(B)aT the Movies: The Fast and the Furious (2001)
About this episode
A lively discussion unfolds as the hosts dive into the iconic 2001 film 'The Fast and the Furious.' They reminisce about their first encounters with the movie, share personal stories tied to the tuner car culture of the early 2000s, and debate the film's impact on car enthusiasts. The episode highlights memorable cars, notable characters, and the film's legacy, while also poking fun at its absurdities. With insights into the production and the cultural significance of the franchise, this episode offers a nostalgic look back at a film that shaped car culture.
We've been teasing it for weeks now. You loved our Bullitt podcast, so we now present you with another movie breakdown. This time it's from the opposite end of the car movie spectrum: the original The Fast and the Furious from 2001. Alex is joined by Zac, Beck, and Cam to air out their multigenerational viewpoints on this cinematic masterpiece, which was so formative to the automotive pursuits of many of our community members—especially those under, shall we say, "a certain age." The crew discuss how to rank the 11 movies in the oeuvre; the mentality of working with what you have (otherwise known as "run what you brung"); explanations behind some of the cars missing from the F&F roster, and one now missing from history; and the age-old tradition of terrible shifting in car movies.
Also covered: the movie's notoriously uneven jargon; a catalog of stacked fender stickers; the modern, OEM-approved version of underglows; what it means to put down 10s in 2025 vs in 2001; an architectural travesty; mermaids; favorite cars from the movie; AI-written characters, 25 years before their time; and yes, even throughlines to other "car movies" like Bullitt and American Graffiti.
Links for things mentioned in this episode:
09:56 Ex–Paul Walker 2005 Ford GT
13:06 From The VIBE Vault: ‘Racer X’ (The ‘Fast & Furious’ Inspiration)
15:59 Craig Lieberman's YouTube channel
16:17 fastandfuriousfacts.com
45:45 Chrome Cars
46:58 The Fast and the Furious–Style 1996 Eagle Talon TSi AWD 5-Speed
51:28 Mitsubishi Eclipse, Eagle Talon, & Plymouth Laser model page
Got suggestions for our next guest from the BaT community, One Year Garage episode, or (B)aT the Movies subject? Let us know in the comments below!
Honda Prelude
"...let down that the only Honda Prelude in the entire movie is, you know, when they go to the Drags."
The Honda Prelude is a two-door car that Honda made for many years. It's known for being fun to drive and has a sporty look.
The Honda Prelude is a sporty coupe that was produced by Honda from 1978 to 2001. It is known for its performance and handling, making it a popular choice among car enthusiasts.
Honda Civics
"...and that's the only Honda. It's actually a little light on Civics."
The Honda Civic is a small car made by Honda that is known for being reliable and good on gas. It's been around since 1972 and has many different versions.
The Honda Civic is a popular compact car known for its reliability, fuel efficiency, and sporty variants. It has been a staple in the automotive market since its introduction in 1972.
Honda Integra
"...jaw rule had the red integra oh I guess that's right maybe it is like..."
The Honda Integra is a small car that many people liked for its sporty feel and good handling. It's popular among car fans.
The Honda Integra is a compact car that was produced by Honda, known for its sporty performance and handling. It has a strong following among car enthusiasts, especially for its performance variants.
Mitsubishi Eclipse
"That the purple is a purple Eclipse. The purple cars like I want the convertible. Like in my head like the silver GTR and that purple Eclipse are like the iconic Fast and the Furious cars for me."
The Mitsubishi Eclipse is a small car that many people liked in the 1990s and 2000s. It became famous for its speed and style, especially because it was featured in movies about racing.
The Mitsubishi Eclipse is a compact car that gained popularity in the 1990s and early 2000s, especially among car enthusiasts and in the tuning community. It is well-known for its performance variants and has a strong association with street racing culture, particularly due to its appearance in the 'Fast and the Furious' franchise.
Nissan GT-R
"Like in my head like the silver GTR and that purple Eclipse are like the iconic Fast and the Furious cars for me."
The Nissan GT-R is a fast sports car that is really popular among car fans. It's known for being very powerful and has a lot of technology that helps it go fast and handle well.
The Nissan GT-R is a high-performance sports car known for its advanced technology and powerful engine. It has a strong motorsport heritage and is often celebrated for its capabilities on both the road and the racetrack, making it a favorite among car enthusiasts.
Too Fast Too Furious
"But Ludacris did the intro song for Too Fast Too Furious, which is still a banger."
'Too Fast Too Furious' is a movie about fast cars and racing. It's part of a series that many car fans love because it showcases cool cars and exciting races.
'Too Fast Too Furious' is a popular movie in the Fast & Furious franchise that focuses on street racing and car culture. The film features numerous high-performance vehicles and has a significant impact on car enthusiasts.
quarter mile
"...They run about 8-second quarter miles and we were at Pomona the famous drag strip..."
The quarter mile is a distance of 1,320 feet that drag racers use to see how fast their cars can go. It's a common way to measure how quickly a car can accelerate.
The quarter mile is a standard distance used in drag racing to measure a car's acceleration and speed. It's a benchmark for performance, with times often used to compare different vehicles.
Pomona drag strip
"...we were at Pomona the famous drag strip and we went to go eat..."
Pomona drag strip is a well-known racetrack in California where people go to watch and participate in drag racing events. It's famous for hosting important races.
Pomona drag strip, officially known as the Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, is a famous drag racing venue in California. It hosts various racing events, including the NHRA Winternationals and the season-ending NHRA Finals.
Chevrolet Suburban
"...he took his tow vehicle like so it was like a DY Suburban modified Suburban that had had dualies added to the back like a late '80s Suburban."
The Chevrolet Suburban is a big family vehicle that can carry many people and their stuff. It's known for being strong and able to tow trailers or boats.
The Chevrolet Suburban is a large SUV known for its spacious interior and towing capacity. The late '80s models were popular for their ruggedness and versatility, often used as family vehicles or for towing.
Honda Civic Si
"...Did your family have the Civic Si at the time?"
The Honda Civic Si is a sportier version of the regular Civic. It's designed to be more fun to drive and has better performance features.
The Honda Civic Si is a sportier version of the standard Civic, known for its performance-oriented features and engaging driving experience. It's popular among car enthusiasts for its reliability and tuning potential.
dragster
"...a crew on a dragster with a 540 cubic inch engine and, you know,..."
A dragster is a car made for racing in a straight line as fast as possible. They are built to go really fast in short distances, like in drag races.
A dragster is a specialized type of racing car designed for straight-line speed on a drag strip. These cars are built for short, high-speed races, often featuring powerful engines and lightweight designs.
cubic inch
"...a crew on a dragster with a 540 cubic inch engine and, you know,..."
Cubic inch is a way to measure how big an engine is. A larger number usually means more power, as it can burn more fuel and air.
Cubic inch is a unit of measurement used to describe the displacement of an engine. It indicates the total volume of all the cylinders in the engine, which can affect its power output and efficiency.
front-wheel drive
"...leaving all the front-wheel drive burnouts getting out of there. Totally. People like revving up their..."
Front-wheel drive means that the front wheels of the car are the ones that get the power from the engine. This helps the car grip the road better, especially in bad weather.
Front-wheel drive (FWD) is a vehicle configuration where the engine's power is directed to the front wheels. This setup often provides better traction and handling in various conditions.
Scion xB
"...he's in a Scion xB in Japan with all the subs. Yeah."
The Scion xB is a small, boxy car that many people liked for its roomy interior and cool look. It was often modified by owners to make it unique.
The Scion xB is a compact car known for its boxy shape and spacious interior. It was popular among younger drivers for its unique style and customization options.
Dodge Viper
"...where they race a Viper or something like that. Is that"
The Dodge Viper is a fast sports car with a really powerful engine. It's known for being exciting to drive and has a very bold design.
The Dodge Viper is a high-performance sports car known for its powerful V10 engine and aggressive styling. It has a reputation for being a raw and thrilling driving experience.
Ford GT
"sold Paul Walker's Ford GT.""
The Ford GT is a fast and stylish sports car made by Ford. It's famous for its racing history and looks great on the road.
The Ford GT is a high-performance sports car known for its sleek design and powerful engine. It gained fame for its racing pedigree and was notably associated with actor Paul Walker.
exhaust
"staggered wheels, 19s and 20s, had an exhaust. Great car."
The exhaust system helps get rid of gases from the engine and can make the car sound better. Some cars have special exhausts to improve performance.
The exhaust system in a car is responsible for directing exhaust gases away from the engine and reducing emissions. Performance exhaust systems can enhance sound and power.
Jeep Gladiator
"tactical mission style thing. >> Okay. Gladiator the year before did uh 186."
Drag Race
"unfortunate name for their Drag Race thing. That's actually in the article, too, but it's called Drag Wars. And I don't know if they were more scared to call it Drag Wars, so they changed it to race wars. But that's like a real place that the people go in the Vibe magazine article to race their Honda to be Zach the fastest Honda on the east coast because the fastest Honda"
In a drag race, two cars race side by side to see which one is faster over a short distance, usually a quarter mile. It's all about how quickly they can go from a standstill to top speed.
A drag race is a type of motor racing where two vehicles compete to see which can cover a straight distance in the shortest time, typically a quarter mile. It emphasizes acceleration and speed over a short distance.
Acura Integra
"... She definitely drives that Acura in an interesting way. She has an interesting driving position. The Integra sedan. Why don't we dive..."
The Acura Integra is a small car that many people liked because it was fun to drive and dependable. It was especially popular in the 1990s among those who enjoy sporty cars.
The Acura Integra is a compact car that gained popularity for its sporty performance and reliability. It has been known for its engaging driving dynamics and was a favorite among car enthusiasts, especially in the 1990s.
Toyota Supra
"...in this one separate from we can have the Charger Supra debate later, but like some of the peripheral car..."
Honda NSX
"you don't see an NSX. You don't see a 300ZX."
The Honda NSX is a high-performance sports car that is known for being very fast and having a unique design. It's often compared to other expensive sports cars.
The Honda NSX is a mid-engine sports car that gained fame for its performance and technology, often seen as a rival to European supercars.
Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4
"You were supposed to see a VR4. That's what Brian's Supra was originally going to be."
The Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4 is a fast sports car that has all-wheel drive, which helps it grip the road better. It's known for being powerful and fun to drive.
The Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4 is a high-performance sports car known for its all-wheel drive and turbocharged engine, popular in the 1990s.
Nissan 300ZX
"you don't see an NSX. You don't see a 300ZX."
The Nissan 300ZX is a sporty car that is known for being fast and fun to drive. It's part of a long line of Nissan sports cars.
The Nissan 300ZX is a sports car that was part of the Z-car series, known for its performance and advanced technology for its time.
Nissan Skylines
"...does that mean they had four R33 Skylines?"
The R33 Skyline is a model of a car made by Nissan that is famous for being fast and popular in racing. Many people love to modify these cars to make them even better.
The Nissan Skyline R33 is part of the Skyline series, known for its performance and tuning potential. It was produced in the 1990s and is popular among car enthusiasts, especially for its capabilities in motorsport.
Nissan Maxima
"...seeing it roll with that blue Maxima which also has an interesting story..."
The Nissan Maxima is a type of car that is larger than a compact car but smaller than an SUV. It's known for being comfortable and having good performance.
The Nissan Maxima is a full-size sedan known for its performance and comfort. It has been a popular choice for buyers looking for a reliable and sporty vehicle.
Ford Mustang
"... to be Peter Tran and Peter Tran was gonna roll a Mustang, not not a Honda 2000."
Mitsubishi 3000GT
">> Yeah. >> But if Brian's car was a 3000GT, would Supras not be what they are today?"
Mitsubishi Lancer
"...ke the Evo in Too Fast Too Furious is like just a Lancer Rally, whatever. It's not an actual Evo. So I"
Toyota MR2
"...w. So, he was originally supposed to roll an SW20 MR2. >> Oh, that's cool."
Volkswagen Jetta
"... all of them? Did he do the 2000 and the Mark III Jetta and all that stuff?"
Mazda Miata
"There's actually a red car in the back. It's a Miata NA Speedster concept out that's parked in the"
The Mazda Miata NA is the first version of the Miata, a small sports car that is fun to drive. It's light and handles well, which is why many people love it.
The Mazda Miata NA refers to the first generation of the Miata sports car, produced from 1989 to 1997. It is known for its lightweight design and excellent handling, making it a favorite among driving enthusiasts.
Ferrari 355 Spider
"...but the line that it breeds is quite iconic. The 355 Spider that they pull up next to."
The Ferrari 355 Spider is a sports car that can be driven with the top down. It's famous for its stylish looks and powerful engine, making it a favorite among car enthusiasts.
The Ferrari 355 Spider is a convertible sports car produced by Ferrari from 1995 to 1999. It is known for its sleek design and high performance, featuring a 3.5-liter V8 engine that produces 375 horsepower.
Ferrari F355 Spider
"...ng this 10-second car, and they're even with this F355 Spider. >> We should address this. The big thing"
Honda S2000
"car. The two most unrealistic are the S2000 which like I can't think of a stupider car and th..."
Porsche 911 Turbo
"A 911 Turbo would have been... E30. A BMW."
The Porsche 911 Turbo is a fast sports car that has a turbocharged engine, making it more powerful than regular versions of the 911.
The Porsche 911 Turbo is a high-performance variant of the iconic 911 sports car, known for its turbocharged engine and enhanced performance features.
Jensen Interceptor
"...I was doing research for this. They used a Jensen Interceptor in one of these. So, [laughter] like they've"
Chevrolet Camaro
"...e friend who had the switch in the ashtray in his Camaro. So, you'd pop open the ashtray and the"
Ford Capri
">> by the way some great police car >> Capri bunch of Chevy Capri those tires cannot handle th..."
Tesla Model S
"mile? >> Five grand and buy a Tesla Model S off the site and run 10."
Tesla Model
"mile? >> Five grand and buy a Tesla Model S off the site and run 10."
Hyundai Venues
"...also sick, by the way, too. There's a lot of good venues. The Speed Shop, both the TTO house and the"
Eagle Talon
"point? >> Yes, but it was a Talon. >> Okay, I'm kind of pro Talon. Okay, what"
Mitsubishi Starion
"...ut that's like kind of the lead of the story is a Starion and a 300ZX racing against each other on a"
Pontiac Torino
"..., the middle of that ven diagram is probably Gran Torino. >> Nice."
Ford SVT Lightning
"...stly, I'm going to I'll go against the grain. The SVT Lightning, I think, is"
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