“Everything you need, nothing you don’t”

Vin Anatra

AGE: 36
PROFESSION: Content Creaton

FROM A 1996 VW GTI 2.0 5-speed to a Ferrari 360, Vin Anatra is a car guy through and through. You might know him for his self-described “mediocre content” of cars (he has 458K followers on Instagram, and 315K subscribers on his YouTube channel), where he aims to keep his videos casual and personal. He chats with Sara Ryan about his first car (affordable at $3,500), his Ferrari (which he loves most for its sound), and the ups and downs of being an automotive influencer.

I always like to start these interviews with the basics. When did you get into cars?

I’ve been into cars for as long as I can remember. My dad didn’t have anything fun but always wanted a Chevelle, so we had model cars and grew up looking at car books and magazines.

When and how did your interest in cars become part of your career?

I worked in a speed shop in college for basically minimum wage but didn’t develop a career in automotive engineering until I started at Hoonigan in 2015.

Could you talk a little about your career and how it progressed to where you are now?

I moved from New York to California to take an entry-level job at Hoonigan. I assumed it would be fun for a bit and I would move back in a few year’s time. But as the business grew, I did too. I moved through a variety of positions in marketing and sales before finding my niche in business development roles. I expanded my roles, helped scale the business, and eventually became the Senior Vice President of Business Development responsible for over $20M in sales and partnership.

Sheesh! That’s impressive! How did your relationship with cars change as your career evolved?

It’s the only thing I haven’t gotten sick of in my life. I have been messing with cars for almost 20 years now and I love it as much now as I did when I was a kid. My position in the automotive world makes it more interesting and entertaining.

That’s great, so often when your passion fuses with your career it makes you sort of lose the spark for it. Did you find yourself liking cars you didn’t used to?

Totally. I have a Ferrari 360 and I don’t think I would have ever cared about these. To me, Ferrari was a bit too pretentious for someone like me — a die-hard car guy. But as I grew more fond of the driving experience I found a love for cars from the Driver’s Era — where technology and performance are in perfect harmony. Everything you need, nothing you don’t.

I like that “Everything you need, nothing you don’t.” How does this current car represent a new chapter of your life? Or “origin”?

I guess in a way, I bought it for a project on my YouTube channel and it helped grow my channel and social outlets tremendously. I think people enjoy watching someone work on a Ferrari like it’s a $5,000 Nissan 240sx.

Definitely, you made a fairly unrelatable brand something everyone could understand. There are a ton of platforms. Why did you choose this car?

Easy. The sound. If it didn’t sound like it does, I wouldn’t look twice at it.

When I heard you start it up in the garage I was a little shocked, it really does sound incredible. How has the Ferrari helped your current position in life?

People think I’m rich so they are more willing to give me money. I’m kidding. But in my line of work, the higher engagement on content the more money I can make so it certainly helped elevate me to another level.

I always say if you pretend to be rich people give you free stuff, I get it. What modifications did you make to it and why?

First up was an exhaust. I put a Kline Innovation inconel exhaust with equal length headers, high flow cats, and a valved rear section. Then I did Recaro buckets, Nitron dampers, and BBS LMs wrapped in super-grippy Yokohama A052. The biggest change was doing a gated manual conversion.

Nice! Did you do all the workalone?

Mostly yes. I had some help here and there but it is a DIY build.

How has your online presence and its automotive focus changed your situation offline?

Some people want to be your friend for what you can offer them. Whether it helps them make money or gives them more followers. That is super lame but it’s the world we live in now.

Yeah it’s like any other traditional form of “fame,” I’m sure. Definitely has its downsides. What plans do you have with the car?

It needs a color change, new wheels, and some other small bits!

Ooooo we love a color change! I’m excited to see what you choose. Do you plan to do similar things with another vehicle down the line? Which one?

Yes, I will be doing a series where I trade a Honda Civic up to a Lamborghini. Once I get that, it gets the same treatment.

Hell yeah that’s going to be a hit for sure. What challenges have you faced while building this car and your career since you left Hoonigan?

Cars are always a headache but they are nuts and bolts (and money). Life as an entrepreneur is pretty hard. There is no one to tell you that you are doing the right or wrong thing or if what you are doing will work out. Motivation, confidence, and happiness are fleeting. You just need to ride the wave and stick to it.

Totally understand that! What was your first car?

A 1996 VW GTI 2.0 5-speed!

That’s my birth year! How cool! Why did you choose this car?

I loved VWs, I wanted a VR6 but all I could afford was the 2.0. It was $3,500 bucks and I loved it!

You can’t beat $3,500! Do you feel like owning this car and being part of car culture has changed you? In what ways?

1000% I owe everything to my VW life early on. I built some lifelong friends, integrated into a culture, and had a ton of experience. I feel like I’m doing the same thing now as I was then just a few levels up.

That’s sweet! What are some significant memories you have working on cars and this car specifically?

I blew the transmission and my dad helped me swap it. No internet, no DIY, nothing. As someone who researches everything I couldn’t imagine just diving into it like that.

That’s awesome. It’s neat to get a perspective from someone whose life is both public and fully related to cars. Obviously, everyone has a unique perspective but yours is a little bit extra special. I’m excited to see you get that Lambo.

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