In The Drivers’ Seat with ABS

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Looking for a peak behind the curtain at the Audrain? Join some of Audrain’s younger team members In The Drivers’ Seat with ABS! In this series, Antonio Melegari, Ben Chester, and Sean O'Donnell (ABS), discuss what it’s like to be a part of the Audrain and all things auto! As a trio of young car enthusiasts, ABS give audiences an inside point of view of the car community.

Antonio Melegari, Ben Chester, and Sean O'Donnell (ABS)


    • Mar 19, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 49m AVG DURATION
    • 52 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from In The Drivers’ Seat with ABS

    Billionaire Car Shows and Raising Cane's

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 19, 2025 51:16


    The concours season is in full swing, and the boys have been very busy, all three returning with wild stories. Ben drops some concours intel, and Antonio asks viewer questions.

    Ferrari Pulse Check: Lewis Hamilton, the F80, and the Costco Guys

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 22, 2025 56:45


    Antonio, Ben, and Sean catch up on what has been going on at the Audrain, give their opinions on the new Ferrari, and discuss the busy year ahead.

    What is Jaguar Thinking? | Audrain's President Weighs In

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 16, 2024 67:04


    Antonio, Ben, and Sean are joined by Nic Waller, the new President of Audrain. Nic shares his experiences in the automotive world and weighs in on the Jaguar rebrand.

    The Youngest Hot Rod Historian

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 14, 2024 72:01


    Brian Lenox is a member of Ty-Rods, the oldest continuously active hot rod club in the east. He serves as the club's historian and is an expert in New England hot rod history. Along with his father, Brian has been tracking down and acquiring cars that have a significant historical value to New England's past — their mission being to save and preserve them for generations to come. Brian also writes for multiple automotive publications and resides in central Massachusetts.

    The Best Concours Yet?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 10, 2024 55:09


    Antonio, Ben, and Sean talk about what they've been up to in the past month as well as prepare for the 2024 Audrain Newport Concours & Motor Week.

    Vintage Ferrari Mechanic Victoria Bruno Podcasts at Jay Leno's Garage

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 4, 2024 58:52


    Victoria Bruno sits down with ABS and dives deep into her journey from casual car enthusiast to leading Ferrari mechanic!

    We Fixed the New Ferrari.

    Play Episode Listen Later May 24, 2024 83:35


    Ben might have a broken rib, the new Ferrari is ugly (don't worry, we fixed it), Tesla still has a ton of issues, and the Aston Martin Valkyrie is even more magnificent in person. It's a wild card episode with a lot of goodies. Enjoy!

    Matt Farah Drives the Speed Limit — Horseless Carriages, Hybrids, and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N

    Play Episode Listen Later May 10, 2024 58:03


    A departure from the typical Smoking Tire drive, Matt Farah and Zack Klapman slow things down... to about 30 mph. A couple weeks ago they joined us in Newport for Audrain's 3rd Annual Veteran Car Tour, and their second attempt at making it to Bristol and back — this time in a 1902 Yale. Did they make it or did they have to push their way to the finish line? Will they be joining us again or have they had enough of 100-year-old automobiles?

    From Building Roads to Driving on Them: A Chat with Good Friend Louis Barone

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 5, 2024 74:27


    ABS welcomes Louie Barone, a long-time friend of the museum, for a chat about bridges, when things go wrong in the museum, and some differing opinions on the P-word.

    Euro Plate Porsches Travel to America & Japan Invades: Two Podcasts for the Price of One!

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 26, 2024 45:28


    For the first time in a month, the ABS boys are finally together in one room, catching up on all that's happened at the Audrain over the winter. Also, we have a bonus interview from a German couple on a long US road trip in two very special Porsches.

    Nothing But The P-Word! Meet THE Porsche Carrera GT Specialist @repasimotorwerks

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 27, 2024 51:59


    The Carrera GT whisperer Jimmy Repasi tells the boys what it's like taking apart one of the most revered supercars for a living.

    Meet Mr. Motorcars: Purveyor of Rare Porsches — Ryan Friedman

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 6, 2024 70:51


    The ABS boys pack up their gear and head to Long Island to meet the team at Ryan Friedman Motorcars. If you're a fan of Porsche, Ferrari, or even Mercedes and you have an Instagram account, you've probably seen one of the stunning examples they have had up for sale. Join ABS as they learn what goes into acquiring these rare birds, pairing them up with the right buyer, and taking risks in the name of listening to your car enthusiast heart. 

    Indy 500 Winner Bobby Rahal Makes a Podcast Pitstop!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 19, 2024 39:48


    Indy 500 winner, owner of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, and Carrera GT enthusiast Bobby Rahal visits the ABS boys.

    The Ultimate 4 Car Garage, Everywhere We'll Be in 2024, & Ruf Automobile

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 5, 2024 62:40


    The boys spill the beans about their plans for 2024 and all of the events Audrain will be attending, answer some viewer questions, and choose their ultimate 4-car garage.

    Real Driving, Real Life, Hot Rods & Hot Vloggers with Tedward | @TedwardDrives

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2023 71:39


    It's time for a TED Talk! The ABS boys sit down with  @TedwardDrives to chat about life with cars.

    Captain Crankshaft Talks Turbos, Trends, and His Safari 911!

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 1, 2023 68:16


     Two local guys with an international following, Jackson and Will from Captain Crankshaft join us for this week's podcast! Check out their channel to see the hard work they put into their cars and the fun they have in the process! 

    If You Love Classic Cars — Donald Osborne & ABS Discuss the Man Behind the Bow Tie

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 8, 2023 65:12


    It's the episode you've all been waiting for. We finally sit down with Donald Osborne, automotive enthusiast and valuation expert, guest star ot Jay Leno's Garage, and host of the Audrain Museum Network! Join ABS and get to know the man behind the bowtie!

    What It Takes to Run a Concours d'Elegance

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 25, 2023 50:44


    Take a glimpse of what it's like to organize a week's worth of world-class automobile events. While they're goofballs on camera, Antonio, Ben, and Sean are integral to the success of the Audrain Newport Concours & Motorweek.

    Nicole Johnson: Queen of Offroad, Monster Jam Pro, Thrill Seeker, & Lover of Unique Autos

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 11, 2023 62:09


    The coolest person we know? Nicole Johnson of  @NicoleJohnsonsDetour stops by to see what the Audrain Newport Concours is all about and share some amazing stories of her time as an offroad racer, Monster Jam driver, and host of a ridiculously cool, automotive YouTube series!

    QUICK UPDATE! The Audrain Newport Concours & Motor Week is in Full Swing!

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 27, 2023 25:42


    Take a peek behind the scenes of our biggest event of the year, the Audrain Newport Concours & Motor Week. With over 40 free and ticketed events spread over five days, there's surely an event for you!

    Rebuilding a Wrecked 911 GT3, Leasing vs. Buying, BMWs, and Trending on TikTok with @alecsgarage ​

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 13, 2023 63:10


    Alec's Garage stops by, Sean steps out to fly kites, Antonio has regrets about Bitcoin and Ethereum, and Ben reminisces his Basketball glory days. 

    Car Spotting in Pebble Beach, Patek Philippe, Porsche, and Pagani's Ugly Steering Wheels

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 30, 2023 51:30


    Fresh from their trip to Pebble Beach, Antonio and Ben recap Car Week. Sean tells tales of the cars & coffee event that they missed. Steve and Antonio attempt to continue their debate about ugly steering wheels, but are derailed by Škoda Sam and Ben Taradash fawning over Citroëns. 

    F1 Stars Take On The Goodwood Festival of Speed and Sam Gets a Škoda

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 9, 2023 34:12


    Sean tells tales of his adventures across the pond at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, where the Audrain Automobile Museum ran the legendary 1988 McLaren MP4/4 up the hill, Antonio poses hypothetical questions, and Sam shares his new purchase with the boys!

    David Swift — Jay Leno's Left-Hand and Producer Extraordinaire

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 26, 2023 56:40


    The ABS boys stop into quite possibly the most famous garage in the world to visit our friend David Swift. He's the man behind the cam of Jay Leno's Garage, Co-Producer of Audrain Mansions & Motorcars, a new dad, a freshly-licensed pilot, and all-around great human being.

    Ruffian Cars — Chris Ashton's Journey from Video Games to Custom Car Builder

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 12, 2023 49:20


    The ABS boys look a little different.... Sean steps out so Steve can sit down with his idol, Chris Ashton — video game designer turned custom car builder.

    Sitting Down with The Smoking Tire — Matt Farah

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 28, 2023 54:27


    ABS visits  The Smoking Tire, Matt Farah! He lends  @TheSmokingTirePodcast studio to the boys, so they can talk first cars, dream cars, accidents, and algorithms.

    A Word with the Urban Outlaw — Magnus Walker

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 7, 2023 48:03


    The ABS crew visits the garage of famed fashion designer, car collector, and Porsche customizer Magnus Walker. They chat about the automotive community, his outlaw lifestyle, and of course... the "P" word.  

    Veteran Car Tour Recap with Evan Ide

    Play Episode Listen Later May 24, 2023 48:33


    The ABS boys sit down with Bonhams Motoring Senior Specialist and owner of HVS Evan Ide where they talk about what makes veteran cars so special.

    ABS Reimagined by Singer

    Play Episode Listen Later May 10, 2023 33:53


    The ABS boys visit the Singer workshop in Los Angeles. After they pick their jaws up off the floor, they are joined by Singer Vehicle Design Interior Production Manager Tim Kortebein!

    Goodwood, Hollywood, and the Season Ahead!

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 26, 2023 35:43


    The boys reminisce about the past month at the Audrain. They have been around the world, from Hollywood to Goodwood!

    Rod Emory: Creator of the Outlaw Porsche and Family Man

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2023 49:09


    The boys stop by the shop of legendary custom Porsche 356 builder, Rod Emory. They discuss passion, craftsmanship, the devil in the details, being the first to rise, and the truth about working with family.

    Bruce Meyer: Beverly Hills-Based Car Collector and Petersen Automotive Museum Chairman

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 29, 2023 49:28


    In this special episode of In The Drivers' Seat With ABS the boys head to LA to speak with legendary car collector and Chairman of The Petersen Museum, Bruce Meyer.

    Cannonball Record Holder Doug Tabbutt Joins the ABS Crew!

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 8, 2023 38:40


    The fastest man from coast to coast shares stories about his travels, as well as a riveting tale about lobster rolls.

    Chatting about Disney • Pixar's Cars with Jay Ward

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 24, 2023 40:01


    The boys dive deep into the world of Cars with its creative director, Jay Ward!

    From Dakar to Nascar!

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 8, 2023 39:18


    The boys talk current events in the car market, racing, and even planes?

    Building our Dream Cars — NO PORSCHES ALLOWED

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 25, 2023 47:30


    The boys talk about current events in the car world and build their dream cars, and as an added challenge, the guys aren't allowed to mention Porsche.

    Things to Come and Those to Honor

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 11, 2023 42:34


    This season at the Audrain there's a lot of exciting things in store for YOU, and we can't wait! However, as we look forward to the new year, we remember those who will, sadly, not be joining us. Ken and Chris will be sorely missed, but we hope to honor them within our community through our various events. Our collective heart at Audrain goes out to their loved ones, and we thank them for sharing their joy and passion with us and the automotive world.

    Jay Leno Visits!

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 28, 2022 46:03


    The ABS boys welcome Jay Leno as they discuss getting people involved in the car community, the Audrain Newport Concours & Motor Week, and fun anecdotes!

    Out with the New, In with the Old!

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 14, 2022 60:20


    2022 is packing up and moving out, and so are the “Youngtimers”! The boys jump in the driver's seat of some of their favorites from the previous exhibition “Collecting Moving Forward” and prepare to usher in the new year with our latest showing “Early Landmarks in Automotive Engineering”! Hear about some of their most memorable moments from the museum changeover, 2022 season, and what's at the tippity-top of their Christmas lists. Perhaps Santa will be dropping off a GT3 RS... or two. We'll just have to wait and see! No matter what you celebrate, Happy Holidays from the ABS boys and all of us here at the Audrain Automobile Museum! 

    The Only Safe Way to Put a Porsche 911 into the Wall

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 30, 2022 26:12


    Antonio, Ben, and Sean try their hand at the racing simulators in the Audrain gallery. The ABS crew invites you to try to beat their times when you come visit the Audrain Automobile Museum, or sign up for an Audrain Motorsport track day for a taste of the real thing!

    Vehicle Virgins Visits the ABS Crew!

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 9, 2022 36:57


    Parker Nirenstein from Vehicle Virgins joins the boys in another episode of In the Drivers' Seat with ABS. Parker talks about his time here in Newport, RI driving various Porsches as well as attending the Audrain Newport Concours and Motor Week.

    ​ Shmee150 Visits The ABS Guys!

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 26, 2022 37:38


    Shmee tells the boys about his long, interesting, and successful career making YouTube videos about the world's greatest supercars, as well as some great stories about his many adventures!

    visits shmee
    Audrain Newport Concours & Motor Week Recap: ABS Podcast

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 12, 2022 41:35


    Antonio, Ben, and Sean share their experiences during the Audrain Newport Concours & Motor Week. It was a whirlwind of a week full of highs and lows, beautiful cars in a stunning setting. Hear the boys' behind-the-scenes stories about putting on a world-class event! 

    The MIATA Is The BEST Car In Our Museum: S1 Ep 9

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 28, 2022 39:21


    Many great things are happening in the world of Audrain! Antonio, Ben, and Sean talk about the recent exhibition changeover, as well as the upcoming Audrain Youngtimers and the Audrain Newport Concours and Motor Week. The ABS gang try another round of guessing the car by the engine sound.

    ABS Goes to PEBBLE BEACH!

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 7, 2022 32:55


    A and B head to Car Week 2022! Listen as the boys recount stories of the incredible cars, people and experiences they had in Monterrey. Along with helping the Audrain team represent three cars on the concours field, the boys headed over to Laguna Seca for some vintage racing and late night car spotting in Carmel!

    The FUTURE of the Car Market!

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 24, 2022 44:32


    The car market is filled with turbulent times — highs and lows. What's "in"? What's "out"?In this episode of 'In the Drivers' Seat with ABS', the guys talk about where they think the future of the car market is headed. What modern cars are going to become collector cars down the road? How do the Audrain Collections keep moving forward in their collecting goals? Are 944s the next best classic?Find out on this week's episode of 'In the Drivers' Seat with ABS'!Episode 7: The Future of the Market

    In the Drivers' Seat with ABS: Episode 6: Youngtimers

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 10, 2022 39:39


    We have a new 'S' in our midst! Steve fills in for Sean as they talk about Audrain Youngtimers. The conversation covers everything from Saabs to Silvias, Foxbodies to Ferraris. Who was the best-dressed? We hear rad stories from the judges of the event as well as a participant.

    In the Drivers' Seat with ABS: Season 1 Episode 5: Restomods and Alternative Fuels

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 27, 2022 33:22


    In this episode, the boys talk restomods. Singer? Emory? ALTERNATIVE FUELS??? Jump 'In the Drivers' Seat with ABS' and join us on this ride. Laughs and good times are guaranteed! 

    In The Drivers' Seat with ABS: S1E4: Track Talk with David Donohue

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 13, 2022 37:02


    In this episode, championship race car driver David Donohue hops In The Drivers' Seat with ABS! David is an accomplished driver with wins at the 24 Hours of Daytona, Le Mans, and the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb!The ABS guys swap stories as they try to compare to David's established racing career.Jump in the passenger seat and join in!

    In the Drivers' Seat with ABS: Episode 3: Our First Guest!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 29, 2022 48:22


    We've got a guest! In this episode, Audrain gets a glimpse into Hollywood and recall some of the most unique vehicles at Audrain Cars and Coffee. The boys also play a game. Who can guess that engine sound?

    In The Drivers' Seat with ABS: S1E2: MOVIN' ON OUT! Say Goodbye to Supercars

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 10, 2022 35:56


    MOVIN' ON OUT!The super cars have left the building!In this episode, Audrain has emptied the museum from the 'What's the SUPER in Super Car' exhibition, so ABS took the cars to stretch their legs around the city of Newport!Join us in this episode to hear their thoughts on cars like the McLaren 620R, Mercedes Benz GT Black Series, Porsche 918 Spyder, Ferrari Enzo, and more!

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