S1 Ep181: The Dodge Viper: How the Most Boring Company Built the Most Insane Car
The year is 1988. Chrysler is getting pummeled by Ford and GM in sales, and the company’s lineup of cars weren’t inspiring consumer excitement. They needed a new, exciting car - and fast. Company VP Bob Lutz was driving to work in his 1985 Shelby Cobra when it hit him. The Cobra was exactly the kind of car Chrysler needed to add to its repertoire. So Bob put together a team, gave them a three-p...
1hr 1m May 01, 2023
1hr 1m
S1 Ep180: The Rise & Fall of Mitsubishi
The year is 1870. And a samurai has just started a trading operation in a Japan still coming to grips with the modern world. Through hard work, ingenious engineering, and perhaps more than a little war profiteering, that company would later grow to be Mitsubishi - one of the four largest companies in one of the world's four largest economies. But how did sales plummet to just 15 percent of thei...
1hr 2m Apr 24, 2023
1hr 2m
188: Sebastien Loeb Was Built To Win
Eight-time World Rally champion Sébastien Ogier was primed to defend his title at the 2022 World Rallycross season opener at Monte Carlo. As the four-day event progressed, the man who’d dominated Rallycross for the last decade was in the lead… until he found himself competing with an unexpected aggressor: a 47-year-old dude who hadn’t participated in a WRC event in over a year, driving a car he...
42m Apr 17, 2023
42m
S1 Ep179: The Wild Origin Story of the Mazda Miata
1989. The first episode of Seinfeld had just aired, Game Boys were flyin’ off the shelves, and the Berlin Wall was about to fall. But for car enthusiasts everywhere, 1989 will be remembered for something even bigger. The year that the Mazda MX-5 was released in the United States. How did the Miata become one of the most beloved two-seaters of all time? Who were the people who brought it to life...
48m Apr 10, 2023
48m
S1 Ep178: How Two Brothers Brought F1 to Mexico
If you’re an F1 fan, you’re probably familiar with the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City. But who ARE the Hermanos Rodriguez? What impact did they have on motorsports in Mexico? And is being fearless really a good quality for a race car driver, or indicative of future disaster? Today on Past Gas, the story of Pedro and Ricardo Rodriguez. Thanks to our sponsors: Get Valvoline for you...
44m Apr 03, 2023
44m
S1 Ep177: The Surprisingly Long History of Getaway Cars
When we think of getaway cars, we usually think of criminals hopping into an automobile, perhaps after they’ve robbed a bank or a jewelry store, and speedily fleeing the scene to avoid being caught for their crime. But how did the term come to be? Who are the most infamous criminals to get behind the wheel? What kind of cars did they drive (and sometimes steal) to get the job done? And what are...
41m Mar 27, 2023
41m
S1 Ep176: Jim Clark: The F1 Driver Who Started as a Sheep Farmer
Jim Clark never intended to become a professional race car driver. What he wanted was to be a shepherd and eventually take over his family’s farm in Scotland. So, how did Jim’s unbelievable driving career come to be? Where and how did his natural driving talents get noticed? And in such a loud, colorful sport, how did Jim manage to snag the spotlight with such a quiet, humble persona? Today, on...
51m Mar 20, 2023
51m
S1 Ep175: Keanu Reeves & Other Celebrities You Didn't Know Raced
Hollywood. LalaLand. The windy city of brotherly love. The stars of the screen are known for their outsized appetites for clothes, houses, and, most importantly to us, cars. While the majority of celebrities likely tool around in a Model X or a Rivian, there are some for whom this is not the way. Today on Past Gas, we are going to look at celebrities who consider cars and motorsport their calli...
54m Mar 13, 2023
54m
S1 Ep174: Gordon Johncock: How This Racing Underdog Became a Two-Time Champion
Gordon Johncock may not be a name you’re familiar with, but he’s a legend on the track - especially at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. But how did Gordon Johncock achieve his status as a legend at the Indy 500? What caused him to shy away from the limelight? And what made Johncock racing’s unluckiest winner? Today on Past Gas, the story of Gordon Johncock. Need to hire? You need Indeed. Visit...
43m Mar 06, 2023
43m
S1 Ep173: Citroen: The Quirky French Company Has Been Hiding How Cool They Are
In December of 1922, French industrialist and innovator André-Gustave Citroën was determined to show the world how tough his cars could be. Though the Citroëns were simple and affordable, he knew they were built to handle any terrain… even the Saharan Desert. But how exactly did the company’s founder, André Citroën, get his start? How did Citroën cars set the standard for how automobiles could ...
47m Feb 27, 2023
47m
S1 Ep172: Jessi Combs: From Mythbusters to 500+ MPH
Few people in human history have been infected with a love for automobiles and pushing their limits quite like Jessi Combs. But how did one of the most recognizable faces in automotive television also become the fastest woman on earth? How did Jessi manage to excel in multiple high-pressure, male-dominated industries? And what led to the tragic crash that claimed Jessi’s life? Today on Past Gas...
40m Feb 20, 2023
40m
S1 Ep171: AJ Foyt: This Racer's "Career-Ending" Injuries Couldn’t Keep Him from the Track
If you’re a fan of American racing, chances are you know the name AJ Foyt. But how did this fiery Texan write himself into the history books? How did he manage to come back after career-ending injuries? And what made AJ Foyt so dominant for so long? Today, on Past Gas, the life and times of one of America’s most well-known drivers, AJ Foyt. Thanks to our sponsors: Visit https://Indeed.com/PAS...
51m Feb 13, 2023
51m
S1 Ep170: Why Red Bull’s Winning Streak Is No Accident
In 2004, Ford decided they were done with Formula One, and started looking for someone to buy the remnants of their failed team, Jaguar. Luckily, an energy drink company was eager to take the reins. That’s right - Red Bull had decided to launch an official Formula One racing team, and little did the world know that they were about to change racing forever. But how has a team that’s been around ...
1hr 1m Feb 06, 2023
1hr 1m
S1 Ep169: Penske: How a Small Dealership Grew Into a Racing Empire
Roger Penske Racing’s debut was going pretty well… until his team’s Corvette t-boned a slower competitor in the middle of the night session. But failure was not an option for Roger Penske, and nothing was going to spoil his first race as an owner. A perfectionist with a compulsive need to win, Roger instructed his team to grab two flashlights and some duct tape. This car was going to get back o...
54m Jan 30, 2023
54m
S1 Ep168: Harley Davidson: The Rise and Fall …and Rise Again???
Whether you’re kicking up dust on your favorite dirt bike, or screaming a crotch rocket down the 101 at midnight, there’s nothing on earth like riding a motorcycle. But Harley Davidson bikes are a little different. Maybe it’s their sound, maybe it’s their mystique, maybe it’s a century’s worth of market dominance. But how did the hogs get their start? What led to the company’s meteoric rise in ...
1hr 1m Jan 23, 2023
1hr 1m
S1 Ep167: F1’s Greatest Rivalries: Alain Prost & Ayrton Senna
Alain Prost was a fiery Frenchman, and an elite driver known for dominating the track like no driver before him. But along with his unrivaled success, The Professor had an extremely combustible personality and made more than one enemy on his path to glory. But how did this son of a small-town handyman become an F1 driver in the first place? What led to Prost’s legendary personal feud with Ayrto...
1hr 9m Jan 16, 2023
1hr 9m
S1 Ep166: Pluspy: The Japanese Car Video That Inspired a Generation
Twenty years before the launch of YouTube, tuning shops partnered with tuner magazines and illegal street racers in Japan to produce one of the most legendary viral car videos in history. The video would go on to cement careers, create massive media franchises, and ultimately resulted in an entirely new motorsport. And it was all done with one of the most unlikely cars anyone could have imagine...
56m Jan 09, 2023
56m
S1 Ep165: Bernie Eccelstone: The Villain Who Saved F1
Bernie Ecclestone: a name more commonly spit out than spoken. How did the son of a fisherman, born into poverty, come to be a billionaire? How does a man go from living in the northern English countryside to jet-setting with a string of new wives over the course of his life? What kind of person could have such an incredible hero’s journey, only to end up the villain in the eyes of the public? T...
54m Jan 02, 2023
54m
S1 Ep164: Santa's Coal Bag: We Did All Your Crummy Ideas
December, 2022. Everywhere, work is winding down for the holidays. Everywhere, except of course, the Past Gas Studio. After a year of epic and inspiring stories, producers Kristina and Gavin are wringing their hands, anxious because the upcoming episode list is looking thinner than Ken Miles after 24 hours of Le Mans. That's when Kristina has a brilliant idea. "Dear Santa, what I would like mor...
58m Dec 26, 2022
58m
S1 Ep163: The Wild & True Story of the Fast & Furious, Part 2
On November 7th, 2021, Vin Diesel, the executive producer and star of the Fast and Furious franchise decided to post a public message on Instagram to the biggest action star in the world, Dwayne Johnson. The co-stars had been making snarky comments about each other in interviews or saying cryptic things on social media for years. For a while, it seemed like they had let bygones be bygones. Yet ...
50m Dec 19, 2022
50m
S1 Ep162: The Wild & True Story of the Fast & Furious, Part 1
After Rob Cohen read the article, “Racer X,” about an underground New York world of street racing he couldn’t stop thinking about its potential. He had to see it for himself. So his friend and auto journalist R.J. de Vera brought him to a race. The experience left him hooked. He knew he had a story. The only question was, could he sell it? Who started modern urban street racing and why did they...
1hr 7m Dec 13, 2022
1hr 7m
S1 Ep161: Brawn F1L This Guy Bought The Honda F1 Team For $1.46 (Replay)
In 2009, Ross Brawn bought the ENTIRE Honda F1 team for a SINGLE British pound. What came next was a season that went down as the most remarkable David and Goliath story in Formula One history. How did Brawn GP beat other teams, that had been established for decades? What’s the team’s legacy in F1? And how does an F1 team get sold for the price of a candy bar? Today on Past Gas, the incredible ...
52m Dec 05, 2022
52m
S1 Ep160: The History of the Baja 1000
The Baja 1000 is an arduous 1000-mile drive through the remote and desolate Baja Peninsula. For many, it wasn’t a question of when you finished, but if you’d finish at all. The route is treacherous, and so is the weather. Drivers face flash floods and fog. Scorching heat and freezing cold. Rocks and boulders and unpredictable herds of animals. And if one broke down or got injured… the journey m...
51m Nov 28, 2022
51m
S1 Ep159: How the 924 & 944 Saved Porsche
Porsche has such panache that it’s easy to assume they’ve been a rock-solid luxury import since the beginning. They’re owned by Volkswagen, they have a stellar racing resume, and they’re one of the most respected brands by aficionados and casual drivers alike. But it wasn’t always that way. Porsche has been on the brink of bankruptcy not once, but three times, since they began production. How d...
44m Nov 21, 2022
44m
S1 Ep158: The Hill Family Racing Dynasty
In the autumn of 1975, Graham Hill was in a new phase of his life. He had just retired from Formula One as a two-time World Champion, as well as the only driver in history to win the F1 championship, Indianapolis 500, and 24h of Le Mans. From cinematic near-death experiences to triumphant comebacks, Graham Hill was a living legend. But on a cold and foggy November evening in 1975, Graham’s hero...
57m Nov 14, 2022
57m
S1 Ep157: Subaru Made War Planes?!
It’s no secret that the global auto industry was turned on its head during World War II. From Subaru to Chrysler, nearly every major car company stopped in their tracks to help their respective nations during the horrifying conflict. But which companies were the biggest players? What instruments of war did these industrial bohemothes create? And when the dust settled, how did these automakers r...
58m Nov 07, 2022
58m
S1 Ep156: The World's Most Expensive Car Collection Is Rotting Away (REPLAY)
Catch our episode of the Sultan of Brunei yet again, on this exclusive episode revisit (with a quick message from Joe!) Today on Past Gas-- the Sultan of Brunei, owner of the largest, most expensive car collection of all time. For decades, the Sultan had a shadowy but significant influence on the automotive industry, ordering one-of-a-kind supercars ranging from Ferraris to Aston Martins. Why d...
46m Oct 31, 2022
46m
S1 Ep155: Peter Brock: Australia’s Favorite Race Car Driver Loved Crystals
Australian motorsport legend Peter Brock spent years driving for Holden, an Australian subsidiary of General Motors. But when he became a little too interested in New Age theory in the late 1980s, he not only destroyed his longtime business partnership with Australia’s largest automaker, but nearly killed his illustrious career in motorsports. How did Peter Brock, a true wrencher, come to embra...
46m Oct 24, 2022
46m
S1 Ep154: How Semi-Trucks Built America
Ahhhh, the glorious open road. Cruisin’ USA. In America, the road trip is a rite of passage, a tradition passed down from generation to generation, and it wouldn’t be possible without the American Interstate Highway system, one of the greatest public works projects ever executed in this country. How long did such a behemoth task take to complete? How many roads were constructed? Who paid for it...
48m Oct 17, 2022
48m
S1 Ep153: What Happened to Suzuki?
Before 2020, Suzuki hadn’t taken home a MotoGP championship in two decades. But then one young Mallorcan rider turned it all around… for a single season. Today on Past Gas – How did Suzuki switch from building looms to crafting some of the best motorcycles on the planet? Why did they pull their cars from the US market? And are they getting out of racing, for good? More about Show: Follow Nol...
51m Oct 10, 2022
51m
S1 Ep152: Parnelli Jones’ Goggles Full of Blood
Parnelli Jones is a living legend with the literal track record to prove it. But how did Parnelli achieve that kind of status? What impact did he have on the world of racing, including the cars themselves? And what kind of legacy does the Parnelli Jones name carry, on and off the track? Today on Past Gas, we talk about the unstoppable Parnelli Jones. More about Show: Follow Nolan on IG and Tw...
49m Oct 03, 2022
49m
S1 Ep151: When Castro Kidnapped an F1 Superstar
Professional racecar driver Juan Manuel Fangio was eager to meet up with his friends and soak up the beautiful February evening in downtown Havana. After winning his fourth consecutive Formula One Drivers’ Championship, Fangio had been invited to Cuba by the president himself. But Fidel Castro’s comrades from the 26th of July movement had other plans. How did Juan Manuel Fangio go from his mode...
40m Sep 26, 2022
40m
S1 Ep150: Paul Newman: The Coolest Man of All-Time
At hour 23 of the 24h of Le Mans, Dick Barbour Racing was in the lead. But there was a problem - something was wrong with the left front wheel. As driver Rolf Stommelen eased the Porsche into the pits, his teammate, Paul Newman, scampered out with the crew to -– wait what? Paul Newman? Butch Cassidy Paul Newman? He was a driver at Le Mans? How the heck did a pretty-boy actor manage to gain the ...
43m Sep 19, 2022
43m
S1 Ep149: Leaded Gas Was Really Bad
Today on Past Gas is the insidious story of how GM scientists developed a type of gasoline that caused insanity, sickness, and maybe even murder. This story is so devious that it might feel like a cheap dime store novel, but everything we’re going to tell you is true. Why was lead added to fuel in the first place? Who was the scientist behind it? How did the American government let this happen?...
47m Sep 12, 2022
47m
S1 Ep148: The First Cross-Country Road Trip
It’s 1903, and an out-of-work doctor, Horatio Nelson Jackson, is fiercely defending the world’s most exciting invention – the automobile – against a group of men who are POSITIVE that the car was just a fad. Jackson was so sure of himself that he bet $50 that he could take a car from San Francisco to New York City… a feat that had never been done before. Yes, he was going to embark on a road tr...
44m Sep 05, 2022
44m
S1 Ep147: Frank Williams on F1-boy Island
Frank Williams is a legendary figure in the world of Formula One racing. But how did Frank go from being too broke for a room in a “motorsports frat house” to building one of the most enduring teams in Formula One history? When was the moment that finally turned Frank’s luck around? And how, after a life-altering accident, did Frank Williams keep going? Today on Past Gas, the story of the legen...
50m Aug 29, 2022
50m
S1 Ep146: IndyCar vs. CART vs. ChampCar
Tony Stewart was about to run his first Indy 500. It should have been the best day of his life.. but he was the only star who showed up. That fateful day is now known in racing lore as part of “The Split.” But how did open-wheel racing get to that point? What exactly is the difference between CART and IndyCar and Champ Car and all the other names we call this sport? And why does it always seem ...
58m Aug 22, 2022
58m
S1 Ep145: Jeremy Clarkson's Strong Arms
Jeremy Clarkson is one of the world’s most famous authorities on cars. As Top Gear’s most notorious host, Clarkson has been a major part of car culture since he first started hosting the show in 1988. But to many outside of the car community, he’s despised for his offensive and controversial opinions. How did it come to this? Why is Jeremy Clarkson so revered by car enthusiasts, yet reviled by ...
1hr 14m Aug 15, 2022
1hr 14m
S1 Ep144: Leena Gade: Control What You Can!
Since 2000, Audi has won the 24h of Le Mans a whopping 13 times. And three of those wins were under the watchful eye and talents of lead engineer, Leena Gade. How did a daughter of Indian immigrants become an engineer for a world renowned racing team? What other women paved the way for her groundbreaking victory? And what effect did her successes have on the future of women in motorsport? Today...
47m Aug 08, 2022
47m
S1 Ep143: Bonneville Salt Flats, WE WANT THAT BRINE!
When Sir Malcolm Campbell became the first person to reach 300 mph, his astonishing feat grasped the world’s attention. And what was once a secret was then widely known – the Bonneville Salt Flats were the fastest place on Earth. How were the salt flats formed to begin with? Why are they so amazing for speed trials? And are they impervious to the effects of climate change? Today on Past Gas, th...
49m Aug 04, 2022
49m
S1 Ep142: Jackie Stewart Gets Filthy on Vacation
Sir Jackie Stewart is one of F1's most legendary drivers. But right before the Flying Scot was to begin his 100th career Formula One start... he retired. Why did he stop at #99? And how did he become even MORE influential in motorsport after his retirement? Today on Past Gas, the story of the unforgettable Sir Jackie Stewart. More about Show: Follow James on IG and Twitter @jamespumphrey (ht...
44m Jul 25, 2022
44m
S1 Ep141: The Family Car Under Our Noses
Ah, the “family car.” We each remember our treasured childhood vehicle differently, for it contained multitudes: road trips, melted gummy bears, questionable air conditioning... But what does the term “family car” mean to the auto industry? The family segment has had to evolve and change with the times perhaps more than any other type of car. Today on Past Gas: the societal changes that drove i...
54m Jul 18, 2022
54m
S1 Ep140: Alex Zanardi is Han Solo
Alex Zanardi is a champion, a survivor, and a legend. From his father’s garage, to Formula One, to spinning the first celebratory donut, to the Paralympic Games, this fearless Italian has been unstoppable. If there weren't so many people who witnessed his incredible journey in motorsport, you'd think it was scripted. Today, we're taking a deep dive into one of the most mind-blowingly inspiratio...
42m Jul 11, 2022
42m
S1 Ep139: Danica Patrick: Better Than Ricciardo?
Danica Patrick was one tough cookie, a spitfire, and all those other lightly patronizing names you might call a strong woman in a male-dominated sport. She’s also a self-made mogul, icon, and champion… all achieved before the age of 40. How did she get her start? How many records did she actually break? And how did she become one of the most notorious figures in racing, despite never winning a ...
51m Jul 04, 2022
51m
S1 Ep138: Mario Andretti's Purple Cotton Briefs
There’s probably thirty people on Earth who have never heard the name Mario Andretti. And that’s because Mario Andretti is racing royalty. Today on Past Gas-the story of "Driver of the Century" Mario Andretti. How would Andretti’s childhood living in a WWII refugee camp spark his racing career? What impact did Andretti have on the future of race cars? What led to the Andretti family’s racing dy...
55m Jun 27, 2022
55m
S1 Ep137: Randy Lanier: The Racer With A Talent For Drug Smuggling
Randy Lanier was one of the most exciting race car drivers of the 80’s-- but he also had a secret life as a drug smuggler. How did these two pursuits intertwine in the psyche of an adrenaline junkie? Was Randy a better smuggler, or a driver? And just how did a young guy from Virginia turn into a drug kingpin? All this and more on today's episode of Past Gas… More about Show: Follow James on ...
50m Jun 20, 2022
50m
S1 Ep136: Suzuki Turned A Motorcycle Racer Into A Spy
Today on Past Gas, the story of the motorcycle racer turned spy Ernst Degner-- as well as that of a Nazi engineer named Walter Kaaden. Why was Degner leaving East Germany at the height of his fame? How was the Japanese company Suzuki embroiled in his defection? And what secrets did Degner have stuffed in a briefcase that he was carrying with him on that Autumn day in communist Germany? Degner a...
49m Jun 13, 2022
49m
S1 Ep135: Ford Almost Dies Again
TODAY ON PAST GAS: The 2008 crash nearly killed Detroit. How did Ford survive not one but two massive financial calamities within a span of five years? Could Ford transition from its history of larger than life, charismatic leaders, to someone with a steadier hand? There’s arguably an alternate reality where Ford-- and its American competitors-- completely folded just over a decade ago. Is a gu...
47m Jun 06, 2022
47m
S1 Ep134: Is The Yugo REALLY The Worst Car Ever Made?
The list of all-time worst cars wouldn’t be complete without the infamous… Yugo. Yes, it was objectively a bad car, but that’s not the whole story. Today on Past Gas, what’s the real story behind what’s perhaps the most notorious car flop of all time? Is this a story about failure.. Or something else entirely? Could there be something redeemable about a 45-horsepower jalopy built in the backwoo...
53m May 30, 2022
53m
S1 Ep133: How Stirling Moss’ Sportsmanship Destroyed His Shot At F1 Glory
Today on Past Gas… how did one man break three world speed records, win almost half of his 529 races, and dominate the Nurburgring 1000 three years in a row? How did this household name give away his only shot at winning an F1 Championship Title? Who was this British driver… the king whom racing never crowned? Today on Past Gas, one of the greatest F1 drivers to NOT be the champ… Stirling Moss....
37m May 23, 2022
37m