West Of Tulsa Show

Z Owners Unite: A Conversation with Jeffrey Willerth - West Of Tulsa Show #0015

Join us for an #exclusive conversation with Jeffrey Willerth as we delve into the resurgence of the #Z Club of America. Discover the history, impact, and future of this iconic organization within the cultural landscape. Gain valuable insights and behind-the-scenes stories from a key figure in the Z Club community. Don't miss this in-depth exploration of the enduring legacy of the Z Club.
This week on the West of Tulsa Show, the team welcomes Jeffrey Willerth. He’s the Vice President of the Z Club of America and has been a member since the early 1980’s. He gives a shout out to a previous West of Tulsa guest and he talks about his early days in the media. His first interview was with legendary drag racer Shirley Muldowney. She’s getting a lot of airtime on the West of Tulsa Show, maybe she should be on our show!
Willerth also talks about the first time he saw a Datsun Z car in the 1970’s. He says it was the Jaguar XKE of his generation and he instantly fell in love with the body lines, then got into racing them at Limerock and other tracks. He met Joe Casella, the founder of the Z Club of America, in the early 1980’s and they’ve been friends ever since.
Willerth talks in detail about why the Z Club went dormant for decades until Covid hit and then Nissan announced a new Z was coming. He jumped at the chance to revive the Z Club of America with Casella’s blessing and guidance. He also talks about the shortcomings of Nissan’s marketing for the Z car and how a generation of heavier cushier Z’s helped in the brands decline through the 1990’s. We discuss how Nissan could take a page from Mazda and how that Japanese automaker really gets behind the rotary and Mazda car clubs. Willerth also talks about a big car show he’s planning for 2025 and that it will include JDM from all over Southern California. Also, are new Z car club chapters starting around the country? How to join the club if you’re interested. A crazy story about one of his Z’s being stolen and where it was found, plus his passion for deep fried avocados from Tulsa!!
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We’ll see you, West of Tulsa.
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West of Tulsa Podcast: "State of the Show" Episode #0014

Join us in this special #StateoftheShow episode of  @WestOfTulsa  Podcast, where we reflect on our journey so far, share exciting updates, and give a sneak peek into what's coming next. Tune in to hear behind-the-scenes stories, favorite moments, and our vision for the future. Get ready to be inspired and entertained as we celebrate the state of our show!
 
This week on the West of Tulsa Show, we feature ourselves! We don't have a guest and we are testing out our new studio. It's just C.J., Gabe and Dan talking about all kinds of stuff for almost an hour. Dan breaks down the improvements we made to the studio including new Black Magic cameras and a switcher.
 
We consider this show, our "State of the Show Address" after 3 months on the air. We talk about the controversial show that we taped but never aired because some people thought we crossed the line and were too inappropriate. We can't get specific, but we come very close to giving it away. We also discuss some of the most commented on Instagram posts on our West of Tulsa IG page. One topic deals with the difficulty in finding shops that will do restoration work on classic cars and why many shops are just accepting insurance work.
 
Gabe talks about how Helm attended a Hagerty - Mercedes Benz meet in Van Nuys and people there recognized him from the West of Tulsa Show. Wait, does that mean some people actually watch us? We also discuss how Helm is getting so comfortable in front of the camera that he may take over the Tonight Show. We also gave too much trivia about the Tonight Show from Johnny Carson to Jimmy Fallon to Jack Paar.
 
Other topics we discuss include, Speed dating for car people, navigation apps and whether they are good or bad from WAZE, Google maps, Tesla, Apple and even KABC LA's traffic map. We talked about off-roading G-Wagons, why new pickup trucks are so expensive, Corvairs and Ralph Nader, Pintos, the Mitsubishi Delica, Ferrari FF, the 1963 Corvette and C.J.'s Uncle Eddie who watches every show from Vero Beach, Florida.
 
Finally, Gabe makes an impassioned plea for people to contact us on our Tipline page and tell their stories. You don't have to be famous or have a million-dollar car to have a car story. We want to hear from you! And please, follow, like and subscribe. We'll see you West of Tulsa.
 
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Platypus: A Conversation with Dana Newquist and Bruce Terry - West of Tulsa Show #0012

Join us for a fascinating conversation about #carcollecting and #metalsculpting with collector Dana Newquist and metal sculptor Bruce Terry. Learn about the unique artistry and #craftsmanship behind their work, and gain insight into the world of car collecting and metal sculpting. Don't miss this insightful discussion on the creative process and passion for automotive and metal art. This week on the West of Tulsa Show we welcome two guys who you may know already from our social media. Dana Newquist has one of the most diverse collections around. I can’t say classic car collections because Dana has everything from a vintage fire truck to a Chitty Chitty Bang Bang car and a 1948 Republic CB airplane that he’s converting into a roadworthy creation that he affectionately calls Platypus. Dana also explains how he came up with the name and if that name will stick by the time the project is done. One of the creative minds behind Platypus is Bruce Terry. Bruce is a master metal fabricator who has taken his talents to new heights. He’s really a sculptor. West of Tulsa visited Bruce’s shop to see where he turns crazy ideas and dreams into reality. He gave us a tour and showed us the progress they’re making on Platypus. The 1948 airplane fuselage is being reimagined piece by piece incorporating Art Deco design into an automobile. It’s powered by a 1948 Mercury flathead V8 which Dana says was a suggestion made by Chip Foose. Dana and Bruce tell the story about how they teamed up to build Platypus. The two men did not know each other before Dana reached out and roped Bruce into not retiring and doing this project. They talk in detail about how Platypus has evolved through the creative process, what works now and ideas that never got off the ground. We ask Dana about the vehicles in his collection and Bruce talks about his decades of experience working on concourse vehicles featured at Pebble Beach Car Week, everything from Mercedes Benz 300 SL's to rare Porsches. Both men also talk about where their love of classic cars came from and its connection to their childhood. The entire West of Tulsa team also discussed the possibility of Dana being stopped by the police in Platypus. Would he get pulled over just because the officer wants to know what it is? Or because the police might question if it’s legal? Bruce also talks about his homemade English Wheel he uses to hand form the metal pieces. He shows us the components, why he felt the need to build it and how that one 1100 pound piece of machinery is his legacy. Dana and Bruce also discuss a new project that involves an electric vehicle that’s more than 100 years old and is powered by several thousand pounds of batteries. Dana also talks about one of his favorite cars that used to be an MGM Studio lot car and one of Clark Gable’s favorite ways to drive around Hollywood during the Golden Age of Film. We hope you enjoy this episode of West of Tulsa. Please follow, like and subscribe. We really appreciate your support. Subscribe to our channel: https://www.youtube.com/@WestOfTulsa Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westoftulsa/ Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/westoftulsa Check out our website: www.westoftulsa.com

Exploring Unique Cars with George Mayer | Owner of Spot 44 | West of Tulsa Show #0011

Join us as we take a deep dive into the world of unique #cars with George Mayer, the owner of Spot 44. From #vintage #classics to rare finds, George shares his passion and knowledge for these extraordinary vehicles. Get ready to be amazed by the stories behind each car and the innovative features that make them stand out in the automotive industry.
We have two 'firsts' on this week's West of Tulsa Show. We welcome our first #Brazilian guest, George Mayer, owner of Spot 44 in Thousand Oaks. And we welcome back our first repeat guest, Craig Lichtenstein. George Mayer talks about how his father inspired him to work on and own collector cars. His father lives in Brazil and worked for #DKW for many years until it was purchased by Volkswagen. Craig drove his 2003 Jaguar XKR to the West of Tulsa Studio. He talks about how it took 3 years to recondition the car because it's so complicated and it has a black box!
George also talks about his VW #SP2 which his dad helped ship to the U.S. He also gives more information about his award-winning rat rod and what is a rat rod. His car has a Cummins Diesel motor, a calf hoof gear shifter and 6-inch pizza trays for wheel covers. George also has military vehicles, one that's about as big as a house. What do his neighbors think of these monster vehicles? You'll be surprised.
George and Craig also explain how they met. It had a lot to do with 3-wheel Morgans, breastfeeding and a very angry new mom. George also has an original Mini and an impressive motorcycle collection that includes a BMW R69 that was given to him by a friend who cared more about their friendship and appreciation for great rides than money. And how George stumbled up on James Cameron's VRod motorcycle. Yes, the same James Cameron who directed the movies Titanic, Avatar and Terminator.
Finally, he's trying to unload an old Studebaker. It can be yours. We hope you enjoy this episode of West of Tulsa and please follow, like and subscribe. We also have our Tipline at westoftulsa.com. We would love to feature your story. S
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Why Every Pickup Truck Enthusiast Needs to Visit the Truck Rodeo - West Of Tulsa Show #0010

This week on  @WestOfTulsa  ... Truck Rodeo, the ultimate marketplace for classic pickup trucks! Join us as we explore the best vintage and custom trucks, meet the passionate people behind them, and experience the excitement of this one-of-a-kind auction site. From rare collectibles to fully restored classics, Truck Rodeo has something for every classic truck enthusiast. Don't miss out on the action-packed event of the year!
One of our guests this week on West of Tulsa flew from Orlando, Florida to Ventura to join us in studio. We are humbled and honored! Kyle Wortham with Truck Rodeo had two flights cancelled and he didn't sleep but he made it to West of Tulsa to talk about his new business venture.
Truck Rodeo is the first branded marketplace for classic pickup trucks. Wortham describes Truck Rodeo as Bring a Trailer but with a cowboy accent. He teamed up a year ago with Joe Kennelty who is a super talented photographer, videographer, artist and he's pretty good at reassembling old Honda motorcycles too.
Wortham and Kennelty talk about how they met and how they are getting really creative to promote Truck Rodeo. Wortham is from the Midwest and has a background in marketing which includes stints with Pabst Brewing, Schlitz, Lone Star, Blue Moon, Primo Beer and White Claw. So, he's into beer and trucks. A perfect country connection!
Wortham reveals where the name Truck Rodeo came from and its connection to Burt Reynolds and the movie Smokey and the Bandit. Kennelty talks about some of the craziest photo shoots they've worked on together to promote Truck Rodeo. And how to shoot a C10 pickup just like you would a $10,000,000 Ferrari. The West of Tulsa team peppered Wortham about the Yellowstone effect, Country music and auction fatigue when talking about the resurgence of old trucks. And how it's gaining in popularity among women who love to drive these old pickups.
Finally, Wortham talks about one of his prized possessions, a pair of cowboy boots he wore to the interview that are autographed by country music legend Willie Nelson.
Sit back, crack open a beer and enjoy this next episode of West of Tulsa.
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Empowering Women in the Car Scene: Interview with Christina Jimenez - West Of Tulsa Show #0009

Join us for an inspiring interview with the trailblazing Christine Jimenez as she shares her journey in empowering women in the car scene. From breaking stereotypes to creating a supportive community, Christine's insights and experiences will leave you feeling motivated and empowered to make your mark in the automotive world. Don't miss out on this powerful conversation!
Follow  @MsMotorheadPodcast  on YouTube And check out www.msmotorhead.com to learn more!
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Capturing the Action: Inside the Vehicles of News Videographers - West Of Tulsa Show #0008

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There are few professions that require the driving skills of a demolition derby driver, the nerves of a paramedic and the troubleshooting skills of MacGuyver. News videographers can easily spend more hours during their day driving, than covering news. So, what they drive is extremely important. A news or ENG vehicle isn't just transportation, it's also their office and depending on what circumstances they end up in, that vehicle could be their best friend. The West of Tulsa team thought it would be interesting to invite three veteran news videographers to Studio 3 to talk about their profession and what they drive. As you'll find out, we were right, it was very interesting. We discuss why many videographers in Southern California call Herb Tuyay, Yoda. He's trained many of the top news videographers in SoCal, especially in the Los Angeles TV area. Sean Browning talks about why some news vehicles are unmarked and the evolution of news live trucks and satellite trucks. The trio give their best examples of 'cat in a tree' type stories. They provide details about the stresses of the job and how they decompress at the end of the day. Mike Tauber for example, jumps in his beautiful 1974 Alfa Romeo GTV and just drives. The guys talk us through old photos of them and their assigned news vehicles over the years. Everything from the Izuzu Trooper, Nissan Pathfinder, Dodge Ram Charger, K10 Chevy Blazer, Mitsubishi Montero, Pontiac Vibe, Triton V10 Ford Econoline van and Mercedes Metris. They also tell us which one is the best workhorse of all the news vehicles they've used over the years. It's unanimous by the way! They also take us behind the scenes. They offer up great stories about two videographers who were fired for drag racing their live vans, one story about driving back from a spot in downtown LA after someone had wiped feces all over the windows of their news vehicle, another story about coming face to face with a suspect in the middle of a high speed police pursuit, surviving a roll over accident in a news live truck and why many news vehicles always smell like In 'n Out Burger. We have a little bit of everything in this episode. Some stories will make you hungry and others may cause you to toss your cookies. Sit back and enjoy and thank you for supporting West of Tulsa.

OJCM & The Hotwheels Showdown - West Of Tulsa Show #0007 - Frank, Dorian & Sebastian De Jesus

Our guests this week on the West of Tulsa Show are Frank DeJesus and his two sons, Sebastian and Dorian. Frank founded the Old Japanese Car Meet or OJCM in Los Angeles. Sebastian and Dorian are taking their passion for Hot Wheels and building a successful business. Frank explains how a bad experience at a muscle car gathering in Burbank many years ago inspired him to start his own car meet. The muscle car guys told Frank he couldn’t join them because his Japanese car didn’t have enough chrome. So, he said screw that and started OJCM. Frank also talks about the difference between a classic, vintage and antique car. He also tells the story about meeting Helm for the first time. Helm showed up at Frank’s Old Japanese Car Meet in a Mercedes Benz! Now they’re friends. Frank breaks down what kinds of Japanese cars show up at the meet including Datsuns, Subarus and Hondas. One member, Natasha Adams, even modified a Lexus LS400 into a Prerunner offroad luxury sedan. Sebastian and Dorian explain how they first started their Hot Wheels Racing Series. They’re invited to set up their impressive six lane quarter-mile track (that’s to scale of course) at events all over Southern California. Their races attract large crowds and it’s very competitive. They’ve even been invited to set up their track and hold races at Mattel’s Headquarters and at the Petersen Automotive Museum. The competitors really get into it because they’re racing for trophies and prize money. Even the adults start acting like kids. We’ll show you videos of the races and the guys talk about how they announce the race and they can even tell which car will probably win. We also bring in an automotive historian to answer two trivia questions. Can C.J. stump the gang? Will you know the answers? Enjoy the show.

Rally 4 Kids: Making a Difference for Boys & Girls Club - West Of Tulsa Show #0006

Visit www.Rally4kids.org This week’s guests on the West of Tulsa Show are Monte Wilson, Co-Founder of the Rally4Kids event and Scott Rouleau, a rally volunteer. The Rally 4 Kids is an annual fundraiser for the United Boys and Girls Clubs of Santa Barbara County. It features 60 beautiful and exotic classic cars driving about 150 miles in the back roads of Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties. The event includes a drivers party the night before the rally where the drivers and their navigators learn about the rules and enjoy great food. Everyone wakes up early the next morning and gathers at the rally starting line. This is where the teams find out for the first time the route they’ll be driving and which challenges they will have to complete at each predetermined checkpoint along the route. The event wraps up with a gala and dinner party where all of the drivers and navigators park the vehicle they drove in the rally on the lawn. The teams are encouraged to keep the bugs and dirt from the drive on the car. Wilson and Rouleau talk about the challenges of putting on the event, especially during the Covid years, and how the rally has been a lifeline for the kids at the different clubs throughout Santa Barbara County. The West of Tulsa team digs deeper into the event by discussing topics such as, range anxiety, getting lost, how to deal with the cops if you are stopped during the rally, pestering Monte for clues to find out more about this year’s secret route, what is the navigator really responsible for during the drive, tricks to winning the challenges, Dodgeball, which cars are at highest risk of not finishing the rally and why and finally, all the things that can go wrong. It’s a lot but we cover all of it. Wilson also talks in more detail about an accident involving Michael Hammer and one of his favorite cars during a rally a few years ago. Hammer drove his grandfather’s Rolls Royce one year and Wilson explains how the windshield was scratched from the inside and the story behind it. He also tells a heartbreaking story about a mom and her son spotted sitting in a car outside one of the Boys and Girls Clubs. Wilson and Rouleau reveal more about this year’s 9th Annual Rally 4 Kids held on April 12th and 13th. They say it will be full of surprises including a new format and a new driving route that even stunned Wilson. We talk about Jeff Clark who designed this year’s beautiful rally poster and why the “creepy” walking plants will not be invited back this year! All of the money raised benefits the Boys and Girls Clubs in Lompoc, Solvang, Buellton, Goleta, Santa Barbara, Carpinteria and Camp Whittier. Even if you can’t drive in the rally, you can support the cause. If you see us during the rally in April, please wave and honk. Enjoy the show!

Youth in the Fast Lane: Learning Auto Industry Skills with CHRP - West Of Tulsa Show #0005

Our guest this week on the West of Tulsa Show is Kevin Haeberle, founder of the Community Hot Rod Project (CHRP), a 501c3 non-profit based in Santa Barbara, California. CHRP’s mission is to teach youth and the young at heart vocational trades related to the automobile industry and beyond.
 
Haeberle says the idea for CHRP started three years ago in his living room with 5 friends. It’s grown to more than 120 members and volunteers with the mission to team up youth with trade professionals and pass along their knowledge to the next generation. He got emotional as he talked about how far the CHRP team has come in such a short time. 
 
He gets fired up when describing how the kids get to learn about everything from rebuilding an engine to body work and fabrication. It keeps them off the streets and out of trouble. Hopefully, most of them discover they have a talent that could someday turn into a career.
 
Haeberle talks about the loss of Auto Shop classes at many high schools around the country. He and his team are trying to fill the void and teach the youth about more than just automobiles. Their expertise includes design techniques, computer assisted creativity and aerospace. CHRP is actively looking for a new home and is trying to set up shop at an old armory or an old airport hanger that has deep roots in racing history.
 
Haeberle pitched his idea to the Santa Barbara School Board and Airport officials hoping to land one of their locations. The airport hanger location would be perfect because the hanger still shows evidence of Santa Barbara’s historic races at the airport where actor James Dean raced his Porsche 356 in the 1950’s. Haeberle talks about the connection to that history. He also talks about the importance of having mentors, his nightmare story about working on Carroll Shelby’s Super Snake Cobra, the pressure of preparing cars for the big SEMA Show, the challenges of putting on a big car show, prototyping, the future of EV’s and his surprise relationship with the late Boyd Coddington.
 
Haeberle and his team have pulled off impressive car shows under intense deadlines. He started the Santa Barbara Auto Expo which featured more than 400 vehicles a few years ago. They had to change the venue at the last second and many of his team got sick with Covid at the last second. But, they didn’t panic and pulled off a great show. He and his team are now working on a multi-day car event for this summer in the Santa Barbara area.
 
Bottom line, CHRP is hoping to inspire everyone, especially the kids, to get off their phones, use their hands and get dirty doing something. Working on classic cars and customizing is a great way to do that and have fun at the same time. We’ll stay in touch with Haeberle and give you updates along the way on his search for a new CHRP garage and how you can help with their mission. The entire West of Tulsa Team hopes you enjoy the show!