Connect with Brad Miles:
https://www.facebook.com/milesphoto
About American Sign Language:
https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/american-sign-language
Show information:
How to contact and connect with JP Emerson
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Twitter: @The_jpemerson
email: jp@jpemerson.com
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Episode Transcription:
JP:
Welcome back to the JP. Emerson show. There are many ways to enjoy the automotive community whether it's cruising in your pride and joy or simply enjoying others.
Our Guest today has not only become a staple of the hobby but his unique talents lend himself to capture special moments like few others.
It is my pleasure to welcome Mr. Brad miles and his American Sign Language interpreter Mr. Mark Bayarsky. Welcome guys
Brad:
Thank you, thanks for having us.
JP:
It's a pleasure to have you. First Brad, I got to start with you obviously. Tell me a bit about yourself where you grew up and really how you got in the cars in the first place.
Brad:
Yeah definitely, so I live in Southern California, born in SoCal. I've just loved cars since I was four. Hot Wheels of course started that process so you know ditech cars etc. I had friends when I was in the sandbox growing up in Orange County, Riverside Southern California. I ended up just loving cars, model cars, building them, going to the car shows all my life pretty much etc. It's kind of like gas in a car I guess, it's just in my blood. I love the smell; it just gets my heart pumping. I guess I just love cars!
JP:
Was your family what we would consider a car type family or was it, you know like myself, your everyday type family where you know, you got what was affordable… a sensible family car or was it a little more fun back then?
Brad:
Well, my family I guess you could say, they really weren't car people you know? I think it's really thanks to neighbors who had a lot of cool cars, muscle cars of that era you know I grew up in that time frame and I got to see a lot of people working on them. My family was willing to take me to drag races, car shows, VW shows etc. My dad was the one who actually took me and he was really into the Volkswagen 63 bugs and my mom had a white with red interior. I just remember my mom buying a Vega, I think was just a ‘71 Vega they stuck with me and eventually as I got older, I just got more and more into it and the details related to them.
I think it just became a Fascination and it was great that me and my dad could share that. We would learn different codes related to building cars and models and colors and just really something I was into.
JP:
You know it's cool that you mentioned the smaller cars, those everyday cars, the Hot Wheels, the building the model car kits. I myself did the same thing I learned the basic principles of where parts went simply by building those model kits when I was a kid as well. You know we had the Snap Tight kits because we couldn't play with the glue and then of course as we got a little older, we did get the glue which probably wasn't a good idea!
Now when you were really young, not Hot Wheels age but let's say you got to driving age, was there a particular car or model that just really grabbed your attention?
Brad:
Yeah, for sure! Fortunately, I had some deaf friends who were into cars and we kind of talked it up. At the time super cars were popular and I really got into those. The super cars of that era.
I built model cars since the age of 6 so the old stores back then there are a lot of kids and I was constantly telling my mom I want this, I want that. It was kind of overload! I was building those model cars and I probably started with the glue about seven or eight. I could figure it out and read the instructions & I learned pretty much on my own so I just built my skills in that sense. Now the die cut Customs is pretty much what I'm involved in now.
Graphic designs with Adobe Photoshop etc., and you know I'm doing things like that so it's just become something I've done in my whole life but a specific car when I was young was the ‘Cuda! I like the look of the ‘Cuda, the Shark look so I think the ‘Cuda has always been an interest of mine.
JP:
Brad, you said back when you were building the model kits there was a lot that went into that. The decals, images, the glue, the paint etc. Those of us who were doing and building them back then, we weren't just happy with the way the manufacturer was producing them. We painted them and customize them and such. Is that something you got into as well and how did that affect what you're doing today?
Brad:
Yes, far as custom building I would buy an airbrush and I just really got into that process which ultimately won me a lot of awards relating to the best paint job and design. I guess I'm pretty OCD regarding details and just kind of always wanting to make it right and perfect!
I am detail-oriented so that was definitely something I did because my models had to be perfect! I wouldn't let there be any flaws in my models. If something happened, I'd start all over again! It's a lot of time but I just feel the end result is the most important thing.
JP:
I was going to get to this in a few minutes but I want to bring this question up. Help me understand… you are creating custom diecast cars now for individuals, is that right? Tell me a bit about that and help me understand.
Brad:
Sure. So, what I do is I design a template and I have a vinyl machine that I cut out the billboards, the top, carburetor linkage etc. All the details that you'd see on the actual car I can recreate the scale that makes everything look great! You know, the decals, the stickers, the stripes. I work with a team of people that do certain things and we put things together. For instance, if you see my Facebook page if you look at the pictures, they look like actual cars real engine compartments Interiors Etc!
JP:
And that's something that we could see on your Facebook page, correct?
Brad:
Yes, that's correct you can see most of those on there. I just want people to see the detail that goes into making these one-of-a-kinds.
JP:
I know I've seen these myself and I was intrigued. Is this something you do for fun or is this something that somebody can have done by you because I know people are going to look at your page and take a look and see what you're doing. Is that something you can do for them well?
I do have a full-time job at the California School for the Deaf but I am available during the summer for side work so it's kind of a hobby that way. There's no deadline attached to it and for me it's kind of therapy. I grab my coffee and I do my thing.
I also like doing photography of the Muscle car and Corvette Nationals. I also shoot at Carlisle Pennsylvania and other events. Strictly muscle cars so you can see much of that on our page as well. There's just a lot of things connected to that but I guess it really is a hobby but there's always possibilities and opportunities.
JP:
I think that people would love to have a car made that looks very similar to theirs and custom-built could be something that you could consider for car folks! How many times have you been to a hobby shop or toy store or an event and you see the generic car that looks close to yours? How cool would it be to have one that is exactly like yours? I mean what an opportunity to have someone like you make it exact. Those things are priceless to people!
Brad:
yes, I agree!
For me I like to order cars from YCID which is “your car in diecast” where I can get different styles and customize them to be yours. They’re not cheap but it will look like yours!
For example, someone sent me a diecast of their car asking me to add a vinyl top, some stripes and other details. They wanted me to match the colors in the engine accurately so it would be a 1 of 1!
JP:
Brad, I know our buddy Bob Ashton will here this and I know you love Mopar’s but you’re a muscle car guy through and through. You like the cars, you like the trucks, which I think is great. I love them all myself but if you had to pick one, and I know you're a ‘Cuda guy, but let's say one that's not a ‘Cuda… what would you pick?
Brad:
It would have to be a ‘69 Copo Camaro like a ZL1 or an L72. The iron 427, those are pretty much favorites of mine. I prefer the 4 speeds, just the faster top dog as I'm always into the top dog muscle cars! I host my own page called “Rare muscle cars” on Facebook which I talked about that being my favorite.
JP:
I know also one of the favorites of the year for you is MCACN, which is Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals, also known as the Super Bowl of car shows. Tell me why that show is so special to you.
I think it's because there's so many rare and desirable muscle cars there every year!
Brad:
It’s a trip worthwhile. I'm just really impressed with the show, it's very well planned out, it's not something I expected. The first time I got involved, which was 2014, it was something that I thought was worth me paying for and experiencing in person.
I was fortunate to get the VIP experience so that I can take great pictures and see what it was all about and I have to thank Bob and Scott from Rev muscle cars who are well-known and the industry.
Fortunately, my photos and work got noticed by some of these people who invited me back and made me part of the family. It's just a worthy and fantastic event!
JP:
Bob and the MCACN crew do a great job. Everything they do is first class and I can't say enough about that event. If you are a car person, you have to experience the muscle car and Corvette Nationals at least once. Put it on your bucket list you'll be glad you did!
Brad:
That's for sure! I'm always trying to get my friends and people they know to attend because there's nothing like it. I'm always trying to get that great group of people together for a group photo with that event!
JP:
let me ask you this, they're people that take photos and people that take pictures. Brad is a photographer as his pictures are outstanding! It's so difficult to take pictures at events and there's so many people walking around it's just a difficult environment to do this. Brad what is it that captures your attention at an event? Is it a color, is it a make or the model? Is it a personal taste? What is it that makes you say “I'm going to capture this one”?
Brad:
You know my rule is I would rather have cars with their hoods down not up. A lot of them are convertibles so they have to be closed and the reason I like a convertible closed is judges’ points. That's what they're looking at all so I like the tops closed on vehicles and the hoods closed so I wait until after hours when people are leaving. I like to have a say in the room.
I think a quiet environment is key but also learn how to use a tripod, shoot at a slow speed and it focuses more on the car color.
Yes, definitely the rarity also gets my attention as well. You can almost tell which are the rare cars just reading some of the information about the cars.
The more pictures the better and then selecting the best ones.
JP:
As a photographer, if someone came up as an amateur and they asked you what's the most important tip that would help me improve what would you share with them?
Brad:
I think it would be to learn how to use the manual setting that's the best speed. F-stop, the aperture and the white balance is also a must because shooting in doors is very challenging. With cars, you have to have the right color & right balance!
I would say that would be my top tip and you have to use your eye and your brain because sometimes you don't want the camera to control you want to control the camera to meet your expectations!
JP:
I know for a fact that shooting indoors is difficult I myself am not good at it. Outdoor at events, motion are good for me but take me indoors and I may as well just give you a night shot!
Brad:
Yes, a low-light lens would help! Shooting indoors and no flash! You know it's funny because indoor makes a car look like vitamin C orange then HDI orange so the white balance is definitely key you have to practice!
JP:
You know Brad, what’s funny to me is you have so many talents between the die-cast and the customizing and photography but you're also into the codes on the cars knowing how to decipher them, what it means, the year, the color etc. You're starting to become like my friend Mark Worman of Graveyard Carz where you can just rattle information off! Have you ever thought about putting that information together and compiling that information? I know there's people that would love to have that information at their fingertips!
Brad:
Yeah, I enjoy doing that part it's like crossword puzzle and to me it works your mind and keeps you sharp so when it comes to codes yeah there's so many!
JP:
Brad, would you prefer an original example of a car or let's call it a day 2 car?
Brad:
I kind of like both! I like Yenko, the Baldwin motion cars, the Mr. Norms. I do really like the real day two type cars, the old school paint jobs that just really catches my eye. It just inspires me and takes me back to the 70s. I guess I like the 70 styles if I could pinpoint it. All that customizing is a little overkill today but I would say yeah maybe the day 2 examples.
JP:
I think when you look at the muscle cars from that era a lot of day two changes were made and that was the norm. You look at today's examples of the muscle car and of course they're completely different. They are electronic, they have fuel injection, for the most part the blow the doors off the originals. What do you think of today's examples and if we dropped a bunch of money down in front of you, which one would you go out and buy today?
Brad:
I’d buy a Challenger red eye or a 2018 Demon! I like the new Challenger myself with a supercharger and I like the Hellcat right now too. I’m currently working on a drag pack diecast because I do like them so much, I think to answer your question, every day driving… yes for sure I definitely would want to drive one of those cars!
Fortunately, I'm only 2 miles away from where I work at the California School for the Deaf so the commute would be pretty fast.
JP:
Brad let me hit you with a couple of Rapid questions whatever comes to mind so we can learn a bit more about you
JP:
Who would you like to meet?
Brad:
I did want to meet David from Graveyard Carz and I did get a chance to meet him. Of course, Bob Ashton well-known in the muscle car community who of course I do know now and is a good friend.
I think that's a good question I pretty much have been able to meet a lot of people I wanted to meet already so I am fortunate.
JP:
If somebody narrated at your life who would that person be?
Brad:
My wife Tamara! She knows me very well so I would have to say my wife! She's a very humble person, witty, sarcastic and she knows everything about me so I think that would be a perfect fit!
JP:
If you were superhero what would your superhero name be?
Brad:
Wow, I don't know! I kind of like my name last name, Miles so I guess I don't know maybe just Miles would be a cool superhero name because it kind of sounds or has something to do with cars so yeah let's go with Miles!
JP:
What was the last thing that you Googled?
Brad:
I'm sure it had something to do with photography or cameras or something like that.
JP:
If I were to ask your family to tell me new story about you, what story are they likely to share with me?
Brad:
Well yes, my family knows me pretty well. When I was younger, I was pretty mischievous when I was in elementary school I got in trouble at school and I was grounded for the day and had to stay with the assistant principal. Back then, you know I had issues just being a kid. One day my old teacher happened to be visiting my current school and happened to walk into the office and see that I was in trouble again at my new school!
JP:
Are you a planner or a go-with-the-flow type person?
Brad:
I think I might go with the flow for the most part. I mean I do plan certain things because you have to when it comes to detail, remember I'm detail-oriented! I think you have to plan some time but I think by and large I'm a go-with-the-flow type person.
JP:
I asked this question quite often on the show it's always interesting to hear people's answers. Brad if they were to make a movie of your life who would play you and what would the title of the movie be?
Brad:
WOW! that's a hard one! I don't know “life of Brad” would be pretty simple and I course I would pick a deaf person to play me because I'm a deaf. Maybe someone with my similar characteristics so Ryan Lane, who's a friend of mine and was on the show Switched at Birth. Yeah, I would go with Ryan.
JP:
I know also that you like to cook. What food that you haven't had before would you like to try?
Brad:
I guess I would say duck with orange sauce. I'm kind of curious to try something different but I like the staples like lasagna and spaghetti. I can usually do that without messing it up and I enjoy it.
JP:
If you can go back in time and take a road trip. who would go with and what car would you drive?
Brad:
WOW! Another tough one! My friend Jake has a ‘71 Cuda so I would take a road trip with Jake in his cool ‘Cuda!
JP:
You heard him Jake, hook the man up take him on a road trip in that ‘Cuda!
A note from the host, JP Emerson:
As you are listening to this, we're doing the show utilizing ASL which is American Sign Language. A fantastic tool to communicate.
Our community not just muscle cars, collector cars, auto sports and more but we have the love for the automobile. We're all a part of an inclusive community and I can't emphasize enough, we need ASL American Sign Language so that we can communicate openly and honestly with everyone. It's the people that makes this community so great.
I want to certainly thank Brad and is interpreter for the opportunity to both meet and speak with him. Brad can be reached on socials & the web and I encourage others to get to know Brad, his amazing work and all the great things he does to contribute to our community.
Brad:
Thank you, J P! You can find me, on the page I created which is Rare muscle cars on Facebook or if you type Brad Miles, you'll see me and my cap and glasses that's usually the easiest way.
I really appreciate you allowing me to tell my story and your time. It really touched me that you were interested in doing so.
JP:
Brad it's certainly my pleasure! Again, I want to thank you Mark, with assisting me interpreting on this show so that we can have this conversation.
We can learn so much from so many people and it's been a pleasure having both of you gentlemen taking your time to allow me to bring others your story. We look forward to seeing you at the Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals and I thank you both very much for joining us.
Brad:
Thank you, J P, the pleasure was mine.
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