James - Memories of a 1977 Caprice Classic, 1985 Oldsmobile Toronado Caliente, 1976 Triumph Spitfire and a Passion for Car Restoration

To All The Cars I’ve Loved Before

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We kick off Season 2 Episode 7 with some light-hearted banter about spotty internet connections and podcast housekeeping, all while expressing our immense gratitude for our growing global audience. Plus, we drop a tantalizing teaser about an upcoming episode with Nicole Johnson, a former monster truck driver and YouTube sensation - keep following the show for updates.
Our guest today, James, is one of those people we admire as he turned a hobby into a full time career that he loves and is able to bring joy to others as a result of his passion. But first, James takes us down memory lane with stories of his first few cars including a two-tone blue 1977 Caprice Classic gifted from his grandfather, a vehicle full of character and quirks. You'll hear about its uncanny resemblance to an undercover police car which benefitted James more than once, the persistent stalling issues, and the adventure of installing a Pioneer stereo system. Passing the 1977 Caprice to his brother enabled James to purchase his next car, a "new to him" gold with vinyl top 1985 Oldsmobile Toronado Caliente, considered quite the luxury car in its day. His next car was near and dear to his heart, a "John Deere green" 1976 Triumph Spitfire, enabling him to be part of a car club and relying more on his mechanical skills - likely an early catalyst for his current line of work.
Today, James splits his daily driving between a white 1999 Porsche 911 cabriolet and a 2017 white Honda CRV to ferry him to/from his auto restoration shop where he shares his passion as he delves deep into some of the intricacies of classic car restoration. His shop, McCrea Enterprises LLC in Easton, Maryland, where he performs extensive work involved in a complete restoration of a vintage gems like a 1953 MGTD he is restoring for a repeat customer to give to his wife as a surprise. We discuss the challenges and triumphs of this labor of love, emphasizing the importance of preserving traditional automotive skills. From engaging with online communities to sourcing rare parts, we offer insights and tips for fellow enthusiasts. Tune in to celebrate the emotional and therapeutic joy of keeping iconic cars on the road and discover how connecting with like-minded communities can fuel your automotive passions.
James had so many stories that we ran out of time, so please send us feedback if you'd like to hear more from James on a future episode. And if you're ever on Maryland's Eastern Shore, please check out his wife's restaurant and catering business, The Ivy Cafe in Easton, MD - https://theivycafeeaston.com

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1. James - Memories of a 1977 Caprice Classic, 1985 Oldsmobile Toronado Caliente, 1976 Triumph Spitfire and a Passion for Car Restoration (00:00:00)

2. Car Stories (00:00:03)

3. Memories of First Cars (00:06:05)

4. Classic Car Enthusiast Stories (00:19:46)

5. Classic Car Restoration and Expertise (00:26:06)

6. Classic Car Enthusiast's Passion Stories (00:30:29)