Past Gas by Donut Media

There are some fascinating stories behind many iconic factory performance cars, their origins rooted in after-hours tinkering by passionate engineers. And then there’s those who love tinkering after a car hits the market. Today the guys talk about a brand that’s often overlooked, and has created some truly awesome versions of already-renowned platforms like the Nissan Skyline GTR and Subaru WRX. The story of Tommykaira blends passion, expression, and pushing performance boundaries. But how did they get started? What was their ethos? And what’s this legendary name up to now? Today on Past Gas, the story of Tommykaira. Thanks to our sponsors: For a limited time, use my code PAST to get a free gift with your Journey Pack! Head to https://www.tryfum.com/PAST This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/PASTGAS and get on your way to being your best self. Get your jobs more visibility at https://Indeed.com/PASTGAS. More about Show: Follow Nolan on IG and Twitter @nolanjsykes.   Follow Joe on IG and Twitter @joegweber. Follow Donut @donutmedia, and subscribe to our Youtube and Facebook channels!   Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast for free wherever you're listening or using this link: http://bit.ly/PastGas. If you like the show, telling a friend about it would be helpful! You can text, email, Tweet, or send this link to a friend: http://bit.ly/PastGas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

46 mins

Gilles Villeneuve and his family have left a lasting mark on racing and its history. How did the Canadian hot head Gilles walk into Ferrari and immediately earn their respect? What did he do to get a circuit named after him? And how did Gilles’s son Jacques become a legend in his own right? Today on Past Gas, the story of Formula One racer Gilles Villeneuve and his racing dynasty. Thanks to our sponsors: Go to https://SHOPIFY.COM/gas now to grow your business–no matter what stage you’re in. Take more control of your finances and say goodbye to monthly fees. Open your account in minutes at https://chime.com/gas. More about Show: Follow Nolan on IG and Twitter @nolanjsykes.   Follow Joe on IG and Twitter @joegweber. Follow Donut @donutmedia, and subscribe to our Youtube and Facebook channels!   Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast for free wherever you're listening or using this link: http://bit.ly/PastGas. If you like the show, telling a friend about it would be helpful! You can text, email, Tweet, or send this link to a friend: http://bit.ly/PastGas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

54 mins

In 1967, Yutaka Katayama, or Mr. K, is now President of Nissan North America. He’s just been called to Nissan HQ to select a concept design to replace the aging Fairlady Roadster. But unbeknownst to the other executives on the selection committee, Mr. K has been quietly operating behind the scenes to push his preferred design through. The concept is referred to as codename “Z,” and it isn’t really a new generation roadster at all- it’s a powerful new sports coupe, and something that Mr. K believes will be a huge success in the US market. Today on Past Gas, part two of our series on Datsun and Nissan- how did Mr. K’s leadership of Datsun in the US change the entire company? How did he become known as “the father of the Z car”? And how did Nissan help create an entire generation of car enthusiasts? Thanks to our sponsors: Turn your ordinary water into extraordinary hydration with Liquid I.V. Get 20% off your first order of Liquid I.V. when you go to https://LIQUIDIV.COM and use code GAS at checkout. This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/ PASTGAS and get on your way to being your best self. More about Show: Follow Nolan on IG and Twitter @nolanjsykes.   Follow Joe on IG and Twitter @joegweber. Follow Donut @donutmedia, and subscribe to our Youtube and Facebook channels!   Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast for free wherever you're listening or using this link: http://bit.ly/PastGas. If you like the show, telling a friend about it would be helpful! You can text, email, Tweet, or send this link to a friend: http://bit.ly/PastGas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In 1967, Yutaka Katayama, or Mr. K, is now President of Nissan North America. He’s just been called to Nissan HQ to select a concept design to replace the aging Fairlady Roadster. But unbeknownst to the other executives on the selection committee, Mr. K has been quietly operating behind the scenes to push his preferred design through. The concept is referred to as codename “Z,” and it isn’t really a new generation roadster at all- it’s a powerful new sports coupe, and something that Mr. K believes will be a huge success in the US market. Today on Past Gas, part two of our series on Datsun and Nissan- how did Mr. K’s leadership of Datsun in the US change the entire company? How did he become known as “the father of the Z car”? And how did Nissan help create an entire generation of car enthusiasts? Thanks to our sponsors: Turn your ordinary water into extraordinary hydration with Liquid I.V. Get 20% off your first order of Liquid I.V. when you go to https://LIQUIDIV.COM and use code GAS at checkout. This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/ PASTGAS and get on your way to being your best self. More about Show: Follow Nolan on IG and Twitter @nolanjsykes.   Follow Joe on IG and Twitter @joegweber. Follow Donut @donutmedia, and subscribe to our Youtube and Facebook channels!   Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast for free wherever you're listening or using this link: http://bit.ly/PastGas. If you like the show, telling a friend about it would be helpful! You can text, email, Tweet, or send this link to a friend: http://bit.ly/PastGas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

53 mins

August, 1958. Nissan ad man Yutaka Katayama, known to most as Mr. K, is in Sydney, Australia was leading a two car team of Datsun 210s in the brand’s first official motorsport event.The brand had gotten its start barely 20 years ago, and was now in Australia to build brand recognition for their impending global expansion. It was a huge gamble. And one that would pay off. But how are the histories of Datsun and Nissan intertwined?? How did Yoshisuke Aikawa’s leadership turn Japan into an automotive manufacturing powerhouse? And how did Mr. K revolutionize automotive advertising and bring prestige and recognition to Nissan and Datsun worldwide? Today on Past Gas, the first of our two-part series on DATSUN. Thanks to our sponsors: Need to hire? You need Indeed. Just go to https://Indeed.com/PASTGAS right now and support our show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Go to https://SHOPIFY.COM/gas now to grow your business–no matter what stage you’re in. More about Show: Follow Nolan on IG and Twitter @nolanjsykes.   Follow Joe on IG and Twitter @joegweber. Follow Donut @donutmedia, and subscribe to our Youtube and Facebook channels!   Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast for free wherever you're listening or using this link: http://bit.ly/PastGas. If you like the show, telling a friend about it would be helpful! You can text, email, Tweet, or send this link to a friend: http://bit.ly/PastGas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

49 mins

Over the past several decades, “The Great Race” has become a vital part of the fabric of Australian motorsport, and by extension, Australian culture. How did the Bathurst 1000 change Australian motorsport? How has one event given the racing world everything from V8 Supercars to the R32 GT-R known as “Godzilla?” And what about it has made it a cultural icon? Today on Past Gas, it’s the history of the Bathurst 1000. Thanks to our sponsors: Need to hire? You need Indeed. https://Indeed.com/PASTGAS. This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/ PASTGAS and get on your way to being your best self. More about Show: Follow Nolan on IG and Twitter @nolanjsykes.   Follow Joe on IG and Twitter @joegweber. Follow Donut @donutmedia, and subscribe to our Youtube and Facebook channels!   Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast for free wherever you're listening or using this link: http://bit.ly/PastGas. If you like the show, telling a friend about it would be helpful! You can text, email, Tweet, or send this link to a friend: http://bit.ly/PastGas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

50 mins

Despite its affinity for front-wheel drive cars, especially in its legendary 99 and 900 badges, Swedish automaker Saab still managed to sell one of its properly cool cars as a wagon with all-wheel drive. The 9-2X Aero. But here’s the thing: It wasn’t a true Saab, but a mashup of GM DNA mixed with Subaru. And, it was entirely built by Subaru, too. But let’s take a step back and try to get an idea of where it all started. When did Saab start slipping away? What did platform sharing and badge engineering mean for its legacy and survival? What happened at the end? And finally, will we ever see some form of Saab ever again? Today, on Past Gas: it’s the final part of our two-part series on Saab. Thank you to our sponsors: Go to https://SHOPIFY.COM/gas now to grow your business–no matter what stage you’re in. With Chime’s secure credit card, you can start improving your credit scores right away. Get started today at https://chime.com/gas. Go full throttle into spring with Lectric eBikes, the #1 selling eBikes in the nation. Get your adventure started at https://LectricEbikes.com. Download the PrizePicks app today and use code gas for a first deposit match up to $100! More about Show: Follow Nolan on IG and Twitter @nolanjsykes.   Follow Joe on IG and Twitter @joegweber. Follow Donut @donutmedia, and subscribe to our Youtube and Facebook channels!   Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast for free wherever you're listening or using this link: http://bit.ly/PastGas. If you like the show, telling a friend about it would be helpful! You can text, email, Tweet, or send this link to a friend: http://bit.ly/PastGas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

62 mins

The story of Saab is one of out-of-the-box thinking. This Swedish brand barely made it past its 70th birthday before it died, but the legacy it built throughout those decades made it something truly special. But what made Saab such a legend in all things detail-oriented and quirky? What were the most legendary and popular models, and what made them so fun-to-drive? And finally, why did the brand die out in the early 2010s? Today on Past Gas, part one of our two part story on Saab! Thanks to our sponsors: Grab your Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier Sugar-Free in bulk nationwide at Costco or get 20% off your 1st order when you go to https://LIQUIDIV.COM and use code GAS at checkout. Need to hire? You need Indeed. https://Indeed.com/PASTGAS. This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/PASTGAS and get on your way to being your best self. More about Show: Follow Nolan on IG and Twitter @nolanjsykes.   Follow Joe on IG and Twitter @joegweber. Follow Donut @donutmedia, and subscribe to our Youtube and Facebook channels!   Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast for free wherever you're listening or using this link: http://bit.ly/PastGas. If you like the show, telling a friend about it would be helpful! You can text, email, Tweet, or send this link to a friend: http://bit.ly/PastGas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

51 mins

This week, the boys dive into the F1 Australian Grand Prix, Fiskers downfall and pay respects to Marcello Gandini. Plus, a Cybertruck update and why a Houston car meet is banning muscle cars. More about Show: Follow Nolan on IG and Twitter @nolanjsykes.  Follow Joe on IG and Twitter @joegweber. Follow James on IG and Twitter @jamespumphrey. Follow Donut @donutmedia, and subscribe to our Youtube and Facebook channels!  Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast for free wherever you're listening or using this link: https://bit.ly/TheBigThreePodcast. If you like the show, telling a friend about it would be helpful! You can text, email, Tweet, or send this link to a friend: https://bit.ly/TheBigThreePodcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

43 mins

With hands blistered by a red-hot steering wheel and a head still reeling from a long night of sex and champagne, Hellé Nice won the first all-female Grand Prix at Montlhéry. The next day, Bugatti invited her to their showroom to convince Nice to compete under their name. She signed a sponsorship deal with Lucky Strike cigarettes, and with her immaculate profile, Nice bought herself a yacht. Now a household name, Hellé Nice was then invited to show her skills on the board tracks of the United States. How did the poor daughter of a postmaster become one of France's most dazzling stars in the first place? Why did this cabaret dancer decide to become a racing driver? And how did one of Europe's most beloved and promising competitors fall so quickly out of favor? Today, we'll find out more about the woman known as The Bugatti Queen.  Shop now at https://TheFreezePipe.com and use code GAS for 10% off your entire order! More about Show: Follow Nolan on IG and Twitter @nolanjsykes.   Follow Joe on IG and Twitter @joegweber. Follow Donut @donutmedia, and subscribe to our Youtube and Facebook channels!   Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast for free wherever you're listening or using this link: http://bit.ly/PastGas. If you like the show, telling a friend about it would be helpful! You can text, email, Tweet, or send this link to a friend: http://bit.ly/PastGas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

46 mins

This week the boys chat about all the new (old) cars we're able to import in 2024, how Porsche's new hybrid drivetrain might piss some people off, and the exciting start to F1 Academy. Plus, after a 17 year run, could this be the last year Nissan is making the GTR? More about Show: Follow Nolan on IG and Twitter @nolanjsykes.  Follow Joe on IG and Twitter @joegweber. Follow James on IG and Twitter @jamespumphrey. Follow Donut @donutmedia, and subscribe to our Youtube and Facebook channels!  Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast for free wherever you're listening or using this link: https://bit.ly/TheBigThreePodcast. If you like the show, telling a friend about it would be helpful! You can text, email, Tweet, or send this link to a friend: https://bit.ly/TheBigThreePodcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

51 mins