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33 Car Indy 500 Field, Brad is Judging at Benedict Castle Concourse - Shift & Steer EP568

33 Car Indy 500 Field, Brad is Judging at Benedict Castle Concourse - Shift & Steer EP568

Shift and Steer May 14, 2026 55 min
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About this episode

The hosts kick off with Aaron’s rally updates and then get into a surprisingly personal thread about worsening eyesight—reading menus, freeway signage, and even how LASIK choices trade near vs. distance vision. The conversation shifts to Indy 500 logistics: a full field, tight sponsor/photography deadlines, and the challenge of doing Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 in a short window. Between that, they discuss collector-car authenticity (Chevelle cowl codes, hidden VINs, matching numbers) and wrap with Benedict Castle Concourse judging and upcoming Southern California Shelby Tribute plans.

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Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Car

Chevrolet Chevelle

"that will help you decode your 64 to 67 Chevelle cowl code so that you can figure out what color [741.4s] your car was originally, what color interior, what options it would have had."

This is about the Chevrolet Chevelle from the mid-1960s. They’re explaining how a code on the car can tell you what color and options it originally had when it left the factory.

Term

cowl code

"that will help you decode your 64 to 67 Chevelle cowl code so that you can figure out what color [741.4s] your car was originally, what color interior, what options it would have had."

A cowl code is a set of factory markings on the car that can help you figure out how it was originally ordered. It’s especially useful for finding the original paint and options.

Term

VIN number

"I give you a look at the vin, or not the vin, excuse me, [797.6s] the cowl code, and go through each number... Then I show you where [803.4s] your vin number will be located, where you can find that, what it looks like, and where you can [808.9s] find it on your motor."

The VIN number is like the car’s unique ID. It helps you confirm the car’s identity and build details, and the segment explains where to look for it.

Term

hidden VIN locations

"And then finally, I show you hidden vin locations, [823.7s] so that if you're really trying to buy a car that they say is an SS... you can hopefully, if it's not too rusty, find some of the hidden vin locations, [838.8s] so you can check it out and, you know, make sure it's a real one before you lay down the bread."

Some cars have VIN markings in less-obvious spots. Checking those can help you confirm whether the car is truly what the seller claims, before you spend a lot of money.

Term

matching motor

"And you can see like on mine, I was real lucky, I have a matching motor [813.4s] and a matching transmission still in my car."

“Matching motor” means the engine in the car is the original (or correctly paired) unit that corresponds to the car’s identity/build. In collector circles, matching components are often used as evidence of originality and can affect value.

Term

matching transmission

"I have a matching motor [813.4s] and a matching transmission still in my car."

“Matching transmission” means the gearbox is the one that goes with the car’s original build. It’s a good sign for collectors because it suggests fewer major swaps.

Car

Lamborghini Muras

"It's good to know, because I remember when we were digging into having a few Lamborghini Muras, [862.1s] and it wasn't really a vin number, it's just a chassis number, like a four-digit number,"

The Lamborghini Miura is a famous classic supercar from the 1960s. The point in this segment is that identification numbers can be stamped in particular places on the car, and you may need to know where to look.

Term

chassis number

"and it wasn't really a vin number, it's just a chassis number, like a four-digit number, [867.5s] that was it. And it's stamped on, when you open, I think it's the driver's door,"

A chassis number is another kind of vehicle ID stamp. On some older cars, it may be the main identifier and it can be located in spots that aren’t obvious.

Term

clam shells

"and then the front and rear clam shells on the mirror [888.2s] have the number stamped on them as well, because some of them over time, if they were ever wrecked, [895.5s] they would replace the whole clam shell in the back,"

“Clam shells” here means outer body panels that can be replaced after an accident. If those panels get swapped, the stamped identification marks might move or disappear.

Term

matching number

"so you need that matching number, and it is stamped on the engine as well, and you can"

“Matching numbers” is when the car’s key ID numbers—especially the engine—match the car’s original paperwork/records. Collectors use it to help prove the car is as original as possible.

Car

Foxbody Mustangs

"you know, like obviously, the Foxbody Mustangs, the Cobras that I've had, there are, you always think about the VIN number"

“Foxbody” is a nickname for a specific generation of the Ford Mustang (late 1970s through early 1990s). It’s a popular muscle car, so collectors pay close attention to identifying details like VINs.

Term

VIN stickers

"but there are VIN stickers on like other areas of the car, the front bumper covers, rear bumper covers, stuff like that"

Besides the VIN stamped into metal, some cars also have VIN labels/stickers in other spots. Collectors check them because mismatches can be a red flag.

Concept

authenticating a collector car

"so it does come up quite often when you start authenticating a collector car that becomes, yeah, whether you're authenticating or somebody is trying to sell you one that they say it's this"

Authenticating a collector car means checking whether the car is truly what the seller claims—using IDs like VINs and stamped engine numbers. Collectors do this to avoid buying a car with swapped or incorrect parts.

Term

rear end

"this is, you know, one of 8,000, you know, Chevelles made, I'm like, oh, okay, okay, that's not bad, they go, but it's the only one in this shade of yellow, and it's the only one with a 490 rear end"

“Rear end” is the car’s back axle assembly. The gear ratio inside it affects how the car drives, and collectors care because it can be part of the car’s original configuration.

Term

houndstooth interior

"and it's the only one with a four speed, and it's the only one with houndstooth interior, and it's like, I didn't know they're starting to like, trying to narrow it down"

“Houndstooth” is a recognizable fabric pattern used in car seats and interior trim. Collectors care because the exact interior style can be part of what makes a specific car rare.

Term

four speed

"and it's the only one with a 490 rear end, and it's the only one with a four speed, and it's the only one with houndstooth interior"

“Four speed” means the car has four forward gears. Collectors care because the original gear setup is part of what makes a car match its build history.

Term

Hemi

"this is the only 426 Hemikuda in, you know, you know, in lime green with a black, you know, hockey pucked stripe"

“Hemi” is an engine design where the combustion chamber shape is more like a half-sphere. It’s a big deal in performance car history, especially for certain Chrysler engines.

Brand

Mopars

"when it comes to the Mopars. Yeah. He's great. And the other guy that's really good at that,"

“Mopars” is a nickname for cars made by Chrysler, Dodge, and Plymouth. The speaker is talking about knowing those cars and their parts really well.

Car

Chevrolet Camaro

"...ve got to kind of know, like, I know the Chevelle Camaro codes pretty well. Like I, I use, and I forgot so..."

The Chevrolet Camaro is a sports car from Chevrolet. People often talk about “codes” because they can help identify the exact version of the car—like what engine or options it originally had. That matters for knowing what you’re looking at and how it’s been built.

Term

Holley 3310

"it's not a 3310, a Holley 3310 is just a 850 double pumper. But, but like, you know, a 3310"

Holley 3310 is a specific model of carburetor made by Holley. Carburetors are part of the fuel system, and the number helps you figure out which exact setup it originally came from.

Term

double pumper

"it's not a 3310, a Holley 3310 is just a 850 double pumper. But, but like, you know, a 3310"

A “double pumper” means the carburetor has two fuel squirts when you press the gas. That helps the engine respond better when you accelerate quickly.

Part

aluminum water pump

"Like, like simply I've got an aluminum water pump that I bought out at the Long Beach Swamp Meet... It's aluminum. I do still have it."

A water pump moves coolant through the engine to keep it from overheating. Here, the host is highlighting that theirs is an aluminum version, which can be important because it matches a specific rare factory setup.

Term

factory ZL1 aluminum big block Camaro

"I looked at it and I went, this is off a factory ZL1 aluminum big block Camaro, you know."

ZL1 was a special high-performance Camaro option. The host is saying the water pump they found matches the rare aluminum big-block version, which is why it’s valuable for restorations.

Term

ADU

"[1325.4s] I realized I said ADU. [1328.5s] And then I was, I mentioned the, to Tammy, it was from St. Louis. ... [1346.8s] ADU is accessory dwelling unit. [1350.5s] And in my head, I always, I always thought additional dwelling unit as well as like,"

ADU means an "accessory dwelling unit." It’s basically a small extra home (or guest house) you can build on your property, sometimes separate from the main house.

Term

infield

"up sitting there on the infield. [1896.3s] It's going to take off. [1897.7s] They're going to land at the private airstrip in Indy with a jet that's already sitting"

The infield is the inside area of a race track, not the racing lanes themselves. It’s where teams and event stuff are usually set up.

Term

grid

"run [1909.4s] her over to the car that's probably sitting on the grid that somebody else already parked [1914.1s] out there and boom, jump in and go"

The grid is where race cars line up before the start. If a car is on the grid, it’s in its starting spot and ready to go.

Concept

adrenaline

"I don't know, between one race and the other, the adrenaline's going. [1925.0s] Who, you know, I don't know. [1926.7s] I think it'd be great if she does it"

Adrenaline is the body’s “amped up” feeling during intense situations. In racing, it can make you feel more alert and reactive.

Term

in-car camera

"I think it'd be great if she does it and then they got an in-car camera and she's coming [1932.3s] around 200 miles an hour and all of a sudden they look at her and she's like, he's going"

An in-car camera is a camera mounted inside the race car to capture the driver’s view and onboard footage during a run. Broadcasts and teams use it to show braking/turn-in points, driver inputs, and what the driver sees at speed.

Term

competitive

"but the question is, is how well will you perform if you do it? [1961.6s] And it's like, is it worth doing if you can't be competitive and do well?"

“Competitive” here means you’re driving fast enough to contend for good positions, not just finishing. It’s about whether you can keep up with the front of the field.

Car

Shelby Cobra

"...d the superformance has like a big warehouse with cobras and stuff you can just walk around on there I don..."

The Shelby Cobra is a type of sports car that’s known for being fast and lightweight. In the podcast, it sounds like they’re talking about where you can see Cobra cars in person, including modern builds. People care because different Cobra versions can be built by different companies and can be identified by their specific details.

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