From the April 2023 issue of Car and Driver.
We don’t suggest reading car magazines while driving (although we do suggest reading them all the time). When you’re driving and in need of automotive content, your choices are to listen to Jan & Dean’s “Drag City” on repeat or discover some of the thousands of car-themed podcasts out there. Among famous offerings, such as Adam Carolla’s carcast and Matt Farah the smoking tire, and shows with a specific collecting, racing, or history theme, there’s sure to be a pod to match your driving style. We Recently Spent Time Driving Around Hollywood In The BMW M5 With The Ex CD Editor-in-Chief Eddie Alterman talks about what a good way the podcast is to learn about cars. He should know—he hosts one, Car Show! With Eddie Alterman.
Alterman’s interest in podcasting was based on the format itself. “It’s an intimate storytelling medium,” he says. “You are right in the ear of the listener.” Civilization began when humans first learned to share information through speech, so this may be the best way for us to learn. “We absorb the nuances of a person’s voice and what it’s saying a little better, and remember.”
Podcasting, with its friendly, memorable nature, seemed like the perfect way for Alterman to tell stories that connect to history. “I wanted to show the car at the intersection of all these interesting human activities,” he says. “The Corvair represents human accountability and responsibility. Jeep, we’re still obsessed with because it’s our last connection to World War II. The minivan came at a time of great parental insecurity. This placement made the car interesting.” Maybe people who think they don’t like cars.”
Not all hosts have Gutenberg brackets in mind when they turn on the mic, but whether you’re just listening to a workout or moving fast, the right podcast can feel like a buddy for the ride.
point of view with markus amick
Industry analysis, tech deep dives and concept cars when your autofocus is on the future. Amick is that rarest of interviewers, one who knows how to ask a question and then go out of his way to answer the guest. If you’re tired of podcasts that have more interruptions than brunch with a small child, tune in. As promised, Emic arrives at the issue.
dinner with the racers
Ever dreamed of drinking wine with Mario Andretti or sharing a sandwich with Geoff Bodine? Dinner with Racers hosts Ryan Eversly and Sean Heckman are living that dream. The pair meet retired and current-day racers at local eateries and occasionally at a driver’s home to write down racing and personal (sometimes very personal) stories. DWR is casual, fun, and often surprising.
Cars and Culture with Jason Stein
Great interview, and not just with auto-industry people. You’ll learn everything from Toto Wolff’s tough childhood to being a car nerd in Hollywood and sports. Stein is likely to talk to the Coldplay bassist as he is the CEO of Dodge. The series covers design, technology, collecting, racing the nine-second C8 Corvette, and more.
car crush is hotboxing
Hotboxing is like a road trip with a punk-rock witchcraft twist. Lots of laughs, goofy jokes, and tons of cool project cars. Guests have included mechanics, tattoo artists and stuntwomen. Some episodes feature catchup on the hosts’ builds, while others quiz the guests on their automotive interests or share advice for novice ranchers. It’s a good-natured, all-inclusive blast.
Dork-O-Motive Podcast
Dork-O-Motive host Brian Lownes has a voice we’ve wanted to describe our whole lives. We’ll settle for their narrative tales of vehicular history, from rocket-powered axles to steam-engine demolition derbies. Lohnes digs up old newspaper stories and even records interviews about exploding headlights and World War II convoy heroes. They’re so good, you’ll wish your trip was longer.
Senior Editor, Features
Like an active sleeper agent late in the game, Elana Sharer didn’t know her calling at a young age. Like many girls, she planned to be a veterinarian-astronaut-artist, and came closest to that last one by attending UCLA art school. He painted images of cars, but did not own them. Elana reluctantly obtained her driver’s license at age 21 and found that not only did she love cars and wanted to drive them, but that other people loved cars and wanted to read about them, which Which meant someone had to write about them. Since receiving the activation code, Elana has written for a number of car magazines and websites, covering classics, car culture, technology, motorsports and new-car reviews.