Classic Auto Mall - #242 - Stewart Howden with Guest Jim "Buzz" Busby, Race Driver & Team Owner + Kieth Martin of Sports Car Market

The Toyota Camry is a mainstream midsize sedan known for being practical and easy to live with. It often comes up in conversations about what’s reliable and widely available, which is why it can be mentioned as a “take it” kind of car. In a classic/collector context, it may be discussed as a dependable everyday option rather than a rare enthusiast piece.

“283 Chevy” refers to the Chevrolet 283 cubic-inch V8 engine, a popular small-block used in many classic hot rods. In this story, it’s the engine powering the speaker’s Ford pickup for street racing.

The speaker says they drove a Ford Roadster pickup, which is a classic Ford truck/roadster-style hot-rod setup. It’s notable here because it’s described as being fitted with a Chevrolet V8 (a 283), turning it into a street-racing car rather than a stock pickup.

“Three speed slicks” is describing a drivetrain and tire setup aimed at traction and acceleration. “Three-speed” points to a manual transmission with three forward gears, while “slicks” are race tires with minimal tread designed to grip hard on dry pavement.

Street racing is racing on public roads rather than a sanctioned track. The segment contrasts the speaker’s early street-racing money with later racing/ownership of higher-end cars like Porsches.

A “two-liter prototype class” refers to a racing category where prototype (purpose-built) race cars are limited by engine displacement—here, to about 2.0 liters. That rule strongly shapes car design and competition, since teams tune engines and aerodynamics around the displacement limit.

IMSA is the International Motor Sports Association, a major North American sports-car racing organization. In practice, it’s known for endurance-style racing and classes for production-based race cars, which is why a driver might pivot from European prototype racing to IMSA.

The Porsche Carrera RS is a performance-focused version of the 911 line, known for being stripped down and track-oriented. It’s significant because it represents Porsche’s approach to making a road-legal car that emphasizes speed and driver engagement. The podcast context suggests it’s being discussed in relation to a specific car presence and what it might be used for or compared against.

“Open exhaust” means the exhaust system is not routed through a quieter setup (like mufflers or valves), so it vents more directly. That typically increases sound dramatically and can make it hard to hear even basic instructions while driving or during practice.

Laguna Seca is a well-known road course in California used for racing events and driver practice. It’s also famous for challenging corners that test braking, traction, and driver confidence.

Pocono (likely Pocono Raceway) is a major U.S. racing venue where drivers and teams compete. The mention is used to anchor a specific memory about racing against Peter Greg.

“Spun” describes a loss of traction that causes the car to rotate uncontrollably, often from oversteer or a traction break during braking or corner exit. In racing, a spin usually costs significant time and can change the order immediately.

Ontario Motor Speedway is referenced as the venue where the speaker raced during the track’s early sports car event. The episode uses it to frame a specific on-track rivalry and a last-lap finish.

Lime Rock Park in Connecticut is a well-known road course used for sports-car and vintage racing. The speaker references being in the paddock there and the event-day rules, which situates the story in a specific track environment.

An “18 wheeler” is a common nickname for a tractor-trailer combination used to haul large loads. Race teams often rely on these trucks to transport cars, spare parts, and tools between events and workshops.

The Renault Wind is a compact two-seat convertible designed to be a smaller, more affordable open-top car. It’s often discussed as a practical way to get the convertible experience without moving up to larger, more expensive sports cars. In the podcast context, it’s tied to workshop or restoration talk, suggesting it’s being handled as a specific project vehicle.

In race-car and heavy-vehicle repair, the chassis is the main structural frame that everything else mounts to. If it’s bent, the car’s alignment and geometry can be thrown off, which can affect handling and tire wear even if the body panels look straight.

“Straightening” a bent chassis means restoring the frame to its correct dimensions and alignment. Shops typically use measurement tools and jigs to pull the structure back into spec before reassembly.

Lift gates are powered platforms on the back of a truck or trailer that raise and lower cargo. In a race-team context, they’re used to move cars, parts, and equipment between the shop and the transport area.

Bonneville refers to the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, a famous venue for land-speed records. Drivers run measured passes over the salt, and results depend on meeting class rules and course requirements.

The Ford Model 32 Roadster is a classic hot-rod platform from the early 1930s that’s commonly used for speed runs because it’s light and has a huge aftermarket. In this story, it’s built specifically for Bonneville record attempts, including engine and drivetrain upgrades.

“High boy” is a hot-rod style where the car sits higher than a typical lowered street setup, often to fit specific components and improve packaging. In land-speed builds, ride height and chassis setup are tuned for stability and traction at high speed.

A blower is a forced-induction device that compresses incoming air so the engine can burn more fuel and make more power. On record cars, adding a blower is a common way to increase horsepower without changing displacement.

“Lowered… down to nothing” is hot-rod shorthand for an extremely low ride height. Lowering can reduce aerodynamic drag and improve stability at speed, but it also changes suspension geometry and ground clearance.

Turn signals are used here as a compliance cue for the event’s rules about what counts as being “on the street” or in a specific class. The speaker says he activated them halfway down the track to signal the car’s intended status to officials.

At land-speed events, timing can be disallowed if the run doesn’t meet rules—commonly including staying within the marked course. Even if the car hits a high speed, a course violation can invalidate the recorded result.

A “hot rod” is a car that’s been modified for a more aggressive, performance-oriented character—often with engine, suspension, or styling changes. In this context, the guest describes turning a Ferrari 400i into a 400 GTC as a kind of hot-rod project rather than a stock build.

The Ferrari 400 GTC is a variant of the Ferrari 400 series that the speaker says they created by transforming a 400i. The way it’s discussed—along with the “universally hated” comment—frames the 400 GTC as a distinctive, enthusiast-modified take on a model that didn’t win universal love.

The Ferrari 400i is a mid/late-1970s Ferrari grand tourer that’s known for being a more unusual, less-loved model in the brand’s lineup. In this segment, the host/guest mentions building a “hot rod” version of it, which helps explain why it stands out to enthusiasts.

“Automatic” here refers to an automatic transmission, meaning the car changes gears without the driver using a clutch and gear lever. The speaker highlights that the “beige 400” they found was automatic, implying it had the “wrong” or least-desirable spec for their tastes.

Port injection is a fuel-delivery method where gasoline is sprayed into the intake ports (before the cylinders). It’s a common setup on many performance engines because it can be tuned for good throttle response and efficiency.

The Ferrari 812 Superfast is a high-performance grand touring car powered by a naturally aspirated V12 engine. It’s discussed for its extreme power output and its ability to deliver supercar performance while still being a long-distance-focused machine. In the podcast, the emphasis on building an 800-horsepower “12-cylinder” engine and the transmission highlights why it stands out technically.

A quick-change rear end is a racing differential assembly designed to swap gear ratios quickly between sessions. That lets teams adjust how the car accelerates versus how fast it can go on straights without doing a full teardown.

Willow Springs Raceway is a well-known road course in California used by clubs and professional racing. Mentioning it signals the car was tested and driven on a real track, not just built for show.

A differential is the gear mechanism that allows the drive wheels to rotate at different speeds—especially important when turning. In racing builds, the differential type and setup strongly affect traction and how the car behaves under acceleration.

The “32 Ford three-window coupe” refers to a 1932 Ford coupe body style with three side windows. In this story, the speaker builds it onto a 1932 Ford chassis and modifies it heavily for modern track use, including moving the engine and changing fuel/oil packaging.

“Boxing” the chassis means converting open sections into a boxed, enclosed structure. That increases stiffness and helps the car maintain alignment under hard cornering and braking.

“Big brakes all the way around” indicates a brake upgrade on both front and rear. Larger brakes improve stopping power and heat capacity, which helps with repeated hard braking on track.

Moving the engine back changes the car’s weight distribution and can improve balance and traction. Shifting the engine rearward often helps reduce front-end loading and can make turn-in and mid-corner behavior more predictable.

A “50/50” balance refers to roughly equal front-to-rear weight distribution. That target is often used to achieve neutral handling characteristics, because neither axle is overloaded in normal driving and cornering.

This “Corvette RS1 aluminum chassis car” refers to a Corvette built with an RS1-style aluminum chassis. Aluminum chassis builds are notable because they can reduce weight and improve stiffness, which matters for performance and handling.

Weight distribution is how much of a car’s total mass sits on the front versus the rear (and left versus right). Moving the motor “way back” changes the balance, which can improve handling by reducing front-end heaviness and helping the tires work better.

A road course is a track layout built from paved roads or road-like sections, with a mix of corners and straights. It’s different from oval racing because braking and cornering performance matter more than just top speed.

A soft top is a convertible roof made from fabric rather than a rigid metal roof. Fabric roofs are often lighter, which can improve acceleration and handling by reducing overall weight.

The speaker is referring to a 1957 Ford Thunderbird (“T-bird”). The Thunderbird is a classic American personal-luxury coupe/convertible from the mid-1950s, and the 1957 model is especially recognizable for its distinctive styling and big V8-era presence.

Melamelia is the name of the event the guest is trying to enter with the 1957 Ford Thunderbird. The discussion frames it as an organized Italian car competition/drive with eligibility rules that affected who could participate.

“1,000 kilometers” is a distance measurement (about 621 miles) used to describe the length of the planned Italian drive. It helps listeners gauge how demanding the trip would be for a vintage car.

This refers to a structured motorsport or rally event with rules and oversight. In this case, the Italian government imposed an age restriction, effectively changing who is allowed to participate in that kind of event.

“Daytona 24 hour” refers to endurance racing at Daytona, where cars must run reliably for long stints rather than just sprinting for speed. The “winter circle” is the victory area where winners are recognized, so the speaker is tying the workshop display to a race-winning endurance result.

A carburetor is a fuel-delivery device that mixes air and fuel before it enters the engine. Older performance and race cars often used carburetors, so finding the right one can be critical for correct fueling and drivability.

The Porsche 930 is the classic 911 Turbo of the 1970s–1980s era, known for its turbocharged flat-six and distinctive “turbo” look. In enthusiast circles, the 930 is a benchmark for how early turbocharging was packaged into a street-usable 911.

In race-car talk, “noses” usually means the front-end bodywork/front fascia. Endurance races like Daytona can generate lots of front-end impacts, so teams keep spare nose sections ready to swap after crashes or contact.

A livery is the car’s paint scheme and graphics—often including sponsor logos and distinctive colors. In racing, liveries are part branding and part identity, and they can become iconic when a team wins or runs a memorable car.

Miller High Life is a beer brand whose name appears on the car’s racing livery. When a sponsor like Miller High Life is used on a race car, it’s typically part of the team’s sponsorship and branding for that event/season.

AMSA refers to the American motorsports series the speaker is crediting for Porsche’s milestone win. In racing history discussions, acronyms like AMSA matter because they identify the specific championship/series where wins and records were earned.

“Zero to 50” is a shorthand acceleration metric: how quickly a car speeds up from 0 mph (or 0 km/h) to 50 mph (or 50 km/h). It’s often used in marketing or performance discussions to compare how responsive a car feels off the line.

Le Mans refers to the 24 Hours of Le Mans, one of the most famous endurance races in the world. It’s a grueling event where teams race for a full day, balancing speed with reliability, driver changes, and pit strategy.

Amdahl Computer Company is mentioned as a sponsor/funder that helped the team raise money for racing. The host also notes it was later acquired by a larger company, which is relevant to how racing teams secured corporate support.

“GT” stands for Grand Touring, a class of race cars that are based on production models. In endurance racing, cars are grouped into categories like GT so competitors race against similar performance and rules.

“Street tires” are road-legal tires designed for everyday driving, typically with tread patterns for water evacuation and durability. On a race track, they usually can’t match the grip of purpose-built slicks.

The team modified street tires by grinding them down to reduce tread depth, effectively making them behave closer to slicks. This is a workaround to increase dry-track grip when true slicks aren’t available.

Horsepower is a measure of engine power—how much work the engine can do per unit time. In endurance racing like Le Mans, having strong horsepower helps you accelerate hard and maintain speed on long straights.

“Pre chicane” refers to the section of track before a chicane—a sequence of tight turns designed to slow cars and break up speed. At Le Mans, being “pre chicane” matters because braking and traction are different than on the faster straight sections.

Boost is the extra air pressure forced into an engine by a turbocharger or supercharger. If there’s “no boost,” a turbo/supercharged car may feel weak or fail to make the power it’s supposed to, especially under load.

When the brakes “don’t work,” it usually indicates a serious loss of braking effectiveness—commonly from hydraulic issues, air in the system, or brake system failure. In racing, this is immediately dangerous and can also prevent the driver from hitting required braking points.

A hairpin is a very tight, slow corner that forces heavy braking and sharp turning. In racing, it’s a common spot for contact because cars are packed together and speeds change quickly.

“24 hours” refers to endurance racing, where cars must keep running at a high level for an entire day. Winning such an event usually depends on reliability, driver consistency, and managing wear—so finishing without major issues is a huge accomplishment.

The Mercedes-Benz G-Class (often called the G-Wagon) is a rugged, boxy luxury SUV known for its distinctive design and off-road capability. It’s frequently mentioned in car conversations because it sits at the intersection of luxury and toughness. In the podcast, it’s brought up alongside other high-end vehicles as part of what people see or choose in certain settings.

The Chevrolet Bel Air is a classic American car line that’s especially well known from the 1950s. It’s often discussed because it represents a big era of styling and mainstream popularity in classic cars. Mentions of specific locations and names suggest it may be part of a story about collecting, ownership, or finding examples in different places.

The DeSoto Fireflite (spoken here as “Firefly”) is a mid-1950s DeSoto model from Chrysler’s DeSoto brand, known for its distinctive 1950s styling. A “two-door hardtop” refers to a body style with two doors and no fixed B-pillar, giving a more open, pillarless look compared with sedans or coupes with a pillar.

Mopar is the enthusiast nickname for Chrysler’s vehicle brands and parts—especially the Chrysler, Dodge, and Plymouth families. In the 1955–1960 era, “finned Mopar” points to the big, showy styling that became a signature of those cars.

The BMW M2 is a compact performance car from BMW’s M division, built to deliver a more track-focused driving experience in a smaller package. It’s significant in enthusiast circles because it’s designed to feel agile and responsive rather than purely luxurious. In the podcast context, it’s also being referenced through a collectible model tied to the car’s history.

M2 Machines (often spoken as “M2” in enthusiast circles) is a brand known for detailed die-cast model cars. The segment notes that M2 made a model of the guest’s feature car, which is treated as a compliment because it signals the car is notable enough to be replicated.

The 1971 Chevrolet K5 Blazer is a classic full-size SUV known for its rugged body-on-frame roots and iconic early-’70s styling. In this segment, it’s highlighted as a V8-powered Blazer with modernized fuel delivery (FitTech EFI), which helps it drive more smoothly than a stock carbureted setup.

FitTech EFI refers to an aftermarket electronic fuel injection system that replaces carburetors with electronically controlled fuel delivery. EFI generally improves cold starts, throttle response, and drivability consistency compared with carbureted setups—especially on older engines.

The 1994 K1500 (a Chevrolet truck) is a classic full-size pickup platform that’s commonly modified for stance and handling. In this segment, it’s specifically described as a shortened frame with a two-inch suspension drop, which changes the truck’s proportions and ride height.

A suspension drop is a lowering of the vehicle’s ride height, usually by changing springs and/or suspension components. A two-inch drop affects how the truck sits visually and can also change geometry, ride quality, and clearance.

The 1992 Buick Riviera Prestige Package SE is a late-era personal-luxury coupe from Buick, known for its upscale trim and cruiser character. The “Prestige Package SE” indicates a specific equipment/trim combination, making it more than just a base Riviera.

A “3.8 liter V6” describes the engine’s displacement (3.8 liters total) and its cylinder layout (V6, meaning six cylinders arranged in a V shape). This matters because it largely determines the car’s smoothness, torque feel, and how it pairs with the automatic transmission.

The MG B (MGB) is a classic British sports car that became especially popular in the late 1960s and 1970s. It’s known for its simple, lightweight layout and easy-to-drive character, which is why people still talk about them as fun classics.

“1800cc four cylinder” describes engine displacement and cylinder count: 1,800 cubic centimeters total for four cylinders. In plain terms, it’s a relatively small engine by modern standards, which helps explain the car’s light, lively feel.

A “four speed manual” is a gearbox with four forward gears that the driver shifts themselves with a clutch. On classic cars, fewer gears often means a simpler driving experience and more direct, mechanical feel.

The Austin 7 Chummy Club Tour is a tiny early-20th-century British car built around a very small engine and simple mechanicals. It’s notable because its charm comes from being light and compact—so even modest power can feel lively and “characterful” compared with larger cars.

“Numbers matching” means the car’s key components (commonly the engine and sometimes the gearbox) retain the original serial numbers that match the vehicle’s identity records. Collectors value it because it suggests the car hasn’t been heavily modified or swapped.

“747cc four cylinder” describes an engine with a total displacement of 747 cubic centimeters across four cylinders. That’s extremely small, which helps explain why these early cars rely on light weight and gearing rather than big power.

A “three speed manual” is a gearbox with three forward gears that the driver shifts with a clutch. On vintage cars, three gears are common and often make the driving feel slower but more engaging, especially at low speeds.

“Vinyl clad” refers to a body or trim that’s covered in vinyl rather than left bare metal or finished in traditional paint. On vintage cars, it can be an original style choice or a later restoration detail, and it affects how the car looks and how it’s maintained.

The Ford Mustang is a classic American pony car, and this mention is specifically about a hardtop version from 1968. The host highlights it as an “all stock” arrival with period-correct specs, including its V8 and automatic transmission.

Steve McQueen is referenced as a cultural touchstone for the Mustang’s “iconic” status. His association with classic American cars helps explain why certain Mustangs are especially desirable to enthusiasts.

“289 cubic inch” refers to engine displacement: the total volume of the engine’s cylinders. In classic Mustangs, the 289 V8 was a common, enthusiast-friendly engine size that helped deliver strong performance for the era.

“C4” here refers to Ford’s C4 automatic transmission, a three-speed gearbox used in many classic Mustangs and other Ford models. The host notes it as a “great transmission” and emphasizes that it helps avoid feeling like you need more gears.

The Chevrolet Camaro is an American performance coupe/convertible that’s known for its strong engine options and sporty driving feel. It’s often discussed alongside other muscle cars because it’s a recognizable nameplate with a long enthusiast following. Mentions about “gears” and driving behavior fit how people talk about its performance characteristics.

Borgward was a German automaker that produced cars like the Isabella in the 1950s before the company eventually disappeared. Because Borgward didn’t have a long run, its cars are often sought after by collectors today.

Overdrive is an additional gear ratio (or gear mode) that lets the engine run at lower RPM at cruising speeds. On a manual transmission car, adding overdrive can make highway driving much less tiring and can improve fuel use and engine wear.

The Oldsmobile Cutlass is a classic American muscle-era car line, and the podcast specifically mentions a 1972 Cutlass convertible. It’s significant because it represents a period when personal luxury and performance styling were both common. The mention of “Hurst” in the context points to the kind of performance-oriented options and parts enthusiasts often seek on these cars.

“Analog machines” here means older cars that rely on mechanical and simpler electrical systems rather than modern computer-controlled electronics. The speaker’s point is that these systems can be more straightforward to maintain, but age still means parts wear out and need attention.

A distributor is part of an older ignition system that routes high voltage to the correct spark plug at the right time. On many classic cars, the distributor can require periodic lubrication (“greasing”) to reduce wear and keep ignition timing consistent.

Dwell is the amount of time the ignition points (or related switching mechanism) stay closed in an older ignition system. Correct dwell helps ensure the ignition coil has the right time to build voltage; wrong dwell can lead to weak spark and misfires.

Valve covers are the housings over the top of an engine that protect the valve train area. When they leak, oil can escape and make a mess, often pointing to a failed gasket or improper sealing.

A gasket is a sealing sheet or ring used to prevent fluids from leaking between two engine parts. Some valve-cover designs use a gasket, while others rely on sealant instead.

Sealant is a chemical sealant used to fill gaps and create a leak-resistant barrier where a gasket isn’t used. In some modern engine covers, sealant replaces or supplements a traditional gasket.

Hydraulic struts are gas-charged lift supports used to hold up and control the movement of a hatch or trunk lid. When they wear out, the lid may not stay up reliably, and replacement is often straightforward but can be fiddly to align.

The hosts are emphasizing that owning and touring an older car is a planning problem, not just a purchase decision. Even if a car is “perfect,” older vehicles still require attention and problem-solving over time.

Long-distance touring in an open-top sports car turns weather into a major variable in the experience. The discussion highlights how cold and rain/snow exposure can make even a well-prepared classic feel punishing over multiple days or hundreds of miles.

The Mercedes-Benz 300 SL is a classic grand-touring car known for its distinctive engineering and iconic design. In convertible form, it’s especially associated with open-air driving—so weather exposure becomes a big part of the ownership experience.

Austin-Healey is a British brand best known for classic open-top sports cars. When someone mentions an Austin-Healey convertible in the context of long, cold, wet drives, they’re pointing at the real-world tradeoff: you get the open-air experience, but you also get exposed to the elements.

The check engine light is the dashboard warning that the engine or emissions system has detected a fault. Modern cars use onboard diagnostics to trigger it when sensors or control systems report problems.

A “generator light” is an older-style charging-system warning used on some vehicles. It’s essentially the same idea as an alternator warning light—alerting you that the charging system isn’t producing enough power.

An alternator warning light tells you the vehicle’s charging system isn’t working correctly. If the alternator fails or the belt/connection has an issue, the battery won’t be recharged and the car can eventually lose power.