The Weekly Driver Podcast

As a young commercial artist, Robert Carter left England for a motorcycle adventure in the United States. He malfunctioned one day in Chico, California. It's now been the entrepreneur’s home and workplace for more than 45 years.

A vintage car and motorcycle enthusiast, Carter owns Carter Artworks. He creates large, vivid paintings of famous cars and motorsports venues. He’s also a motorsports enthusiast with extensive knowledge of the machines he paints.

Carter is our guest on Episode #100 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and I began the podcast nearly two years ago. We've covered a lot of miles with a diverse selection of guests.

Artist Robert Carter of Carter Artworks in Chico, California, had some of his work displayed at Monterey Automobilia during Monterey Auto Week. Image © James Raia/2019

Carter is as enthusiastic as any of our interviewees. We talk with him about his automotive paintings, his passion for cars and motorcycles, fraud in the automotive memorabilia industry and his worldwide travels on bikes.

Often creating 4x6-foot presentations in enamel, Carter works for museums and raceways, and he has pieces in well-known automotive auction houses. His works range from $5,000 to $20,000.

But Carter's driving passion remains with motorcycles. He owns many and participates in rallies and riding adventures in far-flung countries.

Carter's career in Chico began with contracts with agricultural companies to make fruit labels. But the demand for his specialty work waned after more than a decade.

“I was still a motorcycle nut and still into cars,” Carter said recently during Automobilia Monterey, the three-day memorabilia expo during Classic Car Week. “One day, I just took a fruit truck label and instead of adding oranges, I put a Ferrari in there.

“It looked so much better. That's how it got started. One painting I have is really the best canned tomato label you’ll ever see.”

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The Pacific Grove Concours Auto Rally is among the most popular free-to-spectator events in the celebration of all things automotive during Monterey Auto Week.

The trek through portions of the picturesque Monterey Peninsula is scheduled Friday, Aug. 16. It began in 1995 with automotive legend Caroll Shelby participating to help raise money for charity.

The Pacific Grove Auto Rally is celebrating its 25ht anniversary. Image courtesy of Pacific Grove Chamber of Commerce.

To celebrate the rally's 25th anniversary, the legendary Cobra (Shelby's creation) Cobra will be the marque for the parade of drivers and their classics, sports cars and vintage machines.

David Laws, a key event organizer, is our guest on Episode #99 of The Weekly Driver Podcast.

Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with Laws the history of the event and the iconic vehicles involved through the years. He also stress the importance of the event's charity mission with the Rotary Club of Pacific Grove's projects and local youth programs.

As organizers state, "Even if you don’t own Cobra, join us to help celebrate our Silver Anniversary. Enjoy the show in historic downtown, followed by a coastal drive along scenic 17-Mile Drive through Pebble Beach."

"On return to town, all are welcome to enjoy a barbecue dinner in Chautauqua Hall. Bring your family and friends to discover our great restaurants and fine shops."

As per tradition, spectators are encouraged to witness the rally along the course. There may be a Cobra or two in the parade, but as Laws explains, participating vehicles are as varied as the automobile industry.

Laws details how the rally is planned in cooperation with city officials and law enforcement jurisdictions. He recalls some of the unusual circumstances that have occurred during the rally's tenure.

It's not too late to participate in the rally, observe the vehicles or help celebrate after the event in the community barbecue. Another option is to revisit the podcast as a reminder early next year and put the rally on your schedule for Monterey Auto Week 2020.

For registration and the full schedule, visit: Pacific Grove Concours Auto Rally

The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts.

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Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: [email protected].

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Mary McGee has been busy lately. In July, she was a guest at the Superbike World Championships at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca on the Monterey Peninsula. A few weeks later, McGee was a guest at The Sacramento Mile, the long-standing motorcycle event.

McGee's presence at various events provides a chance for the public to recognize the pioneering race car and motorcycle driver now age 82. Inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame last November, Mary is our guest on episode #98 of The Weekly Driver Podcast.

Mary McGee in 1962 competed in the first motorcycle race held at Laguna Seca Raceway. Image © Bob Heathcote/WeatherTech Laguna Seca Rcaway.

I had the opportunity to interview McGee during the Superbike World Championships. Bruce joined me when we interviewed Mary in the coffee shop at the DoubleTree in Sacramento the day before the Sacramento Mile.

McGee arrived earlier in the day after a several-hour drive in her 17 1/2-year old Toyota Tundra from her home in Gardnerville, Nev., to Sacramento.

During our wide-ranging podcast, the women's sports pioneer discussed the trials, tribulations and successes of her career. She stopped riding at age 77 because of severe arthritis in her hands. She talks with the energy of youth, walks with a purpose and remains fit. Mary grins and laughs often. She dons a healthy supply of curly white hair.

Please join us for this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast.

The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts.

Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com.

Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: [email protected].

All podcast episodes are archived on www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast

Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform:

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It's unlikely anyone is more knowledgeable and as fond of their favorite carmaker than Don Martine is about MG.

A guest staying at the Martine Inn in Pacific Grove, California who appreciates automobiles and nature gets two treats. Not only do they experience classic accommodations across the street from the Pacific Ocean, but the location also pays homage to the British manufacturer.

Don Martine owns the Martine Inn in Pacific Grove. He's also a renowned MG expert and former race car driver who houses a museum for the British race cars on the property. Images © Bruce Aldrich/2019.

The Inn is home to the proprietor's museum of MGs and memorabilia. From paintings on the Inn's walls to vintage automotive posters positioned around the property, all things MG are featured as is Martine's legacy as a driver, mechanic and historian.

As Monterey Auto Week nears, Martine is our guest on Episode #97 of The Weekly Driver Podcast.

Martine guides podcast co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia throughout his Inn. He discusses his long history with MG. Martine's father owned a 1949 MGTC and the younger Martine also witnessed Johnny Von Neumann drive his 1950 MGTD Special to victory at the inaugural Pebble Beach Road Races.

Martine raced and owned the Von Neumann Special for 30 years. While often not driving the fastest or most powerful vehicle, Martine won on racing strategy. He discusses his track savvy and relationships with drivers.

The MG garage and cave-like and open-air displays areas at the Martine Inn include watercolor and oil paintings in automotive themes. Car-related auto posters, prints, photos, tools, signs and gas pumps are among other memorabilia.

Martine also has a restoration shop near the Martine Inn where he joins friends and mechanics to restore vintage MGs and share their respective passion for little, prideful vintage cars.

The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts.

Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com.

Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: [email protected].

All podcast episodes are archived on www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast

Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform:

Google Play iTunes Spotify Stitcher iheartradio

Erin Sollecito looks into the spacious warehouse and begins to talk about the vintage car fleet spread in front of her like they're part of a family. She's driven many of the vehicles rented by Monterey Touring Vehicles and knows their pedigrees.

Sollecito, the company's vice president of business development, is our guest this week on The Weekly Driver Podcast. The episode is particularly timely since Monterey Auto Week, now nearly two weeks long, begins unofficially on Aug. 5 and ends on Aug. 18.

A 1961 (23-window) Volkswagen Van is part of the vintage car fleet available for rent at Monterey Touring Vehicles. It's popular for children's birthday parties. All images © Bruce Aldrich/2019.

Monterey Touring Vehicles is the creation of Heather and Rob Gardner, a husband-wife team who live in Carmel Valley. Rob Gardner is a physician; Heather is a research scientist. And they decided their private vintage car fleet is best served as a driveable museum of individual works of art. It's better known as a vintage car rental company.

The Gardners don’t host a rally, auction or concours. But they could and they are involved with their vehicles as sponsors of various component of the gathering of all things automotive on the peninsula.

Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss the varied vintage car fleet with Sollecito. Muscle cars to kit cars and classic convertibles to a more than 80-year-old Mercedes limousine fill the 10,000 square-foot showroom. We discuss the rental process, insurance to vehicles that may be added to the fleet and some in the current stable that may be sold.

We also talk about what vehicles renters' favorites: a 1965 Shelby Cobra Tribute, 1965 Mustang GT (blue), 1961 VW 23-window Bus, 1965 Camaro SS (teal and white) or a 1957 Porsche Speedster Tribute?

The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts.

Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com.

Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: [email protected].

All podcast episodes are archived on www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast

Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform:

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Somewhere on the spectrum between the Concours d'LeMons and Concours d'Elegance, the three-day Mecum Auctions during Monterey Auto Week is perfectly positioned. Attainable daily drivers to rarities, it's an automotive whirlwind of buying and selling.

The country's largest automotive auction, Mecum annually progresses to 13 stops around the country, January through December and Kissimmee, Fla. to Louisville, Ky., to Monterey. Its offerings include seven-figure works of art on wheels, family heirlooms, celebrity-owned cars, oddities and cars of infamous pedigree.

A 1954/1959 Ferrari 0432M from the collection of Dana Patti Mecum will be auctioned during Mecum Auctions' three-day auction during Monterey Auto Week. Image courtesy of Mecum Auctions.

"I call it a car show with a pulse," said John Kraman, Mecum's long-time director of consignments and a television commentator's during the auction's extensive television broadcasts on NBCSN. "I think that's accurate."

Kraman is our guest on episode #95 of The Weekly Driver Podcast.

Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with Kraman, the mix of cars and motorcycles included in this year's event.

The Mecum Auction in Monterey, scheduled Aug. 14-16, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency and Old Del Monte Golf Course in Monterey, California, has some of both extremes and everything between.

"We all go to car shows, and it's great," said Kraman. "But there's something a little bit extra, a little magic about the cars moving on the runway, the grumbling and the auction environment itself."

Mecum's Auction, the only daytime auction during Monterey Auto Week, is expected to sell about 600 vehicles during its three-day run. Thursday, as Kraman relates, is an open day. A 1968 Oldsmobile worth $15,000 is more than welcome.

"We like entry-level, normal traditional Mecum customers, seeking affordable cars," Kraman said.

Friday and Saturday auctions are "catalog days" featuring vehicles are with reserve pricing set at least $50,000. The catalog days are closed for sellers; the Thursday auction remains open for sellers.

"Come out, buy or sell a car or spectate; it doesn't matter," said Kraman. "We invite everybody and then give them time to do other things in the evening."

In recent years, Mecum Auctions' selling trends in Monterey have included vintage pickups, muscle cars and certain varieties of Volkswagen vans. This year, the emphasis will be on individuals' collections.

"We are dependent on what consigners want to bring to our auction," said Kraman. "It's not like we pick and choose what we want to come to our auction. This year, it's collections.

"We have nine separate collections from some of the top collectors. We're talking, pre-war classics to modern exotics. An eclectic mix of collections is going to be the headline news."

Dana Mecum, the company founder, and his wife Patti are selling vehicles from their private collection including a 1954/1959 Ferrari 0432 and a 1965 Shelby 289 Cobra CSX2588. The latter was the last of its kind sold to the public.

Mecum Auctions also has a second-chance auction. It's called "bid goes on." It comprises about 10 percent of vehicle sales.

"Your best opportunity to get it sold is still while the vehicle is up on the red carpet," Kraman said. "That's our business model. But four full-timers are working in the bid-goes-on process. We will try to get a deal that way for about 50-60 cars."

Mecum Auctions' haul of cars and motorcycles in this year's event and well as schedule details and television broadcast times are available on www.mecum.com. Tickets are $20 in advance, $30 at the auction.

Maricela and Adam Fry, husband and wife, own Big Country Restoration and Transport in West Sacramento. They own three massive dump trucks and have one of many contracts to help the cleanup of The Camp Fire in Paradise, California.

Not too long ago, I overheard a conversation in a Starbucks in Sacramento. The barista asked the woman in front of me what she does for a living. The response: "My husband and I own a dump truck."

The Fry family of West Sacramento, California, owns Big Country Restoration and Transport and is helping clean up the devastation aftermath of the Paradise Fire last November.

I asked Maricela for her card and recently called her. The result: Adam Fry and his crew from Big Country Restoration and Transport in West Sacramento are part of the massive cleanup project from the devastating Paradise last November.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PZLqoJhOvM

Adam is our guest on this episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. The fire started in Paradise on Nov. 8 2018 and was the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in California history.

It was also the deadliest wildfire in the United States since the Cloquet fire in 1918. The fire covered 153,336 acres. More than 18,000 buildings were destroyed and at least 85 people died.

Fry discusses with co-hosts James Raia and Bruce Aldrich what his crews are doing in the cleanup. He repeatedly states the top priority of the project is safety. He also discusses at length the stress the workers on hundreds of trucks have endured. He talks openly about companies on the project that have not adhered to rules.

Although it's been about eight months since the fire, Paradise remains a disaster area. Fry notes phase 1 of the cleanup and restoration may be completed in October. He talks about animal remains his crews have discovered and how the aftermath of the tragedy remains raw and complicated.

Not too long ago, I overheard a conversation in a Starbucks in Sacramento. The barista asked the woman in front of me what she does for a living. The response: "My husband and I own a dump truck."

It turns out, the Maricela and Adam Fry, husband and wife, own Big Country Restoration and Transport in West Sacramento. They own three massive dump trucks and have one of many contracts to help the cleanup of The Camp Fire in Paradise, California.

Adam Fry and his crew from Big Country Restoration and Transport in West Sacramento are part of the massive cleanup project from the devastating Paradise Fire last November. Images courtesy of Adam Fry.

Adam Fry is our guest on this episode of The Weekly Drive Podcast. The fire started in Paradise on Nov. 9 2018 and was the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in California history.

It was also the deadliest wildfire in the United States since the Cloquet fire in 1918. The fire covered 153,336 acres. More than 18,000 buildings were destroyed and at least 85 people died.

Fry discusses with co-hosts James Raia and Bruce Aldrich what his crews are doing in the cleanup. He repeatedly states the top priority of the project is safety. He also discusses at length the stress the workers on hundreds of trucks have endured. He talks openly about companies on the project that have not adhered to rules.

Although it's been about eight months since the fire, Paradise remains a disaster area. Fry notes phase 1 of the cleanup and restoration may be complete in October. He talks about animal remains his crews have discovered and how the aftermath of the tragedy remains raw and complicated.

Please join us for a fascinating episode.

The Weekly Driver Podcast encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts.

Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com.

Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: [email protected].

All episodes of the podcast are archived on www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast

Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform:

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iTunes

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Kevin Mullan is an easy guy to like, particularly if you appreciate beer, vintage firetrucks and the entrepreneurial spirit. Mullan owns a 1987 E-One pumper first E-One pumper firetruck converted into a mobile brewpub.

Mullan, 38, of Toledo, Ohio, purchased the truck, had a walk-in cooler with 10 beer taps installed,  and named the business-on-wheels Ladder 419 beer truck. The name is a nod to the city's area code.

Kevin Mullan has converted a vintage firetruck into a mobile pub.

Ladder 419, a 31-year-old firetruck morphed into a mobile pub.

The 10 taps on the vintage firetruck converted to a mobile taproom.

Kevin Mullan, owner of a mobile pub converted from an old firetruck converted into a mobile pub.

What a great idea: A firetruck selling beer on tap.

It’s still a firetruck, but now the goal is to put out thirsts.

Ladder 419 beer truck, a great use for an old firetruck.

As co-hosts of The Weekly Driver Podcast, Bruce Aldrich and I are now bonafide members of the Mullan's fan club. He's our guest on Episode #92 of our weekly discussion of all things automotive.

The beer truck, which debuted in late June in Blissfield, Michigan, is unique. Its walk-in cooler was installed after the 1,500-gallon water tank was removed. There's room for onboard CO2 and a capacity for 15 kegs. Beer seems like the best choice. But the taps can be used for wine, soft drinks or coffee.

During the podcast, Mullan details his ownership trials, tribulations, alcohol licensing, experiences with the new business and the vast potential for his mobile beverage operation.

The firetruck, Mullan explains, was purchased at a surprisingly reasonable price in Leonidas Township in Michigan. It looks, according to its new owner, like what might be expected: an old firetruck. Levers and hookups are still intact, as are the words "Emergency 911."

Rental for Ladder 419 is $450 for four hours. Additional details are available on the company's website, www.tapped419.com

The Weekly Driver encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners and viewers. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. Please also consider reposting the links from the podcast episodes to your social media accounts.

Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com.

Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: [email protected].

All episodes of the podcast are archived on www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast

Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform:

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The Weekly Driver Podcast is now also available on iHeart Radio.

SPONSOR THANKS

The Weekly Driver Podcast is presented by www.americanmuscle.com.

Andy Harris lives and works in Sacramento, California. He's owned United Attorneys' Services for many years, and he shares two of the same pastimes as the co-hosts of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Harris is a veteran long-distance runner and he's a vintage car collector.

Harris is our guest on Episode #91 of our weekly conversations about all things in the automotive industry.

Bruce Aldrich and James Raia host another episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast.

Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with Harris the particulars of the four vastly different cars he owns. How about a 1959 Crown Imperial? Or consider Harris' 1973 Citroen SM or his 1991 Mazda Miata. And for a daily driver, how about Harris'choice of a 2013 Fiat 500 Abarth?

While all of his cars attract attention, the behemoth Chrysler Crown Imperial gets the largest share of onlookers and curiosity seekers.

"Even if you're just going to get a tank of gas, you had better not be in a hurry," says Harris of the vehicle he inherited from his grandmother. "The Imperial is 19 1/2 feet long and 7 1/2-feet wide. It's spent its entire life in Sacramento. People who are in their 70s and 80s will walk up and know the car. I have to open the hood. It's a conversation piece. I always get surrounded."

The recently 1973 Citroen SM is Harris' fourth Citroen. With its 6-cylinder 3.0-liter, 185-horsepower engine, the Citroen SM is among the most polarizing cars of its time.

"You either think they look hideous or you think they're the most beautiful car you've ever seen," Harris says. "They're really polarizing. I really love the car. I am a lover of all things quirky and unusual and nothing is more unusual and quirkier than a Citroen?

Harris also owns a 1991 Mazda Miata and a 2013 Fiat 500 Abarth.

Being a vintage car collector has sspecific requirement. We discuss with Harris his cars' legacies — maintenance to insurance, history to the overall enjoyment of driving vintage cars.

The Weekly Driver encourages and appreciates feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts.

Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com.

Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: [email protected].

All episodes of the podcast are archived on www.theweeklydriver.com/podcast

Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform:

Google Play

iTunes

Spotify

Stitcher

The Weekly Driver Podcast is presented by www.americanmuscle.com.