171 Cunningham Tears, Heavy Breathing, and Box Flares
Bring a Trailer Podcast
Bring a Trailer Podcast Jun 4, 2026
171 Cunningham Tears, Heavy Breathing, and Box Flares

171 Cunningham Tears, Heavy Breathing, and Box Flares

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46:31
171 Cunningham Tears, Heavy Breathing, and Box Flares
1964 Ford Fairlane 500 Two-Door Hardtop K-Code 289 4-Speed
Car

1964 Ford Fairlane 500 Two-Door Hardtop K-Code 289 4-Speed

This is a 1964 Ford Fairlane 500 with a performance version of the 289 V8. The “4-speed” means it’s a manual transmission, and the special carb setup is part of what makes it stand out.

Ford Falcon
Car

Ford Falcon

The Ford Falcon is a car model made by Ford. It’s generally considered a midsize car, and older versions can be collectible. The podcast is using it as a reference point in a naming/size comparison.

Term

six pack

A “six pack” means the engine has three carburetors, and each one has two throttle barrels. More carburetors can help the engine breathe better, especially when you’re driving hard.

Term

progressive linkage

With multiple carburetors, you usually don’t want all of them opening at once. A “progressive linkage” is the mechanism that brings them in gradually as you press the gas, so it drives better day-to-day and still performs when you floor it.

Term

dealer add on

A “dealer add-on” is something that wasn’t necessarily built into the car at the factory, but was added by the dealership after the car was ordered or delivered. The host is implying this Fairlane’s special setup might have been installed that way.

Shelby GT500
Car

Shelby GT500

The Shelby GT500 is a very powerful version of the Ford Mustang. It’s known for performance parts under the hood, including a distinctive air cleaner shape. The podcast is describing that visible engine detail.

Term

Thunderbolt clone

A “Thunderbolt clone” means someone made a car that looks or is set up like a famous drag-racing Thunderbolt. It may not be the original factory Thunderbolt, but it’s trying to recreate the vibe/spec.

Term

K engine

In Ford-speak, “K-Code” (often said as “K engine”) means a specific higher-performance version of the 289 V8. It’s not just any 289—it’s the factory performance setup.

Term

carbs

“Carbs” are carburetors—how older engines mix fuel and air. If they’re “not stocked to the car,” it usually means the car may have been modified and the carb setup doesn’t match what it left the factory with.

Concept

swap

A “swap” means changing a big part of the car—most commonly the engine—to something else. The host is wondering if the car was modified after the fact, instead of being built that way.

Term

K in the VIN

A VIN is a car’s identification number. Some characters inside it can tell you things like which engine or version the car came with, and the host is using that to prove the car’s original setup.

Term

factory four speed

“Factory four speed” means the car originally came with a four-speed transmission from the manufacturer. It’s important because it suggests the car hasn’t been modified with a different gearbox.

Term

induction set up

“Induction” is how the engine gets air. The “induction set up” here means the intake/air-feeding parts, and they’re saying it’s an unusual version.

Brand

TASCA

TASCA is being used like a name for a dealer or shop that would’ve liked this kind of unusual setup. It’s a nod to a particular car-enthusiast style.

Volkswagen Gti
Car

Volkswagen Gti

The Volkswagen Golf is a compact car model. The podcast is specifically talking about a Golf GTI, which is a sportier version. They’re mentioning a particular color and that a car appeared or was listed.

Term

eight valve

“Eight valve” means the engine has eight valves total. It’s basically the simpler valvetrain compared with a 16-valve setup, and they’re using it to identify the engine version.

Term

16 valve

“16 valve” means the engine has 16 valve openings that control how air and fuel enter and how exhaust leaves. It’s a basic way to describe the engine’s design, often associated with better breathing.

1993 Mustang Cobra
Car

1993 Mustang Cobra

The 1993 Ford Mustang Cobra is a sportier version of the Mustang from the early-to-mid 1990s. In this part, they’re mainly talking about the limited paint colors and how some of them went from mocked to valuable.

Term

huge premiums

A “premium” here means people pay extra money for something special. They’re saying the unusual paint colors became worth a lot more later.

93 Cobra Mustang
Car

93 Cobra Mustang

That sounds like a 1993 Ford Mustang Cobra. It’s a sportier version of the Mustang from that year, usually with a stronger engine and more performance parts than the regular models.

Chevrolet Corvette
Car

Chevrolet Corvette

“C4 Corvette” means the fourth generation of the Chevrolet Corvette. It’s the era where Corvettes got much more serious performance, including special high-output versions like the ZR-1.

Brand

Callaway

Callaway is a company that builds performance upgrades for certain cars, especially Corvettes. So when they say “Callaway,” they mean a modified Corvette done by that tuner.

Jeep Cj2A
Car

Jeep Cj2A

The Jeep CJ is an older Jeep model designed for off-road driving. The podcast is talking about early versions like the CJ2A. People collect them because they’re simple and built for rugged use.

Jeep Willys
Car

Jeep Willys

The Jeep Wrangler is a Jeep made for off-road driving. It’s known for having a rugged design that connects it to older Jeep models. The podcast is pointing out that some of that heritage is still there.

Term

Twin Cam Zs

“Twin Cam Zs” means a Nissan Z car with a twin-cam engine. Twin-cam engines use two camshafts to control the valves, which can make the engine rev more freely.

AM General M151A2
Car

AM General M151A2

The AM General M151A2 is a small military vehicle used for utility work. Here, they’re talking about one that was used as a shooting target, then later fixed up so it could drive again—while still keeping the visible bullet damage.

Term

bullet holes

“Bullet holes” are marks left when something is shot. In a restoration context, leaving them visible means the owner wants to keep the vehicle’s past instead of making it look brand new.

Person

Rafi

Rafi is a guest who’s been on this podcast before. They’re saying he’s a frequent car seller on Bring a Trailer and a big fan of the show.

Term

HP

HP means horsepower, which is a way to describe how much power the engine makes. More horsepower usually means stronger acceleration, especially when the car is set up well.

Term

L24

L24 is the name of a Nissan engine (an inline-six). People like it because it can be modified to make more power than stock.

Term

bore him out

“Bore him out” means making the engine’s cylinders bigger. That increases displacement, which can help the engine make more power, but it has to be done correctly.

Term

magnesium wheels

Magnesium wheels are lighter wheels made from magnesium. Because they’re lighter, the car can feel more responsive when you turn or accelerate.

Term

twin cam engine

A twin cam engine has two camshafts that help control the engine’s valves. It’s a performance-oriented design that can help the engine breathe better at higher RPM.

Term

strut tower brace

A strut tower brace is a metal bar that ties the suspension towers together. It helps the front end feel tighter by reducing how much the body flexes when you drive hard.

Term

stacked exhaust

A stacked exhaust means the exhaust pipes are arranged vertically like a stack. People do it for the look, and it can also be part of how the exhaust is routed under the car.

Term

covered headlights

Covered headlights are headlights that have a cover or shroud over them. It’s usually done to change the look of the front of the car.

Term

duck spoiler

A duck spoiler is a small spoiler at the back that has a rounded, low shape. It’s mostly about the look, though spoilers can also help airflow.

Term

wing mirrors

Wing mirrors are side mirrors that stick out on little arms or brackets. They’re often used to get a classic look and can make it easier to see beside the car.

Term

single cam

Single cam means the engine uses one camshaft to control the valves. It’s one of the basic engine design differences people talk about when comparing cars.

Term

webbers

“Webbers” refers to Weber carburetors, which are fuel-mixing devices used on some classic performance engines. People like them because they can make the car feel and sound more “old-school” and responsive.

Term

blow by

“Blow-by” means some engine gases are getting past the piston seals and going into the lower part of the engine. If it’s happening a lot, it can mean the engine’s internal parts are wearing out.

Term

mid-engine

A mid-engine car puts the engine closer to the middle of the vehicle instead of the front. That can help the car feel more balanced and easier to steer, especially on a track.

Term

Grand Prix cars

This refers to race cars designed for top-level Grand Prix events. The speaker is using it to talk about how racing car designs changed over time.

Term

all aluminum V8

This means the engine is a V8 (eight-cylinder) and it’s built largely from aluminum. Aluminum is lighter than iron, so the car can be quicker and handle better because it weighs less.

Place

LA times GP

This is a historic race event in Los Angeles (the “LA Times GP”). The host is saying the car’s presence there is memorable—especially the start/finish area.

Place

Riverside

This is a famous old race track in California called Riverside. The speaker’s dad used to go there for big racing events.

Term

cross ram manifold

It’s a special intake pipe system that helps feed fuel/air to the engine. The “cross” part means the tubes are shaped so they route the mixture in a more performance-oriented way.

Term

quad webers

That means the engine uses four carburetors made by Weber. More carburetors can help the engine breathe better, especially when you’re driving hard.

Term

air cleaners

Air cleaners are the filters on the intake that keep dirt out of the engine. On carbureted cars, their shape and location can also influence how the engine breathes.

Term

headers

Headers are special exhaust pipes that replace the stock exhaust manifold. They help exhaust gases flow more efficiently, which can improve performance.

Term

90 degree bend

That’s a sharp corner in the intake path. The shape of the intake path can change how smoothly air gets to the carburetors.

Term

four barrel

A “four-barrel” carb is a single carburetor with four airflow openings. They’re saying it wasn’t that—there were four separate Webers instead.

Term

intake manifold

The intake manifold is the part that carries air from the carburetors into the engine. How it’s shaped can affect how well the engine breathes and how it responds when you press the gas.

Lamborghini Espada
Car

Lamborghini Espada

The Lamborghini Espada is a classic Lamborghini grand tourer with a very distinctive engine layout. Here, the key point is that the engine bay is so tight that the carburetors (Webers) have to sit in a special way, making things harder to reach.

Place

Le Mans

Le Mans is a famous race track in France. It’s best known for a 24-hour race where drivers take turns (“stints”), so the whole event is about endurance and consistency, not just one fast lap.

Term

third stint

In endurance racing, a “stint” is how long one driver drives before handing the car to someone else. “Third stint” means it’s the driver’s second handoff cycle—like the third turn in the rotation.

1952 Cadillac
Car

1952 Cadillac

This is a 1952 Cadillac, an old-school American car from the early V8 era. The point here is that it’s being driven at Le Mans, which is a famous long-distance race track—so it’s a surprising choice of car for that setting.

Concept

conversion from an auto to a stick

That phrase means the car was modified to go from an automatic gearbox to a manual one. Some buyers love it because it drives more like a “real” enthusiast car, while others worry about originality.

Term

value

“Value” here means what the car is worth to buyers. Things like condition and modifications can raise or lower what people are willing to pay.

Datsun 240Z
Car

Datsun 240Z

The Nissan 240Z is a famous old-school sports car. Here, the point is that a right-hand-drive one looks like a “normal” 240Z to most people, so owners get judged or questioned.

Nissan Fairlady Z432
Car

Nissan Fairlady Z432

The Nissan Fairlady Z432 is a special, rare version of the Z-car. The discussion is basically about how people don’t recognize it and assume it’s just a regular Z.

Term

right-hand drive

Right-hand drive means the steering wheel is on the right side of the car. It often shows the car came from (or was converted for) a different country, so people may not recognize it as the real deal.

Shelby GT350
Car

Shelby GT350

The Shelby GT350 is a famous old performance Mustang. The hosts are talking about how people sometimes assume a GT350 is a fake or a “clone” instead of the real car.

Concept

federalized when new

“Federalized when new” means the car was made legal for the U.S. when it first came in. It’s about whether the car can be registered and driven legally in the U.S.

Concept

gray market

“Gray market” means a car was brought in through unofficial channels rather than the normal, official route. The hosts are implying that once you’re past that gray-market phase, the situation is different.

Company

G&K

G&K is mentioned as the company that made the car legal for U.S. use. If a car comes from another country, it often needs compliance work before you can drive it here.

Mark II GTI
Car

Mark II GTI

The Volkswagen Mark II GTI is a famous early “hot hatch” from VW. Here, the host is talking about an especially rare rally-style version of it.

Term

box flared

“Box flared” means the wheel arches are widened with a more squared-off shape. Rally cars often get this so bigger tires and suspension can move without rubbing.

Term

synchro all-wheel drive

“Synchro” is VW’s all-wheel-drive system name. It helps the car send power to the wheels that have grip, which is useful on slippery roads or rally surfaces.

Term

homologation car

A “homologation car” is a regular production car that’s built in limited numbers to qualify for racing rules. Because the rules require specific versions, these cars can be rare and special.

Term

Group A rally

“Group A” is a racing rule category. It means the race car has to be based on a real production car, so manufacturers often build special versions to meet the rules.

Term

projector headlights

Projector headlights use a lens to aim the light more precisely. That usually helps create a cleaner, more controlled beam on the road.

Term

VIN plate

A VIN plate is the tag on a car that has its unique ID number. If someone says it has a substitute VIN plate, it means that tag was replaced or not the original one.

Audi RS4
Car

Audi RS4

The Audi RS4 is a faster, sportier version of an Audi A4. People like it because it’s built for performance, not just everyday driving. The podcast is pointing to an RS4 as something noteworthy.

Term

VIN section

The VIN section is where the car’s ID number is shown on the vehicle. People look there to confirm the car matches its records.

Term

box flares

“Box flares” are fender extensions that stick out from the wheel area. They have a sharp, boxy shape instead of a smooth curve, and they help make the tires look wider.

BMW E30M3
Car

BMW E30M3

The BMW M3 is a high-performance BMW made for driving enthusiasts. The podcast is talking about the older E30 generation and its distinctive “box flares,” which are the flared wheel-arch shapes. That look helps identify the specific M3 era.

BMW E30
Car

BMW E30

The BMW 3 Series is a smaller luxury car from BMW. Some versions—especially the older E30—are well known and have a strong fan base. That’s why the podcast mentions the E30 and E30 M3.

Term

pre-merger AMG

“Pre-merger AMG” means AMG cars made before AMG was fully joined with Mercedes-Benz. People use it to separate earlier AMG-era conversions from later Mercedes-backed AMG cars.

Term

G60

“G60” is a name people use for a particular Golf version. In this case, it’s tied to the boosted/supercharged kind of setup, which is why the hosts mention a blower right after.

Term

Supercharged

“Supercharged” means the car forces extra air into the engine. That extra air helps the engine make more power than it would without the forced-air system.

Term

blower

A “blower” here means the part that pushes extra air into the engine. It’s what creates the boost that makes the car feel stronger.

Chevrolet Camaro
Car

Chevrolet Camaro

The Chevrolet Camaro is a sports car from Chevrolet. It’s known for performance and for having different generations with different looks. The podcast is recalling a particular Camaro color they saw.

Concept

silver survivor

A “survivor” is a car that’s been kept in good shape and hasn’t been heavily changed. People like them because they’re closer to the original car, not a heavily modified one.

Term

HKS parts

HKS is a company that makes performance upgrades for cars. The speaker is basically saying they don’t want the engine bay to be covered with lots of aftermarket HKS stuff.

Term

single turbo conversion

A single turbo conversion means modifying the car so it runs with one turbocharger. That can change how fast the turbo “spools up” and how the car feels when you accelerate.

Term

pedals were drilled

“Drilled pedals” means the pedal surface has holes in it. That can help with grip and it’s often used to give the interior a more performance/race look.

RX7
Car

RX7

The RX-7 is a Mazda sports car. It’s known for its unique engine design (a rotary) and its sporty shape, and the speakers are comparing its body lines to the Corvette’s.

Acura NSX
Car

Acura NSX

The Acura NSX is a high-performance sports car made by Acura. It’s known for special design features, like how the door handle is tucked away. That’s why people notice and talk about it.

Ferrari 308
Car

Ferrari 308

The Ferrari 308 is a well-known older Ferrari sports car. They’re using it as an example of a similar design trick for the door handle—where it’s tucked into the bodywork instead of sitting on the door.

Mark IV Supra
Car

Mark IV Supra

The “Mark IV Supra” is a specific generation of the Toyota Supra from the 1990s. It’s a well-known performance car, and a lot of enthusiasts love it—especially the turbo versions.

Term

lightweight

“Lightweight” just means the car weighs less. A lighter car usually feels quicker to steer and stop, and it can feel more nimble.

Term

instrument cluster

The “instrument cluster” is the dashboard area with the gauges and warning lights. It’s what you look at while driving to see speed, engine revs, and alerts.

Term

muscle curry

“Muscle curry” sounds like a playful way of saying the car has “muscle car” energy—big, bold, and aggressive. It’s more about the vibe than a specific car part.

Mazda MX-5 / Miata
Car

Mazda MX-5 / Miata

The Mazda Miata is a small two-seat roadster made by Mazda. It’s designed to be light and fun to drive. The podcast is comparing how it feels compared to another sports car.

Term

acoustic wave

They’re talking about a special-sounding audio setup in the car. The idea is that the sound system was designed in a way that made the noise feel different or more intense.

Term

octopus in the back of the car

They’re jokingly describing a big, weird-looking sound system in the back of the car—like a bunch of speakers or parts bundled together.

Term

not progressive turbos

“Progressive” here sounds like how smoothly the turbo boost builds. If it’s “not progressive,” the boost response may feel more sudden rather than gradually ramping up.

Term

sequential turbos

Sequential turbos are two turbochargers that come online in stages. The goal is quicker response when you press the gas, and then more power later as the engine revs.

Ferrari 308 GTS
Car

Ferrari 308 GTS

The Ferrari 308 GTS is a classic sports car made by Ferrari. It’s known for being collectible and for having a recognizable V8 design. The podcast is referencing a specific example they saw.

Brand

Auburn Cordusenberg

Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg is a name tied to old classic American cars. If someone is really into them, they usually collect or admire those vintage luxury/performance cars.

Toyota Land Cruiser
Car

Toyota Land Cruiser

The Toyota Land Cruiser is a tough SUV made to handle rough roads and last a long time. People often keep them for many years. The podcast is bringing it up because it’s still being sold and talked about.

Land Rover Range Rover
Car

Land Rover Range Rover

The Range Rover is a luxury SUV made by Land Rover. It’s meant to be comfortable for everyday driving but still capable on rough terrain. The podcast is referencing it as a well-known model.

Term

manual steering

Manual steering means the car doesn’t use power help to turn the wheels. You feel more of what the tires are doing, but it can be harder to steer when you’re going slowly.

Term

7000 RPM

RPM tells you how fast the engine is spinning. When they say 7000 RPM, they mean the engine is revving quite high, which usually feels lively and fast.

Term

gearing is so tall

Tall gearing means the gears are spaced so the engine doesn’t spin as fast at a given speed. If you try to accelerate without downshifting, the engine may not have enough RPM and can feel sluggish.

Ford Cortina
Car

Ford Cortina

The Ford Cortina is a Ford car model that comes in different versions. The podcast is talking about how the gearing can be set up for smoother cruising rather than quick acceleration. That’s what “tall gears” refers to.

Term

ZF

ZF is a company that builds car parts, including transmissions. They’re guessing the transmission in their car might be made by ZF, which can affect how it shifts and how the gears are set up.

Term

clutch

The clutch is what you press in a manual car to smoothly connect and disconnect the engine from the gearbox. If they say you need a lot of clutch to get into first, it means the car takes more effort to get moving smoothly.

Term

remote shifter setups

A remote shifter setup means the gear lever is connected to the transmission using cables or rods. That can make shifting feel different than a shifter mounted directly on the gearbox.

Term

short throw

A “short throw” shifter means the shifter moves a shorter distance to change gears. It often makes shifting feel more direct and easier to place accurately.

Term

unsynchronous first

Some cars have gears that are “unsynchronized,” meaning there’s no helper mechanism to match speeds. When you shift into that gear, you usually have to match engine revs to avoid grinding.

Term

synchro first

“Synchro first” means first gear has a synchronizer. That helps the car match speeds for you, so shifting into first is smoother and easier.

Concept

keep an old cars alive

This is about keeping older cars running instead of letting them sit. It means doing the work to maintain them so they can still drive.

Term

jumper boxes

A jumper box is a portable battery that helps you start a car when the battery is dead. Instead of using another car, you connect it and it gives the engine enough power to start.

Term

battery charger

A battery charger is a device that recharges a car battery. If you have multiple cars, you may need one to keep their batteries from going dead.

Jaguar XK140
Car

Jaguar XK140

The Jaguar XK140 is an older sports car made by Jaguar. The podcast is describing a project version that wasn’t fully finished—more like a working base with parts missing. That’s why it’s being talked about as a special kind of find.

Place

paddock

The paddock is the race-event area where teams keep the cars and do work between sessions. It’s usually where you can get a closer look at the cars than in the main spectator areas.

Term

Trans Am

Trans Am is a kind of racing series in the U.S. that used cars similar to what you could buy, and it’s known for loud, powerful engines. If you see “Trans Am cars,” it usually means cars built to race in that style.

Term

big block

“Big block” is a nickname for a large, powerful engine—usually a big V8. It generally means the car has a bigger engine than the typical small V8.

Term

slick tires

Slick tires are racing tires with almost no tread. They usually work best on a dry track because they’re built to grip as much as possible.

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