409: Building Modern Legends at Vigilante 4x4 with Daniel van Doveren
Release Date: 03/05/2026
The Collector Car Podcast
What does it take to restore one of the rarest and most historically significant Volkswagens ever built? In this episode of The Collector Car Podcast, Greg Stanley sits down with Alexander Soultanis to explore the remarkable story behind the restoration of a 1944 KdF-Wagen Type 82e—a fascinating vehicle that bridges the military Kübelwagen and the civilian Beetle during World War II. Alexander shares the car's incredible history, the painstaking research required to authenticate its originality, the challenges of sourcing nearly impossible-to-find components, and the delicate balance...
info_outlineThe Collector Car Podcast
Before Jonathan Ward became synonymous with ICON 4x4, he played an important role in the design development of the 2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser, helping shape one of the most recognizable modern off-road vehicles ever built. In this episode of The Collector Car Podcast, Jonathan takes us back to those early days at Toyota's CALTY Design Research before sharing how that experience inspired the creation of ICON 4x4. We dive into the philosophy behind ICON's legendary restorations and reimaginations, why craftsmanship still matters, how the company balances vintage character with modern engineering,...
info_outlineThe Collector Car Podcast
Australia has produced some of the toughest off-road vehicles, legendary V8 sedans, passionate enthusiasts, and one of the most unique automotive cultures in the world. In this episode, I sit down with Australian automotive journalist and four-wheel-drive expert Allan Whiting to explore what makes Australia's car scene so different from anywhere else. We discuss everything from the country's love affair with Holden and Ford, to the rise of utes, outback overlanding, diesel technology, and why Australians modify and use their vehicles differently than enthusiasts in the United States. Allan...
info_outlineThe Collector Car Podcast
Some of the most fascinating cars at a concours aren't always the ones drawing the biggest crowds. In this special episode of The Collector Car Podcast, I walk the show field at the EyesOn Design Concours d'Elegance, talking with passionate owners about the stories behind their remarkable automobiles. Featured interviews include: The incredibly rare 1990 Eunos Cosmos, one of the world's first production cars equipped with GPS navigation and a twin-turbo three-rotor rotary engine. A beautifully preserved 1968 Mercury Marquis, representing an era when American luxury was measured in chrome,...
info_outlineThe Collector Car Podcast
What does it take to transform horsepower, history, and emotion into fine art? This week on The Collector Car Podcast, I sit down with internationally recognized automotive artist Shannon Fannin to discuss her unique journey from car enthusiast to acclaimed vehicle painter. Known for blending photorealism with abstract elements, Shannon's work captures everything from classic American iron and European sports cars to motorcycles and aircraft. Her paintings have been exhibited around the world and are found in collections across North America, Europe, and Asia. We discuss how she developed her...
info_outlineThe Collector Car Podcast
Some of the greatest collector cars in the world are not hidden away in garages. They are driven, raced, and passionately enjoyed by the people who own them. This week on , I bring you a special series of conversations recorded at Velocity Invitational, where I sat down with collector car owners to hear the stories behind the machines. From rare race cars and historic sports cars to muscle cars, exotics, and one of one automotive treasures, these owners share what drew them to their cars, what it is like to live with them, and why preserving automotive history matters. Along the way, there are...
info_outlineThe Collector Car Podcast
Vintage trucks and classic SUVs are hotter than ever, but what does it take to turn an old workhorse into a world class custom build? This week on , I sit down with Jason Noel of Fat Fender Garage to talk about the booming market for custom vintage trucks and SUVs, the craftsmanship behind these builds, and why enthusiasts are falling in love with classic utility vehicles all over again. From slammed pickups and restored 4x4s to fully modernized vintage SUVs, Jason shares stories from the shop, trends he is seeing in the collector market, and what makes a build truly stand out. We also discuss...
info_outlineThe Collector Car Podcast
What is it really like behind the microphone at some of the biggest collector car auctions in the world? This week on , I sit down with Stephen Cox, longtime announcer with Mecum Auctions, to talk about the unforgettable cars, wild moments, celebrity appearances, and behind the scenes stories from years on the auction block. From muscle cars and American classics to million dollar collector cars crossing the stage, Stephen shares what makes the auction world so exciting and how the energy of a live sale can completely change the fate of a car. We also discuss the evolution of the collector car...
info_outlineThe Collector Car Podcast
What happens when the next generation no longer knows how to restore, preserve, or even understand the cars we love? This week on , I sit down with Nick Ellis of RPM Foundation to discuss one of the most important missions in the collector car world today: preserving the future of the hobby through education, apprenticeships, and hands on opportunities for young enthusiasts. We talk about the growing skills gap in the restoration world, why preserving automotive craftsmanship matters, and how RPM Foundation is connecting students with collectors, museums, and restoration shops before this...
info_outlineThe Collector Car Podcast
This week on the Collector Car Podcast, I sit down with Jeff O'Neill to discuss how he transformed a passion for motorsports, wine, hospitality, and historic racing into one of the most exciting automotive events in the country: Velocity Invitational. Jeff shares the behind-the-scenes story of launching the event, the challenges of creating a world-class experience from scratch, and his vision for blending historic race cars, modern hypercars, fine dining, wine, and luxury lifestyle experiences into one unforgettable weekend. We also discuss: The inspiration behind Velocity Invitational ...
info_outlineWhat happens when vintage American steel meets modern performance engineering?
This week on The Collector Car Podcast, I sit down with Daniel van Doveren of Vigilante 4x4 to talk about the booming world of high-end Jeep restomods. Vigilante has quietly become one of the most respected names in the space, transforming classic Willys and early Jeep models into fully reengineered machines with modern drivetrains, refined interiors, and show-stopping craftsmanship.
Daniel shares how Vigilante 4x4 approaches restoration versus reinvention, what collectors are really looking for in today’s vintage 4x4 market, and why properly executed restomods are earning serious respect alongside traditional concours restorations.
We also dive into:
-
The rising demand for classic SUVs and 4x4s
-
What separates a high-quality restomod from a quick build
-
The economics behind six-figure custom Jeeps
-
Why early utility vehicles are becoming lifestyle statements
If you’ve ever wondered whether restomods belong in serious collections — this episode may change your perspective.
Learn more at: https://www.vigilante4x4.com/
🙏 Thank You to Our Sponsors
A sincere thank you to the partners who help make The Collector Car Podcast possible:
Discover Once – Curators of one-of-a-kind automotive adventures you truly won’t experience twice.
👉 https://www.discoveronce.com
NCM Insurance – Specialty insurance solutions designed specifically for collector vehicles.
👉 https://www.ncminsurance.com
Metro Garage – Secure, climate-controlled collector car storage built by enthusiasts, for enthusiasts.
👉 http://www.metrongarage.com/
Carport – Your free, 100% private digital garage. Document your cars, track service history, and organize your collection with confidence.
👉 https://www.carport.app
Please support the brands that support the collector car community.
🌟 Welcome Our Newest Sponsor — Carport
I’m excited to officially welcome Carport as a new sponsor of The Collector Car Podcast.
Every great car has a story — and Carport gives enthusiasts a simple, secure way to preserve that story. Whether you own one car or twenty, it’s a powerful tool to track service history, store important records, and protect long-term value.
Best of all, it’s completely free to use and 100% private.
Be sure to check them out and start building your digital garage today.
#CollectorCarPodcast #RMSothebys #BroadArrow #GoodingChristies #AmeliaIsland #MiamiAuction #CollectorCars #CarAuctions #Ferrari #Porsche #ClassicCars #CollectorCarMarket #MarketAnalysis #AutomotiveInvestment #GregStanley
Looking to Buy or Sell a Collector Car?
If you need help buying or selling your collector car, reach out to me directly:
Greg@TheCollectorCarPodcast.com
GStanley@RMSothebys.com
Greg.Stanley@SothebysMotorsport.com
Yes, that’s a lot of email addresses—but I promise, I answer them all… eventually. 😉
And as always, a huge thank you to RM Sotheby’s for their continued support and for helping make so many automotive dreams a reality.
🎵 Listen to Octane FM: Shift, Rev, Repeat on Spotify.
Stay connected with The Collector Car Podcast on our website, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube — or reach out to me directly via email.
Join RM Sotheby’s Car Specialist Greg Stanley as he brings over 25 years of experience and market insight to the world of collector cars. Each week, Greg dives into trends, interviews industry leaders, and shares practical expertise — 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.
Learn more at www.TheCollectorCarPodcast.com
Or email me directly at Greg@TheCollectorCarPodcast.com