372: Jay Ward - Pixar's Car Guy, Hillsborough Judge & the Story Behind Cars
Release Date: 06/16/2025
The Collector Car Podcast
In this special episode of The Collector Car Podcast, Pixar’s Jay Ward returns—not just as the man behind Cars, but as a guest judge at the Hillsborough Concours d’Elegance, one of the most prestigious collector car events on the West Coast. Host Greg Stanley chats with Jay about how the Cars franchise continues to bridge the gap between animation and authentic automotive passion. From his work developing iconic characters like Lightning McQueen and Doc Hudson to his personal love of vintage steel, Jay shares how real collector cars helped inspire the Pixar universe—and vice versa....
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Did Cars from Pixar ignite your passion for automobiles? You're not alone. "Lightning Lit the Spark" is a heartfelt tribute to the film that turned bedroom floors into racetracks and diecast cars into lifelong obsessions. From Radiator Springs to real-life racetracks, this song celebrates the journey of every kid who fell in love with cars because of Lightning McQueen, Doc Hudson, Mater, and the crew. 🎶 Stream it, share it, and tag a fellow car kid who never grew out of it. Subscribe for more car-inspired music, stories, and nostalgia! #CarsMovie #PixarCars #LightningMcQueen #CarEnthusiast...
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Buckle up for the tiniest joyride of your life! 🚗💨 “Kawaii Kei Car” is a funny and adorable tribute to Japan’s beloved kei cars — those pint-sized legends that rule the streets with charm, style, and just enough horsepower to make your grandma smile. From Tokyo alleyways to Osaka highways, this song celebrates the big heart in a small frame. 💕 🎶 Whether you drive a Suzuki Cappuccino, Honda Beat, or just dream of one, this anthem is for every kei car lover out there! 👉 Like, subscribe, and share if you've ever fallen in love with a car that could probably fit in your...
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This song pays tribute to the legendary trio of hybrid hypercars that redefined automotive performance: the Ferrari LaFerrari, McLaren P1, and Porsche 918 Spyder. Each brought its own vision of speed, technology, and style—combustion meets electric fury, and the result was nothing short of iconic. 🎸 Turn it up and relive the glory of the ultimate hypercar trifecta. Whether you’re a Ferrari fan, a McLaren maniac, or a Porsche purist—this one's for you. 🎧 Subscribe to Octane FM for more car-themed songs, collector car content, and tributes to the greatest machines on wheels....
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What starts as a quiet country drive turns into the discovery of a lifetime in “The Million-Dollar Barn Find” — a dramatic, heartfelt ballad about uncovering a forgotten classic car buried in time. Inspired by true stories from the collector car world, this song captures the thrill, mystery, and emotion of stumbling upon automotive gold beneath layers of dust and history. Whether you’re a gearhead, a dreamer, or someone who just loves a great story, this one’s for you. 🎶 Turn it up, wipe off the windshield, and take a ride through time. Subscribe for more car-inspired songs, barn...
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Join me for a special episode of The Collector Car Podcast as we go behind the scenes at the 47th Annual Cincinnati Concours d’Elegance to uncover the remarkable stories behind some of this year’s most memorable entries. First up is a true time capsule: an unrestored 1967 Pontiac GTO that still wears its original paint, interior, and even its factory-installed exhaust. We chat with the owner about how this muscle car survived the decades unmodified—and the joy of preserving history over polishing it. Next, we step back into the elegance of the classic era with a stunning 1931 Packard 840...
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What do a propeller-powered car, a three-wheeled French oddity, and a Czech aerodynamic marvel have in common? They all live under one roof at the Lane Motor Museum in Nashville—and today, we’re joined by the man behind it all: Jeff Lane. As this year’s Featured Collector at the Cincinnati Concours d’Elegance, Jeff takes us inside his world of weird and wonderful vehicles. From amphibious cars to forgotten micro-marques, Jeff shares stories from decades of collecting the eccentric, the experimental, and the downright odd. We also preview what cars will be featured on the show field...
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Buckle up and blast off with License to Swerve, the ultimate rock anthem for every teenager who’s ever squealed out of the DMV parking lot like they’re in a Fast & Furious audition. Crank up the volume and ride shotgun as our hero learns the rules of the road… mostly by breaking them. 💿 Stream the full track now and relive the chaos, freedom, and fender benders of that first wild ride. 📸 Don’t forget to check out the retro comic-style album art! 👇 Drop a comment if you remember your own first drive—or if you're still working on not hitting trash cans! #LicenseToSwerve...
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Take a ride back in time with “Sunday Drive,” a heartfelt tribute to the fading tradition of family road trips. This nostalgic tune captures the simple joy of cruising country roads in a wood-paneled station wagon, windows down, and no destination in mind—just togetherness. If you miss the days of golden skies, cassette tapes, and mom’s picnic basket in the backseat, this song is for you. 🎶 Stream the song, share your Sunday drive memories, and don’t forget to subscribe for more vintage-inspired music. 📀 Written with love for families, car lovers, and anyone who’s ever longed...
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There's a certain kind of magic that happens when a man and his machine meet beneath the shade of an old oak tree. "Under the Oak" is a heartfelt tribute to every shadetree mechanic who's ever turned a wrench, chased a dream, and kept the past alive one bolt at a time. From rusted muscle cars to backyard repairs, this song honors the grit, passion, and fading freedom of wrenching the old-school way. 🎶 Stream the full track 💿 Album: Octane FM Presents – Grease, Grit & Gasoline 🎨 Cover art inspired by classic Americana and the timeless Chevelle SS Subscribe for more car-themed...
info_outlineIn this special episode of The Collector Car Podcast, Pixar’s Jay Ward returns—not just as the man behind Cars, but as a guest judge at the Hillsborough Concours d’Elegance, one of the most prestigious collector car events on the West Coast.
Host Greg Stanley chats with Jay about how the Cars franchise continues to bridge the gap between animation and authentic automotive passion. From his work developing iconic characters like Lightning McQueen and Doc Hudson to his personal love of vintage steel, Jay shares how real collector cars helped inspire the Pixar universe—and vice versa.
Plus, we’re joined by Glen Egan, Chairman of the Hillsborough Concours, for a quick interview on what makes this year’s event so special, what cars to watch for, and why Hillsborough continues to be a must-attend celebration of automotive excellence.
🎟️ Learn more or buy tickets: HillsboroughConcours.org
🎥 Discover the Cars legacy: Pixar.com/feature-films/cars
🎙️ More episodes: TheCollectorCarPodcast.com
Whether you're a concours regular, a Pixar fan, or just love a good car story—this episode has something for you.
Whether you're a concours regular, a Pixar fan, or just love a good car story—this episode has something for you.
#JayWard #PixarCars #HillsboroughConcours #CollectorCarPodcast #LightningMcQueen #DocHudson #ClassicCars #PixarCarCulture #GlenEgan #CarJudging #ConcoursdElegance #CarsMovie #CarEnthusiast #CarAnimation #PixarCollectorCars #CarsFranchise #AutomotiveStorytelling #PebbleBeach #SEMA #CarNostalgia
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Join RM Sotheby’s Car Specialist Greg Stanley as he brings over 25 years of experience and keen market analysis to the world of collector cars. Each week, Greg dives into market trends, interviews industry experts, and shares insights—with a little fun along the way. New episodes drop every Thursday and are available on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
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