Restorer and Machinist Mike Pistello and Keeping REALLY Old Cars Alive on the V8 Radio Podcast

Posted on by V8 Staff

When 1910 Meets 2026: Racing Internals in Brass Era Beasts! 🏁📜

The latest V8 Radio Podcast is LIVE! Kevin and Q-Ball are joined by the master of the “unobtainium,” Mike Pestello from Coachcraft and Precision Services. If you think restoring a muscle car is tough, try building parts for a 1907 Packard from a single photograph! 🤯

Mike takes us deep into the world of Brass Era restoration, where 100-year-old engines get treated to modern 4340 billet cranks, racing pistons, and serious compression bumps. We’re talking about pre-WWI cars completing 4,000-mile endurance runs without a support vehicle!

In this episode, we cover:

🔧 Reverse Engineering History: How 3D scanning and printing are saving cars built before the Titanic sank.
🏎️ The “Sleeper” Century: Hiding modern racing engine technology inside 120-year-old engine blocks.
🧟 The Zinc Pest Nightmare: Why “New Old Stock” might actually mean “crumbles in your hand.”
📉 Dyno-ing the Ancients: Building a custom dyno because modern ones can’t handle engines that max out at 2,000 RPM!
🏆 PRI Show Recap: Highlights from the Performance Racing Industry show and the emotional Hall of Fame inductions.

😂 Funny Moment: Don’t miss the trivia segment where Kevin and Mike Pestello accidentally share a brain cell! They both gave the exact same answer to two completely different trivia questions. Great minds think alike… or maybe they’ve just been around too many exhaust fumes? 💨🤔

Listen now and subscribe!

#V8Radio #ClassicCars #BrassEra #Restoration #Fabrication #Machining #PRI2024 #CarTrivia #AutomotiveHistory #MuscleCars #Podcast

V8 Radio Podcast

Restorer and Machinist Mike Pistello and Keeping REALLY Old Cars Alive on the V8 Radio Podcast

00:00 / 1:19:29

Drool Ponds and Ram Air Dreams: V8 Radio’s MCACN 2025 Recap with Starlight Black GTOs and Hemi Convertible Madness!

Posted on by V8 Staff

Dig the latest V8 Radio Podcast – Kevin and Mike recap the muscle car magic from the 2025 Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals, share trivia triumphs, and geek out over rare rides like that drool-worthy Starlight Black GTO!

🔥 Topics we revved through:

MCACN extravaganza: 640 cars, Hemi B-body convertible invasion, Z16 Chevelle showcase & the epic red carpet display!
1967 Pontiac GTO Ram Air unveil – black beauty with buckets, 4-speed & rare pedigree
Overhead Cam Six Pontiacs, Maple Leaf Muscle from Canada & survivor stories like the 256K-mile ’66 Shelby GT350H
Personal picks: Kevin’s Bamboo Cream ’70 Buick GS 455 4-Speed Convertible (Dave McClelland’s ride!) & Mike’s Sprint Six LeMans convertible

😂 Funny moment: Mike’s epic drool over the Starlight Black GTO leads to Kevin joking about installing a “Cue Ball’s Drool Pond” with gondola rides at the convention center! 💦🚣‍♂️

Companies Mentioned:

Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals (MCACN): https://www.mcacn.com
V8 Speed & Resto Shop: https://v8speedshop.com

#V8Radio #MCACN #MuscleCars

V8 Radio Podcast: https://www.v8radio.com

V8 Radio Podcast

Drool Ponds and Ram Air Dreams: V8 Radio's MCACN 2025 Recap with Starlight Black GTOs and Hemi Convertible Madness!

00:00 / 1:27:26

2025 SEMA Show Recap, Q’s GTO Updates, Automotive Trivia, and Much More on the V8 Radio Podcast!

Posted on by V8 Staff

On the latest V8 Radio Podcast – Kevin’s hopped up on cold meds so he’s a bit goofy, but the mellifluous vibes are STRONG! We dive deep into SEMA Show 2025, automotive trivia, Q-Ball’s GTO block resurrection, and a LOT more! Listen and subscribe! #V8Radio #SEMAShow #MuscleCars

🔥 Topics & Tangents:

SEMA Show recap: New dealers, 2334 display vehicles, the Smokey Yunick Camaro, thousands of new products & the epic SEMA Cruise chaos!
1969 Corvette build spotlight with Coker Tire’s hot new redline/raised white letter Pro-Trac radials
GTO 400 block teardown: Cracked, but not dead! Dyno dreams ahead!

😂 And: Kevin apologizes on-mic for blocking media cams at the SEMA Cruise: “Sorry, I was the guy with the big bucket of brains!” 🤯

V8 Radio Podcast: https://www.v8radio.com

V8 Radio Podcast

2025 SEMA Show Recap, Q's GTO Updates, Automotive Trivia, and Much More on the V8 Radio Podcast!

00:00 / 1:23:33

From Illegal Nash Ambassadors to SEMA Prep, it’s V8 Radio’s Latest Automotive Adventure!

Posted on by V8 Staff

Tune in to the latest episode of the V8 Radio Podcast with hosts Kevin Oeste and Mike “Q-Ball” Clarke – it’s an “illuminating” ride full of classic car chat, trivia, and shop stories. Whether you’re wrenching on your ride or just dreaming about it, this one’s a must-listen!

In This V8 Radio Podcast Episode:

Automotive trivia bombs: Why was the 1957 Nash Ambassador illegal in 11 states? And what’s unique about 1968-1970 Firebird window stickers?
Behind-the-scenes at V8 Speed & Resto Shop: From building a stunning ’66 Chevelle SS (aka “Tropical Freeze”) to the latest engine carnage update on Q’s GTO.
Fun shop tales: Impromptu car club tours, student success stories, and prepping for the 2025 SEMA show.

Funny moment:

Kevin’s deadpan rage-baiting about “LS-swapping” everything – even though he secretly knows it’s sometimes the smart move. 😂 Don’t miss Q’s reaction!

Listen now on your favorite podcast app, subscribe for more, and share with your car buddies. What’s your wildest engine fail story? Drop it in the comments! #V8Radio #ClassicCars #MuscleCars #Podcast

https://www.v8radio.com

V8 Radio Podcast

From Illegal Nash Ambassadors to SEMA Prep, it's V8 Radio's Latest Automotive Adventure!

00:00 / 1:23:23

Failure Is An Option? What happened to Mike’s GTO, The Triple Crown of Rodding, COMP Cams Camaro, Trivia, and more on the V8 Radio Podcast!

Posted on by V8 Staff

On this episode of V8 Radio, hosts Kevin Oeste and Mike Clarke talk about their experiences at the Triple Crown of Rodding event, including a charity concert by the Lieutenant Dan Band and the display of the COMP Cams Camaro. They also dive into their personal car projects, from Mike’s GTO engine woes to Kevin’s ongoing work on his Ford Galaxie. Of course, there’s the Automotive Trivia questions and a bunch of laughs along the way on the latest episode of the V8 Radio Podcast!

Tune In To Hear:

V8 Radio Introduction & Trivia Question (00:00 – 07:11) – Kevin Oeste and Mike Clarke, the hosts of V8 Radio, introduce the show, touch on the unseasonably hot weather, and pose two trivia questions.
Triple Crown of Rodding Event Recap (07:11 – 29:32) – The hosts discuss the third annual Triple Crown of Rodding event, a two-day show that featured close to 170 vendors and raised around $77,000 for the Gary Sinise Foundation. Listen closely to learn Q-Ball’s new nickname!
The COMP Cams Camaro was on display, which was a “happy accident” because the owner had brought the car to the shop to fix an issue where the battery was dying. They also talk about a new V8 Speed and Resto Shop customer who took a ride in the Camaro to experience what her future car could be like.
Personal Car Project Updates (29:32 – 58:56) – Mike gives an update on his award-winning Pontiac GTO, which has suffered a major engine failure. He discovered a dropped valve, and the engine is locked up. Kevin talks about his Ford Galaxie and the progress he has made with its power steering system and sound system. He also discusses using an AI tool to create enhanced images of cars for the V8 Speed and Resto Shop website.
Trivia Answers (58:56 – 01:13:30) – The hosts reveal the answers to the trivia questions.

Click To Listen and Subscribe!

https://www.v8radio.com

#V8Radio #ClassicCars #MuscleCars #HotRods #CarRestoration #AutoRepair #CarShow #AutomotivePodcast #DodgeLaFemme #PontiacGTO #FordGalaxie #TripleCrownOfRodding #V8SpeedandRestoShop

V8 Radio Podcast

Failure Is An Option? What happened to Mike's GTO, The Triple Crown of Rodding, COMP Cams Camaro, Trivia, and more on the V8 Radio Podcast!

00:00 / 1:18:14

Navigating Challenges & Building Success in the Hot Rod Industry with Rick Love | Hammer Down Podcast

Posted on by V8 Staff

This episode of Hammer Down hosted by Kevin Oeste features insights on navigating tricky times with special guest SEMA and SEMA HRIA Hall Of Famer Rick Love of Vintage Air! Tune in as they:

Chat about maintaining focus and positivity during challenging times from tariffs, political turmoil, pandemics, and other challenges.
Share insights and tips for Hot Rod business owners to build lasting relationships with builders, suppliers, and services to be more successful.
Discuss product development and what goes into market research and developing new ideas.
Provide insights on online vs. in-person product sales and relationships.
Share tips on building and keeping a top-quality team doing high quality work.
Talk about the future of the Hot Rod Industry, trends in Hot Rodding, and the health of the Hot Rod scene!

… And share some laughs and great stories along the way!

Whether you’re a seasoned gearhead or just starting your professional Hot Rod journey, Hammer Down delivers informative and entertaining discussion that celebrates the passion, ingenuity, and enduring legacy of the Hot Rod community and how the SEMA HRIA aims to help Hot Rod businesses succeed.

https://www.sema.org

https://www.sema.org/hria

#hria #podcast #sema #hotrod #hotrodindustry #carpodcast #semapodcast #hammerdown

Trophy Tales, Tire Tech, and Timeless Rides V8 Radio Podcast

Posted on by V8 Staff

Mike’s Award Winning GTO, Automotive Trivia, V8 Speed and Resto Shop Wins, and Much More on the V8 Radio Podcast!

Join hosts Kevin Oeste and Mike “Q-Ball” Clarke for an award-winning episode of the V8 Radio Podcast, recorded live from Kevin’s personal garage! This episode is packed with automotive enthusiasm, car show triumphs, shop updates, and intriguing trivia that will keep gearheads glued to their speakers. Mike shares the thrill of winning a trophy for his 1967 GTO at the Chicagoland Motor Expo, while the duo dives into the nuances of car show judging, the evolution of tire technology, and the V8 Speed & Resto Shop’s latest projects. From a heartwarming Buick Regal surprise to a rare 1969 Charger restoration, this episode celebrates the passion and stories behind classic cars. Plus, stick around for the reveal of their automotive trivia answers that spark lively debates!

Our Fearless Hosts Cover:

Mike’s 1967 GTO wins a trophy at the Chicagoland Motor Expo, with insights into car show judging and the “boomer board” phenomenon.
Discussion on the differences between bias-ply and radial tires, highlighting their impact on driving experience.
V8 Speed & Resto Shop updates: 14 cars completed this quarter, a 43% repeat customer rate, and standout projects like a 1977 Buick Regal SR surprise and a 1969 Dodge Charger restoration.
Heartwarming story of a Buick Regal unveiled at a grocery store’s 30th anniversary, showcasing the emotional impact of classic car restorations.
Automotive trivia questions about the fastest speeding ticket and the first American car with clear coat paint, with surprising answers revealed.
Tease of a potential acquisition: a 1970 Buick GS convertible with a storied history tied to Dave McClelland.

https://www.v8speedshop.com

https://www.v8radio.com

#V8Radio #ClassicCars #MuscleCars #CarShow #GTO #BuickRegal #DodgeCharger #CarRestoration #V8SpeedShop #AutomotivePodcast #CarTrivia #ClassicCarCommunity #Gearhead #AutoEnthusiast

Subscribe today and never miss an episode of the V8 Radio Podcast!

V8 Radio Podcast

Trophy Tales, Tire Tech, and Timeless Rides V8 Radio Podcast

00:00 / 1:17:44

Springtime Events, Fantasy 4 Wheelers, Your Car Legacy, Automotive Trivia and More on the V8 Radio Podcast

Posted on by V8 Staff

Let’s get summer on the road!

Join hosts Kevin Oeste and guest Mike “Q-Ball” Clarke on this episode of the V8 Radio Podcast as they dive into the excitement of the upcoming Street Machine Nationals event, chat about your car’s legacy, design a fantasy desert cruiser, share riveting automotive trivia, and have a few laughs along the way. Tune in for an engaging mix of car talk and fun—don’t forget to listen and subscribe today!

https://www.v8radio.com

https://www.v8speedshop.com

#V8RadioPodcast #StreetMachineNationals #CarTalk #AutomotiveTrivia

V8 Radio Podcast

Springtime Events, Fantasy 4 Wheelers, Your Car Legacy, Automotive Trivia and More on the V8 Radio Podcast

00:00 / 1:14:43

Playing Fetch With Your Inner Labrador, LED Headlights, Simple Fixes, & Car Trivia on the V8 Radio Podcast!

Posted on by V8 Staff

Mike “Q-Ball” Clarke and Kevin Oeste chat about how you can find far more enjoyment and success when working on your car – or any other part of life – by channeling your “inner labrador” and keeping a positive frame of mind and focusing on the outcome. You control your thoughts, thoughts control feelings. We’ll explain. Also, hang around for Q’s LED headlight upgrade on the ’67 Pontiac GTO and Kevin’s triumph over silent horns on the ’62 Ford Galaxie, Automotive Trivia, and much more on the V8 Radio Podcast!

#carpodcast #v8radio #postiveoutlook

https://www.v8radio.com

https://www.v8speedshop.com

V8 Radio Podcast

Playing Fetch With Your Inner Labrador, LED Headlights, Simple Fixes, & Car Trivia on the V8 Radio Podcast!

00:00 / 1:25:18

Muscle Car Restoration Updates, Automotive Trivia, and More on the V8 Radio Podcast!

Posted on by V8 Staff

The V8 Radio Podcast is your perfect garage or road trip companion!

Hang out with Kevin Oeste and Mike “Q-Ball” Clarke with Muscle Car project updates from the V8 Speed and Resto Shop, insights on overthinking your project, muscle car videos, automotive trivia, and much more on the latest V8 Radio Podcast! #carpodcast #automotivepodcast #v8radio #musclecarpodcast

1973 Duster Photos and Video:

https://v8speedshop.com/73Duster

https://www.v8radio.com

V8 Radio Podcast

Muscle Car Restoration Updates, Automotive Trivia, and More on the V8 Radio Podcast!

00:00 / 1:07:28

TO CONNECT PEOPLE TO THE BEST TIMES OF THEIR LIVES THROUGH THINGS WITH WHEELS

Category: Podcasts

Featured Companies & Links

V8 Radio Podcast: https://www.v8radio.com

🔥 Topics & Tangents:

V8 Radio Podcast: https://www.v8radio.com

In This V8 Radio Podcast Episode:

Funny moment:

Tune In To Hear:

Click To Listen and Subscribe!

Mike’s Award Winning GTO, Automotive Trivia, V8 Speed and Resto Shop Wins, and Much More on the V8 Radio Podcast!

Our Fearless Hosts Cover:

Subscribe today and never miss an episode of the V8 Radio Podcast!

Let’s get summer on the road!

The V8 Radio Podcast is your perfect garage or road trip companion!