389: Original Owners-From Ford's 428 CJ to Lotus' Final Esprit

Ever wonder what it's like to buy a dream car new—and still have it decades later? In this episode, Greg Stanley sits down with two remarkable enthusiasts who did just that. First up is Roger Parlett, original owner of a 1968 Ford Mustang Fastback 428 Cobra Jet. As one of the Ford engineers who helped bring the 428 CJ to life, Roger offers a firsthand look at how this legendary muscle car came to be—and what it was like to drive one home from the factory. Then, Greg talks with John Janisch, who purchased his 2004 Lotus Esprit V8 Final Edition brand-new—the very end of Lotus' exotic, analog era. John shares what it's been like to live with and preserve one of the final examples of a truly driver-focused supercar. It's a rare glimpse into automotive history told by the people who were there from day one—still turning the keys to their own legends. #TheCollectorCarPodcast #GregStanley #RMSothebys #FordMustang #Mustang428CJ #CobraJet #LotusEsprit #LotusEspritV8 #LotusFinalEdition #OriginalOwner #CollectorCars #CarPodcast #AutomotiveHistory #MuscleCar #ClassicCar #Supercar #CarStories #CarCulture #FordPerformance #LotusCars #VintageCars #EnthusiastOwned Do you need help buying or selling your collector car?  Contact Greg directly at [email protected] or [email protected]. This episode is sponsored by our friends at California Car Cover — my go-to source for custom-fit car covers and detailing gear. They've protected both my '66 GTO and Porsche Boxster S, and I trust them to keep your collector car safe, too. A special thank you to our new sponsor, Discover Once, curators of one-of-a-kind automotive adventures you'll never experience twice. Learn more at discoveronce.com/muscle. And as always, huge thanks to RM Sotheby's for their continual support and for making so many of these automotive dreams possible. Listen to the "Octane FM: Shift, Rev, Repeat" album on Spotify! Stay connected with The Collector Car Podcast—find us on our Website, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, or reach out to Greg directly via email. Join RM Sotheby's Car Specialist Greg Stanley as he brings over 25 years of experience and keen market analysis to the world of collector cars. Each week, Greg dives into market trends, interviews industry experts, and shares insights—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 Greg at [email protected]. Interested in consigning a car at an RM Sotheby's auction? Contact Greg directly at [email protected].