“An endearing and thought-provoking road odyssey.” - Kirkus Reviews

At sixteen, Neil dreamed of learning to drive a manual car. His father, Ruchin, was at a crossroads, questioning his next steps in life. Neither could have imagined that a rusted, beat-up Acura Integra would become their greatest teacher. With just $5,000, no mechanical experience, and a wild idea, father and son embarked on a year-long transformation—of the car, themselves, and their bond.

What began as a simple driving lesson turned into an epic 5,000-mile road trip to the highest paved road in the United States. Along the way, they faced unexpected challenges, breathtaking landscapes, and moments of raw connection. Through laughter, frustration, and detours, they discovered resilience, strength, and the unshakable power of family.

The Kansal Clunker: The Car that Rebuilt Us is a story for anyone craving adventure, seeking transformation, or longing to bridge the gap between generations. It’s proof that sometimes the best journeys begin with a broken-down car and an open road. With every twist of the wrench and turn of the road, Neil and Ruchin learned what it truly means to rebuild—not just a car, but themselves.

Buckle up—this unforgettable ride will stay with you long after the last page.

Coming December 9th! Pre-Order Now:

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“You’d be hard pressed to come up with a more unlikely vessel for self-discovery than the 1998 Acura Integra… The narrative powerfully conveys that massive undertaking while serving up the Kansals’ personal experience as a near universal expression of the quintessential nature of families—and the complexity of father and son relationships in particular . . . This charming father and son adventure demonstrates that the road ahead is full of promise, but never without risk; in the end, family is what makes the journey possible.”

- Kirkus Reviews

Advance Praise

  • “You will want to ‘call shotgun’ on this epic adventure that this dynamic father-son duo created and executed with grace, grit, and determination . . . the teacher became the student . . . and the student became the teacher.”

    Scott Chesney

    World-renowned motivational speaker, life coach, and consultant

  • “A gripping travel saga—lucid, vivid, and joyfully told. The Kansal Clunker brings its journey and characters to life on every page.”

    Mona Verma

    Author, UN Karamveer & Prem Chand Literature Awardee

  • "I have a lasting memory of my father’s 1965 Chevy Chevelle, three-speed, manual with the shifter on the steering-wheel-column. As he taught me to drive this monstrosity I fondly remember spending at least 10 minutes trying to get into gear at a red light on 6th Avenue and Valencia in Tucson. He was so patient as I grew increasingly frustrated. That wonderful memory kept coming back as I read the Kansal Klunker. The Kansal Clunker is a heartwarming story . . . The rich metaphors make for an enjoyable read for anyone who has ever gown parent/child love through a shared — and sometimes tumultuous — experience."

    Hon. Lorenzo Sierra

    Author “Fight Like Hell: Love, Politics, and the Will to Live”

  • “. . . an emotionally uplifting and heartening ‘road trip’ story... they set out to explore the soul of America, rebuild their own relationship, and reclaim the ineffable wonder of family. You cannot read this book without experiencing a profound desire to hit pause and slow down long enough to see and feel our country's landscape, our life, loves, and underappreciated blessings."

    Dr. Roger Newman, MD

    Professor and Award-winning Author

  • “The Kansal Clunker is a multi-layered narrative . . . a fun read; it also reminds us of what is truly important in life.”

    Dr. Winona Howe, Ph.D.

    Author, Professor Emeritus of English Literature

  • “The Kansal Clunker is more than a father-son road trip—it is a roadmap for life... it is the relationships that truly matter most and that is what drives success.”

    Dr. Cindy McGovern

    Author of Every Job Is a Sales Job

  • “There’s something quietly magnetic about The Kansal Clunker . . . You start reading about a car and end up tracing the architecture of life, its curiosities, its grit, its bonds . . . What the authors built with their hands is impressive; what they’ve built with their words is enduring.”

    Dr. Mahesh Daas

    President, Boston Architectural College; Author

Leadership Endorsements

  • “The Kansal Clunker beautifully captures the essence of transformation—taking what seems impossible and making it extraordinary . . . the resilience, alignment, and bold vision that drive both great families and great enterprises.”

    Manoj Kohli

    Global Business Advisor; Former Country Head SoftBank Group; CEO & MD, Bharti Airtel 

  • “A timely and inspiring story—The Kansal Clunker shows that transformation is possible and joyful when trust, alignment, and resilience come together.”

    Frank Diana

    Principal Futurist & Managing Partner, Tata Consultancy Services

  • “The Kansal Clunker isn’t just a great father–son story. It’s a playbook for grit, perseverance, and leadership that matters . . . trust, resilience, and love—are just as critical in families as they are in everyday life.”

    Dr. Bryan Price,

    Former Academy Professor, U.S. Military Academy at West Point; Founder, Top Mental Game

  • “The Kansal Clunker reminds us that leadership lessons aren’t limited to classrooms or boardrooms . . . learning across generations transforms families, communities, and organizations alike.”

    Dr. Katia Passerini

    President, Gonzaga University

  • “Inspiring reminder that what’s rebuilt with care grows even stronger.”

    Dr. Sanjay Gupta, M.D.

    Award-winning Orthopedic Surgeon

  • “A powerful reminder that the toughest journeys teach us the most about leadership, resilience, and family.”

    Steve Adubato, PhD

    Emmy Award–winning Anchor and Author of Lessons in Leadership 2.0: The Tough Stuff