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Car Chat

Sam Moores

The Car Chat Podcast features regular interviews with familiar and interesting faces from the automotive world. Hosted by Sam Moores (@sammooresphoto). Video podcasts now over on the Car Chat Podcast youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCW2AKE9BDG5e7fvpkj7E4kg


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  • 254 episodes
  • Updated Dec 25, 2025

Episodes254

Newest first
  • Mar 10, 2025 · 56 min

    Luca Betti | Kimera Automobili - Rallying, Lancia Restomods And Building A Pikes Peak Car

    Luca Betti, founder and CEO of Kimera Automobili, is a former professional rally driver who now specializes in creating exceptional restomod vehicles, reviving iconic rally legends through modern engineering and innovation. Luca discusses his early career in rallying, sharing pivotal experiences from competing internationally and his transition into entrepreneurship. He reveals the inspiration and meticulous development process behind Kimera Automobili’s acclaimed Evo 37 restomod, designed to honour the legendary rally car with contemporary performance. https://www.kimera-automobili.com Luca also shares details about Kimera's latest projects, including the four-wheel-drive Evo 38 and the ambitious K39 project aimed at Pikes Peak. He emphasises his team's commitment to authenticity, combining classic motorsport heritage with cutting-edge automotive technology to deliver thrilling driving experiences. Enjoy. Show Notes 00:00 The Journey of a Racing Driver 02:54 From Rally Driver to Entrepreneur 06:07 Memorable Moments in Rallying 09:08 Transitioning to Team Management 11:53 Creating the Kimera Evo 37 15:05 The Evolution of Classic Cars 17:55 Engineering the Perfect Performance 20:57 Balancing Tradition and Innovation 24:13 Driving Experience and Daily Usability 28:46 The Evolution of Car Dynamics 32:19 Introducing the Evo 38: A New Era 36:57 The K39 Project: A Return to Motorsport 40:14 Challenges and Triumphs in Car Manufacturing 47:26 Memorable Journeys and Dream Cars Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  • Mar 3, 2025 · 1 hr 3 min

    Riccardo Quaggio - Totem Automobili

    Riccardo Quaggio is the founder and creative force behind Totem Automobili. Riccardo shares his journey from being a designer at Alfa Romeo to launching a brand that builds fully re-engineered, handcrafted Alfa Romeo Giulia GT restomods with modern technology, custom-built engines, and obsessive attention to detail. https://totemautomobili.com/ We discuss how Totem began with an electric restomod before shifting focus to an ultra-lightweight twin-turbo V6 version, the challenges of designing an entire car—including a custom carbon fibre monocoque, a completely new suspension, and a bespoke engine—and why something as seemingly simple as designing a door can be harder than making an engine from scratch. Riccardo also explains the complexities of homologation, crash testing, European regulations, the trade-offs between petrol and EV, and the excruciating attention to comfort and drivability he desires in his builds. Show Notes: 00:00 The Golden Era of Car Design 02:01 From Designer to Entrepreneur: The Journey Begins 06:08 Reimagining the Alfa Romeo: The Restomod Concept 10:01 Building a Car from Scratch: The Engine Development 13:48 Navigating Regulations: Crash Testing and Compliance 20:02 Electric vs. Petrol: Understanding Customer Preferences 24:04 Challenges in Electric Vehicle Development 30:05 Balancing Comfort and Performance in Car Design 34:32 Developing Traction Control and Customization Options 38:00 Innovative Engine Design and Performance Goals 44:26 Challenges in Scaling Production and Supplier Relations 48:28 Future Developments and Customer Satisfaction 50:19 Memorable Driving Experiences and Personal Preferences 56:39 Dream Garage: A Blend of Classic and Modern Cars #AlfaRomeo #TotemAutomobili #CarChatPodcast #Restomod #AutomotiveDesign Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  • Feb 24, 2025 · 1 hr 49 min

    Daniel Morad | Factory AMG Driver, Twitch Streamer And Youtuber

    This week we are joined by Daniel Morad, professional racing driver and AMG factory driver, to dive into his journey from karting at eight years old to competing on the world’s biggest endurance racing stages. We talk about his early days in go-karting, the challenges of moving through the ranks, and the intense physical demands of racing – including how he bulked up his neck to survive 5G corners! https://moradness.com/ Daniel shares the highs and lows of his career, from winning championships and being a Red Bull Junior Driver to dealing with career setbacks, pivoting into sports car racing, and ultimately landing a factory role with Mercedes-AMG. We explore the business side of motorsport, the hustle behind finding sponsors, and how he revived his racing career after years away from the track. He also dives into his work with Moradness, his motorsport lifestyle brand, and how sim racing plays a role in his training today. Enjoy, Sam Show Notes: 00:00 The Reluctance Towards Data 00:24 Journey into Motorsport 03:54 The Dynamics of Karting 08:23 Understanding Karting Mechanics 10:08 Transitioning to Formula Cars 15:11 The Challenge of Increased Power 19:30 Navigating Competitive Racing 20:24 The Reality of Racing Politics 30:27 Endurance Racing Insights 32:03 The Journey to Sports Car Racing 34:26 Winning the Rolex 24: A Career Milestone 36:54 Overcoming Challenges and Building Confidence 42:33 The Importance of Networking and Sponsorships 48:50 Navigating the Financial Realities of Racing 56:25 Driving Techniques: Mastering the Cup Cars 01:01:04 The Role of Data in Racing Performance 01:11:30 Sim Racing: A New Frontier in Driver Development 01:13:11 The Evolution of Sim Racing Equipment 01:19:07 Driving Techniques and Sim Racing Dynamics 01:25:36 The Debate of Sim Racing Realism 01:31:17 Experiences in Real Racing 01:36:48 Memorable Driving Experiences and Car Preferences #CarChatPodcast #DanielMorad #AMG #EnduranceRacing #SimRacing #Moradness #Motorsport Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  • Feb 17, 2025 · 1 hr 41 min

    Tim Dutton | Ivan Dutton - Racing And Restoring Pre-War Bugattis

    This week we sit down with Tim Dutton, the man behind Ivan Dutton, a specialist restoration business dedicated to pre-war Bugattis. Tim shares his deep-rooted family history in motorsport and Bugatti restoration, tracing back to his grandfather’s time as a riding mechanic at Brooklands. https://www.duttonbugatti.co.uk/ The conversation covers the intricacies of restoring and maintaining these historic machines, from the engineering brilliance of Ettore Bugatti to the evolving world of vintage car ownership and racing. Tim explains the differences in Grand Prix Bugattis, the art of engine tuning, and the challenges of recreating rare parts with old-school techniques. From driving a Bugatti 35 down to Monaco for the historic GP to racing in the Le Mans Classic at sunrise, Tim’s stories highlight the passion, skill, and dedication required to keep these legendary cars alive. They also touch on the evolution of historic racing, the impact of modern technology, and how the market for classic Bugattis has changed over the years. If you love vintage motorsport, engineering craftsmanship, or just great car stories, there is lots here. Show Notes: 00:00 The Allure of Le Mans and Vintage Racing 03:00 A Family Legacy in Bugatti Restoration 06:04 The Evolution of Motor Racing 08:57 Understanding Bugatti Ownership 12:05 The Artistic Vision Behind Bugatti 14:55 Restoration Processes and Challenges 18:04 Tailoring Cars to Drivers' Needs 21:13 Driving Experience of Vintage Grand Prix Cars 23:50 The Technical Aspects of Racing Bugattis 27:02 Modern Challenges in Restoration and Engineering 30:50 Understanding Advance / Retard in Classic Cars 32:36 Modernizing Pre-War Cars for Comfort 35:26 Restoration Challenges: Balancing Authenticity and Modern Standards 39:32 The Evolution of Machining and Restoration Techniques 42:43 Navigating the Market for Classic Bugatti Cars 51:40 Racing Dynamics: The Importance of Authenticity 56:12 Testing Classic Cars: Challenges and Solutions 59:15 Iconic Bugatti Models and Their Features 01:01:03 The Challenges of Racing on Open Roads 01:02:28 The Thrill of Trialing and Endurance Racing 01:04:55 The Bonds Formed Through Racing 01:06:32 The Art of Engine Turning and Car Restoration 01:09:10 The Dilemma of Concours Restoration 01:12:49 The Stories Behind Historic Cars 01:15:22 The Evolution of Bugatti and Its Legacy 01:20:34 The Future of Bugatti in Modern Automotive Culture 01:30:02 Memorable Driving Experiences and Dream Cars Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  • Feb 10, 2025 · 1 hr 43 min

    Marlon Goldberg | Workshop 5001

    Marlon Goldberg shares his journey from car dealerships to founding Workshop 5001, diving into Porsche restoration, car culture, and the importance of technical knowledge in sales. We cover the philosophy behind Workshop 5001 and what makes these cars so special. https://workshop5001.com/ Show Notes: 00:00 The Porsche Restoration Landscape 02:58 Marlon Goldberg: Journey into Porsche Restoration 06:13 The Evolution of Car Dealerships 09:01 From Sales to Operations: A Career Shift 11:47 Building Relationships in the Car Business 15:10 The Singer Experience: Crafting Classic Cars 17:56 Starting Workshop 5001: A New Venture 20:47 Navigating the Challenges of Car Restoration 23:57 The Importance of Technical Knowledge in Sales 26:53 Building Cars: The First Projects 30:11 The Philosophy of Restoration 33:01 The Future of Car Restoration and Education 49:02 The Challenges of Sympathetic Restoration 52:23 Personalized Client Engagement in Car Restoration 55:10 Documentation and Quality Assurance in Restorations 01:00:54 Engine Building: Techniques and Innovations 01:06:50 Client Expectations and the Evolution of Air-Cooled Engines 01:12:03 Collaboration and Innovation in Custom Builds 01:19:12 Performance and Practicality in Modern Builds 01:24:22 Memorable Journeys and Personal Reflections 01:30:03 Market Trends and Undervalued Cars 01:34:49 The Future of Automotive Technology and Electric Cars 01:36:34 The Ideal Five-Car Garage Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  • Feb 3, 2025 · 1 hr 7 min

    Gordian Von Schöning | 13 Years At HWA - Everything From DTM to The HWA Evo

    Gordian Von Schöning (CTO at HWA) joins us for a chat about his journey with HWA. We cover what goes on at this impressive company, a bit about it's genesis and the projects along the way including their new HWA Evo. This is not your average restomod. https://www.hwalegacy.com/ https://www.hwaag.com/en/ Enjoy, Sam Show Notes: 00:00 Rethinking Restomodding 00:49 Gordian's Engineering Journey 03:07 HWA's Legacy in Motorsports 05:56 The Evolution of HWA 08:48 Technology in DTM Racing 12:13 The Relationship Between Racing and Road Cars 14:53 HWA's Role in Road Car Development 18:12 Customer Racing Dynamics 21:05 Balancing Performance and Usability 23:55 The Impact of Balance of Performance (BOP) 26:53 HWA's Shift to Road Car Projects 31:49 The Evolution of the HWA Evo 36:43 Design Philosophy and Customer Involvement 41:05 Powertrain and Performance Specifications 46:15 Weight Management and Engineering Challenges 50:34 Production Plans and Future Projects 52:53 Unique Features and Market Positioning 54:19 Personal Reflections and Future Aspirations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  • Jan 27, 2025 · 1 hr 34 min

    Craig Callum | Hot Wheels

    Craig Callum, Senior Design Manager at Hot Wheels (@cforcraig), joins us for a fascinating conversation about his journey through the automotive and toy industries. From dreaming of being a car designer at age five to working at MG Rover, Lego, and now Hot Wheels, Craig has always been driven by creativity. We discuss his time freelancing for Lego while snowboarding in the Alps, his role in creating the popular Speed Champions line, and how he's now leading the design of Hot Wheels' iconic mini cars. Craig shares insights into designing cars both big and small, the challenges of scaling car designs for toys, and even how Hot Wheels projects inspire real car manufacturers. He also reveals his personal love for hot rods, his Ford Model A builds, and his perspective on car culture in Los Angeles. Enjoy, Sam Show Notes: 00:00 The Journey to Car Design 02:57 The Evolution of Design Thinking 06:11 The Role of Imagination in Design 09:01 Hot Wheels: Merging Fantasy and Reality 11:50 The Challenges of Scale in Design 15:07 The Experience of Studying Car Design 17:57 Career Path: From Internships to Design 20:50 The Transition to Freelancing and Lego 24:05 Designing for Lego: A New Adventure 26:57 The Impact of Design on User Experience 30:10 Speed Champions: Bridging Cars and Lego 33:01 The Future of Design and Personal Passion 44:39 The Evolution of Adult Lego Fans 48:02 Sam's Journey at Lego and Speed Champions 52:55 Transitioning to Hot Wheels 56:21 Life on the Road: Building a Camper Van 01:00:15 Managing Design at Hot Wheels 01:06:53 The Hot Wheels Legends Tour and Community Engagement 01:12:41 Personal Car Collection and Experiences Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  • Jan 13, 2025 · 2 min

    See You In 2 Weeks

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

  • Jan 6, 2025 · 2 hr 3 min

    Bruce Wood | Cosworth - From Motorsport To Hypercar V12s

    <p>Bruce Wood is the Managing Director of Cosworth. Bruce shares his journey from starting at Cosworth as a graduate in 1987 to leading the company through iconic projects like the Cosworth Sierra, IndyCar engines, and modern hypercars like the Aston Martin Valkyrie.</p><br><p><a href="https://www.cosworth.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.cosworth.com/</a></p><br><p>Enjoy,</p><br><p>Sam</p><br><p>Show Notes:</p><br><p>00:00 The Passion for Engineering and Design</p><p>

  • Dec 30, 2024 · 1 hr 47 min

    Robin Shute | The Journey Of A 4x Pikes Peak Champion And Building A New Car To Win Again

    <p>Robin Shute is an engineer and 4x Pikes Peak Champion. He competes in the top class with his Wolf based racer. Robin joins me at home for a chat about Pikes Peak, racing, his engineering background and his upcoming car designed to smash records. A great chat with some real depth. </p><br><p>Enjoy,</p><br><p>Sam</p><br><p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/robin.shute/?hl=en" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/robin.shute/?hl=en</a></p><p><a href="https://www.y

  • Dec 23, 2024 · 1 hr 19 min

    Dave Cole | King Of The Hammers - The Toughest One-Day Off-Road Race On The Planet

    <p>In this episode, we’re joined by Dave Cole, Co-Founder and Owner of King of the Hammers. Dave, a former off-road racer himself, has turned the rugged desert of Johnson Valley, California, into the ultimate proving ground for the world’s toughest drivers and machines. Known as the "toughest one-day off-road race on the planet," King of the Hammers combines high-speed desert racing with brutal rock crawling, pushing competitors to their absolute limits.</p><br><p>We discuss Dave’s journey from

  • Dec 16, 2024 · 1 hr 23 min

    Max Banks | Alfaholics - The Joy Of Tuning And Driving Classic Alfas

    <p>In this episode, we’re joined by Max Banks, one of the key figures behind Alfaholics, the world-renowned specialists in classic Alfa Romeo restorations and performance upgrades. Founded by a family with a deep passion for Alfa Romeo, Alfaholics has earned a global reputation for transforming vintage Alfas into meticulously restored and enhanced machines, blending classic beauty with cutting-edge engineering.</p><br><p>Max shares the story of Alfaholics, the way their parts business helps the

  • Dec 9, 2024 · 1 hr 17 min

    Thierry Nardone | Nardone Automotive - The 928 Restomod

    <p>Thierry Nardone is the founder and CEO of Nardone Automotive, a French company behind the restomod of the Porsche 928. Thierry’s passion for transaxle Porsches, particularly the 928, inspired him to reimagine this classic grand tourer, blending its original elegance with modern performance and luxury.</p><br><p>Nardone Automotive’s reinterpretation features a carbon-fiber body, a meticulously upgraded V8 engine producing approximately 400 horsepower, and a bespoke interior adorned with Fogliz

  • Dec 2, 2024 · 1 hr 54 min

    Maurizio Reggiani | Bugatti EB110 to 16 Years As Lamborghini CTO and now the Eccentrica V12

    <p>Maurizio Reggiani, born on February 8, 1959, in San Martino Spino, Italy, is a distinguished automotive engineer renowned for his significant contributions to the high-performance automotive industry. He graduated from the University of Modena with a degree in mechanical engineering.</p><br><p>Reggiani began his career at Maserati in 1982, focusing on engine development, notably for the Maserati Biturbo. In 1987, he joined Bugatti under Paolo Stanzani, overseeing the development of the EB110’

  • Nov 25, 2024 · 1 hr 23 min

    Sasha Selipanov | NILU - A New V12 Manual Hypercar

    <p>Sasha Selipanov is the founder of NILU27 (<a href="https://nilu27.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://nilu27.com</a>/), a new hypercar company focused on delivering an engaging manual V12 experience. Sasha shares his incredible journey, from designing icons like the Bugatti Chiron, Lamborghini Huracán, and Genesis Essentia, to his latest venture with NILU27, where he aims to reshape the hypercar landscape.</p><br><p>We explore Sasha’s design philosophy as he talks about bal

  • Nov 18, 2024 · 1 hr 49 min

    Lee Gray | Kyron Audio - Designing The Ultimate Listening Experience

    <p>Lee Gray is the Co-Founder of Kyron Audio. Kyron started building loudspeakers for the discerning ears of professional musicians in 2001, and have continued the quest for the most realistic and musical home audio systems.</p><br><p>One of the things you will notice is the Open-baffle design. Unlike traditional boxed speakers, Kyron’s systems employ an open-baffle design, eliminating enclosures to reduce resonance and coloration. This approach enhances clarity and delivers a more natural sound

  • Nov 11, 2024 · 1 hr 42 min

    Oliver Hulme - Le Mans Coupes - Superformance GT40s, Cobras and The Spartan

    <p>Le Mans Coupes is the UK importer of a bunch of cool cars. From Superformance GT40s and Cobras to the Hyper Racer X1 and Spartan. I have a sit down with the boss Oliver Hulme after a drive in a GT40 to discuss these cars and the others they have for sale.</p><br><p><a href="https://lemanscoupes.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://lemanscoupes.com/</a></p><br><p>Enjoy,</p><br><p>Sam</p><br><p>Show Notes:</p><br><p>00:00 The Journey into Classic Cars</p><p>03:13 Understandin

  • Nov 7, 2024 · 1 min

    Podcast Trailer

    <p>Weekly 1-2hr episodes with a wide selection of the automotive industry. </p><br><p>Enjoy, </p><br><p>Sam </p><br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

  • Nov 4, 2024 · 1 hr 52 min

    Misha Charoudin - Filming At The 'Ring, Racing And Founding Vulcan Alpha

    <p>Misha Charoudin is a Nürburgring-based Youtuber and now racing driver. He began by filming videos at the track and has since progressed to filming himself driving multiple cars daily at the Nürburgring.. Misha shares in-car driving, vlogs and lots of behind the scenes footage of car setups, local culture etc.</p><br><p>In addition, Misha is the CEO and co-founder of Vulcan Alpha, a company that designs and produces high-performance car parts focused on aerodynamics, such as wings and splitter

  • Oct 28, 2024 · 1 hr 54 min

    Jan Kalmar | KALMAR Automotive - Porsches That Are Built To Be Driven

    <p>Jan Kalmar is the founder of KALMAR Automotive and a lifelong petrolhead. Based in Denmark, Jan has dedicated his life to automotive innovation, combining his love for fast cars and endurance racing with a passion for building rugged vehicles. Jan has set some crazy long distance records and has a real passion for adventure drives. Kalmar Automotive specialises in bespoke restomod Porsches for road, off-road and track.</p><br><p>https://kalmarautomotive.com/home/</p><p>https://www.instagram.c