The Human Story: Profiles & Interviews
I Interviewed a 90-Year-Old Man About the First Car He Ever Loved.
I met a 90-year-old man at a car show. His first love was a 1949 Ford Coupe he bought after coming home from the war. He didn’t talk about horsepower; he talked about how the car represented freedom and a return to normalcy. He told me about his first date with his future wife in that car, driving to a drive-in movie. The car wasn’t just a machine; it was the silent witness to the most important moments of his young life. It was a powerful reminder that our connection to cars is often about the memories they hold.
A Day in the Life of a Ferrari Master Technician.
I spent a day with a Ferrari master technician. His day wasn’t as glamorous as I imagined. He spent three hours on a complex diagnostic for an electronic issue on a new model. The afternoon was spent performing a meticulous, engine-out “major service” on a classic Testarossa. He said his job is less about being a mechanic and more about being a surgeon. Every bolt has a specific torque setting, and a single mistake could cost tens of thousands of dollars. It’s a world of immense pressure, precision, and deep respect for the machine.
The Woman Who Races Vintage Bentleys.
I met a woman at a vintage race who competes in her massive, 1920s “Blower” Bentley. She was a petite woman in her 60s, and she wrestled the giant, heavy car around the track with incredible skill and courage. She told me she loves the challenge of mastering such a physical, analog machine. She wasn’t just a driver; she was a mechanic, a historian, and a fearless competitor, all rolled into one. She was a true inspiration, shattering stereotypes and proving that passion and skill have no gender.
The Untold Story of the Designer Behind an Iconic Car.
Everyone knows the Lamborghini Countach, but few know its designer, Marcello Gandini. I read his biography. He was a quiet, reclusive genius who, while working at the design house Bertone, penned not only the Countach but also the Lamborghini Miura and the Lancia Stratos. He was the artist who created the “wedge” shape that defined an entire era of supercars. His story is a fascinating look at the unsung hero behind some of the most iconic and influential automotive designs of all time.
I Talked to a Valet Who Has Driven Every Supercar Imaginable.
I chatted with a veteran valet at a high-end restaurant in Beverly Hills. He’s driven everything from a Bugatti to a Pagani. I asked him for his favorite. He said the Bugatti was terrifyingly fast, and the Lamborghini was loud. But his favorite car to drive, even just for 100 feet, was a Rolls-Royce. He said the feeling of absolute silence, quality, and the smoothness of the controls made it feel more “special” than any loud supercar. It was an interesting perspective from someone with a truly unique automotive experience.
The Secret Life of a Hypercar “Detailer.”
I interviewed a detailer who works exclusively on hypercars. He told me his job is 90% stress. He once spent two full days preparing a single Koenigsegg for a car show, a job that cost the owner over $10,000. He uses an array of specialized lights to spot microscopic flaws and cleans the intricate engine bays with Q-tips and tiny brushes. He said a single slip of the hand could cause a scratch that would cost thousands to repair. It’s a world of intense pressure and obsessive, microscopic attention to detail.
The Collector Who Owns 50 of the Same Car Model.
I met a collector who owned over 50 Volkswagen Beetles. I was confused. He explained that his collection told the story of the car’s evolution. He had a model from almost every year of production. He could show me the subtle changes in the window size, the dashboard design, and the engine over the decades. His passion wasn’t just for the car, but for its history and its journey. It was a fascinating, highly focused collection that was more like a historical archive than a random accumulation of cars.
The Engineer Who Designed the World’s Quietest Cabin.
I interviewed a lead acoustic engineer for Lexus. He said his goal was to create “a sanctuary from the outside world.” He explained how they used laminated acoustic glass, hundreds of pounds of sound-deadening material, and even hollow-spoke wheels with a special resonator to cancel out road noise. His team spends years obsessing over eliminating every squeak, rattle, and vibration. His passion was not for speed, but for the complex science of silence and the pursuit of ultimate, serene comfort.
The Most Interesting “Car Guy” I’ve Ever Met at a Gas Station.
I was filling up my car when an old, beat-up Volvo 240 wagon pulled up. The owner, an elderly man in a tweed jacket, got out. We started talking. It turned out he was a retired aerospace engineer who had worked on the Space Shuttle. He loved his old Volvo because of its simple, robust, and logical engineering. We spent 20 minutes talking about materials science and safety structures. He was the most interesting and unexpected “car guy” I’ve ever met.
The Chauffeur to the Rich and Famous: The Stories They Could Tell.
I had a conversation with a retired chauffeur who had driven for celebrities and CEOs for 30 years. He was a vault of secrets. He told me about the famous actress who would always sing in the back seat and the powerful CEO who would practice his board presentations on him. He said his job was to be invisible, to overhear everything, and to say nothing. He was a silent observer of the private lives of the rich and famous, all from the driver’s seat of a luxury sedan.
The Stunt Driver Who Wrecked 10 Cars for a single Movie Scene.
I interviewed a Hollywood stunt driver. He told me about filming a major chase scene. To get the perfect, single shot of a car crashing through a barricade, they had to wreck ten identical cars. He explained the incredible amount of planning and safety that goes into each stunt. The cars are reinforced with roll cages, and every move is meticulously choreographed. He said his job is a strange mix of precise, calculated driving and controlled, spectacular destruction.
The Teenager Who Built a Supercar in His Parent’s Garage.
I saw a news story about a teenager who had built a running, driving replica of a Lamborghini from scratch in his parents’ garage, using a 3D printer for many of the parts and a Corvette V8 engine. It was an incredible feat of passion, ingenuity, and modern technology. His story was so inspiring that the real Lamborghini company invited him to the factory and loaned him a real Aventador for a week. It was a beautiful example of how a young person’s passion and dedication can capture the world’s attention.
The Mechanic Who Specializes in Keeping “Unreliable” Cars on the Road.
I found a mechanic who specialized exclusively in classic, “unreliable” Italian and British cars. His shop was full of old Alfas, Jaguars, and Triumphs. He told me he loves the challenge. He said modern cars are boring; they just need a computer to diagnose. His job requires him to be a true “mechanic”—to listen to the engine, to feel the vibrations, to understand the soul of these beautiful but flawed machines. He was a passionate craftsman keeping a fragile part of automotive history alive.
The Person Who Runs the Most Exclusive Car Club in the World.
I read an interview with the person who manages Ferrari’s “Corse Clienti” F1 program. His job is to cater to the every whim of the billionaires who own Ferrari’s old Formula 1 cars. He coordinates a team of mechanics who fly around the world to support these clients at private track days. He said his job is less about cars and more about managing logistics and high-level relationships. He is the ultimate concierge for the most exclusive and expensive car club on the planet.
The “Car Spotter” Who Turned a Hobby into a Career.
I follow a “car spotter” on Instagram who has millions of followers. He started as a teenager with a simple camera, just taking pictures of cool cars he saw on the street. As his following grew, he started getting invited to exclusive events and working with brands. Now, he travels the world, photographing the rarest cars for a living. His story is a modern testament to how, with passion, consistency, and a good eye, a simple hobby can be turned into a dream career.
The Artist Who Uses Cars as His Canvas.
I visited a gallery that featured the work of an artist who uses cars as his medium. He doesn’t just paint on them. He had one car that was completely covered in a mosaic of broken mirrors. Another was wrapped in hand-stitched leather. His most famous piece was a classic car that had been meticulously allowed to rust in a controlled way, creating a beautiful, textured patina. He was using the familiar form of the automobile to create thought-provoking and beautiful sculptures.
The Couple Who Traveled the World in Their Vintage Land Rover.
I read the blog of a couple who quit their jobs and spent three years driving their 30-year-old Land Rover Defender from the top of Alaska to the tip of South America. Their story was one of incredible adventure, breakdowns in remote villages, and the kindness of strangers. The Land Rover wasn’t just a vehicle; it was their home, their shelter, and their trusted companion. It was an inspiring story of how a simple, rugged car can be a key to unlocking the adventure of a lifetime.
The Ex-Race Car Driver and His Life After the Track.
I had coffee with a retired IndyCar driver. He said the hardest part of retirement was the silence. He missed the roar of the engine, the adrenaline of the speed, and the intense focus of racing. He now channels that passion into his business, which is a high-performance driving school. He said the most fulfilling part of his new life is teaching a new generation of enthusiasts how to be fast and safe, and seeing the same look of joy and excitement on their faces that he used to have.
The Lawyer Who Fights for “Lemon Law” Victims.
I interviewed a lawyer whose entire practice is dedicated to “Lemon Law.” He represents people who have bought brand-new cars that are plagued with unfixable problems. He told me stories of families whose cars were constantly in the shop, and the manufacturer refused to help. His job is to fight these large corporations and force them to buy back the defective vehicles. He was a passionate advocate for the “little guy,” a legal hero for people who had been sold a nightmare.
The Most Respected and Feared Concours d’Elegance Judge.
At the Pebble Beach Concours, I saw one specific judge that all the collectors feared. He was an elderly man who was a renowned historian for a specific Italian brand. He would inspect a car not just for its shininess, but for its correctness. He carried a small magnet to check for hidden body filler and a book of old photographs to verify the original details. His knowledge was encyclopedic, and his eye for a non-original hose clamp or an incorrect stitch was legendary. A nod of approval from him was the highest possible honor.
The Blind Man Who Can Identify Any Car by Its Sound.
I saw a viral video of a blind man who has an incredible talent. He can stand on a street corner and identify almost any car just by the sound of its engine and exhaust. He could distinguish between a Lamborghini V10 and a Ferrari V8. He could even tell the difference between different generations of the same model. His highly developed sense of hearing allowed him to “see” the cars in a way that most sighted people can’t. It was a beautiful and unique expression of automotive passion.
The “Car Matchmaker” Who Finds Dream Cars for Clients.
I met a “car broker” who has a unique job. Wealthy clients come to him with a request for a specific, often very rare, car. He then uses his global network of contacts—other brokers, collectors, and mechanics—to hunt down the car. He said his job is like being a private detective. He has to verify the car’s history, negotiate the price, and handle all the complex logistics of the sale. He is a “car matchmaker,” connecting his clients with their automotive soulmates.
The Most Passionate and Knowledgeable Brand Ambassador.
The best brand ambassador I’ve ever met was a woman who worked at the Porsche Experience Center. She wasn’t a salesperson. She was a driving instructor and a true enthusiast. She could talk for hours about the brand’s racing history and the subtle engineering differences between the models. Her passion was infectious. She wasn’t trying to sell me a car; she was trying to share her genuine love for the brand and the driving experience. She was a far more effective ambassador than any glossy advertisement.
The Person Who Owns the “Highest Mileage” Lamborghini.
I read an article about a man who owns a Lamborghini Murciélago with over 250,000 miles on it. He uses it as his daily driver. He has driven it in the snow and has taken it on cross-country road trips. While most owners keep their supercars as pristine garage queens, he believes that cars are meant to be driven and enjoyed. His story is a refreshing and inspiring counter-narrative to the idea that these cars are just fragile investments.
The Founder of a Successful Aftermarket Tuning Company.
I interviewed the founder of a famous tuning company. He started in his parents’ garage, modifying his own car because he couldn’t afford to pay a shop. He posted his results on an online forum, and soon, other people were asking him to tune their cars. He turned his hobby into a business. His story was one of passion, late nights, and a deep understanding of what his fellow enthusiasts wanted. He built his entire company not on a business plan, but on a genuine love for making cars faster.
The Most Famous Automotive Journalist and Their Best Story.
The late David E. Davis Jr., the founder of Automobile magazine, was a legend. His best story was about his time working in advertising. He was part of the team that created the successful “Dodge Rebellion” campaign. However, he famously crashed the prototype of the new car he was supposed to be advertising, which got him fired. He then pivoted to journalism, where his witty, intelligent, and passionate writing style transformed automotive media and made him an icon.
The Family That Has Owned the Same Dealership for 100 Years.
I visited a Ford dealership that had been owned by the same family for four generations. The current owner showed me old black-and-white photos of his great-grandfather selling Model Ts. He talked about how his family’s business had survived the Great Depression, World War II, and multiple recessions. The dealership was more than just a business; it was a local institution and a part of the town’s history. It was a powerful story of family, perseverance, and a century-long relationship with a single brand.
The Photographer Who Captures the Most Stunning Car Photos.
The automotive photographer I admire most is Amy Shore. Her photos have a unique, warm, and cinematic quality. She doesn’t just take pictures of cars; she tells stories. She often photographs classic cars in beautiful, natural settings, and she has a gift for capturing the human element—the joy on an owner’s face or the relationship between a driver and their machine. Her work is emotional and timeless, and it elevates car photography from simple documentation to a true art form.
The Most Interesting Person I’ve Sat Next to at a Car Auction.
At a car auction, I sat next to an elderly man who was not bidding. We started talking. It turned out he was the original designer of one of the cars that was being sold. He told me stories about what it was like to work at that car company in the 1960s. He pointed out the specific design details he had fought for. It was a surreal and fascinating experience to be sitting next to the man who had brought the beautiful machine on the auction block to life 50 years earlier.
The “Restorer” Who Brings Automotive History Back to Life.
I visited the workshop of a man who restores priceless, vintage race cars. He showed me a car that had been a mangled wreck. He spent years meticulously researching and re-fabricating every single component by hand, using the original factory methods. He wasn’t just fixing a car; he was resurrecting a piece of history. His work was a combination of being a mechanic, a metal fabricator, a historian, and an artist. He was a passionate craftsman dedicated to preserving automotive history for the next generation.
The Most Unlikely Person to Own a Supercar.
My daughter’s quiet, unassuming elementary school teacher drove a sensible Honda Civic to work every day. One weekend, I saw her at a car show with her other car: a bright blue Acura NSX supercar. It turned out she was a huge enthusiast and a track day regular. She was the most unlikely supercar owner I had ever met. It was a fantastic reminder that you can never judge a person’s passion by their daily driver or their profession.
The Person Who Runs the “Secret” Supercar Storage Facility.
I interviewed the owner of a discreet, high-end car storage facility. The building was unmarked and had state-of-the-art security. Inside, there were hundreds of priceless cars under covers. He said his clients are wealthy individuals who value privacy and security above all else. His job is not just to store the cars, but to maintain them, keeping them on battery tenders and running them periodically. He is the quiet guardian of a secret, multi-hundred-million-dollar automotive museum.
The Most Inspiring “Rags to Riches” Story in the Car World.
The story of Carroll Shelby is a classic American “rags to riches” tale. He was a chicken farmer from Texas who became a successful race car driver. After a heart condition ended his driving career, he didn’t quit. He started his own company and created the legendary Shelby Cobra by putting a powerful American V8 engine into a lightweight British sports car. He went on to help Ford beat Ferrari at Le Mans. His story is one of incredible talent, grit, and relentless determination.
The Most Dedicated and Passionate Car Club President.
I met the president of a local Alfa Romeo owners club. He was a volunteer. He spent his weekends organizing group drives, tech sessions, and social events. He maintained the club’s website and newsletter in his spare time. His own car was not the fanciest, but his passion for the brand and for bringing the community together was boundless. He was a true, unsung hero of the car world, a person whose dedication and hard work created a family for his fellow enthusiasts.
The Most Interesting “Car Story” from a Non-Car Person.
My grandmother, who has no interest in cars, told me her best car story. During a snowstorm in the 1950s, she went into labor. My grandfather’s car wouldn’t start. Their neighbor, hearing the commotion, came over and drove them to the hospital in his strange, rear-engine Volkswagen Beetle, the only car on the street that could get traction in the deep snow. For her, that little VW Beetle was not just a car; it was the reliable hero that safely delivered her to the hospital to give birth to my mother.
The Most Famous Test Driver for a Major Automaker.
The most famous test driver is probably Valentino Balboni, who was Lamborghini’s chief test driver for 40 years. He personally test-drove an estimated 80% of all the Lamborghinis ever built during his tenure. He was famous for his skill and his ability to “feel” what a car was doing. His feedback was crucial in developing the character of every model, from the Miura to the Murciélago. Lamborghini even named a special, rear-wheel-drive edition of the Gallardo in his honor.
The Person Who Curates the Petersen Automotive Museum.
I listened to a talk by the chief curator of the Petersen Automotive Museum. His job is fascinating. He is a historian, a storyteller, and a tastemaker. He decides which cars to acquire for the collection and how to display them. He has to create exhibitions that are both educational for the serious enthusiast and entertaining for the general public. He is not just managing a collection of cars; he is shaping the narrative of automotive history and culture for millions of visitors.
The Most Successful Female Entrepreneur in the Auto Industry.
While Mary Barra at GM is a powerful CEO, a great entrepreneurial story is that of Hedy Lamarr. She was a famous Hollywood actress in the 1940s, but she was also a brilliant inventor. During World War II, she co-invented a “frequency-hopping” communication system to help guide Allied torpedoes. This technology was a precursor to modern wireless technologies like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, which are now essential components in every luxury car. She was a true, unsung pioneer whose invention is part of our daily driving lives.
The Most Interesting “Legacy” Owner Who Inherited a Special Car.
I met a young man who had inherited his grandfather’s 1965 Porsche 356. The car had been in his family since it was new. It wasn’t a perfect, restored show car; it had stone chips, worn seats, and a rich patina. He felt a deep sense of responsibility to not restore the car, but to preserve it exactly as his grandfather had kept it. He was not just the owner of a classic car; he was the custodian of his family’s history, a story told through the dents and scratches of a beloved machine.
The Most Famous and Respected Car Customizer.
In the world of car customization, George Barris is a legend. He was the original “King of Kustoms.” He created some of the most famous cars in television and movie history, including the original Batmobile from the 1960s TV show (which he built in just 15 days), and the Munster Koach. His wild, imaginative, and often futuristic designs had a huge impact on American car culture and defined the look of the Southern California custom car scene.
The Person Who Hand-Stitches a Bentley Interior.
I watched a short documentary about the craftspeople at the Bentley factory in Crewe. It focused on a single woman whose job it was to hand-stitch the leather for the steering wheels. The process was incredibly slow and required immense skill and precision. She explained that a single steering wheel takes her over five hours to stitch by hand. She was a true artisan, a master of a traditional craft, and her pride in her work was evident in every perfect stitch.
The Most Knowledgeable and Honest Service Advisor.
I finally found a great service advisor for my car. His name is Frank. Unlike other advisors who try to upsell me on unnecessary services, Frank is honest. He’ll tell me, “Your brakes are at about 50%, you can wait until your next oil change to replace them.” He takes the time to explain the repairs and show me the old parts. His honesty and expertise have earned my complete trust. A great service advisor is an invaluable partner in maintaining your vehicle.
The Most Passionate and Dedicated Factory Worker.
I read an interview with a man who had worked on the assembly line at a Porsche factory for 40 years. His job was to install the iconic “Porsche” crest on the hood of every 911. He saw it as the final, most important step. He said he felt a sense of pride and responsibility with every single car he finished. He was not just a line worker; he was a craftsman who felt a deep, personal connection to the brand and the cars he helped to build.
The Most Interesting “Car Story” from a Police Officer.
I was talking to a highway patrol officer at a coffee shop. He told me his most memorable traffic stop. He pulled over an elderly woman for going too slow on the highway. She was in a pristine, classic Cadillac. It turned out she was on a cross-country road trip to scatter her late husband’s ashes at the Grand Canyon, a trip they had always planned to take together in that same car. He was so moved by her story that he gave her a police escort to the state line.
The Person Who Owns Car “Chassis #1” of a Famous Model.
I met the owner of “Chassis #001” of a famous American sports car. He explained that owning the very first production model is a unique responsibility. His car is a historically significant artifact. He is constantly contacted by museums and automotive historians. He feels a duty to preserve the car in its original, unrestored condition and to share its story with the enthusiast community. Owning “Chassis #1” is less about driving and more about being the custodian of a brand’s birth certificate.
The Most Unsung Hero in Automotive History.
The most unsung hero in car history is probably a woman named Florence Lawrence. She was a silent film star in the early 1900s and a passionate motorist. She is credited with inventing the first “auto signaling arm”—a mechanical arm that would raise and lower from the car’s fender to indicate a turn. She also developed a simple sign on the back of the car that would flip up to say “Stop” when she pressed the brake pedal. She invented the precursor to the modern turn signal and brake light.
The Most Interesting and Eccentric Car Collector.
The fashion designer Ralph Lauren is one of the most interesting car collectors. His collection is not about having the most expensive cars, but the most beautiful and historically significant ones. It’s curated with an artist’s eye. His garage is a pristine, white, museum-like space where the cars are displayed like sculptures. He owns a Bugatti Atlantic, a Ferrari 250 GTO, and a McLaren F1 LM. His collection is a testament to the automobile as a form of rolling art.
The Most Passionate “One-Brand” Devotee.
I know a man who has only ever owned Volvos. His first car was a Volvo 240, and he now drives a new XC90. He is a passionate devotee of the brand. He loves their focus on safety, their understated Scandinavian design, and their reputation for durability. He’s a walking encyclopedia of the brand’s history. His loyalty is not just about the cars; it’s about how the brand’s values—safety, family, and practicality—align with his own personal values.
The Most Famous and Influential Automotive CEO.
While Henry Ford and Elon Musk are famous, Lee Iacocca was one of the most influential CEOs of his era. He is credited with being the “father” of the Ford Mustang. Later, as the CEO of Chrysler, he famously saved the company from bankruptcy. He went to the US Congress and secured a massive loan guarantee. He then launched the incredibly successful K-Car and the first minivan, which reinvented the company. He was a brilliant product guy and a master salesman who became a true American folk hero.
The Most Important Lesson I’ve Learned from Talking to Other Car Lovers.
The most important lesson I’ve learned from talking to hundreds of other enthusiasts is that there is no “right” way to love cars. I’ve met people who love classic hot rods, Japanese tuner cars, lowriders, and electric vehicles. Their passions are all different, but they are all valid. The community is at its best when it is inclusive and celebrates the diversity of the automotive world, instead of getting caught up in pointless arguments about which brand or style is “better.”