Automotive Industry Greats at 2019 Pebble Beach Concours

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It’s one of the greatest weeks of the year for those in the car hobby; it’s Monterey Car Week, and Alan is set up on the green of the 18th hole at Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Kicking off the show, President and CEO of Justice Brothers, Inc., Ed Justice, Jr., chats about the impact Jay Leno has had on the car hobby, The Quail and its $1,000 ticket prices, the Rolex Historic Races, and the amazing display at the Jet Center. Then, Hagerty Publisher & Director of Business Development, Doug Clark, and Director of Business Development Automotive Lifestyle, Brad Phillips, discuss Hagerty’s enrichment of the classic car ownership experience and the hobby in general. Also, Hagerty is more than just insurance these days, it’s a lifestyle brand with a variety of media designed to capture the passion of the automotive industry. Changing lanes, we check in with Chasing Classic Cars Host, Wayne Carini, and Coker Group President and COO, Wade Kawasaki, on the state of the classic car hobby, the new wave of younger people getting involved, the Baja Boot on display at Pebble Beach, and the upcoming season of Chasing Classic Cars. Up next, automotive internet sensation, Supercar Blondie, describes how she blew up internationally as an automotive reviewer on social media and meets Barrett-Jackson Chairman and CEO, Craig Jackson for the first time! Did you know Supercar Blondie has never been to Barrett-Jackson or SEMA!? Shifting gears, we discuss the important role Barrett-Jackson has played in making the car hobby a vibrant piece of American culture today, withMeguiar’s President, Barry Meguiar, and Craig Jackson. Then, Craig fills us in on Barrett-Jackson’s expanded focus on digital media and teaching a new generation of car enthusiasts. Next in the hot seat, Saleen, Inc. Founder, Steve Saleen, divulges as much as he can about his expanded operations in China, the Saleen S1, the discontinuation of the S7 series, and the Saleen Cup. Last up, Head of Global Design for FCA Group, Ralph Gilles, shares his experience judging closed coupes of the 1930s at Pebble Beach, his love for the Dodge Viper, and what it’s like to walk a mile in the shoes of the Head of Global Design for Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. Tune in for a jam-packed episode of Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance fun.

·[00:00:00] Jay Leno is a Boon to the Car Hobby
·[00:06:08] The Quail, Historic Races, Jet Center
·[00:12:30] Hagerty Enriches Classic Car Experience
·[00:19:51] Hagerty is More than Insurance
·[00:27:30] Coker Tire, Baja Boot, and Wayne Carini
·[00:35:53] Young Timers and Evolution of Car Hobby
·[00:42:13] Supercar Blondie’s Rise to Success
·[00:48:36] Craig Jackson and Supercar Blondie Meet
·[00:54:44] Barry Meguiar Praises Craig Jackson
·[01:02:05] Barrett-Jackson Launching More Digital
·[01:07:57] Steve Saleen at Pebble Beach Concours
·[01:18:07] Ralph Gilles Judges at Pebble Beach

[00:00:00] Jay Leno is a Boon to the Car Hobby

It’s a busy day on the Monterey Peninsula as we broadcast from the 18th green at Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. So busy, in fact, that Jay Leno is running back and forth like a madman! President and CEO of Justice Brothers, Inc., Ed Justice, Jr., emceed with Donald Osbourne at Carmel by the Sea Concours on the Avenue and comments on how Jay Leno has helped Donald, and many more in the industry, find their fame. Indeed, Jay Leno has been a boon to the car hobby as a whole by being a genuine car guy, and exceedingly famous. Are you a Jay Leno fan?

[00:06:08] The Quail, Historic Races, Jet Center

Monterey Car Week comes every year during mid August bringing with it a slew of car shows that are a paradise on Earth for anyone in the car hobby. We chat with President and CEO of Justice Brothers, Inc., Ed Justice, Jr., about The Quail’s $1,000 ticket prices and amazing displays, the historic Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion races, and the unbelievable display of jets, yes jet airplanes, at the Monterey Jet Center. Also, find out why Ed Justice, Jr. got recognized as an Automotive Legend this year.

[00:12:30] Hagerty Enriches Classic Car Experience

If you think print is dying, think again. Publisher & Director of Business Development, Doug Clark, explains that while many outlets are flocking to the internet and abandoning papered publications, Hagerty Magazine is still going strong. Hagerty has also been working hard to provide easy, sensible insurance for classic car collectors, enriching the hobby. Tune in to learn more!

[00:19:51] Hagerty is More than Insurance

Hagerty is on a mission to have six million members driving with them by 2025, to help save car culture and the love of driving. Hagerty Director of business development automotive lifestyle, Brad Phillips, couldn’t love his job more – he gets paid to be on a road trip nearly 320 days out of the year! Find out how Brad is spreading the good word of car culture and what has impressed him at Pebble Beach so far.

[00:27:30] Coker Tire, Baja Boot, and Wayne Carini

If you know classic cars, you know Coker Tires. Chasing Classic Cars Host, Wayne Carini, says the first call he makes when he gets a new car is for a new set of Coker Tire black wall tires. Coker Group CEO, Wade Kawasaki, fills us in on some changes within Coker Group and details the wide range of tires and colors they have available. Changing gears, we discuss some of the awesome cars on display at Pebble Beach Concours, like the stunning Baja Boot. Tune in for more from Pebble Beach.

[00:35:53] Young Timers and Evolution of Car Hobby

The car hobby has been in a constant state of evolution since it first came about – from the first time someone tied an engine to a carriage and made it go. Chasing Classic Cars Host, Wayne Carini, and CEO of Coker Group, Wade Kawasaki, discuss what they see coming in the future for the industry and share what they’re most interested in. Tune in to learn more from the 18th green at Pebble Beach Concours.

[00:42:13] Supercar Blondie’s Rise to Success

Traveling the world, test driving awesome supercars, and making a living doing it – that’s the ultimate car hobby dream. Internet personality, Alexandra Mary Hirschi, also known as Supercar Blondie, is living the sweet life as she gets to do just that and broadcast it to fans over Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. Listen in as Supercar Blondie describes her sudden rise to success and fame and why she’s in love with the new Lotus Eviya.

[00:48:36] Craig Jackson and Supercar Blondie Meet

Supercar Blondie has never been to Barrett-Jackson or SEMA?! Well we’re just going to have to fix that, and the perfect person for the job is Barrett-Jackson Chairman and CEO, Craig Jackson. Craig and Alan describe the amazing events to Internet personality, Alexandra Mary Hirschi (aka Supercar Blondie), and convince her to head to the next Barrett-Jackson in Scottsdale, Arizona. Also find out what Supercar Blondie’s absolute favorite car in the world is.

[00:54:44] Barry Meguiar Praises Craig Jackson

When you have a ton of respect for a guy it really shows, and Meguiar’s President, Barry Meguiar, is here to show off his appreciation for Barrett-Jackson Chairman and CEO, Craig Jackson. For those that don’t know, after Craig’s brother passed away 25 years ago, he had a vision for the company that brought it to where it is today. Craig’s visionary leadership has changed the classic car auction and, car hobby worlds for the better. Tune in to find out more about why Barry has such immense respect for Craig Jackson.

[01:02:05] Barrett-Jackson Launching More Digital

Barrett-Jackson isn’t just a car show and auction company, they’re also generating content to help educate people about the car hobby and its changing trends. We discuss the effect Barrett-Jackson and CEO, Craig Jackson, have had on the automotive hobby. Also, we get a preview of things to come for Barrett-Jackson. Tune in for more.

[01:07:57] Steve Saleen at Pebble Beach Concours

Among the beautiful entries at Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance is an American standard, the Saleen S7. The latest edition of this supercar has 1,500 HP, while only weighing 2,800 lbs – that’s a crazy power to weight ratio! Founder and CEO of Saleen Automotive, Steve Saleen, fills us in on what they’re doing with the S7 and it’s winding down production, and the new Saleen S1, their latest supercar. Tune in to learn more.

[01:18:07] Ralph Gilles Judges at Pebble Beach

What’s it like being the Head of Design for a company with as many brands under it’s umbrella as Fiat Chrysler Automobiles? Ralph Gilles joins us to tell us exactly that! From Maserati to Dodge, every day is a new challenge for Ralph, but he couldn’t love it more. Changing gears, we learn about Ralph’s stint as honorary judge at Pebble Beach Concours for Closed Coupes of the 1930s. Listen in to learn more.

Explore More with Helpful Links:

·Contributor: Ed Justice, Jr. | President/ CEO, Justice Brothers

·Special Guest: Doug Clark | Publisher & Director of Business Development, Hagerty

·Special Guest: Brad Phillips | Director of Business Development Automotive Lifestyle, Hagerty
·Special Guest: Wayne Carini | Host, Chasing Classic Cars
·Special Guest: Wade Kawasaki | President and COO, Coker Group
·Special Guest: Supercar Blondie | Automotive internet sensation/ Automotive reviewer
·Special Guest: Craig Jackson | Chairman and CEO, Barrett-Jackson

·Special Guest: Barry Meguiar | President, Meguiar’s
·Special Guest: Steve Saleen | Founder, Saleen, Inc.
·Special Guest: Ralph Gilles | Head of Global Design, FCA Group

·Website: Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance

Credits

Host: Alan Taylor
Producer: Dave Milligan
Audio Engineer: Dave Milligan
Copy Editor: Cody Castleberry
Contributor: Ed Justice, Jr.
Contributor: Barry Meguiar
Special Guest: Doug Clark
Special Guest: Brad Phillips
Special Guest: Wayne Carini
Special Guest: Wade Kawasaki
Special Guest: Supercar Blondie
Special Guest: Craig Jackson
Special Guest: Steve Saleen
Special Guest: Ralph Gilles

Our Sponsors & Supported Charities:

·Austin Hatcher Foundation

·Barrett-Jackson

·Brembo

·Bridgestone

·Dodge

·Foundation of Human Understanding

·Go RVing

·Patriot Outreach

·Shell

·Subaru

·The Little Rock Foundation

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This episode was produced by Entertainment Right Now (ERN). If you found value in this episode, and you’d like to hear more, please consider leaving us a review on iTunes and be sure to subscribe to our podcast so you don’t miss a beat. Your feedback helps us to reach more enthusiasts around the world! If you have a question you’d like us to answer, please leave a comment below or e-mail us at info@ernlive.com.

About THE DRIVE with Alan Taylor

THE DRIVE with Alan Taylor puts you in the driver’s seat for a unique, fast paced look at today’s automotive industry. This is your pedal-to-the-metal, two-hour thrill ride devoted to the latest car news and test-drive results, how-to tips, car maintenance tips, auto show coverage, expert insights and behind-the-scenes race day action. Don’t miss exclusive interviews with top auto executives, athletes, celebrities and prominent newsmakers from around the world.