0:00 / 0:00
Aura loss in a Japanese taxi

Aura loss in a Japanese taxi

Smith and Sniff Jun 22, 2026 59 min
0:00
0:00

About this episode

Conversation swings from song-lyric wordplay into family car plans, then into classic and niche automotive rabbit holes. A dad surprises his daughter with a 2002 Volkswagen Beetle, complete with “little jobs” like a new head unit, grade-based stereo upgrades (including DAB), and a tire “reward menu.” Later, the hosts get playful with a Japanese taxi story—dropping a phone during airbag suspension—leading to the punchline “aura loss.”

Filter:
|
|
Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Car

Ford F-150 Lightning

"...y. QC Sherry. And he was like, there was no white lightning, but there was the one that sounded like white li..."

The Ford F-150 Lightning is a pickup truck that runs on electricity instead of gasoline. It’s meant for people who want a truck but also want an electric drive system. The podcast mention sounds like it’s comparing or describing a specific Lightning example.

Part

head unit

"[579.5s] It's got a couple of dents. There's a couple of bits and bobs. It needs a new head unit. [584.6s] You know, like little things, tires are old. And, and then I thought, no, do you know what,"

The head unit is the car’s main stereo screen and controls. If it needs a new one, it usually means the radio/audio system isn’t working well or is outdated.

Term

tires

"[584.6s] You know, like little things, tires are old. And, and then I thought, no, do you know what, [591.5s] I'm going to give it to her in this state and say, this is your first car."

Tires are what actually touch the road, so they matter for safety and grip. They’re talking about replacing old tires as part of getting the car ready.

Term

DAB

"[628.4s] grades, you will get a basic stereo. It won't even have DAB. However, if you do higher than [633.8s] predicted in French, well, you can have DAB and if you do, and you can just sort of escalate,"

DAB is a type of digital radio. It can give you more stations and clearer reception than older radio formats, if your car’s stereo supports it.

Car

2002 beetle

"How about this one? Here, have a 2002 beetle instead. So that's what I think."

The Volkswagen Beetle is a classic car that many people keep for a long time. Here, the host is saying they’re giving someone a 2002 Beetle, which is a specific version of that car.

Car

Mark IV Golf

"Well, I mean, look, I'm not, we're not restoring it or anything, because fundamentally it's a Mark IV Golf, isn't it?"

A Mark IV Golf is a specific generation of the Volkswagen Golf. The host is basically saying the car is based on that Golf platform, so it’s the kind of car where you can learn common maintenance tasks.

Term

brake pads

"But I wanted her to know how to do things like maybe brake pads and definitely change a wheel and tire and to be able to top up the fluids"

Brake pads are the parts that create the stopping power when you press the brake pedal. They wear out, so replacing them is a normal maintenance job.

Term

change a wheel and tire

"But I wanted her to know how to do things like maybe brake pads and definitely change a wheel and tire and to be able to top up the fluids"

This means swapping the tire (and wheel) if you get a flat or need new tires. It’s a practical skill for car ownership.

Term

trim pieces

"So yeah, that's what I'm doing, mate. Got no idea how that's going to get in. But it feels weird. ... there's some trim pieces inside which have gone a bit clattery."

Trim pieces are the interior panels and decorative parts that make the car look finished. If they start rattling, replacing them can stop the noise.

Term

hot rod

"“It's a 1969 Porsche 911 E hot rod.” ... “Oh, and it's in that. Is that Bahama yellow? I'm not sure.”"

A hot rod is a car that’s been modified to feel and look more exciting than stock. Here, it suggests this Porsche 911 E has been customized rather than kept completely original.

Car

Porsche 911 E

"“But you also like Porsche 911s. And so I have in our pretend world, this week, got you this. It's a 1969 Porsche 911 E hot rod.” ... “So yeah, it was a US spec 1968 911 E. But in the mid 90s, it was given a full restoration and converted to right hand drive.”"

This is a specific older Porsche 911 variant. The “E” is a model version from the late 1960s, and the big twist here is that the car was later restored and changed to right-hand drive.

Term

Bahama yellow

"“Oh, and it's in that. Is that Bahama yellow? I'm not sure.” ... “It's a yellowy orangey sort of color. I love that very period.”"

“Bahama yellow” is a specific paint color name associated with certain classic Porsche-era color palettes. Color names like this matter to enthusiasts because they can indicate originality, period-correct styling, and how the car was restored or repainted.

Term

right hand drive

"“So yeah, it was a US spec 1968 911 E. But in the mid 90s, it was given a full restoration and converted to right hand drive.”"

Right-hand drive means the steering wheel is on the right side. If a car was originally built for the US (left-hand drive), switching it to right-hand drive is a big modification that changes how the car is set up for the driver.

Term

LSD

"It's now been given a three liter SC engine and a Type 915 gearbox or later gearbox with an LSD and strengthened internals."

LSD means a limited-slip differential. It helps the car send power to the wheels more evenly when one wheel has less grip.

Term

SC engine

"two liter. It's now been given a three liter SC engine and a Type 915 gearbox or later gearbox with an LSD and strengthened internals."

“SC” here means a Porsche 911 SC engine. It’s a 3.0-liter flat-six, and using it is a way to get more power while still staying in the 911 family.

Part

Bilstein dampers

"with upgraded damper suspension, turbo tie rod, turbo steering rack, Veltmeister tower strap brace, Bilstein dampers, the later aluminium radius arms,"

Bilstein dampers are shock absorbers tuned to control how the suspension moves over bumps and during cornering. Upgrading dampers is a common way to make an older 911 feel more stable and less floaty.

Part

Veltmeister tower strap brace

"turbo steering rack, Veltmeister tower strap brace, Bilstein dampers, the later aluminium radius arms,"

A tower strap brace (here branded Veltmeister) ties together suspension “towers” to reduce flex in the front structure. That can improve steering feel and consistency because the suspension geometry stays more stable under load.

Part

RS spec roll bar

"larger bearings, RS spec roll bar, the braided torsion bars adjustable spring plates,"

A roll bar helps stop the car from leaning too much in corners. An “RS spec” version is a more performance-oriented version of that idea.

Part

braided torsion bars adjustable spring plates

"RS spec roll bar, the braided torsion bars adjustable spring plates, SC calipers front and rear braided hoses."

Torsion bars are the springs that support the car. Adjustable spring plates let you set the ride height and handling more precisely.

Part

SC calipers

"SC calipers front and rear braided hoses. It looks pretty much like a standard late"

SC calipers are upgraded brake parts from the Porsche 911 SC generation. They’re part of a brake system improvement to help the car stop better.

Term

track adventures

"there's some previous owner history, including claims of past track adventures and driver days shared with heroes such as Sterling Moss, Derek Bell, Dickie Atwood and Vic Elford."

“Track adventures” means the car has been used for track days—driving on a race circuit. The hosts bring it up to support that the car was cared for and used in a performance way.

Term

restomod

"I'm kind of more into that than some kinds of less than perfectly done restomod that would try and make a 911 of the 80s or 90s look like this."

A restomod is an old car that’s restored but also upgraded with newer parts. The host prefers this approach to be subtle—more like a sleeper—rather than changing the car’s look too much.

Concept

sleeper

"Yes, because this is, this is, you'd call it a sleeper of some sense, but it's a 911. So it was never going to be slow, slow, but"

A sleeper is a car that looks normal, but is actually fast. Here, the 911 still looks period-correct, but it’s been upgraded so it can perform.

Term

low mileage

"It's kind of, you could really, really pucker low mileage, late 60s car, not an RS or anything could go for that kind of cash."

“Low mileage” just means the car hasn’t been driven very much. With older collector cars, that often makes them more desirable because there’s less wear from use.

Brand

Momo Proto T-Po steering wheel

"I'm just looking at its Momo Proto T-Po steering wheel."

MOMO makes steering wheels used in motorsport and enthusiast cars. The hosts are pointing out a specific MOMO wheel they’re seeing in the Porsche 911, which affects how the car feels and how “driver-focused” the interior is.

Term

quick release

"I might have to have it on quick release and then have the original one on a quick release so I can decide at the last second which wheel I want that day."

A quick-release steering wheel lets you take the steering wheel off quickly. People do this for convenience and sometimes to swap between different steering wheels depending on the drive.

Term

double horn ring

"They don't, actually the wheels in those 911s would be... they've got the, the big horn ring or double horn ring type things."

The horn ring is the part of the steering wheel you press to honk. “Double horn ring” means there are two separate horn areas, which is a specific look you can spot on certain classic steering wheels.

Company

Car on Classic

"We'll put a link to this in our description... just one of many thousands of tasty treats that are available on Car on Classic, the sponsor of this podcast."

Car on Classic is a website where you can find listings and sales info for classic cars. The hosts are saying you can browse lots of interesting cars there.

Term

2.2 Lotus engine

"They've heard it's got a 2.2 Lotus engine. They can see the speedo clocks 140."

That means the car had a 2.2-liter engine, and Lotus had a hand in how it was built or tuned. The “Lotus” part is what made it special compared to ordinary cars.

Term

speedo clocks 140

"They've heard it's got a 2.2 Lotus engine. They can see the speedo clocks 140."

They’re talking about what the speedometer is marked up to—140—so it sounds fast on paper. It’s basically a “look how quick it can go” claim.

Term

60 from a standing start in distinctly unsluggish 6.8 seconds

"They've heard it's got a 2.2 Lotus engine. They can see the speedo clocks 140. They're told it reaches 60 from a standing start in distinctly unsluggish 6.8 seconds."

That’s a “how fast it gets moving” number. It means the car reaches 60 from a stop in about 6.8 seconds.

Term

alloy wheels

"Yes, the next slide is they can finger the alloy wheels and the moonstone blue paintwork."

Alloy wheels are wheels made from a lighter metal than regular steel wheels. They usually look nicer and can help the car feel a bit more responsive.

Term

moonstone blue paintwork

"Yes, the next slide is they can finger the alloy wheels and the moonstone blue paintwork."

That’s the name of the car’s exterior paint color—moonstone blue. It helps people describe or match the exact original color.

Talbot Sunbeam Lotus
Calreyn88 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Talbot Sunbeam Lotus

"The new Talbot Sunbeam Lotus. So this is when it was still badged also as a Talbot just to make everything a little bit more complicated."

This is the Lotus-powered version of the Sunbeam, but it was sold under the Talbot name too. The point is that it was a small car with a serious engine, so it felt quick and fun.

Car

Dodge Avenger

"... ace driver's car. But yeah, I actually drove the Avenger last week. We took it to a track event, did some ..."

The Dodge Avenger is a regular sedan meant for normal driving. It’s not typically known as a track car, so the podcast mention likely comes from someone testing it at an event. That’s why it stands out in the conversation.

Place

Goodwood

"And then we go to Goodwood, a track that obviously we do a lot of work at Goodwood, don't we, Rich? So we've watched numerous races there."

Goodwood is a well-known racing venue in the UK. The host is saying it’s a track that feels fast but not overly punishing, so it’s easier to drive confidently.

Term

mandatory tire

"which is the dream to race it at like the members meeting, I'd have to put it on the mandatory tire, which is supposed to be not as good."

A mandatory tire means the event requires everyone to use a specific tire. It keeps things more fair and makes the competition depend less on choosing the best tire.

Term

flat handling

"Loads of induction noise. Really flat handling. Honestly, the handlings was so good."

Flat handling means the car stays steady in corners with little wobble or lean. They’re saying it felt predictable and easy to control.

Term

induction noise

"Loads of induction noise. Really flat handling. Honestly, the handlings was so good."

Induction noise is the sound of air being sucked into the engine through the intake. They’re saying they could hear a lot of it, which usually means the engine’s intake is making itself heard.

Concept

track work

"Oh, well, that's always a bonus when it comes to track work, isn't it? It's no damage."

“Track work” means driving the car on a race track for events or testing. They’re saying it’s a win when you finish and bring the car home without damage.

TVR speed 12
MrWalkr (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

TVR speed 12

"months and ago. I found the original postcards from the Motor Show stand of when TVR released the speed 12. Oh, I've got 1234 different TVR speed 12 postcards."

The TVR Speed 12 is a very rare British supercar made by TVR. It’s famous for being brutally fast and for having huge performance numbers that enthusiasts still talk about.

Car

Cerbera Tvr Speed 12

"...eleased the speed 12. Oh, I've got 1234 different TVR speed 12 postcards. I see how because I and I took photogr..."

The Cerbera Speed 12 is a very rare sports car made by TVR. It’s known for being extremely fast and for having a special, limited-run design. The podcast mention sounds like it’s tied to the car’s popularity with collectors.

Term

horsepower per tonne

"so it said wait 1000 kilos dead on 1000 performance in keeping with all other road cards with 800 horsepower per tonne income by in brackets by comparison, the McLaren F1 has 550."

“Horsepower per tonne” is a way to compare cars by combining power and weight. Higher numbers generally mean the car should feel quicker because it has more pull for its size.

Car

McLaren F1

"so it said wait 1000 kilos dead on 1000 performance in keeping with all other road cards with 800 horsepower per tonne income by in brackets by comparison, the McLaren F1 has 550."

The McLaren F1 is a famous supercar from McLaren that’s known for its very strong V12 engine. In this discussion, it’s being used as a comparison point for how extreme the TVR Speed 12’s numbers are.

Term

maximum torque

"Does it say what a flex? I know 800 horsepower at 7250 rpm maximum torque 650 pounds feet at 5750 rpm, 7,730 ccs."

Maximum torque is the engine’s strongest “twist” force. More torque usually helps a car get moving quickly, particularly when you’re not at the very top of the rev range.

Term

rpm

"Does it say what a flex? I know 800 horsepower at 7250 rpm maximum torque 650 pounds feet at 5750 rpm, 7,730 ccs."

RPM means how many times the engine spins each minute. If a spec says “at 5,750 rpm,” that’s the engine speed where the best torque or power occurs.

Term

ccs

"Does it say what a flex? I know 800 horsepower at 7250 rpm maximum torque 650 pounds feet at 5750 rpm, 7,730 ccs."

“CCs” is the engine’s size—how much total cylinder volume it has. Bigger numbers usually mean the engine can make more power, but it’s not the only factor.

Car

Lancia Delta S4 Strudale

"my, I think probably car of the show was that Lancia Delta S4 Strudale, which is obviously a Group B legend. But to see one at all, never mind in road trim, is just remarkable."

The Lancia Delta S4 is a legendary rally car from the Group B era. “Stradale” means the road version—so it’s extra special because it was built to meet the rules for racing on public roads too.

Term

Group B

"Lancia Delta S4 Strudale, which is obviously a Group B legend. ... Speaking of which ... all those Group B cars, there were supposed to be 200 road-going versions."

Group B was a rally racing class from the 1980s known for very fast, very extreme cars. The rules forced companies to make a limited number of road versions, so collectors and enthusiasts obsess over how many were actually built.

Car

RS200

"...e chap who owned it, lovely guy. He's also got an RS200. And I said, oh, have you got any other Group B c..."
Term

homologation

"he said, as far as he can work out ... all those Group B cars, there were supposed to be 200 road-going versions."

Homologation is the rule that says you can only race a car if the company built enough versions for the public. That’s why collectors argue about how many road cars were really produced.

Car

Ford RS200

"And it's generally accepted that certainly Austin Rover with the 6R4 and Ford with the RS200 built near as damn it, 200."

The Ford RS200 is a famous Group B rally car. It’s discussed because Group B required manufacturers to build a limited number of road cars before they could race the cars.

Car

Austin Rover 6R4

"And it's generally accepted that certainly Austin Rover with the 6R4 and Ford with the RS200 built near as damn it, 200."

The Austin Rover 6R4 is a Group B rally car from the 1980s. It comes up because Group B required manufacturers to build a certain number of road versions before racing.

Concept

privateer rallying

"probably 20 of those became the work-spec rally cars, whatever, or were sold to punters to go privateer rallying."

Privateer rallying means people or smaller teams race cars without the manufacturer’s full factory support. Back then, some of these rare rally cars were sold to private entrants to compete.

Term

cam belt

"want that to go snap because he wants to actually drive this car. Struggling to get a cam belt for it. He emailed the company..."

A cam belt is a belt inside the engine that keeps the timing correct—so the valves open at the right moments. If it breaks, the engine timing can go wrong and cause expensive damage, so you need the right replacement.

Term

supercharger

"It's a four cylinder, but it sounds, you know, not exotic by any means. But there's a little bit of supercharger wine. But he said, when you get it going, and it switches or it, you know, the supercharger..."

A supercharger is a device that forces more air into the engine to make more power. It’s driven by the engine, so it can boost earlier and change how the car feels and sounds.

Term

turbocharged

"the supercharger, the supercharger and turbocharged as well, was very rare at the time. Yeah, supercharger is running all the time, obviously. But then when the turbo really kicks in as well..."

Turbocharging uses the car’s exhaust to spin a fan that pushes more air into the engine. When the turbo starts working, it can feel like a second wave of power and the engine sound changes.

Car

RS 200

"kind of do the bare minimum, you know, the bodywork on RS 200 is terrible. Is it? Is it lashed? ... Because they were you know, the shell was just there to cover the mechanical parts, which were the bit that was important to try and win rallies."

The Ford RS 200 was a rally car built for a special racing era. The discussion here is about how the original body panels didn’t always fit neatly, so the car could look a bit rough even though the important parts were built for racing.

Term

fiberglass

"And then they just got reliant to sort of sling a badly made fiberglass over the top."

Fiberglass is a lightweight material made from glass fibers mixed with resin. The host is saying the car’s body panels were made in a way that didn’t come out very well, which affected how the car looked.

Term

panel gaps

"But their next thing is an RS 200. ... it'll look better because the panel gaps will be consistent where on the original, they're just dog share."

Panel gaps are the lines you see between car body panels. If they’re even and consistent, the car was built with tighter fitment; if they’re uneven, the bodywork may have been put together less precisely.

Term

clamshell

"whereas all panels all joined together because the clamshell and that was gappy as anything."

A clamshell is a big body panel section, often the front or rear, that can open or come off as one piece. If it’s “gappy,” the seams around it don’t line up neatly.

Car

alpha SZ

"Talking of like looking really, really cool, but slightly homemade, I forgot to say that the I reckon the coolest car ... was a guy that turned up to track his alpha SZ. Oh, and I mean, you don't see alpha SZ very often, do you?"

The Alfa Romeo SZ is a very rare Alfa Romeo sports car with a distinctive, angular design. The point in this clip is that you almost never see one being used for real track driving.

Car

Toyota Corolla

"... of his time and ended up signing an amazing, uh, Corolla drift poster. He's got a, a film coming out that ..."

The Toyota Corolla is a regular, everyday car made by Toyota. It’s designed to be dependable and easy to live with, which is why so many people have owned one. In the podcast, it sounds like it’s being mentioned because of a personal connection, like a poster or a story.

11 cars featured

Request an Explanation

Heard something you'd like explained? We'll add it to this episode.

Sign in to request explanations for terms you heard.

Want to learn more?

Browse our glossary for plain-English explanations of automotive terms, jargon, and concepts.

Explore Terms

Help improve this episode

See something that's not quite right? Our annotations are AI-generated and can sometimes miss the mark. Click the flag icon on any annotation to suggest a correction.

Report incorrect info
Suggest better explanations
Flag missing cars