The latest episode dives into a recent cars and coffee event hosted by the Motoring Club, featuring a lively discussion about the impressive turnout and variety of cars, including a Bugatti and a Carrera GT. Beck shares his experience at the event, highlighting the well-organized setup and the community vibe. The hosts also reminisce about past events, compare them to this one, and share amusing anecdotes about classic pickup truck hijinks. The episode captures the excitement of car culture and the joy of sharing it with family.
This week, Alex, Randy, and Beck talk about the correct way to staff a pickup and/or a 911SC; our recent experience at Motoring Club Cars & Coffee in San Francisco; handling good friends in bad cars; Trooper apologies; "black plates" on black cars; the true meaning of car culture (hint: it involves stealing from children); the overall event situation in and around SF; Alex's looming family trip to Disneyland, God help him; the wrong way to think about a nature preserve; and Pro 7 memories.
Next up is our favorite recent Question of the Week, wherein the crew covers a failed bumper backdate, vice-and-hammer metalwork, and extremely questionable battery mounting techniques. They briefly explore the differences between Mr. Sandman and Enter Sandman, then lust after green-dial 911s, a vintage Texaco gas station, a John Oates/Emory 356, an SVO Mustang, and other watchlist favorites.
"Yeah, no. So I was kind of there in spirit because the GMC was there, so that was me being t..."
The Dodge Spirit is a regular car that was made in the late '80s and early '90s. It was popular because it was affordable and could fit a family.
The Dodge Spirit was a mid-size car produced from 1989 to 1995, known for its practicality and affordability. It was a popular choice for families during its production years but is less commonly discussed today.
Car
GMC 25454
"...I will add a 72 GMC, 25454. And you came down to put ETF in it to make it all happen."
The 1972 GMC 25454 is a truck made by GMC, known for being tough and useful for work. It was part of a series of trucks that many people used for various jobs.
The 1972 GMC 25454 is a model from GMC's lineup, known for its durability and utility as a work truck. It is part of the C/K series, which was popular for its versatility in both commercial and personal use.
"...d friend of ours, but you showed up in your Buick enclave. Yeah."
The Buick Enclave is a big SUV that can carry a lot of people and stuff. It’s designed to be comfortable and is a good choice for families.
The Buick Enclave is a mid-size SUV that has been in production since 2007, known for its spacious interior and comfortable ride. It appeals to families and those seeking a luxury SUV experience with a focus on comfort and practicality.
Featured on Bring a Trailer: March 16 BaT Meet-Up, Encinitas Event Gallery
Car
Suzuki Trooper
"We had, it sounds really silly, but there was a Suzuki Trooper that was heavily modified."
The Suzuki Trooper is a type of SUV that was made by Suzuki. Some people modify them to make them look cooler or perform better.
The Suzuki Trooper is a mid-size SUV produced by Suzuki, known for its off-road capabilities and spacious interior. Heavily modified versions often feature enhancements for performance and aesthetics.
"...to watch, but there was the Bugatti. There was a Carrera GT. There was a whole slew of all your E46 M3s, a c..."
The Porsche Carrera GT is a super-fast sports car made by Porsche. It’s very special because it has a powerful engine and is built for speed, making it a dream car for many people.
The Porsche Carrera GT is a high-performance sports car produced from 2004 to 2007, known for its exceptional engineering and racing pedigree. With a powerful V10 engine and lightweight construction, it is considered one of the most desirable supercars of its time.
"There was a whole slew of all your E46 M3s, a couple of fancy color. Some black plates, some modern black plates, matching black paint colors. With the default number. Correct. That's my favorite. E46."
The BMW E46 M3 is a sporty car that many people love for its good looks and strong performance. It was made between 1997 and 2006 and is part of the 3 Series lineup from BMW.
The BMW E46 M3 is a high-performance version of the BMW 3 Series, produced from 1997 to 2006. It is known for its balanced handling, powerful inline-six engine, and iconic design, making it a favorite among car enthusiasts.
"...a Carrera GT. There was a whole slew of all your E46 M3s, a couple of fancy color. Some black plates,..."
The BMW 3 Series is a small luxury car that people really like because it drives well and looks nice. It's been around for a long time, and many people consider it one of the best cars in its class.
The BMW 3 Series is a line of compact executive cars that has been in production since 1975. Known for its balance of performance, luxury, and practicality, it has become a benchmark in the segment and is often discussed for its driving dynamics and engineering excellence.
Bugatti is a brand that makes very expensive and fast cars. They are known for being some of the fastest cars in the world.
Bugatti is a luxury automobile manufacturer known for producing high-performance sports cars. Models like the Veyron and Chiron are famous for their speed and exclusivity.
The Ariel Atom is a very light and fast sports car that looks simple but is built for speed. It's designed for driving on race tracks.
The Ariel Atom is a lightweight, high-performance sports car known for its minimalist design and exceptional handling. It features a powerful engine and is often used for track racing.
"And then my daughter just like, there was one Ruby Stone Carrera RS. And so that to her was like sort of purplish and she just liked that."
The Porsche Carrera RS is a special version of the Porsche 911 made for racing. It's lighter and faster than regular models, making it popular among car enthusiasts.
The Porsche Carrera RS is a high-performance variant of the Porsche 911, known for its lightweight construction and racing pedigree. The 'RS' stands for 'Rennsport', which translates to 'racing sport' in German, emphasizing its focus on performance.
"... just it was a huge and a line. There was an 828 M5 with the event was a parking lot for the coffee, ..."
The BMW M5 is a super-fast version of a regular BMW 5 Series car. It's designed for people who want a luxury car that can also go really fast and handle well on the road.
The BMW M5 is a high-performance version of the 5 Series, first introduced in 1984. It is renowned for its powerful engines, sporty handling, and luxurious features, making it a favorite among enthusiasts who seek a blend of speed and comfort.
"I see Corvair's and Corvettes headed westward, you know, through our neighborhood."
The Chevrolet Corvette is a sports car that has been around since the 1950s. It's famous for being fast and having a cool design.
The Chevrolet Corvette is a high-performance sports car that has been in production since 1953. It is known for its distinctive styling, powerful engines, and agile handling.
"I see Corvair's and Corvettes headed westward, you know, through our neighborhood."
The Chevrolet Corvair is a small car made by Chevrolet in the 1960s. It had a different engine placement compared to most cars, which made it unique.
The Chevrolet Corvair is a compact car produced by Chevrolet from 1960 to 1969, known for its unique rear-engine layout and innovative design. It was notable for its handling characteristics, which were both praised and criticized.
"We used to do that with the BMW 2002 club, the Bay Area O2 club."
The BMW 2002 is a small car made by BMW in the late 1960s and 1970s. It's known for being fun to drive and has a strong following among car enthusiasts.
The BMW 2002 is a classic compact car produced by BMW from 1968 to 1976. It is part of the '02 Series' and is known for its sporty performance and is often credited with helping to establish BMW's reputation as a manufacturer of sporty cars.
"...You probably wanted to bring the XTERRA. That's why we were like, I mean, the SC motor was built by that."
The Nissan Xterra is a type of SUV made by Nissan. It's known for being tough and good for off-road driving, making it popular with people who like outdoor adventures.
The Nissan Xterra is a compact SUV that was produced by Nissan from 1999 to 2015. It was designed for off-road capability and rugged use, appealing to outdoor enthusiasts.
"But number two, there was a great Honda S 600 at that event. You remember that? No."
The Honda S600 is a classic sports car made by Honda in the 1960s. It's known for being small and fun to drive, making it popular among car enthusiasts.
The Honda S600 is a small roadster produced by Honda in the 1960s, known for its high-revving engine and sporty design. It was one of Honda's first production sports cars, showcasing the brand's engineering capabilities at the time.
The Honda NSX is a famous sports car from Honda that started production in the late 1980s. It's known for being fast and having a unique design, making it a favorite among car lovers.
The Honda NSX is a high-performance sports car that was first introduced in the late 1980s. It is known for its innovative design, lightweight construction, and mid-engine layout, making it a significant model in Honda's history.
"Oh, he's the Spaniard? He's the Spaniard. With the S600? And he has that S600. And it's fantastic."
The Mercedes-Benz S600 is a very luxurious car that has a strong engine and lots of fancy features. It's one of the best models in the S-Class series, which is known for comfort and technology.
The Mercedes-Benz S600 is a luxury sedan known for its powerful V12 engine and high-end features. It represents the pinnacle of the S-Class lineup, offering a blend of performance, comfort, and advanced technology.
"...it's fantastic. I thought you were making a sick gladiator reference. It is."
The Jeep Gladiator is a truck that looks like a Jeep and can go off-road easily. It has a truck bed for carrying stuff, making it useful for both fun adventures and everyday tasks.
The Jeep Gladiator is a mid-size pickup truck that combines the ruggedness of the Jeep brand with the utility of a truck bed. Launched in 2019, it has gained popularity for its off-road capabilities and versatility, appealing to both adventure seekers and practical users.
"Manx with a Corvair engine, like Steve. Vair Manx. Yeah, Vair Manx would be really, really cool."
The Manx is a fun, lightweight buggy that was made from parts of the Volkswagen Beetle. It's designed for driving on sand and off-road areas, and it doesn't have a roof.
The Manx is a type of dune buggy that was originally based on the Volkswagen Beetle chassis. It became popular in the 1960s for off-road use and is known for its lightweight design and open-top configuration.
"...No, a lot cheaper. LS, LS. People do definitely do that."
LS engines are powerful V8 engines made by General Motors. They're popular for putting into different cars to make them faster.
The LS refers to a family of V8 engines produced by General Motors, known for their performance and versatility in various applications, including swaps into other vehicles.
"...like a 70-elderado for gold. Oh man, I love it though."
The Cadillac Eldorado is a fancy car made by Cadillac. The one mentioned is from the 1970s and is known for its unique look and luxury features.
The Cadillac Eldorado is a luxury car produced by Cadillac, known for its distinctive styling and performance. The model mentioned, likely from the 1970s, represents a classic era of American automotive design.
"...the guy who won, it was a, he had a beetle and the floor pan finally gave up on it. He was going to get like Taco Bell or something..."
The Volkswagen Beetle is a famous small car that has a unique round shape. It's been around for many years and is loved by many for its quirky design.
The Volkswagen Beetle is a classic car known for its distinctive rounded shape and rear-engine design. It has a long history and is often associated with the 1960s counterculture movement.
"Similarly, the first one that came to my mind was my old RX7 race car. We swapped transmissions."
The Mazda RX-7 is a sports car that uses a unique type of engine called a rotary engine. It's known for being light and fun to drive.
The Mazda RX-7 is a lightweight sports car known for its rotary engine and agile handling. It has a strong following in motorsports and among car enthusiasts.
"We swapped transmissions. I can't, it's so long ago."
The transmission is the part of the car that helps it change gears. It makes it possible for the car to go faster or slower.
The transmission is a crucial component of a vehicle that transfers power from the engine to the wheels. It allows the car to change gears and control speed.
"You could see the driveshaft and the couple like, you know, like spinning around behind the transmission was only about an inch gap, but the tech, probably wisely, the safety tech inspector was like, man, you guys got to cover that up."
The driveshaft is a long metal rod that helps move the car by sending power from the engine to the wheels. It's an important part of how cars work.
The driveshaft is a component that transmits power from the engine and transmission to the wheels. It plays a crucial role in the drivetrain of a vehicle, allowing for the transfer of torque to the wheels for movement.
"he gave us a bunch of spares, including a GSLSE rear end with like the limited slip and everything and this better trans."
A limited-slip differential is a car part that helps the wheels get better grip on the road, especially when turning or accelerating. It makes sure that both wheels can turn at different speeds while still getting power.
A limited-slip differential (LSD) helps distribute power to the wheels more effectively, improving traction during acceleration and cornering. It reduces wheel spin by allowing some difference in wheel speed between the left and right wheels.
"I went around Sears Point shotgun in a Pro 7 car once. It was a lot of fun to drive."
Sears Point is a racetrack in California where cars race. It's a popular place for car enthusiasts to watch or participate in races.
Sears Point, now known as Sonoma Raceway, is a road course located in California. It hosts various motorsport events, including car races and driving schools.
"I went around Sears Point shotgun in a Pro 7 car once. It was a lot of fun to drive."
Pro 7 is a type of racing where drivers compete using Mazda RX-7 cars. It's known for being fun and challenging, especially for those who enjoy driving fast.
Pro 7 is a racing series featuring Mazda RX-7 cars, known for their lightweight and balanced handling. This series emphasizes driver skill and is popular among amateur racers.
"It's the rotary just ripping so loud. We would, apparently the guy who bought it from us, the event after he bought it from us, the motor popped, which I'm not surprised."
A rotary engine is a different kind of engine that spins instead of using pistons. It's lighter and can go faster, but it can also have some problems with fuel use and reliability.
A rotary engine, also known as a Wankel engine, is a type of internal combustion engine that uses a rotary design to convert pressure into rotating motion. Unlike traditional piston engines, rotary engines have fewer moving parts and can achieve higher RPMs, but they are often less fuel-efficient and can have reliability issues.
"I mean, our argument was always there's no valves to float. Like what's going to happen?"
Valve float is when the engine's valves can't keep up at high speeds, which can cause problems. It usually happens if the engine is pushed too hard.
Valve float occurs when the engine's valves do not close properly at high RPMs, which can lead to a loss of power and potential engine damage. It typically happens when the engine is revved beyond its design limits.
"...ew a lot of the same guys. Pro 7 was feeder into Miata. Correct."
Mazda is a car company from Japan that makes cars known for being fun to drive. One of their popular models is the Miata, which is a small sports car that many people enjoy.
Mazda is a Japanese automaker known for its innovative designs and engineering, particularly its use of the rotary engine in models like the RX-7. The brand has a strong following due to its sporty cars, such as the Mazda MX-5 Miata, which is celebrated for its fun driving experience.
"And it was like an unobtainium part because it was just for the 912. It's not on 914s with the same motor."
The Porsche 912 is a classic sports car that was made in the 1960s. It's similar to the more famous Porsche 911 but has a smaller engine, which makes it a bit cheaper to own and drive.
The Porsche 912 is a model produced by Porsche from 1965 to 1969, known for its balance of performance and affordability compared to the 911. It features a four-cylinder engine, making it lighter and more economical.
"...art because it was just for the 912. It's not on 914s with the same motor. And so that had like a big ..."
The Porsche 914 is a small sports car that was made a long time ago. It has a special design and is known for being fun to drive, making it popular among car lovers.
The Porsche 914 is a mid-engine sports car produced between 1969 and 1976, known for its unique design and affordability compared to other Porsche models. It features a distinctive targa top and is appreciated by enthusiasts for its handling and performance.
"...c battery you've ever seen is in the front end of 911s. On the driver's side, unfortunately."
The Porsche 911 is a famous sports car that has been around for many years. It’s known for its unique shape and how well it drives, making it a favorite among car enthusiasts.
The Porsche 911 is an iconic sports car that has been in production since 1964, renowned for its distinctive design and rear-engine layout. It is celebrated for its performance, handling, and has become a symbol of automotive excellence.
Weight balance is how the weight of a car is spread out. If the weight is not balanced well, it can make the car harder to control, especially when driving fast.
Weight balance refers to the distribution of a vehicle's weight across its axles. Proper weight balance is crucial for handling and stability, especially in performance cars like the Porsche 911.
"No, I've played with the ride height on the 356, which is torsion bar. But 911s, some of that's similar, but some of that's probably different."
The Porsche 356 is an older sports car made by Porsche, famous for being light and having its engine in the back. It's a popular choice for car lovers.
The Porsche 356 is a classic sports car that was produced from 1948 to 1965. It is known for its lightweight design and rear-engine layout, making it a favorite among enthusiasts.
"... my watch list has really filled up with Foxbody Mustangs and all kinds of interesting things. The 300G, y..."
The Ford Mustang is a cool American car that people love for its speed and sporty look. It has been around for a long time and is often seen as a symbol of fun driving.
The Ford Mustang is a classic American muscle car that debuted in 1964 and has become a symbol of freedom and performance. Known for its powerful engines and sporty design, it has a dedicated fan base and is often discussed in the context of American automotive culture.
"...h 100 does not exist. Yeah, there's a crazy Audi Quattro rally car on the side right now. This is on the ..."
The Audi Quattro is a special car that can drive on all four wheels, which helps it handle better on different types of roads. It became famous for racing and changed how cars are made today.
The Audi Quattro is a revolutionary all-wheel-drive sports car that debuted in the early 1980s, known for its success in rally racing and its impact on automotive technology. It introduced the concept of all-wheel drive to the performance car market, setting a new standard for handling and traction.
"Group 4 style. Did you see the all-track Celica with the cool aviation pictures behind it?"
The Toyota Celica is a small sports car that was made for many years. It’s known for being fun to drive and has a sporty look that many people like.
The Toyota Celica is a compact sports car that was produced from 1970 to 2006, known for its sporty design and performance. It gained a reputation for being fun to drive and was popular among car enthusiasts, especially in its later generations.
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