Driven Radio Show #351: The Great Car Show

This refers to a Corvette-focused enthusiast group in Kansas City. Car clubs like this often organize meetups, events, and group appearances at shows.

The Hyundai Venue is a small crossover designed for easy everyday driving and parking-friendly size. In the podcast, it’s mentioned during a discussion about a change in “venue” (the location of an event), which likely caused some confusion with the car name. That makes it relevant as a quick, light mention tied to the event context rather than deep technical details.

A “tricolor” refers to a three-color stripe or livery treatment used on the car’s exterior. Here, the speaker says it was the first time Corvette used a tricolor theme, which makes the visual package distinctive and tied to the anniversary styling.

Alcantara is a synthetic suede-like upholstery material used in many performance and luxury cars. The speaker notes the interior is “all Alcantara,” which typically means a soft, grippy, premium-feeling surface compared with standard cloth or leather.

Carbon fiber is a lightweight, high-strength composite material often used for trim and performance parts. The speaker says the car has been switched from black/black metallic to carbon fiber across interior, exterior, and even the engine bay, emphasizing both weight savings and a distinctive look.

A cold air intake is an aftermarket intake system designed to route cooler, denser air into the engine. The speaker mentions an “eventuary carbon fiber cold air intake,” implying a carbon-fiber intake setup intended to improve airflow and potentially throttle response compared with a stock intake.

The Bristol Bullet is a rare classic car, known for its distinctive design and limited production. In the podcast, it’s specifically described as a “62 or a 61” Bullet and noted as a convertible with “almost all original” details. That makes it a standout in a discussion about originality, preservation, and collectible condition.

“Four barrels” refers to a four-barrel carburetor (or four-barrel carburetor system), which can deliver more fuel/air when more throttle is used. The speaker contrasts testing a four-barrel setup versus not stressing an engine that isn’t meant to be pushed hard.

This refers to a Harley-Davidson Road Glide, a touring motorcycle known for its fairing and comfortable long-distance riding setup. In the segment, they’re talking about specific Harley models being moved and advertised for sale.

This refers to the Harley-Davidson Road King, another touring motorcycle in Harley’s lineup. The hosts group it with other Harleys they’re preparing to move and sell, implying it’s one of the featured bikes at the show.

“Charger” refers to the Dodge Charger, a performance sedan/coupe that’s often paired with muscle-car styling and powerful engines. Here it’s mentioned next to the Camaro as another standout vehicle at the show.

“VW bug” is a common nickname for the Volkswagen Beetle. The hosts mention it as part of the classic-car lineup they’re seeing at the show.

The Ford F-150 Lightning is an electric version of the F-150 pickup, combining the familiar truck shape with an all-electric powertrain. In the podcast, it’s mentioned as part of a lineup that includes other vehicles, suggesting the Lightning is being shown or discussed as a modern standout. It’s relevant because it represents a shift from traditional gas pickups to electric trucks.

“Nova” refers to the Chevrolet Nova, a classic American muscle car. The hosts mention a 1967 Nova as part of the lineup, and they discuss body-size differences between 1967 and later years.

The Shelby GT 350 is a performance Mustang variant made famous by Carroll Shelby. It’s known for its high-revving V8 character and classic muscle-car styling.

The Shelby GT350 is a high-performance Mustang variant known for its track-oriented character and Shelby branding. In the podcast, the car is described as looking like a Shelby GT350, while the badge is said to show “GT 302,” which points to a discussion about appearance versus exact model details. It’s also mentioned alongside other cars, suggesting it’s part of a lineup where enthusiasts are identifying builds.

The Mazda RX-8 is known for its rotary engine (the Wankel design), which sounds and drives differently than a typical piston V8. Here, the host says it’s running LS power, meaning it’s been swapped to an LS-series V8 rather than keeping the rotary.

“LS power” refers to using GM’s LS-series V8 engines (like the LS1/LS3 family) in a swap. LS engines are popular because they’re compact, make strong power, and have lots of aftermarket support.

The Mustang is Ford’s iconic performance car line, with many generations and body styles. In the podcast, it’s referenced in a more general way alongside other cars, including a “Fox body” notchback Mustang and a black-and-white “cop car” style example. That suggests the conversation is about recognizable Mustang variants and how people identify them.

The Pontiac Firebird is a classic American muscle car line from Pontiac. In show contexts, it’s often referenced by enthusiasts for its styling and V8 performance heritage.

The Shelby Cobra is a legendary American sports car known for its lightweight design and high-performance reputation. In the podcast, it’s mentioned alongside other cars and notes about the engine, including that it’s “not a rotary engine,” which helps clarify what kind of powertrain it uses. That makes it a focal point in a conversation about car types and what’s under the hood.

A “Cobra replica” is a car built to look like the iconic AC Cobra, often using a modern chassis and drivetrain. Replicas are popular because they capture the classic shape while being easier to build, maintain, or power than an original.

The Chevrolet Chevelle is a classic mid-size muscle car from Chevrolet’s lineup. Enthusiasts often seek specific years and engine options, and it’s a common sight at car shows.

A cowl induction hood is a hood design with an intake that pulls air from near the base of the windshield area. It’s often used to improve airflow to the engine and is also a distinctive muscle-car styling cue.

The 1979 Ford Fairmont Futura is a late-1970s Ford compact/midsize model, typically not thought of as a high-end performance car. In this segment, the host highlights a heavily modified example with a stock-looking body and interior, which is the setup for a “sleeper” build.

The Ford Granada is another late-1970s Ford model that the host compares to the Fairmont Futura. The discussion is about body shape and how enthusiasts modify these cars for fitment and performance.

“Wheel tubbing” (often shortened to “wheel tub it”) means modifying the inner fender area to create clearance for wider tires. It’s commonly done in custom builds so the car can fit “fat meats” without rubbing.

“Fat meats” is enthusiast slang for very wide tires. Wider tires can improve traction and allow a more aggressive stance, but they also require clearance work like wheel tubs.

“Voodoo” refers to Ford’s naturally aspirated 5.2L V8 used in the Mustang Shelby GT350. It’s known for a high-revving character and strong sound, and it’s being mentioned as an engine swap option for the Fairmont/Granada-style build.

“Coyote” is the nickname for Ford’s modern 5.0L V8 (the Coyote engine family). It’s widely used for swaps because it makes good power, has strong aftermarket support, and fits many chassis with the right mounts and wiring.

This describes an engine-install approach where the chassis is positioned over the engine rather than lowering the engine into the bay. It’s a practical technique that can make alignment and clearance easier during swaps.

A “sleeper” is a car that looks relatively tame or stock, but has been modified to be quick and surprising. The idea is to catch people off guard—especially when you’re just sitting at a light and the car’s real performance isn’t obvious.

The brake pedal is the driver’s control for slowing the car. If the car is shaking and you feel it through the brake pedal, it often points to a braking-related vibration issue like warped rotors or uneven brake contact.

Crossley Ford is the dealership where Todd Gentry works as general sales manager. The episode segment uses the dealership as the hub for a custom-building operation tied to the store.

Crossley customs is the dealership’s in-house custom shop Todd runs. The segment describes it as a long-running department that has expanded into more serious performance and appearance builds.

Suspension is the system that connects the wheels to the car’s body and controls how the car rides and handles bumps. When a custom shop mentions “suspension” builds, they usually mean upgrades like lowering, stiffer springs, or improved shock/strut setups for better handling.

A factory warranty is coverage provided by the vehicle manufacturer. The segment highlights a key point for buyers: certain dealership-installed custom work may still keep the original warranty active, depending on how the modifications affect covered components.

“Void the factory warranties” means the manufacturer may refuse warranty coverage because the modification is considered to have caused or contributed to the problem. The speaker says this happens only on some builds, implying the rest of the time warranty coverage remains intact.

They’re describing a typical build starting with a Ford F-150 XL single-cab short-bed truck. The “XL” is a trim level, and “single cab short bed” describes the body style and bed length used as the base for the modifications.

A coilover is a suspension setup that combines a coil spring and shock absorber into one unit, allowing ride height and damping to be tuned. A four-link kit uses four control arms to precisely locate the rear axle, improving handling and traction for a lowered truck.

RideTech is a suspension brand known for aftermarket kits used to lower trucks and improve ride/handling. In this context, they’re using RideTech components as the basis for a coilover + four-link suspension.

“Dyno” refers to a dynamometer test that measures engine output under controlled conditions. “91 octane” is the fuel’s octane rating, which indicates its resistance to knock; higher octane often allows more aggressive tuning, especially on boosted engines.

“Rear wheels” power refers to wheel horsepower measured at the drivetrain output, not engine horsepower. Wheel numbers are typically lower than crank/engine numbers because some power is lost to the transmission and drivetrain.

Traction control is an electronic system that reduces wheel slip by cutting engine power and/or applying braking to specific wheels. On high-power builds, traction control can strongly affect how much torque actually reaches the road during launches.

A four-wheel-drive launch is a hard acceleration event where the truck uses traction from all four wheels to get moving quickly. It’s a demanding test for tires, drivetrain, and suspension because torque is transferred aggressively to the ground.

The Ford Mustang GT is the performance-focused trim of the Mustang, typically paired with a V8 and tuned for stronger acceleration than the base models. In this segment, they’re talking about ordering a “basic” Mustang GT and then adding performance upgrades like a supercharger.

Whipple is a brand of superchargers (typically positive-displacement units) used to force more air into the engine, which allows much higher power output. Here, they’re describing adding a Whipple to a Mustang GT to reach roughly 800 horsepower at the flywheel.

“At the flywheel” refers to measuring engine power before it goes through the transmission and drivetrain. It’s a common way to quote horsepower because it reflects the engine’s output, not what the tires actually receive.

The Ford Explorer is a midsize SUV platform they customize for a more aggressive, performance-like stance. In this segment, they lower it and fit large wheels/tires to change handling feel and appearance.

Wheel size affects ride quality, steering response, and tire sidewall height. Larger wheels typically mean shorter sidewalls, which can make the ride feel firmer, but the right tire choice and suspension setup can still keep it comfortable.

The Ford Expedition is a full-size SUV they customize, especially for off-road-oriented setups. They mention improved parts availability on the “new generation,” enabling larger tire sizes like 33-inch and 35-inch.

A lift kit raises a vehicle’s ride height, usually by changing suspension components. This creates clearance for larger tires and can improve off-road capability, but it also affects steering geometry and ride quality.

35-inch tires are a significant size jump that typically goes with off-road suspension and careful wheel/tire fitment. They can improve obstacle clearance, but they may increase rolling resistance and can stress drivetrain components if the vehicle isn’t tuned for it.

Tire diameter (like 33 inches) is a key part of off-road and stance builds because it determines ground clearance and how much the vehicle can clear obstacles. Larger tires also require compatible suspension lift/fitment and can change speedometer accuracy and gearing feel.

“3.5 liter” is engine displacement, meaning the total volume of all cylinders. Displacement is a major factor in how much air/fuel the engine can move, and it often correlates with potential power—though turbocharging can change that relationship.

The Cadillac Escalade V is the high-performance version of the Cadillac Escalade SUV line. The speaker brings it up as an example of a “V” performance model that exists for Cadillac, implying Ford doesn’t have a direct equivalent in the same category.

The Lincoln Navigator is a full-size luxury SUV focused on comfort, space, and a premium driving experience. In the podcast, it’s mentioned because someone owned one “forever” and describes it as “just the best truck,” indicating it’s part of a personal ownership story. That makes it relevant to discussions about long-term satisfaction with a large SUV.

The 1994 Ford Lightning is a performance-oriented version of the Ford F-150, built to deliver more power than the typical pickup of the era. In this segment, the host emphasizes it’s an all-original, low-mileage truck and discusses its factory performance parts and drivetrain setup.

“GT 40 heads” refers to cylinder heads associated with Ford’s GT40 performance engine family. Cylinder heads are a major part of the engine’s breathing—changing them can improve airflow and help support higher power output.

Headers are exhaust components that replace the factory exhaust manifolds with tuned piping. They can improve exhaust flow, which often helps an engine make more power, especially at certain RPM ranges.

“302” refers to Ford’s 302 cubic-inch V8 (often called the 5.0L in later marketing). Here it’s mentioned as one of the common engine options in 1994 pickups, contrasted with the Lightning’s 351 Windsor setup.

The 351 Windsor is a Ford small-block V8 engine displacement (351 cubic inches) from the Windsor engine family. In this segment, it’s used to explain what engine the Lightning has and how that relates to the truck’s factory performance parts.

Torque is the twisting force an engine produces, measured in units like foot-pounds. It’s especially important for trucks because it helps with acceleration from low speeds and towing/hauling, even if peak horsepower isn’t the highest.

A heavy-duty transmission is a stronger, more robust transmission built to handle higher loads and torque. In this context, the speaker is contrasting it with transmissions that might be optimized for high-revving power rather than pulling torque.

“410 gears” refers to a rear axle gear ratio of 4.10:1, which multiplies torque to the wheels. Higher numerical ratios like 4.10 typically improve acceleration and pulling power, but can reduce highway cruising efficiency.

Vermillion Red is a specific paint color used on the 2026 truck. The hosts are using it to match the look of an earlier truck while still using a newer factory color.

A directional wheel is designed to rotate in a specific direction, usually indicated by an arrow or spoke shape. This can affect how the tire’s sidewall pattern and tread wear behave, and it’s often chosen for a particular look.

Placing valve stems on the inside of the wheel keeps the outside face cleaner and more symmetrical. It’s a common custom-wheel detail that improves the visual “finished” look.

“Lowered it” means the truck’s suspension ride height was reduced, typically by changing springs/coilovers or using lowering components. Lowering changes handling feel and the visual stance, but it can also affect ride quality and clearance.

They’re describing a custom-finished intake component (the air intake system) painted silver. While paint doesn’t change function by itself, it’s part of the build’s visual theme and can also help with heat/appearance management.

“High flow cats” are aftermarket catalytic converters designed to reduce exhaust restriction compared to stock. They still aim to meet emissions requirements, but flow characteristics can vary by design and legal status.

They’re describing an exhaust tip location: exiting near the side of the rear wheel. This is a visual and packaging choice that also affects how exhaust gases are routed and where heat is concentrated.

“No window tint” means the truck’s windows are left untinted. Tint level affects appearance and can change heat/UV rejection, but here it’s mainly part of matching the original 1994 look.

“Retro bolt” appears to be a nickname for the finished truck package/theme. It’s not a standard automotive term, but it signals the hosts’ branding of the build’s look.

“Rated at 340” is a performance rating figure the speaker associates with the truck’s output, but the unit (horsepower vs torque) isn’t clearly confirmed in the excerpt. The host later says they’re unsure on torque, suggesting the number may be horsepower or a published spec.

The Chevrolet Corvette is used as a performance benchmark in the discussion. The hosts reference Corvette horsepower and model-year changes to argue how quick the Lightning would have been compared to sports cars of that era.

“LT one” refers to the LT1 engine used in certain Chevrolet Corvettes starting in the early 1990s. It’s a specific small-block V8 variant, and the hosts mention it in the context of horsepower increases.

A “rear brake conversion” is an aftermarket or swap-style upgrade that changes the rear braking system—often to use larger rotors/calipers or a different brake setup than stock. The goal is typically better stopping power and fade resistance.

NorthRaceCars.com is mentioned as the website for Richard Oben, who does performance brake upgrades for Fox-body Mustangs. The hosts highlight the shop’s specialty as rear brake conversions.

The hosts are discussing a 1979 Ford Fairmont “future” (a custom build). It’s notable because it’s based on Ford’s Fox-body platform, but with a Fairmont body used as the foundation for a show/demo car.

“Fox body underpinnings” refers to the chassis and basic mechanical architecture used on Ford’s Fox-body cars (especially the 1979–1993 Mustang). Using that platform makes it easier to source parts and gives predictable handling and drivetrain fitment.

The wheels on the 1979 Fairmont build are sourced from an ’04 Mach 1 Mustang. The Mach 1 is a performance trim, and the specific wheel design (five-spoke) is being reused for the custom car’s look.

Magnum 500 is a specific wheel style associated with certain Ford Mustangs. It’s commonly recognized by its distinctive multi-spoke pattern, and the speaker is using it as a reference for the look they’re aiming for.

“10 hole” is a wheel/bolt-pattern reference that enthusiasts use to describe a common Fox-body Mustang wheel style. It’s mentioned as a visual comparison to show what other wheel setups look like on similar cars.

Pro Stock is a class in drag racing where cars are heavily regulated in terms of engine and vehicle configuration, but still built for high performance. The speaker references Bob Glidden’s Fairmont Futura as an example of that car competing in Pro Stock in the late 1970s.

A bench seat is a wide, multi-person seat mounted to the floor, typically with a single base rather than separate individual seats. Here, the speaker contrasts the original bench with later “bucket” seats and discusses how swapping them changes seating position and usability.

“Bucket seats” are individual, contoured seats designed to hold one person with more lateral support than a bench. The speaker is planning to remove bucket seats and reinstall the original bench to restore the car’s original seating setup.

A seat extender is an aftermarket bracket that moves a seat farther back by changing the mounting position. In this case, it’s used on a Fox body to gain rearward legroom, but it causes fitment issues for passengers.

A “Coyote swap” refers to installing Ford’s Coyote V8 engine into a different car, and “Fox body coyote swap” means doing that conversion into a Fox-body Mustang chassis. It’s a common enthusiast modification because it replaces older engines with a modern, higher-performance powerplant.

In this context, “illuminator” appears to refer to a branded promotional/production item provided for the show (not a standard automotive component). Without more surrounding transcript, it’s unclear whether it’s a specific Ford product or a show prop.

“Coyote” is Ford’s nickname for its modern 5.0L V8 (introduced in the 2011 model year). Saying “2014 coyote” means the specific engine generation used for the swap, which is popular because it’s compact, modern, and makes strong power with aftermarket support.