Driven Radio Show #360: Brock Patterson of Shelby Performance

The Porsche Cayenne is a luxury SUV from Porsche, built for people who want everyday practicality with strong performance and a premium interior. It often comes up in conversations because it’s a common “step up” vehicle for buyers who want something more capable than a typical family SUV. In the podcast context, it’s mentioned as the car someone had before it was totaled.

The outside bolster is the outer “side” cushion area of a seat’s bolstering. It’s the part that gets rubbed and compressed most by repeated getting in and out, especially on the driver’s seat.

A trim shop is a specialist business that repairs or replaces interior and exterior trim pieces—often including upholstery, seat components, and sometimes color-matched panels. In this context, it’s being used to match a specific seat/trim color.

Mercedes' internal name for a golden-brown interior trim color offered on this era of vehicles.

The Nissan 300Z is a classic Z-car from Nissan, known for its sporty styling and rear-wheel-drive driving feel. In this context, the guest says it was an early influence because riding in it felt like an “exotic” car to a teenager.

The 1989 Chevrolet Cavalier Z24 is a late-1980s compact performance trim, known for being one of the quicker versions of the Cavalier lineup. In the era, it was considered “zippy” largely due to its output (the host cites 180 horsepower) and its sporty appearance/stance compared with base models.

Ground effects are aerodynamic features (like front/rear spoilers and side skirts) designed to create downforce by managing airflow close to the road. On cars from this era, they were often used to make the vehicle feel more planted and reduce lift at speed.

The host compares the Cavalier’s cited 180 horsepower to “new Corvettes” making about 240–245 horsepower, depending on exhaust. That highlights how much more power (and typically performance) the Corvette had versus a compact at the time.

"Fox body" refers to Ford's Fox platform, the compact rear-drive chassis that underpinned the third-generation Mustang from 1979-1993, plus contemporaries like the Fairmont and LTD. Here it's used loosely to compare a similarly boxy '80s economy car.

Fuel injection is a method of delivering gasoline to the engine using electronically controlled injectors rather than a carburetor. Saying a car was “fuel injected” usually implies more consistent fueling, easier starting, and better throttle response than older carbureted setups.

The 1995 Ford Taurus is a mainstream, front-wheel-drive sedan from Ford’s late-90s “Taurus” era. It’s often remembered as a practical family car, and this one is being mentioned as a personal hand-me-down with relatively low mileage for its age.

The Ford Mustang is a classic American sports coupe/convertible known for its performance-focused design and long-running popularity. It’s frequently discussed because it has many generations and special editions, including factory-built “performance” versions. In the podcast, it’s referenced in connection with a plan to build “Mustangs” locally around 2019.

Tuscany Motor Company is the company the speaker credits with building the Black Ops, FTX, and Badlander. The segment also says they sold the company and later returned to work with Shelby, making it relevant to the business/partnership story behind the performance builds.

FTX is a named vehicle/edition label tied to Tuscany Motor Company, mentioned in the context of builds they previously produced. In enthusiast circles, these kinds of lettered names usually indicate a distinct package or model variant rather than a generic trim level.

Black Ops is a named performance package/edition associated with Tuscany Motor Company in this segment. It’s mentioned alongside other model/edition names, implying a specific Shelby-related build or product identity.

Badlander is a named performance/edition identity associated with Tuscany Motor Company, listed alongside Black Ops and FTX. The mention suggests it’s a distinct build concept with its own branding rather than just a generic description.

Harley-Davidson is a motorcycle brand, and its inclusion here indicates Tuscany Motor Company also worked on builds tied to that brand. That matters because it frames the company’s background as broader than just one type of vehicle.

The Shelby Cobra is a legendary American sports car associated with Carroll Shelby, known for its lightweight design and powerful engine. It’s often discussed because it represents a high-performance era of road racing and has become an icon in automotive history. The podcast mentions Shelby’s best-known models, including the Cobra.

The Ford GT40 is a race-focused sports car built to compete at the highest levels of endurance racing. It’s historically significant because it was part of Ford’s effort to dominate major racing events, and it’s closely tied to the GT40 program mentioned in the podcast. The conversation groups it with other Shelby-related performance history.

A lifted edition means the truck has been raised from the factory ride height, usually with suspension changes like taller springs/struts and/or different shocks. The point is more ground clearance and better ability to handle rough terrain and larger tires.

“5-liter V8 supercharged” describes a V8 engine with about a 5.0L displacement that uses a supercharger to force more air into the cylinders. More air generally allows more fuel to be burned, which is why supercharged engines can make much higher horsepower than naturally aspirated versions.

“810 plus horsepower” is the claimed peak power output for the current Shelby truck setup. Horsepower is a measure of engine power, and in this context it’s used to highlight how extreme the supercharged V8 tune is compared with a stock pickup.

A supercharger is an engine-mounted forced-induction device that compresses incoming air before it enters the engine. That lets the engine burn more fuel and make more power without needing a larger engine size.

The Ford F-250 Super Duty is a heavy-duty pickup, and the “high output diesel” refers to a tuned, higher-performance diesel configuration from the factory. In this segment, Shelby Performance modifies the truck mainly through suspension and appearance rather than an engine swap.

“F-150” refers to the Ford F-150 pickup truck, offered in many trims including high-performance and off-road versions. The podcast specifically mentions a lineup that includes a Raptor R and an EcoBoost Raptor, highlighting the truck’s performance-focused variants. This is significant because the F-150 platform is commonly used as a base for specialized off-road builds.

“Compliance and regulation” here refers to the rules that govern what modifications can be made to vehicles—especially emissions-related changes. Shelby implies that those constraints limit engine upgrades on the Super Duty.

A warranty is the manufacturer’s promise to cover certain repairs for a period of time or mileage. Shelby notes Ford’s strong engine warranty as a reason they avoid engine upgrades on the Super Duty.

King shocks refers to King Off-Road’s suspension shock absorbers, a brand commonly used on serious off-road builds. Shelby says it’s using King shocks as part of the truck’s suspension upgrade package.

A full suspension lift raises the truck’s ride height by changing suspension components, typically to fit larger tires and improve off-road clearance. In this segment, Shelby describes a premium full suspension lift as part of the build for the Super Duty.

Adjustable coilovers are suspension units that combine a spring (the “coil”) with a shock absorber, and they can be tuned for ride height and damping. Shelby calls out King Race Series 2.5 adjustable coilovers, emphasizing better ride control and stability.

A bed chase rack is an aftermarket rack mounted behind or above the truck bed, often used to protect the cab and add mounting points for lights or gear. Shelby lists it as part of the truck’s off-road/utility-oriented exterior package.

A dynamic custom hood is an aftermarket hood designed with a specific shape (often with vents or sculpting) to change the truck’s appearance and sometimes improve airflow. Shelby pairs it with a custom grille as part of the build’s visual identity.

“Extreme configuration” here means a highly customizable build where buyers can choose multiple exterior paint and accent options. The segment ties it to having nine exterior colors, six track colors, and matching body/strike colors to create a near one-off look.

“Track colors” are accent paint colors—often stripes or contrasting graphics—used to give a performance or motorsport-inspired appearance. In this segment, they’re part of the Shelby truck’s exterior customization options alongside the main body paint.

A “one-of-one custom configuration” means the buyer can specify options so the resulting truck’s exterior colors and accents are effectively unique. The segment links this to choosing body color and strike color paint combinations.

The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup truck known for being one of the most popular trucks in the U.S. In this segment, it’s part of Shelby Performance’s lineup, with multiple configurations based on different F-150 variants.

Ford Super Duty is the heavy-duty pickup truck family (positioned above the F-150) built for towing and work use. In this segment, it’s mentioned as another model in the Shelby Performance lineup alongside the F-150 and Raptor.

A “championship edition” is a special model variant created to commemorate a racing achievement. In this segment, Shelby Performance is referencing the 1966 World Championship and offering a special edition build with themed colors.

The “1966 World Championship” refers to Shelby’s motorsport success in 1966, used here as the historical basis for the truck’s special-edition theme. The segment frames it as a “huge feat” and says the truck is commemorating that win.

The Ford Raptor R is a high-performance, off-road-focused version of the Ford Raptor, built around extreme power and durability for rough terrain. In this segment, they’re discussing a Shelby Performance build targeting up to 1,000 horsepower, plus off-road hardware and styling details.

The Shelby Baja F-250 is a Shelby Performance off-road truck build based on the Ford F-250 platform, known for Baja-style capability and performance upgrades. In this segment, they say the Raptor R concept is being upgraded using a “very similar design” approach to the Shelby Baja F-250.

EcoBoost is Ford’s branding for turbocharged engines designed to make strong power while improving fuel efficiency versus naturally aspirated setups. Here, they’re contrasting a 550-horsepower EcoBoost build with the 1,000-horsepower Raptor R build.

A VisionX LED light bar system is an aftermarket lighting setup using multiple LED modules mounted as a bar, typically for improved visibility off-road. They’re listing it as part of the truck’s customization package.

All-wheel drive (AWD) sends power to both the front and rear axles to improve traction on slippery or uneven surfaces. They mention AWD alongside four-wheel drive while describing the Raptor R’s capability.

Four-wheel drive (4WD) is a drivetrain setup that powers all four wheels, typically with low-range gearing for off-road crawling and better control on traction-limited surfaces. In this segment, it’s part of the Raptor R’s off-road-focused package.

A four-wheel burnout is a driving maneuver where the tires are made to spin while the vehicle is held in place, typically to heat up or intentionally wear the tires. In this segment, it’s used as a playful demonstration of the truck’s power and traction.

LFG is an internet acronym meaning “let’s f***ing go,” used to hype excitement and action. It’s not a technical automotive term, but it signals the host’s enthusiasm right before they head out.

Paint booths are controlled-environment rooms used to apply automotive paint with controlled airflow, filtration, and temperature/humidity. Having “eight paint booths” implies high throughput and consistent finishing quality for production and customization work.

Assembly line production is a manufacturing approach where the build is broken into steps performed in sequence, often with parts moving from station to station. The mention here supports that Shelby Performance’s process is organized for repeatable throughput, not just one-off custom work.

“Ford Bailment” refers to a business arrangement where Ford provides vehicles or components (here, the chassis) to Shelby Performance for processing, while ownership and custody are handled under a bailment-style agreement. In practice, it’s part of how Shelby Performance sources the base platform before dealer delivery.

Shelby Performance is the company behind Shelby-branded vehicles and the production/customization operation discussed in this segment. The hosts describe how Shelby Performance supplies its product through a dealer network rather than only direct sales.

A chassis is the vehicle’s underlying structural foundation—think of the frame and mounting points that everything else attaches to. When Shelby Performance “orders the chassis,” it means they’re starting with the base structure before adding their own build/customization.

“Shelby Mustangs” refers to Ford Mustang cars that are branded and built/modified under the Shelby name. In this context, it’s about dealers stocking Shelby Performance cars and specifically Shelby-branded Mustang models.

“Shelby trucks” are vehicles branded with Shelby Performance’s identity, extending beyond Mustangs into pickup/truck builds. The mention is relevant because it frames Shelby Performance as building multiple vehicle types under the Shelby name.

Aaron Shelby is mentioned as granting permission to use the Shelby name for Shelby Performance. This is relevant because it explains the licensing/permission relationship behind the Shelby-branded products.

Braxton Patterson is the guest’s son, described as working next to him at Shelby Performance. The mention is more about the company’s internal team than a technical automotive detail, but it’s still a named person tied to the Shelby Performance operation.

A dealer black book is an industry pricing guide dealers use to estimate vehicle values for trade-ins and appraisals. In this segment, the host says new Shelby cars and trucks are listed in it, which matters because it helps set more consistent, data-backed numbers for customized vehicles.

An aftermarket vehicle is one that has been modified with parts or upgrades outside the original factory configuration. The host highlights that for these customized cars and trucks, it can be difficult to determine value for trade-in or private sale, which is why a pricing guide like black book is important.

Resale value is how much a vehicle is expected to sell for after you’ve owned it. The host claims Shelby vehicles historically have higher resale value than other aftermarket or custom brands, and credits black book’s pricing guidance for reflecting that.

The Shelby Super Snake is a high-performance, Shelby-tuned version of the Ford F-150, known for its aggressive styling and big-power upgrades. In this segment, they describe it as something Shelby builds in Las Vegas and distributes through authorized dealers.

An authorized dealer is a dealership that’s officially approved to sell a brand’s products. Here, it explains Shelby’s distribution model: Super Snakes and GT350s are sold through the same dealer network nationwide.

This refers to a 2017 Shelby F-150 Super Snake in a crew cab configuration, specifically described as “lowered” for street cruising. The segment highlights the truck’s stance and look—crew cab, lowered suspension, and large wheels—framing it as a standout, hot-selling variant.

“22 inch wheels” refers to wheel diameter, which affects ride comfort, steering feel, and how the truck’s stance looks. Larger wheels are often paired with lower-profile tires to maintain overall diameter while improving visual “fill” in the wheel wells.

A supercharged engine uses a forced-induction system (a supercharger) to push more air into the engine, enabling more power. The phrase “Harley trucks” here is likely referring to a themed Shelby/partner truck build associated with Harley-Davidson branding, with the key performance point being the supercharger.

The speaker is discussing a Shelby-branded truck that’s being given a full custom repaint as part of a limited “championship edition.” Shelby is known for performance and motorsport heritage, and here that identity is expressed through bespoke paint colors and restricted production.

The Ford Raptor is Ford’s performance-focused off-road pickup, built for high-speed desert-style driving with upgraded suspension and off-road hardware. Here, the guest says he’s owned every generation of the Ford Raptor, including the latest Raptor R.

The Ford Expedition is Ford’s full-size SUV, known for roomy seating and family-friendly practicality. In this segment, the guest says he loves his Ford Expedition for handling and turning (turn radius), even though he’s primarily a truck guy.

“White smoke” in a burnout context usually refers to visible tire smoke from rubber overheating and breaking down. The guest says he couldn’t get the car to produce white smoke, which implies the tires weren’t spinning enough under load or the burnout technique wasn’t working.

“Hook up” means getting enough traction that the tires stop spinning and the car actually accelerates. The guest says he couldn’t get the car to hook up, so his attempts at a burnout didn’t produce the expected results.

Shifting between reverse and drive while trying to create wheel spin is a risky technique because it can shock the drivetrain and transmission. The guest describes doing this repeatedly as a way to force a burnout effect, and the car eventually “invited you not to do it anymore.”

The Chevrolet Camaro is a classic American muscle car, and the “84 Camaro” refers to the 1984 model year. In this story, the speaker describes severe engine damage caused by overheating and coolant/oil contamination after a head gasket failure.

A head gasket is the sealing layer between the engine block and the cylinder head. If it “pops,” combustion gases, coolant, or oil can leak across the seal, often leading to overheating and sometimes catastrophic engine damage.

Packard was a luxury car brand, and the “1941 Packard” refers to a pre-war Packard convertible. The speaker uses it to illustrate a period driving habit: using reverse and clutch/throttle inputs to induce tire spins for fun.

“Pop the clutch” describes a sudden, aggressive clutch release that can rapidly transfer torque to the drivetrain. On older cars with manual transmissions, that can break traction and cause wheel spin, especially when paired with a quick shift into a gear like reverse.

“On the tree” refers to a manual transmission shifter mounted on the steering column, commonly called a column shifter. The “tree” is the shift pattern indicator on the column, used to select gears like first and reverse.

An “infinite burnout” is slang for a burnout that lasts a very long time because the tires keep spinning and the driver can maintain wheel spin. In this context it’s tied to wet conditions, where it’s easier to break traction and keep it broken.

The Honda Civic is a compact car known for being efficient, practical, and widely available in many trims. It often shows up in everyday driving stories because it’s common and easy to live with, including in performance-oriented versions. In the podcast, it’s mentioned as a “hopped up” Civic next to the speaker on a rainy highway.

A “fart can muffler” is slang for an aftermarket exhaust muffler that’s designed to be very loud and often produces a raspy or obnoxious sound. Enthusiasts use it as shorthand for a cheap, loud exhaust setup rather than a refined performance system.

Traction control is a driver-assistance system that reduces wheel spin by cutting engine power and/or braking individual wheels when it detects loss of grip. The speaker says those trucks don’t have traction control, which is why they can “snap” loose and spin/burn out more easily in rain.

“Burned out sufficiently” is a descriptive phrase for completing enough wheel spin to qualify as a burnout event. It’s not a specific technical component, but it’s describing the outcome of the traction-control/traction-loss situation.

Shelby American is the performance brand founded by Carroll Shelby, best known for turning production cars into high-performance versions. In this episode, it’s referenced as the source for Shelby-branded products and content.

“Crumple zones” are engineered areas designed to deform in a crash to absorb energy and reduce forces on occupants. “Pre crumple zones” is a shorthand for older cars before that technology became widespread.

“Pre airbags” refers to vehicles built before airbags became standard safety equipment. Those cars generally have fewer crash-occupant protection features, which changes how they feel and how they’re engineered for impact protection.

The Dodge Omni GLH is a hot-rodded version of the Omni, built for quick, punchy driving in a small, lightweight package. In the episode, it’s used as an example of a fun, enthusiast-era compact that can feel surprisingly quick.

A diesel Chevette refers to the Chevette equipped with a diesel engine rather than a gasoline engine. Diesel engines typically emphasize fuel economy and torque characteristics, which is part of why the host is describing it as hard to get out of its own way.

The Volkswagen Scirocco is a compact sporty hatchback/coupe-style car known for its distinctive, sloping front-end design. Here, the host uses it as a visual comparison for the 1986 Dodge Omni’s look.

The Volkswagen Golf is a compact car line known for its balanced driving dynamics and broad availability across many model years and trims. In the podcast, it’s brought up as looking like a GTI and “probably went a hell of a lot better,” which points to the Golf’s performance-oriented variants. The mention is mainly about appearance and expected driving feel.

The Volkswagen Rabbit is a compact car model that was sold in multiple generations, known for being small, practical, and easy to drive. In the podcast, it’s mentioned as a reference point for how a car looked—described as resembling a “Chrysler version of the Rabbit.” That suggests the speaker is using the Rabbit as a visual comparison rather than discussing performance specs.

“Super wagon” is an enthusiast slang term for a high-performance station wagon—typically a wagon with powertrain and chassis upgrades that make it feel like a sports car. The host is using it as a humorous label for drivers who are perceived as distracted by pets and aggressive in traffic.

The Toyota Prius is a hybrid car designed to improve fuel economy by using an electric motor alongside a gasoline engine. It’s often discussed because it’s one of the most recognizable hybrids and has a reputation for efficiency. In the podcast, it’s used in a comparison about drivers’ attitudes—specifically contrasting a Tesla driver with a “Prius driver.”