Tales of a Gearhead

Fresh from a trip to Utah interviewing legendary artist and designer Tom Daniel, Stacey gets into the proposed North Carolina law that would ban the "Carolina Squat" on vehicles.    After that, Stacey illustrates the importance of knowing basic automotive maintenance  by describing how he recently had to repair the clutch on the shop van in front of a most unusual crowd.   Then everything wraps up...

It's holiday time once again and that means… family. The good, the bad and sometimes the ugly. So with that it mind, Stacey offers suggestions to a listener on what would make a good project for the ENTIRE family, that can create great memories that last a lifetime.    Then on the flip side, Stacey has advice for a listener who is being willed a '73 Corevette, but is not sure if they want to keep...

On this episode Stacey cracks open the crate on the new Chevy   ZZ632/1000* crate engine — the largest and most powerful crate engine in the brand's history. A naturally aspirated 632-cubic-inch V-8 BEAST that produces 1,004 horsepower and 876 lb-ft of torque. From there, Stacey dives into all the other things big and small that you need to consider before purchasing a crate engine of any kind.  ...

Stacey's interview with the one and only Jerry Reed continues, as they dig into Jerry's latest and greatest passion - working the Wounded Warriors charity, the importance of family in his life, his just finished Christmas single "Christmas at the Mall", his guitar collection and finally some more tales about his early days in Nashville doing session recordings with Chet Atkins.

On this episode, Stacey pulls a jewel out of the GEARZ vaults. The final interview with country legend Jerry Reed. Jerry and Stacey sat down and talked about everything from how Jerry met Burt Reynolds, to making "Smokey & The Bandit", the writing and recording of his greatest hit "Eastbound & Down", to recording with the king, Elvis Presley and the fate of Jerry's Bandit Trans-Am that was given t...

Stacey shares his tale of how preparing to spend an afternoon at the track with racing legend Mario Andretti, was it's own stressful pit stop in a race against the clock.   After that, he tackles the listener questions: "How to buy a used project?" and "Is it ever ok to leave rust on a vehicle?"  

Don and Blake from Cornwell Quality Tools drop by and talk new boxes and tool storage.

Today Stacey talks about the MAVERICK's return, the Aftermarket doing well while the OEMs are dealing with chip shortages and catastrophic flooding and finally plays a game of "What if…." While going through RUSH drummer Neil Peart's auto collection that recently went up for auction.

Stacey offers some advice to a listener who is wanting to return to the restoration biz after many years away. Then he goes into the dream projects you wish you could do vs the ones you have. After that, Stacey shares a tale about his first paint project - an old rail buggy his dad brought home. Then finally wraps everything up with some of the inspirations for Copperhead and the V8 Interceptor. 

Fresh from his appearance at the Ohio Cobra Club, Stacey recaps what a fun time he had and how it truly is one the best car events around for people of all ages. Then into the mailbag he goes to answer a listener question about what are some the best off-road lighting systems.

Stacey breaks down the differences/challenges between "reality" and "how-to" automotive television. Then gets into the joys of small projects, as well as dipping into the mailbag to answer a listener question about dropped forged tools. He wraps everything up with a gearhead tale about how the Rat Roaster rumble seat could be the ultimate endurance test.

Ain't no party like a listener question party, because a listener question party don't stop! The mailbag is out and the questions are getting answered!

Stacey is your guide, as he leads you through all the lefts, rights, ups, downs, twists, turns, dos and don'ts of navigating the labyrinth that is getting a vehicle with no title and no VIN tag properly registered. So, grab that stale loaf of bread out of the kitchen and leave a breadcrumb trail so you don't get lost!

It's time to head to the swap meet and your favorite junkyard... Stacey is devoting this whole episode to what you need know when you're out looking for that perfect deal.

Stacey sits down with Joey Cudmore and talks about his early days on the NASCAR circuit and how it lead him into becoming one the biggest FIREADE dealers in the country. From the track, to the pit, to a new upcoming race series to be aired on CBS they dig into all. Then, Stacey hits the mailbag with advice for listener Glenn - and all of us - when we have a project that's been stranded at the loca...

With the recent story of a driver of a 2004 Ford F-350 Super Duty towing a 30-foot camper losing control, swerving over a guardrail and ending up dangling off a bridge over the Malad Gorge in Idaho... the only thing preventing them from crashing into the river over a 100 feet below, was the safety chains. Stacey discusses all the things you must consider to be able to tow something safely. Whether...

Stacey gets into the risks of street racing. Not just for the people racing and watching, but also how it could affect legislation down the road. That could mean bad news for everybody in the car world.  After that, it's time to break open that piggy bank or dig up those coin jars out from under the porch because…  Big Oly, the world's most famous Ford Bronco is going up for auction! Stacey digs i...

Stacey talks about the recent changes to replica/kit car laws that should be music to a lot of enthusiasts' ears. From there Stacey pays respect to the passing of legendary stuntman Remy Julienne. Which opens a broader topic of how movies effect car culture and vice versa, Stacey's favorite car scenes and a round of movie car "what ifs" with a little dash of trivia.

Stacey starts things off by getting into the thought process behind deciding the right color for a project. From there, he remembers the passing of the first person to break the sound barrier, the legendary Chuck Yeager. Then, its into the mailbag where Stacey answers questions about his preferred metal to work with, why a truck can be one of the best project vehicles to get and one of his closest...

As this long year draws to a close. Stacey sits down with legendary fiddle player and old friend Tim Watson. Together, they share tales from their days working at the old Opry Land park as show musicians. To Tim's days as a standup comedian and session & touring player with everyone from Mel Tillis, Willie Nelson to Tammy Wynette. Then as these shop visits always do, they delve into their shared p...

It's a listener question jamboree as Stacey answers whether or not Ben from Iowa should keep his '72 Ranchero stock or modify it. Which gets Stacey into the history of the Ranchero along with the '57 Cameo & Camino and the importance of driving original vehicles like that accordingly. After that Stacey answers listener Dominique's question about the things to look for when buying a vehicle.

Stacey climbs into the way back machine and deep dives into all things Hot Wheels. Yes, those little die-cast speed demons from our youth. Stacey shares his memories of the ones he always wanted, to their subliminal influence on his designs today, some history about the original designers who came up with all the wild styles and how Hot Wheels and other vehicle related toys can be a great gateway...

Stacey remembers Scottish icon, the great Sean Connery and gets into what made him and his Bond films so memorable. From the cool gadgets and even cooler cars.  After that, Stacey celebrates another icon - this one American - the F-18 Hornet. With the Blue Angels recent announcement that they are retiring the F-18 Hornet for the F-18 Super Hornet. Stacey shares the  tale of his visit to the Blue A...

Stacey starts things off discussing the new electric Hummer and what would be the better ways to spend it's nearly $100K price tag. Then it's mailbag jamboree time, with Stacey fielding questions about a '68 Ford F-600 rear end replacement, taking a '92 Chevy Sportside pickup from a 5-lug to a 6-lug and Nova body replacement options. Finally, Stacey wraps the episode up with a tale about a shorten...

Stacey talks about the recent production car land speed record claimed by the SSC Tuatara. Using his time out at the Silver State Classic as an example, Stacey also shares his experience of what it's like to be in a car on public roads and reach speeds of near 180mph. Diving into the mailbag, Stacey helps out "Big Dave" with advice on custom frame recommendations for a '61 Nash Metropolitan and Ro...