The Thing About Cars

Rant and Rave With Jack From Number 27!

TTAC welcomes Jack from the YouTube channel Number 27 to the table today! Ben's a huge fan of Number 27 so he has trouble restraining himself talking with one of his heroes, while Dave is titillated by Jack's accent. Jack tells us about how his channel has changed over time and grown to become a full-time job, and what a fun job! He gets to drive all kinds of cool and interesting cars as well as fettle his own projects. Mickey asks what makes a good episode and we learn how Jack not only makes his episodes interesting but also how he chooses his subjects. We all feel mutual envy for what cars can be had on each other's sides of the Atlantic. Jack knows all about Misty's favourite French sammiches and we commiserate on the idiocy of humans and the cars they choose. Tim's trivia question is educational as always, but Jack schools us even further on the subject! We welcome your support via Patreon and your questions and feedback via our website.

Scary Sights on the Road

In this episode, the TTAC crew shares some of the scariest things they've encountered while driving at night, including a large sheet of plywood that nearly crashed into Dave's car, a mysterious "factory from hell" that turned out to be the Dallas Cowboys stadium, and Ben's harrowing experience getting lost in a convoy of tanks in the Mojave Desert. The group also discusses the history of the Ford E-Series van and engages in some lighthearted banter. Listeners are encouraged to share their own spooky driving stories. Overall, it's an entertaining and slightly unnerving look at the unexpected hazards that can arise on the open road. We welcome your support via Patreon and your questions and feedback via our website.

Curating Car Culture: Inside the Peterson Automotive Museum with Autumn

Join hosts Mickey, Ben, Dave, and Tim as they chat with Autumn, Associate Curator at the Peterson Automotive Museum in Los Angeles. Discover what makes the Peterson one of the world’s most respected car museums, from its legendary lowrider exhibits to the hidden treasures in its vault. Autumn shares behind-the-scenes insights on how exhibits are chosen, the intersection of cars and culture, and why even non-car enthusiasts will find something to love. Plus, don’t miss the trivia showdown: Which car was briefly sold at Sears? Key Topics Discussed: The Peterson’s three-floor layout: history, industry, and artistry (including the famed lowrider exhibit). Behind the scenes: How exhibits are curated (spoiler: it’s not just about cars—it’s about storytelling). The Vault: A secret trove of 300+ cars, including presidential limos and race cars. Why cars are cultural artifacts: Autumn’s journey from anthropology to automotive curation. Funding the museum: Sponsorships, tire companies, and keeping corporate influence at bay. Trivia Time: Was it the Allstate, the Subaru 360, or the Nash Metropolitan sold at Sears? (Answer revealed in-episode!) Fun Moments: Dave’s obsession with driving gloves (and Ben’s hack for buying them cheap). The museum’s unexpected bestsellers: Peterson-branded socks (yes, really). Mickey’s dream of a Thing About Cars road trip to LA—with a Home Alone twist. We welcome your support via Patreon and your questions and feedback via our website.

Dawn's New Hyundai Santa Fe, AAA Woes, and Trivia Fails

In this lively episode of The Thing About Cars, the gang reunites with Dawn, who unveils her brand-new 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy. She shares her excitement about its retro design, dual sunroofs, Bose speakers, UV phone sanitizer, and even a hidden compartment perfect for valuables (or a shotgun, as the crew jokes). The conversation takes a hilarious turn as they discuss the car’s powerful seat coolers, earning comparisons to Japanese toilets. Meanwhile, Mickey dodges questions about his never-ending car-buying saga, while Misty threatens another rant about driver-assist features. The crew also tackles listener mail, including mysterious blue powder on cars and a frustrating AAA towing experience that left an elderly woman waiting nine hours in the heat. Trivia takes center stage as Tim quizzes the group on Chrysler’s "Safe Hold" feature—spoiler: it’s not hill assist, but an automatic parking brake to prevent rollaways (dubbed the "Anton feature" after a tragic Hollywood incident). Catch all the laughs, rants, and automotive insights in this episode, and stay tuned for upcoming guests and more madness! Highlights: Dawn’s Hyundai Santa Fe deep dive (00:26) Misty’s near-rant about driver-assist tech (02:35) The mystery of the blue car powder (25:41) AAA vs. insurance towing debate (29:45) Trivia fail: What is "Safe Hold"? (39:15) Follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn for more chaos and listener Q&A! 🚗💨 We welcome your support via Patreon and your questions and feedback via our website.

Building Engineers, Not Just Diplomas: Kettering’s Revolution with Dr. Bob McMahan

In this deeply insightful and inspiring episode of The Thing About Cars, we welcome Dr. Bob McMahan, President of Kettering University—a revolutionary institution turning higher education on its head with a one-of-a-kind co-op model that combines rigorous academics with real-world engineering experience. Mickey, Misty, Ben, and Tim explore how Kettering’s approach creates professionals with not just degrees but patents, leadership roles, and two and a half years of experience before they even graduate. From the school’s roots in Flint, Michigan’s auto industry explosion to its modern-day global partnerships and pioneering programs that uplift underserved youth and inspire young women in STEM, Dr. McMahan pulls back the curtain on a model of education that’s working—and thriving. Also in this episode: The young woman who pivoted from French & sociology to suspension design wizardry A Cadillac with fins big enough to throw shade on your garage Flint’s surprising renaissance, from water scandal to whitewater parks Why humanities matter even in a hardcore engineering environment That time a physicist-art historian became a university president Plus: Kettering’s car culture is alive and well (and obsessed with vintage Cadillacs) Formula SAE, motorcycles, and the TR-6 that stole Bob’s heart Trivia: What do tetraethyl lead, R-12 refrigerant, and a tragic mechanical bed have in common? 🎓 Whether you’re a parent, a gearhead, or just someone who believes school should mean more than lectures and letter grades, this episode proves that education doesn’t have to be broken—it can just be reengineered. 📍Learn more at kettering.edu We welcome your support via Patreon and your questions and feedback via our website.