28-Sep-23
This podcast delves into the world of Steve Strope, a renowned hot rod builder and fabricator, offering a captivating blend of car culture, personal stories, and insightful commentary. Provocative topics range from the evolution of muscle cars to the potential of stem cell technology, while underlying themes explore the pursuit of passion, the importance of resilience, and the transformative power of community.
1. Steve Strope’s Journey From Apple Aiken to Pure Vision:
- From tinkering with cars in a small New York town to launching his own shop in California, Strope shares his path to becoming a master craftsman.
- He recounts early influences like his hot rod-loving father and his first car, a 1967 El Camino, built in a barn and later sold to a buyer in Japan.
- Strope details his move to California, landing his first job in a machining shop and eventually starting Pure Vision in a shared parking garage.
- The podcast highlights his unwavering passion for building cars, overcoming obstacles like limited resources and financial struggles, ultimately achieving success through perseverance and a network of supportive individuals.
2. The Fascinating World of Hot Rodding and Muscle Cars:
- Strope delves into the cultural significance of muscle cars, their appeal, and their place in American automotive history.
- He discusses the design and engineering behind his most notable creations, including the 1966 Dodge Charger “Scully,” the Challenger X, and the iconic “Hammer” Roadrunner.
- He highlights the craftsmanship involved in building these cars, from custom fabrication and paintwork to intricate details and hidden Easter eggs.
- The conversation touches on trends in hot rodding, the evolution of technology, and the ever-growing community of car enthusiasts.
3. Steve Strope’s Unwavering Resilience in the Face of Adversity:
- Strope candidly discusses his struggles with eye problems, including advanced glaucoma, a detached retina, and complications from cataract surgery.
- He shares his remarkable story of overcoming multiple surgeries, setbacks, and anxieties, highlighting his determination to maintain his passion for building despite facing challenges.
- Strope explores the potential of stem cell technology as a possible solution for his eye issues, showcasing his optimistic outlook and willingness to embrace new advancements.
- He emphasizes the importance of finding a balance between facing adversity and pursuing your passions, illustrating how his work provides an outlet for overcoming difficult experiences.
4. The Impact of Muscle Cars on Culture and Identity:
- Strope delves into the emotional connection people have with muscle cars, describing their visceral appeal and the thrill of driving them.
- He explains how muscle cars can be more than just vehicles, representing a sense of freedom, power, and personal expression.
- Strope touches on the evolution of muscle car culture, from its origins in the 1960s to its contemporary resurgence and the enduring allure of these classic American machines.
- He acknowledges the subjective nature of appreciating these cars, recognizing that not everyone finds them appealing, while highlighting the profound impact they have on those who do.
5. The World of Hot Wheels and the Power of Collaboration:
- Strope recounts his unexpected journey into the world of Hot Wheels, from working on prototypes for Mattel to designing his own 12-car line featuring his Pure Vision logo.
- He emphasizes the importance of collaboration in his work, acknowledging the contributions of his team members, including Kelly Cox, Mick Jenkins, and GABES, highlighting the collaborative spirit that drives Pure Vision’s success.
- Strope highlights the intersection of his passion for cars with his love for creativity and design, showcasing the versatility of his talents.
- He expresses gratitude for the supportive community of individuals who have contributed to his journey, emphasizing the shared passion and camaraderie that exist within the hot rod world.
6. The Importance of Community and Finding Your Place:
- Strope underscores the significance of finding a community that supports and inspires you, reflecting on his own experiences in Simi Valley and the importance of feeling connected.
- He contrasts the fast-paced, competitive nature of Los Angeles with the more grounded, community-oriented feel of Simi Valley, highlighting his personal preference for a less-pressured environment.
- Strope shares his experiences at Taren Tactical, a renowned firearms training facility, emphasizing the importance of seeking knowledge and mentorship from experts.
- He highlights the transformative power of finding your place and connecting with like-minded individuals, illustrating how this can contribute to personal growth and fulfillment.
7. The Pursuit of Passion and the Quest for Meaning:
- Strope underscores the importance of finding your passion and pursuing it relentlessly, showcasing how his dedication to building cars has shaped his life and brought him joy.
- He emphasizes the value of finding meaning in your work, explaining how his creations embody his personal expression and offer a tangible connection to his creative spirit.
- Strope highlights the importance of hard work and perseverance, sharing his journey from building cars in a garage to achieving recognition in the automotive world.
- He reflects on the transformative power of passion, highlighting how it can fuel your journey, inspire creativity, and bring you a sense of purpose.
8. The Thrill of the Hunt and the Connection to Nature:
- Strope discusses his passion for hunting, particularly bow hunting, describing the skills and dedication it requires.
- He emphasizes the sense of connection to nature and the respect for the animals he hunts, highlighting the ethical considerations involved.
- Strope describes the transformative experience of being in the wilderness, emphasizing its ability to provide perspective and a sense of grounding.
- He shares his observations of wildlife, including owls, eagles, and rats, illustrating the intricate web of life and the interconnectedness of the natural world.
9. The Unforeseen and the Transformative Power of Life:
- Strope discusses the unexpected and often unpredictable nature of life, highlighting the challenges he has faced, both personal and professional.
- He emphasizes the importance of adaptability and resilience in navigating life’s twists and turns.
- Strope shares his insights on the transformative power of life experiences, explaining how they can shape our perspectives and lead us to new discoveries.
- He acknowledges the importance of appreciating the present moment and embracing the unknown, highlighting the journey of life as a process of growth and discovery.
10. The Power of Human Connection and the Importance of Community:
- Strope highlights the importance of human connection and the power of community in supporting and inspiring individuals.
- He expresses gratitude for the people who have played significant roles in his life and career, from his family to his team at Pure Vision.
- He emphasizes the value of collaboration, shared passions, and the importance of supporting each other’s endeavors.
- Strope underscores the transformative nature of human connection and the profound impact it can have on our lives.
5 Memorable Quotes:
- “It’s a different kind of nice. They’re like real regular nice people. They’re not Hollywood NICE.” – Strope contrasts the different vibes of Los Angeles and Simi Valley, highlighting the genuine nature of the Simi Valley community.
- “When you’re in the mountains, that’s literally impossible. You know how tired you get when you go up the hill. You know, it would bitch you are. No. You know, in comparison to these other animals that are out there hunting these things, you are not. You’re only an apex predator because you have a bow. That’s about it.” – Strope emphasizes the humbling experience of being in the wilderness and the importance of recognizing our place in the natural world.
- “I love things that I I don’t have any skill in doing. I love watching people… I appreciate human expression. I think that we all do.” – Strope expresses his deep appreciation for human expression, particularly in forms he does not personally possess.
- “Those cars to me are, like, how someone wants to buy Van Gogh. They wanna put this, you know, this fucking Jackson Pollack painting in their wall and they just sit there and don’t have a glass of wine. And they’ll stare at that. And that’s for them. And I love painting too. I love art too. But there’s a there’s the art that really fucking gets my juices going is functional art like a car.” – Strope highlights his unique appreciation for functional art, particularly the way muscle cars combine beauty, performance, and purpose.
- “You’ve actually gotta work hard at this. It’s hard. Whatever it is. It doesn’t it doesn’t have… Well, building a car. How long did that know it would take to build? That took way too long. Time. Way too. Obviously, a lot of that was your eye issues. But it it took a long fucking time. It took us a long time to make something.” – Strope acknowledges the immense effort and dedication required to build a car, emphasizing the time and perseverance involved in the process.