Steve Magnante, also known as Steve Mags, was born in 1964, at the tail end of the Baby Boom era. Ever since his mother gave him his first Hot Wheels toy car at age 8, Steve has been infatuated with all things automotive. Steve has made his passion a career, first by writing for nationally circulated car magazines like Hot Rod, Car Craft, Muscle Car Review, Mopar Muscle, Chrysler Power and others as well as hosting automotive TV shows like Roadkill’s Junkyard Gold, Rides Reunited, Classic Car Restoration, Hot Rod Magazine TV, and the Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction, which he has been part of since 2005. On The Steve Mags Muscle Car Show, Steve shares excerpts from his best-selling book “Steve Magnante’s 1001 Muscle Car Facts” while offering author-commentary to describe why certain facts were chosen for use in the book and offering further elaboration and detail that wouldn’t fit in the book format. In every 30 minute episode of The Steve Mags Muscle Car Show, listeners will learn all about America’s most famous automotive creations, the muscle cars. In addition, The Mail Bag, accessible through Stevemags.com, provides an open door to send Steve your questions for possible use on-air. Tune in to The Steve Mags Muscle Car Show for a high octane fix of muscle car facts!
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The first episode of The Steve Mags Muscle Car Show Podcast was taped on September 29, 2020 and examined Facts 1-13 from Steve Magnante's 1001 Muscle Car Facts book (CarTech Publishing, 2013). Over the past 68 Podcast episodes, we covered Chevrolet, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, Buick, Ford, Mercury, Plymouth, Dodge, Chrysler, AMC and Studebaker muscle car history. In this final episode (for now…), Steve shares why Studebaker Avanti sports car production was delayed, why the Packard V8 could have been Detroit's largest V8 ever, how Studebaker Lark Daytona brakes impressed Hot Rod Magazine testers and much more. As for the future, Steve Magnante's 1001 Mustang Facts and Steve Magnante's 1001 Corvette Facts books stand ready to be explored. Support the show (https://www.buzzsprout.com/1340482)
Did Studebaker (and Packard) really install more belt driven superchargers than its competition? And what was the reason for the switch to Chevy engines in 1965? Learn all about it in this podcast. Taped at High Octane Classics in Auburn, MA. Support the show (https://www.buzzsprout.com/1340482)
Why did Studebaker switch vehicle assembly from Indiana to Canada? Was Studebaker as good as dead after discontinuing vehicle production in 1966? And what do those red STP stickers really mean? All this and more as Steve enters the Studebaker chapter of his 1001 Muscle car Facts book? Taped at High Octane Classics in Auburn, MA. Support the show (https://www.buzzsprout.com/1340482)
Steve Mags shares AMC muscle car production numbers, option take-rates, market share statistics and highlights how AMC was saved by the Baby Boom. Taped at High Octane Classics in Auburn, MA. Support the show (https://www.buzzsprout.com/1340482)
AMC was one of very few automakers to offer factory installed traction bars, but were they found on all muscle models? And why were the 1969 Hurst AMX Super Stock drag cars built without front anti-roll bars? All this and more in this podcast. Taped at High Octane Classics in Auburn, MA.Support the show (https://www.buzzsprout.com/1340482)
AMC had two families of V8 engines, were any cast from lightweight aluminum? And what was it about the pre-1972 AMC automatic transmission that reduced performance? All this and more in this podcast. Taped at High Octane Classics in Auburn, MA.Support the show (https://www.buzzsprout.com/1340482)
How did the 1971-1972 Javelin and AMX pay tribute to the C3 Corvette coupe's T-Top design? And did the 1969 Javelin's optional roof spoiler really work? All this and more in this podcast. Taped at High Octane Classics in Auburn, MA. Support the show (https://www.buzzsprout.com/1340482)
American Motors (AMC) was in there swinging during the muscle car era – once management decided to acknowledge the Youth Market. Legend and Lore about Nash-Healeys, Marlins, Javelins, AMX's and more! Taped at High octane Classics in Auburn, MA.Support the show (https://www.buzzsprout.com/1340482)
Learn why the 2009 Dodge Challenger Drag Pak came with removable window panels, which American car was first with a trunk spoiler, how many Super Bee convertibles Dodge never built and lots more!Now sponsored by High Octane Classics, the Northeast's largest musclecar and supercar dealership!!HIGH OCTAIN CLASSICShttps://www.highoctaneclassics.comSupport the show (https://www.buzzsprout.com/1340482)
Learn what's under the Superbird and Charger Daytona fender scoops, where to find torque boxes, what lies beneath 1969 Dart 440 GTS hood emblems and more, more, more!Now sponsored by High Octane Classics, the Northeast's largest musclecar and supercar dealership!!HIGH OCTAIN CLASSICShttps://www.highoctaneclassics.comSupport the show (https://www.buzzsprout.com/1340482)
Steve discusses Dodge Legend and Lore including what actor Tom Selleck had to do withDodge Magnums and “Magnum P.I.”, how many Hemis went into four door bodies and how to verify a Max Wedge convertible. Convertible? Yes, Dodge built Max Wedge convertibles!Now sponsored by High Octane Classics, the Northeast's largest musclecar and supercar dealership!!HIGH OCTAIN CLASSICShttps://www.highoctaneclassics.comSupport the show (https://www.buzzsprout.com/1340482)
The show transitions from Plymouth Number Crunching and Press Commentary to DodgeLegend and Lore with another thirteen groovy factoids for you.Now sponsored by High Octane Classics, the Northeast's largest musclecar and supercar dealership!!HIGH OCTAIN CLASSICShttps://www.highoctaneclassics.comSupport the show (https://www.buzzsprout.com/1340482)
Steve compares 1969 Hemi Road Runner and Pontiac Ram Air IV GTO pricing andproduction numbers and lots more.Now sponsored by High Octane Classics, the Northeast's largest musclecar and supercar dealership!!HIGH OCTAIN CLASSICShttps://www.highoctaneclassics.comSupport the show (https://www.buzzsprout.com/1340482)
Steve explores the successes of Plymouth's “beeper” and other high Plymouth performance milestones.Now sponsored by High Octane Classics, the Northeast's largest musclecar and supercar dealership!!HIGH OCTAIN CLASSICShttps://www.highoctaneclassics.comSupport the show (https://www.buzzsprout.com/1340482)
Listen or watch on YouTube as Steve describes the 1976 Volare's novel transvers torsion barfront suspension, what prompted the use of front disc brakes on 1967 Hemi cars, and more!Now sponsored by High Octane Classics, the Northeast's largest musclecar and supercar dealership!!HIGH OCTAIN CLASSICShttps://www.highoctaneclassics.comSupport the show (https://www.buzzsprout.com/1340482)
Listen or watch on YouTube as Steve corrects an error in Fact Number 648 regarding fullsize C-body rear axle types and explores ultra-rare Plymouth engines like the aluminum block Slant Six, A925 DOHC Doomsday Hemi, A279 Ball Stud Hemi and more.Now sponsored by High Octane Classics, the Northeast's largest musclecar and supercar dealership!!HIGH OCTAIN CLASSICShttps://www.highoctaneclassics.comSupport the show (https://www.buzzsprout.com/1340482)
Listen or watch on YouTube as Steve tells why no Volares (or Aspens) ever got factory dualexhaust, why a Jeep Wrangler body was bolted to a Prowler, if a Road Runner station wagon was ever offered and a lot, lot more.Now sponsored by High Octane Classics, the Northeast's largest musclecar and supercar dealership!!HIGH OCTAIN CLASSICShttps://www.highoctaneclassics.comSupport the show (https://www.buzzsprout.com/1340482)
Listen or watch on YouTube as Steve reveals the origins of the most famous Barracuda funny cars, proves how fast a Hemi Superbird really wasn't, the truth behind full size 426 Street Hemi production car program, which full size Plymouth Fury was offered with the 440 Six Barrel, and a bunch more.Now sponsored by High Octane Classics, the Northeast's largest musclecar and supercar dealership!!HIGH OCTAIN CLASSICShttps://www.highoctaneclassics.comSupport the show (https://www.buzzsprout.com/1340482)
Listen or watch on YouTube as Steve transitions the show out of the last Ford and Mercury Number Crunching and Press Commentary facts and into the Plymouth world with comparisons of Cougar and Mustang production numbers, how Dyno Don Nicholson heated a 428 Cobra Jet powered 1968 Cougar XR-7 GT's tires for better e.t.'s and then groove on Plymouth facts like what happens when you stick a 4,200 pound Airstream travel trailer behind a new 1969 Hemi Road Runner then hit the drag strip, and so much more.Now sponsored by High Octane Classics, the Northeast's largest musclecar and supercar dealership!!HIGH OCTAIN CLASSICShttps://www.highoctaneclassics.comSupport the show (https://www.buzzsprout.com/1340482)
Steve continues to explore FORD and MERCURY engine and driveline facts like what made the front brakes on the1965 427 SOHC cammer powered Mustangs and COMET CYCLONES so different. Why the 1979 CAPRI and ZEPHYR TURBO GT rear drum brakes wont attract a magnet and much more...Now sponsored by High Octane Classics, the Northeast's largest musclecar and supercar dealership!!HIGH OCTAIN CLASSICShttps://www.highoctaneclassics.comSupport the show (https://www.buzzsprout.com/1340482)
Hear what car magazine editors felt about the hottest Mercurys and what made the DeTomaso Mangusta too much of a good thing on this on this episode of The Steve Mags Muscle Car Show Podcast! Now sponsored by High Octane Classics, the Northeast's largest musclecar and supercar dealership!!HIGH OCTAIN CLASSICShttps://www.highoctaneclassics.comSupport the show (https://www.buzzsprout.com/1340482)
Learn why Mercury toyed with aluminum disc brake rotors and which American V8 was first to claim 400 horsepower on this episode of The Steve Mags Muscle Car Show Podcast! Now sponsored by High Octane Classics, the Northeast's largest muscle car and supercar dealership!!HIGH OCTANE CLASSICShttps://www.highoctaneclassics.comSupport the show (https://www.buzzsprout.com/1340482)
Steve talks Cyclone 427 hoods. Marauder 410. 1957 Power boost fan . 312 Y- Block engines and more.Brought to you by our sponsor:HIGH OCTANE CLASSICShttps://www.highoctaneclassics.comSupport the show (https://www.buzzsprout.com/1340482)
Learn what made the 1966 and '67 Comet Cyclone hood so exotic – and frustrating, howMercury proposed to fend off the Mopar Wing Car invasion and how the 1969 Mustang Boss 429 hood scoop differs from the 1969 Cougar Eliminator, plus a bunch more!Support the show (https://www.buzzsprout.com/1340482)
More Mercury muscle car facts including why the 1960 Comet almost became the entrylevel Edsel, the strange saga of spy craft-equipped Marauders on the Hot Rod magazine Power Tour and lots more!Support the show (https://www.buzzsprout.com/1340482)
In this show, Steve transitions from Ford Facts to Mercury Facts from his 2013 book: “Steve Magnante’s 1001 Muscle Car Facts” In this episode learn how many different ways Fo-Mo-Co delivered on the 7-liter V8 promise, how Ford’s modern OHC V8 families evolved from the groundbreaking 1965 427 SOHC and lots more.Support the show (https://www.buzzsprout.com/1340482)
Steve’s away this week co-hosting the Barrett-Jackson collector car auction in Scottsdale, Arizona (be sure to tune in on FYI and A&E!). While he’s away, listen to his 2011 telephone interview with BIG DADDY DON GARLITS on the birth of the Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing. And yes, Shirley makes an appearance.Brought to you by our sponsor AUTOWORLDSTORE.COM. Use promo code "STEVE" for a 10% discount!!Support the show (https://www.buzzsprout.com/1340482)
While Steve is away co-hosting the televised Barrett-Jackson collector car auction in Scottsdale, Arizona (tune in on FYI and A&E!), listen to his 1997 telephone interview with John Force Racing crew chief and Chi-Town Hustler legend - AUSTIN COIL - on how he built a $75,000 dynamometer to test superchargers before installing them and going racing.Brought to you by our sponsor AUTOWORLDSTORE.COM. Use promo code "STEVE" for a 10% discount!!Support the show (https://www.buzzsprout.com/1340482)
Steve transitions to the “Number Crunching / Press Commentary” section in the Ford chapter of his book, “Steve Magnante’s 1001 Muscle Car Facts”. Learn why Ford transit trucks drove the equivalent distance of 12 round trips to the Moon during the Fox Mustang convertible program, how Ford pulled 700 pounds out of the 1963-1/2 427 Galaxie lightweight and a lot more!Brought to you by our sponsor AUTOWORLDSTORE.COM. Use promo code "STEVE" for a 10% discount!!Support the show (https://www.buzzsprout.com/1340482)
Steve reads from the “Suspension and Brakes” section of the Ford chapter in his book “Steve Magnante’s 1001 Muscle car facts” and shares facts about Shelby wheels, Thunderbolt suspension modifications and a whole lot more! Brought to you by our sponsor AUTOWORLDSTORE.COM. Use promo code "STEVE" for a 10% discount!!Support the show (https://www.buzzsprout.com/1340482)
Learn why Ford’s 1960 352 High Performance engine was Detroit’s first super stock engine, how Ford kept the 1969-’70 Boss 302 from over-revving, and a whole lot more about Ford muscle machinery.Don't forget to check out our sponsors website AUTOWORLDSTORE.COM and use promo code "STEVE" to order your personnel FORD muscle car !!Support the show (https://www.buzzsprout.com/1340482)
Steve tells why every 1969 Torino Talladega got an open differential, what made 2003-2004 Mustang SVT Cobra connecting rods special and a bunch of other Ford factoids. Brought to you by our sponsor AUTOWORLDSTORE.COM. Use promo code "STEVE" for a 10% discount!!Support the show (https://www.buzzsprout.com/1340482)
Eighteen frisky Ford facts including why Ford painted the 1976 Starsky and Hutch Torino's TWICE, why the 1994 Mustang hood grew a barrel shaped profile, the long and winding route taken by every 1983-1993 Fox Mustang convertible from factory to completion and a lot, lot more. Brought to you by Autoworldstore.com.Support the show (https://www.buzzsprout.com/1340482)
Fourteen Ford Facts including how close Ford came to naming the 2003-2004 Mustang SVT Cobra the “Terminator”, The almost-was Boss 429 Galaxie, what engines powered the original Starsky and Hutch TV cop cars and a whole lot more. Sponsored by Autoworldstore.com.Support the show (https://www.buzzsprout.com/1340482)
A 1997 telephone interview between Steve Magnante and Don Williamson, second owner of the legendary Brutus 1965 altered wheelbase funny car. Williamson describes the circumstances that led to near destruction of Brutus during a 1968 accident at the Irwindale Dragstrip.Support the show (https://www.buzzsprout.com/1340482)
A 1997 telephone interview between Steve Magnante and Lew Arrington, owner and builder of the legendary Brutus 1965 GTO altered wheelbase funny car. Arrington passed away in 2008 but his legacy lives on.Support the show (https://www.buzzsprout.com/1340482)
Legend and Lore on 1965 and 1966 Mustangs from the book; Steve Magnante’s 1001 Mustang Facts !!Support the show (https://www.buzzsprout.com/1340482)
Legend and Lore on 1953-’54 Corvettes from the book; Steve Magnante’s 1001 Corvette Facts !!Support the show (https://www.buzzsprout.com/1340482)
Description: In this episode, Steve delivers 26 final Buick Facts from the Suspension and Brakes and Number Crunching / Press Commentary segments of his book; Steve Magnante’s 1001 Muscle Car Facts. Get ready FORD fanatics your next !!Support the show (https://www.buzzsprout.com/1340482)
With 21 facts focused on Buick suspension and brake components, you’ll come away from this episode with knowledge of what made Buicks such good handlers.Support the show (https://www.buzzsprout.com/1340482)
Listen to Steve Magnante’s 1996 telephone interview with Detroit street racing legend Jimmy Addison as Steve gathers information for a magazine article he wrote for the October 1996 issue of Mopar Action magazine. Addison’s 1967 Hemi GTX was factory-backed and went undefeated on the Woodward Avenue street race scene. Listen as Addison describes how Chrysler funneled the latest Hemi parts his way to keep ahead of Pontiac Ram Air V GTO’s and Ford SOHC Galaxies. 31 minutesSupport the show (https://www.buzzsprout.com/1340482)
Buick’s 1987 Regal GNX was perhaps the most iconic – and potent - Eighties muscle car. Learn all about it – and all the other Buick muscle greats – in this podcast.Support the show (https://www.buzzsprout.com/1340482)
Didja know Buick was the most generous of the muscle car makers when it came to ram air hood scoops? You will after listening to this episode. Plus, lots, lots more Buick muscle car facts and trivia.Support the show (https://www.buzzsprout.com/1340482)
David Dunbar Buick lights your fire in this first of five episodes dedicated to Buick muscle car facts and trivia.Support the show (https://www.buzzsprout.com/1340482)
Attracting Chicks, Hurst/Olds, F85, W30 , 442, 455, Rallye 350. This is the last episode for the legendary Olds muscle cars for now. Onto the Buicks don't miss it. Going to be cool!!Support the show (https://www.buzzsprout.com/1340482)
Radial tires appear for the first time in this chapter, but Oldsmobile debuted them on an unlikely model. That, and a bunch more in this episode.Support the show (https://www.buzzsprout.com/1340482)
See how Oldsmobile toyed with Tri-Power, how paint set Hurst-Olds engines apart from the herd and lots more!Support the show (https://www.buzzsprout.com/1340482)
Elvis wanted one, but couldn’t get one. The 1966 Toronado is just one of many Oldsmobiles showcased in this episode.Support the show (https://www.buzzsprout.com/1340482)
Moving from Pontiac to Oldsmobile trivia, lets’ see how Dr. Oldsmobile sold high performance to the Baby Boomers.Support the show (https://www.buzzsprout.com/1340482)
Like episodes 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11, Episode 12 focuses on Pontiac muscle car history, but its’ also the last Pontiac episode before the podcast – and the book (Steve Magnante’s 1001 Muscle Car Facts) – shift over to 200 Oldsmobile facts. In this final Pontiac episode, author Steve Magnante narrates Facts 186 through 200, revealing how the transmission in 1977 Can Am’s and Trans Am’s differed, exactly how many 1964-’66 GTOs were factory built with Tri-Power induction, whether Pontiac drag racing legend Arnie “The Farmer” Beswick was really a farmer, and a lot, lot more! Episode 12 is your last chance to binge on Pontiac facts before we switch over to Oldsmobile coverage.Support the show (https://www.buzzsprout.com/1340482)
Episode 11 covers facts 170 through 185 from the Pontiac chapter of the book: Steve Magnante’s 1001Muscle car facts. In this episode, Steve discusses the merits of Pontiac’s various aluminum brake drum options, what went into Pontiacs Radial Tuned Suspension (RTS) system of the 1970’s, the surprising fact that far more 4-speed 1969 Trans Am’s were sold than automatics, and lots more.Support the show (https://www.buzzsprout.com/1340482)
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