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162. @foldin, @as1automotive, @tonygrimmel, @alissa.grimmel and @johnvanek

162. @foldin, @as1automotive, @tonygrimmel, @alissa.grimmel and @johnvanek

The People's Car Jan 12, 2026 119 min
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About this episode

A lively discussion unfolds among a group of automotive enthusiasts as they reminisce about past car shows, share personal stories, and explore the evolution of car culture. They touch on the importance of fostering connections with younger generations, the thrill of driving classic cars, and the camaraderie that comes from shared experiences. Notable moments include humorous anecdotes about car troubles, the significance of community events, and the nostalgia of early car gatherings. The conversation highlights the passion that keeps the automotive spirit alive, regardless of age.

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Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Car

Volkswagen Rabbit

"Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So he's got a whole rabbit pickup right against the wall. And we went over ..."

The Volkswagen Rabbit is a small car with a hatchback design, which means it has a lot of space in the back for cargo. It's popular because it's easy to drive and has a sporty feel.

Term

wheelbase

"Well, it's got the wheelbase of a golf cart. Does it really? I'm not kidding."

The wheelbase is how far apart the front and back wheels are on a car. A smaller wheelbase usually means the car is smaller and may handle differently than larger cars.

Car

Volkswagen TDI

"Yeah, my wife bought a TDI wagon without knowing how to actually drive stick."

TDI stands for Turbocharged Direct Injection, which is a type of diesel engine from Volkswagen. These cars are known for being fuel-efficient and having good power.

Car

Toyota Starlet

"...They bought an 81 Toyota Starlet in Colorado. And my mom had to drive it back from the dealership..."

The Toyota Starlet is a small car made by Toyota. The 1981 version is one of the earlier models, and it was known for being economical and easy to drive.

Term

stick shift

"I always I taught Jace my stepson how to drive stick just in the past couple of years. And I always told him, like, if you stall or you're scared, roll back."

A stick shift is a type of car transmission that you control with a gear stick. You have to change gears yourself, which is different from automatic cars that do it for you.

Term

burnout

"Do a burnout. Just like exactly all the gas, none of the clutch and just go. It'll make some noise."

A burnout is when you make the car's tires spin really fast while the car is not moving. It creates smoke and noise, and it's often done for fun or to show off the car's power.

Term

clutch

"You know, it's like, right, whatever, clutches are replaceable. Yeah, that's for sure."

The clutch is a part of a car that helps you change gears when driving a stick shift. It lets you disconnect the engine from the wheels so you can switch gears without stalling the car.

Term

long block

"And this long block came out of something. They stripped it apart and it was a long box sitting in the corner to shop."

A long block is a type of engine that comes mostly complete, but it might not have all the parts needed to run. It usually includes the main parts like the block and heads, but you might need to add other parts to make it work in a car.

Brand

MG

"Fuckin MGs, man. Well, a lot of people say that."

MG is a car brand from Britain that makes sporty cars. They were very popular a long time ago and are known for being fun to drive.

Term

ignition issue

"I have an ignition issue."

An ignition issue means there's a problem with the part of the car that helps start the engine. This can make it hard to get the car running properly.

Part

oil cooler

"I have oil cooler, pissing oil, as soon as I try to crank it. And it won't hold a charge all because I tried to fix it."

An oil cooler is like a small radiator for your engine oil. It helps keep the oil from getting too hot, which is important for keeping the engine running smoothly.

Part

solenoid

"Yeah, because all it was was a solenoid. What it became is distributor issues."

A solenoid is a small device that helps move parts in a car when electricity is applied to it. For example, it can help start the engine by pushing a lever.

Part

distributor

"What it became is distributor issues. Well, Tony, you have to stick to what you know, which is don't work on cars."

A distributor is a part of the ignition system in some cars that helps send electricity to the engine's cylinders at the right time to make them fire. It's important for the engine to run smoothly.

Term

aftermarket

"...they didn't design that. That's aftermarket."

Aftermarket means parts or products that are made by different companies instead of the car's original maker. They can be used to fix or upgrade your car.

Term

fuel lines

"It ended up that he had the fuel lines on backwards. The real like me and the one other VW dude end up looking at it the one night when we're having a party"

Fuel lines are pipes that carry gasoline or diesel from the fuel tank to the engine. If they're connected the wrong way, the engine might not work at all.

Part

coil packs

"He was running like coil packs. Adam, right?"

Coil packs help start the engine by creating a strong spark that ignites the fuel. If they're not working properly, the engine may have trouble starting or running smoothly.

Part

Bosch Motorsports coil

"...ended up being the Bosch Motorsports coil that he had installed in the car. And I did. It was like, like, it was that one I got from Ray,..."

An ignition coil is a part of the car's engine that helps create the spark needed to ignite the fuel. The Bosch Motorsports coil is a special type made for racing and powerful engines, helping them run better.

Car

Chevrolet Caprice

"It was in the out of a 92 carato. It's all the car would run great."

The Chevrolet Caprice is a large car that was popular in the 1990s. The 1992 version is known for being roomy and comfortable, often used by police and as taxis.

Car

Mark III

"...about blasted a deer coming back from a snowboarding trip in my Mark III, which was a pretty nice way back in the day. And like it was I think it was already dead in the in the one lane..."

The Mark III is a version of the Volkswagen Golf, a small car that many people like for its reliability and good use of space. It was made in the 1990s and is often remembered fondly by fans.

Term

radiator

"...I'm pretty sure all four wheels came off the ground, bent the radiator. You know, cars lowered, had a VR lip on it..."

The radiator helps keep the engine cool by removing heat from the engine coolant. If it gets damaged, the engine can overheat, which is very bad for the car.

Term

lowered

"You know, cars lowered, had a VR lip on it. You know, I mean, bent the radiator, took the whole bottom of the front bumper off..."

When a car is lowered, it means the body sits closer to the ground than it normally would. This can make the car look sportier and can help it handle better, but it might also make the ride bumpier.

Term

front bumper

"...took the whole bottom of the front bumper off, bent the radiator, bent the AC condenser..."

The front bumper is the piece at the front of the car that helps protect it in case of a crash. If it's damaged, it can make the car look bad and might not protect it as well.

Term

AC condenser

"...bent the radiator, bent the AC condenser, ended up like limping at home..."

The AC condenser helps keep your car's air conditioning working by cooling down the refrigerant. If it's damaged, your AC might not work properly.

Part

axle

"...from the shoulder and wrapped it around the axle. So when I put it in reverse, the leg came flopping out the front of the car."

An axle is a metal rod that connects the wheels of a car. It helps the wheels turn and supports the car's weight.

Car

Toyota Tacoma

"...so anyway, because he has a four cylinder Toyota Tacoma. So it's like a little, like, it's a, it's a, it..."

The Toyota Tacoma is a small truck that people use for work and play. It's known for being tough and can handle rough roads, making it a popular choice for those who need a reliable vehicle.

Car

Toyota Corolla

"...little, like, it's a, it's a, it's a car. It's a Corolla with a bed. But because you have, and you got to..."

The Toyota Corolla is a small car that many people drive because it's easy to use and saves on gas. It's known for being dependable, which is why a lot of families choose it.

Term

supercharger

"...we just kind of threw the supercharger on it. We did standalone like Adam mentioned before. And yeah, I just kind of drove the shit out of it and it started smoking."

A supercharger helps an engine produce more power by pushing extra air into it, which lets the engine burn more fuel. This makes the car go faster.

Car

Audi TTRS

"...I ended up taking possession of a crate that had a fully built CPA to five turbo from a European 2009 TTRS..."

The Audi TTRS is a sporty car that offers great performance. The 2009 version is known for its strong engine and stylish looks, making it fun to drive.

Car

Holden Caprice

"... don't care about. And it makes me think of that Caprice you had. Yes. Oh, the Crown Vic."

The Holden Caprice is a large car that was made for comfort and has lots of room inside. It's not as common outside of Australia, but it's known for being a nice ride.

Car

Dodge Viper

"...e a mock car in my Best Buy. It was like a Dodge Viper. I know you could sit in it and I had this speak..."

The Dodge Viper is a super-fast sports car that looks really cool and has a loud engine. It's made for people who love speed and driving fast on the track.

Car

Chevrolet Bel Air

"All right. No, that's crazy. Bel Air, Maryland had it going on at Best Buy. Clearly. ..."

The Chevrolet Bel Air is an old-fashioned car that many people love because it looks really cool and represents a fun time in American history. It's a favorite among collectors.

Car

Volkswagen Jetta

"...h worlds. You get OK, the car looks like a stock Jetta, like a survivor time capsule. But it's also mod..."

The Volkswagen Jetta is a small car that is comfortable to drive and has a nice design. It's a good choice for people who want a reliable car for everyday use.

Car

BMW Z4

"...I mean, I had a I had a 2008 BMW Z4 M coupe."

The BMW Z4 M Coupe is a sporty car made by BMW. It's known for being fast and fun to drive, with a powerful engine that gives it a lot of excitement on the road.

Part

wastegate

"You know, turns out the waste, the wastegate's been zip tied shot for like 10 years and it's making 35 pounds boost."

A wastegate is a part of a turbo engine that controls how much air goes into the engine. It helps keep the engine running safely by making sure it doesn't get too much air, which can cause problems.

Car

Cadillac Escalade

"...t we have a truck in a trailer? Well, we have an escalade now. You're a truck now. Yes."

The Cadillac Escalade is a big, fancy SUV that has a lot of room inside for people and stuff. It's popular for those who want a luxurious ride with lots of features.

Car

Chevrolet Spin

"...pened. We have a trailer and truck and the wheel spin. But like round on the rocks is so much fun."

The Chevrolet Spin is a small van that can fit a lot of people and stuff inside. It's great for families who need extra space for trips or everyday use.

Car

Honda Civics

"...a cannonball run type thing. And big body kitted civics, like the whole night, all the junk from it. I l..."

The Honda Civic is a small car that many people like because it looks cool and drives well. Some people even change its parts to make it faster or look different.

Car

Pontiac Sunfires

"...ike we had a lot of like, you know, cavaliers and sunfires and, you know, tiberons, like those were like, a..."

The Pontiac Sunfire is a small, affordable car that many people used to drive. It's known for being fun to drive and is often a good choice for new drivers.

Car

Audi Quattro

"...e dealership's pretty small. And there's an Audi Quattro sitting next to the car on a lift. And it's like..."

The Audi Quattro is a car known for being really good at handling in all kinds of weather because it can send power to all four wheels. It's famous for its racing success and technology.

Car

Nissan R32

"...me in. Like we had a, we have a 2000, we have an R32 that comes in the shop. Guys from Connecticut."

The Nissan Skyline is a fast car that many people love because it can be made to go even faster with upgrades. It's popular in racing and has a cool reputation.

18 cars featured

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