automotive podcast - V8 Speed and Resto Shop

V8 Radio: Just Plugging Away – 1962 Ford Galaxie Returns, SEMA HRIA Insights & Automotive Trivia

Posted on by V8 Staff

Join hosts Kevin Oeste and Mike “Cue Ball” Clark for another fun, no-fluff episode of V8 Radio! Kevin recaps his spring shakedown of the 1962 Ford Galaxie with a full tune-up, clever fixes, and real-world lessons learned the hard way. Kevin shares the inside scoop from the SEMA Hot Rod Industry Alliance long-range planning meeting in Florida, plus stories from the Edison & Ford winter estates. The guys also drop two fresh automotive trivia questions to keep you guessing until the very end.

On This Episode:

Automotive trivia questions
Kevin’s 1962 Ford Galaxie season opener: tune-up, new MSD wires, NGK plugs, EGR cleaning, and throttle body mods
Real talk on parts ordering mistakes (wrong spark plug wires and O2 sensors) and re-homing strategies
Kevin’s recap of the SEMA Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) planning meeting, with a deep dive into HRIA programs: education days, builder roundtables, Hammer Down podcast, and feature vehicles
V8 Speed and Resto Shop updates, Mike’s Suburban transmission plans, and teaser for a future episode on disappointing famous cars
… and much more!

Links:

SEMA / HRIA: https://www.sema.org/hria
V8 Speed & Resto Shop: https://v8speedshop.com/
V8 Radio Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/V8RadioShow/

Like, subscribe, and share and don’t forget to comment on our socials. Thanks for tuning in!

V8 Radio Podcast

V8 Radio: Just Plugging Away – 1962 Ford Galaxie Returns, SEMA HRIA Insights & Automotive Trivia

00:00 / 1:14:15

Fake Parts, Real Problems: Manufacturers Fight Fake Hot Rod Parts on Hammer Down! The Official SEMA HRIA Podcast

Posted on by V8 Staff

Host Kevin Oeste sits down with Jeff Grantmeyer (Borgeson Steering) & Brian Downard (Lokar Performance) to expose the rising problem of counterfeit & knockoff hot rod parts flooding online retailers. From fake steering boxes & missing springs to warranty scams & safety risks – they share real stories, how they’re fighting back, and crucial tips to make sure you’re getting GENUINE hot rod parts and quality.

The conversation highlights challenges manufacturers face from fake products sold on platforms like eBay and Amazon, including:

Customers unknowingly buying inferior knockoffs that use stolen part numbers, photos, or “equivalent to” phrasing in listings to appear in searches.
Real-world examples of warranty fraud, such as missing components (e.g., return springs on e-brake cables, altered MSD boxes), swapped inferior parts for credit returns, and customers receiving help for non-genuine products.
Safety concerns with critical components like steering gears, throttle cables, and drive-by-wire systems, where cheap copies lack proper R&D, testing, and liability coverage.
Manufacturers share tactics they’ve adopted: requiring proof of purchase/photos for warranties, branding/laser-etching/date-coding parts, listing authorized dealers on websites, and reporting fraudulent listings to eBay/Amazon (though it’s often a “whack-a-mole” battle).
Tips for consumers and builders: Buy from authorized sources, compare photos/details to official product images, avoid deals that seem too good to be true, check for branded packaging/castings/engravings, and register warranties when possible.
Positive outlook: Both companies report strong sales, ongoing innovation to stay ahead, and recent policy changes (e.g., elimination of the de minimis exemption for low-value imports) that may help reduce cheap overseas knockoffs.
The episode emphasizes education, due diligence, and supporting American-made quality to protect brands, builders, and enthusiasts in the long-term health of the hot rod industry.

Subscribe today for more!

More about the SEMA Hot Rod Industry Alliance:

https://www.sema.com/hria

#HammerDownPodcast #SEMA #HRIA #HotRod #MuscleCar #CounterfeitParts #FakeParts #Lokar #Borgeson #MadeInUSA #HotRodIndustry #CarCulture

State of the Art Shenanigans: Trivia Twists, Shop Stories, and Muscle Car Updates on V8 Radio!

Posted on by V8 Staff

Hang on for another episode of the V8 Radio Podcast, where hosts Kevin Oeste and Mike “Q-Ball” Clarke crank up the fun from the heart of V8 Speed & Resto Shop. This episode dives into automotive trivia that’ll test your tire knowledge, shares heartwarming tales of loyal customers and multi-car builds, and geeks out on how AI is revolutionizing shop ops and engine tuning. From winter garage gratitude to dream car hunts and EGR valve epiphanies, it’s another fun ride packed with laughs, tips, and that unmistakable V8 vibe. Whether you’re wrenching on your own project or just daydreaming about spring cruises, this one’s got the spark to keep your cylinders firing!

Topics Covered:

Automotive Trivia Showdown
Winter Shop Vibes: Reflections on brutal Midwest cold, indoor car storage, and a 360° tour of in-progress builds like a ’66 Chevelle SS, ’79 Broncos, and multiple Trans Ams from repeat customers.
Customer Connections: Celebrating multi-car owners (up to three per client!), Firebird Fest shoutouts, and tips on scoping out rides like a ’71 Riviera or ’87 Fiero.
Dream Car Hunting: Partnering with Zach Straits’ Dream Car Connection for concierge car-finding services, plus stories of cross-country inspections with Hot Rod Magazine alums.
Industry Insider Scoop: Hosts’ roles in SEMA and the Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRA), including new member spotlights and the value of trade associations for hot rodders.
AI Revolution in the Garage: From custom shop software automating work orders to tuning EFI data logs, EGR valve deep dives, and brainstorming fuel-efficient mods on a ’62 Galaxie.
Personal Project Pit Stops: Mike’s GTO engine rebuild with Edelbrock upgrades, torque converter woes on a Suburban, and fluid-change hacks; Kevin’s O2 sensor saga and dyno dreams.
Engine Shop Spotlights: Excitement over YouTube mini-videos on honing, balancing, and more, with fan polls demanding even bigger engine content.
Shop Growth & Team Wins: Adding project managers and HR pros to handle 45+ cars, plus shoutouts to staff like Ethan Hahn for killer machining vids.

Companies Mentioned:

V8 Speed & Resto Shop – Premier classic car restoration specialists: https://www.v8speedshop.com
SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) – Automotive aftermarket trade org: sema.org
Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRA) – Advocacy for hot rod builders: hotrodindustryalliance.org (affiliated with SEMA)
Dream Car Connection – Concierge car-finding service by Zach Strates: dreamcarconnection.com
Edelbrock – Performance intakes and cylinder heads: edelbrock.com
Borgeson – Steering box experts: borgeson.com
MSD Performance – Ignition wires and components: holley.com/brands/msd
Grok (xAI) – AI tool for tuning and image gen: grok.x.ai

V8 Radio Podcast

State of the Art Shenanigans: Trivia Twists, Shop Stories, and Muscle Car Updates on V8 Radio!

00:00 / 1:19:08

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

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

Catching Up and New Cool Car Builds at the V8 Speed and Resto Shop, Automotive Trivia, and More on the V8 Radio Podcast!

Posted on by V8 Staff

Kevin Oeste and Mike “Q-Ball” Clarke cover the 2024 SEMA Show and Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals, and preview some cool new Black Label concept cars from the V8 Speed and Resto Shop! They pack a ton into this episode, including some new Automotive Trivia contest questions, so clear some space between your ears for the latest V8 Radio Podcast!

2024 SEMA Show Recap
2024 Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals
New Projects In The V8 Speed and Resto Shop
Automotive Trivia

https://www.v8speedshop.com/concepts

https://www.v8speedshop.com

#v8speedshop #customcars #carpodcast

Be sure to like and subscribe to the V8 Radio Podcast for more episodes!

V8 Radio Podcast

Catching Up and New Cool Car Builds at the V8 Speed and Resto Shop, Automotive Trivia, and More on the V8 Radio Podcast!

00:00 / 1:21:32

1962 Buick Electra Convertible Updates, Automotive Trivia, and More on the V8 Radio Podcast!

Posted on by V8 Staff

On this episode of the V8 Radio Podcast, Kevin Oeste and Mike “Q-Ball” Clarke are joined by Kevin’s childhood friend Paul as they chat about recent progress Paul has made to his yellow 1962 Buick Electra convertible. This is the car that David Freiburger and Rob Kinnan once owned back in the Car Craft Magazine days. Also, you’ll hear a dip into Kevin’s radio history, and of course there is Automotive trivia and a bunch of other laughs. Check out the latest at https://www.v8radio.com!

Paul’s Buick Pics:

https://v8speedshop.com/62Buick

#v8radio #podcast #carpodcast

V8 Radio Podcast

1962 Buick Electra Convertible Updates, Automotive Trivia, and More on the V8 Radio Podcast!

00:00 / 1:32:24

V8 Speed and Resto Shop Parts Guy Brian Wibbenmeyer Guest, Automotive Trivia, and More on the V8 Radio Podcast!

Posted on by V8 Staff

V8 Speed and Resto Shop Parts Manager Brian Wibbenmeyer joins Mike “Q-Ball” Clarke and Kevin Oeste on the latest V8 Radio Podcast! Brian and Q are the parts-finding powerhouse that keeps the V8 Speed and Resto Shop rolling, and although we’ve mentioned him on the show before, it was high time to have him as a guest. Brian has lots of great stories from car events, the G-Body life, and even brought some great Automotive Trivia! Get it all in this special episode of the V8 Radio Podcast!

http://www.v8radio.com

https://www.v8speedshop.com

#v8radio #v8speedshop

V8 Radio Podcast

V8 Speed and Resto Shop Parts Guy Brian Wibbenmeyer Guest, Automotive Trivia, and More on the V8 Radio Podcast!

00:00 / 1:31:28

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

Tag: automotive podcast

Topics Covered:

Companies Mentioned:

In This V8 Radio Podcast Episode:

Funny moment:

Tune In To Hear:

Click To Listen and Subscribe!

Let’s get summer on the road!