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Best used homologation specials, £70k fast dailies and a Chinese EV's in-car toilet

Best used homologation specials, £70k fast dailies and a Chinese EV's in-car toilet

The Gassing Station Apr 28, 2026 59 min
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About this episode

Crystal Palace’s forgotten racetrack takes center stage, with the hosts urging listeners to support efforts to preserve its surviving straight during park redevelopment. They also celebrate Tor Poznan’s escape from closure after noise complaints, then dive into a classifieds treasure hunt for homologation specials: Peugeot 205 T16, Renault Clio 172 Cup, Toyota GR Yaris, Porsche 993 GT2, Escort RS Cosworth and more. The episode wraps with a listener challenge for a £70k fast daily, plus a bizarre Chinese EV toilet concept that sparks plenty of jokes.

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Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Concept

homologation specials

"Podcast: The Gassing Station — Episode: Best used homologation specials, £70k fast dailies and a Chinese EV's in-car toilet"

Some race series require a certain number of near-identical road cars to be sold. Manufacturers build special versions of cars so they can race them, and those cars can be more interesting (and sometimes rarer) than the normal ones.

Concept

homologated race category

"Podcast: The Gassing Station — Episode: Best used homologation specials, £70k fast dailies and a Chinese EV's in-car toilet"

Some racing classes only allow cars that are officially approved and match the rules. Manufacturers may build special road versions so the race car is eligible to compete.

Brand

Pistonhead forums

"Welcome back to The Gassing Station, the podcast that piles into the Pistonhead forums like people are piling on support of an old racetrack that's potentially under threat"

They mention Pistonheads, which is a big UK car enthusiast website and forum. It’s where car people discuss cars, history, and buying advice.

Topic

Crystal Palace

"But it's all to do with Crystal Palace, right? Yeah. The park. A local ish park to me a couple of miles from where I live ... I've emailed a few people about this and spoken to some people saying, why can't we get a plaque"

They’re talking about Crystal Palace, a place in London that used to host car racing. Even though it’s now a park, the old track area is still there, and the hosts are excited about its history.

Topic

non-championship Formula 1 race

"They had a non-championship... Yeah, I like the glasses move for the listeners. Cam did just race his glasses up his nose. Yeah, exactly that. They did race. So they raced Formula 1 cars there in a non-championship round"

Sometimes Formula 1 races were held that didn’t affect the season’s championship points. They were still very fast and important for racing history, but they weren’t “counted” in the standings.

Topic

Formula 2

"So they raced Formula 1 cars there in a non-championship round and they raced Formula 2 there, I think, in championship rounds. So they were very, very fast single-seaters"

Formula 2 is a racing series for open-wheel cars, usually seen as a ladder toward Formula 1. It’s the kind of racing that features skilled drivers and fast cars, even if it’s not the top F1 championship.

Car

Minis

"...the Cortinas and the Minis and the Ford Galaxies, kind of like a good revival, but in period, in Crystal Palace"

They’re talking about the Mini, a famous small British car. It’s known for being fun to drive and for showing up in lots of classic racing.

Car

Ford Galaxies

"...chives is like the Cortinas and the Minis and the Ford Galaxies, kind of like a good revival, but in period, in ..."

The Ford Galaxie 500 is an older Ford car from the classic American era. The podcast is talking about it as something people like to see and enjoy in its original time period. It’s included because it’s part of that classic lineup story.

Car

Ford Cortina

"...looking at through the archives is like the Cortinas and the Minis and the Ford Galaxies, kind of like a good revival, but in period, in Crystal Palace"

They mention the Ford Cortina, a well-known British car from the past that also did a lot of racing. It’s brought up as an example of the classic cars that were part of that track’s history.

Term

main straight

"Sounds super exciting, but it will probably involve some damage or bulldozing of what used to be the main straight. And if you actually walk or cycle, or even you can actually still drive down a bit of it because it's a car park..."

On a race track, the “main straight” is the long straightaway where cars go fastest. If that section gets changed, the track experience and layout are affected.

Topic

racing circuit history / track-site preservation

"...can we recognise even if it's a plaque or a statue... I guess that the original straight is just a strip of concrete really... There's a big concrete wall with loads of gash marks like scrapes down it..."

They’re talking about how old race tracks can be easy to miss if there aren’t signs, but you can still spot clues like old track surfaces and damaged walls. Those details help you understand what happened there in the past.

Concept

power oversteer

"...you can just imagine how bloody quickly these cars would be accelerating because there's a downhill off the last corner and it's quite steep... So the amount of, I can just imagine the power oversteer moments coming off..."

Power oversteer is when you put your foot down coming out of a turn and the back of the car starts to slide outward. It happens when the tires can’t grip enough, so the car rotates more than you expect.

Term

concrete wall

"...the fact that there's a big concrete wall that was clearly put into, to stop cars probably flipping off into the spectators... There's a big concrete wall with loads of gash marks like scrapes down it..."

That concrete wall is the track’s barrier. When cars hit it, they leave scrape marks, and those marks can show how often or how severely impacts happened.

Topic

Goodwood style

"like a hint of Goodwood. Just have a little area that kind of says, Hey, this was an old, old Grand Prix."

They’re using “Goodwood style” to mean a classic, motorsport-heritage look—like how famous British events make history feel visible and fun. Here they’re suggesting a small visual tribute to an old Grand Prix circuit.

Concept

post World War Two circuit

"one of the corners in the more modern circuit, the sort of post World War Two circuit did get within about 20 meters of someone's back garden."

They’re comparing older racing to later racing after WWII, when safety rules and track design became more strict. The key point here is that if a track is too close to houses, it can become unsafe and get shut down.

Concept

track safety (residential proximity)

"did get within about 20 meters of someone's back garden... started to be an issue... it eventually got shut down... loud and dangerous and basically in a residential area."

They’re saying race tracks need a safe buffer zone. If cars are too close to people’s homes—and the area is loud and risky—authorities may shut the circuit down.

Topic

Tor Poznan

"was that a circuit in Poland called Tor Poznan... it kept failing noise limits..."

Tor Poznań is a race track in Poland. This part of the show is about whether it might have to close because of noise complaints and rules.

Concept

noise limits

"...it kept failing noise limits. It had an, a hypostrict noise limit of 50 decibels from the nearby town..."

Racetracks have rules about how loud they’re allowed to be. If the sound measured near nearby homes is too high, authorities can force the track to stop or change how events are run.

Concept

decibels

"...a hypostrict noise limit of 50 decibels from the nearby town... which is where you usually get the 100, 110 decibel limits."

Decibels are how we measure loudness. Because it’s a special scale, going up a bit can mean the sound feels dramatically louder—especially when the limit is measured from far away.

Concept

noise box

"...during the period of when it breached its limits during one of the periods where the, the noise box, whatever it was, which was outside the circuit a few miles away..."

A “noise box” is basically a defined zone where officials measure how loud the track is. If the reading is too high, the event can be stopped or the track can be forced to change.

Concept

noise complaints

"I went and interviewed some of the local residents at Mallory... when they were attempting to shut the circuit for a similar reason to this Polish circuit, which was all to do with noise complaints."

Sometimes people move near a racetrack and then complain about the noise. Even if the track has been there for years, it can feel “new” to the people who just moved in.

Topic

good news

"And a national discussion became the dominating factor... On to our first topic, good news. If you've got a lot of money..."

They’re switching topics here. After talking about track noise complaints, they move into the first “good news” segment about cars.

Company

PistonHeads

"a Peugeot 205 T 16 road car for sale on piston heads."

PistonHeads is a website where people in the UK list cars for sale. Enthusiasts often use it to find interesting, sometimes rare, performance cars.

Car

Peugeot 205

"...e on pH in my almost four years of being here, a Peugeot 205 T 16 road car for sale on piston heads. Wow. At ..."

The Peugeot 205 CTI is a sporty version of the Peugeot 205. It’s a small car that was made to be more fun to drive than a basic model. In the podcast, it’s mentioned as part of the wider 205 story.

Car

Audi Quattro

"“...this is the era where the Delta S four was competing and the Sport Quattro and even the Renault five turbo.”"

The Audi Sport Quattro was one of the big rally stars of the Group B era. It was built to race, and it also influenced what “fast rally tech” looked like—especially with turbo power and all-wheel drive. People still talk about it because it was so important to the category.

Car

Renault 5 Turbo

"“...and the Sport Quattro and even the Renault five turbo. I'd say all of those are more revered or more celebrated homologation specials over the 205 T 16.”"

The Renault 5 Turbo was a rally-focused car that Renault had to make road-legal to compete. It used turbo power and became one of the iconic “small car, big performance” Group B stories. That’s why it gets compared to other famous homologation specials.

Car

Peugeot 205 T 16

"“...it was the T 16 that was more successful. Yeah. And look how cool it looks. It does have a pea shooter... The rally car had a central exhaust... Persho had to build at least 200 road going T 16s to make it eligible...”"

The Peugeot 205 T 16 was a rally car that Peugeot had to make road-legal so it could race. It uses a turbocharged engine and a lightweight, rally-style structure. It looks wild, but the road version wasn’t as extreme as the race cars.

Term

central exhaust

"“...It does have a pea shooter... The rally car had a central exhaust, which was exceptionally cool.”"

A central exhaust means the exhaust tip is placed near the middle of the car. It’s often done for packaging reasons—so the rest of the rally hardware can fit. Either way, it makes the car look and sound very different.

Term

Group B rallying

"“...But obviously in 1986, Group B rallying was shut down for the obvious, obvious reasons.”"

Group B was a rally class in the 1980s where cars were allowed to be extremely fast and extreme. It was stopped because it became too dangerous. Many legendary rally cars, including the Peugeot 205 T 16, were built for that era.

Car

Audi 200

"...at Lancia had to do, Persho had to build at least 200 road going T 16s to make it eligible for the Wor..."

The Audi 200 is a performance car model from Audi. The podcast is talking about how racing rules require manufacturers to build a certain number of road cars. That’s why the Audi 200 comes up in a discussion about eligibility and homologation.

Term

space frame

"“...the front of the chassis is a 205. And I believe the front of the chassis is a 205. The rest of it... behind the cabin and back is all space frame.”"

A space frame is a strong, lightweight skeleton that the car is built around. Instead of relying on the outer body panels to do all the work, the frame carries the loads. Rally cars use this idea to stay stiff and light.

Term

clamshell design

"“...the actual the back of it like the S four was is a clamshell design. So it lifts up like an F 40...”"

A clamshell design means a big panel opens upward like a shell. It’s a convenient way to access the engine or mechanical parts. On cars like this, it also makes the car look extra special.

Term

single turbo inline four

"“...Rather than there being a twin turbo V8 in the back of it, this one has a single turbo inline four.”"

This means the engine is a straight-four (four cylinders in a line) and it uses one turbo to add extra power. The turbo forces more air into the engine so it can make more boost. It’s a common performance layout in rally cars.

Concept

0-60 time

"“...it probably would have been quite peppy back in 1984 85 when it came out. But instead, it's producing it. Well, by today's standard, it's not the best.”"

People often compare cars by how fast they accelerate, like how long they take to go from 0 to 60. That helps you understand performance in a way that horsepower alone can’t. In this segment, they’re basically saying the old car isn’t as quick as modern cars feel.

Concept

four wheel drive system

"it had a four wheel drive system, as you would expect, mid engine..."

Four-wheel drive means power goes to all four wheels. It helps the car grip the road better, especially on slippery or uneven surfaces.

Concept

mid engine

"it had a four wheel drive system... mid engine, where obviously the regular two or five was front engine."

Mid-engine means the engine sits closer to the middle of the car rather than at the front. That can help the car feel more balanced and “race-like” when you drive it.

Term

XU 8T

"The engine itself was the XU 8T. This was an experimental prototype engine for the for the rally car... only ever featured in road car form in the T 16... detuned probably just so it doesn't completely blow itself up."

The XU 8T is the special engine Peugeot used in this rare T 16. It was built with rally in mind, and the idea was to make it last long enough to finish a rally, not necessarily to make the biggest number on a dyno.

Car

Peugeot T 16

"The engine itself was the XU 8T... only ever featured in road car form in the T 16. Nice road car... It also featured in the Pikes Peak car... But it was essentially a proper race engine..."

The Peugeot T 16 is a very rare 1980s Peugeot that was basically built to bring rally tech to the road. It’s special because it uses a rally-style setup, so it feels more like a race car than a typical street car.

Concept

detuned

"I know of the S4, they were drastically detuned... being an 80s performance car, based on a rally engine, that engine... was only meant to last one rally."

Detuned just means the engine is made to produce less power than it potentially could. The goal is usually to make it last longer and not break during hard racing.

Concept

Group B standards

"I know of the S4, they were drastically detuned. Yeah. And it didn't take a lot of work to unlock quite a lot of power to bring it up to Group B standards."

Group B was a rally class in the 1980s where cars were pushed to be incredibly fast. The host is saying this engine was toned down at first, but with the right work you could bring it closer to what Group B cars were capable of.

Concept

fuel injection

"Does it run cut? I think it'd be fuel injection, wouldn't it, 86? Yeah. So it was not going like it would need a chip..."

Fuel injection is how the engine gets fuel in a controlled way. Instead of relying on a carburetor, it uses valves/injectors to spray fuel based on sensors and engine needs.

Car

Peugeot 205 GTI

"Because obviously the 205 GTI is great anyway. But this just has that extra muscle with the swelled rear half..."

The Peugeot 205 GTI is a classic hot hatch that many enthusiasts love for how fun it feels to drive. Here, the host is saying the T 16 looks even more aggressive and special than the already-cool 205 GTI.

Car

Volkswagen Gti

"...s, this looks so cool. Because obviously the 205 GTI is great anyway. But this just has that extra mus..."

The Volkswagen Golf is a compact car that many people drive. The podcast mentions it because it looks especially cool and stands out. The discussion is about its appeal rather than deep technical details.

Car

Ford GT40

"...a million pounds on this. It's like having a real GT40 and everyone goes, oh, that would definitely be ..."

The Ford GT40 is a very famous race car from the past. People talk about it because it’s strongly linked to racing history and is hard to get. In the podcast, it’s mentioned to show how exciting it feels to have something like a GT40.

Car

Renault Clio 172 Cup

"Start off with this. This is probably the cheapest way, aside from the Persho that you've got, into a homologation special point. What does it say? Yeah... this car is a 172 cup, which does have an MOT and also a full track car makeover... these were homologated for group N rallying. So yeah, which is why they didn't have ABS."

This is a Renault Clio variant that was set up for competition rules. The point is that it’s lighter and more track-focused—less comfort stuff like ABS and air conditioning—so it can be quicker.

Term

MOT

"I said I was going to update on the MOT status of the 182. It needs an MOT. I haven't had it done yet. But this car is a 172 cup, which does have an MOT..."

An MOT is the UK’s official safety check for cars. If a car needs an MOT, it may not be road-legal until it passes.

Concept

track car makeover

"But this car is a 172 cup, which does have an MOT and also a full track car makeover, which is kind of appropriate because these were homologated for group N rallying."

A track car makeover is when someone modifies a car to be better suited for driving on a race track. That can include safety gear and performance parts so it handles harder driving.

Term

Group N rallying

"because these were homologated for group N rallying. So yeah, which is why they didn't have ABS."

Group N is a type of rally racing where the cars have to stay fairly “stock.” So the special parts are mainly about making the road car lighter and more durable for rally use.

Term

ABS

"which is why they didn't have ABS. And I mean, it all helped to save weight, but it was also because that was the homologation spec of the car, right? No ABS and no air conditioning, et cetera."

ABS is a braking safety system that helps stop the wheels from locking up. If a track/homologation car doesn’t have it, braking is more demanding because the car can be easier to upset under hard stops.

Term

no air conditioning

"No ABS and no air conditioning, et cetera, et cetera. So these were the lightest version of the 172 facelift..."

Air conditioning adds weight and complexity. Some track or competition versions remove it to make the car lighter and simpler.

Car

Peugeot 206 GT

"...because five bags, five grand here. This is a on Greek plates... This is a 206 GT, which for those who know is a WRC homologation... The only difference being though, Sam, is extended bumpers... and of course, the WRC on the the paperwork as well..."

The Peugeot 206 GT here is a special “rally-approved” version of the 206. It’s not a totally different car under the skin—most of the point is meeting the rules for rally competition. The big giveaway is the extra chunky bumpers, and the car comes with paperwork confirming the rally homologation.

Term

WRC homologation

"This is a 206 GT, which for those who know is a WRC homologation... 17 centimeters was mandatory for the homologation because it was a four meter long class WRC became at that time..."

WRC homologation is the paperwork/rules approval that lets a rally car be raced. It often requires the manufacturer to build a matching road version in limited numbers. In this case, the rules even required the road car to be a specific length.

Car

Peugeot 206

"...re putting a car down because it's a 5,000 pound Peugeot 206. You can still get a regular 206 for probably not..."

The Peugeot 206 3 Doors is a small hatchback with three doors. The podcast mentions it while talking about practical details like weight and handling during an event. It’s included because it’s a familiar, usable kind of car.

Term

extended bumpers

"The only difference being though, Sam, is extended bumpers, extended bumpers... mechanically, it was exactly the same as far as I'm aware... 140 horsepower, two liter..."

Extended bumpers are bigger, longer front and rear bumpers than you’d see on a regular version of the car. Here, they’re used to satisfy rally rules, not to make the car faster mechanically. So the car’s rally identity shows up mostly in the bodywork.

Concept

roof line tapering down

"...he was adamant about the roof line tapering down because if you look at the GI Yaris, it's got a much more slopey coupe like roof compared to a standard Yaris and the idea was to basically fit a larger or open up a larger space for the rear wing..."

The hosts describe a specific design choice—tapering the roof line—to create packaging space for the rear wing. In rally-focused homologation builds, aero and wing mounting often drive body shape decisions more than styling does.

Concept

rally one car

"...they released the rally two car. So rally one cars are basically space frame prototypes. They bear, they look like the road cars, but they bear very little similarities with them..."

A Rally1 car is the highest-spec rally race car. Even though it looks like the road model, it’s usually built as a purpose-built race car with a lot of custom engineering.

Concept

rally two car

"...they released the rally two car. So rally one cars are basically space frame prototypes... The rally two car is a production car that's been beefed up to rally specs."

Rally2 cars are rally race cars that are closer to the production car than the top Rally1 class. They’re strengthened and modified for rallying, but they start from a more production-based platform.

Car

Subaru Impreza

"...we do have two impreza WRX STIs, we've got an RB 320... But we do also have a Type UK, WRX, STI, the hatchback style..."

The Subaru Impreza WRX STI is a rally-inspired, high-performance Subaru. It’s famous for being grippy and quick, especially in bad weather, because it uses all-wheel drive. The hosts are using it as an example of rally-related special cars.

Car

Subaru WRX

"...homologation special, but the whole point of the WRX World Rally Experimental, I believe, was that it ..."

The WRX is a sporty Subaru car that was made to be quick and to handle well. Some versions were built so the car could race under rally rules. The podcast mentions it because it’s connected to that racing development.

Car

Porsche 996 GT3

"We were looking for the GT3 996 GT3 to see if there were homologation spec ones... the early car, not the update car that came in 02..."

This is a Porsche 911 GT3 from the 996 generation. The hosts are talking about certain early versions that were more closely connected to racing rules, especially for Le Mans. They’re basically saying not every 996 GT3 you see is the “right” one for that homologation story.

Concept

Le Mans GT category

"...that is the homologation special for Porsche to take its 996 GT3 into the Le Mans GT category of the day..."

Le Mans is a long-distance race, and the GT category is one of the classes for cars that are based on production models. To race in that class, the cars have to follow specific rules, which is why some road cars are built to qualify. The hosts are explaining that this is the racing goal behind the “homologation special” talk.

Car

996 GT3 RSR

"...we found an actual race car, the actual 996 GT3 RSR race car, which is still an active"

This is a Porsche race car based on the GT3 idea, not a normal street car. The hosts are saying they found a real competition car listed for sale, and they’re excited because it’s the actual racing-spec machine. Race cars usually come with different paperwork and maintenance needs than road cars.

Topic

Spa 25 hours

"It competed at the Spa maybe the 25 hours or so. In 2010, so it's got some history."

That’s an endurance race at Spa where cars run for a long time. Endurance racing is tough, so it says something about the car’s setup and durability.

Topic

British GT

"These were racing in the British GT. Yeah."

British GT is a UK racing series for sports cars. If a car competed there, it means it was used in real race events, not just built for show.

Term

flat six

"And the guttural noise of those old Metzger flat sixes were just fantastic."

A flat-six is an engine with six cylinders laid out flat, like two rows facing each other. It’s part of why some Porsches sound and feel so distinctive.

Car

Subaru 360

"...member them sounding completely different to the 360s and Corvettes that were running around. Oh, that ..."

The Subaru 360 is an old, very small Subaru car. Because it’s small and from a different era, it can sound and feel quite different from modern performance cars. The podcast is using it as part of a comparison of how cars sound.

Car

Porsche 911 GT2

"And but if you did want a Porsche homologation special, amazingly, we do have a 911 GT, which the 993 aka GT2 up for sale."

This is a Porsche 911 GT2 from the 993 era. It’s a rare, track-oriented version of the 911, made in small numbers so it could be eligible for certain racing categories.

Car

Ford Escort RS Cosworth

"there's probably not been used a lot since then. I see you've got one more that's kind of more on the quote affordable side. Yes. Yeah. Yes, we've got our group a homologation special, which is the Ford RS Cosworth. Sorry. It's under those right here. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Which is the Ford Escort RS Cosworth is what I meant to say."

They’re talking about the Ford Escort RS Cosworth, a rare, turbocharged Escort made to be eligible for racing. It’s a rally-style performance car that collectors still chase today.

Term

big turbo

"Which is the Ford Escort RS Cosworth is what I meant to say. And it says in bold capitals, big turbo. I mean, they're pretty"

“Big turbo” means the car uses a larger turbocharger to push more air into the engine. That usually helps make more power, but it can also change how quickly the car feels responsive.

Term

group A

"...So if you fancy a group B special and a group A special, but not from rallying, you've got them right here..."

Group A was another racing class where the cars had to be closer to production models than the wildest rally era. The host is using it as a reference to the “special rules” era. It’s a way to explain why these cars feel race-derived.

Term

drag coefficient

"...And if I remember correctly, it had a drag coefficient of 0.29 CD, which was a big improvement over..."

Drag coefficient is a number that describes how “slippery” a car is through the air. A lower number usually means the car meets less air resistance. The host is saying the Evo two was designed to be more aerodynamic than the earlier version.

Topic

DTM championship winning car

"...If I'm correct, there's always a team with that... Evo one wasn't actually that successful, but the Evo two got a championship the year after it was released. So it was a, it was a DTM championship winning car..."

DTM is a German touring car racing series. The host is saying the Evo two actually won a championship there, which proves it was built to compete. It’s the “race results” part of the story.

Car

Alfa Romeo 155

"“didn't it? There was the Alfa 155. It competed against that and the E30M3.”"

The Alfa Romeo 155 was a race-bred version of a road car from the 1990s. People talk about it because it was built to help the brand compete in racing.

Car

BMW E30M3

"“There was the Alfa 155. It competed against that and the E30M3. One era.”"

The BMW E30 M3 is a classic BMW performance car from the 1980s. It’s famous because it was closely tied to racing and became a benchmark for driver-focused cars.

Car

C8 Corvette race

"“...if you're a Le Mans nerd like I am... and you have been watching the C8 Corvette race, you'll notice that they don't sound like a normal Corvette.”"

They’re talking about the Corvette’s C8 generation in racing. The big takeaway is that the race version sounds different because of how the engine is built.

Term

flat plane crank V8

"“...you'll notice that they don't sound like a normal Corvette. They have flat, flat plane crank V8s...”"

A flat-plane crank V8 is an engine layout that changes the way the cylinders fire. That firing pattern gives the car a sharper, more distinctive sound.

Term

cross plane crank

"“...versus the standard Corvettes, which have cross plane crank.”"

Cross-plane crank refers to how the crankshaft is shaped inside the V8. It affects the engine’s sound, and here it’s used as the comparison point versus flat-plane.

Car

Corvette 06

"...rvettes, which have cross plane crank. Well, the Corvette 06 was the homologation special for the racing car. ..."

The Corvette is a sports car made by Chevrolet. The podcast mentions a specific Corvette model as a special version made for racing rules. It also talks about the engine’s internal design because that can change how the car sounds and drives.

Term

right hand drive

"“Yeah. So there we go. So and you know, the one I found is a right hand drive example, because with the C8s, you can obviously get them in right hand drive and they're for the UK.”"

Right-hand drive means the steering wheel is on the right side of the car. They mention it because it changes how you can buy a Corvette for the UK market.

Term

naturally aspirated

"“...with this, you're getting 670 horsepower naturally aspirated. So you've not got any turbochargers...”"

Naturally aspirated means the engine doesn’t use a turbo or supercharger. It gets its air in naturally, and that’s part of why the power delivery can feel different.

Term

1,519 miles on the clock

"“...It looks great. It does look really very good. 1,519 miles on the clock.”"

That phrase means the car’s odometer reading. 1,519 miles is very low, so the car likely has minimal wear compared to most used examples.

Term

Luminous blue

"“...in like proper luminous blue. It looks great. It does look really very good.”"

They’re describing the car’s paint color as Luminous Blue. Color can matter when you’re buying used because some colors are more popular than others.

Car

Lancia Stratos HF Stradale

"One of them is a Lancia Stratoff's HF Stradale. So Lancia built... I think that the aim was to build around 500 cars from what it says here 492 were made for rallying. So it was one of the first examples of a car built specifically for rallying, the World Rally Championship."

The Lancia Stratos HF Stradale is a rare Lancia made mainly for rally racing, then made road-legal in limited numbers so it could compete. Because it was built for racing, it’s light and very focused, not like a normal everyday car. The big takeaway here is that the real rally cars are even rarer than the already-limited road versions.

Concept

World Rally Championship

"So it was one of the first examples of a car built specifically for rallying, the World Rally Championship. And it won three three championships. It was utterly dominant."

The World Rally Championship is the big international rally racing series. When a car is built to compete in WRC, it’s designed for rough roads, traction changes, and fast stages. The hosts mention it to show how successful the Stratos was in the highest rally competition.

Concept

wide body kit rally mode

"Every other one that you've seen in the proper wide body kit rally mode is an original Stratoss. If it's a legitimate rally car that raced in period, it would have been a road car converted to a rally car."

They’re talking about the rally look—wider fenders and bodywork that makes the car sit wider. But the point is that the look alone doesn’t prove the car was a real factory rally car. Some cars were modified later to look like rally cars.

Concept

pre-import (no salt on roads)

"But this one is red. It's the Batoni design. It just looks absolutely fantastic. The gold wheels absolutely immaculate, 19,200 miles. And yeah, it's also in a country that won't have any salt on its roads. So it should be a very good... That's pre-import."

They’re basically saying the car likely hasn’t been exposed to road salt, which can cause rust. If a car comes from a place without winter salt, it often has less corrosion than one imported from a salty climate. That can make a big difference on rare cars.

Car

Ferrari F40

"This is my dream car and it's 100,000 pounds cheaper than the Stratosses. Arguably not as pretty. Oh, it's definitely not as pretty. But it is extremely purposeful. These for me are a baby F40."

They compare the Lancia O37’s vibe to the Ferrari F40. The F40 is known for being a very hardcore, performance-first supercar. So the comparison is meant to tell you the Lancia feels similarly intense and track-oriented.

Car

TVR T440R

"And this seems to be one that goes between a few collectors. So the chance has come to buy it. It is a TVR T440R. So this is the car that essentially followed on from the Speed 12"

They’re talking about a TVR T440R, which is a very rare TVR built with racing in mind. The big takeaway is that it’s part of a whole TVR racing story, and it’s the road version of that ambition.

Car

TVR Speed 12

"So this is the car that essentially followed on from the Speed 12 because the Speed 12 was designed to be TVR's entry into GT1 at Le Mans. But by the time it was finished or canned, GT1 had died."

They’re referencing the TVR Speed 12, TVR’s attempt to race in the GT1 class at Le Mans. When that class plan fell apart, TVR had to pivot and build the next cars instead.

Concept

GT1 at Le Mans

"So this is the car that essentially followed on from the Speed 12 because the Speed 12 was designed to be TVR's entry into GT1 at Le Mans. But by the time it was finished or canned, GT1 had died."

GT1 is a racing class, and Le Mans is a famous endurance race. The story here is that TVR’s car plans depended on GT1 continuing, and when it didn’t, they had to adapt.

Car

TVR Tuscan

"But for Le Mans, they then created something that I was known as the Tuscan R to begin with. Then it was also called the Typhon. It then raced as the T400R."

The speaker explains that TVR’s development path started with what was “known as the Tuscan R,” before evolving through other names. This highlights how TVR’s racing hardware and homologation goals drove rapid iteration across multiple related projects.

Car

TVR Typhon

"But for Le Mans, they then created something that I was known as the Tuscan R to begin with. Then it was also called the Typhon. It then raced as the T400R."

They’re talking about the TVR Typhon as part of TVR’s evolving race-car plan. It’s basically one of the steps in the story before the final road-focused car.

Car

TVR T400R

"Then it was also called the Typhon. It then raced as the T400R. And then the road car that we're looking at here is the T440."

They mention the TVR T400R as the race-car stage in the development chain. The point is that the road car isn’t random—it’s connected to a real racing effort.

Car

TVR T440

"And then the road car that we're looking at here is the T440. So it's a car... I believe it's carbon fiber body. The chassis is completely bespoke, doesn't share any components with... or doesn't share the core components with the Tuscan."

They’re describing the TVR T440 as a road car with lightweight carbon-fiber bodywork and a custom-built chassis. The takeaway is that it’s not just a normal TVR with a body kit—it’s a purpose-built special.

Term

carbon fiber bodywork

"So it's a car... I believe it's carbon fiber body. The chassis is completely bespoke, doesn't share any components with... or doesn't share the core components with the Tuscan."

Carbon fiber is a lightweight material used for car panels. Using it helps the car weigh less, which can make it feel quicker and more agile.

Car

A45 AMG

"I'm currently thinking of getting out of my A45 AMG. It's been a great daily driver."

The Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG is a hot hatch—basically a normal small car, but tuned for performance. It’s popular as a daily driver because it’s quick and fun without being a full-on track car.

Term

daily driver

"This will be a daily driver. But I want it to be something special. I don't want anything more than 10 years old."

A daily driver is the car you use most days for normal life—school runs, shopping, and trips. It needs to be comfortable and practical, not just fast.

Term

track days

"I love my driving, we'll be doing track days, we'll be doing weekends through Wales, Scotland, Europe, etc."

Track days are events where you drive on a race circuit for fun and practice. They’re a good test of whether a car can handle fast driving repeatedly without overheating or losing grip.

Term

limited edition

"I've gone for an FK at Civic Type R, but it's the limited edition model, which isn't just bright yellow."

A limited edition is a special version of a car that’s made in smaller numbers. It usually has unique looks or extra features compared to the regular model.

Car

Civic Type R

"I've gone for an FK at Civic Type R, but it's the limited edition model, which isn't just bright yellow."

The Honda Civic Type R is the sporty, performance version of the Civic. It’s designed to feel planted and responsive, so it’s a good choice if you want something that can handle spirited driving and track days.

Term

Michelin tires

"...I remembered that the tires, they ran on Michelin tires versus the originals, which are Continental's. And I think the tire difference was probably the biggest of all..."

They’re talking about the tires, and how the brand can change how the car grips the road. Better grip usually means the car feels more confident when you drive hard.

Term

Continental's

"...the tires, they ran on Michelin tires versus the originals, which are Continental's. And I think the tire difference was probably the biggest of all..."

Continental is the tire brand that came on the car originally. If you switch to a different brand, the car can feel like it handles differently because the tires grip differently.

Term

damping

"...you can soften them off quite a lot, which makes them really good daily drivers. This is typically quite firm the whole way through..."

Damping is how the suspension controls bouncing and movement. If it’s firmer, the car feels more stable and less wobbly when you drive quickly.

Concept

body roll

"...it means there's absolutely no body roll. Really, really, really fast. Obviously with the diff..."

Body roll is when the car leans outward in a corner. Less body roll usually means the car feels more planted and predictable when turning fast.

Concept

mechanical grip

"...it means there's absolutely no body roll. Really, really, really fast. Obviously with the diff, this engine, this gearbox..."

Mechanical grip is how well the tires can hold the road. More grip means the car can accelerate and turn harder before the wheels start to slip.

Term

diff

"...with the tires, with more grip in the tires, it means there's absolutely no body roll. Really, really, really fast. Obviously with the diff, this engine..."

The diff is what helps the wheels turn at different speeds, especially when you’re cornering. A performance diff can help the car put power down without losing traction as easily.

Car

Audi Rs3

"... normalized to this stuff now, you know, without RS3, talked about that's 90 K. And the fact that you ..."

The Audi RS 3 is a sporty, high-performance version of an Audi compact car. The podcast brings it up while talking about how much one might cost. The focus is on the price and what you get for it.

Car

Lotus Evora

"...ny legs if you are getting into the back of this Evora. But this is a GT410. Yes. I mean, if you're if y..."

The Lotus Evora is a sports car made by Lotus with the engine placed in the middle. The podcast mentions a GT410 version, which is a more powerful version of the Evora. They also talk about how tight it can be to get into the back seats.

Term

throttled in Europe

"The only thing is these were really throttled in the in Europe. Yeah, the US cars. And I think the dark horse only produced a smidgen more than the standard car."

They mean the European version is limited compared to other countries. That can make it feel less powerful or less responsive, and the hosts suggest a specialist might help you get it closer to the intended performance.

Term

painted sidewalls

"...this has got Pirelli. It's got painted sidewalls. I'm not sure if that came from a factory, but"

Painted sidewalls are a cosmetic tire treatment where the lettering/sidewall is colored, often for a motorsport look. Depending on the tire and setup, it can be factory or an aftermarket styling choice.

Term

Pirelli

"I love the wheels. I mean, this has got Pirelli. It's got painted sidewalls. I'm not sure if that came from a factory, but"

Pirelli is a major tire manufacturer, and the hosts are pointing out the car is fitted with Pirelli tires. Tire brand/model matters because it strongly affects grip, steering feel, and wet/dry performance.

Car

Ford Mustang

"you've still got like a pretty standard Mustang interior... it's a 2025 naturally aspirated 5-liter V8 American muscle car with a manual gearbox that you can buy right now."

A Ford Mustang is an American sports car that’s famous for its V8 engine. Here they’re talking about a 2025 version with a naturally aspirated V8 and a manual transmission, which makes it more fun to drive day to day.

Term

Apple CarPlay

"you've still got full big screen Apple CarPlay, big cup holders, obviously a lovely manual."

Apple CarPlay lets you connect your iPhone to the car so you can use apps like maps and music on the dashboard screen. It’s a convenient way to keep your phone features without fiddling with the car’s own menus.

Term

manual gearbox

"it's a 2025 naturally aspirated 5-liter V8 American muscle car with a manual gearbox that you can buy right now."

A manual gearbox means you choose gears yourself using a clutch pedal and a stick. Many enthusiasts like it because it feels more connected to the car.

Car

Bmw 1M

"there's a lovely BMW 1M that's on site... this one's a bit too old... it's a 2011 car."

The BMW 1M is a special BMW that’s meant for drivers who want something fun and rare. They mention it’s a 2011 car, so it’s just over 10 years old for their rules, even though it’s still a great-looking, desirable machine.

Concept

10 year test

"It falls at the 10 year test because it's a 2011 car... it's a 2012, so it is a smidgen over 10 years old."

The “10 year test” is a rule that depends on how old the car is. In this conversation, it determines whether certain cars qualify based on being under or just over 10 years old.

Car

Ferrari FF

"it's a 2012 Ferrari FF... what is more right car than a 5.3 liter naturally aspirated Ferrari V12?"

The Ferrari FF is a Ferrari that’s designed to be usable as a real car, not just a weekend toy. They’re especially excited about its V12 engine and the fact it can carry people like a family car, even though it’s expensive to run.

Concept

family car

"However, I mean, as a family car, something to run around in, yes, it's going to cost quite a lot of money."

They’re talking about using an exotic car in everyday life, like carrying family members. The point is that even if it has seats and practicality, it can still be expensive to own.

Concept

FUV

"Oh, FUV. Ferrari utility vehicle. Not an SUV. That is like an SUV in every way. We remembered it. A modern SUV."

FUV is Ferrari’s way of saying “utility vehicle.” They’re basically trying to call it something different from a normal SUV, even though it looks and works like one.

Term

Maranello Red

"Here you go. Naturally aspirated V12 Ferrari. And this one is in Maranello Red, which is a slightly darker metallic red."

Maranello Red is a Ferrari paint color name. They’re basically debating how the exact red shade looks in real life versus TV.

Term

twin-turbo charged

"However, it is twin-turbo charged. Yeah. And we have 603 horsepower on tap, and it is ridiculous."

Twin-turbo means there are two turbochargers helping the engine make more power. Turbos cram more air in, so the car can feel punchier, especially when you accelerate.

Term

one previous or zero previous owners

"Yeah, it's an E63S AMG estate with 35,000 miles on the clock, one previous or zero previous owners. I mean, it's only just really gone onto the market..."

How many owners a car has had matters. Fewer owners usually means the car’s history is simpler and you’re less likely to run into “mystery” maintenance.

Car

E63S AMG estate

"Yeah, it's an E63S AMG estate with 35,000 miles on the clock, one previous or zero previous owners. I mean, it's only just really gone onto the market..."

They’re describing a very fast Mercedes-Benz wagon: the E63S AMG estate. It’s basically a performance car, but shaped like a family-friendly wagon.

Car

E-Class E63S Amg

"...ower on tap, and it is ridiculous. Yeah, it's an E63S AMG estate with 35,000 miles on the clock, one previo..."

The E-Class is a luxury car line from Mercedes-Benz. The podcast mentions a high-performance version and notes it has about 35,000 miles. They’re highlighting that it has a lot of power and isn’t heavily worn.

Car

BMW E63S

"...ower on tap, and it is ridiculous. Yeah, it's an E63S AMG estate with 35,000 miles on the clock, one pr..."

The BMW 6 Series is a luxury car meant for comfortable, fast driving. In the podcast, they mention one with relatively low mileage and talk about how much power it has. The point is that it feels strong and capable.

Car

Mercedes-Benz A45S

"603 horsepower. Just such, for me, this is the natural step from what they've got. Yeah. The A45S."

The Mercedes-Benz A45S is a very quick small Mercedes. It’s the kind of car people buy when they want something compact but still seriously fast.

Car

Mercedes-Benz S 63

"Yes. Something like that. I know they said they don't want big cars, but it's not an S63. No."

The Mercedes-Benz S 63 is a powerful, luxury Mercedes. They’re saying the car they’re talking about isn’t that specific super-luxury performance model.

Car

Ford Mustang Dark Horse

"I'll do the dark horse Mustang. That isn't. Yeah. Just because, because I'm thinking track, because that on track would be epic, but you would go through tires,"

The Ford Mustang Dark Horse is a special, more track-ready version of the Mustang. They’re saying that if you drive it hard on a track, you’ll burn through tires pretty quickly.

Car

Mercedes-Benz E 63 S estate

"If you like my E 63 S estate or Sam's dark horse, you can vote on it if you're listening to this on Spotify."

This is a fast Mercedes wagon—the “E 63 S” part is the performance version. They’re highlighting that it has lots of space, like a big trunk.

Company

Mobile chicane 22

"And that has been done by mobile chicane 22. That's a great name. Mobile chicane 22. There we go. That's hilarious."

“Mobile chicane 22” sounds like a named project or segment connected to the podcast. They’re basically saying it’s a funny, memorable name for a motoring-related story.

Brand

Ceres

"are reporting on this of a Chinese brand called Ceres that has painted as far as the painting... So as far as we can see, this isn't an April Falls joke. So as far as I know, Ceres is not selling in the United Kingdom yet."

They’re talking about a Chinese car brand named Ceres. The rumor is that some of its cars could include a toilet-like setup inside the cabin, which is meant to be used during longer stops.

Concept

in-car toilet / mobile toilet feature

"Is this what the world has come to for a mobile toilet for your car? So maybe this will be an optional extra at some point... Charging's done, but the stop is not."

They’re talking about a rumor that a car could have a toilet built into the cabin/seat area. The hosts treat it like a practical solution to long charging stops, but it’s also clearly presented as absurd.

Term

electric car

"Someone has pointed out in this thread that if it's an electric car, you're obviously going to need to be stopping for a bit to charge up. Could you not just go to the loo then?"

They’re assuming the car is electric, which means you have to stop to charge. The hosts joke that if you’re stopping anyway, you might as well have a way to go to the bathroom right there.

Term

squat toilet

"with what looks like a conventional squat toilet that you would see in 1980s France or parts of Asia... so you could get out of your seat and squat on top of it to go."

A squat toilet is the kind you squat over instead of sitting down. The hosts mention it to make the idea sound even stranger and less like a normal car feature.

Car

Dodge Charger

"...cking on your window? You got much longer on the charger, mate. Yeah, exactly. Charging's actually done. ..."

The Charger is a performance car from Dodge. In this podcast moment, it’s mentioned while talking about how long you have to wait on a charger. The focus is on charging time rather than driving details.

Term

dump valve

"Jaco says something about a dump valve. Going back to our IX5 chat, you know, it's just, yes, this is a, this has got an extra valve in it."

A dump valve is a valve that releases extra pressure from a turbo system when you lift off the gas. It’s a real car part you’ll hear about on turbo cars, even though here it’s mentioned in a humorous way.

Company

RateMy

"Do you remember a website? I don't know if I can say the name of it, but it was RateMy. Yes, I remember that."

They’re recalling an old website where people would rate or talk about things. It’s mentioned mainly as a comparison to another site they remember.

Company

Rectexotics

"the more pH friendly version of that was Rectexotics. Do you remember that? I do, yeah."

They’re talking about a website where people share or discuss exotic cars. The name comes up because the hosts say a Ferrari Enzo was featured there.

Car

Ferrari Enzo

"My neighbor had a Ferrari Enzo. Oh, no. At the time, he had a Ferrari Enzo, and that quite famously featured on Rectexotics. What happened to it? ... Tried to take on a bus and lost out big time."

The Ferrari Enzo is a famous, very expensive Ferrari supercar. They’re telling a story about one that was featured online and then got badly damaged in an accident.

Concept

drive modes

"Scrump, pH legend, Scrump has finished off with modern cars come with an ever-increasing number of drive modes, sport mode, track mode, eco mode, and now comm mode."

Drive modes are buttons or settings that change how the car drives. For example, “sport” might make it feel more responsive, while “eco” tries to be gentler and save fuel.

Term

high G-Force

"Sam, have you got any toilet fitted cars that you're going to be testing out in the next seven days? I hope not, because the one I'm driving on Tuesday is going to be quite a high G-Force"

High G-force refers to large accelerations measured in “G,” where 1G is roughly the force of gravity. The host is implying the upcoming drive will involve intense lateral/longitudinal forces, which matters for things like stability, traction, and even how comfortable or safe an unusual in-car setup would be.

Topic

Thruxton

"“That’s a Thruxton… They both have minimal runoff, but maximum in mid-corner speed.”"

Thruxton is a circuit known for fast corners and limited runoff, which makes it feel more intense than many tracks. The hosts emphasize “maximum in mid-corner speed” and “minimal runoff,” which are key characteristics that affect driving style and risk tolerance.

Concept

minimal runoff

"“They both have minimal runoff, but maximum in mid-corner speed.”"

Runoff is the safety area next to the track if you miss a corner. If a track has minimal runoff, there’s less room to recover, so it feels riskier when you’re driving fast.

Concept

mid-corner speed

"“...maximum in mid-corner speed. That’s it. Maximum mid-corner speed and just... Minimal runoff.”"

Mid-corner speed means how fast you go while you’re actually in the turn. Some tracks are designed so the fastest lap comes from carrying speed through the middle, not just accelerating out.

36 cars featured

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