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Cutting to the Chase with Robert Nagle

Cutting to the Chase with Robert Nagle

That Car Show Nov 07, 2025 62 min
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About this episode

Robert Nagle, an Academy Award-winning stunt coordinator and action writer, shares captivating stories from his extensive career in Hollywood, including work on iconic films like 'Ford vs Ferrari' and 'Baby Driver.' He discusses the intricacies of car stunts, the evolution of his role in action writing, and the importance of authenticity in racing scenes. Nagle also reflects on his experiences training actors, the challenges of filming realistic car crashes, and the unique dynamics of working with legendary figures in the automotive world. His insights provide a fascinating glimpse into the intersection of film and automotive passion.

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Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Concept

Ford versus Ferrari

"But Robert's work includes obviously Ford versus Ferrari and Ferrari as well."

Ford versus Ferrari is a famous story about how Ford tried to win a big car race against Ferrari in the 1960s. It shows the competition between these two car companies.

Concept

Fast and Furious series

"including Gran Turismo, Mission Impossible Rogue Nation, five films in the Fast and Furious series"

The Fast and Furious series is a group of action movies that focus on car racing and adventures. They are known for exciting car stunts and fast cars.

Term

horsepower

"...meaning I learned how to make horsepower, I learned how to get the horsepower to the ground..."

Horsepower tells you how powerful an engine is. The higher the horsepower, the faster and stronger the car can be.

Term

cam

"...I want to try a different cam, rip the motor apart, put a new cam in, degree it, put it back together..."

A cam is a part of the engine that helps control how air and fuel enter and exit. Changing it can make the engine run differently, often improving power or efficiency.

Concept

drag racing

"...and taking what I've learned from drag racing to make horsepower, get the chassis to hook up."

Drag racing is a race where two cars go straight down a track to see who can get to the finish line the fastest. It's all about speed and quick acceleration.

Term

Willow Springs

"...and I've driven at Willow Springs..."

Willow Springs is a famous race track in California where cars are tested and races are held. It's popular among car enthusiasts.

Concept

Le Mans

"And in Le Mans, there's a progression in the storyline."

Le Mans is a famous car race that lasts for 24 hours, held in France. It's known for being one of the toughest tests for cars and drivers, as they race continuously for a whole day.

Car

Ford Ferrari

"...on Baby Driver and Ford Ferrari, which is what I call our sports car version."

Ford Ferrari refers to the competition between Ford and Ferrari in car racing, especially notable in the 1960s when they raced against each other.

Term

LS engine

"...it's got an LS that's been born and stroked to be as big as you can make an LS, makes over 650 horsepower..."

The LS engine is a type of V8 engine made by General Motors. It's popular for its power and is often used in sports cars and custom vehicles.

Car

Honda Civic

"...originally baby driver, the opening scene was a Honda Civic."

The Honda Civic is a small car that many people like because it's dependable and gets good gas mileage. It's also popular for customizing and racing.

Car

Subaru Wrx

"My time I could put Subaru WRX. And there was so much buzz around that amongst enthusiasts, right?"

The Subaru WRX is a sporty car that is great for driving fast and handling well in various conditions, especially on rough roads or in the snow.

Car

Mercedes-Benz 300 TE

"Yes, the 300 TE Mercedes wagon for the teacher and Rushmore or whatever."

The Mercedes-Benz 300 TE is a luxury station wagon that offers plenty of space and comfort, making it a good option for families or anyone needing extra room.

Concept

Talladega Nights

"Next, even though I was involved with it, I still find it a fun movie. It was Talladega Nights was just so, you know, the whole premise of it was just hilarious and I thought it was pulled off so well."

Talladega Nights is a funny movie about NASCAR racing. It makes fun of the sport and its culture, showing how over-the-top it can be.

Term

Z car

"...but it is. Because you talk about car casting and the Z car, right?"

'Z car' is a nickname for a line of sporty cars made by Nissan, starting with the 240Z. They're popular for being fun to drive and have a cool look.

Car

Porsche Cayans

"...k this down. I see a lot of camera cars that are Porsche Cayans, right? That seems to be a very popular was a bo..."

The Porsche Cayman is a sporty car that has its engine in the middle, which helps it handle really well. It's designed to be fun to drive while still being practical for everyday use.

Car

Porsche Cayenne

"I see a lot of camera cars that are Porsche Cayens, right? That seems to be a very popular was a boom car or a camera car or whatever."

The Porsche Cayenne is a high-end SUV made by Porsche. It's known for being fast and luxurious, and many people use it as their everyday car.

Car

Porsche 911

"...e way off here. I'm going to say she's driving a 911 Turbo. Lindsay, you have any any any any guesses..."

The Porsche 911 is a famous sports car that looks really cool and drives fast. It's been around for a long time and is loved by many people because it handles well and is fun to drive.

Car

Ford F150

"Yeah, I'm going to go totally the opposite direction. The first thing that popped into my head was an F-150."

The Ford F-150 is a very popular pickup truck that many people use for work and everyday driving. It's known for being tough and able to carry heavy loads.

Car

Audi S8

"I do drive a German car, but it's not a Porsche. OK, it's an Audi S8."

The Audi S8 is a luxury car that is very fast and comfortable, making it great for both everyday driving and special occasions.

Car

Chevrolet Corvettes

"...but I actively hiked Corvettes with it. OK, nice."

The Chevrolet Corvette is a fast sports car that many people love. It's known for being powerful and stylish, making it a popular choice among car enthusiasts.

Term

VIP program

"Yeah, I'm very fortunate to be brought into Ford's VIP program. So when these cars come out, they just send me an email slash menu."

A VIP program is a special way for some customers to get first access to new cars and choose options before they are sold to everyone else.

Part

carbon fiber wheels

"The wheels are carbon fiber, and that's my understanding. They only produce two or they only produce 20 with the carbon fiber wheels."

Carbon fiber wheels are made from a strong, lightweight material that helps cars go faster and handle better. They are often found on expensive sports cars.

Term

drift brake

"I mean, in fact, it comes with a drift break. Come on. Does it really? Yes."

A drift brake is a special brake that helps drivers slide their cars sideways, especially during racing or drifting. It lets them control the car better when making sharp turns.

Car

Ford Mustangs

"Does it really? Yes. Because you've had Mustangs before this one, correct? Oh, yeah, I've had a l..."

The Ford Mustang is a popular car that many people think of when they imagine a fast, sporty vehicle. It has a long history and is known for being powerful and fun to drive.

Car

Shelby Cobras

"...ned into a race car. And then from there to SM95 Cobras that we built in the race cars. Wow."

The Shelby Cobra is a very fast sports car that was made in the 1960s. It's known for being lightweight and having a strong engine, which makes it great for racing.

Concept

Laguna Seca

"I love Laguna Seca, some of the tracks out on the East Coast. You know, they're just, yeah, but they're all fun."

Laguna Seca is a well-known race track in California. It's famous for its difficult turns and is used for many car and motorcycle races.

Term

Fox bodies

"You mentioned Fox bodies and I like that Fox bodies are kind of having a moment now."

Fox bodies are a type of Ford Mustang made between 1979 and 1993. They're popular because they can be modified easily and are fun to drive.

Car

Lamborghini Gt 350

"Yeah. So I had a GT 350 are one of the newer ones and nice boy. Those we..."

The Lamborghini 350 GT is a fancy sports car that was made in the 1960s. It has a powerful engine and a stylish design, which helped Lamborghini become famous for making fast and luxurious cars.

Car

Nissan Altima

"...Usually they're in an Ultima, but that's a whole other..."

The Nissan Altima is a car that many people use for daily driving. It's known for being comfortable and good on gas, making it a popular choice for families.

Concept

Pacific Raceways

"...affiliated with the driving school at Pacific Raceways up here, which is where I drive."

Pacific Raceways is a racetrack in Washington State where people can go to watch races or drive cars on the track. It's a popular spot for car enthusiasts.

Concept

24 Hours of Daytona

"...to Daytona for the 24 hours a couple of times."

The 24 Hours of Daytona is a long car race that lasts for 24 hours straight. Teams of drivers take turns racing their cars around the track, and it's a big event in the world of motorsports.

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