Two Guys Garage Podcast

In 2019, “Ford v Ferrari” captured the hearts, minds, and imaginations of moviegoers around the world, (re)introducing Carroll Shelby and his iconic Cobra to multiple generations. A huge fan of the movie, Kevin notes that “there is a natural sex appeal around a Cobra whether you’re a car person or not.” Jeff Grice of Nostalgic Motoring Limited is an expert on all things Cobra and joins the guys for a passionate conversation about originals, replicas, history, lineage, you name it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Radford Racing School in Chandler, Arizona is the official High Performance Driving School of Dodge//SRT plus a whole lot more. “R-A-D defines the school,” raves Willie. “It’s a playground with four tires,” extols Kevin. With 85 Dodge vehicles on campus – everything from Demons to Hellcats to Vipers – plus Lotus Evora GT and Formula 4 cars – GM Mike Kessler has one of the best jobs in the business. He’s also got amazing stories to share, including the incredible tale of Hellcat Granny that you’ve got to hear to believe! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

John Kraman, the voice of Mecum Auctions drops in to chat with the guys about the exploding classic car auction scene. “We are on one heck of a roll, on pace to set another all-time record north of $600 million in the sale of collector vehicles as the world’s largest collector car auction company.” Learn firsthand about the ins and outs, what’s hot and what’s not, what to expect and what to avoid in this dynamic and thrilling market. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Believe it or not, there’s another Willie B in the world – his mirrored identical twin, Billy. They’re two chips off the old engine block, each having inherited the car bug gene from their dad. Despite Willie’s well-known affinity for Mopar and Billy’s for GM, the brothers are otherwise symbiotic best friends, competitors, and passionate car guys. Kevin is anything but the third wheel in today’s conversation, chatting with the brothers about all things automotive, including Billy’s new venture in the tuning and dyno business. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s podcast is all about rolling gears using the notorious third pedal. But make no mistake; it’s not all fun and games. “There’s so much going on with a clutch,” warns Kevin. “There’s a lot of pitfalls, you can go right down into a deep dark hole that you didn’t want to be in if you go down the wrong path.” Luckily, Geoff Gerko, owner of Mantic Clutch USA is on hand to guide the guys down the right path. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jake Hawksworth and Jon Miller are at the forefront of what many expect to be an enormous explosion in the motorsports community: electric conversion kits. Electron and proton-produced power, performance and range are the order of the day at Hypercraft, causing die hard traditionalists Willie and Kevin fits wrapping their brains around the sea change now upon them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Einstein of Additives and his cool crew are back, and this time Chris Gabrelcik, Kevin Adams and Kyle Fischer bring Kevin and Willie into the Hot Shot’s Secret kitchen for some high-level mixing, blending, and baking. “We want to first of all protect the oil, protect the machinery, protect the fuel system,” says Chris, “but also tweak it to give you a little bit more of what you’re after.” So, grab your lab coat and goggles and get ready to learn everything you ever wanted to know about the science of additives! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From crankshafts to connecting rods, cams to engine blocks, Callies Performance Products is known for its trademark excellence, precision tolerances, high grade materials, demanding specs, and benchmark quality control standards. Direct from PRI, Heath Norton returns to the podcast for a chat with the guys on a wide range of topics, chief among them the challenges facing the performance industry from both the pandemic and the rising prominence of the EV. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wrenching on cars for a very special cause is something super close to Willie’s heart. For 20 years, he’s been giving back to the Denver community in a truly meaningful and impactful way, donating as many as 70 cars each year to families in need. As you can imagine, it’s a massive undertaking, albeit one he finds incredibly rewarding. “The best is when you give these cars to these people, and you know they’ve got a righteous ride and their gonna last for years.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At 6’5”, Cooper MacNeil is not your average race car driver. With numerous wins and championships to his credit – ALMS, Ferrari Challenge, Petit Le Mans, 12 Hours of Sebring – he’s run some of the world’s most iconic races, from Daytona to Le Mans. Noting that “you’re pretty much 100% every lap for 24 hours straight” has Willie and Kevin green with envy. “There’s nothing quite like doing 200 miles an hour – legally, that’s the key!” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s podcast is all about making beautiful noise, and no one knows more about this than Magnaflow’s Rich Waitas. Kevin calls it “the magnificent choir that comes out of the back of exhaust pipes… it’s an art form,” albeit one whose days may well be numbered as EV appears ready to displace IC and the sound it generates. Yet, for all those like Willie who believe that “the right sound means everything,” there is still much to be adored and admired. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Corry and Jason Weller met racing ATV Motocross in 2001 and have been together ever since. She’s raced Pro 4, won a UTV championship for Yamaha, and now runs for Can-Am. Aside from operating their successful aftermarket parts business, he’s been competing in King of the Hammers since 2016; together they’ll be co-drivers in the ’22 event. The dynamic couple joins the guys to talk about play time, work time, and their favorite pastime vacationing at one of the world’s most lawless spots! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Foo Dog Motorcycles in Denver, CO is the brainchild of traveling-musician-turned-classic-restorer Carson Allen, a die-hard fan of vintage 1960s to early 80s Japanese bikes, with a special affinity for those in distress. Of course, parts for these lost legends can be pretty hard to come by, and that’s okay with him. “Preserving the past is really my focus,” he tells Willie and Kevin. “I know that these bikes we put enough love and care and attention to detail into them that they’re never gonna go back to the state they were before.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fresh from SEMA where his ’66 Charger made a huge splash, Willie B is pumped up about one of the most lauded builds of the show: Arrington Performance’s showpiece hydrogen-burning truck. We’re talking internal combustion engine here; no fuel cell and virtually no emissions. The mastermind behind the project, Mike Copeland, joins the guys to explain how it works, what it does, and what it means for the future of the automobile. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When it comes to winterizing your vehicle, the worst thing you can do is…nothing. We’ve all been there: a few days’ procrastination turns into weeks, turns into months, and before you know it, you’re in a world of hurt. Today the guys offer insights on the basic guidelines of seasonal prep and spend some time discussing critter control with MouseBlocker inventor Matt Swift. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For all those who aspire to have their ride inspire “the look-back,” this one’s for you. Willie and Kevin introduce a pair of prepping and painting pros armed with expert recommendations on how to make your Technicolor dreams come true. First up is Tom Williams of Mobile Environmental Solutions, purveyor of super clean, affordable, portable, pop-up paint booths, followed by Thin Red Line Paint Specialist’s Raymond Harrison, with advice on fillers, primers, and ratios, and a mantra to just “take your time and have fun with it!” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The right combination of style and performance can elevate just about anything, not least of all wheels and tires. “It’s one thing to have a great-looking tire,” notes Kevin; “it’s another thing to have a great-looking tire that fits with the wheel, so you get that total package.” Josh Simpson of Hercules Tires and Myles Kovacs of TIS Wheels have embraced this concept to the fullest, collaborating on a line of rims and rubber compounds bound to turn heads. “Being partnered with Hercules, for me it’s like hitting the lottery,” say Myles; “we’re like a fashion brand.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nothing affects your ride more than shocks and struts; they’re controlling the amount of bounce of the vehicle and the tire that’s gripping the road. Aaron Shaffer, KYB’s Director of Marketing and Product, is a former racer and go-to guy for any and all suspension-related questions. Today he joins Kevin and Willie with advice on controlling that bumpy road; how to know when it’s time for service or replacement; why it’s absolutely critical to increase damping when adding a bigger, heavier, larger wheel and tire; and assorted hacks to avoid unnecessary and costly DIY mistakes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Einstein of Additives is back, and this time Chris Gabrelcik is joined by Lubrication Specialties Chemical Engineer Kevin Adams and Director of Branding Kyle Fischer for a lively discussion about the critical functions of fluids. “It’s like the blood that’s in your veins; you don’t even think about it,” notes Kevin. “And these guys are tapped in like no one else to the science behind it.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Willie B is deep in the throes of his first solo SEMA build on a rare 1966 Dodge Charger “slapper” car that is most definitely NOT a General Lee. With the clock ticking down, he’s sliced, diced, cut, chopped and wide-bodied it, learning firsthand that “most nightmares occur while you’re awake.” In this final installment of our five-part series, he begins to question whether all the lost sleep, high stress, and hurdle after hurdle will be worth it in the end. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the occasion of their milestone 200th episode, Kevin and Willie reflect on some of their best guests, favorite topics, and most memorable moments behind the mic. From the personal to the professional, from rubbin’ elbows to rubbin’ paint, strap in for a high-octane journey down memory lane with two fun-loving, bench-racing buddies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rob Ida is a third-generation car builder and, in Kevin’s estimation, one of the most talented designer-builders on the planet. His penchant for Tuckers is renowned, and he also tackles an incredible array of projects from the most modern to most archaic and just about everything in between. In Part 4 of our five-part series, Rob chronicles the hurdles and headaches of restoring a rare 1962 Holman Moody Ford Falcon/Challenger 3 for SEMA. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There are all types of wheels for different applications from different processes at different price points. Casting, flow formed and forged; aluminum, steel, and composites; three-piece and monoblock. It can all seem overwhelming, especially since wheels have so much power to make or break everything about the driving experience. Joining the guys to demystify the confusion is Dave Schardt, President of Forgeline Wheels. “We say it all the time,” notes Kevin. “The right wheels and the right stance can take just any ride and take it up a couple of notches.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As owner of the successful Girl Gang Garage and co-host of MotorTrend’s long-running hit series All Girls Garage and Garage Squad, Bogi Lateiner has earned an enviable reputation in the automotive world. Now deep into her third all-female SEMA build – “I did not expect to be building a SEMA car, ever!”– she takes time out to chat with Kevin and Willie about the project in the third installment of our five-part series. “It’s the biggest undertaking that I’ve ever done; it is absolutely insane, it’s just an unreal project!” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Willie and Kevin are big fans of grabbin’ gears and heel toeing the clutch, especially when a TREMEC tranny’s involved. “There are few things in a vehicle other than the transmission that can really change the whole dynamic of your driving,” notes Kevin, “and really bring the fun factor in.” Mike Kidd is a kindred spirit who also happens to be TREMEC’s Aftermarket Business Manager, and today he joins the guys for a lively update on all the latest goings on at the company. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the second podcast of this five-part series, Willie goes deep on his first gen ‘66 Dodge Charger build for this year’s SEMA Show. Not exactly renowned for its natural beauty, this labor of love (emphasis on labor) is inspired in part by Kevin’s own kick-ass 1990 LS-powered BMW M3 build several SEMAs back. “Ugly cars get really cool at SEMA,” notes Willie, “and sometimes really gorgeous cars get really ugly at SEMA!” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode’s intro, Willie makes it abundantly clear that he absolutely hates wiring. That is, he did until he discovered American Autowire’s all-in-one kits that make what can seem like a daunting task as easy as possible. “Wiring (for) a lot of people is black magic, it scares them to death,” says Engineering Support Manager Don Bock, “and really, if you understand the concept of it, it’s really not hard.” Adds Kevin, “Don’t be afraid, just get in there and do it!” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If SEMA is the Super Bowl of car shows, the Ring Brothers are the Lebron and Michael of car builders. Yet even Jim and Mike are up against the wall trying to get parts for the three projects they’re bringing to this year’s highly anticipated event, the first since the onset of the pandemic. In the first of a five-part series leading up to SEMA, Kevin and Willie go two-on-two with the legendary siblings who modestly describe themselves as “just guys that like cars and [are] lucky enough that people like what we’re doing.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s a well-acknowledged fact that Kevin and Willie’s longtime friend and living legend Ken Lingenfelter has a finger on all things fast. A true car guy born and bred, he caught the bug at the tender age of 10 when he first laid eyes on a ‘63 split-window Corvette coming off the assembly line, courtesy of his Detroit exec dad. In the decades since, he’s remained a dedicated fan, “absolutely enchanted with the new C8,” and with the new Z06 on the way, “probably more passionate about it today than I’ve ever been.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s cars and trucks are increasingly more complex machines running on ever more powerful computers, spitting out codes and diagnostic information that can be difficult for a DIYer to decipher. The new OTOFIX scanning tool is poised to change all that, offering dealer quality, access, and capability at an affordable price. Maurice Miller and Daniel Bemiss join Kevin and Willie to discuss the super powerful, easy to use, and highly connected device that Kevin hails as the “solution that I’ve been looking for!” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris Gabrelcik, CEO of Lubrication Specialties, Inc., is a man of science held in high regard by Kevin and Willie, who fondly refer to him by a variety of nicknames, including the recently added moniker of “The Fine Chef of Everything Lubrication-wise”. On this episode he engages the guys in a discussion about how to make your engine last longer, get the best mileage out of it, and get more bang for the buck per gallon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Who among us hasn’t scraped a curb and damaged a rim or tire? This can be a real nuisance, and a potentially pricey fix. Patrick Fletch joins the guys to explain how AlloyGator’s seamless system applies an engineering mindset to provide personalized protection, visual pop, and a colorful styling solution. Along the way, Willie introduces a phenomenon he’s dubbed “rolling mustard and mayonnaise” that swings the conversation in an unexpected direction! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mel Roth launched PSCA Racing 22 years ago, nurturing its regional roots as the Pacific Street Car Association into the national platform now named Premier. Among the 6 to 16 different classes of racing depending on venue, the XDR Series spotlights 3000 hp door cars running radial tires on the 1/8-mile drag. “The nature of the beast is you wanna go fast,” Mel tells the guys. “You wanna win, but you really wanna go fast!” Or, as Kevin puts it, “It’s a real cool, relatable racing series with a whole lot of who-knows-what’s-gonna- happen!” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There’s certainly no shortage of aftermarket waxes and polishes. Let the buyer beware – when it comes to “flossy and glossy,” not all products are created equal. Consider this alternative: ceramic coatings that create show-quality finishes that can last 9+ years. Kevin Davis from Gtechniq educates the guys on what it is and what sets it apart, schooling them on chemical bonding, physical curing, and the difference between hydrophobic and hydrophilic lubricity. Who knew? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Indianapolis is the place to be each December when PRI, the biggest industry show for performance and racing, rolls into town. Willie describes it as “40-50,000 square feet of heaven!” while Kevin notes, “I hardly ever miss a PRI; if I do I cry for like a month!” Today the guys welcome Dr. Jamie Meyer, President of PRI, back to the podcast for updates on the myriad initiatives and programs the organization has in play. “We are building tools to raise the entire industry. It is a great time to be into cars.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is all about metal – shaping, smashing, cutting, making it do what you want it to do, which isn’t always easy. “I’ve definitely filled up a few scrap bins in my day,” Bruce Van Sant, Owner/President of Trick-Tools, confesses to the guys. From his auto body background growing up on a farm, to becoming a self-described tool junky, Bruce now offers all kinds of tools, even tools for tools! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Not all engine oils are created equal. Viscosity, heat range, performance, and protection can each vary widely. Carmine Colarusso knows this better than most. The CEO of Ultra1Plus has been blending oils for 25 years, many engineered to the specific needs of individual customers. As he sees it, “When you do an oil analysis, it’s like you’re doing a blood test,” he tells Kevin and Willie. “We have the biggest and widest product range that a manufacturer has for their customers…. Any product, we can make it.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the release of its TKX next generation transmission in late 2020, TREMEC’s totally redesigned model quickly proved itself a gamechanger for both cars and trucks. While the timing may have initially seemed potentially disastrous, Modern DriveLine’s Bruce Couture reports that sales are up 70 percent over the prior year. “This pandemic has been great for business,” he ecstatically tells the guys, with no end in sight anytime soon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kevin and Willie love wheelin’ and everything that has to do with steering and/or suspension, so they’re pumped to get a master class in bumps and humps from Frank Vasquez of KW Suspensions. From entry level all the way up to professional racing, KW is the epitome of German precision engineering in the category. With over 16 different options for any particular car, Frank’s quick to point out that they’re “just scratching the surface with some of our truck stuff.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fresh off a nine-day, 1600-mile cross country bike ride, Kevin’s a little raw but raring to go swapping stories with noted custom bike builder Kevin Dunworth. Add Willie to the mix and you’ve got a trio of diehard motorcycle fans shooting the breeze on everything two-wheeling past, present and future. “We are in the last of the gasoline era in cars and bikes,” observes Dunworth, before adding, “I might get beat up at the bar for saying this, but I think electric’s cool!” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kevin’s former Two Guys Garage co-host and good buddy Bryan Fuller is renowned for his work creating custom motorcycles, hot rods, and old school classics. He’s most recently discovered a new itch for precision driving – a.k.a. racing – specifically open wheel, and he’s set his sights on rebuilding a rare, vintage Mirage M5 to run in Formula Ford. “My first race car, it’s kind of scary,” he confesses to the guys. “It’s exciting, it’s fun, it’s scary; I don’t know, lots of emotion.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kevin and Willie welcome the “Father of the Ford GT” Chris Theodore for a special extended conversation chronicling his remarkable career in the automotive industry. The “engineer’s engineer,” Theodore has been a driving force behind some of the greatest vehicles of the 20th Century and beyond. His historic collaborations with the late Carroll Shelby culminated in the 2004 Ford Shelby Cobra Concept car that gives his book – and this podcast – its subject. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The average age of vehicles on the road has ticked up to an all-time high of 12 years. Keeping them running cleaner and longer is the mission of TotalEnergies, the massive French company doing big things on a global scale. Luis Cerqueira and Darren Lesinski join the podcast to discuss what technologies are coming down the pike in terms of oil, natural gas, electricity, hydrogen, wind, and solar power. As the company strives to become greener in several respects, they’re at the cutting edge of developing oils that let the OEs literally design the engine around the oil! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As co-host of the long-running MotorTrend series Truck U from Day 1, Matt Steele has seen a virtual truckload of trends come and go. Over the course of 17 seasons to date, his passion for all things trucks burns as brightly as ever. As he tells Kevin and Willie, “I’ve always been a truck guy,” and nowhere is this more evident than in his day job as owner of the mud bogging off-road event series, Trucks Gone Wild. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cleveland Power and Performance is a salvage yard like no other – a wonderland of curated parts and pieces, drive trains and engines harvested from crashed Camaros, Mustangs and Hellcats – that also happens to build mind-blowing hot rods like the noted ’69 Dodge Charger “Reverence” and last year’s SEMA Show stunner NIKA ‘79 Bronco. Owner Rick Fragnoli makes his third visit to the podcast to discuss all the latest goings on in the aftermarket and what lies ahead as the EV era dawns. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Improvements in suspension geometry. More modern alignment settings. Reducing body roll. Evolutionary leaps in shock technology. What is the secret of Ridetech’s success? “It all starts with the people that work there,” Product Manager Darren Schilling explains to Kevin and Willie. “A lot of these products we developed we didn’t even know that we needed them or wanted them, and all of it was born usually in building a car.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kevin’s old college buddy Ernesto Roedenbeck joins the guys for a little throttle therapy on the ins and outs of dirt biking. Willie refers to it as “Dirt Church” and Kevin as “the best video game ever,” where the #1 objective is to stay safe and not get killed. Dirt, sand, wheels up, wheels down, it’s all a blast, so grab your gear, boots and all, and strap in for a wild offroad adventure! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Art, sophistication, elegance, performance and total badass-ery are the hallmarks of Rad Rides by Troy. As Bonneville, SEMA and Ridler Award-winning custom builder Troy Trepanier informs Willie and Kevin, “this ain’t no 40-hour job,” and that’s no joke. With a pledge to constantly raise the bar without sacrificing quality, he lives by his mantra: “We try to let the car tell us what it wants a little bit.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Spectra Premium has been producing high quality aftermarket products for over 30 years – everything from oil pans and fuel tanks to engine management, heavy duty segments and classic car parts – right here in North America. “At the end of the day, our customers are really looking for complete solutions to what they’re doing,” Director of Category Management Aaron Athey tells the guys. “We’ve kind of taken that premium mentality to everything we do.” Asked if he’s ever had a customer cry, Athey notes only when they’ve been disappointed elsewhere first, “and we’ve been able to turn some of those tears into smiles!” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former co-host Bryan Fuller joins Kevin and Willie to celebrate Two Guys Garage’s 20th Anniversary and chat about the trio’s recent reunion with original hosts Dave Bowman and Sam Memmolo on the milestone season finale. They also go deep on one of Bryan’s latest and most unexpected projects, outfitting a ’69 Cougar convertible with Tesla underpinnings. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices