About
A documentary filmmaker and former producer for MotorWeek on PBS, Joe Ligo is a contributing writer at The Drive. He enjoys researching and writing about lesser-known intersections of cars and pop culture, as well as the history of defunct U.S. automakers. He owns a 1972 AMC Ambassador and is currently working on a documentary about the history of American Motors Corporation.
Experience
Joe started contributing to The Drive in spring of 2021. Prior to that, he produced the Emmy-winning TV series Maryland Farm & Harvest, and prior to that he was a video/producer editor for the TV show MotorWeek. His 2013 documentary, The Unfortunate History of the AMC Pacer, placed 3rd at the National College Television Emmy Awards.
Education
Joe grew up on a farm and attended college for broadcast communications.
Highlights
- Interests include automotive history, agriculture, cooking, electric vehicles, and what makes car companies succeed or fail.
- He’s an enthusiastic member of the American Motors Owners Association (AMO).
- He’s interviewed Malcom Bricklin, was once retweeted by Jim Farley, and met the two guys from Air Supply.
- Bylines include The Drive and Hagerty, and he’s produced video content for MotorWeek and founded the YouTube channel Automoments.
Notable Works
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Inside the Rambler Ranch, One of the World’s Greatest Automotive Collections Hiding in Rural Colorado
The Drive
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Parked in Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood: What Fred Rogers Taught Us About Cars
The Drive
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How a small fender-bender in my ’72 AMC turned into a big headache
Hagerty
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The Velour-Lined Rocket: 1987 Buick Regal Limited Turbo
MotorWeek
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The Unfortunate History of the AMC Pacer
AutoMoments
Fun Fact
Nobody in his family has ever owned a “fun” car. The closest was his father’s brief time with a 4-cylinder Mustang II.
