About this episode
The latest Brain Buster episode dives into trivia about iconic cars, featuring a debate on the first production turbo car. Tanner's claim about the Corvair being the first is challenged, revealing the Oldsmobile Jetfire's earlier debut. The hosts share amusing anecdotes, listener interactions, and a mix of automotive history and trivia. They also discuss the Pontiac Firebird's legacy, including its last production year and performance stats. The episode wraps up with new trivia questions for listeners to ponder over the weekend.
Rose digs into the first turbochargers, Emily cries about the firebirds.
Recorded & mixed by Emdognightmare & Queen of the Vans
Editor: Emdognightmare
Production & research Queen of the Vans & Emdognightmare
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Hugs, thank you & high fives to Greg Meleney for the killer tunez!
Pontiac Firebird
"My question was what was the last year of the Firebird. Before, you know, before I reveal too much, I want to know what you look at. You know, yeah, mine was what was the last year of the Firebird."
The Pontiac Firebird is a classic American car that was made for many years. It's known for being fast and stylish, and it was a rival to another car called the Chevrolet Camaro.
The Pontiac Firebird was a popular American muscle car produced by Pontiac from 1967 to 2002. It was known for its performance and sporty design, often competing with the Chevrolet Camaro.
Saturn
"...they had to actually convince the government that GMC customers were a sliver of the market itself, that people specifically wanted to buy GMCs and that they would have to keep GMC and they would give up Saturn and they would give up Pontiac."
Saturn was a car brand that made affordable cars and was part of General Motors. It also stopped making cars in 2010 due to financial issues.
Saturn was another brand under General Motors, known for its innovative approach to sales and customer service. Like Pontiac, it was discontinued during GM's restructuring in 2010.
GMC
"...they would have to keep GMC and they would give up Saturn and they would give up Pontiac. Wow. Wait, what? Sorry."
GMC is a brand that makes trucks and SUVs. It's part of General Motors and is known for its tough-looking vehicles.
GMC is a division of General Motors that primarily focuses on trucks and utility vehicles. It has a strong presence in the market for larger vehicles and is known for its rugged designs.
Pontiac Trans Am
"...The Trans Am was launched in 1969 as a high performance package of the Firebird..."
The Pontiac Trans Am is a sportier version of the Firebird that was introduced in 1969. It has a more powerful engine and a unique look, making it popular with car fans.
The Pontiac Trans Am is a high-performance variant of the Firebird, introduced in 1969. It is known for its distinctive styling and powerful engine options, making it a favorite among muscle car enthusiasts.
Chevrolet Camaro
".... It was launched in 1967. It's a sibling of the Camaro. The Transam was launched in 1969 as a high perfo..."
The Chevrolet Camaro is a cool sports car that started being sold in 1967. It's known for being fast and stylish, and many people love it for its powerful engines and fun driving experience.
The Chevrolet Camaro is a classic American muscle car that was first introduced in 1967 as a competitor to the Ford Mustang. It has become an iconic symbol of performance and style, known for its powerful engines and sporty design. The Camaro is often discussed for its impact on the automotive industry and its enduring popularity among car enthusiasts.
zero to 60
"It went zero to 60, I think in 5.3 seconds. And then it did 13 second quarter miles."
Zero to 60 is a way to measure how fast a car can go from a complete stop to 60 miles per hour. It's often used to show how powerful a car is.
Zero to 60 time measures how quickly a car can accelerate from a complete stop to 60 miles per hour. It's a common performance metric used to evaluate a vehicle's acceleration capabilities.
quarter mile
"And then it did 13 second quarter miles."
A quarter mile is a distance used in racing, equal to 1,320 feet. It's a common way to test how fast a car can go in a straight line.
The quarter mile is a standard drag racing distance of 1,320 feet. Cars are timed to see how quickly they can cover this distance, which is a key indicator of performance.
American muscle cars
"...it had a run of 35 years and it was one of the most iconic American muscle cars..."
Muscle cars are fast cars from America that usually have big engines and a sporty look. They became really popular in the 1960s and 1970s for their speed and style.
American muscle cars are high-performance vehicles typically characterized by powerful engines and aggressive styling. They became popular in the 1960s and 1970s, often featuring V8 engines and rear-wheel drive.
turbo
"So then he came through and was like, I got a good question for you all to ask, what's the first production turbo car?"
A turbo is a part that helps an engine get more air, which makes it more powerful. It's a common feature in many sports cars to help them go faster.
A turbo, or turbocharger, is a device that forces more air into the engine's combustion chamber, allowing it to burn more fuel and produce more power. This technology is commonly used to enhance the performance of engines.
Chevrolet Corvair
"Well, he seemed to think that it was the Corvair. Yeah, because he has a Corvair and he's obsessed with it."
The Chevrolet Corvair is a car that was made in the 1960s. It had a different design compared to most cars at the time, with the engine located in the back instead of the front.
The Chevrolet Corvair was a compact car produced by Chevrolet from 1960 to 1969. It is notable for its unique design and was one of the first American cars to feature a rear-mounted engine and independent suspension.
Buick Regal
"...resting ones on there. Starting with the 77 Buick Regal Fireball Fireball. It's an odd fire motor. It's ..."
The Buick Regal is a comfortable car that has been around since 1973. It's known for being nice to drive and has some sporty versions that people really like.
The Buick Regal is a mid-size car that has been produced by Buick since 1973, known for its comfortable ride and upscale features. It gained popularity in the 1980s and 1990s, especially with the introduction of the sporty GNX model. The Regal is often discussed for its blend of performance and luxury, making it a favorite among those seeking a refined driving experience.
Porsche 911
"Now going to step backwards, 75 Porsche 911 Turbo. The car just looks fast sitting still."
The 1975 Porsche 911 Turbo is a famous sports car known for its speed and sleek design. It's part of the 911 series and has a turbocharged engine that makes it very powerful.
The 1975 Porsche 911 Turbo, known as the 930, is a landmark model in the 911 lineup, featuring a turbocharged engine that significantly boosted performance. It is recognized for its iconic design and exhilarating driving experience.
BMW 2002
"Even further back, more German cars, 73 BMW 2002. There's a turbo."
The 1973 BMW 2002 is a small, sporty car that people love for its fun driving experience. It's a classic model that helped make BMW popular.
The 1973 BMW 2002 is a classic compact car that is celebrated for its sporty handling and performance. It played a significant role in establishing BMW's reputation for producing fun-to-drive vehicles.
International Harvester Scout
"1965. So now we've jumped another eight years. International Harvester scout on a four cylinder engine turbocharged."
The 1965 International Harvester Scout is one of the first SUVs, built for both driving on roads and off-road adventures. It's known for being tough and reliable.
The 1965 International Harvester Scout is an early SUV known for its ruggedness and versatility. It was one of the first vehicles designed for both on-road and off-road use, making it a precursor to modern SUVs.
manifold
"the manifold probably goes to the turbo and holds the turbo."
A manifold is a part of the engine that helps direct air or exhaust gases. When talking about turbochargers, it connects the turbo to the engine.
A manifold is a component that distributes air or exhaust gases to or from the engine. In the context of turbochargers, the manifold connects the turbo to the engine and helps manage airflow.
Oldsmobile Cutlass
"...n my notes. Sorry, Tanner. The F 85 Jetfire is a cutlass. So it's a 62 Oldsmobile cutlass, but it's its ow..."
The Oldsmobile Cutlass is a type of car that has been around since 1961. It's known for being a good mix of comfort and performance, and it played an important role in American car history.
The Oldsmobile Cutlass is a nameplate that has been used for various models since 1961, with the F-85 Jetfire being one of the notable variants. The Cutlass is recognized for its role in popularizing the mid-size car segment in America and its blend of performance and comfort. It is often discussed for its historical significance and the evolution of the Oldsmobile brand.
Chevrolet Corvair Spider
"months ahead of the Corvair spider, which had the October release date."
The Chevrolet Corvair Spider is another car that had a turbocharger, but it came out a little later than the Oldsmobile Jetfire. It's known for being one of the first cars with this technology.
The Chevrolet Corvair Spider was another early turbocharged car, released later in 1962. It is often compared to the Oldsmobile Jetfire due to their similar timelines in introducing turbo technology.
MW 50
"to prevent knocking, you had to run MW 50, which was a 50 50 mix of methanol and distilled water."
MW 50 is a special mix of fuel made from half methanol and half water. It's used in some turbo engines to help them run better and avoid problems like knocking.
MW 50 is a fuel mixture consisting of 50% methanol and 50% distilled water, used in some turbocharged engines to prevent knocking. This mixture helps to cool the intake charge and reduce the chances of engine knock.
hydro lock
"...if you like drive through a puddle and suck water in your engine, you quote unquote hydro lock your engine..."
Hydro lock is when an engine takes in water instead of air, which can break the engine because water can't be squished like air can. This can happen if you drive through deep water.
Hydro lock occurs when an engine ingests liquid, such as water, which cannot be compressed. This can cause severe damage to the engine, as the pistons cannot move properly when liquid is present in the combustion chamber.
hydraulic systems
"...and that's how hydraulic systems work. But you, and that's how your brakes work and stuff. Power steering, all that shiznet."
Hydraulic systems are used in cars to help things like brakes and steering work. They use liquids to move parts around because liquids can't be squished, making them very effective.
Hydraulic systems use incompressible fluids to transmit force and perform work, commonly found in applications like brakes and power steering in vehicles. They rely on the principle that fluids can transmit pressure effectively.
Ford Pinto
"...was? You can guess what make and what year? Ford Pinto. Ford Pinto. That was really your guess. First tw..."
The Ford Pinto is a small, budget-friendly car that was made from 1971 to 1980. It became famous not just for being affordable, but also for some safety problems that made people worry about it catching fire in accidents.
The Ford Pinto is a subcompact car that was produced by Ford from 1971 to 1980, known for its affordability and compact size. Despite its popularity, the Pinto is often remembered for safety controversies related to its fuel tank design, which raised concerns about fire hazards in rear-end collisions. Discussions about the Pinto often revolve around its impact on automotive safety regulations.
roots style blower
"...but then there's like a roots blower and it like blows the air against the sides of the blower and then pushes it down into the engine..."
A roots style blower is a specific kind of supercharger that pushes air into the engine using two spinning parts. It helps the engine get more air, which can make it more powerful.
A roots style blower is a type of supercharger that uses two rotors to compress air and force it into the engine. This design is known for its ability to provide a large volume of air quickly, which can significantly increase engine performance.
Mercedes-Benz 1923 Compressor
"...the first roots style blower car is the 23 Mercedes compressor with a K. And that's what it's talking about. Okay. Is the compression of air. That's 1923..."
The 1923 Mercedes-Benz Compressor was an early car that used a special kind of supercharger to make its engine more powerful. It was one of the first cars to do this.
The Mercedes-Benz 1923 Compressor was one of the first cars to feature a roots style supercharger, which significantly improved its performance by compressing air before it entered the engine.
centrifugal blower
"It probably looks like a centrifugal blower, which it look kind of looks like a turbo."
A centrifugal blower is a device that helps push air into an engine to make it more powerful. It spins around quickly to do this, which can be better at high speeds.
A centrifugal blower is a type of supercharger that increases air pressure by using a rotating impeller. It is often more compact and can be more efficient at higher RPMs compared to other types of superchargers.
Ford 300
"What year did the Ford 300 come out? Again, try not to Google it."
The Ford 300 is a type of engine used in some Ford trucks and vans. It's known for being tough and reliable, which is why many people still like it today.
The Ford 300 is a straight-six engine that was used in various Ford vehicles, particularly in trucks and vans. It is known for its durability and simplicity, making it a popular choice for work vehicles.
F-series truck
"...ask your average person driving their F truck to the grocery store. They're gonna be like a 300 wood."
The Ford F-series truck is a popular type of pickup truck made by Ford. It's known for being strong and useful for many different jobs, like hauling things or towing.
The Ford F-series truck is a line of full-size pickup trucks that have been in production since 1948. They are known for their strong performance, versatility, and wide range of configurations.
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