HOT ROD Pod: Where It All Began

Latest Episodes:

From a $350 Toolbox to a 7-Year Waitlist: How Tim Palazzolo Built GAP Industries Apr 10, 2026

Show notes

What started as a leap of faith in a home garage grew into one of the most sought-after muscle car shops, built on craftsmanship, persistence, and the right team. Tim Palazzolo joins the HOT ROD Pod to tell the story of how GAP Industries became a destination for some of the most incredible muscle car builds in the country. Read the full article here ➡️: https://www.hotrod.com/features/tim-palazzolo-gap-industries-custom-car-shop-origin

What Are Car Condos? Inside the Rise of Garage Ultimate’s Car Community Apr 02, 2026

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A lawyer-turned-developer creates a thriving car condo community where enthusiasts store cars, connect, and expand a fast-growing trend.

An Oil Engineer Tells All! The HOT ROD Podcast visits the Shell and Pennzoil Tech Center Mar 26, 2026

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Go inside the Shell & Pennzoil Technology Center as Pennzoil Technical Scientist Sean Nguyen breaks down the real science behind modern motor oil. From advanced chemistry and thermodynamics to cutting‑edge manufacturing techniques, Sean reveals how today’s oils help engines run cleaner, cooler, and longer than ever before.

Drag Week racer Alex Taylor joins as guest host, bringing her 200‑mph perspective on pushing lubricants to the limit. If you’ve ever wondered how engine oil is developed—or what makes top‑tier oil essential for high‑performance builds—this episode is a must‑watch.

Troy Trepanier on Building Award-Winning Customs and a 30-Year Career in Hot Rodding Mar 19, 2026

Show notes

Custom car legend Troy Trepanier discusses his journey, award-winning builds, and lasting passion for hot rodding on the HOT ROD Pod.

Whipple Superchargers: From Farm Truck Roots to Ford Racing Dominance | HOT ROD Pod Mar 17, 2026

Show notes

Dustin Whipple shares how Whipple Superchargers evolved from boosting 1988 Chevy farm trucks to becoming the go-to upgrade for 2003-2004 Terminator Cobras and Ford Cobra Jet drag racers. For the full story: https://www.hotrod.com/features/whipple-superchargers-history-2003-cobra-origins

Scott Sullivan on Pro Street Style, Street-Driven Customs, and a Lifetime of Hot Rod Building Mar 17, 2026

Show notes

Legendary custom car builder Scott Sullivan discusses his roots at the drag strip, his signature wide-tire street machines, and decades of craftsmanship in this episode of the HOT ROD Pod.

Read more: https://www.hotrod.com/features/scott-sullivan-pro-street-style-hot-rod-pod-interview

Danny Thompson & the Challenger II, the Fastest Piston-Powered Car in the World Sep 21, 2024

Show notes

Brian Lohnes & John McGann chat with American race car driver Danny Thompson! Danny talks about the Challenger II, the evolution of the streamliner, the impact of his father Mickey Thompson, bringing the Challenger II back to life, his 450mph Speed Week Record Run, the Ferguson car, and his goal of hitting 500 mph! NEXT, the guys chat with OpenRoad Auto Insurance Chief Revenue Officer Bryan Ballatore all about collector car, specialty vehicle & enthusiast vehicle insurance!
0:09 - About today's guest - Danny Thompson.
1:47 - Challenger II - Where It All Began!
4:06 - Evolution of the car, Streamliners.
6:22 - The impact of his father, Mickey Thompson.
7:47 - Challenger II, designed off of 1-to-1 scale drawing.
9:00 - Bonneville, 1968.
11:09 - Father & son.
12:42 - Bringing the Challenger II back to life.
15:00 - Wagon Wheel steering.
20:03 - Managing the crew.
23:10 - Father's leadership style.
27:30 - Bonneville, 2014.
31:18 - Preparation for a race.
34:04 - 450mph Speed Week Record Run.
38:43 - Cost & pressure.
41:54 - The Ferguson car.
45:03 - Bonneville Hat Club.
46:05 - How to go 500mph.
47:55 - Challenger sold & reclaimed.
53:15 - The last uncorrupted form of motorsports.
56:03 - 500mph piston driven car.
58:03 - Tenacity.
59:35 - OpenRoad Auto Insurance!

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Lucky Costa on Hot Rod Garage, his ’66 Chevelle, Roadkill, & ’67 Chevy C10 Mar 01, 2024

Show notes

NHRA's Brian Lohnes & HOT ROD Magazine's John McGann are back at Pomona Speedway for the final day of HOT ROD Power Tour West! Today, the guys sat down with Hot Rod Garage Host, Lucky Costa, to talk about Where It All Began, Overhaulin', his '66 Chevelle, the genesis of Hot Rod Garage, Roadkill, driving himself to jail, steering column failure, the best cars he's ever owned, his HRG Co-Host Alex Taylor, and more! 1:56 - Where It All Began! 5:42 - Self-taught. 8:08 - Early years of the business. 12:48 - Overhaulin'. 20:32 - Evolution of Lucky's '66 Chevelle. 30:51 - Hot Rod inspirations over the years. 32:17 - Genesis of Hot Rod Garage. 36:00 - Working with Tony Angelo. 37:10 - Roadkill / MSD Van. 40:36 - Being a passenger with Tony Angelo. 45:25 - "Did I just drive myself to jail!?" 47:41 - Steering column is out! 49:33 - On return from Del Mar... 51:25 - It's about the journey, not the destination. 53:05 - Lucky's '67 Chevy C10. 58:13 - What's next? 01:00:05 - On his HRG Co-Host Alex Taylor. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hollywood Hot Rods Owner Troy Ladd on the One-Day Hot Rod, his creative process, & HOT ROD Power Tour West! Feb 23, 2024

Show notes

NHRA's Brian Lohnes & HOT ROD Magazine's John McGann take the podcast to Pomona, California for Day 3 of HOT ROD Power Tour West 2023! The guys chat with Hollywood Hot Rods Owner, Troy Ladd, about where it all began, the "One-Day Hot Rod", how he built Hollywood Hot Rods, Road Thrash in 2008, his creative process, behind-the-scenes stories from the Gauntt Coupe & Mulholland Speedster builds, firing customers, working with other shops, working with clients, and HOT ROD Power Tour West! 0:07 - About today's guest - Troy Ladd. 0:53 - Welcome to Moviefone! 2:44 - Where it all began - the business plan. 7:39 - The One-Day Hot Rod! 11:50 - Rivets!? 16:04 - Genesis of Hollywood Hot Rods. 20:28 - Road Thrash, 2008. 22:49 - Scope of HHR's style. 27:09 - Troy's creative process. 29:14 - The Gauntt Coupe, '32 Roadster. 30:15 - The Mulholland Speedster. 35:22 - Behind the business. 36:41 - Firing customers. 38:15 - Friends & Frenemies. 42:18 - Timelessness of Model A's & Coupes. 45:44 - 3D Printing? 48:33 - Working with Clients. 55:23 - HOT ROD Power Tour West! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Steve Pazmany on Fully Torqued, the Aftermarket World, & HOT ROD Power Tour West! Feb 16, 2024

Show notes

NHRA's Brian Lohnes & HOT ROD Magazine's John McGann take the podcast to Irwindale Speedway for HOT ROD Power Tour West to chat with Steve Pazmany of Fully Torqued! Steve tells us where it all began for him, building up his Fully Torqued brand, the world of aftermarket, working with clients, Thermal Club, and what's next! 1:09 - Day One of HOT ROD Power Tour West @ Irwindale Speedway! 3:11 - Steve's mission with Fully Torqued. 6:06 - Where It All Began! 10:37 - Owning his own content & partnership with History Channel. 13:04 - Early mistakes. 15:08 - Bulletproof Truck! 17:23 - Custom builds. 19:00 - Building out the Fully Torqued brand. 21:12 - Restomods. 24:07 - Concerns for the HOT RODDING industry. 27:42 - Steve's collection. 30:28 - Pontiac GTO vs Ferrari. 32:18 - The next big project. 40:05 - Drawing inspiration from HRPTW. 42:55 - Working with clients. 47:31 - Thermal Club. 51:55 - Hot Lap(s). 55:09 - F1 Drive to Survive. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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