Cars Yeah With Mark Greene

Dusan Djordjevic is an automotive artist and graphic designer who lives in Belgrade, Serbia. At 21 years of age he’s the youngest artist that I’ve had as a guest here on Cars yeah. A fan of the great masters, including Vermeer, Van Eyck, and others he started drawing VW Beetles and Porsches and began creating a following of automotive art fans. Most of his work is on commission and you can find his art in automotive magazines and on social media sites around the globe. He designs and produces a line of shirts with his art adorning them and today Dusan has created over 120 commissioned works of automotive art for clients throughout the world. I found him on Instagram and being a fan of German cars, I admire his art greatly.

Tod Mesirow is the owner of Robot Body Inc. He has worked on many of televisions top automotive shows throughout his career. It all started when he was asked to film Phil Hill driving a Ferrari 330 TRI/LM for RM Auctions. He was on Monster Garage for the last 54 of their 86 episodes. He produced “the lost pilot” of Top Gear, hosted by Adam Carolla. He worked on Overhaulin’, the Ultimate Car Build Off, Mytbusters, Joe Rogan Questions Everything, and Richard Hammond’s Crash course. Today he talks about cars on the Los Angeles NPR member station KCRW. Tod is executive producing Season 14 of the Velocity/Discovery International hit series Wheeler Dealer with past Cars Yeah guest Mike Brewer. Tod is also a contributing writer on The Review Garage website where they rate the best and worst in cars, trucks, motorcycles, tools, and accessories.

Dustin Wharton is the owner of Official California Detailing or better known as OCD in San Diego California. Given Dustin’s attention to detail, OCD is a perfect acronym for his passion to make the vehicles he and his team detail look perfect. He purchased Big D’s Mobile Detailing from Dann Williams who was the Optimum Polymer Technologies Western Regional Rep after moving to Southern California from Colorado. The business had a 10 plus year reputation in San Diego with a handsome client list giving Dustin a great start. He has over 10 years of experience in the detailing industry, when a summer job he started after graduating from high school became a career. I am proud to say I’m a customer of Dustin’s as he recently detailed a vehicle for me in San Diego.

David Helmer is a Hall of Fame auctioneer and the President of Braun and Helmer Auction Service in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Since 1971 he and his team have helped clients sell their estates, antiques, farms, real estate, motorcycles, trucks, and automobiles. David conducts over 100 auctions yearly working with individual clients and many nonprofit groups including the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Lions, and Motts Children’s Hospital. David also owns The Super Auction and the website TheAuctioneerChannel.com. He’s the past president of the Michigan State Auctioneers association and earned State Champion Auctioneer in 2006 and in 2008 the Ring Man Champion. In 2014 he was inducted in to the MSA Auction Hall of Fame.

Albert Heiles is the Founder and Editor of Autobahn Automotive Media, an automotive blog showcasing everything automotive. He covers the spectrum from car reviews to event coverage and much, much, more. He is former automotive dealership manger and is now a sales manager for Prospera Hospitality, a hotel management company in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Albert is a lifelong resident of Pittsburgh, and has been passionate volunteer with the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix since 1996. Albert was bitten by the car bug thanks to his father who is also a car guy. While his father was a fan of MG’s, Albert’s passion fell for Volkswagen’s thanks to Herbie the Love Bug. This led Albert to being a caretaker of an original screen used Herbie in his eclectic collection of cars. Albert is also a graduate of the “Car School”, Northwood University where he obtained both his undergraduate and graduate degrees.

Greg Tracy is part of the Driver’s Inc. stunt team, where he is a Hot Wheels driver and a top Hollywood stuntman. He is known for doing crazy stunts in movies including Talladega Nights, The Fast and Furious, and in the movie Bourne Ultimatum where he earned the World Stunt Award. Greg has also appeared in numerous TV commercials. As one of the elite Team Hot Wheels drivers Greg captured the Guiness Book of Records performing the Hot Wheels Double Double Dare Loop in 2012. Greg is also a regular at the Pikes Peak race where he is a seven time record holder and he holds a record for the Electric Car Division with a time of 9:08. He is also the only racer to go under 10 minutes at Pikes Peak on two and four wheels. He’s won the Baja 1000, raced in Formula 2000, Indy Cars, and he’s gone over 210 mph on a motorcycle at the Bonneville Salt Flats during several World Record Attempts.

Davide Bassoli is the manager and publisher at Nubes Argentea in Parma, Italy where he specializes in fine books about Rolls-Royce and Bentley automobiles. In honor of his Italian origins, the name Nubes Argentea is the translation in the antic Latin language for Silver Cloud. Considered as an expert in the world about the Silver Cloud and S-type models, Davide is often consulted to offer his expertise on these models. He is the author of the multi-award winning book Every Cloud has a Silver Lining. A life long automotive enthusiast Davide has written for the major classic car magazines in Europe and collaborated with the Italian newspaper La Gazzetta della Sport to produce the DVD series Auto da Sogno about automotive marques. He co-authored with Bernard L. King his first book titled Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud I and Bentley S1: 50 Years and he is the driving force behind the Italian Section of the Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts’ Club.

This is part two of a two part interview with Camilo Pardo. Camilo Pardo is an automotive designer and artist who lives in Detroit, Michigan. After graduating from design school he was hired by the Ford Design Center where he worked in the Dearborn Advanced Studios, Ford of Europe-Torino, Italy Studio, and the design Studios in Cologne Germany. As Chief Designer of the Ford GT and the SVT Studio Camilo and his team worked on the 2005 and 2006 production of the Ford GT. Today he has his own studios in Detroit and Los Angeles where he draws and paints both automotive and fashion themed art. Camilo has hosted the Detroit Auto’s Designers’ Night, an internationally recognized event attended by the top automotive personnel and designers from around the world.

Camilo Pardo is an automotive designer and artist who lives in Detroit, Michigan. After graduating from design school he was hired by the Ford Design Center where he worked in the Dearborn Advanced Studios, Ford of Europe-Torino, Italy Studio, and the design Studios in Cologne Germany. As Chief Designer of the Ford GT and the SVT Studio Camilo and his team worked on the 2005 and 2006 production of the Ford GT. Today he has his own studios in Detroit and Los Angeles where he draws and paints both automotive and fashion themed art. Camilo has hosted the Detroit Auto’s Designers’ Night, an internationally recognized event attended by the top automotive personnel and designers from around the world.

Nathan Warren is the owner of Warren Customs in Hamilton Alabama. He’s been repairing, restoring, and painting ever since he opened his first paint shop as a sixth grader, charging kids fifty cents to paint their Hot Wheels. He’s worked at several different jobs but decided to open his own business in 2014. At his shop they do everything from collision repair to custom restorations and builds including street cars, hot rods, boats, and muscle cars. His real talents lie in his paint shop where they will put down anything from a single color to wild graphics, flames, stripes, and much more. Nathan also offers accessories for vehicles and includes installation and customizing.

Jeff Whiteside is the Auction Director at the Saratoga Automobile Museum in Saratoga Springs, New York. This auction takes place at The Saratoga Performing Arts Center on September 21 through the 23rd and will be conducted by the world-renowned TV Personality Brent Earlywine. There will be a wide variety of automobile marques including modern exotics and classic cars. Jeff’s been in the automobile business his entire life working with companies including Canadian Tire, Avis-Lube, General Electric in their Capital Fleet Management business, and at RM Auctions/ Auctions American.

Gary Patterson is the President of Shelby American in Las Vegas, Nevada at the Shelby Heritage Center. He joined Shelby in1996 and manages a broad range of strategic sales and consumer initiatives around the globe. He oversees a variety of programs that interact directly with enthusiasts and the media. He manages the Cobra dealer network and all Shelby Mod Centers and plays a key role in the oversight of Team Shelby for Shelby American. He is also a factory team driver for the company. Shelby American was founded by the legendary Carroll Shelby. They manufacture and market performance vehicles and related products through dealers and partners worldwide. They build authentic continuation Cobras including the 427 S/C, 289 FIA and 289 street car among many other vehicles and parts.

Ben Felten’s dream is to set a speed record on a motorcycle. During Speed Week on a salt lake in the outback of South Australia he and his navigator and past Moto GP racer Kevin Magee, will challenge the world record of 265.33kk/h for the fastest speed for a motorcycle ridden blindfolded. But Ben won’t need to wear a blindfold because he is completely blind. Born fully sighted a degenerative eye disease, Retinitis Pigmentosa took Ben’s sight when he was in his late 20s. Deciding to make a difference for people with a disability, Ben created a charity foundation titled Insight of Dreams.org as a legacy for his motorcycle racing ventures to support people with an acquired disability. He is currently the Managing Director of BlindSpeed, a company he established to set land speed records and where they design and build Dual control race cars for disabled drivers. He is a former world champion with medals in Rowing and Cricket and he continues to be an inspiration and encourage everyone to pursue their dreams.

Dan Taylor is the Chairman of the Board of the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix, an annual event now in its 35th year that takes place in Schenley Park and the surrounding Pittsburgh areas. This is Dan’s second year as CEO where his responsibilities range from pounding in stakes for the snow fence to sitting in the board room deciding on how monies to be allocated. Dan is a hands-on kind of guy whom overseas the entire event that includes over 1,200 volunteers. This 10 plus day event includes vintage racing, many car shows, a black tie gala, tours, a jet party, and much, much more. Dan is the President at Jerry Taylor Ford, a family run business that’s been operating in Grove City, Pennsylvania since 1968. Dan is also the Chairman of the Ford Dealer Council representing over 1,900 Ford dealerships across the country.

John Putzier is the CEO of the Greater Pittsburgh Auto Dealers Association. The GPADA is a metro dealer association representing over 200 franchised automobile and truck dealers and related industries in Western Pennsylvania. John and his team are the Presenting Sponsor of the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix. For over 25 years John has worked in private practice as a consultant in process and people improvement, primarily in the automotive sector. His first client was Saturn back in 1985 before they broke ground. By 2010 he was a bit road weary and tired of living out of a suitcase and had the opportunity to use his turnaround talents with the GPADA. The Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix is 10+ days of automotive events, car shows, racing, a black tie gala, a jet center party, tours, and much, much more.

Ted Sohier is a member of the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix’s Executive Committee. It’s an annual event now in its 35th year that takes place July 7 through the 15. He is a retired career broadcaster in radio and television who is also a lifelong automotive enthusiast. Ted began competing in SCCA autocross and moved to road racing earning a National license and winning several minor championships in the Northeast driving a Showroom Stock B, Chevy Citation in the early 80s. Ted got involved in the PVGP at the beginning to help run the race as an announcer and today he is the event’s Chief Announcer. He and a huge team help make the event a reality and they raise monies for local charities. The Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix is 10+ days of automotive events, car shows, racing, and much, much more.

Bernie Martin is the Founder and President of Rapid Production Marketing in Pittsburgh. It’s a branding and consulting agency that develops strategies and tactical implementation. A long time resident of Pittsburgh, Bernie has combines his passion for cars and in 2009 created The Cortile in conjunction with the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix week. The Cortile takes place at the Bob O’Conner Gold Course at Shenley Park. It is a unique car show as it is one of the few events during the race weekend managed by the PVGP Association. Most of the other car marque shows are managed by the individual car clubs. As the Managing Director of the event Bernie and his team bring a wide range of Italian marque cars to this very special show with this year’s highlight being Alfa Romeo.

Spike Feresten is the co-CEO at Hangar 56 Media. He is a past Automotive Emoter at Esquire Network where he had three successful seasons on the TV show Car Matchmaker. He is a former presenter at FOX Television Studios, he was a Writer/Producer at the TV show Seinfeld where he earned three Emmy nominations, and on Late Night with David Letterman where he earned five Emmy nominations. Today Spike is launching a new project, it’s a cars and comedy podcast titled Spike’s Car Radio. He records live from the porch of his favorite breakfast spot, the Malibu Kitchen, from 10:00 AM till noon on Sundays, where you’ll frequently see one of his cool old cars parked about front. He’ll answer all of your Car Matchmaking questions and talk about cars over a cup of coffee and a tasty breakfast.

Richard Webb is an automotive artist whose passion for design, the romance of classic cars, and race cars is reflected in his paintings and drawings. He’s owned over 374 classic cars in his life and while he’s tried retiring a few time, Richard quickly discovered painting to be his encore career. His art begins as a design process with meticulous attention to composition, the backdrop, landscapes, architectural icons, and detail in his automotive subject matter. Mostly working with acrylic paint he mixes sand, modeling paste, epoxy, and sometimes deep set wood panels to create his images. In addition to painting on canvas he’s been knows to use nontraditional surfaces including surfboards, doors, and barn wood. While most of his work is easily recognizable Richard has painted abstracts, portraits, and landscapes as well. Richard has been commissioned by art collectors, auto aficionados, and major global brands. His work can be found in the homes and businesses of art collectors worldwide.

Doug Hansen is a General Partner at H&H Motors in the Silicon Valley, California. H&H Motors is an auto and power sport dealership Doug and his business partner have owned and operated for over 15 years. Doug’s a life long automotive enthusiast who has driven thousands of cars, motorcycles, carts, and quads. He’s raced at Altamont/Sears Point and at Thunderhill Raceway Park in Willows California in the 24 hours of Lemons and the Chump Car races.