Auto Amateur

Goodbye 2021, hello 2022. In this final episode of the year, I'm joined by my good friend and fellow Porsche YouTuber, Jay Read. Today we're talking about how our Porsche journeys have taken a few surprising turns this year and what next year has in store for our channels and the content we're planning... from Jay's newly acquired 986 Boxster, the goodbye to my 991 and renewed focus on my 996 Carrera project car, to Rocky Mountain road trips and returning to Tail of the Dragon... we have a lot of fun in this one. As ever, thanks so much for supporting AutoAmateur with your downloads, likes, comments and follows. Everything, and everyone, is wholeheartedly appreciated. Wishing you all a very merry time over the holiday season and all the very best for the New Year. Cheers! 

In this episode we unpack Andy's recent decision to SELL HIS 991! Yup, it's gone. What was he thinking?! Let's talk about that... as well as a bunch of other fun stuff that's been going on recently... from 991.1 to 991.2 facelifts, new emblems, driving and more. Tune in, kick back and let's chat!

FINALLY someone managed to get Nick Murray on a podcast and I'm happy to announce that it was Jay Read and I. In this episode I take an unbelievable amount of sh*t from my friends Murray and Read, two self-confessed "Porsche a**holes" (their words, not mine... but yeah, accurate). In this episode we're slamming my mods, slamming my taste in colors, talking about the 2025 electric 718 Cayman / Boxster and a load of other stuff that only fellow Porsche a-holes really care about. So what are you waiting for?! Join us!! ;-)

In this episode I'm joined by not just one but two special guests - Andy of Last Rasp and Danial of Jet Fuel Only. Three Porsche nuts having some end of the week banter before the weekend arrives. In this episode we're catching up on the experiences at had in Indianapolis Indiana recently at both the 7th occurrence of the Lüft Porsche event and the #PorscheTogetherFest the very next day at the world famous Indianapolis Motorsport Speedway. We're also talking about the very exciting announcement that just recently came out from Porsche, the concept 'Mission R' car - a crazy powerful, crazy fast fully electric racing car that will give the likes of the GT3 RS and GT3 RS a good run for their money. Well, let me tell you, we're triple trouble ya'll. We're gonna bring you up to speed, so check it out!!

Should I be putting more emphasis on my 10-year wedding anniversary that my wife and I actually celebrating today (Aug 27th 2011-21!!!) or 5-years of making AutoAmateur videos? Hmm... wife or Porsches... tough choice. Haha. In this episode we absolutely do start off with a HUGE shoutout to my lovely wife Ruthie before getting into Porsches and AutoAmateur. Keep your eyes open for a celebratory YouTube video in the works too... Tune in, kick back and enjoy!! 

I'm little late publishing this week's podcast, but at least here in the US mid-west I can still claim that it's Friday, just! In this episode I'm back with Atlanta based Andrew Gladden of 'Nine Eleven South' from Instagram and YouTube. We're talking about 911 mods, specifically a run down of the cracking number that Andrew has finished on his 991 this year. We're talking TechArt aerokits, lowering springs, DSC controllers, painted brake calipers, rear bumper upgrades and MORE. Andrew has also recently been putting out a great video series called 'OG Spec' Garage Build where he has been transforming his aging detached garage into the dream spot for his 911. We also talk about the upcoming Luft 7 event in Indianapolis that we're both attending in September. Tune in, kick back and check it out! 

James and Andy back with some Porsche banter on a Friday afternoon. What better way to head into the weekend?! In this episode we're talking about what we're seeing going on in the Porsche market and talking about what the future might hold for those looking to get into their first P-car. We also talk about a 911-R that's currently on offer for a cool $500k and other unicorns available on the market at the moment such as some of the 991.2 GT3 Touring models. Finally updates about several car events in the US that James will be attending such as Lüft 7 and a fall tour of the Tail of the Dragon. Tune in, kick back and enjoy! 

Another episode and I'm joined with Andy from Last Rasp for some good old Porsche banter! In this episode (after some random celebrity stories) we get into Andy's recent jobs on his 964, plans for his 991 (and its wonky deck lid emblem) and we talk about my latest series of 991 mods. Tune in, kick back and enjoy! 

In this episode, and new podcast season season opener,  I'm back with Jay Read for some Porsche banter. We're about 11 weeks away from our return trip to the Smoky Mountains and the world famous 'Tail of the Dragon' driver's road of roads. We get into what people can expect from this next trip to the Tail as well as talking about some exciting mods and videos that are in the pipeline from Jay's channel. Tune in, kick back and enjoy!

In this last episode of season 5 of this podcast, we're talking about driving. Did you know that people driving their cars around traffic cones in over-sized carparks is a national sport? A worldwide phenomena? It's called Autocross. It's pervasive in the car community, it's organized, it's competitive and it has a huge following around the world.  In this podcast I'm joined by my friend Danial at Jet Fuel Only (the Instagram and YouTube channel by the same name). Danial is an Autocross enthusiast, I'm not only an Autocross newbie I'm very skeptical of the entire concept. Is it fast enough to be fun? Is it challenging enough to warrant a full day of my time and the price of admission?  Let's listen to both perspectives. Tune in, kick back and let me know what YOU think! 

In this episode I'm joined by Alan who started the Instagram @Flat Six Affair which is laced with gorgeous, epic and blisteringly good Porsche images. Alan has a visual style that is quite unique and his content is always of the highest quality. He is part of the Porsche culture and car community in Melbourne Australia, having moved down under from his native Scotland over 20 years ago. We talk our joint love of Porsche cars, Alan's recent ownership experience with his 996 and a mutual friend of ours who drives a rather hot green 964 with gold rims. Tune in, kick back and enjoy! 

Is this episode I talk about the new series of mods I have in store for my Porsche 911... and yes of course, one of them involves carbon fiber. Those who know me, you know. Tune in, kick back and let's have some Porsche chat! 

Another thoroughly enjoyable and completely hilarious conversation with Andy Gaunt at Last Rasp. I'm not sure if it was because it was early morning for Andy, or late in the day for me, but whatever was going down made for a brilliant load of Porsche banter. We talk about tracking our cars, auto cross, mods for Andy's 964 and my 991... and lots, lots more. Tune in, kick back and enjoy! 

We're shaking things up a little this week with a special guest Inga Umblija from Riga, Latvia. Inga is a an independent life coach, former Tony Robbins life coach and co-founder of The Abundance Formula helping people unlock their full potential. Hold on, I get it - we're not jumping straight into talking about Porsches and automotive life style but it's all connected. Come along for this ride and see if you if you can unlock more of your own potential - whether that's obtaining your GT car, your dream job or opening doors to interests and passions you don't even know you have yet. Tune in, kick back, let's talk! From Inga at The Abundance Formula...What is your Abundance Super Power? When it comes to being abundant, we all have our own unique ways of making that happen and we each have our unique set of superpowers to living our best lives. The Abundance Formula summarises these superpowers in a simple and powerful way - it states:Abundance = (Mindset + Possibilities)^BoldnessTo live our best lives, we must cultivate a mindset of abundance. This opens us up to a whole new world of possibility. When harnessed through deliberate and consistent bold action, the stream of joy, ease and synchronicity is delightfully surprising and expansive.Take this quiz to find your Abundance Super Power.  Knowing this can help you unleash your special magic every day.  You'll also receive specific insights to help you bring your Superpower to life and take your Abundance to the next level.http://www.theabundanceformula.co

In this episode of the AutoAmateur podcast I'm joined by Rene, the 997 owner behind the relatively new Instagram @DutchNineEleven. Rene has accumulated more followers on his Instagram in 6 months than I have in the last 3 years of having my own to complement my AutoAmateur YouTube Channel. What makes Dutch Nine Eleven special? Rene for sure, he's an extremely nice guy with a passion for his Porsche and posting gorgeous shots of it online whenever he takes it out for a spin. Tune in, kick back and let's talk! 

In this episode I'm joined by Beth from the YouTube channel 'The ABC's of Beth', a fellow content creator, Porsche owner and car enthusiast extraordinaire. During her driving career, Beth has owned over 90 (NINETY!) cars, many of them Porsches. Today she still maintains a collection that includes a unique 914, Boxster, Cayman and as of a few days ago, a gorgeous example of a 997. Tune in, kick back and enjoy!  

Welcome back to the AutoAmateur podcast! In this episode I talk about the new mods and jobs I have coming up to do on my 991, we talk upcoming Project 996 content and what's new... rumors are (confirmed by photos from the Ring!) that the 992 GT3 Touring is going to be here soon. Tune in, kick back, let's talk! 

In this podcast I have Jay Read back for more Porsche banter! This time we're talking about the epic road trip we just shared to the world famous Tail of the Dragon which is an 11 mile stretch of US highway 129, that winds through the Smoky Mountains along the North Carolina and Tennessee state lines boasting a whopping 318 turns! We also talk about our experiences driving a 991.1 GT3 and 992 Turbo S on the track at the Porsche Experience Center in Atlanta as well attending the county's largest car meet - Caffeine & Octane ATL. Tune in, kick back and enjoy! 

Andy from Last Rasp is BACK for more Porsche banter with James at AutoAmateur. In this episode we talk about a range of P-car related topics from ridiculous named (and looking?) factory Taycan color choices, how Andy scratched is 964 and whole load of other fun and games. Tune in, kick back and enjoy. Cheers! 

Welcome back to the AutoAmateur podcast! Let's get straight down to it - CARBON FIBER - loved and loathed by many. What is it? Why do we lovers find it so appealing to add to the interiors and exteriors of our cars? Why do the haters think it makes cars look cheap and nasty? It's a bit of a polarizing topic, but chatting about it with Danial was always going to fun (and not just because I get throw in endless Top Gun references, knowing he's a pilot). Tune in, kick back and enjoy! 

I'm very happy to bring you this episode where I'm speaking with not only a fellow Porsche and car enthusiast, but a father of young children who appreciates the thrills of the 911s and Boxsters from Porsche's line up as well as the practicality of the Porsche family cars.Christopher is from Hertfordshire in the UK and has been following Porsche bloggers and vloggers like myself, Michael Bath and Nick Murry for a while. Not only though, I'm honored to say that his son, Alexander, is also an AutoAmateur fan! Big shout out to you Alexander!!

I'm so excited to bring this episode to you. Sara Dakarmen is a long standing, but ever growing, giant in the Porsche world and Porsche culture. Owner and operator of LA Dismantler (LAD), supplying amateur and professional Porsche-builders and owners with parts from salvaged cars for over 20 years, long standing and active member of the Porsche Club of America (PSC), creator of Porsche driving groups in the Los Angeles area and all over California, attendee of all of the major events like DRT, social media influencer on platforms like Facebook and Instagram, connector-of-people, driving force behind @proschewomenglobal, friend to many, mother of four... you can go on and on. I came across Sara through LAD originally through my friend Michael Bath, then through my 996 project car journey. Over the past year we've had lots of opportunities to talk and finally I'm so excited to bring one of our conversations to everyone listening.A huuuuuuge thank you to Sara - for your time, your passion and your generosity. You're awesome!!Find Sarah on Instagram @ladismantler, @porschewomenglobal, @porschepeopleglobal, @porschepartsworldwide ... Facebook and more.

In this episode I'm back with Jay Read - fellow Brit, YouTuber and 911 enthusiast - talking about his new YouTube channel 'The Automobile' as well as some exciting opportunities for collaborations we have in the pipeline. Words and phrases like "road trip", "tail", "dragon", "Porsche", "experience" and "Atlanta"... interested?? Tune in, kick back and let's go!

This week I'm dropping a bonus episode out of sequence, ahead of my regular weekly Friday release, to give a quick channel update. Why? So many people have reacted with panic to my purchase of a new Chevy Silverado that I'm here to put the rumors to bed - my channel isn't going to turn into a hub for truck enthusiasts. I'm still dedicated to Porsches and always will be. In fact... tune in for what's coming up in the next few weeks and months. To put it mildly, it's going to be Porsches-galore!! Tune in, kick back and let's chat!

Porsche banter with Danial at 'Jet Fuel Only', the YouTube channel and Instagram of the same name, bringing you epic content with his brand new 2020 Porsche Cayman GT4.

In this episode we're talking project cars. In the last year I have seen so many people taking on project cars, as I have myself. In my case, the pandemic lock-down got me looking for something creative and productive to do in my evenings and weekends. As I continue to make connections around the Porsche world, I have come to discover that many folks have been of the same mindset. My guest today is Charles from Connecticut, also known as the '997 Dad' from the YouTube Channel and Instagram of the same name. Charles bought a 997.1 in early 2020 and has been restoring it from his garage. From wheels and emblems to dropping the engine and fixing the dreaded bore scoring that many 996 and 997 owners fear, Charles has been paving the way for auto amateurs around the world through his work and his content. Tune in, kick back and let's talk Porsche!

James and Andy are back, having a giggle and talking about Porsches. Andy recently looked for help in diagnosing a problem with his 964, James took a Turbo-charged Porsche out for a spin and was woefully disappointed and we talk about the different videos we each have coming in the AutoAmateur and Last Rasp pipelines. Tune in, kick back and let's chat!

This week I came across one of only 500 special edition 911s released.... a real gem. It was the 991.2 Turbo S Exclusive Series in all its golden, carbon fiber enhanced glory. Not only did I get to see it, I got to touch it and drool over it before being shooed away. What might be more interesting though, is that I'm now expanding my search for a 991 GT3 to include 991 Turbos. Tune in, kick back, let's chat!

Did you hear that Porsche just announced the introduction of a rear-wheel drive, base model of their electric Taycan...? Not only that, it's almost $100,000 LESS than the higher end Turbo model, offered around $80,000. In this episode I'm joined by Andy from The Last Rasp, the YouTube channel and Instagram by the same name. We talk about the base Porsche Taycan, Porsche 356s, air-cooled 911s and some our of upcoming YouTube videos. Tune in, kick back, dig in!

In this episode I'm talking 911 modifications with another Porsche content creator I discovered recently. Andrew has a YouTube channel and Instagram named Nine Eleven South and if you haven't checked him out yet, you should! Andrew is currently 6 episodes into collection of approximately a dozen videos called the 991 Build Series in which he's talking his newly acquired black 991 and modifying it to make it his own. Like myself and with my own 991, I love tuning and enhancing my cars to make them my own so with this passion in common we're off to a cracking start. Tune in, kick back and enjoy!

It's a new year and a new season of AutoAmateur podcasts, videos, live streams and a lot more. Kicking off the forth season of podcasts is this collaboration with fellow YouTuber, 911 owner and Porsche-nut JAY READ. Jay's channel "Jay Read" launched recently around the same time he purchased his first ever Porsche, a silver 911 996 and has started to gain momentum, putting out market reviews, car reviews, group drives and more.In this podcast we talk about all the things we have in common... owning Porsches, being British and some exciting musing about the forthcoming Porsche Content Creator's Connected Universe (P3CU)... tune it, kick back and enjoy!

A few months ago I came across a YouTube channel called 'Last Rasp' featuring a gorgeous example of a Porsche 964 in a rather rare shade of green with stunning gold wheels and some YouTube videos that really caught my attention. The style, the quality, the substance - I was hooked straight away. In this episode I welcome Andy, the man behind the channel, and talk about everything from Porsche ownership, content creation, what inspires us creatively and... well... all the stupid questions a typical Brit, like myself, might ask an Australian. Tune in, kick back and let's chat!

In my latest video I removed the blue satin wrap from my 911 that I had installed just a little less than a year ago... WOW, it seems the move has made quite a stir! In this podcast we talk about my decision to remove my wrap, what I liked about it, what I've learned, what anyone might want to consider if a wrap in on your mind and we read some of the comments people have been leaving on the video. Tune in, kick back, let's chat!

If you live in warmer parts of the world, it's not an issue. I have friends in places like Florida and California who love to tell me about how they drove around with their tops down in January when I'm busy shoveling snow off my drive. In places like the northeastern, midwest and northwestern US states there is usually snow on the ground for several months annually. Do you drive through the winter? All season tires or snow tires? Let's talk!

Part 1 of a 3 part series. As many of you who watch my YouTube channel know, my Porsche 911 is running a sports exhaust system from Soul Performance Products. About a year ago I installed the Soul valved exhaust system, which operates in the same way as the Porsche Sports Exhaust (PSE) but brings the flat 6 engine to life in a more exciting, exhilarating way. Then just recently I finished off my exhaust upgrade by replacing the stock Porsche headers with Soul's long tube street headers which have given performance gains in the region of 25 hp as well finishing off the 911's perfect flat 6 howl above 5k RPM. In this podcast we chat with Mike Spock from Soul Performance to learn about the company, who they are, what they stand for and a little about their exciting range of products. We also talk about what the future holds for them as Porsche continues to introduce new and exciting models as well as technologies to their sports cars. Enjoy!

With all the madness going on around the world this year, particularly right now, I'm so grateful for all the amazing Porsche related content that's available and that keeps coming out through YouTube, platforms like Instagram and various Podcast platforms. There's more content than ever and the quality keeps improving, the bar keeps getting raised. I'm proud to feel part of the community but like everyone, I have my favorites that I pull me out of my day to day routine when I get notifications about new content dropping on their platforms. In this podcast I give a shout out to some of my favorite Porsche content creators but not just that, I talk about what I like about them and how they inspire me to keep pushing the envelope with my own content endeavors. Download, kick back and let's talk!

Auto Amateurs, Porsche nuts, friends! It has been a crazy couple of months since the last podcast but I'm back and ready for a fun autumn season before the snow and ice hits.Let's talk! There's so much to catch up on but one thing that a lot of people have been asking is what's the latest on the Project 996 car... let's go! Tune in, kick back, Porsche out.

In this episode I talk about where we are with our Project 996 build - the jobs we have completed and the small mountain of jobs remaining. Every from transmissions to powder coating to new parts and decals. Tune in, kick back and let's talk Porsche.

I get asked this question almost daily through comments on YouTube, Instagram and the other content platforms I'm on... which is the best entry 911 for me? Most often, the people asking are looking at the 996s and 997s. This is a topic that's very close to my heart, because as much as I love the 997, there is a lot to be said for the 996 and it deserves a lot more respect and love that it has received since it first launch in the late 1990s. How do you make a decision like this though...? Let's talk.

Recently through the AutoAmateur YouTube channel we announced that Project 996 is happening. In this episode Steve, Patrick, James discuss the status of purchasing the project car and respond to design ideas from viewers. Come join in the discussion! Let's go!

Recently through the AutoAmateur YouTube channel we announced that Project 996 is happening. In this episode meet the team - Steve, Patrick, James - get to know us a bit and listen in to what we're planning for for the project car. We're excited to get this started and we're excited for you to come along with us for the ride!

If you had told me back in 2016 that I would, in the space a short few years, have owned several Porsche 911s, launched a YouTube channel and started a Podcast I would have, quite honestly, called you crazy. ME? In front of a camera? In front a microphone? Actually able to fit inside a 911...? BONKERS. Madness, jog on. Here I am though, I just hit 5000 subs on YouTube and this Podcast just hit 5000 downloads. I'm completely blown away. Let me just say THANK YOU. Thank you so much for all of your support. What next though? I'm more motivated than even before to keep going - I want to raise the bar, for me and for you. Let's do this. Together.

In this episode I speak with an Auto Amateur subscriber and fellow Porsche enthusiastic from the land down under. David is the proud owner of a Porsche 911 997 GT3 that is in wonderful condition with an amazing factory spec and an Akrapovic full titanium slip-on raceline straight pipe exhaust, the last one ever manufactured and sold for the 997 generation. We talk about his Porsche journey from purchase through his modifications to the driving experience. If you're also interested in SEEING what this sensational GT3 looks like with a sensational Australian model draped across it, you also need to check out my latest blogpost at www.AutoAmateur.com - thanks as ever for your continued support and I'll catch you in the next podcast coming soon!

My Porsche 911 is finally wrapped! After months of procrastinating and deliberating over which color to choose, having watched my friend Mario's 991S get its wrap late last year, I took the plunge... it's blue. My beautiful, elegant, however boring, agate grey 911 is now a stunning shade of blue. It's very close to the OEM Porsche "Mexico blue" and in low light looks a little closer to Porsche's "Miami blue". You'll have to watch my video and decide for yourself. Following my video's release yesterday evening I have had a lot of great comments from viewers, many I discuss in this podcast. I've also had a lot of people asking about the custom blue clock face for my car's Sports Chrono unit. For anyone interested... this is the podcast for you too. Hope everyone is staying safe on the roads and at home out there during these trying times. Chat again soon.

Have you ever considered tuning the engine of your Porsche or other performance vehicle? What kind of power gains can you expect and is it worth the money? In this episode I talk about a recent event I attended at Moh's Performance Motorsports in Blaine MN with EuroCharged Minneapolis and try to answer these questions for you. Tune in and check it out!

In this episode I sit around my kitchen counter with a cup of coffee and my friends, Steve and Chris, to chat about our Porsche ownership experience. We chat about what got us started, what hooked us in and what life as a Porsche owner is like and how much it differs from what we may have initially expected.

I'm so excited for you to listen to this episode of the Auto Amateur podcast! Recently I was lucky enough to talk with Lee Sibley. If you're a 911 enthusiast, chances are you know him. Lee is the editor of 'Total 911' magazine, the man behind the YouTube Channel 'That Nine Eleven Guy' and he's now about to launch his very own podcast 'The Road to Redline' with several fellow Porsche enthusiasts. In this episode we talk about what the future looks like for the Porsche 911 in terms of the rumors of imminent hybrid options and the possibility of a fully electric 911. We also talk about what got Lee interested in cars and how he got started with Total 911 Magazine as well as his recent experience of fully transforming and restyling his own Porsche 911. Coffee up, tune in and kick back! Enjoy!

In this episode two of my friends join me for a coffee and chat about Porsche ownership and life as car enthusiasts. Michael drives a Porsche Cayman and has just recently bought a Porsche Panamera to replace his daily driver. Noah owners a Porsche 911 997.2 4S which he daily drives. Grab a coffee and come join the fun!

This decision has been months in the making now... I want to wrap my 911 but in which color? White? Blue? Red? Green? Something else...? In this episode I talk through my latest thinking and well... talk myself into a decision. Next step... PrintLab Wraps, just south of the Twin Cities...! Let's do this!

In this episode we talk about a few things I've discovered through research and experienced personally about buying a Porsche 911. Specially, used Porsche 911s from the 996, 997 and 991 generations. Are you considering pulling the trigger on one of these models? If so, I hope this podcast gives you a few things to think about and helps you avoiding getting stung by a few well known and not-so well known issues that can come with these cars.

In this episode I talk about some of the exciting collaborations I'm embarking upon this year. Previewing some of the content that's going to be coming from Auto Amateur via this Podcast and my YouTube channel. 2020 is the year of collaborations! Bring it on!