Unless you've been living under a rock for the last few years, podcasts are big news. Last year, it was reported that 7.1 million people in the UK now listen to podcasts each week, a number that's more than doubled since 2019.
So, while we won't be physically driving as much this month, there are still a slew of car and motoring podcasts that can keep you in the loop and up to date with fellow petrol heads. From speciality shows on niche subjects to interviews with some of the biggest names in the industry, we've collected some of the best car podcasts out there to help get your motor running.
Dedicated to one thing and one thing only, the Auto Detailing Podcast is here to get your car looking its best all day, every day. A hugely popular show, host Jimbo Balaam offers listeners a collection of tips, tricks and secrets to give your car a professional-level detailing, inside and out, for a fraction of the usual price.
There's even industry insights and recommendations from both Jimbo and a whole host of interviewees, providing plenty more information for those looking to improve their own car detailing.
Hosted by Edward Lovett and Top Gear's Chris Harris, The Collecting Cars podcast will be music to the ears of any motorist with a love of all-things vintage, retro and collectible. As the name suggests, the world's most beloved cars are the topics of talk, but there's usually a sprinkling of new car discussion in these weekly podcasts as well.
Sitting down with motoring experts and motoring icons, there's been some big names featured on the show; Jensen Button, Damon Hill and Top Gear America presenter Jethro Bovingdon have all recently appeared on the show to talk about their life, career and, most importantly, their hugely impressive car collections.
Amusing and insightful, it's a feel-good car show that's tailor-made for those who know their automotive history.
For a behind-the-scenes look into the motoring industry, The Smoking Tire offers it all in unfiltered, no-holds-barred 90-minute episodes that are as hilarious as they are informative. Hosted by YouTube personality Matt Farah along with co-host Zack Clapman and producer Chris Hayes, the trio lifts the curtain on their experiences test driving cars around the world, as well as the car industry as a whole.
Featuring a range of guests from across the automotive and entertainment industry, they sit down with a refreshing mix of stand-ups, stuntmen and industry insiders alike, ensuring the discussions remain as varied and entertaining as possible.
If Formula One's your thing, then be sure to check out Beyond The Grid. Officially co-signed by Formula One themselves and hosted by Tom Clarkson, the show brings you some incredible stories and anecdotes from the biggest names in the sport – whether it's current drivers, icons from years gone by or influential team bosses.
With a huge number of episodes to check out, Beyond The Grid caters to fans of all eras of the sport. Talks with the likes of Alain Prost, Gordon Murray and Tony Brooks, the oldest living F1 Grand Prix winner, means there's plenty of insight, but one of its biggest highlights remains the show's interview with Alan Jones, who offers a shockingly frank (and hilarious) glimpse behind the sport's curtain.
For some lighter listening, CarStuff is geared more towards the part-time enthusiast as opposed to proper petrol heads. Exploring some incredible topics, the show mixes up its love of motoring with an entertaining pop culture twist, with episodes that touch on – amongst other things – the weirdest race cars of all time, famous car collectors and whether Bonnie and Clyde really did thank Henry Ford for their getaway cars.
They've also touched on the likes of hearses, electric scooters, golf carts and the cars of Breaking Bad too! For a light-hearted, sideways glance that's easy-going and informative for the whole family to enjoy, be sure to give CarStuff a listen during lockdown.
Backed by the company themselves, Ferrari - The Origins of a Legend is a slickly-produced show that offers listeners shorter, bite-sized episodes that are chockfull of facts and figures relating to the iconic manufacturer's history, from its inception in 1947 all the way through to the modern day.
With each episode detailing a specific moment in Ferrari's history, from its F1 debut to Michael Schumacher's 1996 Grand Prix win in Monaco, there's plenty to dive into here, and the episodes are so short, you just might find it difficult to pull yourself away from them.
Hosted by James Pumphrey and Nolan Sykes, Past Gas is all about bringing you the weirdest, craziest stories and occurrences from automotive history. As well as information on your favourite cars and manufacturers, James and Nolan lift the bonnet on the industry to take a look at everything from underground Japanese racing clubs, the history of racing video games, and Duncan Hamilton, the only man to win the Le Mans 24 Hour while drunk!
If it's the unsung or scandalous side of motoring you're interested in, then the Past Gas podcast has plenty of weird and wacky tales to tell.
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