happening… And that’s because of you.Merry Christmas, and happy New Year. May yours be full of good health, happiness an peace. Well, except for when those opening bars of the podcast wind up and blast into your ear holes. We can’t wait to fill them again in just a couple of weeks.Our sincerest gratitude once again,Brian, Brad and Alex THINGS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE: * Every episode, event and a keen look back at some of our favorite moments from the first thirty-nine episodes

“GETTING A CHECK IN THE MAIL IS THE SINCEREST FORM OF FLATTERY.” Carson Lev once again joins the Gearheads for an evening of learning. This time, we’re starting an on-going series on Intellectual Property, Copyright an brand management, all aimed squarely at helping artists and designers to protect their work, and lay the foundation for a career. We’re joined by co-host Del Swanson, who is nearing completion on his long-term project which has taken him away from the show for a bit, and it’s great having him back with us. While not an exhaustive course nor a complete resource, this episode gives advice, and sets any artist or designer up with the basics to begin protecting their work, and ensuring that they’re making the work work for them long-term. This will develop over time into an ever-expanding series, and we’ll be bringing in industry professionals, brand managers and even legal counsel to help you navigate the territory. We hope you’ll join us, as we look forward to bringing this and so much more to you in the coming year. If you’re an artist just starting out, or have been established for some time but may be a bit cloudy on Copyright and Trademark and IP, then this is a great jumping-off point for you. Remember: You may be an artist first and foremost; but don’t discount the fact that you are an artist in business. THINGS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE: * Brian drops the sugar-coated approach, and dives right in * Return of the running ball gag joke * Carson Lev joins the gang * Del stops in following his world-wide Viking tour – The joys of rapping and pillaging while wearing  horned hat * Discussing the effects of stolen artwork on the artist – The frustration of dealing with Amazon, et.al. on issues of Copyright * The dilemma of putting work out there to promote VS protecting the art * Learning the difference between types of agreements – Work for Hire VS Consulting Agreement VS Production Agreement VS Licensing or Transfer of Rights * The critical importance of properly crafting your agreements * Learning licensing by fire – Working in licensing for the giants * Are you producing work to be transferred to the client, or licensing it? * On making protection affordable for artists just starting out * International Copyright and formal ownership on the world stage * Chip’s work as example: – Realizing the difference between building a car or a library of images to capitalize on * Value and its attachment to the work – Added value versus surface value * Playing “hide the sausage” for fun and profit – “Phallic extortion” becomes a thing… thanks, Alex * Infringement abroad – International filing – High cost may not even provide protection due to lack of enforcement by foreign governments – When a foreign government encourages counterfeiting among its people * Del goes worldwide * Brian hatches a business plan * “Getting a check in the mail is the sincerest form of flattery” * When doing work to not take credit is the better way – Scaling recognition VS money – Artist as a tool versus a craftsman – Art VS design, goal-wise – Sometimes you’re better judged by what you won’t do “A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF HOURS FOR A SPECIFIED OUTCOME.” * On paying for the experience that leads to the level of work, not simply the physical hours to create it * Setting a plan and knowing when and how to alter it and let it evolve

“IT’S FUN TO LOOK AT THEM, BUT YOU CAN’T REALLY ENJOY THEM UNLESS YOU’RE DRIVING THEM.” Steve Cook Creations has a reputation of building incredibly clean, detailed and subtle cars, and on episode thirty-eight, the Gearheads got a chance to sit down and talk with Steve, his son Mike, and Alan Childers. We dove deep into the design sense and philosophy of the build team. Steve lays out a lot of insight and perspective on cars as a passion, and the realities of building them as a career. Yep, realities. There’s a lot more dimension to putting together an award-winning vehicle, especially when it’s for repeat clients who are every bit as passionate about their cars. THINGS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE: * Steve talks about the passion of building cars * The importance of focusing on quality in every aspect of a build * Early automotive influences * A great comparison of generations and the sources of their influences * Alan’s early inspiration via the magazine aisle at the supermarket – WyoTech and an art degree come together * Cars run deep in the Cook family * From motorcycle acing to Mom the Machinist * Struggling with being a workaholic – Trying to find a life-balance * Being “so quiet, it’s scary” * The life of an introverted car builder in a very social society * “Simple is hard to do” – Keeping things clean, neatly-packaged and subtle * When Dad doesn’t understand modern color choices * Building cars from memory * Make everything look like it belongs * Revisiting the theme of the car as a whole, from stance and overall look to the sound and more * “Smell the ozone coming off of that electric car!” * The fine art of patience on a build – Keeping things moving forward over a three to five year build – The evolution of a project over time * On building a car that turns out to be ahead of its time – Staying conscious of the car’s “right” timing * On the value of research and communication in the shop * Where inspiration lies and gets dug up from * How being old school lends a unique thumbprint to build style * The honor of being selected for a SEMA panel, and making the most of being the “odd man out” sometimes * Building what the client remembers the car being, even if it is miles apart in terms of fit, finish and performance * Hand-whittling a Duvall windshield by hand over in the corner * The “hot rod family” * Brian lays out the plan for the zero-gravity paint booth

“HISTORICALLY, I’VE FOUND THAT RASH REFERENCES NEVER PLAY WELL IN MIDDLE AMERICA.” BRIAN LOHNES BRINGS THE ADVICE. The Gearheads were honored to welcome the man with the golden voice, Brian Lohnes. Recently named as the Lead Anchor in all NHRA TV broadcasts next year, it’s a dream come true of sorts for a guy who grew up watching it on television. More than just the sum of his manly chest, neck and head that you’ll see on race coverage, he’s a man with gasoline and room-temperature shrimp in his veins. We talk early days, from his first thoughts (“hey, it’s much colder out here!”) through College, writing for car magazines, and eventually to television. We laugh, we cry, we explore, we invent things, and then we plot a reunion in three to five years. In many ways, it’s a lot like prison, but without most of the pesky romance. THINGS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE: * Things start off perpendicular to the finish line * The “snowball” effect of episode thirty-seven * MOPAR guys are the Star Trek fans of the drag racing world – The 10,000 RPM limit and HEMI engines – Birth of the Polish Pentastar Program (“Number one in Hamtramck!”) * On being named as the voice of NHRA Drag Racing * The ever-changing demographics of racing and the show here * Debut of the Ira Spiderman Old Man-nequin * No car enthusiast group is safe from generational ridicule * Room temperature shrimp * The greatest scam in the history of scams at the University of Massachusetts – A Pre-Med, a Pre-Law, an Engineering and an Art History major score a College-sponsored race car – The road to announcing is paved with road racing * The requirement of looking out of the window versus at a computer screen * Moving from IHRA to NHRA * Steve Gibbs gives a big break * The constant battle of not crying * On “not Hindenburging” the show – The dangers of mentioning skin maladies in color commentary – How digestive jokes will make you the next Dave McLelland – Eczema as a career-killer * The reality of an announcing tryout * The gang goes “Aristocrats” * The value of doing your research before calling an event * Launching Bangshift and its predecessors * A t-shirt with “BS” emblazoned on it – The value of a URL like manjunk.com in today’s dollars * Why people from Buffalo are the toughest ones on the planet * Put Up or Shut Up * The Gearheads make their Race to the Moon pitch – Private space programs as entertainment – Ultimate Capture the Flag TV show idea * Searching for old drag strips – Brian suggests an Ancient Aliens crossover

“YOU START OFF BY GOING SEVENTY MILES PER HOUR STANDING UP.” ROGER HICKEY LIKES SPEED. The Gearheads host entrepreneur, world record-holding gravity racer, aerodynamic expert, inventor and coyote attack survivor, Roger Hickey. If you’ve never gone downhill on a skateboard at one-hundred miles per hour, been mistaken for an alien craft, or lit off your dad’s fuel car in the garage at eight years old, then you’re not our guest on this episode. Much like the Highlander, there can be only one Roger Hickey, and by golly, are we stoked to have spent the evening with him. From his days as an undefeated gravity racer to his current quest to help a stock-bodies 1953 Studebaker run 400MPH, the guy has nerves of steel, and has broken more bones than Brad has read books. And he’s a ton of fun, too. Lots to learn in this episode, so buckle in, and enjoy this downhill blast. THINGS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE: * “Cheese Guard”/Cheese garden * Evel Knievel Lite * Coming out of retirement to compete for a world championship after winning twenty of them previously – “Your old shit ain’t gonna fly here” – One hundred miles per hour on a skateboard * Let that last one sink in * Early attempts at downhill on Kellogg Hill * Filming a GTE Superbowl commercial – Being mistaken for an alien * The case of the fuel car and the babysitter * “The boat story” * A history of speed in the family – Racing since three years old * “Control all of your variables and you can’t lose” * The high degree of concentration required in gravity racing * Researching and engineering in the pre-internet days – The school of “crash and learn” * The invention of Street Luge on Glendora Mountain – F1 car inspiration * Getting bit by a coyote at speed * “Every rule has an elastic waistband” INNOVATION THROUGH EXPERIMENTATION * Portable skateboard ramps * Composites return to the podcast! – More pre-internet experimentation leads to innovation * Setting Electric Car World Championship records… and then some * The Hickey Law * The science and theory behind cryogenics * Running 326MPH on a 238MPH record with a stock-bodied 1953 Studebaker * 6.000 HP on bald tires * The modular streamliner design * Return of the Saltomasochist * “A chess match of nitro and exploding things” LISTEN, SUBSCRIBE, RATE AND REVIEW, PLEASE  

A THIRTEEN-FOOT CANOE, BEARS, SQUIRRELS AND A FEAR OF SNAPPING TOWELS. The Gearheads went deep into the woods of the 2018 SEMA Show, and wandered into Camp Wannapaintem, PPG‘s latest show-stopping display. We were fortunate to fall under the guidance of camp counselors Cristina Fronzaglia Murray and Jeremy Seanor (of Lucky Strike Designs). We sat for a while and discussed paint technology, creativity, marketing, and the importance of passion Most important of all was the lesson that paint is fun. It’s not merely a tool or just  coating, but a vehicle in and of itself, capable of launching careers and forging lifelong friendships. Even after a certain podcaster suggests a prison-themed trade show booth. THINGS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE: * Talking SEMA Show booth themes – Gathering items to decorate the booth * The “Homeless Chic” John Jackson * Where inspiration lives * Jeremy paints a canoe * Our own Brad’s connection to a past themed booth * A terribly inappropriate booth theme idea made presentable * Brian chooses a favorite among his sons * How to turn a group of adults into a bunch of three year olds (HINT: it involves whistles) * Paint is fun * Experiencing color in different ways * Waterborne and Envirobase paint technology versus solvent-based – Adapting the new tech to creative paint – Progressing with paint technology in both collision and custom work * The changing times: – Hot-plating enamels and crushing pigment from leaves – Moving cure times from cigarettes between coats to social posts between coats * The longevity of Deltron – Hosting a fourteen year old paint job in the booth illustrates quality like nothing else * Booth design as a team-building exercise * The value of not having to be engaged in the “SEMA crunch” * Brian offers the then-thousand dollar marketing idea * History of the PPG theme booths * A custom painter reunion of sorts every year in the booth * “The greatest paint in the world, used by the greatest painters” – The value and appreciation of humility * The “prison” theme booth – Alex offers the idea of carving a shiv from a paint stir stick * More great booth theme ideas: – “Paint Church” – “Rascal in a China Shop” – “Barefoot on Legos” CAREER ADVICE FOR THE MOTIVATED LISTENER * On the importance of being yourself and making mistakes – Career growth through understanding passions * Teaching the technical aspect, and the inability to teach passion * Four-year education versus hands-on trades * The value of a combination of traditional school degrees and trade school/knowledge * The misinterpretation of trades being just “dirty work” * Recognizing the minds and hands that aren’t meant to sit in a classroom, but rather need to be out doing things * The epitome of “self-made”