Hemmings Hot Rod BBQ Podcast

Over the past three years, Hemmings has delved deeply into video and live events. This journey began in 2021 with a comprehensive revamp of their main YouTube channel (@hemmingsmotornews) and was followed by the revival of the Musclepalooza live event series. To say things are going swimmingly would not be an overstatement.

In this episode of the Hemmings Hot Rod BBQ Podcast, host Mike Musto chats with Hemmings Creative Director Dan Stoner. They discuss Hemmings' latest and upcoming video productions, as well as an exciting event set to take place during this year's Pebble Beach Car Week in Monterey, California.

Navigating the diverse landscape of pickup trucks can be quite overwhelming. From the various cab configurations to the array of drive options, the choices seem endless. Add to that the distinctions between compact, mid-size, full-size, light-duty, heavy-duty, and medium-duty trucks, with each offering a range of engine options and construction styles, and the decision becomes even more complex. With prices spanning from the low $20k to well over $100k, selecting the ideal pickup can feel like a daunting task. To help navigate this terrain, Ryan Douthit of Driving Sports TV teams up with host Mike Musto to delve into the intricacies of modern-day pickup trucks and lend some insights to help you determine which make and model could be right for you.

The ultimate beater car is one you don't fret over. It's the city street parker, the lot dweller, and the one that liberates you from the worries of daily driving. Whether it's a salt-scarred winter warrior, a pre-dinged deterrent to thieves, or a worn-out farmhand, the beater is a highly underrated motoring gem that many enthusiasts relish. On this episode of the Hemmings Hot Rod BBQ podcast host Mike Musto welcomes longtime friend, industry consultant, and one of his closest automotive confidants to discuss the art behind obtaining the perfect beater.

We all have our stories about how we got into the car hobby. For some of us it was through friends, others through family, and others still, it was simply forcing their way in because they simply loved the idea of it. Courtney Leonard grew up in the San Francisco Bay area surrounded by everything from flat bottom drag boats and 60’s muscle cars to traditional open-bay hot rods. Her Father is a lifelong hot-rodder, and for as long as she can remember, she was tied to his hip whenever his aquatic or automotive exploits took place.

On this episode of the Hemmings Hot Rod BBQ Podcast host Mike Musto sits down with Courtney to see just how deep her love of hot rods is and talks about just how important the car hobby has been in her life.

Let's break down some eye-opening figures for 2024. According to Fortune.com, the average price of a new car stands at $47,338.00. Pair that with the average new car payment of $738.00 or the slightly lower average new car lease payment of $606.00, as reported by LendingTree.com. Meanwhile, the average payment on a used vehicle comes in at $538.00.

These numbers hit hard because they underscore the financial strain many Americans face. To afford these payments, you'd ideally be earning around $60,000 annually, which incidentally is just about what the average American makes at $59,384 per year. And remember, that's before factoring in essentials like housing costs, student loans, insurance, utilities, and the ever-present expenses of raising a family.

It's a stark reality: auto loans trail only home mortgages as the largest category of debt in the country. On this episode of the Hemmings Hot Rod Podcast, Mike Musto and Ryan Douthit of Driving Sports TV dissect this phenomenon and try to uncover its roots.