The Avants Podcast

Extra Episode! Our Worst Car Mistakes and Some Winter Project Updates

This extra episode is all about our mistakes and of course our potential for more of them as we start our winter projects! Recently an R34 GTR made the rounds on Bring a Trailer, and after some sleuthing by the community it was determined to have quite the problem history of an extensive list of repairs that were undisclosed by the seller. This sparked the thought of what was our most expensive car mistake? Dan discusses a former 2011 C63 AMG and 1993 RX7 while Nick shares his toasty Subaru adventure. None of these were bad cars be design, but much like the R34 GTR, mods and a questionable history led to their demise. Worst of all, we probably could have avoided all of our problems! Tune in and share our pain.  

Rocking Out With Rick Dore

We partnered with our friends at LeMay - America’s Car Museum to do a live podcast with legendary designer Rick Dore. Rick is most famously responsible for being the man behind the collection of Metallica front man, James Hetfield, and his designs have made front pages and centerfolds for just about every automotive magazine in the industry. Tune in to learn all about his design process and be sure to check out the extensive gallery, courtesy of Jake Welk at LeMay.

The Incredible Collection of Larry Vollum

This week we got a chance to talk with collector and racer Larry Vollum. Avants Charter members have had the chance to see this collection first hand, but the stories are as cool as his collection! Larry Vollum has been collecting rare and unusual cars for decades. Larry’s fascination with importing vintage rally cars and his past racing experiences has provided him the opportunity to acquire some unicorns. His stories of acquisition are almost as cool as the cars themselves. He’s also probably our only guest who knows how to take the wheels off a 959, because he has one.

Rally With The Rimmers

This special episode was recorded live in front of almost 100 of our Avants Charter Members at the incredible Rimmer family warehouse! We welcome Steve, James, and Josie Rimmer to the show as we get to know the family behind DirtFish Rally School and their stories. Alternative working titles for this episode are "Whatever Josie Says" and "Josie Rimmer and her Dad and brother." 

The New Vintage of Vintage Underground

This week we talk to Joe Potter, founder of Vintage Underground in Eugene, OR all about the fine art of converting vintage Jaguar E-Types into modern, electric masterpieces. Vintage Underground may be based in Eugene, OR, but this is no mom and pop restoration shop. Vintage Underground is a cutting edge restoration shop that specializes in British and European cars and is now a pioneer in the electric conversion business. Tune in to hear all about them and their current work and the exciting work around the corner.

Going to Plaid with Steve Bortolotti

This week on the show we welcome Steve Bortolotti, General Manager of the IMSA winning team Pfaff Motorsports! You probably know the Pfaff livery even if you don’t follow IMSA racing since they have the best looking Porsche on the track in it’s clearly Canadian plaid wrap. Steve tells us all about the high and lows of racing, modding his Time Attack RX8, and a whole lot more. We can’t wait to see what Pfaff does in 2023 in the new 992!

Michelle Miller Can Teach You All the Right Racing Moves

Continuing our trend of long overdue interviews, this week we have Michelle Miller! When she’s not busy co-driving for Lucy Block at Hoonigan, Michelle is an instructor with our friends at DirtFish. Listen in to hear all about her exciting life in both the driver and passenger seat.

The Long Overdue Interview With Matt Bell of The Shop

In this interview that’s about 5 years overdue, we talk to Matt Bell, founder of The Shop Clubs. Matt talks about being able to “scratch all his creative itches” with The Shop Clubs, his expansion to Texas, motorcycle trips through Europe, and so much more! Matt is a true enthusiast who does a lot for the car community and a great partner for Avants that you should know. Be sure to check out The Shop at https://theshopclubs.com/.