0:00 / 0:00
Comes with a handgun

Comes with a handgun

Smith and Sniff Apr 20, 2026 64 min
0:00
0:00

About this episode

The hosts kick off with the show’s shift to video, then dive into listener mail about BTCC touring-car rules and a hilarious (and NSFW) Silverstone birthday story involving a Saab convertible and a BBC cameraman. The conversation veers through farm machinery “space saver” tires, classic rock/TV nostalgia (Iron Maiden, Jennifer Rush), and a surreal Artemis launch riff. A major segment covers Ronnie Pickering’s fake-death rumor, then the Car and Classic challenge: choosing between a Face Man–themed C4 Corvette and an A-Team van that “comes with a handgun.” They close with a tribute to longtime BBC audio engineer Ian Dealey.

Filter:
|
Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Topic

touring cars

"...a reaction to something we talked about on, uh, an Otisot couple of weeks ago, I think we were talking about, uh, touring cars and what nineties car we would use if we had to set up a touring car team in the nineties..."

Touring car racing uses cars that are related to normal road cars. The hosts are talking about what 1990s road car would be a good starting point for a racing team.

Topic

BTCC regulations

"...a Saab 93 hero convertible would not have complied with a multitude of BTC regulations. In fact, I can hardly think of any regulations that it would have complied with..."

They’re talking about the rules for the BTCC, which is a UK touring car racing series. Those rules decide what cars can race and what safety/changes are allowed. So the question is whether the Saab could be entered legally.

Car

Saab 95

"As an aside, for a few years in the mid nineties, we used a Saab 95 aero as the official car of the BTCC for parade laps, et cetera. Oh, courtesy of Saab GB."

They mention that in the mid-1990s, a Saab 9-5 Aero was used as the official car for parade laps. Parade laps are more about display and ceremony than racing. The “Aero” part usually means it’s the sportier version of that Saab model.

Company

Saab GB

"Oh, courtesy of Saab GB. Fantastic. It would have been weird if it was Saab Germany that supplied it, but yeah."

“Saab GB” refers to Saab’s UK organization, which provided the car for BTCC parade laps. Manufacturer national branches often handle logistics like supplying vehicles for events and marketing. The hosts joke about whether the car came from the UK office versus another country’s Saab operation.

Term

left hand drive

"Why is it left hand drive? What's going on?"

“Left-hand drive” means the steering wheel is on the left side of the car. The speaker is asking why that setup matters for the situation they’re discussing.

Topic

Silverstone event

"Our Silverstone event one year happened to coincide with my birthday."

They’re talking about an event at Silverstone, which is a well-known race track in the UK. The speaker is saying their birthday lined up with that track day.

Term

space saver wheels

"a 93 convertible fitted with four space saver wheels. What? A clever bit of pre-planning between Saab and some of the drivers led by John Clelland"

“Space saver wheels” are compact spare wheels/tires designed to be lightweight and take up less room. Because they’re smaller and often have different tire construction and tread, they can change traction and stability—especially noticeable during aggressive driving like drifting.

Car

Saab 93 convertible

"a 93 convertible fitted with four space saver wheels. What? A clever bit of pre-planning between Saab and some of the drivers led by John Clelland"

They’re talking about a Saab 9-3 convertible. It had four spare-style wheels on it, which usually aren’t meant for normal driving, so the car would feel different and be easier to slide.

Topic

pre-planning between Saab and the drivers

"A clever bit of pre-planning between Saab and some of the drivers led by John Clelland who was always the main mischief maker. Naughty Clelland."

They’re describing that Saab and the drivers planned things ahead of time. The point is that the setup (including the unusual wheels) wasn’t accidental—it was arranged.

Term

four-wheel drifts

"Alan concludes by saying I must admit that the car on those space savers did beautiful four-wheel drifts around brands that day."

A “four-wheel drift” means the car is sliding so that more than just the back end is losing grip. It usually takes the right tires and setup, which is why the space-saver wheels matter.

Term

swingy booms

"[561.6s] There's a bit of a praying mantis about them because they've got these swingy booms and [566.7s] big like a tank full of, I don't know, poison in the back or whatever it is."

“Booms” are arms that move—often using hydraulics. If they’re “swingy,” they pivot to reach where they need to go. That movement is important because it determines how the machine works in the field.

Term

portal axle fluid drive

"[572.7s] I like those though because they're like portal axle fluid drive. [577.6s] So you can hear that they kind of slur into gear."

A portal axle is a special axle design that raises the wheels higher off the ground. That helps a vehicle clear ruts, rocks, and uneven terrain. The host is joking about it sounding like it “drives” with fluid, but the main point is the axle design.

Concept

slur into gear

"[577.6s] So you can hear that they kind of slur into gear. [580.1s] Yeah, they're quite nice the way they slur into gear. [582.2s] You can hear them."

Some vehicles don’t shift with a sharp click—they engage more smoothly. That can make the drivetrain sound like it’s “slurring” into the next gear. It’s a clue about how the transmission or driveline is designed.

Concept

chest freezer

"Out of nowhere, he asks me if I have a chest freezer. And when I said I'd have nowhere to put it,"

A chest freezer is a big freezer you open from the top. People use it to store lots of frozen food, and the joke here is about not having space for it.

Part

garage flooring

"Well, did you know that Duramat garage flooring is the simple way to make your garage floor look great? The tiles are incredibly easy to fit yourself..."

Garage flooring is what you put on the floor of your garage. Better flooring can make it easier to clean and helps protect the concrete from stains and damage.

Company

Duramat

"Well, did you know that Duramat garage flooring is the simple way to make your garage floor look great? The tiles are incredibly easy to fit yourself..."

Duramat makes garage floor products, like tiles you can install yourself. The point they’re making is that it can make a garage floor look nicer and be customized.

Term

tiles

"The tiles are incredibly easy to fit yourself, they come in a huge range of colors..."

These are separate floor pieces that you lay down like a puzzle. People like them because they’re usually easier to install than a full coating and you can pick the look.

Car

Space Chariots

"...he tender of garden-grown crops, but also keeping chariots and cars clean. And fire extinguisher."

“Space Wagon” sounds like a nickname or a made-up name for a vehicle. In the podcast context, it’s mentioned alongside practical items like cleaning and a fire extinguisher, suggesting it’s being used as a playful reference rather than a specific real-world model.

Part

fire extinguisher

"And fire extinguisher. I'd always check the pressure of fire extinguishers or parts. You know the little gauge on the top?"

A fire extinguisher is like a handheld tool for putting out small fires. It has a gauge that shows whether it’s charged and ready to use.

Part

chain

"Of course he's shirtless with his combats on. The combats got a shitload of oil on the chain leg. Ironically, not from the chain of his bike, which hasn't been oiled since Tony Blair was in power."

A bicycle chain is what moves the bike when you pedal. If it’s dirty or dry, it can wear out faster and feel rough.

Term

full suspension

"...on the no-name-full suspension mountain bike with a very kind of smeary 12 psi on the back tire..."

“Full suspension” means the bike has shock absorbers in both the front and the back. That helps the tires stay planted when the ground is bumpy.

Term

12 psi

"...on the no-name-full suspension mountain bike with a very kind of smeary 12 psi on the back tire..."

“psi” is just a way of measuring how much air pressure is in the tire. The amount of air changes how the tire feels and how well it sticks to the ground.

Concept

tire pressure

"...with a very kind of smeary 12 psi on the back tire and manages to go out..."

Tire pressure changes how the tire behaves. More air usually makes it feel firmer and faster, while less air can feel grippier and more comfortable but can be less stable.

Term

homemade hang glider

"I got here on a combination of trawler boats and also a homemade hang glider. It's taken me weeks."

A hang glider is like a lightweight flying wing you steer by moving your body. If it’s homemade, it may not be built to the same safety standards as commercial ones.

Concept

micro dose GLP one

"But nooms unlocked a secret to reaching the mountaintop. Go in micro. The Noom GLP one micro dose program starts at $99 and is delivered to your door in seven days."

GLP-1 is a type of medicine that can help you feel less hungry and support weight loss. “Micro dose” usually means starting with a smaller amount first.

Concept

exploded diagrams

"But imagine if he printed onto rice paper, schematic diagrams of, of Formula One suspension systems or exotic road car exploded diagrams."

An exploded diagram is a picture where the parts are pulled apart so you can see how everything goes together. It’s useful when you’re trying to understand or repair a mechanical system.

Concept

Formula One suspension systems

"But imagine if he printed onto rice paper, schematic diagrams of, of Formula One suspension systems or exotic road car exploded diagrams."

Suspension is what helps the tires stay in contact with the road. In Formula One, the suspension is tuned very precisely so the car grips well and handles predictably.

Concept

rear axle

"So if he gets stopped, he could just go, no, this is a design for a new rear axle."

The rear axle is the part that helps drive the rear wheels. It also helps support the back of the car, so it can affect traction and stability.

Concept

micro light

"I mean, if you were then smuggling your rolls of LSD paper on a micro light very low over the North Sea, you should definitely put it into a ziplock bag or something, because you don't want to get splashed by seawater."

A microlight is a very small airplane. In this conversation it’s just part of a hypothetical scenario, not something related to car parts or driving.

Car

Honda Goldwing

"You know, you know, we've talked about wanked handlebars before on Honda Goldwings, yes, and my continued obsession with wanting a flat six Goldwing engine in a motor car."

Honda’s Gold Wing is a touring motorcycle that’s built for long rides. The hosts are talking about how the handlebars and riding position can feel different depending on how the bike is set up.

Concept

flat six engine

"We've talked about wanked handlebars before on Honda Goldwings, yes, and my continued obsession with wanting a flat six Goldwing engine in a motor car."

A flat-six engine is a type of engine where the cylinders are laid out flat, like two banks facing opposite directions. People like it because it can run smoothly and sit lower in the vehicle, but putting one into a car takes a lot of design work.

Concept

salvage

"...Broken Wings, who just do salvage Honda Goldwings. ...I wonder if there's been any quite, quite modern Honda Goldwings that have been smashed right up."

A “salvage” vehicle is one that was badly damaged and written off, then sold to be fixed or used for parts. If you’re buying one, you want to be sure it was repaired properly and that the title/history is clear.

Company

Broken Wings

"...there's a website, an actual business in the UK called Broken Wings, who just do salvage Honda Goldwings. ...I'm looking at Broken Wings UK here."

Broken Wings is a UK shop that focuses on damaged Honda Gold Wing bikes. They’re the kind of specialist business you’d look up when searching for salvage bikes.

Concept

MOT failures

"We buy MOT failures, unfinished projects, crash damaged, insurance write-offs,"

An MOT is a UK vehicle safety check done once a year. If it’s an “MOT failure,” the vehicle didn’t pass, so it likely needs repairs before it can be legally driven.

Concept

crash damaged

"We buy MOT failures, unfinished projects, crash damaged, insurance write-offs,"

“Crash damaged” means the vehicle has been in an accident. Sometimes the damage isn’t obvious, so it can cost more to fix than you’d expect.

Concept

unfinished projects

"We buy MOT failures, unfinished projects, crash damaged, insurance write-offs,"

“Unfinished projects” are vehicles that have been partially repaired, modified, or restored but not completed. For buyers, this often means missing parts, incomplete wiring/mechanical work, and unknown quality of prior repairs.

Concept

insurance write-offs

"We buy MOT failures, unfinished projects, crash damaged, insurance write-offs, high mileage, good condition, bad condition,"

An insurance write-off is when an insurance company decides a vehicle is too badly damaged to fix for a normal repair. Those cars can end up being repaired later or sold off, and they often have paperwork/road-legal status to consider.

Term

Wanked Handlebars

"Wanked Handlebars. You did the last bits made. It doesn't, that's not on their bullet pointed list, sadly, but it should be."

“Wanked Handlebars” is a joking/slang way to say the handlebars are messed up or bent. It usually means the bike took a hit or wasn’t fixed properly.

Term

sell my wing

"There's a button that just says, sell my wing. Oh, really? Do people just call them wings then?"

“Sell my wing” is just a joke nickname for the Honda Gold Wing. They’re talking about whether riders actually use “wing” as slang.

Car

Imp Hilman Imp

"I've basically got to orchestrate how I could just wake up one day and I've got a flat six Hilman Imp with a Goldwing engine already made."

The Hillman Imp is an old British car. The hosts are talking about putting a different engine into it—basically turning it into a custom project.

Car

Citroen Picasso

"Well, Ronnie Pickering, the man, the angry road rage man in the Citroen Picasso, I think it was a burgundy colour."

A Citroën Picasso is a family car/van-style vehicle (an MPV). Here it’s just being referenced as part of the story—what car he was linked to during the incident.

Car

moped

"Ronnie became a viral sensation after a rant at a moped rider. Or it's his moped driver. You don't drive mopeds."

A moped is like a small scooter with a motor, usually meant for short trips and lower speeds than a motorcycle. The episode is using it to describe who Ronnie Pickering was arguing with.

Concept

eBay'd for charity

"He doesn't have the one that was featured because it got eBay'd for charity, I think. [2697.2s] And I'm annoyed that we didn't buy it."

“eBay’d for charity” means the car was sold through an online auction, and the money was meant for a good cause. If you ever buy something like that, you usually want to be extra careful about checking the car’s condition and documents.

Topic

Car and Classic

"Car and Classic. [2900.7s] You know that this channel is proudly supported by carandclassic.com, [2906.2s] but..."

“Car and Classic” is the name of the recurring game/segment. Each week, one person chooses a classic car and presents it to the other host.

Concept

pre-bids

"And starting on the 20th of April, so it's open for pre-bids right now, there is a vehicle which I immediately..."

“Pre-bids” are early bids you can place before the auction officially starts. It’s a way to show you’re interested and potentially get the bidding moving. The speaker is saying the car is already available for early offers.

Car

Ford Mustang

"Because I saw a couple of Shelby Super Snake Mustang type things and I thought,"

The speaker mentions the “Shelby Super Snake Mustang,” which is a high-performance variant associated with Shelby American. It’s known as a more extreme, power-focused take on the Ford Mustang, often tied to big engine upgrades and aggressive tuning. In the context of the auction, it’s being used as a comparison point for the car they found.

Concept

jammed open throttle

"I'd like to see Richard manhandle one of those with a jammed open throttle, but this one appealed to me more."

“Jammed open throttle” means the gas pedal/throttle can’t close, so the engine keeps getting lots of air. That can make the car accelerate when you don’t want it to. It’s basically a worst-case scenario the speaker is joking about.

Term

pop-up lights

"Obviously, it's got the pop-up lights, but also it has spectacular digital instruments that are incredibly 80s and therefore excellent."

Pop-up lights are headlights that hide in the car’s body and then pop out when you turn them on. They look cool and very “80s,” but they have moving parts that can wear out over time.

Term

digital instruments

"Obviously, it's got the pop-up lights, but also it has spectacular digital instruments that are incredibly 80s and therefore excellent."

Digital instruments are the gauge cluster displays that use electronic screens instead of purely analog dials. In the 1980s, this was a big design and technology statement, and it’s part of why the car feels so “of the era.” Depending on the specific cluster, digital systems can be sensitive to aging electronics.

Car

1984 Corvette C4

"Not that that changes anything. It's still a 1984 Corvette C4. But this particular car has a signed Face Man photo that comes with it."

A 1984 Corvette C4 is a specific generation of the Corvette made by Chevrolet. “C4” is just the code for that generation. People like it because it looks very 1980s and has a classic Corvette vibe.

Concept

service history

"It's been in the UK since 2020, so potentially a COVID purchase. And it has extensive amounts of service history, and it's showing at the moment 23,000 miles"

Service history is the paperwork trail of oil changes, repairs, and inspections. When it’s “extensive,” it usually means the previous owner kept up with maintenance, which makes the car less of a mystery.

Concept

COVID purchase

"It's been in the UK since 2020, so potentially a COVID purchase. And it has extensive amounts of service history, and it's showing at the moment 23,000 miles"

“COVID purchase” means the car was bought around the pandemic. Some people drove less or stored cars more, so even if the miles are low, you still want to check that maintenance was actually done.

Term

16-inch factory alloys

"But crucially, the coolest 16-inch factory alloys. I mean, 16s are enormous at that moment in time."

Alloys are fancy wheels made from metal instead of plain steel. The “16-inch” part is the wheel diameter, which changes how the car rides and how the tires look.

Concept

kit replica

"Intriguingly, in the back of some of these photos, there's what appears to be a kit replica from Canite Rider."

A “kit replica” is a car that’s made to resemble something famous, using parts from a kit. The big thing to check is how close it is to the original and what it’s actually built on.

Company

Canite Rider

"there's what appears to be a kit replica from Canite Rider. Canite Rider, yes."

“Canite Rider” is the company named as making the replica. When you’re buying something like this, the maker can tell you whether the build quality and details are likely to be good.

Term

small block Chevrolet 5.7

"But anyway. It's a small block Chevrolet 5.7, and the auction ends on the 27th of April."

A “small block Chevrolet” is a popular Chevy V8 engine family. “5.7” usually points to the common 350 V8 size, which is known for being easy to find parts for and build.

Concept

bare metal restoration

"It's just had a £15,000 bare metal restoration. 55,000 miles."

“Bare metal restoration” means they took the car down to the metal shell before repainting it. That usually indicates more serious prep work, like fixing rust properly.

Term

BF Goodrich white letter tyres

"It's got the BF Goodrich white letter tyres on the turbo vac, deep dish rims. Oh my gosh, it looks sensational."

These are tires with white lettering on the side. It’s a style choice that makes the car look more classic and “period-correct.”

Term

turbo vac

"It's got the BF Goodrich white letter tyres on the turbo vac, deep dish rims. Oh my gosh, it looks sensational."

“Turbo vac” sounds like a name for the wheels or a specific look on the van. In this context, it’s probably not about the engine—it’s more about the styling.

Term

deep dish rims

"It's got the BF Goodrich white letter tyres on the turbo vac, deep dish rims. Oh my gosh, it looks sensational."

Deep dish rims are wheels that look more “inward” or scooped. People like them because they change the car’s look and stance.

Concept

mem memorabilia, including a handgun

"It comes with memorabilia, including a handgun. Presumably not the real one."

They say the sale includes memorabilia, even a handgun. The important question is whether it’s a real, legal firearm or just a prop tied to the theme.

Term

three spoke wooden chrome stereo

"It's got a three spoke wooden chrome stereo, which actually looks very cool. It's got a memorabilia, includes 18 members photo, signed plaques, California A-team registration show plates, a handgun, spare wheel found in the rear of the vehicle."

They’re describing the car’s old-school music system. It’s probably a vintage-looking stereo with wood and shiny chrome trim, which some people think looks really cool in an older car.

Concept

five litre V8

"And this is, again, this is a five litre, sir, 305 cubic inch V8 with circa 155 to 180 horsepower with the three speed auto. Let's recap that. It's a five litre V8."

They’re talking about a big engine: a V8 that’s about 5 liters. “V8” means eight cylinders, and “five litre” is the engine’s size—bigger engines usually feel strong and smooth, even if they don’t make huge horsepower by today’s standards.

Term

305 cubic inch V8

"And this is, again, this is a five litre, sir, 305 cubic inch V8 with circa 155 to 180 horsepower with the three speed auto. with the three speed auto. Let's just..."

That’s another way of saying engine size. “305 cubic inches” is roughly a 5-liter V8, and it’s a common classic-engine spec people use to compare how strong the car should feel.

Term

three speed auto

"with the three speed auto. Let's just... Let's recap that. It's a five litre V8. It's... Yes. Are we sure?"

It means the car has an automatic transmission with only three forward gears. That usually makes the car feel easy and smooth, especially at low speeds, but it may not be as quick or efficient as newer transmissions.

Term

roof spoiler

"It's got the roof spoiler. It's got the spotlights across the top. It's got the bull bar. It's got the flared arches."

A roof spoiler is a small wing-like piece on the back of the roof. It’s mostly there to change the car’s look, and sometimes to help the airflow around the back of the car.

Term

spotlights across the top

"It's got the roof spoiler. It's got the spotlights across the top. It's got the bull bar. It's got the flared arches."

These are extra lights added to help you see farther down the road. They also make the car look more dramatic, especially on older cars.

Term

bull bar

"It's got the spotlights across the top. It's got the bull bar. It's got the flared arches. Wow."

A bull bar is a protective bar on the front of the car. It’s meant to help protect the bumper and lights if something hits the front.

Term

flared arches

"It's got the bull bar. It's got the flared arches. Wow."

Flared arches are widened wheel-arch panels that cover more tire. They’re often used to fit wider tires and to give a more aggressive, classic muscle or rally-inspired stance.

Concept

wheelbase

"[3313.5s] I like that gray. [3314.4s] This is done right. [3315.2s] The only thing that's slightly puzzling me is that it looks like it's too long a wheelbase,"

Wheelbase is the spacing between the front and rear wheels. If it looks too long, the car can look stretched, and that can also change how it feels on the road.

Concept

rake

"[3327.4s] Yeah, they were quite stocky, yeah. [3329.5s] But it also had a rake on it. [3331.3s] The back was higher than the front in kind of like late 70s, early 80s hot rod stunts."

Rake is how the car sits—whether the front is higher or lower than the back. People use it to make the car look more aggressive or “ready to go,” especially in hot-rod styles.

Concept

not allowed to sell it for commercial gain

"[3344.4s] going to choose Faceman's VET or are you going to choose A-team van to... [3350.1s] You're not allowed to sell it for commercial gain. [3352.5s] You've got to keep it and enjoy it with the friends and family."

They’re talking about a rule that says you can’t sell the car to make money. Instead, you’re supposed to keep it and enjoy it with friends and family.

Company

A-team Hire

"Well, I mean, there's a photo of what looks like this Corvette and this A-team van together on a website called A-team Hire."

“A-team Hire” sounds like a company that rents the A-Team-style van for people who want to use it for something. It’s a reminder that you can experience the vibe without buying the vehicle.

Concept

ex-hire vehicles

"Oh, so they're ex-hire vehicles, right?"

An “ex-hire vehicle” is one that used to be rented out or used by a rental company. Because lots of different people drive it, it may have more wear, so it’s smart to check service history and inspect it closely.

Car

Dodge Viper

"... auction. I was going to go for a Dodgeram SRT10 Viper Quad Cab pickup, but because they were the world..."

The Dodge Viper is a sports car built to be very fast and exciting to drive. The podcast brings it up because someone was considering it while looking at vehicles at an auction.

Concept

driving a massive American pickup in the UK

"I think driving a massive American pickup in the UK, you'd look like a bit of a tit, wouldn't you?"

They’re saying that a big American truck can be awkward in the UK—harder to park and not always a good fit for the roads. They also mention that the look (like chrome) can make it feel dated or silly.

Car

Chevrolet Impala

"And I think the last of the interesting ones was that Impala SS that you bought for me, and I still haven't received it yet, actually, from current customers."

They’re talking about a Chevrolet Impala in the “SS” performance trim. It’s basically the sportier version of that model.

Concept

mismatched listing details (rent vs for sale photos)

"I don't think this is the same Corvette. In fact, I think I might be talking horse arse on this because there's a picture of the engine of the Corvette for rent, and there's a picture of the engine of the Corvette for sale, and they are different."

This segment highlights a verification problem: when a car listing for “rent” and a listing for “for sale” show different engine photos, it suggests the listings may not refer to the same vehicle. For buyers and renters, photo mismatches are a practical warning sign that you should request VIN/registration details, confirm the exact car, and do a pre-agreement check. It’s essentially a “don’t trust the ad—verify the specific car” lesson.

Topic

Rush Hour

"I saw a voxel Belmont going by the other morning in Rush Hour, okay?"

They mention “rush hour” to explain the timing—this car was spotted in heavy traffic. It’s just context for the story.

Concept

time travel

"Do you remember a time-travelling businessman? ... Well, I mean, there are various reasons why time travel probably isn't possible, but if you were going to do it, then I'm sure the first thing you'd do is come back and drive at Belmont."

They’re joking about a time traveler coming back to drive an old car. It’s basically a fun way to talk about how some cars look and feel like they belong to a certain decade.

8 cars featured

Request an Explanation

Heard something you'd like explained? We'll add it to this episode.

Sign in to request explanations for terms you heard.

Want to learn more?

Browse our glossary for plain-English explanations of automotive terms, jargon, and concepts.

Explore Terms

Help improve this episode

See something that's not quite right? Our annotations are AI-generated and can sometimes miss the mark. Click the flag icon on any annotation to suggest a correction.

Report incorrect info
Suggest better explanations
Flag missing cars