The Greatest Car Chases from Film History with Joe Pep

The Greatest Car Chases from Film History with Joe Pep

Author: Mark Stone March 16, 2026 Duration: 49:38

It’s me, Mark Stone, and in this episode of the Backseat Driver Podcast, I dive into the golden age of cinematic car chases from the 1960s, 70s, and 80s with Joe Pep.

We begin with the legendary pursuit in Bullitt, starring Steve McQueen, a sequence widely regarded as the benchmark for every car chase that followed. We explore why that scene became so influential and how it changed the way action was filmed on screen.

The conversation then widens to examine how these high-octane moments drew audiences into cinemas, from the raw, practical stunt work of earlier decades to the increasing reliance on digital effects and artificial intelligence in modern filmmaking. Along the way, I reflect on the cultural significance of icons like the Ford Mustang and the Dodge Charger, cars that became characters in their own right and symbols of their era.

This episode celebrates the craft, the adrenaline, and the lasting cultural impact of the car chase, a cinematic art form that still gets pulses racing today.

___

https://pod.link/1656058575

Visit our sponsors

GAZ Shocks 116 Trophy

Hodder Tyres

Tarox Brakes

SAS Autos

Listen Now

Mentioned in this episode:

Visit the Backseat Driver Podcast Sponsors

GAZ Shocks - Home of the 116 Trophy and the 120 Coupe Cup. Find them at www.gazshocks.com | Hodder Tyres - Trusted brands, every season, every condition. Visit www.hoddertyres.co.uk | Tarox Brakes - The Art of Slowing Down, precision-built in Italy. Check out www.tarox.com | SAS Autos - Experts in high-quality servicing and classic car restoration. Discover more at sas-autos.co.uk


There's a particular kind of conversation that happens when the engine is off and the real talk begins. Backseat Driver captures that feeling, hosted by Mark Stone from his home in England's north-west. Mark's own journey from competitive driving in the eighties to decades of motoring journalism and television gives him a unique vantage point. He's not just a reporter; he's lived the life, and that genuine enthusiasm for anything with an engine comes through in every discussion. This podcast is built around Mark's conversations with the prominent figures who shape the automotive world, from legendary engineers and designers to champion racers and behind-the-scenes innovators. You'll hear stories that rarely make it into magazine articles, personal reflections on iconic cars, and unfiltered opinions on where the industry is headed. It's for anyone who finds the culture of motoring as compelling as the machinery itself. Tune in for a deep, relaxed dive into the passion that drives us all, hosted by someone who has truly been there and done it.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Backseat Driver
Podcast Episodes
Helen 'Helly' Blake's Path to Championship Glory [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:14
It’s me, Mark Stone, and in this episode of the Backseat Driver Podcast, I speak with Helen 'Helly' Blake, a remarkable racing driver whose journey into the world of Autograss racing is anything but ordinary.Helen shares…
Insights from EpocAuto 2025 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:42
It’s me, Mark Stone, and in this episode of the Backseat Driver Podcast, I travel to EpocAuto 2025, held just outside Lyon, France, one of Europe’s most celebrated showcases of classic and vintage motoring.I explore the…
James Newbold Revives Formula 3000's Forgotten Tales [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:46
It’s me, Mark Stone, and in this episode of the Backseat Driver Podcast, I sit down with James Newbold, author of Formula 3000: Where Legends Earn Their Stripes, to explore his fascinating new book, an in-depth chronicle…
The HPC Classics with Miles Hardy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:05
It’s me, Mark Stone, and in this episode of the Backseat Driver Podcast, I’m joined by Miles Hardy, a leading name in the world of classic and high-performance cars and the driving force behind HPC Classics, a respected…
James Bond's Automotive Legacy with Mike Smith [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:59
It’s me, Mark Stone, and in this episode of the Backseat Driver Podcast, I’m joined by Mike Smith, a respected authority in automotive consulting and cinematic history — particularly renowned for his expertise on the ico…
The Dynamics of Co-Driving with Molly Livermore [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:20
It’s me, Mark Stone, and in this episode of the Backseat Driver Podcast, I speak with Molly Livermore, a rising star in the world of rallying and one of a growing number of women making their mark in motorsport.Molly sha…
Celebrating French Engineering: Autos de France at Oulton Park [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:52
It’s me, Mark Stone, and in this episode of the Backseat Driver Podcast, I head to the Autos de France event at the Foreign Point Circuit in Cheshire, a celebration of all things French on four wheels. Joined by Chris Le…
Derek Herneman on Driving Around the Coast for Charity [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:08
It’s me, Mark Stone, and in this episode of the Backseat Driver Podcast, I share the remarkable story of Derek Herneman, who set out on a 4,000-mile journey around the UK coastline in a vintage Land Rover and a 1946 cara…
Insights from John Brooks on Le Mans History [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:21
It’s me, Mark Stone, and in this episode of the Backseat Driver Podcast, I sit down with John Brooks, author of Le Mans: The Official History 2000 to 2009, to explore one of the most influential decades in endurance raci…
Precision in Rallying: Brantz Timing Equipment with Victoria Coward [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:26
In this episode of the Backseat Driver podcast, we explore the intricate world of rally timing equipment with Victoria Coward, Director of Operations at Brantz. Victoria takes us through the fascinating history of In thi…