Between Two Pumps

In Episode 6 of Between Two Pumps, the crew tackles one of the most polarizing debates in car culture: are classic cars meant to be preserved… or driven? From concours-level restorations to bug-splattered cross-country road trips, the conversation dives deep into the psychology behind "garage queens" and the people who own them. Is it about perfection, competition, and preservation—or are some owners missing the entire point? The guys unpack everything from muscle car collecting trends to Pebble Beach-level judging, accidental garage queens, and the emotional weight of cars that sit too long. Along the way, they share personal stories, including long-owned Camaros, forgotten Barracudas, and the regret that comes from not making memories behind the wheel. Because at the end of the day, the question isn't just what is your car worth—it's what has it given you?

In this episode of Between Two Pumps, the guys take a trip back to two of the most defining decades in automotive history—the 1980s and 1990s—and try to answer a deceptively simple question: what are the best cars from each era? What starts as a friendly exercise quickly turns into a mix of personal nostalgia, real-world experience, and some unapologetic dream picks. From Fox-body Mustangs and Buick Turbo Regals to icons like the Ferrari F40 and McLaren F1, the conversation moves fluidly between cars you could actually own and the ones that lived on your bedroom wall. There's no clean ranking here—just the cars that left an impression. The ones you remember seeing, hearing, or chasing. And maybe, if you're lucky, the ones you still want today

In this episode of Between Two Pumps, Mike Musto, Terry Shea, and Terry McGean dig into the idea of "Fat Elvis vs. Skinny Elvis" and apply it to cars—comparing lightweight, analog originals to their heavier, more powerful modern counterparts. From the BMW M5 and Jaguar E-Type to the Nissan Z, Porsche 911, and even the Ford F-150, the guys break down how cars evolve over time—gaining weight, tech, and performance, but sometimes losing the magic that made them great in the first place. Are modern cars better… or just bigger? Can "Fat Elvis" still perform? It's a mix of sharp opinions, real experience, and the kind of debate every enthusiast has had at some point.

In this episode of Between Two Pumps, the crew dives into one of the most debated topics in the collector car world: restored vs original. Are perfectly restored cars still king—or are buyers shifting toward survivor cars, barn finds, and driver-quality builds? From million-dollar unrestored discoveries to the rise of restomods and pro-touring builds, this episode explores how values are changing—and why the best car might not be the most perfect one. The conversation also touches on usability vs investment, why high-mileage cars can outperform low-mile examples in real-world enjoyment, and what today's market is actually rewarding. Whether you're buying, selling, or building, this episode will challenge how you think about value in the collector car world.

What cars actually live up to the hype—and which ones don't? In this episode of Between Two Pumps, we get into the cars that surprised us, the ones that completely let us down, and why some vehicles prove you should never meet your heroes. From unexpected standouts like classic Alfa Romeos to iconic disappointments like the Turbo Trans Am, this episode is all about real-world driving experiences and honest enthusiast takes. We also talk about which cars have aged well, which haven't, and how expectations can shape the way we experience a car behind the wheel. If you've ever chased a dream car—or been surprised by something you didn't expect—this one's for you.

What would you buy with $1 million to spend on cars? In the debut episode of Between Two Pumps, hosts Terry Shea, Mike Musto, and Terry McGean tackle the ultimate enthusiast question: go all-in on one dream car or build a diverse garage. From attainable performance picks to collector-grade icons, the conversation dives into what actually makes a car worth owning—and why the "best" choice isn't always the most expensive. This episode sets the tone for the show: candid debate, deep automotive knowledge, and real-world perspective from decades of experience in the collector car market. IN THIS EPISODE One car vs. collection debate Building a $1M dream garage Best value enthusiast cars What makes a car truly enjoyable Real insights from the collector car market ABOUT THE SHOW Between Two Pumps is a Hemmings podcast hosted by Terry Shea, Mike Musto, and Terry McGean—bringing together decades of automotive experience, honest opinions, and real marketplace insight to help enthusiasts better understand the cars they love. LEARN MORE Explore cars for sale: Hemmings.com Join Hemmings Motor Club: HMN.com/HMC