182. The Pile Up EP47: Barris Bender
About this episode
Hosts dig into Barris-linked custom fabrication, starting with a “C-Cab” build where they add flanges to shape an opening like a door jamb, and get into practical welding details like needing argon for TIG work. The conversation then pivots to the Golden Sahara’s look—24 karat gold trim and a mix of metal-like rear work with fiberglass front-end and deck lid pieces. They also reference a 1967 Toronado-based custom and how torque converter placement typically works.
The girls go all Barris! Who the heck is this guy? There's talk of the Golden Sahara II & the 'mass produced' Esso 67-X Toronado.
Golden Sahara II
Esso 67-X
Recorded @iapdx
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!
flanges
"Rose EP47: ...we welded and dressed a corner on the C-Cab project, It's not the, not an exact for, you know, piece for piece, but we're gonna follow the cues. So, um, they, all the flanges we will have to add to them."
A flange is a bent-out edge on a metal part. It gives you a “lip” to weld or attach to another piece so the joint is stronger and cleaner.
In metal fabrication, flanges are folded or extended edges that provide a surface for joining parts. They’re commonly used to create strong seams when welding or bolting panels together, especially around openings like door jamb areas.
argon
"Rose EP47: ...he was gonna pick my brain about something for his fiberglass door for his van. And he's gotta get some argon. He's got some TIG welding to do at home for his trike."
Argon is a gas used during welding to keep the weld area from getting contaminated by air. That helps the weld come out cleaner and stronger.
Argon is an inert shielding gas used in welding to protect the weld from oxygen and other contaminants in the air. It’s especially common for TIG welding because it helps produce a cleaner, more controlled weld bead.
fiberglass door
"Rose EP47: ...he was gonna pick my brain about something for his fiberglass door for his van. And he's gotta get some argon."
A fiberglass door is a door panel made from a lightweight composite material. It’s common in custom builds because it’s easier to shape than metal, but it needs careful fitting and finishing.
A fiberglass door is a body panel made from fiberglass composite rather than stamped steel. Fiberglass is lighter and easier to shape for custom work, but it requires different mounting and finishing than metal panels.
TIG welding
"Rose EP47: ...he's gotta get some argon. He's got some TIG welding to do at home for his trike. I gave him some silicon bronze..."
TIG welding is a careful, high-control way to weld metal. It uses a special electrode and a protective gas so the weld is cleaner and more precise.
TIG welding (Tungsten Inert Gas) uses a tungsten electrode and an inert gas shield (often argon) to create precise welds. It’s popular for thin metal work and detailed fabrication because it gives good control over heat and weld shape.
silicon bronze
"Rose EP47: ...I gave him some silicon bronze, and, uh, I broke a water pump for him to practice welding a little cast iron."
Silicon bronze is a brazing/welding filler alloy commonly used to join metals with good corrosion resistance. In fabrication contexts, it’s often chosen when you want strong joints and reliable performance, especially on mixed or tricky materials.
cast iron
"Rose EP47: ...I broke a water pump for him to practice welding a little cast iron."
Cast iron is a type of iron that’s strong but can be brittle. Welding it can be tricky because it may crack if you don’t manage the heat correctly.
Cast iron is a brittle, high-carbon iron alloy that can crack if welded without the right process. Welding it often requires careful heat control and appropriate filler/technique to avoid stress fractures.
water pump
"Rose EP47: ...I broke a water pump for him to practice welding a little cast iron."
A water pump moves coolant through the engine so it doesn’t overheat. Here it’s just being used as a scrap part to practice welding.
A water pump is the part that circulates coolant through an engine’s cooling system to control operating temperature. In this segment it’s mentioned as a practice piece for welding, not as a performance or failure diagnosis.
Land Rover
"Rose EP47: ...when the guy from Land Rover was over here and saw one of those motors, and then, uh, you know, it all came together. And the, like, supposedly the people back at Land Rover kind of groaned..."
Land Rover is a car company. Here, the story is that people at Land Rover weren’t thrilled about using an American-made engine idea.
Land Rover is the automaker whose people are described as reacting to an “American engine” idea. In this context, it’s about how an outside brand’s team viewed the swap or integration of a non-native powerplant.
Golden Sahara One
"Emily EP47: No, because the Golden Sahara One became the Golden Sahara Two Um, okay. Yeah, I, I'm trying to see shots of the, of the original Golden Sahara I just can't tell what the hell I'm looking at I think I'm seeing it."
The Golden Sahara One is a famous custom car tied to George Barris. It’s remembered for its wild, luxury-looking styling—especially the gold trim and the unusual shape of the windows.
The Golden Sahara One is a custom car associated with George Barris’ design work, known for its flashy, show-car styling. In this segment, the hosts focus on its distinctive body shape (including a dome-like rear window) and the use of 24 karat gold trim.
Golden Sahara Two
"Emily EP47: No, because the Golden Sahara One became the Golden Sahara Two Um, okay. Yeah, I, I'm trying to see shots of the, of the original Golden Sahara I just can't tell what the hell I'm looking at I think I'm seeing it... Emily EP47: Yeah, they did. Uh, unfortunately, it's just the tire of one future car, and that is the Golden Sahara too."
The Golden Sahara Two is basically the next version of the Golden Sahara custom car. The hosts are comparing it to the original and talking about how the two are related.
The Golden Sahara Two is the follow-on version of the Golden Sahara custom car, discussed here as the later iteration of the same concept. The hosts connect it to the “original” Golden Sahara and talk about how the later car relates to the earlier one visually and historically.
24 karat gold trim
"Rose EP47: ...and it ends in a widow pe- widow's peak. That's also 24 karat gold- Mm ... trim."
“24 karat gold trim” means the gold used for the decorative parts is extremely pure. It’s basically the most “real gold” look you can get on a car’s exterior trim.
“24 karat gold trim” means the decorative pieces are made from (or plated with) very high-purity gold. In custom cars, using 24k gold trim is a way to create a maximum “luxury show” look rather than a subtle accent.
Oldsmobile Toronado
"Rose EP47: Yeah, it's all Barris. We planned it that way, folks. I mean, that was just the goal the whole time. But we've had a few friends write us and say, "You should do-- You should talk about the 67 X," which is a Toronado,"
The 1967 Toronado is an Oldsmobile model that the hosts are using as the starting point for a custom build. They’re also talking about how the car’s powertrain is usually arranged, like where the torque converter sits.
The 1967 Toronado is a personal-luxury coupe by Oldsmobile that’s being referenced as the base platform for a Barris-style custom. The hosts discuss how the drivetrain layout typically places a torque converter behind the engine, and they speculate about how the “chain and gear” might relate to that setup.
torque converter
"Rose EP47: Yeah, it's kinda wacky. , I'm assuming the chain and gear are one-to-one, 'cause normally you've got the torque converter right on the back of the engine."
A torque converter is part of an automatic transmission that helps the engine smoothly move the car, especially from a stop. It’s like a fluid “power transfer” device between the engine and the rest of the drivetrain.
A torque converter is a fluid coupling in an automatic transmission that transfers engine power to the gearbox while allowing the engine to keep running smoothly at low speeds. The host mentions it to reason about where the car’s powertrain components typically sit relative to the engine.
Ford Fairlane
"...ok like Thunderbird seats, but they're, you know, Fairlane Thunderbird seats, and the guy's sitting backward..."
The Ford Fairlane is an older Ford car model that was made in the mid-size category. The podcast mentions using seats from a Thunderbird in a Fairlane, which means someone changed the interior to match a different style or comfort. It’s discussed because classic cars are often modified like this.
The Ford Fairlane is a mid-size car line from Ford that’s especially known for its classic-era styling and variety of trims. The podcast reference to “Fairlane Thunderbird seats” points to how owners and builders sometimes mix interior parts for a particular look and comfort. It comes up in conversations about classic cars because it’s a recognizable platform with a lot of customization history.
sequential Mustang taillights
"Rose EP47: ...And, um, the lights in the back are sequential Mustang taillights."
Sequential taillights are brake/turn lights that light up in a sequence, like a moving pattern. It’s a styling feature that makes the car’s rear signals look more dramatic.
Sequential taillights are rear lights that illuminate in a programmed order (rather than all at once), creating a “chasing” effect. The host specifically compares them to Mustang-style taillights, implying a recognizable visual signature used on certain Ford models.
Ford Mustang
"...t. And, um, the lights in the back are sequential Mustang taillights. There's a lot of cool features about ..."
The Ford Mustang is a sports car made by Ford, usually offered as a coupe or convertible. The “sequential” taillights are lights that turn on in a moving pattern rather than all at once. People talk about these features because they’re part of what makes the car look and feel special.
The Ford Mustang is a long-running American sports coupe/convertible known for its performance-focused design and strong aftermarket support. In the podcast context, the discussion of sequential taillights highlights how modern styling details can be a big part of what makes a Mustang stand out. It’s often mentioned because it blends everyday usability with a sporty look and driving character.
power
"Rose EP47: ...The, the extra window in the back is cool 'cause the back windows are power,"
Here, “power” means the rear window moves with a motor (powered by electricity). So you don’t have to crank it by hand.
In this context, “power” refers to power-operated windows—meaning the rear windows can move using an electrical mechanism rather than manual operation. The host calls out the extra rear window as a notable feature because it’s power-operated.
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