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Classic Auto Mall - #075 - Stewart Howden with Steve Saffier

Classic Auto Mall - #075 - Stewart Howden with Steve Saffier

Classic Auto Mall SHOW Nov 27, 2025 57 min
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About this episode

Stewart Howden and co-host Steve Saffier dive into the bustling world of classic cars, sharing insights from recent auto shows and discussing the unique inventory at Classic Auto Mall. They explore the differences between classic car auctions and the benefits of buying directly from a showroom, emphasizing the importance of thorough inspections. The episode also touches on notable cars like the 57 Pontiac Chieftain and the 78 Chevrolet Malibu station wagon, while reflecting on the evolution of car culture and personal experiences in the automotive world.

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Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Car

Toyota Tundra

"...area where the jeeps and you get to ride over the tundra and the terrain. And then they had Electricville..."

The Toyota Tundra is a big truck that can carry heavy loads and drive on rough roads. People like it because it's tough and has a lot of room inside for passengers and gear.

Concept

Electricville

"And then they had Electricville in the middle where they had cars that, electric cars that you could, whoa, what was that?"

Electricville is a place where you can see and learn about electric cars. It's part of events that show how cars can run on electricity instead of gasoline.

Car

Ford Mustang

"...I know you were looking for a 65 Mustang and they had three of them there. Or four of them or 12 or 18."

The Ford Mustang from 1965 is a classic American car that many people love. It's known for being fast and stylish, and it helped start a whole category of cars called 'pony cars' that are sporty and affordable.

Car

Chevrolet Corvette

"And 60 plus Corvettes I think. Right."

The Chevrolet Corvette is a famous sports car that is known for being very fast and having a cool design. It's a symbol of American car culture and has been around for many decades.

Term

PPI

"You really can't do a PPI. And you're excited about it and it's the energy and maybe you had a drink or two."

A PPI is a check done on a car before you buy it to make sure everything is working well. It's like a health check for the car to find any problems.

Concept

auction format

"Some people are totally cool with the auction format and environment and I get that. Some people love that because I think one of the reasons is that they think that they might be able to get a little bit better of a deal."

An auction is a way to sell cars where people place bids, and the highest bidder wins. It can be a fun way to buy a car, but you need to know what you're doing to get a good price.

Term

bidding

"If the car starts out, the bidding starts at $500 or whatever and the car's a $50,000 car and you bid, you put a bid in at some juncture..."

Bidding is when people say how much they are willing to pay for a car at an auction. The person who offers the most money gets to buy the car.

Term

original motor

"...this car is not the original motor or not the whatever."

The 'original motor' is the engine that came with the car when it was new. If a car has its original engine, it can be worth more to collectors because it's more authentic.

Term

high horsepower

"...we sell some cars that are significant high horsepower cars that are a little finessy. They're a little finicky and they need some finessing."

High horsepower means the car has a powerful engine, which allows it to go fast. These cars can be tricky to drive because they respond quickly to the driver's actions.

Car

Nissan 350Z

"...I did two laps in the 350Z a couple weeks ago because I came back and I'm like, wait, that's not enough. And I'm like, how fast can I go in this thing?"

The Nissan 350Z is a sports car that people enjoy driving because it is fast and fun. It has a powerful engine and is designed for performance.

Term

infrared temperature gauge

"You really got what you need is some kind of temperature gauge, one of those infrared temperature gauge things to..."

An infrared temperature gauge is a device that measures how hot something is without touching it. It helps you see if parts of a car are too hot or cold, which can be important for checking if everything is working right.

Term

paint gauge

"Yeah, and bring a paint gauge too and check all the paint, check all the panels."

A paint gauge is a tool that checks how thick the paint is on a car. It helps you find out if the car has been repainted or if there are any problems underneath the paint.

Car

Lamborghini

"Hey, somebody pulled up at a car in coffee a couple months ago in a Lamborghini kit"

Lamborghini is a famous car brand that makes very fast and expensive sports cars. They are known for their unique shapes and powerful engines, making them popular among car enthusiasts.

Car

Lamborghini Couture

"and I was like, wow, a Lamborghini couture. I can't believe it."

The Lamborghini Couture is a luxury sports car known for its stylish design and powerful performance, typical of the Lamborghini brand.

Part

Chevy V8

"He opens the hood and it's Chevy V8 and I'm like, oh, man, did I get full? I don't believe Lamborghinis came with a Chevy V8."

A Chevy V8 is a powerful engine made by Chevrolet that has eight cylinders, providing strong performance and acceleration in cars and trucks.

Concept

Formula One

"...back in the early 80s, pole position. It was like a Formula One, Indy car type deal. It wasn't very exciting graphic wise."

Formula One is a type of car racing that involves very fast cars racing on special tracks. It's known for having really advanced technology and exciting races.

Concept

Indy car

"...It was like a Formula One, Indy car type deal. It wasn't very exciting graphic wise."

Indy car is a type of race car that competes in a series of races, including the famous Indianapolis 500. These cars are built to go really fast on special tracks.

Car

Pontiac Chieftain

"...on the 57 Pontiac Chieftain hardtop. What a great car."

The Pontiac Chieftain is an old car made by the Pontiac brand. It was popular in the 1950s and is known for its unique look and good driving experience.

Car

Chevrolet Bel Air

"And it's just, it frame offer store, 347 VA. It's one of those cars that you look at and at first glance you think, oh, that's a Bel Air or something, you know, of that, you know, ilk."

The Chevrolet Bel Air is a famous car from the 1950s and 60s that many people recognize for its classic look. It's a popular choice for car enthusiasts and collectors.

Term

Strato Flight automatic

"So it's got a strato flight automatic. I love the names of the automatic transmission."

Strato Flight automatic is a name for a specific kind of automatic transmission that helps cars change gears smoothly without the driver needing to do anything. It's known for being reliable and was used in some older cars.

Concept

parts car

"...or it's inoperable or we're selling it kind of as a, you know, barn find, ish parts car, we convey that to you..."

A 'parts car' is a car that doesn't work well or at all, and is sold mainly for the pieces inside it. Other people can use those parts to fix their own cars.

Concept

barn find

"...if the car is for whatever reason doesn't run or it's inoperable or we're selling it kind of as a, you know, barn find, ish parts car, we convey that to you..."

A 'barn find' is a car that someone has kept hidden away for a long time, usually in a barn or garage. People often find these cars and restore them because they can be special or rare.

Car

Chevrolet El Camino

"... We have all price range from, you know, $10,000 El Caminos to $20,000 kind of driver quality Camaros or Cor..."

The Chevrolet El Camino is a car that has a truck bed in the back, making it useful for carrying things. It's a classic vehicle that many people find interesting.

Car

Cobra

"...most expensive cars are Cobra, almost a million bucks. And, and then we've got some other cars that are close to that price point."

The Shelby Cobra is a classic sports car that is very fast and powerful. It was made in the 1960s and is highly sought after by car fans.

Car

Chevrolet Camaro

"...000 El Caminos to $20,000 kind of driver quality Camaros or Corvettes up to, you know, our most expensive ..."

The Chevrolet Camaro is a sporty car that looks cool and goes really fast. It's been around for a long time and is loved by many people who enjoy driving.

Term

Tampa Blue Metallic

"It's Tampa Blue Metallic, which is not a factory color."

Tampa Blue Metallic is a special paint color for cars that isn't usually available from the factory. It makes the car stand out more.

Term

crate 350

"It's got a crate 350, which is odd for a cord. You don't see many of these in the Resto Mod Hilt very often."

A crate 350 is a type of engine that you can buy and install in a car. It's a popular choice because it's powerful and reliable, making it great for custom cars.

Concept

restomod

"You don't see many of these in the Resto Mod Hilt very often. Mostly they are original."

Restomod means taking an old car and fixing it up with new parts to make it better while keeping its classic look. It's a way to enjoy the style of older cars with modern technology.

Car

Ford Mustang II

"...it's like you're sitting on the showroom of a Ford dealership in 1937 and it's got heat and air and a Mustang two front end. So it's modern conveniences and can be driven and used."

The Ford Mustang II is a version of the Mustang that was made in the 1970s. It was smaller and aimed at being more fuel-efficient during a time when gas prices were high.

Car

Chevrolet Standard Coupe

"...1930 Chevrolet Standard Coop, Burgundy in black over tan. This is an AACA national first place winner."

The Chevrolet Standard Coupe is a car model from 1930. It's recognized for its classic look and is popular among collectors because of its historical value.

Concept

restoration

"A good restoration, well maintained, is going to hold up for much longer than you think. I'm always, and I'll say this, I'm always concerned about fresh restorations, a car with only 50 miles on it."

Restoration means fixing up an old car to make it look and work like new again. This can include painting, repairing parts, and cleaning it up.

Term

inline six

"...194 cubic inch inline six, zoom, zoom."

An inline six is a type of engine that has six cylinders lined up in a row. This design helps the engine run smoothly and is often found in older cars.

Car

Ferrari F40

"Saffron over camel tan and plaid. We've got the F-40 suspension, whatever that means. Not the Ferrari F-40 suspension."

The Ferrari F40 is a really fast and fancy car that was made a long time ago. It's famous for being one of the best sports cars ever and is loved by car fans.

Car

Plymouth Barracuda

"Anyway, the 69 Plymouth Barracuda Fastback is another one we just got in. It's got a 440."

The 1969 Plymouth Barracuda Fastback is a classic car that looks sporty and has a powerful engine. It's well-known among car enthusiasts for its unique design.

Car

Pontiac Gto

"Really a neat, neat looking car and then a really cool car. It's in our main showroom, the 1970 Pontiac GTO hard top."

The 1970 Pontiac GTO is a classic car that is famous for being fast and stylish. It's a popular choice among people who love muscle cars.

Car

Bugatti Chiron

"They also recently, RM just sold the most expensive new car ever sold, a 2022 Bugatti Chiron, Profili, I'm sure I'm pronouncing that wrong, $10.7 million."

The Bugatti Chiron is a super fast and very expensive car. The Profili version is a special model that sold for a lot of money, making it the most expensive new car ever sold.

Car

GMC Typhoon

"... speaking of prices of cars, how are cyclones and typhoons? Your favorite kind of car is doing those GMC."

The GMC Typhoon is a fast SUV that was made in the 1990s. It's special because it can go as fast as some sports cars, which is unusual for an SUV.

Car

Chevrolet Blazer

"91 to 93. Typhoon, which was a four-door SUV Blazer for all intents and purposes. Two-door."

The Chevrolet Blazer is an SUV, which means it's a big car that can carry a lot of people and stuff. It's known for being tough and good for different kinds of driving.

Car

Gmc Jimmy

"Or two-door, excuse me. Is it basically a S15 GMC, Jimmy? A Jimmy, which is the same as a Blazer."

The GMC Jimmy is a small SUV that can carry a lot of people and stuff. The three-door version is a bit different because it has only three doors, making it unique.

Car

Porsche 928

"Yeah. So that's what the 928 Porsche is, which I had a whole thing. Okay."

The Porsche 928 is a fancy sports car that was made a long time ago. It's known for being fast and comfortable, which makes it special compared to other cars.

Car

BMW Z8 Bmw

"Yeah. And the Z8 BMW is kind of the one that's in my radar. It's on e..."
Car

Alpina Z8

"Yeah. And the Z8 BMW is kind of the one that's in my radar. It's ..."

The Alpina Z8 is a special version of a BMW sports car that has been made even better. It's a fancy car that many people want because it's fast and luxurious.

Car

BMW Z4

"...ut it's something like, you know, it looks like a Z4, but it's not. You can tell it's bigger and bulk..."

The BMW Z4 is a stylish sports car that can be driven with the top down. It's known for being fun to drive and looks really nice.

Car

Dodge Charger

"...ht it, like I may have mentioned, had bought a 68 charger in while he was in high school and I thought tha..."

The Dodge Charger is a big car that looks tough and can go really fast. It's been around for many years and is popular among people who like powerful cars.

Car

Chevrolet Nova

"in the back and the traction bars and everybody had, everybody had that. That's Nova's. Nova's."

The Chevrolet Nova is a small car that was made for many years and is known for being cheap and easy to drive. Many people liked it because it was practical and affordable.

Car

Chevrolet Chevelle

"Yeah. Chevelle's. Later model Chevelle's."

The Chevrolet Chevelle is a classic car that many people love because it's powerful and looks great. It was made a long time ago and is now a favorite among collectors.

Car

Plymouth Roadrunner

"The bird. The bird, the actual roadrunner. In the desert."

The Plymouth Road Runner is a fun and fast car that has a cartoon bird as its logo. It was made a long time ago and is known for being exciting to drive.

Car

Dodge Viper

"Yeah. There are some deals on vipers out there. I know."

The Dodge Viper is a super-fast sports car that looks really cool and has a big engine. It's not made anymore, but many people still love it for how exciting it is to drive.

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