Car collector Scott Gunnari: A Man & His Edsels, #182

Car collector Scott Gunnari: A Man & His Edsels, #182

Author: Michael Kahn May 25, 2021 Duration: 31:03
Many cars have failed, but none quite like the Edsel. Scott Gunnari knows all the stories. But the vintage car collector enjoys the car named after Henry Ford's his son as much as any collector of any brand. Gunnari, the lead inspector for Page One Automotive, the automotive fleet and event management service company in Brisbane, California, has had six of the much-maligned machines in his collection. He now owns three. 1958 Edsel. The car was only made for three years. Gunnari is our guest this week on Episode #182 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia talk with Gunnari about three his 1958 Edsels — a Corsair 4-door and Pacer 2-door and 4-door. He also owned a 1958 Bermuda nine-passenger wagon, which he sold about three years ago to another Edsel enthusiast. Edsel: 'It's Weird; That's Why I Like.' "I've been an Edsel nut for years," said Gunnari. "It started at a very young age. I was about 7 or 8 years old when the Edsel came out. I was fascinated by the design. It was so different than anything else. It was weird and that's what I liked about it." "The three that I have I would say are in various states of disrepair I like to say rather than show cars or even driver quality at this point. They're projects and I seem to have an affinity for that sort of thing, for bringing a car back to life, making it a decent driver and enjoying it." The Edsel was short-lived but has a following among vintage car collectors, including Scott Gunnari. Edsel vehicles were manufactured from in model years 1958-1960 and were developed in an effort to give Ford a fourth brand to gain additional market share from Chrysler and General Motors. "It was just mistimed," said Gunnari of Edsel's short tenure. "There are many, many reasons for the demise. One of the major reasons is that it came out at the wrong time. It was too late. If it had come out in 1955, we might still have an Edsel. But it was late in 1957 and there was a recession." Please join Bruce and me for an entertaining conversation about Edsel. We encourage and appreciate feedback from our listeners. Please forward episode links to family, friends and colleagues. And you are welcome to repost links from the podcast to your social media accounts. The idea of more eyeballs on more content works for us. Support our podcast by shopping on Amazon.com. A graphic display at the bottom of the post links to automotive selections of the online retailer. But there's also a search function for anything available directly from the site. If you shop via this site, we receive a small commission. It helps us continue to produce independent content. The site began in 2004 and includes more than 700 reviews. The podcast is in its third year, and we've had a diverse collection of guests — famous athletes, vintage car collectors, manufacturer CEOs, automotive book authors, industry analysts, a movie stuntman and episodes from auto shows and car auctions. Please send comments and suggestions for new episodes to James Raia via email: james@jamesraia.com. All podcast episodes are archived on theweeklydriver.com/podcast Every episode is also available on your preferred podcast platform. Several of the more prominent platforms are listed below. Amazon.com Google Play iheartradio iTunes Spotify

Every seven days, The Weekly Driver Podcast pulls off the main road for a conversation that’s about more than just horsepower and torque. With James Raia and Bruce Aldrich behind the wheel, the discussion travels through the entire landscape of car culture, from the latest industry news and in-depth vehicle documentaries to the personal stories and societal shifts that happen on four wheels. This isn't a dry specs sheet or a simple review show. Instead, you’ll hear thoughtful commentary on how automobiles intersect with our leisure, history, and daily lives, uncovering narratives that often go unnoticed. The hosts’ long-running partnership brings a comfortable, informed dynamic to each episode, whether they’re debating a headline, analyzing a classic car’s legacy, or sharing an unexpected find from a local show. Tune in for a ride that treats the automotive world as a living, breathing character full of fascinating detours and destinations. The journey is different each time you listen to this podcast, but it’s always driven by a genuine passion for the stories found in the driver’s seat.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Weekly Driver Podcast
Podcast Episodes
#222, Author Russell Hayes’ new book: everything VW Golf [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:12
The VW Golf is the third best-selling car in history, behind the top-selling Toyota Corolla and Ford F-Series of pickup trucks. More than 35 million of the versatile vehicles have sold since the car's debut as a 1974 edi…
#220, IIHS, HLDI, Progressive work together for auto safety [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:29
Matt Moore, Senior Vice President of Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI), oversees the organization's research program, the collection of vehicle information and the production of loss data. A complementary company to the…
#219, RV living on the road: One family’s travels [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:00
Spencer, Kristi and Kade Stevens, otherwise known as the Adventurtunity Family, live full-time in their RV. The family is traveling throughout the United States, embracing a lifestyle they've determined is best — at leas…
#218, Author Mike Mueller on the Complete Book of Ford Mustang [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:50
Mike Mueller is an automotive expert among automotive experts. A journalist for more than 30 years, he has written and provided accompanying photography for more than 30 books on the Ford Mustang. He's contributed images…
#211, Drifting away while ice driving in Lapland [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:55
Every winter for the past 17 years, proprietors of Lapland Driving School in Sweden prepare acres of frozen tundra for the specialty automotive niche of drifting while ice driving. The facility, offering 14 varied circui…
#204, New Book: The Checkered Past of Al Unser Jr. [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:44
Al Unser Jr., born into one of motorsports' most prominent racing families, won the Indianapolis 500 twice and two IndyCar Championships. But he was also troubled. Unser abused alcohol and drugs and it destroyed a marria…
#202, Joe Wiesenfelder of Cars.com talks future of EVs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:39
Joe Wiesenfelder is the executive editor of Cars.com and he's immersed in the future of EVs — electric vehicles. According to the website's recent data, about one-third of car buyers are actively looking to purchase thei…
#198, Colton Herta, IndyCar racing champion [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:31
Colton Herta is 21 years old and he's been behind one steering or another since he was age six. Go-karts to Indy cars and several racing classes between, Herta is now competing at his best as the NTT IndyCar Series concl…
#195, Acclaimed auto writer chronicles Jaguar at 100 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:53
Giles Chapman is a prolific automotive journalist whose book topics have ranged from the importance of car badges to the history of Land Rover. His latest title is "Jaguar Century: 100 Years of Automotive Excellence." Ja…
#194, Lawyer, engineering expert questions Tesla’s AutoPilot [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:45
Tesla isn't new to controversy and nor is the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and both are back in the news. The NHTSA, previously critical of the electric vehicle manufacturer, recently said its…