Louie Mattar's Fabulous Car! (Heidi Lewis)

Automotive History Live spotlights the true story of San Diego inventor Louis Mattar, who in 1952 drove a heavily customized 1947 Cadillac nonstop—wheels never stopping—from San Diego to New York City and back in six days, using on-the-move refueling and repairs, and amenities like a shower, kitchen, bar, communications gear, and a combined toilet/washing machine. Guest Heidi Lewis, author of the new picture book Louis Mattar’s Fabulous Car, explains how she discovered the car at the San Diego Automotive Museum, researched primary documents with Mattar’s family, and details Mattar’s self-taught ingenuity, including changing tires and brake pads while moving and coordinating police escorts before the interstate era. The episode also covers a second 1954 nonstop run from Anchorage to Mexico City, the car’s ongoing display in San Diego, and where to buy the $18.99 book. ===== (Oo---x---oO) ===== 00:00 Who is Louie Mattar? 03:36 Discovering the Car 06:33 SoCal DIY Genius 09:25 Tires and Brakes On The Go 11:33 Trailer Refueling Tactics 14:31 Speed Planning and Communications 17:01 Cost and World Records? 20:20 Toilet/Washer Shock 22:21 Mud, Laundry, and Showers 23:49 Inside the Rolling Lounge 24:49 Trailer Dinette Secrets 25:39 Breakdowns And No A/C 26:57 Lee Joins The Drive 28:28 Powering Gadgets Onboard 30:45 Mapping The Route East 33:01 Footage And TV Appearances 35:15 Heidi's Book Origins And Research 37:16 Lessons For Young Readers 39:11 Route 66 Road Trip Revival 42:23 Cadillac Heritage And Festivals 45:43 Where To Buy The Book 46:43 Final Thanks And Museum Visit 49:55 Sponsors And Sign Off ==================== The Motoring Podcast Network : Years of racing, wrenching and Motorsports experience brings together a top notch collection of knowledge, stories and information. #everyonehasastory #gtmbreakfix - motoringpodcast.net More Information: Visit Our Website Become a VIP at: Patreon Online Magazine: Gran Touring Follow us on Social: Instagram This episode is part of our AUTOMOTIVE HISTORY LIVE! SERIES and is sponsored in part by: The Studebaker National Museum and The Society of Automotive Historians (SAH) and was recorded in front of a live studio audience.