Past Gas

From the early days of innovation after WWII to the brand new supercars coming out of Japan, "The Golden Era" of the Japanese Car Industry spans many generations and is more far reaching than anyone realizes. In this final installment of Season 2 of Past Gas, Nolan Sykes and Joe Weber recap their favorite parts and unpack what didn't make it to the episodes. This episode is brought to you by Shopify! Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at https://www.Shopify.com/Gas

From legendary 90s JDM icons skyrocketing into the millions, to corporate scandals, economic crashes, and a generation forced to trade the steering wheel for a smartphone, this is the true story of how we lost the greatest automotive era in history, and why the "car dream" is now completely out of reach for most of us. The golden era of Japanese sports cars is officially dead... or is it?

By the late 2000s, shrinking markets, tightening emissions, and a younger generation losing interest in vehicles signaled the end of the legendary JDM era. But a few rebellious engineers refused to go quietly, choosing instead to make their last cars arguably their greatest. In this second-to-last episode of Past Gas: The Golden Era of JDM, we explore the dramatic conclusion of Japan's greatest automotive era. Discover how Nissan built the R35 GT-R from scratch to successfully crush Porsche at the Nurburgring, why Toyota intentionally lost money on every screaming V10 LFA they built to educate their next generation of engineers, the heartbreaking cancellation of Honda's highly anticipated V10 NSX, and how Mazda kept the pure driving spirit alive despite the death of the rotary engine. This episode is brought to you by Lumi Gummies! Go to https://www.LumiGummies.com and use code PASTGAS for 30% off your order!

In this episode, we explore the unbelievable evolution of drift culture. From Keiichi Tsuchiya—the legendary "Drift King"—cutting his teeth by sliding through blind corners, to the creation of the D1 Grand Prix and the birth of Formula Drift, drifting had to invent its own competitive rules and scoring systems from scratch. Join us as we dive into how this underground Japanese phenomenon captured the world's attention, conquered the American car scene, and eventually demanded absolute authenticity on the set of The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift. Thanks to Shopify for sponsoring this episode! Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at https://www.Shopify.com/Gas

When The Fast and the Furious hit theaters in 2001, it lifted Japanese car culture out of the mountain passes and dropped it straight into the American mainstream. In this episode of Past Gas , we explore how Japan responded to the world's newfound obsession with its vehicles. We break down Daijiro Inada's terrifying 200 mph rollover crash in the Nevada desert, the intense enthusiast demand that finally forced legendary cars like the Subaru WRX and Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution stateside, and the historic end to Japan's 15-year 276-horsepower "gentlemen's agreement". Finally, discover how iconic aftermarket brands like GReddy and HKS engineered specifically for the West and turned American ambition into a global tuning empire. Thanks to QUO for sponsoring this episode! Try QUO for free PLUS get 20% off your first 6 months when you go to https://www.Quo.com/PastGas

In this episode of Past Gas, we dive into the explosive rise of the tuner revolution. We explore the wild Motorex scandal that illegally brought the legendary Nissan Skyline GT-R to the US, the neon-lit spectacle of Hot Import Nights, and how a single magazine article birthed The Fast and the Furious. Discover how the World Wide Web and Hollywood mutated grassroots garage builds into a massive global phenomenon. This episode is brought to you by Rocket Money! Let Rocket Money help you reach your financial goals faster. Join at https://www.RocketMoney.com/PastGas Also thanks to Lumi Gummies for sponsoring this podcast! Go to https://www.LumiGummies.com and use code PASTGAS for 30% off your order. This podcast is also sponsored by BlueChew! Right now, when you buy two months of BlueChew Gold, you get the third for FREE with promo code PASTGAS! And also thanks to Shopify for sponsoring this episode!

Initial D exploded beyond the confines of car culture to a global phenomenon and broke a lot of rules along the way. In the seventh installment of our 12-part series, we explore the origins of the Initial D series, how drifting went global, and how Keiichi Tsuchiya, The Drift King himself, helped every step of the way.

For decades, the world saw Japanese cars as just efficient, economical daily commuters. Then the 1990s hit, and Japan unleashed a lineup of obsessively engineered racing monsters that completely stunned the established European and American giants. Backed by the limitless budgets of the nation's economic "bubble era," Japanese engineers were given the ultimate green light to overbuild their machines without worrying about the cost. From Subaru and Mitsubishi conquering unforgiving rally dirt, to Mazda’s unbreakable rotary engine surviving Le Mans, and Nissan’s R32 "Godzilla" destroying the Australian touring circuit—Japan didn't just show up to compete. They took over. Discover how these manufacturers stopped being seen as the "optimistic little brother," rewrote the racing rulebooks, and became the ultimate global benchmark. This episode is brought to you by QUO. Try QUO for free PLUS get 20% off your first 6 months when you go to https://www.Quo.com/PastGas This episode is also brought to you by Shopify. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at https://www.Shopify.com/Gas Also thanks to BlueChew for sponsoring this podcast. Right now, when you buy two months of BlueChew Gold, you get the third for FREE with promo code PASTGAS.

Join us in the fifth installment of Past Gas: The Golden Era of JDM, as we dive into the history of one of Japan's most elusive car clubs, The Mid Night Club. What later became a popular video game started as a way for Japan's elite car tuners, enthusiasts and even Automotive Executives to test and tune their cars... on public roads. Thanks to Warby Parker for sponsoring this episode! Our listeners can buy one prescription pair and get 20% off additional pairs at https://www.WarbyParker.com/PastGas — and using our link helps support the show. #WarbyParker #ad This episode is also brought to you by Chubbies! Chubbies is here to keep you comfy and looking good year-round. Get 20% off with code GAS at https://www.chubbiesshorts.com/gas #chubbiespod #ad And also thanks to Rula for sponsoring this podcast! Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts who specialize in you at https://www.rula.com/pastgas #rulapod #ad

Before the internet, Japan's underground car culture was built on independent, cheaply printed zines, word-of-mouth networks, and late-night highway runs. In this episode of Past Gas, we explore how car magazines transformed Japanese tuning from a hidden, unauthorized subculture into an absolute global phenomenon. We dive into the story of visionary editor Daijiro Inada and his revolutionary publication, Option Magazine, which boldly documented illegal street racing and gave rogue tuners a shared voice and platform. From the secretive, elite 250 km/h runs of the legendary Mid Night Club on Tokyo's Wangan to the smoke-filled official top-speed battles at the Yatabe High Speed Loop. This rebellious energy birthed the Tokyo Auto Salon and forced the Japanese government to legitimize the very aftermarket engineering that would soon take over the world Today's episode is brought to you by BlueChew. Right now, when you buy two months of BlueChew Gold, you get the third for FREE with promo code PASTGAS. This episode is also brought to you by Shopify. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at https://www.Shopify.com/Gas And thanks to Rocket Money for sponsoring this episode. Join at https://www.RocketMoney.com/PastGas

This week, we're exploring how Japanese automakers fared during the gas crisis of the early 1970's. What led to them being in the right place at the right time? How did they expand across the globe so seamlessly? And what makes Honda's CVCC engine so revolutionary for the time? All of this and more on this week's episode.

In this episode of Past Gas, we're diving into the first ever Japanese Gran Prix, and how it shaped motorsport from that day on. How did Japan's cars do against Europe's elite and experienced Formula teams? Which companies competed? And what did they learn from the first Gran Prix that they took into development for road cars? All that and more in this episode!

In this season of Past Gas, we're exploring the origins of Japan's Golden Era of Cars. How did Japan bounce back from the devastation of WWII? What made their economy so strong? And when did their sports cars become the icons we know today? All will be explained in this 12 part series, stay tuned!

Thanks to Allstate for sponsoring today’s episode! Click here [ https://bit.ly/3Kj2XLO ] to check Allstate first and see how much you could save on car insurance. Thanks to Hankook for sponsoring today's video! Click here [ https://bit.ly/44f5Sgl ] to learn more about Dynapro tires! Thank you EveryPlate for sponsoring this episode. Try EveryPlate and get $2.99 per meal on your first box, plus free steak for a month. Go to https://everyplate.com/podcast and use code gassteak to claim your offer.And thank you Underdog Fantasy for sponsoring this podcast. Download the app today and use promo code GAS to score $75 in Bonus Entries when you play your first $5. Must be 18+ (19+ in Alabama & Nebraska; 19+ in Colorado for some games; 21+ in Arizona, Massachusetts, and Virginia) and present in a state where Underdog Fantasy operates. Terms apply. See https://assets.underdogfantasy.com/web/PlayandGetTerms_DFS_.html for details. Offer not valid in Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. Concerned with your play? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit www.ncpgambling.org . In New York, call the 24/7 HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY or Text HOPENY (467369)This week, in the season 1 finale of Past Gas, we finish the story of Enzo Ferrari and the era that turned the Prancing Horse into a global obsession: the iconic 250 GT and 250 GTO, the tragedies that haunted Ferrari racing, the moment Ford tried (and failed) to buy Ferrari, and the final thunderclap of Enzo’s reign: the Ferrari F40. Thanks to all of our listeners, we will see you in 2026! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Thanks to Allstate for sponsoring today’s episode! Click here [ https://bit.ly/4mgo1jE ] to check Allstate first and see how much you could save on car insurance. Thanks to Indeed for sponsoring this episode. Listeners of this show will get a $75 SPONSORED JOB CREDIT to help get your job the premium status it deserves. Go to ⁠https://indeed.com/PASTGAS⁠ right now and support our show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Also thanks to Aura Frames for sponsoring this episode. Exclusive $35 off Carver Mat at https://on.auraframes.com/GAS . Promo Code GAS This week on Past Gas, we’re diving into Ferrari — and the surprising, emotional origin of its most famous symbol. The Prancing Horse didn’t start with Enzo Ferrari, or even with cars at all. In Part 1 of our two-part season finale, we trace the logo’s roots back to a World War I Italian flying ace, and the chain of events that turned a wartime emblem into the most iconic badge in automotive history. From Alfa Romeo and early racing to Enzo Ferrari’s rise as a team manager, we explore how Ferrari built its identity long before it ever built a road car. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Thanks to Allstate for sponsoring today’s episode! Click here [ https://bit.ly/4n4xlrY ] to check Allstate first and see how much you could save on car insurance. And thanks to Hankook for sponsoring today's video! Click here [ https://bit.ly/4nsAXo6 ] to learn more about Dynapro tires!This episode is also brought to you by Aura Frames. Exclusive $35 off Carver Mat at https://on.auraframes.com/GAS . Promo Code GAS This week on Past Gas, we’re telling the unbelievable story of how HKS went from wrenching in a shed on a dairy farm to building some of the fastest cars Japan has ever seen. From early turbo experiments to the 300-km/h Celica, the outlaw Zero-R, and record-smashing time-attack monsters, this is how a tiny team under Mount Fuji ended up reshaping JDM and motorsport forever. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Thanks to Allstate for sponsoring today’s episode! Click here [ https://bit.ly/4mVSVPj ] to check Allstate first and see how much you could save on car insurance. And thanks to Aura Frames for sponsoring this episode. Exclusive $35 off Carver Mat at https://on.auraframes.com/GAS . Promo Code GAS This week on Past Gas, we’re telling the story of Kunimitsu Takahashi — the motorcycle phenom who survived a near-fatal Isle of Man crash and came back to dominate Japanese touring cars in the Skyline GT-R. His aggressive, controlled power-slides, born from the limits of bias-ply tires, helped shape the driving style that inspired Keiichi Tsuchiya and drifting as we know it. From volcanic hillclimbs to Nissan’s “Three Crows” era to delivering Honda a GT2-class win at Le Mans, Takahashi’s career defined multiple eras of motorsport and left a legacy that still echoes across racing and drift culture today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Thanks to Allstate for sponsoring today’s episode! Click here [ https://bit.ly/463GZoO ] to check Allstate first and see how much you could save on car insurance. This week on Past Gas, we’re telling the story of Pininfarina — the small Italian coachbuilder that became the world’s most iconic design house. Before their name appeared on Ferraris and Peugeots, Battista “Pinin” Farina was just a kid in his brother’s shop dreaming bigger than Detroit. From turning down a job offer from Henry Ford to creating the MoMA-worthy Cisitalia 202, Pininfarina quickly rewrote the rules of car design. And after one legendary lunch with Enzo Ferrari, they’d go on to shape nearly every iconic Ferrari for the next six decades. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Thanks to Allstate for sponsoring today’s episode! Click here [ https://bit.ly/3VhqAH3 ] to check Allstate first and see how much you could save on car insurance. Also thanks to Hankook for sponsoring today's video! Click here [ https://bit.ly/3ZWwwYL ] to learn more about Dynapro tires! This episode is also sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/PASTGAS and get on your way to being your best self. This week on Past Gas, we’re diving into the unbelievable life of Tom Walkinshaw — the Scottish farmer-turned-racing powerhouse who built one of motorsport’s greatest empires. Before he became the mastermind behind Jaguar’s return to Le Mans and Holden’s dominance at Bathurst, Walkinshaw was just a tough kid from Midlothian hustling his way up the racing ladder. From controversial disqualifications in the British Touring Car Championship to pushing homologation boundaries with Holden, Walkinshaw earned a reputation as the guy who’d do anything to go faster. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Thanks to Allstate for sponsoring today’s episode! Click here [ https://bit.ly/4gmCSHD ] to check Allstate first and see how much you could save on car insurance. Also thanks to Hankook for sponsoring today's video! Click here [ https://bit.ly/3GjjL3S ] to learn more about Dynapro tires! This week on Past Gas: one of the most insane tuner stories ever told. In the ’80s and ’90s, Gemballa turned Porsches into wild, million-dollar supercars for sheikhs, rappers, and rock stars. But behind the gold interiors and Testarossa body kits was founder Uwe Gemballa, a perfectionist whose obsession with luxury led to his disappearance — sparking one of the automotive world’s strangest mysteries. How did a man who built the wildest Porsches on Earth simply vanish? And how is his son rebuilding the brand today? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices