4 Wheel Dive

Tim and Kyle discuss automotive design from 1960 to the modern era. This episode covers key design trends and history in the decades from the decades between the end of tail fins and the rise of the SUV. From 1950s leftovers to the 1970s “great Brougham epoch” to 1990s trends like streamlining and retro style, this is a far-ranging discussion. Both hosts share their opinions about design trends that have shaped the automobile over the last seven decades. We may have bit off more than we could chew with so much ground to cover, but this remains a deep dive into automotive styling since Harley Earl retired!

Tim and Kyle discuss automotive design from the era of the horseless carriage to the era of tail fins. This episode covers key design trends and history in the decades from 1900 to 1959. From the early days when carriage builders made the switch to car bodies, automotive design evolved from a side concern subordinate to engineering into a key factor in all model launches. All of this occurred amid changing technology, culture, and the centrality of automobiles in American life. While we go on a few tech-related tangents, this remains a deep dive into the first half-century of automotive styling.

Tim and Kyle discuss their professional careers in automotive YouTube - especially the creation of Kyle's legendary Saabkyle04 YouTube channel. Kyle's thousands of car reviews, custom builds, restorations, and event reports helped to pave the way for automotive YouTubers including Doug DeMuro, Throttle House, The Smoking Tire, and countless others. Tim discusses how he uses the internet to learn automotive mechanics, connect with other enthusiasts, and follow an automotive industry that's increasingly online.

Tim and Kyle talk about buying cool/collectible convertible cars from the 1940s to the present. Which models, why we love them, and what to look for are topics of discussion. In-depth analysis by our two-up team of car obsessives covers Chevrolet, Dodge, Mitsubishi, Mini, Muntz, Kaiser, Excalibur, and more! This wide-ranging ramble on the joys of top-down driving includes advice about checking the condition of tops, water tight integrity, and power top mechanisms. If you love driving with the wind in your hair, this podcast about convertible cars is for you!

Tim and Kyle talk about buying cool/collectible cars from the classic (pre-1980), RADwood (1980-1999), and modern eras. Cars built prior to 1980 are a different world, and their unique age, technology, and histories mean even two examples of the same model can be vastly different. Kyle recounts bad experiences from buying a rolling wreck of a 1950s Jaguar, and Tim recalls the pitfalls of letting a 13 year-old trailer an old Volkswagen Beetle back to the house. Corrosion, originality, access to parts and knowledge, and robust pre-purchase inspections are key factors to ensure success. “RADwood” cars of the 80s and 90s offer the conveniences of modern systems and performance, but the huge range of dead-end engine electronics, early two-stage paint treatments, abundance of perishable plastic trim, and aging computers demand a careful inspection and model-specific research to match. We end with modern cars, which are easy to buy! Go factory certified pre-owned, get an AAA extended warranty, or score a late model still under factory warranty.

Tim and Kyle talk about blue collar classic cars that an enthusiast can buy and enjoy for $10,000. All of these modern-era cars have appeal to the car lover but fly below the radar when most shopping is done. From hot hatches to police pursuit specials to a rare Japanese domestic market sports car sold in the USA, we talk about fun ways for drivers to enjoy cars with character on a motorcycle budget. Brands include Fiat, Infiniti, Mazda, Chevrolet, and more!

Tim and Kyle talk about how to build, market, and auction a restomod in 2024. Kyle, Tim, and special episode guest Andy talk about building an LS-swapped restomod 1989 Chevrolet S-10. All the parts, mods, restoration, and blood, sweat, and tears are discussed in depth. Kyle auctioned his finished pro-street vintage pickup truck on Cars & Bids. We discuss expectations for the auction, anxiety of posting a car with no reserve, and the money obtained from the winning bid. Tim, Kyle, and Andy also discuss whether Bring a Trailer and Cars & Bids are the best platforms for the restomod genre, and we touch on when to restore and when to restomod an old car.

Tim and Kyle share the top questions you must ask before buying your next classic or collectible car. Don’t get fooled by aftermarket paint or Bondo. And remember that not all states automatically issue titles for older cars. From stuff that’s broke to collision, corrosion, and compression, these are the question you can’t afford not to ask! What would we buy? That’s the second question, and today, we’re talking post-1990 imports. Mercedes S-Class coupes, Lancer Evos, WRX STIs, and Smart Cars ahead. Finally, we talk about auto detailing disasters including… rodent damage.

Kyle and Tim recall their favorite movie cars and TV-star machines. James Bond, The Fast and the Furious, Vanishing Point, Bullitt, the Dukes of Hazzard, and many more star cars feature in this far-ranging discussion. If you love watching cars on screen as much as you love driving them, this episode of the 4 Wheel Dive Podcast is for you!

Kyle and Tim discuss the ultimate car guy rite of passage: learning to drive a MANUAL transmission. Trials and tribulations – and triumphs – of learning stick shift are the focus of today’s show. You can benefit from all our occasionally hilarious mistakes made with three-pedal cars. Today’s show includes our advice for beginners who hope to learn standard transmissions, and we suggest the best types of cars on which to learn. At the end, we recall several of the most memorable manual transmission cars we’ve driven. Stick with us through this episode’s early audio corruption, because it improves as the podcast progresses.