When you think of “dad cars,” your mind probably jumps to the usual suspects: MPVs, crossovers, maybe a slightly tired estate that’s seen one too many school runs. But for Ben Marshall, the creator behind the Dad Cars YouTube channel, the term means something entirely different. Ben’s mission is simple but brilliant: to prove that family life and exciting cars don’t have to exist in separate worlds.
Recently, Ben joined hosts Andy and Jon on the My Dad’s Car podcast to talk childhood memories, YouTube leaps of faith, and why an MPV might actually be cooler than you think.
The Origin Story: A Spacewagon and a Spark
Every car enthusiast has that one moment, the spark that lights the fuse. For Ben, it began in the back of a Mitsubishi Spacewagon, the seven‑seat family hauler that carried him, his siblings, and a lifetime of memories. As he recalls:
“It was a seven‑seat Mitsubishi Spacewagon… I can remember being in the third row… and I used to get travel sick as well”
Despite the motion sickness, something about that quirky Japanese MPV stuck with him. He remembers strangers approaching his dad asking if he’d sell it, simply because no one else seemed to have one. That uniqueness mattered.
But the real ignition point came later, thanks to a neighbour’s Lotus Elise S1, a car that Ben describes with almost cinematic clarity. Seeing it every day planted a seed that would eventually grow into a lifelong obsession.
From Gran Turismo to Real‑World Thrills
Like many 90s kids, Ben’s passion was turbocharged by Gran Turismo on the PlayStation One. He and his brother spent hours racing digital versions of the cars they dreamed of seeing in real life.
That dream became reality when his brother bought a Toyota MR2, a moment Ben remembers vividly:
“It felt like we were in a supercar… I just kept looking at him and going, I can’t believe this is real.”
That feeling, the rush of driving something special for the first time, still fuels Ben today. It’s the same feeling he now shares with his own children through Dad Cars.
Building Dad Cars: A Leap of Faith
Ben’s YouTube channel didn’t start as a side project. It began as a full‑on leap into the unknown. He quit his job, sold his beloved Aston Martin DB9, affectionately named the Dad B9, and gave himself a year to make the channel work.
“For like 18 months, I was just hemorrhaging cash… but I felt like I couldn’t lose.”
Why? Because even if the channel failed, he’d still have a priceless archive of memories: him, his kids, and a collection of incredible cars.
Fortunately, the gamble paid off. Sponsors arrived, subscribers grew, and Dad Cars became a sustainable full‑time venture.
Redefining the “Dad Car”
Ben’s philosophy is refreshingly simple: a dad car doesn’t have to be boring. It can be a 911, an AMG, a GT car, or anything that sparks joy, so long as it can carry a child seat.
He reviews cars with his kids in the back, showing how practical (or hilariously impractical) they are for family life. His children are part of the videos, part of the fun, and part of the reason the channel resonates with so many parents who refuse to give up their automotive passions.
But he’s not blind to the realities of family life. Muddy boots, ice‑cream spills, and chaos are part of the package:
“If I had a car that I wouldn’t let my children eat an ice cream in, then it’s not the right car for me.”
It’s a philosophy that blends enthusiasm with authenticity, something rare in the polished world of automotive content.
Looking Ahead: Teenagers, Grandkids, and the Future of Dad Cars
Ben jokes about the day his daughters become teenagers and decide spending time with Dad isn’t cool anymore. His plan? Hire them.
Videography, editing, behind‑the‑scenes work, whatever keeps them involved. And long‑term? He imagines becoming a granddad who reviews cars with the next generation in tow.
It’s a wholesome vision, and one that fits perfectly with the heart of Dad Cars: making memories through motion.
Why Ben’s Story Resonates
Ben’s journey taps into something universal: the way cars shape our memories, our families, and our identities. Whether it’s a battered MPV, a mid‑engine sports car, or a luxury GT, the vehicle becomes the backdrop to the stories we tell for decades.
And that’s exactly what My Dad’s Car celebrates.
Listen to the episode in all the usual places now.