The Journey of a Classic Car with Sam Grange-Bailey

The Journey of a Classic Car with Sam Grange-Bailey

Author: Mark Stone December 24, 2025 Duration: 42:32

It’s me, Mark Stone, and in this episode of the Backseat Driver Podcast, I’m joined by Sam Grange-Bailey, a highly respected classic car dealer who shares her distinctive path into the automotive world.

Sam talks about growing up in a family deeply rooted in car trading and how she helped evolve her father’s traditional business by embracing new technology and the early use of the internet. We explore how that shift changed the way classic cars are bought and sold, and how adaptation has become essential in a modern marketplace.

I dig into the realities of the classic car trade with Sam, from understanding market values and spotting genuine desirability to balancing emotion with commercial sense. We also reflect on why classic cars continue to hold such powerful sentimental appeal for enthusiasts and collectors alike.

This episode offers a thoughtful look at how the classic car industry has evolved, blending heritage with innovation while staying driven by passion.

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
The Rise of Copacetic Magazine: Insights from Editor Daniel Beavis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:21
It’s me, Mark Stone, and in this episode of the Backseat Driver Podcast, I sit down with Daniel Beavis, editor of Copacetic magazine, to explore how the publication is redefining the perception of modified cars in today’…
The First Rally Car Exhibition at Haigh Barn [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:10
It’s me, Mark Stone, and in this episode of the Backseat Driver Podcast, I journey deep into the heart of rallying as we shine a spotlight on local car clubs and their mission to ignite a new passion for motorsport.This…
The Fiat Panda's Unlikely Rally Journey [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:45
It's me, Mark Stone, and in this episode of the Backseat Driver Podcast, I take a look at the remarkable journey undertaken by rally drivers Anthony Harrison and Marcus Pomfret as they navigate the Desert Trophy event in…
The Joy of Driving Unusual Cars: David and Sandra's Rally Tales [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:35
It's me, Mark Stone and this weeks Backseat Driver Podcast, I join David and Sandra Williams, and delve into the extraordinary world of charity car rallies, elucidating their passion for driving unconventional vehicles a…
Exploring the Legacy of John Livermore in Rallying [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:16
It’s me, Mark Stone here, and in this episode of the Backseat Driver Podcast, I’m joined by rally veteran John Livermore to explore the rich and varied world of rally driving. John takes me through his remarkable journey…
The Journey of James Bond's Automotive Icons [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:09
It’s me, Mark Stone, and in this episode of the Backseat Driver Podcast, I dive into the fascinating history and significance of the vehicles featured in the James Bond franchise. Joining me are renowned authors Matthew…
From Milkman to Motorsport: The Inspiring Tale of Ron Beecroft [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:34
In this episode of the Backseat Driver Podcast, we sit down with Ron Beecroft, a distinguished figure in rallying whose journey began far from the racetrack, in the agricultural heart of Yorkshire. Ron shares how his pas…
A Journey with Knutsford and District Motor Club [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:48
It's me Mark Stone and in this episode of the Backseat Driver Podcast, I explore the Knutsford and District Motor Club’s recent initiative to make motorsport more accessible, offering newcomers a chance to experience com…
Behind the Scenes of the Abingdon Works Celebration [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:35
Its me, Mark Stone and in this special episode of the Backseat Driver Podcast is visiting the remarkable gathering commemorating the 70th anniversary of the British Motor Corporation’s (BMC) Competition Department, held…
Stuart Dent: A Journey Through Motorsport Photography [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:42
It's me, Mark Stone and in this episode of the Backseat Driver Podcast I'm in conversation with Stuart Dent, a distinguished motorsport journalist and photographer, who has recently published a book titled "Both Sides of…