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Bringing older car culture back

Bringing older car culture back

Car Torque with Matty J Feb 19, 2026 100 min
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About this episode

Exploring the revival of older car culture, Matty J and the crew share personal car updates and humorous anecdotes about their automotive experiences. Scotty Doe Johnson recounts a frustrating saga involving a Honda's cruise control switch replacement that spiraled into a lengthy ordeal, highlighting the complexities of modern car engineering. The discussion also touches on the joys and challenges of maintaining classic vehicles, with insights on DIY repairs and the quirks of different car brands. Listeners will appreciate the camaraderie and relatable car troubles shared among the hosts.

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Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Part

brake pads

"Brake pads have arrived, I've got those, so hopefully I'll do those in the coming weekend. Get those all done."

Brake pads are the parts in your car that help stop it when you press the brake pedal. They wear out and need to be changed regularly to keep your brakes working well.

Part

cruise control button

"So it's back to where the cruise control button doesn't work? Oh, yeah, yep. On the steering wheel, and it's one of, and the reasons it doesn't work is it's one of those button switches where you click in and it's meant to stay clicked in."

The cruise control button helps you drive at a steady speed without having to keep your foot on the gas pedal. If it doesn't work, you can't use this feature.

Part

module

"So I bought a new whole module. It is, you've got the left side switches and the right side switches and everything."

A module is a part of the car's electrical system that helps control certain features. If something isn't working, sometimes you need to replace the whole module to fix it.

Term

Torx screws

"...I saw, of course, it's not normal screws. It's those damn Torx ones. They were really, really stuck in there because they use Loctite on them."

Torx screws are special screws that have a star shape instead of a regular slot or Phillips head. This design helps tools grip them better, making it easier to tighten or loosen them without damaging the screw.

Term

Loctite

"...They were really, really stuck in there because they use Loctite on them."

Loctite is a type of glue that helps keep screws and bolts from coming loose, especially in cars where there is a lot of movement. It makes sure everything stays tight and secure.

Term

flappy paddles

"...it's got these little flat pretend flappy paddle. It's got flappy paddles on it."

Flappy paddles are buttons or levers on the steering wheel that let you change gears in a car without using a clutch. They make driving feel more exciting and give you more control over the car's speed.

Term

CVT

"Even with CVT, but it's got flappy paddles."

CVT means Continuously Variable Transmission. It's a special kind of automatic transmission that helps the car use fuel more efficiently by changing gears smoothly without any noticeable shifts.

Term

entertainment unit

"Go to start the car and her entertainment unit in the middle needs a code. Was it in the book? No, no, there's none of that."

The entertainment unit is the part of the car that plays music and helps you navigate. Sometimes, if it's replaced, you need a special code to make it work again.

Car

Civic

"This is a second hand one because her original one died, so I got this one out of the same unit as in a Civic."

The Honda Civic is a small car that many people drive. It's known for being dependable and good on gas. Some parts from this car can be used in other cars, too.

Part

10 mil socket

"Get a 10 mil socket up there and undo that and then pop off the sides and then remove the unit so I can read the damn serial number."

A 10 mil socket is a tool that helps you unscrew or screw in bolts that are 10 millimeters wide. It's often used when fixing things in cars.

Term

plastic fascia

"Just to get this plastic fascia off on the outside like all these screws just to get to it. Curse you, Honda, curse you."

The plastic fascia is the outer part of a car that you can see. It's there to make the car look good and protect parts underneath it.

Car

Toyota Corolla

"...Toyota is obviously a lot of Corolla wheels we do and everything clips on and off those."

The Toyota Corolla is a small car that's very popular because it's dependable and gets good gas mileage. Many people use it for daily driving because it's easy to handle and affordable.

Term

rear muffler

"...and saw the LN that's had new ball joints and new tire ends fitted to it and a new rear muffler."

The rear muffler is a part of the exhaust system in a car that helps reduce noise from the engine. It also helps direct exhaust gases out of the car, making it quieter and cleaner.

Term

ball joints

"...and saw the LN that's had new ball joints and new tire ends fitted to it and a new rear muffler."

Ball joints are parts of a car's suspension that help the wheels move up and down while still being connected to the rest of the car. They make steering easier and help keep the ride smooth.

Term

tie rods

"...and saw the LN that's had new ball joints and new tire ends fitted to it and a new rear muffler."

Tie rods are parts that connect the steering system to the wheels of a car. They help the wheels turn when you steer, making sure everything stays aligned and stable.

Term

front end alignment

"...waiting on a test drive and a front end alignment to after all that front end work."

Front end alignment is when a mechanic adjusts the angles of the wheels so they are straight and even. This helps the car drive better and makes the tires last longer.

Car

Honda Accord

"...the Accord made it down from Seville to Dingley to the gearbox event on Saturday. So it's a little bit closer for me to get."

The Honda Accord is a well-known car that many people like because it's reliable and comfortable. It's been around for a long time and is popular among families and commuters.

Car

Pontiac Grand Prix

"I'm just going over the, or drive the Grand Prix again. The Grand Prix is running beautifully at the moment."

The Pontiac Grand Prix is a car model that was made by the Pontiac brand. It was popular for its sporty look and performance.

Car

Tesla Model

"new Tesla model Y with the white interior. And they decided that the white interior is a bit bright."

The Tesla Model Y is an electric SUV from Tesla. It has a lot of space inside and comes with high-tech features, making it a favorite for people looking for electric cars.

Term

water-based finish

"It's not painted with a water-based finish. I can't paint it with a solvent-based finish."

A water-based finish is a type of paint or coating that uses water instead of chemicals to help it stick. It's better for the environment and easier to clean up than other types of finishes.

Part

exhaust heat shield

"And I was like, what is that? Is it an exhaust heat shield or a, you know, a pulley on the alternator, a bearing, you know, that's something."

An exhaust heat shield is a part that keeps the heat from the exhaust system from damaging other parts of the car. It helps keep everything safe and cool.

Part

timing chain tensioner

"But when I took off the oil filler cap, it was a lot louder. And I'm like, I think that's a timing chain tensioner because they are a chain that motor, which is good."

A timing chain tensioner is a part that keeps the timing chain tight in an engine. It helps the engine run smoothly and prevents problems that could cause damage.

Car

Honda S600

"...David today's. Got to have a look at David Day's S600 a bit closer, which was wonderful."

The Honda S600 is a small sports car from the 1960s that people love for its speed and light weight. It's considered a classic and is sought after by collectors.

Part

valve cover gasket

"...like a valve cover gasket or something like that. So best thing to do is try to clean it off and, and run it..."

The valve cover gasket is a rubber or cork seal that keeps oil from leaking out of the engine. If it wears out, oil can leak, which can cause engine problems.

Car

Toyota Car

"... kind of stuff everywhere. I mean, obviously the Toyota car club had their, their little stand section there...."

The Toyota Camry is a popular family car that many people trust because it lasts a long time and is easy to drive. It's known for being comfortable and saving on gas.

Car

Ford Mustang

"...there and he's, his friends obviously took their mustangs and stuff. So, but yeah, it was, it was a good, ..."

The Ford Mustang is a famous sports car from America that people love for its speed and cool design. It has been around for a long time and is often seen as a symbol of fun driving.

Car

Mitsubishi Lancer

"...od areas, like my neighbor had, he had a sex spec Lancer. Two door."

The Mitsubishi Lancer is a small car that was made for many years and is known for being fun to drive. Some versions are even designed for racing.

Car

Honda CRX

"There were plenty of crimes, crimes against civics. I think more, more civics than CRX's were, were, were sex backed up. But these."

The Honda CRX is a small, sporty car that was made a long time ago. People liked it because it was fun to drive and saved on gas.

Car

Mitsubishi Mirage

"...was his era. He bought a, he bought a Mitsubishi Mirage brand new, like one of the, you know, like those..."

The Mitsubishi Mirage is a small, affordable car that people like because it saves money on gas. It's a good choice for driving in the city.

Car

Hyundai i30

"If you're getting into that little bit of a sporty esk, let's just say like a I 30 N or something like that, you know, it has some level of a body kit to, to look that sort of part, but I mean, it's not as unique as you would expect"

The Hyundai i30 is a compact car that people like because it's comfortable and affordable. There are sportier versions too, which are more fun to drive.

Car

Suzuki Jimny

"... like it used to be. You look at things like new Jimny, they're not often modding the, the look of it s..."

The Suzuki Jimny is a tiny SUV that is really good at driving off-road. People love it because it's tough and has a cool, classic look.

Car

G-Class Gwagon

"There was actually fun enough before I ended up jumping on. There was a clip of a guy out in Camperfield and they'd done a G-Wagon front end on a Jimny."

The G-Class, or G-Wagon, is a fancy SUV that is very good at driving off-road. It's known for its strong look and is popular among people who want a luxury vehicle.

Car

Kia Picanto

"kind of mentality. Like no one's taking a Kia Picanto base model and tweaking it. But see, people used..."

The Kia Picanto is a tiny car that's great for driving around the city. It's cheap to buy and saves a lot of gas, making it a good choice for new drivers.

Concept

restomod

"They don't even call them rest or mods. They call them re-engineering basically and they take G body Porsches..."

Restomod means taking an old car and fixing it up with new parts to make it better. It's like giving a classic car a modern upgrade while keeping its original look.

Brand

Jaguar

"Is it Jaguar? It is Jaguar Jim. Well done."

Jaguar is a car brand from the UK that makes luxury cars. They are now moving away from making petrol cars to focus on electric ones.

Car

Ford Falcon

"...n Australia, to free a production in, for the XF Falcon in Broad Meadows, what model that they were buil..."

The Ford Falcon is a car that was made in Australia for many years. It was popular for being strong and reliable, and many people liked to drive it.

Car

Hyundai Kona

"...umber seven. How many generations of the Hyundai Kona have been released? David."

The Hyundai Kona is a small SUV that started being sold in 2017. It's popular because it looks good and is great for driving around the city or going on trips.

Car

Mazda RX-7

"I would say it's a Mazda RX seven. You are absolutely correct. Edward Bunting Mazda RX seven was a very good Bathurst Bathurst race car"

The Mazda RX-7 is a sports car famous for its unique rotary engine, which is different from traditional engines. It's known for being light and fun to drive, especially in races.

Car

Honda Insight

"...it's an insight. It is the Honda Insight. Well done."

The Honda Insight is a type of car that uses both a traditional engine and an electric motor to save fuel and reduce emissions. It's designed to be more environmentally friendly than regular cars.

Car

Ford Got Ford

"... thing from now on. It's not unreasonable when I got Ford and I got Falcon. It's 0.75."

The Ford GT is a super-fast sports car that looks really cool and is built for racing. It's special because it has a lot of power and is designed to be very exciting to drive.

Car

Subaru Svx

"... a V6 or you can get a four wheel drive turbo. A Subaru SVX, you know, there's a bit of a pigeon pair. Mmm."

The Subaru SVX is a sporty car that was made in the 90s and has a very unusual look. It was special because it had a powerful engine and could drive well in all kinds of weather.

Car

Lexus Is250

"...Lexus. IS 250. Lowest car in the country. 19,000 K and it is silver with the sunroof and it's a very nice car to drive."

The Lexus IS 250 is a luxury car that offers a comfortable ride and nice features. It's designed to be stylish and enjoyable to drive.

22 cars featured

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