The Car Chat Podcast features regular interviews with familiar and interesting faces from the automotive world. Hosted by Sam Moores (@sammooresphoto). Video po...
Luca Betti | Kimera Automobili - Rallying, Lancia Restomods And Building A Pikes Peak Car
Luca Betti, founder and CEO of Kimera Automobili, is a former professional rally driver who now specializes in creating exceptional restomod vehicles, reviving iconic rally legends through modern engineering and innovation.
Luca discusses his early career in rallying, sharing pivotal experiences from competing internationally and his transition into entrepreneurship. He reveals the inspiration and meticulous development process behind Kimera Automobili’s acclaimed Evo 37 restomod, designed to honour the legendary rally car with contemporary performance.
https://www.kimera-automobili.com
Luca also shares details about Kimera's latest projects, including the four-wheel-drive Evo 38 and the ambitious K39 project aimed at Pikes Peak. He emphasises his team's commitment to authenticity, combining classic motorsport heritage with cutting-edge automotive technology to deliver thrilling driving experiences.
Enjoy.
Show Notes
00:00 The Journey of a Racing Driver
02:54 From Rally Driver to Entrepreneur
06:07 Memorable Moments in Rallying
09:08 Transitioning to Team Management
11:53 Creating the Kimera Evo 37
15:05 The Evolution of Classic Cars
17:55 Engineering the Perfect Performance
20:57 Balancing Tradition and Innovation
24:13 Driving Experience and Daily Usability
28:46 The Evolution of Car Dynamics
32:19 Introducing the Evo 38: A New Era
36:57 The K39 Project: A Return to Motorsport
40:14 Challenges and Triumphs in Car Manufacturing
47:26 Memorable Journeys and Dream Cars
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58:22
Riccardo Quaggio - Totem Automobili
Riccardo Quaggio is the founder and creative force behind Totem Automobili. Riccardo shares his journey from being a designer at Alfa Romeo to launching a brand that builds fully re-engineered, handcrafted Alfa Romeo Giulia GT restomods with modern technology, custom-built engines, and obsessive attention to detail.
https://totemautomobili.com/
We discuss how Totem began with an electric restomod before shifting focus to an ultra-lightweight twin-turbo V6 version, the challenges of designing an entire car—including a custom carbon fibre monocoque, a completely new suspension, and a bespoke engine—and why something as seemingly simple as designing a door can be harder than making an engine from scratch.
Riccardo also explains the complexities of homologation, crash testing, European regulations, the trade-offs between petrol and EV, and the excruciating attention to comfort and drivability he desires in his builds.
Show Notes:
00:00 The Golden Era of Car Design
02:01 From Designer to Entrepreneur: The Journey Begins
06:08 Reimagining the Alfa Romeo: The Restomod Concept
10:01 Building a Car from Scratch: The Engine Development
13:48 Navigating Regulations: Crash Testing and Compliance
20:02 Electric vs. Petrol: Understanding Customer Preferences
24:04 Challenges in Electric Vehicle Development
30:05 Balancing Comfort and Performance in Car Design
34:32 Developing Traction Control and Customization Options
38:00 Innovative Engine Design and Performance Goals
44:26 Challenges in Scaling Production and Supplier Relations
48:28 Future Developments and Customer Satisfaction
50:19 Memorable Driving Experiences and Personal Preferences
56:39 Dream Garage: A Blend of Classic and Modern Cars
#AlfaRomeo #TotemAutomobili #CarChatPodcast #Restomod #AutomotiveDesign
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1:05:00
Daniel Morad | Factory AMG Driver, Twitch Streamer And Youtuber
This week we are joined by Daniel Morad, professional racing driver and AMG factory driver, to dive into his journey from karting at eight years old to competing on the world’s biggest endurance racing stages. We talk about his early days in go-karting, the challenges of moving through the ranks, and the intense physical demands of racing – including how he bulked up his neck to survive 5G corners!
https://moradness.com/
Daniel shares the highs and lows of his career, from winning championships and being a Red Bull Junior Driver to dealing with career setbacks, pivoting into sports car racing, and ultimately landing a factory role with Mercedes-AMG. We explore the business side of motorsport, the hustle behind finding sponsors, and how he revived his racing career after years away from the track.
He also dives into his work with Moradness, his motorsport lifestyle brand, and how sim racing plays a role in his training today.
Enjoy,
Sam
Show Notes:
00:00 The Reluctance Towards Data
00:24 Journey into Motorsport
03:54 The Dynamics of Karting
08:23 Understanding Karting Mechanics
10:08 Transitioning to Formula Cars
15:11 The Challenge of Increased Power
19:30 Navigating Competitive Racing
20:24 The Reality of Racing Politics
30:27 Endurance Racing Insights
32:03 The Journey to Sports Car Racing
34:26 Winning the Rolex 24: A Career Milestone
36:54 Overcoming Challenges and Building Confidence
42:33 The Importance of Networking and Sponsorships
48:50 Navigating the Financial Realities of Racing
56:25 Driving Techniques: Mastering the Cup Cars
01:01:04 The Role of Data in Racing Performance
01:11:30 Sim Racing: A New Frontier in Driver Development
01:13:11 The Evolution of Sim Racing Equipment
01:19:07 Driving Techniques and Sim Racing Dynamics
01:25:36 The Debate of Sim Racing Realism
01:31:17 Experiences in Real Racing
01:36:48 Memorable Driving Experiences and Car Preferences
#CarChatPodcast #DanielMorad #AMG #EnduranceRacing #SimRacing #Moradness #Motorsport
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1:53:31
Tim Dutton | Ivan Dutton - Racing And Restoring Pre-War Bugattis
This week we sit down with Tim Dutton, the man behind Ivan Dutton, a specialist restoration business dedicated to pre-war Bugattis. Tim shares his deep-rooted family history in motorsport and Bugatti restoration, tracing back to his grandfather’s time as a riding mechanic at Brooklands.
https://www.duttonbugatti.co.uk/
The conversation covers the intricacies of restoring and maintaining these historic machines, from the engineering brilliance of Ettore Bugatti to the evolving world of vintage car ownership and racing. Tim explains the differences in Grand Prix Bugattis, the art of engine tuning, and the challenges of recreating rare parts with old-school techniques.
From driving a Bugatti 35 down to Monaco for the historic GP to racing in the Le Mans Classic at sunrise, Tim’s stories highlight the passion, skill, and dedication required to keep these legendary cars alive. They also touch on the evolution of historic racing, the impact of modern technology, and how the market for classic Bugattis has changed over the years.
If you love vintage motorsport, engineering craftsmanship, or just great car stories, there is lots here.
Show Notes:
00:00 The Allure of Le Mans and Vintage Racing
03:00 A Family Legacy in Bugatti Restoration
06:04 The Evolution of Motor Racing
08:57 Understanding Bugatti Ownership
12:05 The Artistic Vision Behind Bugatti
14:55 Restoration Processes and Challenges
18:04 Tailoring Cars to Drivers' Needs
21:13 Driving Experience of Vintage Grand Prix Cars
23:50 The Technical Aspects of Racing Bugattis
27:02 Modern Challenges in Restoration and Engineering
30:50 Understanding Advance / Retard in Classic Cars
32:36 Modernizing Pre-War Cars for Comfort
35:26 Restoration Challenges: Balancing Authenticity and Modern Standards
39:32 The Evolution of Machining and Restoration Techniques
42:43 Navigating the Market for Classic Bugatti Cars
51:40 Racing Dynamics: The Importance of Authenticity
56:12 Testing Classic Cars: Challenges and Solutions
59:15 Iconic Bugatti Models and Their Features
01:01:03 The Challenges of Racing on Open Roads
01:02:28 The Thrill of Trialing and Endurance Racing
01:04:55 The Bonds Formed Through Racing
01:06:32 The Art of Engine Turning and Car Restoration
01:09:10 The Dilemma of Concours Restoration
01:12:49 The Stories Behind Historic Cars
01:15:22 The Evolution of Bugatti and Its Legacy
01:20:34 The Future of Bugatti in Modern Automotive Culture
01:30:02 Memorable Driving Experiences and Dream Cars
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1:45:31
Marlon Goldberg | Workshop 5001
Marlon Goldberg shares his journey from car dealerships to founding Workshop 5001, diving into Porsche restoration, car culture, and the importance of technical knowledge in sales. We cover the philosophy behind Workshop 5001 and what makes these cars so special.
https://workshop5001.com/
Show Notes:
00:00 The Porsche Restoration Landscape
02:58 Marlon Goldberg: Journey into Porsche Restoration
06:13 The Evolution of Car Dealerships
09:01 From Sales to Operations: A Career Shift
11:47 Building Relationships in the Car Business
15:10 The Singer Experience: Crafting Classic Cars
17:56 Starting Workshop 5001: A New Venture
20:47 Navigating the Challenges of Car Restoration
23:57 The Importance of Technical Knowledge in Sales
26:53 Building Cars: The First Projects
30:11 The Philosophy of Restoration
33:01 The Future of Car Restoration and Education
49:02 The Challenges of Sympathetic Restoration
52:23 Personalized Client Engagement in Car Restoration
55:10 Documentation and Quality Assurance in Restorations
01:00:54 Engine Building: Techniques and Innovations
01:06:50 Client Expectations and the Evolution of Air-Cooled Engines
01:12:03 Collaboration and Innovation in Custom Builds
01:19:12 Performance and Practicality in Modern Builds
01:24:22 Memorable Journeys and Personal Reflections
01:30:03 Market Trends and Undervalued Cars
01:34:49 The Future of Automotive Technology and Electric Cars
01:36:34 The Ideal Five-Car Garage
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The Car Chat Podcast features regular interviews with familiar and interesting faces from the automotive world. Hosted by Sam Moores (@sammooresphoto). Video podcasts now over on the Car Chat Podcast youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCW2AKE9BDG5e7fvpkj7E4kg