Carstories by The Petersen Automotive Museum

Latest Episodes:

Jeff Zwart - Storyteller, Photographer, Rally Driver, Pikes Peak Legend Nov 16, 2025

Show notes

This week on CarStories, we sit down with friend of the museum Jeff Zwart. Jeff Zwart is an award-winning filmmaker, photographer, and celebrated motorsport competitor best known for his iconic Pikes Peak victories and decades of storytelling for Porsche. A lifelong enthusiast with a career that spans commercial directing, rally racing, and automotive publishing, Zwart brings a uniquely cinematic lens to car culture—both behind the wheel and behind the camera.

We talk about how motorsport was the lure ignited his passion, how Road and Track became his home, taking home a Countach at the age of 23 for work and a whole lot more!

#JeffZwart, #PikesPeak, #CarStoriesPodcast, #PorscheCulture, #RallyRacing, #AutomotiveLegends, #MotorsportHistory, #PorscheLife, #DrivingPassion, #CarCulture

Follow his adventures @Zwart on Instagram.

Autumn Nyiri & Kristin Feay - An introduction to our new exhibit - Performance & Prestige: A History of Aston Martin Nov 12, 2025

Show notes

This week on Car Stories, Bea sits down with the brilliant curation team behind the Petersen’s latest exhibit — Aston Martin: Performance & Prestige — a celebration of over a century of craftsmanship, innovation, and speed.

From silver screen legends to Le Mans victories, the team shares how they brought Aston Martin’s story to life — diving into the art of curation, the emotional journey they want visitors to experience, and the brand’s unmistakable blend of design, culture, and motorsport heritage.

#AstonMartin, #CarStories, #PetersenMuseum, #PerformanceAndPrestige, #DesignExcellence, #BritishIcons, #CarCulture, #MotorsportHeritage, #LuxuryAndSpeed, #AutomotiveArt

Larry Chen - Part 2 - World-renowned Car Culture Photographer Nov 03, 2025

Show notes

Part 2 - This week on Car Stories, we sit down with friend of the museum Larry Chen. In part two of a two-part episode we explore how Larry met Ken Block, the partnership he has with Canon and what's coming up in the future.

#LarryChen #photographer #CarStories #PetersenAutomotiveMuseum #onlyatthepete

Larry Chen - Part 1 - World-renowned Car Culture Photographer Oct 27, 2025

Show notes

Part 1 - This week on Car Stories, we sit down with friend of the museum Larry Chen. In part one of a two-part episode we explore where it all started for Larry, career parallels between him and Jeff Zwart and what it takes to get the edge on his competition.

#LarryChen #photographer #CarStories #PetersenAutomotiveMuseum #onlyatthepete

Dan Pilling - Director of Marketing at the Petersen Oct 20, 2025

Show notes

This week Bea Ross interviews our own Director of Marketing at the Museum. Dan Pilling has always been a car guy. Dan grew up in the UK, and spent some of his most informative years - visiting manufactures and chasing internships. After nearly 20 years in tech, founding his own business he recently joined the Petersen.

We talk, Porsche, McLaren, VW to name as few as well as J-a-g-u-a-r.

Marek Reichman - Chief Creative Officer, Aston Martin Lagonda Oct 07, 2025

Show notes

This week on Car Stories, we sit down with Marek Reichman the Chief Creative Officer of Aston Martin Lagonda.

This season of the podcast, we’re highlighting the designers and creators behind some of the most iconic marques in the world. At the end of October, we will celebrate the opening of our newest exhibit: Performance and Prestige: A History of Aston Martin, presented in partnership with Aston Martin Lagonda.

Our guest is someone whose name is synonymous with Aston Martin design. Marek Reichman,

Chief Creative Officer of Aston Martin Lagonda, has shaped modern automotive design while honoring the brand’s deep heritage. From concept cars to production icons, his influence can be seen across the lineup and around the world.

J Ryan - Building Time Machines and Creating Good Vibes Sep 23, 2025

Show notes

This week on Car Stories, Bea and I catch up with J Ryan. J is a staple of LA Car Culture and a great guy to boot!

J was destined for a "career" in entertainment and soon found how to combine it with his love of cars. We talk about building DeLorean's with the founders of Back to the Future, creating a movement in The Good Vibes Breakfast Club and caring for his wide Nicole when diagnosed with MS.

If you want to follow J on socials go to: https://www.instagram.com/porschelife111/

Thanks for listening!

John Clinard - Over 50 years at Ford, working with Carroll Shelby, helping Ford to get into F1 and honeymooning at a race school! Sep 15, 2025

Show notes

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 Vehicles

And for the Mustang Experience:

American Icon: An Immersive Mustang Experience — Petersen Automotive Museum

Michael Simcoe - Over 40 Years at General Motors and what's next! Sep 08, 2025

Show notes

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.

Ken Okuyama - Designing the Enzo, Wedge Cars and learning to be a good driver at Porsche Sep 01, 2025

Show notes

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

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