Few people speak more passionately about cars than John Nikas. He's a longtime vintage racing driver, an author of dozens of books, and a sought-after public speaker on automotive subjects.

His first love was for British sports cars in all their crudeness and stubborn tradition, but that was only the gateway to a lifetime spent behind the wheel and the writing desk.

In this conversation, John shares his thoughts about things like old MGs, the folly of the original Porsche 911, the heyday of Lotus in competition, some giants of racing, and the state of the car culture.

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HORSEPOWER HERITAGE is created, produced and hosted by Maurice Merrick.
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Cultivating the next generation of automotive restorers and specialists is essential to the survival of the car hobby- whether your classic was built in 1900 or 1990.

Blake Swingle is one of these next-gen tradesmen. Soon to graduate from McPherson College (which offers the only Bachelor's degree in this field in the United States), Blake has learned the fundamentals of research, metalwork, machining, paint, upholstery and all of the other skills needed to preserve and even resurrect a classic car.

He's also an intern at The Singleton Collection in Orange County, California, home to some of the most significant American automobiles in history. In this episode, Blake shares his experiences and his drive for keeping old cars alive and kicking.

Blake's website: https://www.blakeswingle.com

Short film “The Long Way Back”:

https://youtu.be/5dEsa7JE-OM?si=Hm6jrZsiRTbW5UH3

McPherson College: https://www.mcpherson.edu

The Singleton Collection: https://www.singletonclassics.com/

The Singleton Foundation:

https://singletonfoundation.org/

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HORSEPOWER HERITAGE is created, produced and hosted by Maurice Merrick.
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"Sweet and fast" is a good way to describe the character of many classic Italian cars. Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Lancia, Ferrari, Maserati and other auto makers created enduring machines infused with the national culture.

In this episode we explore what makes them so special: things like design philosophy, emphasis on beautiful shapes, and performance-oriented engineering. Recorded live at the Petersen Automotive Museum's Dolce e Veloce Rally with guests Mike Baum of Macchinissima, automotive writer Robert Ross and collector Max Reyhani.

Visit Macchinissima: https://www.macchinissima.com

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HORSEPOWER HERITAGE is created, produced and hosted by Maurice Merrick.
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The "Golden Age of Auto Racing" began after World War II and lasted until the early Seventies. It's a period that is frequently romanticized.

But that thin veneer was shattered at the 24 Hours of Le Mans on the afternoon of June 11, 1955, when a catastrophic collision caused the deaths of Mercedes-Benz driver Pierre Levegh and at least 83 spectators. Here's the story of that terrible day and its aftermath.

This episode was originally released in 2022 and is now updated and remastered.

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HORSEPOWER HERITAGE is created, produced and hosted by Maurice Merrick.
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Combining his background in internet tech and vintage cars, Juan Diego Calle launched CLASSIC.COM to bring the collector car market together under one digital umbrella.

The website has seen tremendous user adoption and growth and it's become a prime destination for many people who want to buy or sell a special car.

Its useful data on market trends, pricing and past sales has become a valuable tool for anyone interested in the car hobby.

In this episode, Juan talks about CLASSIC as well as his other ventures like the FJ Company (bespoke Toyota Land Cruisers) and STRAAT (period correct and custom air-cooled Porsche 911s).

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HORSEPOWER HERITAGE is created, produced and hosted by Maurice Merrick.
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It's arguably the greatest event in motorsport- The 24 Hours of LeMans. A grueling trial of men and machines, and for many drivers, the race they most want to win.

Its roots are as deep as the history of the automobile. This is the story of how it all began.

DOLCE è VELOCE AT THE PETERSEN MUSEUM:

https://www.petersen.org/events/dolce-e-veloce-2025

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HORSEPOWER HERITAGE is created, produced and hosted by Maurice Merrick.
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After World War II, the American auto industry became obsessed with power and performance, and Chrysler Corporation's Hemi engines became legendary.

This is the story of the Hemi like you've never heard it before.

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HORSEPOWER HERITAGE is created, produced and hosted by Maurice Merrick.
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Veteran writer Tony Thacker has spent decades covering the world of hot rods and motorcycles for multiple magazines in the U.S. and UK, and is the author of over thirty books. His latest work is "Hot Rod Mavericks", which profiles the key builders, engineers and racers in the history of the hot rod movement.

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HORSEPOWER HERITAGE is created, produced and hosted by Maurice Merrick.
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