To All The Cars I've Loved Before: Classic Car Restoration, JDM, and Automotive History

Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia!
A Father’s Day Special: The Unbreakable Bond of a Racing Family
Happy Father’s Day! This week on To All The Cars I've Loved Before, we are celebrating the ultimate father-daughter racing duo. We’re sitting down with Sabré Cook—a mechanical engineer and professional driver for JDX Racing in the Porsche Carrera Cup North America—and her dad, Stacey Cook, a former professional motocross rider who was inducted into the Colorado Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2023.
In this episode, we dive deep into the Cook family’s high-octane history. Stacey shares his incredible journey from racing a $800, 200,000-mile Datsun pickup across Colorado with dirt bikes in the back, to the terrifying realization of watching his own daughter speed past him in a formula car. Sabré discusses her disciplined path to the driver's seat (which required straight A's just to get a Chevy Equinox!), her ultimate goal to race in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and why she believes a $2 Million Porsche 911 DLS Singer is the ultimate dream car.
Whether you are looking to get into track days yourself or just want to hear a heartwarming story about a father who supported his daughter's drive to the top, this episode is packed with life lessons, laughs, and serious horsepower.
In this episode, we cover:
Stacey's wild early days: Street racing a 1965 Corvette and surviving cross-country trips in an orange Datsun.
Safety Evolution: The shocking differences between a 1970s Datsun and Sabré's modern safety cocoon.
How to start racing: Sabré's advice on using simulators (like iRacing and Assetto Corsa) and buying a Mazda Miata to build track skills on a budget.
The emotional toll of motorsports: Stacey opens up about the sacrifices Sabré makes to be a pro driver, working 24/7 with little social life.
Trivia: What common safety feature was invented out of necessity at the very first Indy 500 in 1911?.
Follow Sabré Cook: Check out her website and find the hidden Easter egg photo of her at 3 months old on her dad's vintage motorcycle: sabrecookracing.com.
Connect with Us: Got a great car story? Email us at stories@carsloved.com. Find all our content and social links here: linktr.ee/carsloved.
Remember, every car tells a story. What’s yours? 

Love the show? Please follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia!
What happens when a lifetime of automotive passion becomes a 40-year career? This week, Doug goes solo from Myrtle Beach to sit down with luxury car sales legend Mike Maurer. Mike has been navigating the high-end automotive world since the 1980s, working with legendary dealerships like Brumos Porsche.
In this episode, Mike pulls back the curtain on the reality of high-end car sales. He shares incredible, unfiltered stories—from growing up riding in the back of an air-cooled Porsche 356 bathtub across Europe to his early days crashing a classic Austin Healey into a tree while racing a Lotus Elan in Annapolis. We also dive deep into the ultimate "one that got away" story involving a pristine 1967 Porsche 911 S, a hidden barn, and an unexpected journey to Australia.
Don't miss Mike's favorite episode with Dirk Dekker on the track with 911 - https://buzzsprout.com/2316026/episodes/17927079

Whether you're a rabid Porsche purist who demands three pedals on the floor or someone dreaming of breaking into luxury automotive marketing, Mike's 40 years of industry experience serves as the ultimate masterclass.

Key Takeaways & Timestamps
Garage Updates: Doug checks in from vacation in Myrtle Beach and recaps our previous feature with Marla from BWomen.com.
Perks of the Showroom Floor: Mike explains how luxury sales professionals spec'd out new cars every single year to master their product knowledge.
The Hustle is Real: The brutal reality, demanding 11-to-12-hour days, and the pressure of working in high-end retail during the 1980s and 90s.
The First Car Heartbreak: Buying a derelict 1957 Austin Healey 100 with college tuition savings, and why it wouldn't start by day two.
Racing in Annapolis: How totaling a brand new Austin Healey 3000 while chasing a Lotus Elan through the woods paved the way to his very first Porsche 911.
The 20-Toyota Challenge: The unique ultimatum a legendary dealership owner gave Mike before allowing him to sell premium sports cars.
The Legend of Brumos Porsche: Working alongside legendary endurance racers Peter Gregg and Hurley Haywood at a dealership that shaped Porsche culture.
The Last Last of the Analog Cars: Why Mike's manual transmission 2007 Porsche 911 (997) Carrera 4S is an absolute keeper compared to modern digital platforms.
The Worst Cars Driven: Hilarious deep dives into sorting out the infamous Geo Metro and a nightmare Saab Turbo ownership experience.
The Ultimate Barn Find Story: How Mike acquired a pristine, original-owner 1967 Porsche 911 S out of a small hidden barn for $20,000, and what happened when he tried to buy it back from Australia years later.
Career Blueprint: Modern career advice for younger enthusiasts looking to break into luxury dealership sales, corporate wholesale, or online auction platforms like Bring a Trailer.
Master Class Trivia: Mike breaks down the legendary history behind why the Porsche 911 was almost called the 901
Hidden Options & Factory Battles: How Mike bypasses corporate constraints to build highly customized, one-of-one vehicles directly with factory insiders.
In the Shop: Mentioned Cars & Media
1957 Austin Healey 100 & Austin Healey 3000
Porsche 356 "Bathtub"
Porsche 911 (Classic 1967 911 S)
Porsche 911 (997 Gen) Carrera 4S (Manual)
Porsche Macan (The daily grocery & dog hauler)
Lotus Elan
Geo Metro
 Saab Turbo
Porsche Posters: The legendary "Kill Bugs Faster" Arena Red 993 Turbo campaign.
The Soundtrack: Life in the Fast Lane by The Eagles.

Connect with Our Guest
Have questions about ordering a bespoke Porsche, navigating the current collector market, or tracking down an air-cooled classic? Reach out to Mike Maurer directly at Mike911@gmail.com.
Join the Cars Love Nation Community!
If this episode sparked a memory of your own first ride or a long-forgotten project gathering dust in your garage, we want to hear about it!
Submit Your Story: Email us at stories@carslove.com
Binge the Backlog: Stream all 70-plus episodes of automotive history and car culture.
All Links & Content: Visit our master link directory at linktr.ee/carsloved
Connect with Us: Got a great car story? Email us at stories@carsloved.com. Find all our content and social links here: linktr.ee/carsloved.
Remember, every car tells a story. What’s yours? 

Love the show? Please follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia!
Welcome back to All the Cars I've Loved Before, the podcast where we park the data at the door to focus on the stories that matter 🎙️.
In this episode, Doug sits down with Brad Phillips, a globally recognized collector car expert and hardcore gearhead who firmly believes that classic cars are meant to be driven 🛠️. Brad currently serves as the Director of Events for Coker Group and the Great Race 🏁. From wrenching on a 1965 Mustang 2+2 Fastback as a teenager 🐎 to MacGyvering a right-hand-drive JDM Toyota Century across the United States 🗺️, Brad shares his incredible, lifelong journey through the automotive hobby 🚗.

We dive deep into what it takes to navigate a 1916 Hudson Speedster across 2,500 miles of backroads ⏱️, the thrill of reviving a seized 1968 Porsche 911 T 🇩🇪, and why he still regrets letting go of his Saab 9000 Turbo 🇸🇪.
In This Episode, We Cover:
The Great Race 🏆: An inside look at the 2,500-mile time speed endurance rally for pre-1974 vintage cars, including details on the upcoming Route 66 centennial route starting in Springfield, Illinois 🛣️.
First Rides 🚗💨: Brad’s memories of his 1965 Ford Mustang 2+2, painted Rangoon red, and its unfortunate demise in a slow-speed race against a Dodge Dart 💥.
Cross-Country Classics 🏜️: Pushing the limits of cargo capacity and reliability by road-tripping an '83 Ferrari 308 GTS Quattrovalvole and a V8 Toyota Century 🚙.
Pre-War Projects 🕰️: The unique challenges of driving and maintaining century-old vehicles like his 1917 Willys-Overland 90BT 🔧.
The Ones That Got Away (and the ones that stayed) ❤️‍🩹: From a 400-horsepower Saab 9000 Turbo to a fully modern-equipped 1966 Sunbeam Tiger 🐯.

We caDon't miss our full episode with Brad's good friend and classic Ferrari restorer, Tom Yang for more stories: https://buzzsprout.com/2316026/episodes/16626040
If you’re enjoying the show, the best way to support us is hit subscribe and leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts, share this episode with a friend, or shoot us an email ✉️ to stories@carsloved.com
Connect with Us: Got a great car story? Email us at stories@carsloved.com. Find all our content and social links here: linktr.ee/carsloved.
Remember, every car tells a story. What’s yours? 

Love the show? Please follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia!
C7 Corvette track days and Porsche 930 history. Matt Jones on launching Towlos, the "Airbnb for car trailers"...
In our newest episode, we sit down with Matt Jones, an orthopedic surgeon turned entrepreneur and the CEO/Founder of Towlos (towlos.com). Matt shares his incredible automotive journey, from learning to drive a manual in his dad's '73 Datsun to buying a 2018 C7 Corvette Grand Sport right before the pandemic used-car market exploded. 
We dive deep into the origin story of Towlos—a peer-to-peer trailer rental marketplace born out of Matt’s own frustration trying to transport his track car to iconic raceways like Road America and VIR. We also discuss the timeless debate of "cars as art," specifically why a Pagani or a Porsche 930 "Widowmaker" provides an immersive, multi-sensory experience that a painting on a wall just can't match. 
In this episode, you’ll hear:
🥶 The Bridge Spin-Out: Matt's terrifying 180-degree spin on an icy bridge in his first car, an iron-powered Chevy S10. 
📈 Beating the Market: Buying a C7 Corvette Grand Sport with just 3,500 miles right before the 2020 used car market went completely crazy. 
🏁 Track Day Intimidation: The nerves of taking your own car to the track for the first time, and why you always need an "enabler" buddy to push you out of your comfort zone. 
💡 The Birth of Towlos: How buying a massive triple-axle trailer that sat unused in the driveway sparked the idea for a two-sided trailer rental marketplace. 
🎨 Cars as Art: Why spending millions on a hypercar like a Pagani provides a mechanical, G-force-inducing masterpiece that you can actually experience. 
Don't miss the episode Matt referenced with Adam from Xtreme Xperience, discussing how to get everyday enthusiasts out onto the track! Whether you're a seasoned track veteran, a tech entrepreneur, or just love a good story about solving everyday problems, this episode is a must-listen.
🔗 Links & Resources:
Rent a trailer or list your own: Towlos.com
Have questions? Email Matt directly: matt@towlos.com
Listen to our 75+ episodes on LinkTree 🔗🌲 https://linktr.ee/carsloved
📢 Join the Conversation: What is the weirdest thing you've ever had to tow, or what car do you consider a true "piece of art"? Let us know on Instagram @toallthecarsivelovedbefore
Connect with Us: Got a great car story? Email us at stories@carsloved.com. Find all our content and social links here: linktr.ee/carsloved.
Remember, every car tells a story. What’s yours? 

Love the show? Please follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Click here to share your favorite car, car story or any automotive trivia!
How do you transition from a "utilitarian" view of driving to chasing the perfect analog feel of a 20-year-old BMW?
In this episode, Doug sits down with Ryan Williams, a software engineer who discovered his passion for cars later in life while searching for a hobby that would get him off his "daily ride"—his computer. Ryan shares the story of his "lemon" yellow 1978 Mazda GLC and the reliable Nissan Sentra that powered his college years, before diving into his recent obsession: a 2004 BMW 330i ZHP bought sight-unseen from an auction site.
Don't miss Ryan's favorite episode featuring rotary engines lover, John with Mazda USA: https://buzzsprout.com/2316026/episodes/16805989
We also get an exclusive look at Ryan’s new project, Car Curious, an AI-driven podcast player designed to deepen the listener's journey. Imagine listening to a car podcast and having the specs, chassis codes, and photos of the exact models being discussed pop up on your screen in real-time.
Buckle up as we discuss:
The "Mini M": Why the E46 ZHP is the perfect "bridge" car for new enthusiasts looking for that classic BMW feel.
Auction Anxiety: The thrills and perils of buying a car from Cincinnati and shipping it to Oregon in the middle of winter.
The Future of Car Media: How AI tools are helping new fans decode the complex language of car culture and "scratch the itch" of curiosity.
Generational Shifts: The struggle of passing the "car bug" down to children who see vehicles as strictly utilitarian.
🔗 Connect with Our Guest
https://getcarcurious.com or https://instagram.com/getcarcurious
Try the Player: Experience the AI-integrated podcast player Ryan is building to help enthusiasts learn as they listen.
Connect with Us: Got a great car story? Email us at stories@carsloved.com. Find all our content and social links here: linktr.ee/carsloved.
Remember, every car tells a story. What’s yours? 

Love the show? Please follow, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐