YouTube Creators Hub Podcast

Episode: Digging Up Rare Cars: How Ryan Brutt Built His Automotive YouTube Channel

Host: Dusty Porter | Guest: Ryan Brutt ("Auto Archaeology")

Date: January 30, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode, Dusty Porter sits down with Ryan Brutt, known as “the automotive archaeologist” behind the YouTube channel Auto Archaeology. Ryan shares his unique journey from accidentally stumbling upon rare cars in hidden locations to becoming a prominent creator with a thriving online presence. The discussion centers around growing a niche channel, adapting to new platforms, storytelling, monetization strategies, and the importance of authenticity in building a loyal audience.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Ryan’s Origin Story & Channel Evolution

• Unexpected Beginnings:
  • Ryan wasn’t always into cars, describing his first ride as a “Taurus station wagon” (02:31), not exactly a car enthusiast’s dream.
  • The game-changer: discovering a rare 1971 Cuda big block buried under junk while waiting to have his car stereo fixed (02:44).
  • “That flipped the switch in my head... If I could find this cool car by accident, what could I do if I put a little bit of effort into it?” — Ryan (03:15)
• From Blog to Magazines to YouTube:
  • Started by blogging, then adding photos as readers demanded proof.
  • Magazines like Hot Rod and Muscle Car Review took notice; Ryan contributed stories.
  • Video became the future, but magazine contracts delayed his YouTube start.
  • Early YouTube luck: a video went viral — “one video… got a million views, and I'm like, wow, this is ridiculous.” (05:05)

2. Consistency & Multi-Platform Strategy

• Posting Rhythm & Reach:
  • Weekly YouTube uploads since 2021 (05:40).
  • Huge followings: ~75,000 YouTube subs, ~330,000 Facebook followers, 80,000+ on Instagram (06:13).
• Fostering Community:
  • Interacts regularly via comments, stories, and livestreams (10:33).
  • Focus on reassuring fans that “cool stuff is still out there.”
  • “I want to be the representative of that person out there finding this stuff.” — Ryan (10:54)

3. Influences and Car Content Inspiration

• No True Predecessor:
  • Inspired more by magazine writers (Steve Magnante of “Junkyard Crawl,” etc.) than any mainstream TV show (06:57).
  • Mentions “American Pickers” as a partial influence, but mostly forged his own path.

4. Biggest Challenges in Video Creation

• Learning Curve as a Solo Creator:
  • Admits it’s tough to do everything alone:
    • Initial videos lacked good audio and visual stability (07:59).
    • Learned to read comments for improvement: “I see what people complain about...so I kept on getting better.” (08:44)
  • Struggles with being on-camera but recognizes its importance (07:59).
  • Evolving format is key; audience craves depth and detail.

5. Choosing and Managing Platforms

• Name Reservation Advice:
  • “As soon as you decide to go and do a YouTube channel or any of the others, go out and automatically claim your pages on other social.” — Ryan (11:58)
• Unique Platform Roles:
  • Facebook offers closer interaction than Instagram/YouTube, with groups/pages enabling dialogue (12:27).
  • Cross-platform presence prevents impersonation and strengthens the “web” of connections.

6. Thumbnails, Titles & Packaging Content

• Straightforward Approach:
  • Looks for the “coolest car and cool picture” for each video’s thumbnail (14:12).
  • Prefers direct, descriptive titles: “Mopars Found on the Side of a Mountain” or “69 Chevelle Sitting in a Farm Field with Cows” — simplicity gets clicks (15:45).
  • Uses YouTube’s A/B testing for thumbnails, not much for titles.

7. Filming, Gear & Tech Setup

• Flexibility & Upgrades:
  • Primary video device: DJI Pocket 2 with anchor wireless microphones (17:45).
  • Other equipment: GoPro 10 and 7 Black, Galaxy S25+ for quick shots (18:20), Sony 7 II for photography (18:36).
  • Always travels with charged batteries, LED barn lights (for poorly lit locations), and backup equipment (19:45).
  • Anecdote: Girlfriend jokes about Ryan “barfing” gear all over hotel rooms during trips (19:45).

8. Monetization & Revenue Streams

• YouTube vs. Facebook:
  • Facebook has overtaken YouTube in steady monthly income:
    • Facebook: ~$1,500-2,000/month
    • YouTube: ~$1,000-2,000/month on good months, with peaks up to ~$5,000 (20:16)
    • Instagram: “pennies” (21:15)
  • “I'm not the guy that has the fire hose...It's all the little straws filling the bucket.” — Ryan (21:24)
• Facebook Monetization:
  • Reels and videos perform; still images are “basically dead” for reach and revenue (22:13).
  • Meta pushes reels over other content (23:00).
• Content Theft Issues:
  • Problem with others re-uploading his content on TikTok/YouTube (24:30).
  • Platforms sometimes penalize for “non-original” content due to rapid stealing/reposting.

9. Future Plans & Improvements

• On-Camera Presence & Depth:
  • Wishes to appear more on camera, using new monopod/tripod and lights (25:59).
  • Aims for deeper storytelling — no more “that’s a Cuda, that’s a Challenger”; wants to include historical and owner-related context (26:30).
• Lead Generation & Adventure Mapping:
  • Receives direct reach-outs from fans and collectors (27:36).
  • Keeps a database of over 2,000 potential “barn find” leads mapped for efficient road trips (27:47).
  • Always aims for owner’s stories: “There’s a reason that Chevelle’s been sitting in their front yard for 50 years.” (28:35)

10. Importance of Stories Over Objects

• Value Beyond the Car:
  • Increasing fan demand for “meat and potatoes” — not just the car, but the personal histories attached (29:33).
  • “People really love those direct connections to history, and it makes it a lot more fun.” — Ryan (29:59)
• Storytelling Evolution:
  • Early videos “just the surface”; now, more history, context, and personality (30:21).
  • “What makes it bloom... is the whole other life of, you know, the owners had it for 40 years and, you know, his son has it tattooed on his shoulder and all this cool stuff…” (30:35)

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• On Discovering His Passion (03:15)

  • “That flipped the switch in my head... If I could find this cool car by accident, what could I do if I put a little bit of effort into it?” – Ryan

• On Authentic Community Building (10:54)

  • “I'm trying to be the representative of that person out there finding this stuff.” – Ryan

• On Choosing Platforms (11:58)

  • “As soon as you decide to go and do a YouTube channel or any of the others, go out and automatically claim your pages on other social.” – Ryan

• On Income Diversity (21:24)

  • “I'm not the guy that has the fire hose… It's all the little straws filling the bucket.” – Ryan

• On Demand for Storytelling (30:35)

  • “What makes it bloom... is the whole other life of, you know, the owners had it for 40 years and, you know, his son has it tattooed on his shoulder...” – Ryan

• Ryan’s Key Advice to New Creators (31:46)

  • “Get more details on what you're seeing. I understand that what I was doing originally was just the surface and people want the meat and potatoes of it... I just wish I had started sooner doing that.” – Ryan

Segment Timestamps

• Ryan’s accidental start with cars: (02:31–03:44)
• Going from blogs to video/magazine work: (03:44–05:05)
• Transition to consistent YouTube creator: (05:40–06:13)
• Platform and community strategy: (10:33–13:30)
• Thumbnail/Title strategy & tools: (14:12–16:07)
• Gear talk: (17:45–19:45)
• Monetization breakdown: (20:02–23:08)
• Improving content & storytelling: (25:59–27:24, 29:33–30:58)
• Advice to new creators: (31:46)

Memorable Moments

• Hotel Packing Antics: (19:45)
  • Ryan’s girlfriend jokes that his gear-spreading habit in hotel rooms looks like he “barfed all over the place.”
• “Look Like Shrek” Humility: (25:59)
  • Ryan pokes fun at his reluctance to get on camera: “I look like Shrek. So, it's like, I don't want to scare my followers away, but I'm going to try to do that.”
• Serial Map-Pining: (27:47)
  • Ryan’s 2,000+ barn-find leads spread across the Midwest demonstrate the scale — and obsession — of his operation.

Final Advice to Creators

Ryan urges listeners to go beyond surface-level content. Dive deeper, share context and stories, and don’t be afraid to iterate as you go. He admits he wishes he spent more time on story and details sooner, but evolving with the audience pays dividends.

Summary Takeaway

This episode gives a fascinating look into niche channel growth, multi-platform adaptation, and the relentless pursuit of authentic storytelling. Ryan’s journey underlines how serving a passionate community with consistency, humility, and a love for both objects and people can fuel both personal satisfaction and sustainable creator business.

Find Ryan Brutt (“Auto Archaeology”):

• YouTube: Auto Archaeology
• Instagram/Facebook: @RyanBrutt
• Website: [Linked in show notes]

Listen to Dusty Porter every Friday for new deep dives with successful creators.