MyStarCollectorCar does periodic reviews on car guy shows because the landscape changes dramatically every year.
The conventional TV car guy show is almost extinct, but YouTube shows have exploded in popularity.
I haven’t made a list in few years, so here are five shows I return to every week—it’s a personal list in descending order of my dedication to watching them …your opinion may vary.
Jerry Sutherland
The fifth show on the list is the ‘Steve Magnante YouTube Channel’. Steve was a fixture on televised auctions because he’s a huge detail guy.
His presence on the TV auction stage was a huge asset because Steve is a human Google search in the car hobby. He had some major health problems, but now he’s making a comeback by going to wrecking yards and explaining intricate details behind rusting hulks. ‘Steve Magnante YouTube Channel’ episodes are brief and highly informative.
The fourth show on my list is ‘Dead Dodge Garage’. This show is hosted by Jamie Attwood and it’s all Mopar with a few off brands sprinkled into the mix.
He leans toward A-body Dodges and Plymouths, but he’ll also mess with B and C-body Mopars, Dodge trucks–and old fin cars. Jamie knows much more than he admits, and his projects stretch over years–but he’s still young enough to finish most of them. Jamie’s done a few road trips in classic Mopar iron and that’s when he hits peak entertainment value.
The third show on my list is Tony Angelo’s ‘Stay Tuned’. Tony was a fixture on the conventional TV car guy shows for a few years, so he had a built-in audience.
Tony is a hardcore more-power guy; therefore his plot usually revolves around how to extract massive power out of any engine in the shop. The subplot is based on pizza because Tony’s Italian roots come through and he gives regular food reviews when his crew ties into the next big pie. There is plenty of tire smoke in ‘Stay Tuned’ and Tony’s episodes shine when he goes on a road trip because he’s a good storyteller. It’s a fast-paced show because Tony is a fast-paced guy.
The second show on my list is ‘Cold War Motors’– Scott Newstead is the force behind this show.
Scott plays down his skill set, but he’s the guy you want on your side when mechanical and body panel problems surface. He’s a master with a wrench or a paint gun and he lives life on his own terms. He rescues stuff that should have been fed through a grinder and, let’s face it—this world needs more guys like that. Scott lives in a universe you can measure in a twenty-mile square radius because that’s how far he likes to go on most days. The lack of road warrior episodes is the only thing that holds ‘Cold War Motors’ back because I’d love to see him take a big road trip in one of his drivers. Scott’s a funny guy and his take on the road warrior experience would be pure gold—plus he could solve any problems therein.
The first show on my list is ‘Vice Grip Garage’. Derek Bieri is the mastermind behind this site and he’s the best example of how to run a car guy YouTube show.
Bieri plays an average car guy because he is an average car guy. He comes from humble beginnings, and he built a show that’s one of the hottest YouTube automotive venues on the planet. His biggest asset is the road trip—that’s where Derek showcases his massive skill set because most of his runs are done in very sketchy vehicles. I’ve done several long runs in reliable old iron, and I was still on edge with every mile. He’s doing the same thing in junk—that’s next level commitment.
There’s a reason why mainstream TV completely lost the car guy TV market. Shows like these five and many others appeal to real car guys—not Hollywood versions of car guys.
Jerry Sutherland
By: Jerry Sutherland
Jerry Sutherland is a veteran automotive writer with a primary focus on the collector car hobby. His work has been published in many outlets and publications, including the National Post, Calgary Herald, Edmonton Journal, Ottawa Citizen, Montreal Gazette, Saskatoon StarPhoenix, Regina Leader-Post, Vancouver Sun and The Truth About Cars. He is also a regular contributor to Auto Roundup Publications.
CLICK HERE to Follow us on Pinterest
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE NEWSLETTER
CLICK HERE to Like us on Facebook
CLICK HERE to Follow us on Twitter
