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45 Years of MotorWeek: John Davis on Creating Automotive Television & Changing How America Sees Cars

45 Years of MotorWeek: John Davis on Creating Automotive Television & Changing How America Sees Cars

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About this episode

John Davis, the creator and host of MotorWeek, shares the fascinating journey of the show that has shaped automotive television for 45 years. He discusses the inception of MotorWeek, its magazine-style format, and how it has adapted to changing times while keeping cars at the forefront. Davis reflects on his early automotive experiences, including his first cars, and the evolution of technology in the automotive industry. With insights into the future of MotorWeek and his personal favorites, this episode is a nostalgic trip through automotive history.

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Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Car

Ford Mustang

"He owned a Shelby Mustang, so he was easy."

The Shelby Mustang is a special version of the Ford Mustang that is faster and more powerful. It's famous for its racing heritage and sporty looks.

Car

Porsche 924

"Joyce Braga, our first female reporter... she was driving a Porsche 924."

The Porsche 924 is a type of sports car made by Porsche. It's known for being a more affordable option and has good handling, making it fun to drive.

Car

Delorean DMC-12

"DeLorean and go 88 miles an hour. I was curious as to 45 years in, John, what surprises you sitting in that office this time forward doing..."

The DeLorean is a unique car famous for its futuristic design and appearance in movies. It has doors that open upwards like wings and is made of shiny metal.

Term

driver assistance systems

"It's the level of driver assistance systems that help everyone become a safer driver, which of course, for an outgrowth of this..."

Driver assistance systems are features in cars that help drivers stay safe while driving. They can help keep the car in its lane or even stop the car if there's an obstacle ahead.

Term

autonomous vehicle

"...it's turning out so far to be kind of a fantasy of looking for the autonomous vehicle and on the way for that to develop..."

An autonomous vehicle is a car that can drive itself without needing a person to control it. It uses technology to understand its surroundings and make decisions while driving.

Term

lane keep assist

"...and on the way for that to develop that, all of these things like lane keep assist and..."

Lane keep assist is a feature in some cars that helps keep the car in its lane while driving. If the car starts to drift, it can gently steer back to the center of the lane.

Term

autonomous driving

"...autonomous driving to arrive. And that semi-autonomous aspect that provides an extra little safety margin for drivers, I did not expect that."

Autonomous driving means that a car can drive itself without needing a person to control it. It uses special technology to see and understand the road around it.

Term

anti-lock brakes

"...we knew any lock brakes were coming. We knew skid control, but to extrapolate that into this almost cocoon like that modern cars have..."

Anti-lock brakes help prevent the wheels from stopping completely when you brake hard. This means you can still steer the car even in an emergency stop.

Term

skid control

"...we knew skid control, but to extrapolate that into this almost cocoon like that modern cars have, I did not expect that."

Skid control helps keep the car from sliding out of control, especially on wet or slippery roads. It uses technology to help the driver stay safe and in control.

Concept

NASCAR

"during my teen years during the when NASCAR was first coming on the the first getting its popularity in the masses."

NASCAR is a type of car racing that features specially designed cars racing on tracks. It's very popular in the U.S. and has many fans.

Concept

Fred Lorenzen

"we were fans of Fred Lorenza, who was the prominent Ford driver at the time."

Fred Lorenzen was a famous race car driver who competed in NASCAR. He drove Ford cars and was well-known during his racing career.

Part

bad valve

"It had a bad valve. So that was really one of the few times I've ever tore into an engine to repair."

A bad valve is a problem in a car's engine that can make it run poorly. Valves help control how air and fuel move in and out of the engine.

Concept

exotic car

"...what I really wanted was something, quote, unquote, like an exotic car, but that had an American engine that I could work on. I wasn't really interested in doing anything European..."

An exotic car is a fancy, high-performance car that is usually very expensive and not commonly seen on the roads. They are known for their speed and unique looks.

Car

Di Tommaso Pantera

"One was the Jensen Interceptor, which had a Chrysler V8 in it. And the other was the Di Tommaso Pantera."

The De Tomaso Pantera is a fast sports car made in the 70s and 80s. It has a powerful engine and a unique look, making it popular among car enthusiasts.

Car

Jensen Interceptor

"One was the Jensen Interceptor, which had a Chrysler V8 in it. And the other was the Di Tommaso Pantera."

The Jensen Interceptor is a stylish sports car made in the late 60s and early 70s. It has a strong engine and is known for being both fast and comfortable.

Car

Tesla 73 Model

"...year-old Pantera down in Norfolk, Virginia. So a 73 model, which was what was the first of what they call t..."

The Tesla Model 3 is a car that runs on electricity instead of gas. It's popular because it can go a long way on a single charge and has a lot of cool technology features. People like it because it's good for the environment and still fun to drive.

Term

L model

"So a 73 model, which was what was the first of what they call the L model, which meant it had rubber front bumpers to meet the US safety standards."

The 'L model' means a version of the Pantera that had rubber bumpers. This was done to make the car safer for driving in the U.S.

Part

dual point distributor

"I had dual point distributor, which was nothing but trouble."

A dual point distributor is a part of the car's ignition system that helps start the engine. It has two sets of points that can sometimes cause problems, especially if they get worn out.

Part

radiator

"called the Saudi Arabian package, which was, it had a radiator in the front with two fans on it, a long run to the mid engine, but they had a second set of fans you could put to draw air through the radiator."

A radiator is a part of a car that helps keep the engine cool by removing heat. It works by circulating coolant through the engine and then cooling it down before sending it back.

Car

DeLorean

"Sounds, sounds a lot like my DeLorean in many ways. I wanted one."

The DeLorean is a unique car famous for its shiny metal body and doors that open upwards. It became really popular because it was featured in a famous movie about time travel.

Term

oversteer

"...the rear end to break away and you would spin."

Oversteer happens when the back of the car slides out while turning, making it feel like the car is turning too much. This can cause the car to spin if the driver isn't careful.

Term

GTO

"he really was the father of the GTO."

The GTO is a famous car that was known for being fast and powerful. It was one of the first muscle cars and became very popular in the 1960s.

Concept

Colin Chapman

"Unfortunately, I was also a fan of Colin Chapman. And I don't think, I don't think Colin really did John much a favor with the chassis he sold him."

Colin Chapman was a famous car designer who started the Lotus brand. He is known for making cars that are lighter and faster, which changed how cars are built.

Car

Chevrolet Corvette

"...And speaking of Corvette, you are a Corvette guy. Am I right? Yes."

The Corvette is a famous sports car made by Chevrolet. It's known for being fast and stylish, making it popular among car enthusiasts.

Car

Fiat 500e

"...you about the, uh, the EV portion is a 2024 Fiat 500E. Is that also Maroon, John?"
Car

Mini Cooper

"...I wanted something to replace the Mini. Uh, it was, yeah, I still have it."

The Mini Cooper is a small car that is fun to drive and has a unique look. The 2002 version is part of the newer models that came out after the original Mini was discontinued.

Term

lease fee

"...and he said, Oh, by the way, we just dropped the lease fee on the 500E to I think $200 a month with virtually nothing down."

A lease fee is what you pay each month to use a car that you don't own. It's usually cheaper than buying the car outright and lets you drive a new car for a few years before returning it.

Car

Ford Ranger

"I have a 2003 Ford Ranger. I wish somebody made a nice little tiny pickup that size again."

The Ford Ranger is a small pickup truck that is great for carrying things. The 2003 version is known for being tough and useful.

Car

Mercedes SLK250

"The only other interesting car I have is a 2014 Mercedes SLK250, which I used to have a Miata, but my, we sold it."

The Mercedes SLK250 is a fancy convertible car that you can drive with the top down. The 2014 model is known for being stylish and fun to drive.

Car

Mazda Miata

"...s a 2014 Mercedes SLK250, which I used to have a Miata, but my, we sold it. My wife said it'd be nice t..."

The Mazda Miata is a small, two-seat car that is really fun to drive. It's known for being light and quick, which makes it popular with people who love cars. Many people enjoy it because it's not too expensive and gives a great driving experience.

Car

Hyundai Palisade

"...onvertible again. And then I've got a, a Hyundai Palisade that's, uh, our dogmobile. Okay."

The Hyundai Palisade is a big family car that can fit a lot of people and their stuff. It has a nice interior and comes with many features to keep everyone safe and comfortable. Many families like it because it’s spacious and affordable.

Car

Dodge Daytona

"...and it was a Dodge Daytona. Good choice."

The Dodge Daytona is a car that was made by Dodge in the late 1980s. It was designed to be fast and sporty, making it popular among car enthusiasts.

Car

Dodge Viper

"If I had the money today and I had no really other responsibilities and I just wanted to go out and play, I'd buy a first generation, uh, Dodge Viper."

The Dodge Viper is a fast sports car with a big engine. The first version was made in the early 1990s and is famous for being very powerful but not very comfortable.

Car

Lotus Esprit

"The, uh, the other would be, uh, the old Lotus Esprit, which I also thought was just a fabulous car."

The Lotus Esprit is a stylish sports car from Britain that is known for being fun to drive and having a unique look. It was popular in the 1980s and 1990s.

Car

Lotus Elan

"I pop saw one ad for, uh, a Lotus Elon and, uh, the, uh, I made arrangements to go see it..."

The Lotus Elan is a small sports car made by Lotus. It's known for being very light and fun to drive, with a unique design.

15 cars featured

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