Carstories by The Petersen Automotive Museum

This week on Car Stories, we sit down with John Clinard, a man whose name is synonymous with Ford's rich automotive legacy. Over a career spanning more than four decades, John's fingerprints can be found on everything from motorsport strategy to market research, from the Mustang SVO to the rebirth of the Ford GT. His passion for the brand and the culture of driving made him one of Ford's most versatile voices—willing to do whatever job needed to be done to connect the company with enthusiasts worldwide.In our conversation, John reflects on the moment that changed his life as a young fan—meeting Carroll Shelby at the racetrack—and how years later he played a pivotal role in bringing Shelby back into the Ford family. We also explore how his curiosity and hands-on approach allowed him to thrive in roles ranging from product planning to motorsport communications.And in a special guest appearance, John's wife joins us on the mic to set the record straight on a couple of stories, adding her own perspective to the journey.From personal heroes to professional milestones, from Cars & Coffee to Ford's global racing efforts, this is a conversation about passion, persistence, and the power of automotive culture.Tune in to hear John's remarkable story, only on Car Stories: The Official Podcast of the Petersen Automotive Museum.Please check out:Ford Racing - Motorsports, Racing, Performance VehiclesAnd for the Mustang Experience: American Icon: An Immersive Mustang Experience — Petersen Automotive Museum

In this episode of Car Stories, we sit down with Michael Simcoe, the recently stepped down as Global Vice President of Design at General Motors. With a remarkable 42-year career that began at Holden in Australia and culminated in shaping the future of Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, and more, Simcoe has left an indelible mark on automotive design.We explore his journey from early career highlights to leading GM's design team through the electric vehicle revolution. Michael shares insights on the role of concept cars, his perspective on the “wedge era” of automotive styling, and what he hopes people feel when they see one of his creations on the road.Join us as we reflect on the stories behind some of his most iconic work, his thoughts on design's future, and how he plans to embrace life after his time at GM.

In honor of our new Wedge Exhibit, Bea and Dan catch up with Ken Okuyama, world famous designer and former head of design at Pininfarina.Ken was clearly relaxed with us as he told us stories about how Lexus influenced Porsche car development and how Porsche had a direct influence in the development of the Ferrari Enzo. Designing a car for Luca di Montezemolo came with high risk of losing the project but taking a break for lunch made all the difference!All that and a whole lot more!If you want to follow Ken, his Instagram is @Okuyama0527 or his website is: www.kenokuyamadesign.com

Dan and Bea catch up with Podcast Host and Car Personality Spike Feresten. In honor of our current exhibit, Totally Awesome, Spike takes us back to the 90s and shares with us how he bonded over cars with both Letterman and Sienfield. We also talk a little about culture in California. Check out Spike on Instagram Spike's Car Radio (@spikescarradio) • Instagram photos and videosor his show on YouTube: Spike's Car Radio - YouTube

In this special solo episode of Car Stories, Dan sits down with none other than Alois Ruf—the visionary behind Ruf Automobile—to dive deep into the origin story of the legendary Yellowbird.Alois shares how a now-iconic Road & Track article nearly featured a Ruf car painted a completely different color, how that last-minute decision changed everything, and what the ripple effect of that article was on Ruf's global reputation. They also revisit the groundbreaking Faszination on the Nürburgring video, a viral sensation before the internet even knew what “viral” meant.It's a rare, firsthand look at the moments that made Ruf a cult icon—and a must-listen for any enthusiast of performance, history, and automotive storytelling.Please check out Ruf at: RUF Automobile: Sports cars in perfectionOr on Instagram:RUF Automobile GmbH (@rufsince1939) • Instagram photos and videosThanks to Kahn Media for enabling the interview: www.kahnmedia.com

Lamborghini Fenomeno is the latest groundbreaking super sports car in the Few-Off series. The model will be produced in 29 units, celebrating the exclusivity of the brand and the 20-year anniversary of Lamborghini Centro Stile.Under the hood is the most powerful Lamborghini V12 ever, paired with three electric motors, for an overall maximum power of 1080 CV.The Petersen was one of the first granted access to Rouven Mohr to tell us about the design philosophy of this leading edge hypercar. This is a lite episode but quite technical.#LamborghiniFenomeno #Lamborghini #CentroStile #FewOffSeries #Hypercar #V12Power #ElectrifiedPerformance #FutureOfSupercars #ItalianDesign #AutomotiveExcellence #CarDesign #SuperSportsCar #Exclusivity #DreamCars #1080CV #LimitedEditionCars #RouvenMohr #PetersenMuseum #CarEnthusiast #LuxuryPerformance

In this episode of Car Stories, hosts Dan and Bea sit down with Petersen insiders Autumn and Jonee to go behind the scenes of the museum's latest exhibit, Totally Awesome. Celebrating the bold design, analog thrills, and pop culture flair of the 1980s and 1990s, the exhibit explores everything from rad supercars to era-defining trends.Learn how the idea came to life, which cars made the final cut, and why this era still resonates with car lovers today. Whether you're a child of the 80s or discovering the magic for the first time, this is one episode you don't want to miss.The exhibit will be open until April 2026 and you can secure your tickets at www.petersen.org or check out our YouTube channel if you are unable to visit: (1) Petersen Automotive Museum - YouTube

The Petersen Automotive Musuem podcast - Car Stories is back with two new host and a set of new guests. Dan Pilling - Director of Marketing and Social Media Lead Beatrice (Bea) Ross will be your host for stories and conversations with some of these most interesting car people. Tune in every week!In this episode of Petersen Car Stories, hosts Dan and Bea sit down with racer, broadcaster, and motorsport personality Justin Bell—son of five-time Le Mans winner Derek Bell—for a fast-paced and heartfelt conversation.From the golden age of GT racing in the 1990s to his transition into television and storytelling, Justin shares candid insights into life on and off the track. Hear behind-the-scenes tales from racing circuits around the world, the pressures and privileges of growing up in a legendary motorsports family, and how he's carved his own path in media and motorsport.Whether you're a fan of racing history, passionate about car culture, or curious about the personal side of motorsport fame, this episode is full of stories that go well beyond the finish line.You can follow Justin on Instagram: Justin Bell (@justinbelltv) • Instagram photos and videosor his own podcast Drive To Wynn at Drive to Wynn (@drivetowynn) • Instagram photos and videosCheck him out if you want to hear special access interviews or get his perspectives on the last race!

Join Daniel Valdez on Petersen's CarStories podcast as he sits down with Nicole Johnson, a true powerhouse in the automotive world. Nicole Johnson isn't just a Monster Jam driver; she's also a two-time Rockcrawl champion and the dynamic host of her own YouTube channel, Nicole Johnson Detour. In this captivating episode, Daniel and Nicole delve into her adrenaline-fueled journey behind the wheel, from conquering monstrous trucks in stadiums to navigating treacherous rock formations. They explore her passion for automotive adventures, the challenges she's overcome as a female competitor in male-dominated arenas, and the exciting projects she has in store for her growing audience. Get ready for an inspiring conversation that takes you into the heart of extreme motorsports and the determination of one of its most fearless pioneers.

This week, we're thrilled to have a very special guest: Hall of Fame Wrestler and host of Goldberg's Garage, Bill Goldberg! Join us as Bill Goldberg shares his journey from the wrestling ring to the garage, revealing his deep-rooted passion for cars. Get ready for an engaging conversation filled with exclusive insights, personal anecdotes, and a behind-the-scenes look at Goldberg's impressive car collection. Discover what drives this legendary wrestler and car enthusiast, and hear about his latest projects and adventures on and off the road.

In this episode, Daniel Valdez sits down with Hussein Al-Attar, a director of automotive design at BMW Designworks. Discover the inspiration and challenges that shape his iconic creations, from the sleek curves of the M2 to the innovative interiors of the iX. Hear firsthand about his journey from sketch to showroom, and how his passion for blending artistry with cutting-edge technology continues to redefine what it means to drive a BMW.

In this episode, we're diving into the intersection of automotive passion and horological finesse with James Stacey, Lead Editor of Hodinkee and a dedicated automotive enthusiast. Join us as James shares his journey from the world of high-end watches to his deep-rooted love for cars, exploring how these two realms of craftsmanship intertwine in his life and work. From iconic timepieces to legendary automobiles, get ready for a conversation that delves into the essence of precision engineering and timeless design.

This weeks episode of Petersen's CarStories Podcast, host Daniel Valdez sits down with the brilliant mind behind Nissan's innovative designs, Ken Lee. In this engaging conversation, Ken takes listeners on a journey from his formative years to his current role at Nissan, offering a rare glimpse into the inspirations and influences that shaped his career path. As the discussion unfolds, Ken shares anecdotes from his childhood, revealing how his early fascination with cars ignited a passion that would propel him into the world of automotive design. From sketching his dream vehicles as a youngster to leading design teams at Nissan, Ken's story is one of dedication, creativity, and unwavering commitment to excellence.

This week, Daniel Valdez sits down with NFL Dallas Cowboy and car enthusiast, Eric Kendricks. In this captivating episode, Kendricks delved into his deep-seated passion for cars, offering listeners an intimate glimpse into his automotive journey and the vehicles that have fueled his adrenaline both on and off the gridiron. As a seasoned athlete known for his intensity and precision on the field, Kendricks brought that same fervor to his discussion of cars, showcasing his expertise and unwavering enthusiasm for the automotive world.

This week, Daniel Valdez sits down with engineer, professional race car driver, entrepreneur, engine builder and CEO for Bisimoto Engineering, Bisi Ezerioha. He talks about growing up in Nigeria, attending college at a young age in the United States and his passion for making ordinary cars fast. Listen now and tell us what you think.

Welcome to Season 4! This week, Petersen's Daniel Valdez sits down with legendary tattoo, graffiti artist and lowrider Mister Cartoon. Cartoon talks growing up in a creative household, early days airbrushing shirts at swap meets, how he become one of the greatest living tattoo artists and his lowrider that's included in the upcoming "Best in Low" exhibit opening May 11th. Listen now!

This week, Daniel Valdez sits down with the world's fastest female motorcycle racer, Valerie Thompson. She talks about how she started riding motorcycles, setting the world record at 328 mph and her new passion pickieball. Listen now!

This week, Daniel Valdez sits down with producer, DJ, entrepreneur and automotive enthusiast, DJ Skee. He talks about moving to Los Angeles at 17, starting his music career, his numerous collaborations, owning a Tesla CyberTruck and much more. Listen Now!

This week, Daniel Valdez sits down with automotive content creator, car reviewer and host of YouTube channel Vehicle Virgins, Parker Nirenstein. He talks about how the idea of Vehicle Virgins started, the cars he has collected and reviewing some amazing cars.

This week Daniel Valdez sits down with professional stunt driver, automotive enthusiast, mechanical hobbyist and an entrepreneur, Bri Lynch. Bri talks about starting motocross at an early age, how she started stunt driving and being in over 40 movies, tv series and music videos including Black Panther.

This week Daniel Valdez sits down with highly influential contemporary street artist, visionary and star of "Exit Through the Gift Shop," Mr. Brainwash. Mr. Brainwash talks about moving to the United States at an early age, how he got involved with street artist, meeting Banksy and his recent collaboration with Matchbox. Tune in to this amazing interview with an amazing guest.

This week Daniel sits down with automotive enthusiast, Petersen lifetime member and author of Tales From The Garage, Rodney Kemerer. Rodney talks about his passion for the automotive in his new book that is formatted like an owner's manual.

This week Daniel Valdez sits down with Indy 500 Rookie of the Year, 2x Winner at Daytona & Sebring, Lyn St. James. Lyn talks about her life before she discovered racing, how she started racing and being invited to the White House three times. Listen up!

This week Daniel Valdez sits down with coachbuilder, designer and Porsche enthusiast, Chris Rünge. He explains how his journey in coachbuilding began and how RUNGE cars was birthed out of his Minnesota Farm. "RÜNGE Cars specializes in producing handcrafted, bespoke automobiles and furniture. Each commission is designed to customer specifications. Executing traditional coachbuilding techniques, bodywork is hand formed of aluminum over body bucks and finally fitted to the "Superleicht" aluminum tube form. " To learn more about Chris follow his Instagram @christopher_runge and his website rungecars.com/

This week Daniel sits down with the Vice President of Experiential Marketing & Events at MotorTrend Group, Karen Brown. She talks about growing up in southern California, starting in sports marketing and her decade long experience in the automotive industry.

This week Daniel sits down with the President of Hemmings and automotive enthusiast, Jonathan Shaw. Jonathan talks about Hemmings 70th Anniversary in 2024, launching new services/features and how he plans to keep Hemmings the world's largest collector car marketplace. Listen now!

This week Daniel Valdez sits down with car influencer and enthusiast, LACarSpotter aka Cody Lewis. Cody talks about how he started his famous instagram page @lacarspotter_, growing up in an automobile family, attending prestigious car events and his love of collecting.

This week, Daniel sits down with Petersen Automotive Museum's Chief Historian and automotive encyclopedia, Leslie Kendall. Leslie talks about coming to the Petersen Museum in 1993, curating exhibits in the early years, and how he helped the museum acquire some of the its "crowned jewels" cars. Listen now!!

This week Daniel sits down with lead designer for Matchbox and petrol head, Julian Payne. Julian talks about how he studied car design, his long career with Mattel working on Hot Wheels/Matchbox and the 70th Anniversary of Matchbox event on October 29th, that will be hosted at the Petersen Automotive Museum. You can learn more about the event here.

Daniel and Patrick sat down with stunt driver and host of Hot Shift, Bet Heykoop. Bet talks about growing up in Southern California, her experience as stunt driver and her series, Hot Shift which teaches automotive enthusiasts how to drive a manual transmission car. You can learn more about her at www.stuntdrivebet.net

Daniel and Patrick sat down with Alfa Romeo Brand Marketing Manager, Comedian & Automotive Enthusiast, Kara Coraci Sellentine. Kara talks about the growing up in an automotive family, sponsoring the Petersen's Road to Pebble Rally and the new Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale. Listen now!

Patrick Thomas and Daniel Valdez sat down with Donut Media's director, writer and host of the Past Gas podcast, Joe Weber. Joe talks about his early days as an audio engineer, doing improv for the Upright Citizens Brigade and how he started at Donut Media.

Daniel Valdez and Patrick Thomas caught up with John Hennessey, JackUltraMotive, Damon Jones, Adam Faris, Michael Van Runkle and Captain Crankshaft at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering this year. They asked what was your first car and what's your favorite car. Listen now!

Patrick Thomas and Daniel Valdez starts Season 3 of CarStories with Donut Media's Editor in Chief and host of the Past Gas podcast, James Pumphrey. They talk about his stand-up days, his love for German cars and his experience working for Donut Media over the years.

Ending Season 2 of CarStories, Daniel Valdez and Patrick Thomas sat down with contemporary artist Daniel Arsham to talk cars, Cleveland Cavaliers, Formula 1 and his current exhibition "Arsham Auto Motive" at the Petersen Automotive Museum. Daniel Arsham is known for his “eroded” works that occupy a space where the concepts of yesterday, today, and tomorrow collide, representing a fictional archaeology wherein objects from our cultural and material present are unearthed at some point in the distant future. These casts of modern artifacts are created from geological materials such as sand, quartz, and selenite, appearing fossilized as if they have just been discovered after being buried for ages. Through the sculptures displayed in Arsham Auto Motive, the artist historicizes the automobile—a paragon of the modern era—and its related symbols, presenting the viewer with a glimpse of future history.

In 2016, Nate Jones who founded the Long Beach Grand Prix sat down with CarStories in 2016 to talk about his experience in the automotive industry.

This week Daniel Valdez and Aloisa Ruf sat down with the founder of The Purist Group, Sean Lee. Sean talks about his early influence in Japanese cars, his relationship with actor Paul Walker and the backstory of The Purist Group.

In 2015, Indy 500 winner and racing legend Danny Sullivan joined A.J. trackside from The Thermal Club for the CarStories.com podcast.  They discuss his astonishing career in racing, his fames "spin and win" move and being the guest of honor at the 1st annual Petersen Invitational.

Daniel Valdez and Patrick Thomas sat down with the one of the greatest DJs of all times, the Godfather of EDM, Grammy award winner, legendary, Tiësto. He loves cars just as much as he loves music and managed to merge his two great passions in the making of his new and latest album "DRIVE". His first car was a little Fiat 500 and his current is a Ferrari F8 Tributo - the great Dutch DJ talks to the Petersen Museum about his passions, aspirations, love for Formula 1 and how he loves doing what we all do: driving, listening to music - with the added perk that he can listen to his (very) own. Watch the video interview on ⁠YouTube⁠

This week Daniel Valdez and Patrick Thomas sat down with Petersen's marketing director and motoring daredevil Luna Bondesan. She talks about growing up next to a car workshop, her experience working in the automotive industry and crazy off-road stories. Listen Now!

In 2014, CarStories spent almost the day at the Rolex Monterey Historics, in Adam Carolla's paddock, as he prepped and raced Paul Newman's Bob Sharpe Racing 1988 Nissan 300ZX.  We talked about collecting cars, people's preferences and racing on the track.

This week Daniel Valdez, Aloisa Ruf and Patrick Thomas sat down with the car designer of the Lamborghini Huracan, Bugatti Chiron, Koenigsegg Gemera and CC850, Sasha Selipanov. Sasha Selipanov is a renowned automotive designer known for his work on several high-profile supercars. His unique design approach and distinctive style have made him a respected figure in the automotive design industry.

Sara Price is a Hoonigan who loves to burn fuel be it on two wheels where she won medals at the X Games. 4 wheels where she has made cameos in movies for her skills behind the wheel, UTV's where she crushes it in the dirt or now on Hill Climbs, where she tackles "street". Kyle and James were glad to get the chance to stop by the museum to tell us all about her need for speed, enjoy!

This week Daniel and Patrick sat down with actor, car guy and Formula 1 enthusiast Matt Long. Outside of his acting career, Long is also known for his love of cars. He is a dedicated car enthusiast, often seen attending automotive events and staying up-to-date with the latest developments in the industry. Long's passion for cars extends beyond the surface level; he has a deep knowledge of automotive history, mechanics, and design, making him a true "car guy" in every sense. Listen now! Follow him @realmattlong

In 2016, Howie Idelson joins A.J. on the CarStories Podcast to chat about how he created Luftgekühlt, the ultimate air-cooled Porsche celebration, with friend and professional racing driver Patrick Long.

Aloisa Ruf, Patrick Thomas and Daniel Valdez sits down with Dana Williamson. Dana is the Conservator at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, where he is in charge of the maintenance, preservation, and upkeep of the museum's 300 or so cars and motorcycles. He is a true mechanical man who was driving tractors at age six and designing boat hulls by his twenties. He has spent time racing motorcycles, racing cars, restoring vintage cars, and flying WWII aircraft as a stunt pilot.

Loren Healy is an incredibly accomplished rock crawler and off-road racer who competes in the mind-bending Ultra4 racing series. A frequent sight at events like King of the Hammers, Loren has built a loyal following and recently left his day job to race full-time. He and his wife were in town for Nitto's Auto Enthusiast Day and we somehow managed to convince them to drive to the Petersen from Orange County to sit and talk to James and Kyle in 2017.

Daniel Valdez and Aloisa Ruf sat down with Porsche designer, Tony Hatter. He talks about his passion for hot rods, his days designing for Porsche and the future of design. Tony Hatter is indeed known for his work as a designer at Porsche, specifically for his involvement in designing the Porsche 993. The Porsche 993 is the internal designation for the Porsche 911 model produced between 1993 and 1998. Tony Hatter played a significant role in shaping the design of this iconic model. His work on the Porsche 993 is highly regarded among Porsche enthusiasts and automotive enthusiasts.

Director Terry Karges sat down with the one and only Bruce Canepa. Bruce Canepa's extensive knowledge and experience in the automotive field have made him a sought-after authority on collector cars. He is often invited to judge at prestigious automotive events and has been featured in numerous publications and television programs, sharing his insights and expertise. Today, Bruce Canepa continues to lead Canepa Design and the Canepa dealership, leaving an indelible mark on the automotive industry. His passion for cars, combined with his commitment to excellence, has solidified his reputation as a true icon in the world of automobiles. ]

This week Daniel and Patrick sat down with renowned Ferrari and businessman, David Lee. David is a passionate collector and connoisseur of both cars and watches. His Ferrari collection includes a 1964 250 LM, a 1972i 365 GTB/4 Daytona, 1990 F40, 1995 F50 and many more. His dedication to these two worlds has made him a recognized figure, and his knowledge and expertise are highly valued in both industries. Through his collection, active participation, and entrepreneurial endeavors, he continues to leave a lasting impact on the realms of cars and watches.

In 2017, Evan Klein sat down with CarStories to tell his story. He is an automotive photographer and is also a total hand-full. Turn the mic on and he just goes. He is a larger than life personality and he sat down with Kyle recently to talk about daily driving classic European cars, justifying the pain and expense of classics, being in love with cars and what it's like working as a top automotive photographer for print and online. They also talk about Evan's amazing annual Highway Earth car show and his work with Motor Trend, Motor Trend Classic, Octane, and of course the Petersen!