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Do Race Cars Sell Road Cars? — The Carmudgeon Show w/ Jason Cammisa & Derek Tam-Scott — Ep 225

Do Race Cars Sell Road Cars? — The Carmudgeon Show w/ Jason Cammisa & Derek Tam-Scott — Ep 225

The Carmudgeon Show Feb 09, 2026 51 min
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About this episode

Exploring the age-old adage 'race on Sunday, sell on Monday,' Jason Cammisa and Derek Tam-Scott delve into its relevance in today's automotive landscape. They discuss various brands, including Mercedes, BMW, and Toyota, and analyze how race success translates to sales. The conversation highlights the disconnect between motorsport achievements and consumer interest, using examples like the CLK DTM and the broader implications for brands in the market. With humor and insightful commentary, the hosts dissect the complexities of automotive branding and performance.

Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Mercedes-Benz CLK63 AMG Black Series
MrWalkr (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Mercedes-Benz CLK63 AMG Black Series

"Don't acknowledge the CLK63 AMG Black Series manual or the CLK DTM AMG that are behind us."

The CLK63 AMG Black Series is a special version of a Mercedes-Benz car designed for speed and performance. It has a strong engine and is built to handle well on the road or track.

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Company

Hagerty

"Hagerty is an insurance company for enthusiasts, for drivers, by drivers."

Hagerty is a company that offers insurance specifically for car lovers, especially those who own classic or collectible cars. They understand the special needs of these types of vehicles.

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Concept

race on Sunday, sell on Monday

"This episode is about the philosophy of race on Sunday, sell on Monday."

This saying means that car companies often use their success in racing to sell more cars to regular people. If a car does well in races, it makes people want to buy that car.

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Brand

Ferrari

"...We talk about Ferrari. We talk about Lamborghini."

Ferrari is a well-known Italian car brand that makes very fast and expensive sports cars. They are famous for their racing history.

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Brand

Lamborghini

"...We talk about Lamborghini. We talk about Subaru."

Lamborghini is another famous Italian car brand known for making super-fast sports cars with bold designs. They are very popular among car enthusiasts.

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Concept

NASCAR

"NASCAR, big three. DTM British saloon car champion."

NASCAR is a type of car racing that happens mostly in the United States. It involves specially designed cars racing on circular tracks at very high speeds.

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Concept

DTM

"DTM British saloon car champion. Rover. Formula one."

DTM is a car racing series from Germany where modified cars race against each other. It's known for exciting races and advanced car technology.

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Concept

Formula One

"Formula one. Rover makes a present. Yeah, this is very much a brand agnostic exercise."

Formula One is a top-level car racing series where very fast cars compete in races all over the world. It's known for its advanced technology and exciting races.

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Term

Roadster

"I mean, one is a Roadster and one is a Coupe. That is true."

A Roadster is a car that usually has two seats and can have its roof taken off, letting you drive with the top down. They are often sporty and fun to drive.

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Term

Coupe

"I mean, one is a Roadster and one is a Coupe. That is true."

A Coupe is a type of car that usually has a fixed roof and two doors. They often look sporty and are designed for performance.

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Term

Cabriolet

"Do they call it a Roadster? Sorry, Cabriolet. Yes, okay. Cabriolet."

A Cabriolet is a car that has a roof that can be opened or closed. It's like a convertible, which means you can drive it with the top down on nice days.

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Volkswagen Cabrio
Dietmar Rabich (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Volkswagen Cabrio

"Yes, if it's a Volkswagen Cabrio, mark three and a half. It's a Cabriolet."

The Volkswagen Cabrio is a small convertible car that was popular in the 1990s. It's known for being fun to drive and has a classic look.

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CLK DTM
Dinkun Chen (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

CLK DTM

"Anyway, that's a CLK DTM will be for sale at the Broad Arrow auctions at Amelia Auction."

The CLK DTM is a special, high-performance version of the Mercedes-Benz CLK. It's designed for speed and handling, inspired by a racing series in Germany.

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Concept

Broad Arrow auctions

"at the Broad Arrow auctions at Amelia Auction."

Broad Arrow Auctions is a place where people can buy and sell special cars through bidding. It's like an auction for car lovers.

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Concept

Amelia Island Concorde

"Broad Arrow auctions at the Amelia Island Concorde."

The Amelia Island Concorde is a big car event in Florida where people show off and buy special cars. It's popular among car fans and collectors.

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Mercedes-Benz CLK
Dinkun Chen (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Mercedes-Benz CLK

"... is that no one thinks, no one hears the letters CLK and thinks, hmm, race car in the same way that t..."

The Mercedes-Benz CLK is a stylish coupe that offers a nice driving experience. It's considered a luxury car and is popular for its good looks and comfort.

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Term

Black Series

"...the right letters being potentially DTM, BS, Black Series or perhaps GTR."

Black Series is a name Mercedes-Benz uses for its fastest and most powerful cars. These cars are built to be better on the racetrack and have special features to make them more fun to drive.

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Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 Black Series
Dinkun Chen (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 Black Series

"Europe got an SLK 55 Black Series first, so we didn't get it. So this was the genesis of the Black Series badge and name in the US."

The SLK 55 Black Series is a special, more powerful version of the Mercedes-Benz SLK sports car. It is designed for better performance and handling, making it more exciting to drive.

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Mercedes-Benz SL
Matti Blume (CC BY-SA)
Car

Mercedes-Benz SL

"... done that? In the 1950s, they did that, the 300 SL, for example. Fair point."

The Mercedes-Benz SL is a stylish convertible sports car that's very luxurious. People often talk about it because it's a great mix of comfort and speed.

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Mercedes-Benz 190E
Riley from Christchurch, New Zealand (CC BY 2.0)
Car

Mercedes-Benz 190E

"Fair point. And the 190E, they did a reasonable job of that. Especially i..."

The Mercedes-Benz 190E is an older luxury car that many people loved for its quality and style. It's still talked about today because it represents a classic era of Mercedes cars.

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Mercedes-AMG GT
Alexander-93 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Mercedes-AMG GT

"that they did with the AMG GT. It has genuine sporting intent."

The Mercedes-AMG GT is a fast sports car made by Mercedes-Benz. It's designed for performance and has features that make it great for driving on tracks.

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Concept

C209

"So these are both C209s. There were two generations of CLKs. The first generation is C208. And then there's-"

C209 is just a code name used by Mercedes-Benz to identify a specific version of the CLK car. It's like a model number that helps people know which version they're talking about.

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Concept

C208

"There were two generations of CLKs. The first generation is C208. And then there's-"

C208 is another code name used by Mercedes-Benz for the first version of the CLK car. It's a way to identify that specific model from the earlier years.

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Mercedes-Benz Cclass
Crisco 1492 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Mercedes-Benz Cclass

"and the first one was based on the 202. The car, the C-Class, the first ever car that was named the C-Class,"

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is a smaller luxury car that's comfortable and has a lot of nice features. It's a good choice for people who want a fancy car without going for the biggest models.

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Mercedes-Benz 202
Crisco 1492 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Mercedes-Benz 202

"The 202? The 202, defecated on everything."

The Mercedes-Benz 202 is a model of car that came after the 190E. It was made in the 1990s and was designed to be comfortable and high-tech.

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Mercedes-Benz 201
Riley from Christchurch, New Zealand (CC BY 2.0)
Car

Mercedes-Benz 201

"The 201. But they never offered a really sporting road car."

The Mercedes-Benz 201 is an earlier model of the C-Class, made in the 1980s and early 1990s. It was popular for its quality and performance.

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BMW M3
Matti Blume (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

BMW M3

"...the M3 versus the C-43 or the C-36. And it was the same thing when C-OK came out."

The BMW M3 is a fast and sporty car that is part of the BMW 3 Series. It's designed for performance and is popular among car lovers.

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C-36
Rjcastillo (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

C-36

"...the M3 versus the C-43 or the C-36. And it was the same thing when C-OK came out."

The C-36 is an older performance version of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class. It was made to be faster and sportier than regular C-Class cars.

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Ford Monde
Dinkun Chen (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Ford Monde

"...ish touring car racing, right? You just choose a Ford Monde or a Nissan Primera or whatever sort of boring p..."

The Ford Mondeo is a medium-sized car that's good for families and everyday use. It's known for being comfortable and reliable.

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Mercedes-Benz Aclass
Vauxford (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Mercedes-Benz Aclass

"But on the other hand, it's not like they ever took the A-class racing or like Audi did an A1 race series."

The Mercedes-Benz A-Class is a small car that has a lot of nice features and is considered a good starting point for people who want a luxury car. It's popular with younger drivers.

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Toyota Camry
S5A-0043 (CC BY 2.0)
Car

Toyota Camry

"... started recording this episode, you brought our Camry. We're charging them by the hour, hours."

The Toyota Camry is a popular car that many people choose because it's reliable and gets good gas mileage. It's a comfortable car that works well for families and everyday driving.

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BMW 325Is
Dinkun Chen (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

BMW 325Is

"... of cars, I don't think E30M3 sold all that many 325Is in the US. Yes, because it's a mainstream car"

The BMW 3 Series is a small luxury car that's known for being fun to drive and very comfortable. It's popular with people who want a nice car that also performs well.

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Porsche 911
David Villarreal Fernández (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Car

Porsche 911

"...rformance is probably smaller than say a Porsche 911. A significant portion of the buyers of 911."

The Porsche 911 is a famous sports car that looks really cool and drives very fast. It's known for being a high-quality car that many people dream of owning.

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Mercedes-Benz Sclass
Dinkun Chen (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Mercedes-Benz Sclass

"I have the price guide. The woman who purchased it could have had an S-class, for the same amount of money."

The Mercedes-Benz S-Class is a super fancy car that's really comfortable and has a lot of high-tech features. People often talk about it when discussing luxury cars because it's one of the best.

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Subaru WRX
TTTNIS (CC0)
Car

Subaru WRX

"of most commonly ticketed cars, the GTI and the WRX are always kind of near the top. It's a car that..."

The Subaru WRX is a sporty car that can drive really well in all kinds of weather because it has all-wheel drive. It's popular with people who like fast cars and racing.

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Toyota Supra
Dietmar Rabich (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Toyota Supra

"...w, we constantly make fun of Subaru drivers. The Supras made some great charming cars for the years. But..."

The Toyota Supra is a cool sports car that's known for being fast and fun to drive. Many people love it because it looks great and can be made even faster with upgrades.

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Ford Contour
IFCAR (Public domain)
Car

Ford Contour

"...now, the sort of image that we have that sort of contours and likes. Yeah, they've cultivated an image for..."

The Ford Contour is a small car that was made in the 1990s. It's known for being comfortable and practical, but it's not as popular today.

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Toyota 4Runner
IFCAR (Public domain)
Car

Toyota 4Runner

".... And that's why I wanted to bring up the Toyota 4Runner because there's a few nameplates out there"

The Toyota 4Runner is a tough SUV that can handle rough roads and off-road adventures. It's a great choice for people who like to explore and need a reliable vehicle.

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Land Rover Range Rover
Alexander-93 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Land Rover Range Rover

"...4Runner does this, the Mercedes G does this, the Range Rover does this, the Porsche 911 does this, Subaru has..."

The Range Rover is a fancy SUV that's really good at driving off-road but also has a lot of luxury features inside. People often talk about it because it's both stylish and capable.

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Toyota Gr86
DestinationFearFan (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Toyota Gr86

"or whether it's the... Whether it's a GR86 or which doesn't make any sense at all. Or if it..."

The Toyota GR 86 is a small sports car that's fun to drive and not too expensive. It's made for people who love the thrill of driving and want a car that feels sporty.

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Toyota Corolla
TTTNIS (CC0)
Car

Toyota Corolla

"...nner doesn't conceptually align that well with a Corolla. But the thing that you get to is dependability,..."

The Toyota Corolla is a small car that's very reliable and gets good gas mileage. It's a popular choice for people who want a dependable car for everyday use.

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Subaru Brat
Charlie from United Kingdom (CC BY 2.0)
Car

Subaru Brat

"...lowly, but at least still going like in a Subaru brat. The hot take, I don't think Subaru's millions a..."

The Subaru Brat is a small pickup truck from the past that has a fun and unusual design. It's loved by some people for its unique look and usefulness.

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Mitsubishi Lancer
TTTNIS (CC0)
Car

Mitsubishi Lancer

"..., that would have worked for Mitsubishi with the Lancer Evo. Well, they abandoned the product."

The Mitsubishi Lancer is a small car that some people liked for its sporty versions. It's known for being fun to drive, especially the racing models.

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Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross
Dinkun Chen (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

"..., they still sell a car and you can still get an eclipse cross sport. I think they also sell like mini splits"

The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is a small SUV that looks sporty and is good for everyday driving. It's designed for people who want a mix of style and usefulness.

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Subaru 360
Ghostofakina (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Subaru 360

"...gree. There's a world in which 355s and 348s and 360s came within the reach of regular people."

The Subaru 360 is a tiny car from Japan that was made a long time ago. It's known for being very small and efficient, and it's a part of Subaru's history.

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Toyota 2000 Gt
MrWalkr (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Toyota 2000 Gt

"...d this in the context of Car Week when we took a Toyota 2000 GT, and I was like, why do so many young people kno..."

The Toyota 2000GT is a beautiful sports car from the 1960s that many people admire. It's special because it was one of the first really fast cars made in Japan.

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Chevrolet Corvette
Alexander-93 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Chevrolet Corvette

"...a. I think that was a material factor, certainly Corvettes. Well, it's cheap speed plus racing."

The Chevrolet Corvette is a fast sports car that looks really cool and is made in America. It's popular because you get a lot of speed for the money compared to other fancy cars.

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Porsche Macan
Alexander Migl (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Porsche Macan

"and Porsche is... Macan? Well, Porsche's deal is that everything that th..."

The Porsche Macan is a small luxury SUV that drives like a sports car. It's popular because it offers a mix of comfort and fun driving.

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Porsche Boxster
Alexander Migl (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Porsche Boxster

"...ow. I was just looking at what happened with the Boxster just saying, you know..."

The Porsche Boxster is a sporty convertible car that’s fun to drive and not as expensive as some other Porsches. People like it because it combines luxury with a great driving experience.

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Mercedes-Benz Clk Gtr
MrWalkr (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Mercedes-Benz Clk Gtr

"...be, yeah, nobody knows that those. You know, the CLK GTR just comprehensively shit on the McLaren F1 GTR ..."

The Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR is a super rare and super fast car that was made for racing. It's talked about a lot because not many were made, and it's very special.

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Mclaren F1
naeem mayet (CC BY 2.0)
Car

Mclaren F1

"...ow, the CLK GTR just comprehensively shit on the McLaren F1 GTR long tail. I mean, do we know what it is?"

The McLaren F1 is a super-fast car that was really advanced for its time. It's famous for being one of the best sports cars ever made and is still talked about today.

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31 cars featured

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