Throttlecast by The Ride Lounge

Introducing ThrottleCast - Powered by The Ride Lounge - Episode 15In this episode of Throttle Cast, hosts Dave and Grant sit down with Jason Cummins, the owner of Buckhead Imports, a legendary automotive service and performance shop in Atlanta. Cummins discusses his journey from a technician starting in 1995 to eventually buying out his mentor, Lloyd Hildreth, and establishing the shop as a powerhouse for European performance.

In this episode of Throttlecast, Parker Smith shares how he built his real estate career from scratch, turning early uncertainty into a fast-growing business driven by passion, creativity, and relentless energy.He talks about starting out with no clear direction—experimenting with content, learning how to generate leads, and eventually finding his lane in residential real estate. Parker emphasizes the importance of doing one thing well, building a personal brand, and letting authenticity stand out in a crowded market. A major differentiator in his approach is thinking outside the box—like using high-performance boats to give clients “speed tours” of Lake Lanier, turning unique experiences into business opportunities. Beyond business, Parker dives into his passion for cars, speed, and living life at full throttle, tying it all back to his mindset: success isn’t about playing it safe, but about chasing a life that’s exciting, challenging, and constantly evolving. At its core, the episode is about building a brand through authenticity, taking unconventional paths to stand out, and creating a life—and business—that reflects what you’re truly passionate about.

In this episode of Throttlecast, Grant sits down with Jim Florek of Monster Customs to talk about his journey from installing car audio systems in his driveway to building a leading custom shop in the Southeast.Jim shares how he and his partner grew the business from a small startup in 2010—taking on complex jobs other shops avoided—to earning a reputation strong enough to attract celebrity clients and major opportunities. A key turning point came when they pivoted into government and emergency vehicle upfitting, scaling rapidly into high-volume production while maintaining strict quality standards.Along the way, Jim breaks down the realities of entrepreneurship—building trust, hiring the right people, and letting customer relationships drive growth. The episode also highlights his passion for cars, from high-end exotics to nostalgic classics, and how that passion continues to fuel both his business and personal life.At its core, it’s a story about taking risks, evolving with opportunity, and building a brand rooted in reputation and consistency.

In this episode of Throttlecast, Eric Schorvitz shares his journey from a small software entrepreneur to a passionate Ferrari enthusiast, blending stories of business, cars, and life philosophy. He reflects on his early days building a company from the ground up—sometimes earning as little as $36,000 a year—while emphasizing the importance of perseverance, strong relationships, and having a supportive partner.Eric dives deep into his love for Ferrari, recounting unforgettable experiences like touring the factories in Italy, owning iconic models like the 599, and customizing cars through Ferrari’s Tailor Made program. He explains the emotional difference between V8 and V12 Ferraris, describing V12s as a “movie star experience” and highlighting why the 599 remains one of his biggest automotive regrets after selling it.Beyond cars, Eric shares how his passion translates into business—stressing that people, trust, and reputation are the true drivers of long-term success. He also opens up about how his wife became part of his automotive world, and how shared experiences and communication strengthen both relationships and personal passions.The episode wraps with Eric’s broader perspective on life: focus on what excites you, value your time, and pursue what brings meaning—whether that’s cars, business, or the people you choose to share the journey with.

In this episode of Throttlecast, we sit down with Emran Alborno from Car Tunes Atlanta to talk about the history behind one of the Southeast’s most respected car electronics and customization shops.Emran shares how Car Tunes Atlanta began in 1978 when founder Richard Graham left his corporate accounting career to start installing eight-track players and speakers in cars—eventually growing into a premier destination for high-end automotive electronics.He also discusses his own journey from sweeping floors straight out of high school to building a long career in the industry, along with insights into modern car customization, advanced audio systems, and working on vehicles from brands like Porsche, Ferrari, and Lamborghini.Tune in to hear the evolution of the car audio industry and how Car Tunes Atlanta has stayed ahead for nearly five decades.

Introducing ThrottleCast - Powered by The Ride Lounge - Episode 9In this episode of Throttlecast, we sit down with Brooklyn native David Middleton to unpack his relentless journey from bus-stop car dreamer to engineer at Bosch and race engineer at the Nürburgring.David shares how spotting a red Porsche 944 as a kid sparked an obsession that led him to study physics, move to Germany with almost nothing, and knock on doors until he earned his place in the automotive industry. From developing ECUs for Jaguar Land Rover to working with AMG, Dallara, and racing teams at the Nürburgring 24 Hours, his story is one of grit, faith, and refusing to quit.Now a widowed father of three and founder of a sim-racing STEM company, David is focused on inspiring the next generation to build, engineer, and innovate—carrying forward both his passion for motorsports and his family legacy.

In this episode of Throttlecast, we sit down with Atlanta native Tony Marzullo, founder of Gas Motorcars, to discuss his unconventional journey through the car business and the philosophy behind his enthusiast-focused dealership.From starting as a young salesman to walking away over ethical concerns, Tony shares how he built Gas Motorcars on transparency, reputation, and rare, driver-centric vehicles. He also dives into Porsche market trends, auction dynamics, and why supercars aren’t always smart investments.Beyond the showroom, Tony talks about his hands-on philanthropic work with the Shepherd Center, creating meaningful experiences for patients and families facing life-changing injuries.

In this episode of Throttlecast, we sit down with Ed Bolian—Cannonball record holder, founder of VINwiki, and former Lamborghini sales director—to talk cars, storytelling, and the unexpected path that built one of the most influential automotive media platforms today.Ed dives into his journey from exotic car sales and rentals to building VINwiki, shares behind-the-scenes stories from some of the world’s most legendary cars, and breaks down what truly makes modern cars collectible. From McLaren F1 road trips to Bugatti Veyron ownership, this episode blends passion, humor, and real insight into the automotive world.

Introducing Throttlecast: Episode 5 (Dave, Grant and Dani Butler)This episode of Throttlecast features Dani Butler, a staple of Atlanta’s automotive community and former face of Butler Tire. Danni shares the story behind the 50-year family business, how he modernized its marketing through social media, and why relationships—not money—were always the foundation of success.He also reflects on his journey from South Africa to Atlanta, his personal car evolution that led him to the Porsche 911, and his next chapter after Butler Tire’s sale in 2022. Now consulting and planning his next automotive venture, Danni opens up about shifting priorities after a major health scare and what truly matters moving forward.If you love real cars, real stories, and real people, this is the start of something special.

This episode of Throttlecast, features host Grant Van Brewer, co-host Dave Codrea, and special guest Evan Halliday of RS Auto House.Atlanta native Evan Halliday has been in the automotive world since 2012, turning a lifelong passion into a career. From launching a supercar experience at Atlanta Motorsports Park to time in the corporate world and six years at Merit Partners, Evan ultimately founded RS Auto House—an auction-focused, concierge-style brokerage built around client care, accuracy, and trust.RS Auto House specializes in high-end vehicles, with a strong presence on Bring a Trailer, emphasizing hands-on service, thorough vehicle prep, and honest representation. Evan also shares insights on collecting, why Porsche is a smart starting point, and the cars that shaped his journey—from the Dodge Viper to the legendary McLaren F1.The episode wraps with a rapid-fire round covering dream cars, manual transmissions, and car trends worth keeping (and ditching).

This episode features Cho Nguyen, the founder of Vintage Modern. He grew up with a deep appreciation for cars but was limited by his resources, ultimately this influenced his approach to building vehicles. Over time, he transformed that passion into a company focused on blending classic design with modern engineering, safety, and reliability.Rather than accepting the limitations of traditional vintage cars, he set out to create something better. Vehicles that capture the look and character of the past while delivering the performance and comfort expected today. It’s a thoughtful story about identifying a personal challenge and turning it into a refined, successful brand.If you love real cars, real stories, and real people, this is the start of something special. CHECK OUT THE TEASER BY CLICKING ABOVE, and subscribe now so you don’t miss any episodes!