Car Chat

• Masa Kuji | Built By Legends

  In this episode, I'm joined by Masa Kuji, co-founder of Built By Legends, the renowned Japanese restomod company that brings iconic cars like the Skyline GT-R and classic Honda Civics into the modern age. Masa shares the fascinating journey from producing English-dubbed versions of legendary Japanese car films like Best Motoring and Hot Version to creating bespoke, high-quality restorations with legendary Japanese tuning houses Mines and Spoon Sports. We dive into the meticulous details involved in transforming classic GT-Rs and Civics into reliable, exciting daily drivers that retain their authentic character while incorporating cutting-edge technology and performance enhancements. Masa offers insights into the unique challenges of restoring and improving beloved icons, the evolving market for these collectible cars, and the passion driving the Built By Legends ethos. https://builtbylegends.jp/en/ Enjoy Show Notes 00:00 The Evolution of the GTR Series 02:51 Journey into the Car Industry 06:00 Building Built by Legends 08:54 The Ethos Behind Restomodding 11:59 Collaborations with Legendary Tuners 14:51 Performance and Reinforcement of GTRs 18:02 The First Built by Legends GTR 20:57 Popularity and Market Trends of GTRs 24:00 Production Capacity and Restoration Services 26:45 Improving Original Designs 30:09 Customer Customization and Specifications 35:45 Driving Experience of Custom Cars 41:53 Customer Relationships and Build Process 49:08 Cost and Value of Builds 55:30 Restoration Process and Customization 01:00:57 Future of Car Builds and Personal Favorites Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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• Jonny Hart | Classic Retrofit

  Jonny Hart, founder of Classic Retrofit, joins the podcast to talk about modernising classic cars while preserving their charm. With a background in aerospace and electronics, Jonny has developed innovative plug-and-play solutions that improve reliability, from fuse panels to full climate control systems. We discuss the challenges of integrating modern tech into old-school vehicles, working with restomod pioneers like Singer, and the future of automotive electronics. Enjoy. https://www.classicretrofit.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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• Luca Betti | Kimera Automobili - Rallying, Lancia Restomods And Building A Pikes Peak Car

  Luca Betti, founder and CEO of Kimera Automobili, is a former professional rally driver who now specializes in creating exceptional restomod vehicles, reviving iconic rally legends through modern engineering and innovation. Luca discusses his early career in rallying, sharing pivotal experiences from competing internationally and his transition into entrepreneurship. He reveals the inspiration and meticulous development process behind Kimera Automobili’s acclaimed Evo 37 restomod, designed to honour the legendary rally car with contemporary performance. https://www.kimera-automobili.com Luca also shares details about Kimera's latest projects, including the four-wheel-drive Evo 38 and the ambitious K39 project aimed at Pikes Peak. He emphasises his team's commitment to authenticity, combining classic motorsport heritage with cutting-edge automotive technology to deliver thrilling driving experiences. Enjoy. Show Notes 00:00 The Journey of a Racing Driver 02:54 From Rally Driver to Entrepreneur 06:07 Memorable Moments in Rallying 09:08 Transitioning to Team Management 11:53 Creating the Kimera Evo 37 15:05 The Evolution of Classic Cars 17:55 Engineering the Perfect Performance 20:57 Balancing Tradition and Innovation 24:13 Driving Experience and Daily Usability 28:46 The Evolution of Car Dynamics 32:19 Introducing the Evo 38: A New Era 36:57 The K39 Project: A Return to Motorsport 40:14 Challenges and Triumphs in Car Manufacturing 47:26 Memorable Journeys and Dream Cars Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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• Riccardo Quaggio - Totem Automobili

  Riccardo Quaggio is the founder and creative force behind Totem Automobili. Riccardo shares his journey from being a designer at Alfa Romeo to launching a brand that builds fully re-engineered, handcrafted Alfa Romeo Giulia GT restomods with modern technology, custom-built engines, and obsessive attention to detail. https://totemautomobili.com/ We discuss how Totem began with an electric restomod before shifting focus to an ultra-lightweight twin-turbo V6 version, the challenges of designing an entire car—including a custom carbon fibre monocoque, a completely new suspension, and a bespoke engine—and why something as seemingly simple as designing a door can be harder than making an engine from scratch. Riccardo also explains the complexities of homologation, crash testing, European regulations, the trade-offs between petrol and EV, and the excruciating attention to comfort and drivability he desires in his builds. Show Notes: 00:00 The Golden Era of Car Design 02:01 From Designer to Entrepreneur: The Journey Begins 06:08 Reimagining the Alfa Romeo: The Restomod Concept 10:01 Building a Car from Scratch: The Engine Development 13:48 Navigating Regulations: Crash Testing and Compliance 20:02 Electric vs. Petrol: Understanding Customer Preferences 24:04 Challenges in Electric Vehicle Development 30:05 Balancing Comfort and Performance in Car Design 34:32 Developing Traction Control and Customization Options 38:00 Innovative Engine Design and Performance Goals 44:26 Challenges in Scaling Production and Supplier Relations 48:28 Future Developments and Customer Satisfaction 50:19 Memorable Driving Experiences and Personal Preferences 56:39 Dream Garage: A Blend of Classic and Modern Cars #AlfaRomeo #TotemAutomobili #CarChatPodcast #Restomod #AutomotiveDesign Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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• Daniel Morad | Factory AMG Driver, Twitch Streamer And Youtuber

  This week we are joined by Daniel Morad, professional racing driver and AMG factory driver, to dive into his journey from karting at eight years old to competing on the world’s biggest endurance racing stages. We talk about his early days in go-karting, the challenges of moving through the ranks, and the intense physical demands of racing – including how he bulked up his neck to survive 5G corners! https://moradness.com/ Daniel shares the highs and lows of his career, from winning championships and being a Red Bull Junior Driver to dealing with career setbacks, pivoting into sports car racing, and ultimately landing a factory role with Mercedes-AMG. We explore the business side of motorsport, the hustle behind finding sponsors, and how he revived his racing career after years away from the track. He also dives into his work with Moradness, his motorsport lifestyle brand, and how sim racing plays a role in his training today. Enjoy, Sam Show Notes: 00:00 The Reluctance Towards Data 00:24 Journey into Motorsport 03:54 The Dynamics of Karting 08:23 Understanding Karting Mechanics 10:08 Transitioning to Formula Cars 15:11 The Challenge of Increased Power 19:30 Navigating Competitive Racing 20:24 The Reality of Racing Politics 30:27 Endurance Racing Insights 32:03 The Journey to Sports Car Racing 34:26 Winning the Rolex 24: A Career Milestone 36:54 Overcoming Challenges and Building Confidence 42:33 The Importance of Networking and Sponsorships 48:50 Navigating the Financial Realities of Racing 56:25 Driving Techniques: Mastering the Cup Cars 01:01:04 The Role of Data in Racing Performance 01:11:30 Sim Racing: A New Frontier in Driver Development 01:13:11 The Evolution of Sim Racing Equipment 01:19:07 Driving Techniques and Sim Racing Dynamics 01:25:36 The Debate of Sim Racing Realism 01:31:17 Experiences in Real Racing 01:36:48 Memorable Driving Experiences and Car Preferences #CarChatPodcast #DanielMorad #AMG #EnduranceRacing #SimRacing #Moradness #Motorsport Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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