Driven Radio Show #333: Best of John Ficarra
About this episode
Mark and Brett are joined by automotive historian John Ficara, who shares his fascinating experiences in the car world, including his unique six-wheeled Range Rover and a quirky Porsche 928 safari build. The conversation dives into the history and restoration of these vehicles, along with anecdotes from car events like Radwood and Monterey Car Week. John also discusses his work on the Rocky Aoki 911 limo and the challenges of modern automotive restoration, making for an engaging and informative episode filled with car culture insights.
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1976 Range Rover six by four
"Give us the rundown. So the strange rover is a 1976 Range Rover six by four."
It’s a classic off‑road SUV that was altered to have six wheels, with four of them powered for extra traction.
A 1976 Land Rover Range Rover that was modified to have six wheels and four driven axles, making it a 6×4 vehicle.
Carmichael
"there was a company called Carmichael that took that Range Rover sent the chassis over directly from the factory."
Carmichael was a company that took regular Range Rovers and added another set of wheels to make them even bigger.
A British company that specialized in extending Range Rover chassis to add an extra axle, creating six‑wheel variants.
Tyrell P34 six wheel F1 car
"I mean, ever since my GMC motor homes and the, the, the Tyrell P34 six wheel F1 car."
It was a race car that had six wheels instead of the usual four, which made it faster and more stable.
A Formula One car built by Tyrell in 1976 that featured six wheels (four front, two rear) to improve handling and reduce weight.
six-wheeler
"And so the body on the car is actually in 1989 Range Rover body. So it's a four door six wheeler which are very, very few because that's totally custom."
A six‑wheeler is a car that has six wheels instead of the usual four. This extra set of wheels helps it drive better on rough or slippery ground and can carry more weight.
A six‑wheeler is a vehicle equipped with six wheels, typically used for heavy-duty or off‑road applications. In the context of Range Rovers, a six‑wheeler would have an extra set of wheels on the rear axle for added traction and load capacity.
overlander vehicle
"And he's like, what about if I buy it and we turn it into a overlander vehicle."
An overlander is a car that’s been changed to carry extra stuff and gear so you can travel far on rough roads without needing help. It often has a roof rack, extra batteries, and places to store food.
An overlander vehicle is a modified off‑road car equipped with additional gear, storage, and sometimes camping facilities to support long‑distance travel over rough terrain. It’s designed for self‑sufficient adventures.
bigger tires
"Custom rack, custom lighting, two-inch lift kit, bigger tires, all kinds of lighting, a winch, we did everything to it."
Bigger tires are larger wheels that give the car more grip and a higher stance, useful for rough terrain or style.
Bigger tires refer to wheels with larger diameter or width, often used for off-road or performance applications.
two-inch lift kit
"Custom rack, custom lighting, two-inch lift kit, bigger tires, all kinds of lighting, a winch, we did everything to it."
A lift kit lifts the car up a bit—two inches in this case—so you can fit bigger tires and avoid scraping the ground.
A two-inch lift kit raises the vehicle’s ride height by two inches, improving ground clearance and allowing larger tires.
winch
"Custom rack, custom lighting, two-inch lift kit, bigger tires, all kinds of lighting, a winch, we did everything to it."
A winch is a big cable and motor on the truck that can pull it out of mud or lift heavy stuff.
A winch is a mechanical device mounted on a vehicle that pulls or lifts heavy objects, commonly used for recovery in off-road situations.
custom lighting
"Custom rack, custom lighting, two-inch lift kit, bigger tires, all kinds of lighting, a winch, we did everything to it."
Custom lighting means adding special lights to a car, like brighter headlights or fancy interior LEDs.
Custom lighting refers to aftermarket LED or HID light fixtures installed on a vehicle for improved visibility and style.
custom rack
"Custom rack, custom lighting, two-inch lift kit, bigger tires, all kinds of lighting, a winch, we did everything to it."
A custom rack is a special frame that supports the car’s suspension, making it easier to lift the vehicle or fit bigger wheels.
A custom rack is a modified or aftermarket frame that holds the vehicle’s suspension components, allowing for upgrades like lift kits or larger wheels.
car track
"And then we drove it down to, we took it to Monterey when they shot start car track nine because we shot nine and 10 back to back."
A car track is a special road built for racing cars, where drivers race against the clock or each other.
A car track is a dedicated racing circuit where vehicles compete in timed laps, often used for testing performance and driver skill.
V8 engine
"[675.0s] It is woefully underpowered. It's got a 3.9 liter Rover V8 in it, which probably has a hundred and 50 horsepower."
A V8 engine is a type of car engine with eight cylinders that give it strong power and smoothness.
A V8 engine has eight cylinders arranged in a V configuration, offering smooth power delivery and high torque. It’s common in performance cars.
Porsche 928
"[705.0s] And I'm towing, right? I'm telling the 928 I'm blasting up the hill."
The Porsche 928 is a classic German sports car with a big V8 engine. It was popular in the 80s and early 90s for its speed and style.
The Porsche 928 is a mid-engine, rear-wheel drive sports car produced from the late 1970s to early 1990s. It was known for its powerful V8 engines and distinctive design.
overlander 928
"Tell us about the overlander 928. What was the inspiration for it? Who painted it?"
An overlander is a car that has been changed so it can drive on rough, off‑road terrain. The overlander 928 is a Porsche 928 that has been modified for this purpose.
An "overlander" refers to a vehicle modified for off‑road use, often with added suspension lift, protective skid plates, and larger tires. The overlander 928 is a Porsche 928 adapted for off‑road adventures.
parts car
"After I got that, I ended up with three more parts cars."
A parts car is a vehicle you buy mainly to take apart and use its parts, like engines or brakes. It’s usually cheaper because the whole car isn’t in good shape.
A "parts car" is a vehicle purchased primarily for its usable components rather than as a whole, often because it has mechanical issues or is no longer street‑legal.
Euro motor
"For those who don't know, early on in the 928's life, the Euro motor and the US motor were very different."
In Europe, Porsche made a slightly different engine for the 928 that produced more power than the one sold in the United States.
The "Euro motor" refers to the version of the Porsche 928's V8 engine that was sold in European markets, featuring higher compression and different tuning compared to the US version.
Porsche 911
"You know, the safari thing is really big with 9-11s right now."
The Porsche 911 is a famous German sports car that’s been made for many years. It has a special engine behind the seats and is loved by people who like fast cars.
The Porsche 911 is a long‑running sports car known for its rear‑engine layout and distinctive shape. It’s popular among enthusiasts for both track use and daily driving.
Baja Trophy Trucks
"He does suspensions for like Baja trophy trucks."
Baja Trophy Trucks are special cars that race in the desert. They have big wheels and can go over rough sand and rocks.
Baja Trophy Trucks are a class of off‑road racing vehicles that compete in the Baja 1000 and similar desert races. They feature large wheels, high ground clearance, and powerful engines.
off-road tires
"I got some bigger off road tires for it."
Off‑road tires are special wheels that grip better on dirt or rough ground, helping the car go where normal tires can’t.
Off‑road tires are designed with aggressive tread patterns and reinforced sidewalls to provide traction on dirt, gravel, mud, or rocky surfaces.
roll bar
"So we put a roll bar in it."
A roll bar is a metal frame you can put inside a car to help keep the seats and passengers safe if the car rolls over. It adds extra strength to the inside of the vehicle.
A roll bar is a structural component installed in a vehicle to provide additional protection for the occupants during rollover accidents. It typically spans across the interior, reinforcing the chassis and helping to keep the cabin intact if the car flips.
towing capacity
"They're rated at 7,700 pounds towing and 750 pounds tongue weight."
Towing capacity is how heavy a trailer or load a car can pull without overloading the engine and brakes.
Towing capacity refers to the maximum weight a vehicle can safely pull, measured in pounds or kilograms.
Lamborghini
"You can drive a Lamborghini on there."
Lamborghini makes very fast, fancy cars that are usually only owned by rich people. They’re famous for their sharp designs and powerful engines.
Lamborghini is an Italian luxury sports car manufacturer known for high-performance, exotic vehicles such as the Aventador and Huracán.
endurance race
"[1797.0s] It was a real and car endurance event."
An endurance race is a long car race where the cars keep going for many hours. Drivers take turns and the team has to plan fuel, tires, and rest so they can finish as far as possible.
An endurance race is a long-duration motorsport event where drivers and cars must maintain performance over many hours, often with multiple drivers sharing a single vehicle. The goal is to cover the greatest distance or complete a set number of laps while managing fuel, tires, and driver fatigue.
Volkswagen Bug
"He had a Volkswagen Bug limousine build."
The Volkswagen Bug is a small, iconic car from Germany that many people love for its simple design and friendly look. It was made for a long time, from the 1930s to the early 2000s.
The Volkswagen Bug, also known as the VW Beetle, is a classic compact car produced by German automaker Volkswagen from 1938 to 2003. It is famous for its distinctive rounded shape and rear-engine layout.
Corvette C3
"He had a Corvette C3 limousine built."
The Corvette C3 is a version of the famous American sports car made by Chevrolet. It was built in the late 1960s and early 1970s and is known for its sleek look and powerful engine.
The Corvette C3 refers to the third generation of Chevrolet's Corvette sports car, produced from 1968 to 1982. It featured a more modern design and improved performance compared to earlier models.
V16 marine engine
"[3290.0s] And I'm going to go pick up a V 16 marine engine. [3295.0s] And it's 917 horsepower twin turbo diesel V 16."
A V16 marine engine is a big diesel motor with 16 cylinders in a V shape. It’s used on large boats to give them a lot of power and steady torque.
A V16 marine engine is a large, high‑power diesel engine with 16 cylinders arranged in two banks of eight (V configuration). These engines are commonly used in large boats and ships for their high torque and reliability.
twin turbo diesel V16
"[3295.0s] And it's 917 horsepower twin turbo diesel V 16."
A twin‑turbo diesel V16 means the engine has 16 cylinders and two turbochargers that push more air into it, making it stronger and smoother.
This describes a V16 diesel engine that uses two turbochargers to force more air into the combustion chambers, increasing power output and efficiency. Twin‑turbo setups help reduce turbo lag and provide smoother performance.
diesel boat motor
"I've never really looked up diesel boat motors before. But it turns 1800 RPM and puts out almost a thousand horsepower."
Diesel boat motors are engines that run on diesel oil and are used to power boats. They’re good at giving strong pull for moving watercraft.
A diesel boat motor is an internal combustion engine that runs on diesel fuel, commonly used in marine vessels for propulsion due to its torque and fuel efficiency.
Fakara Classic
"[3581.0s] We've been speaking with John Fakara of Fakara Classic. [3590.0s] You can find me on YouTube at the Fakara Classic YouTube channel. [3595.0s] Also an Instagram Fakara Classic and Fakara Classic dot com."
Fakara Classic is a business that repairs and upgrades old cars. They show their work on YouTube and Instagram so people can learn about classic car restoration.
Fakara Classic is a specialty automotive company that focuses on restoring and customizing classic cars, often sharing projects and tips on social media platforms.
F-150
"And we had an F-150 for a rental. And I'll tell you how much I dislike this F-150 later."
The F‑150 is a big truck made by Ford. It’s popular because it can haul heavy loads and do many jobs.
The Ford F‑150 is a full‑size pickup truck known for its durability and versatility, widely used for both work and personal transport.
hybrid
"[3829.0s] And it was a hybrid."
It’s a car that runs on both gas and electricity, so it can use less fuel and produce fewer emissions.
A hybrid vehicle uses two or more types of power—typically gasoline and electric—to drive the wheels, offering better fuel economy than a conventional engine alone.
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