Drive Thru Radio

Saturdays at 8pm

The Zangari brothers have been repairing, maintaining and restoring vehicles since the 1960s. They’re on a first-name basis with automotive technology from the crank-to-start era through modern cars and trucks with computer controls.

Paul, soon joined by John, have been dispensing automotive advice first on WPRO, then also on WPRV and WEAN-FM since October, 1988.

John has had a lengthy career both repairing vehicles and teaching others to do so. He was inducted into the Automotive Service Excellence Hall of Fame as a Master Automotive Technician for his work training service department personnel for Toyota dealers throughout the New England states. Before that he worked in car and truck service departments himself. John has also taught vehicle service and repair on the secondary-school level.

A RI Radio & TV Hall of Famer, Paul has also written maintenance and repair materials for auto service professionals on behalf of the makers of Fram, Bendix and Autolite auto parts. A former Certified Automotive Technician and longtime affiliate of the Society of Automotive Engineers, his work has appeared in Motor Age, Undercar Digest, Popular Mechanics and more. He also was the car-care guy on The Popular Mechanics Show on The Discovery Channel.

Both Zangari brothers have a lengthy involvement with antique and classic cars. Paul still has a 1964 Chevrolet Corvair Monza coupe and 1931 Chrysler CM 6-cylinder roadster. John drove his 1926 Chrysler Imperial touring car in scenes shot for The Great Gatsby in Newport. Paul maintained cars used in filming the movie, with Robert Redford in the title role, in both Rhode Island and New York City locations.