Past Gas by Donut Media
Donut Media brings you some of the craziest stories from all of automotive history in their new podcast "Past Gas!". Hosts James Pumphrey, Nolan Sykes and Joe Weber walk you through incredible stories behind your favorite cars and manufacturers, like underground Japanese racing clubs, bitter racing rivalries and how some of your favorite classic cars came to be. Remember, it's about cars, not about farts.We wanna make the podcast even better, help us learn how we can: https://bit.ly/2EcYbu4 For advertising opportunities please email PodcastPartnerships@Studio71us.com Privacy Policy: https://www.studio71.com/us/terms-and-conditions-use/#Privacy%20Policy
Past Gas #215: History of Mercedes Ep.4- AMG, the Present, and the Future
In its first two decades, AMG had brought racing and performance prestige to Mercedes. But in 1999, co-founder Hans-Werner Aufrecht was ready to sell a majority stake of AMG to Mercedes, effectively handing over control of the company. Today, on the final episode of Past Gas’s History of Mercedes: How did Aufrecht and co-founder Erhard Melcher form their tuning house? How did Mercedes make a triumphant return to racing? And how is Mercedes-Benz continuing to shape our world and the …
Past Gas #214: Mercedes Pt 3: WWII and the Dawn of the Gullwing
It’s 1952 and the world is still recovering from the brutality of WWII, including Mercedes. So how did Mercedes return to prominence just a decade after the war? How did Rudolph Uhlenahut create the world’s first supercar using only parts from the Mercedes parts bin? And how did he shape Mercedes into the brand we know today? Today on Past Gas, part three of four on our history of Mercedes.This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try …
Past Gas #213: Mercedes Pt 2: How Mercedes Became Mercedes
June 1926. An era of progress, rapid automotive adoption, and record-breaking feats spurred on by the rivalry between Benz and DMG had given way to a crisis. So how did a conniving aristocrat convince DMG to create the Mercedes brand? How did DMG and Benz usher in the era of the modern automobile? And how did these two competitors find themselves in a position where the only way to ensure their survival was to merge? Today on Past Gas, part …
Past Gas #212: Mercedes Pt 1 - The Gritty Beginnings of Daimler, Maybach, and Benz
New Years’ Eve, 1879. 35 year old Karl Benz and his wife Bertha are huddled around a small block of iron. Karl no doubt thinks about the decade’s worth of work and near-financial ruin contained in its small footprint. But even if he can finally get it to run smoothly, it’s only a first step. His end goal is to use it in a horseless carriage, with the hopes of changing the way people move. But how did Karl Benz, …
Past Gas #211: John Britten & the V1000: The Motorcycle That Inspired An Industry
New Zealand is known for having a small population. Many leave to find opportunity elsewhere, while others build a life in the place they were born. These people can become a big fish in a small pond or, if they’re lucky, an even bigger fish in the international pond. But is it possible to take a dip in both ponds? How do you make a name for yourself by staying in the same place? Where do you find the resources …
Past Gas #210: Nelson Piquet: The F1 Driver Who Feuded With Everybody
In 1986, the Williams Formula 1 team should have taken the World Championship, but their drivers Nelson Piquet and Nigel Mansell decided to turn on each other instead. But how did the son of a Brazilian doctor become one of the most controversial names in Formula 1 history? What was it that catapulted a young Nelson Piquet into the international spotlight so soon after his first-ever go-kart race? Was the bias against him legitimate, or was it the product of …
Past Gas #209: Dodge Charger Daytona: The Car That Was Too Fast for NASCAR
Talladega was a prime testing facility because it was the fastest circle track on the planet, and Chrysler was there to set a record. The day was overcast and cool as NASCAR legend Buddy Baker shifted into gear and pulled onto the track. It didn’t take long for the driver to smash the 200 mph record. What was this top secret car that Chrysler hired NASCAR royalty to test? How did they shatter open-wheel Indy Car records with a lowly …
Past Gas #208: Dan Wheldon: The Perfect Storm that Reformed Indycar
Dan Wheldon was a talented and charming driver who left an indelible mark on the world of motorsport. But how did this unflappable Englishman break through to IndyCar stardom? Why did he turn down the offer to race in Formula One? And how did his tragic death shape the future of IndyCar? Today on Past Gas, we explore the legacy of IndyCar champion, Dan Wheldon. Thanks to our sponsors: Go to https://SHOPIFY.COM/gas to take your business to the next level …
Past Gas #207: RWB’s Akira Nakai: Coke, Cigarettes, and Widebody Porsches
RWB is legendary to car enthusiasts world-wise. But how did a drift kid from Japan redefine the Porsche? How did some carbon fiber fenders take over the desires of gamers drooling over air-cooled 911s? How can a leather arm chair, a carton of smokes, and some Mexican Cokes get you one step closer to owning your own outlaw Porsche? Today on Past Gas, we dive into the origins of the most controversial Porsche tuner to ever get his hands on …
Past Gas #206: Robert E Peterson: The Most Interesting Car Guy in the World
June 11, 1994. It’s the opening night of The Petersen Automotive Museum, and Hollywood is out in full force. But it’s not the celebrities we usually think of - it’s the cars they drive. None of this would have been possible without the charity and automotive passion of the museum’s namesake: Robert E. Petersen. How did he turn his passion for hot rodding into the modern car show? How did he, without a formal education, turn an 8-page, 25 cent …