0:00
/
0:00
Favourite Ugly Car? | The Car Podcast #83
Favourite Ugly Car? | The Car Podcast #83
0:00
0:00
0:00
0:00
About this episode
A chaotic, nostalgia-heavy roundtable on “cars that made the competition give up,” with each host picking a generational benchmark. Neil argues for the Porsche 996 Gen 1 GT3 as the start of the GT3 era; Manish counters with the Ferrari 458 as the biggest leap forward; Chris picks the Lexus LS400 and Ford Focus for redefining expectations. The conversation then pivots to “favorite ugly cars” (Aston V8 Zagato, Lamborghini Miura/others, Bristol Fighter, Mini) and ends with a quick-fire supercar-vs-hypercar quiz, plus F1 team-staff news (Lambiasi to McLaren) and a “two-car garage” cylinder-count challenge.
Topics:
0-60 time
60,000 miles
air compressor
Audi
badge involved
Bristol aircraft company
B roads
CarPlay
Concorde
cooled seats
Get your tickets to the Great British Jaguar Day at Bicester Motion below!
https://bicestermotion.com/calendar/great-british-jaguar-day
Get your tickets to HOWL below!
https://thruxtonracing.co.uk/event/howl
https://thruxtonracing.co.uk/event/chris-harris-live-podcast
Download Car & Classic’s app today to see our 2CG’s, and our weekly pick of our favourite listings:
https://candc.li/App_Download_
(00:06) What car that was launched and then the rest of the competition just knew they had to give up, the car was that good.
(17:46) “I wont use it but i love the fact it's there”
(31:19) Quick fire super car quiz
(37:45) News
(48:28) Favourite ugly car
(55:03) 2CG with Car & Classic
(1:03:45) Music
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Filter:
|
Technical
Too Afraid to Ask
Concept
F1 championship
"83 is the year in which Nelson Piquet won his first F1 championship, Manages? Second F1 championship, yes."
F1 is the highest level of race car series in the world. The championship is like a season-long contest where drivers earn points at each race, and the top points total wins.
“F1” refers to Formula 1, the top tier of open-wheel racing. A “championship” is the season-long points battle that crowns a driver (and separately, a constructor) as the best over many races.
Car
Fiat Uno
"What was he stop thinking of Fiat Uno's? [292.8s] Well, I was considering the Uno ... But I won't choose the Uno."
The Fiat Uno is a little Fiat hatchback from the early 1980s. People often remember it as a simple, practical car that was popular in Europe. Here, it’s mentioned as one of the cars someone might pick as their “ugly” favorite.
The Fiat Uno is a small, front-wheel-drive hatchback made by Fiat and launched in the early 1980s. It became well known in Europe for being practical, affordable, and surprisingly durable for its class. In this episode, it’s brought up as a candidate for an “ugly” favorite.
Concept
European Car of the Year
"Well, I was considering the Uno [295.0s] because it was a big A, I always believed those European car of the year, [300.4s] but it was also the year that I started in that Fiat garage in 83."
“European Car of the Year” is a yearly award given by car journalists across Europe. It’s basically a way of saying a new car impressed people when it came out. The speaker is using it as a clue that the Uno was really good for its time.
“European Car of the Year” is an annual award decided by a jury of European automotive journalists. Winning (or being recognized in) a given year is often used as a shorthand for a car’s overall impact—design, engineering, and value—at launch time. In the segment, it’s referenced to support why the speaker thought the Uno was a standout when new.
Term
jet black
"because I bought a jet black not Balsall, because Balsall is a crap color. Jet black"
“Jet black” is just a very dark black paint color. The speaker is saying they bought one in jet black and didn’t like the alternative color mentioned. Paint color can affect how desirable a car feels to buyers.
“Jet black” is a specific paint color choice, often associated with a glossy, high-contrast look on cars. The speaker contrasts it with another color (“Balsall”) and adds an opinion that one is “crap.” Color can matter for resale value and buyer appeal, especially on collectible or enthusiast cars like Porsche GT3s.
Brand
Ferrari
"Ferrari is a bit different. If you were who else can I say"
Ferrari is a famous Italian car brand that makes high-end supercars. Here, they’re talking about Ferrari as one of the top-tier brands people compare other cars to.
Ferrari is an Italian supercar and sports-car brand known for high-performance engines, distinctive styling, and premium pricing. In this segment, it’s used as a benchmark for “ugly” or unconventional choices in the supercar world.
Car
Lexus LS400
"I think [791.9s] I got two [793.7s] one is the original [795.5s] Lexus LS400 [798.0s] yep"
The Lexus LS400 is a luxury car that was a big deal when it came out. People liked it because it felt expensive and smooth, but it was also built well and generally dependable.
The Lexus LS400 is a flagship luxury sedan from Lexus, introduced in the late 1980s/early 1990s. It became famous for delivering high-end comfort and refinement while also being notably reliable and well-built for its era.
Car
Ford Focus
"so I think the Ford Focus everything changed after that"
The Ford Focus is a Ford model the speaker thinks marked a turning point. They’re basically saying it drove and felt better than the earlier cars they’re comparing it to.
The Ford Focus is the model the speaker credits with a major shift in Ford’s cars—“everything changed after that.” They’re describing how the Focus felt in terms of steering, ride comfort, and overall handling compared with what came before.
Concept
group test
"...sorry for the people that were having their cars delivered to the group test which went on for a few years when the car was fresh then they refreshed it"
A “group test” is when reviewers test several cars as a set, so they can compare them fairly. It often includes driving them when they’re new, and sometimes later after changes.
A “group test” is when multiple cars are evaluated together over time, often by a publication or team. The idea is to compare how cars behave when they’re new, and then again after updates or refreshes.
Concept
refreshed it
"...which went on for a few years when the car was fresh then they refreshed it"
“Refreshed it” means the manufacturer updated the car partway through its life—usually small changes to keep it current. If a test runs for years, the cars being tested might get updated too.
“Refreshed it” refers to a mid-cycle update (often called a facelift) where manufacturers revise styling, equipment, and sometimes powertrains. In long-running evaluations, that can complicate comparisons because the “same” model may change during the test period.
Brand
Audi
"every time the new Merc would turn up and the Audi would turn up you're like oh god just stay at home lads"
Audi is a German automaker known for performance and engineering, and it’s often mentioned alongside other European brands in enthusiast debates. Here, the speaker pairs Audi with Mercedes to describe how those cars felt unbeatable when they appeared.
Concept
badge involved
"but I still think people bought Golfs as they did they bought lots of Golfs because there was a badge involved the car that I genuinely thought"
“Badge involved” refers to brand reputation and the status/identity that comes with a manufacturer’s emblem. In car culture, badge appeal can matter as much as (or more than) the underlying spec sheet, influencing what people choose to buy.
Term
CarPlay
"I just put car play in it [1173.1s] I've just put car play in it [1176.7s] which basically eradicates"
CarPlay is Apple’s system that connects your iPhone to the car’s screen. It lets you use things like maps and music right from the dashboard.
CarPlay is Apple’s in-car interface that lets you use supported apps and phone features through the car’s infotainment screen. Adding CarPlay to an older or non-Apple-centric system can make the car feel much more modern for daily use.
Term
snow foam
"[1264.8s] stains or lime and stuff [1269.6s] snow foam, never use that [1272.0s] oh that's quite good"
Snow foam is a special car-wash soap that comes out thick and foamy. You spray it on the car so it loosens dirt before you rinse it off, which can help protect the paint.
Snow foam is a thick, foaming car-wash detergent applied to the paintwork to loosen dirt and grime before rinsing. It’s popular because it clings to the surface longer than regular soap, helping reduce the chance of scratching during contact washing.
Term
air compressor
"[1280.9s] I really wanted one of these [1285.9s] an air compressor [1288.4s] like [1289.9s] properly pumping up your tyres"
An air compressor is a machine that blows pressurized air. In car terms, it’s used to fill your tires at home so you can keep them properly inflated.
An air compressor is used to supply pressurized air for tasks like inflating tires quickly and accurately. In a garage context, it’s especially useful for maintaining correct tire pressures on multiple cars without relying on public pumps.
Term
spare set of wheels
"[1293.3s] rather than just [1298.9s] spare set of wheels [1302.7s] I've got spare set of wheels [1304.4s] for three cars"
A spare set of wheels means you keep another set of tires and rims ready to use. Instead of changing tires every time, you can swap the whole set quickly.
A spare set of wheels usually means having an additional wheel/tire set ready to swap, often for seasonal changes (like winter tires) or to reduce downtime. It can also help keep tire wear consistent by rotating between sets rather than constantly remounting tires.
Term
options on the car
"even if they are options on the car or the car the genre of the car just means that it has these types of things but you never actually use them"
“Options” are extra features you can choose when you buy a car. Some are fun to have, but you might not end up using them much day to day.
In car talk, “options” are factory-installed features you can choose when buying the vehicle (like heated seats, cooled seats, or other comfort/tech items). The speaker’s point is that some options are exciting in theory but may be rarely used in everyday driving.
Term
cooled seats
"I've only got one car with this and actually two cars cooled seats what the fuck are cooled seats I've never I use them tell us what you use them for"
Cooled seats are car seats that blow air through them to help you stay cooler. Some people love them in summer, but if you don’t feel much airflow (or you’re wearing warm layers), they might not seem useful.
Cooled seats are seats with built-in ventilation (usually small fans and ducting) that pull air through the seat cushions to reduce heat. They’re meant to keep you comfortable in hot weather, but they can feel subtle if you don’t notice the airflow or if you’re bundled up.
Part
rear centre armrest
"...and so I'm a bit fixated on rear centre armrests for example I never sit in the back of my own cars really but they have to have a rear centre armrest and do you unfold it? so it's down..."
That’s the little padded armrest in the middle of the back seat. It usually folds down so rear passengers can rest their arm, and it can be left up when nobody’s using it.
A rear centre armrest is a fold-down padded armrest located between the rear seats. It’s mainly for comfort and convenience when passengers are sitting in the back, and it often folds down only when needed.
Concept
selling a dream
"[1898.6s] and I realised that [1899.8s] actually I was just selling a dream [1903.1s] people didn't buy M3"
“Selling a dream” means you’re promoting an exciting fantasy, not just the car itself. The speaker is saying they helped create the image of what owning and driving a performance car feels like.
“Selling a dream” is the idea that media and personal behavior can create an aspirational fantasy around a car. The speaker suggests they weren’t just promoting driving skill—they were selling the lifestyle and excitement people imagine when they buy performance cars.
Concept
0-60 time
"but you love the fact that [1931.6s] someone did 0-60 in 2.1 seconds [1934.0s] and it does impact you"
That “0-60” number is how fast a car gets from a standstill to 60 mph. People use it because it’s an easy way to compare how quick cars feel.
“0-60 time” is shorthand for how quickly a car accelerates from 0 mph to 60 mph. It’s a common performance metric because it roughly reflects how strong the car feels in everyday driving and at stoplights.
Company
Halfords
"and you always head down to Halfords to buy the 7 batteries for the cars that aren't working and as you're walking on Halfords you just buy shit that you don't need"
Halfords is a store in the UK where you can buy car stuff like batteries and tools. The joke here is that they buy things just because they look good, not because they’re actually needed.
Halfords is a UK automotive and cycling retailer that sells car maintenance items, tools, and accessories. In the segment, it’s used as the go-to place for batteries and other odds and ends to keep cars running.
Concept
McLaren
"underneath Andrea Stella in the pecking order at McLaren"
McLaren is a well-known F1 racing team. Here they’re talking about how drivers and staff are ranked inside the team.
McLaren is a major Formula 1 constructor with a long history of racing success. In this context, the speaker is discussing team hierarchy and performance expectations within McLaren.
Term
service history file
"[2980.2s] red and by the way [2981.7s] I do have the service history file for sale [2985.8s] I can't believe you're going to try to sell it now ... [3012.2s] that service history of course [3015.6s] good"
A service history file is the paperwork showing what work has been done on the car. It helps you tell whether the car was maintained properly.
A service history file is the documented record of maintenance and repairs a car has had over its life. Buyers use it to judge how well the car was looked after and to spot patterns like deferred maintenance or frequent issues.
Concept
favourite ugly car
"we missed out favourite ugly car favourite ugly car bloody hell favourite one what's your favourite ugly car"
They’re talking about cars that some people think look bad, but the hosts still love. It’s basically about how personal taste is—what looks “ugly” to one person can be awesome to another.
“Favourite ugly car” is a playful way to talk about cars that aren’t conventionally attractive but still have personality, design bravery, or emotional appeal. The idea is that beauty is subjective—enthusiasts may love shapes that others dismiss as unattractive.
Term
V8
"the Bristol because actually [3200.4s] most Bristol's certainly V8 [3203.7s] that's not true actually"
A V8 is an engine with eight cylinders. It’s a common layout for powerful, smooth-running performance cars.
A V8 is an engine with eight cylinders arranged in a “V” shape. In the context of Bristol cars, it’s used to describe the typical engine layout most of their models had.
Brand
Bristol aircraft company
"[3348.5s] you can see why in the 70s [3350.5s] even by the 70s or even in the 80s [3354.0s] the Bristol aircraft company [3356.3s] was still"
This is a different “Bristol” from the car brand—an aircraft company. The speaker is saying the Bristol name had a strong reputation because of aviation history, which made people view it as prestigious.
The Bristol Aircraft Company was a major British aerospace manufacturer, historically associated with aircraft production and engineering. The speaker connects its reputation to why the “Bristol” name carried prestige in the region even into the 1970s and 1980s.
Concept
Concorde
"the one person that really championed [3397.3s] aerospace in Bristol was Tony Ben [3398.9s] so the most left leaning MP [3400.7s] was a huge supporter of Concord ironically"
Concorde was the Anglo-French supersonic passenger aircraft that flew in the 1970s–2000s. The speaker’s point is that Tony Ben supported Concorde-era aerospace work, highlighting how aerospace engineering can shape broader technology and public support.
Concept
two car garage
"this is a really good two car garage... this is from someone called Charlie... two car garage suggestion"
It means having two cars: one you can live with every day, and another that’s more fun for weekends. The goal is to cover both needs without making either car feel like a compromise.
A “two car garage” is the idea of owning two different cars to cover different roles—typically a practical daily driver plus a more fun weekend car. It’s a common enthusiast strategy because it avoids compromising comfort for usability or sacrificing excitement for practicality.
Concept
B roads
"smooth and compliant on the motorway but not lifeless in the B roads"
B roads are the smaller country roads with curves. They’re saying the car shouldn’t feel dull when you take it on twisty routes.
“B roads” are smaller, often twistier roads than motorways, typically with more corners and less predictable surfaces. The speaker’s point is that the daily car should still feel engaging and responsive on these routes, not just cruise comfortably.
Term
azuki engineed catering
"[3706.7s] the little 3 cylinders [3708.7s] azuki engineed catering [3712.0s] clever"
This part of the transcript sounds like it got misheard. It seems like they’re describing a small 3-cylinder engine and calling it something clever, but the exact name isn’t clear.
This appears to be a transcription error or a garbled phrase referring to a specific engine/brand or a coined description. The context suggests they’re talking about a small 3-cylinder engine with a clever naming/branding angle, but the exact term can’t be reliably identified from the transcript.
Concept
60,000 miles
"[3801.1s] cause you can get really shit ones for less [3802.9s] but this one's probably the best one [3804.4s] 60,000 miles [3805.7s] and you can be in Mayfair"
“60,000 miles” is a mileage benchmark used to argue the car is relatively lightly used for its age. In used-car evaluation, lower mileage plus good service history can be a major reason a specific example is considered “the best one.”
Brand
Toyota
"[4333.7s] we have 4 with available all-wheel drive [4335.9s] and let's go [4337.3s] Toyota [4339.7s] find yours at Toyota.com"
Toyota is a car company that makes lots of different models. Here, they’re just advertising their website and saying you can find a car with all-wheel drive.
Toyota is a major global automaker that sells a wide range of vehicles, including many models offered with all-wheel drive. In this segment, the ad is referencing Toyota’s inventory and branding rather than discussing a specific Toyota model.
Select text to request an explanation
A better help ad.
Hold on.
One second.
I just need to...
What if you had a room where no one interrupts?
No notifications. No expectations.
Just space to talk.
With better help, therapy happens in a space that's yours.
Visit BetterHELP.com
slash Random Podcast
for 10% off your first month of online therapy.
Hello, hello, it's Brooke DeVard from Naked Beauty.
Join me each week for unfiltered discussion
about beauty trends, self-care journeys, wellness tips,
and the products we absolutely love and cannot get enough of.
If you are a skincare obsessive
and you spend 20 plus minutes on your skincare routine,
this podcast is for you.
Or if you're a newbie at the beginning of your skincare journey,
you'll love this podcast as well,
because we go so much deeper than beauty.
I talk to incredible and inspiring people from across industries
about their relationship with beauty.
You'll also hear from skincare experts.
We break down lots of myths in the beauty industry.
If this sounds like your thing, search for Naked Beauty
on your podcast app and listen along.
I hope you'll join us.
We'll be right back.
No affiliation with Novo Nordisk, Inc.
the only US source of FDA-approved semi-glutide,
not available in all 50 US states.
Hello, and welcome to the car podcast
with Chris Harrison and his friends.
We've all been on record for nine minutes
because Manages Ruta has been playing up.
So whoever supplies Manages Ruta can go do one
because it really does let us down most weeks.
He lives in North London as well. It's unbelievable.
Who makes your Ruta, Manages?
It's three Ruta.
There we go.
Anyhow, this is episode number 83
and Chris Cooper wants to interrupt with a fact.
83 is the year in which Nelson Piquet won
his first F1 championship, Manages?
Second F1 championship, yes.
In South Africa, it came third.
Ricardo Petrazi won the race.
Thank you.
Moving on.
It's also the number in that
fantastic German language,
Cold War thriller thing,
Deutschland 83.
That's it.
That's it.
It's not 14 more than anything else.
No, we're going to avoid that.
Don't you worry, we're going to avoid that.
Here's a factoid for you.
I was reading up about
the, not the current Porsche Panamera,
but the previous Porsche Panamera,
the one that might have
a very powerful diesel engine.
Again, one of my,
when I can't sleep properly and I'm looking at car and classic,
did you know
that to make sure that the ingress
and AEgress of the rear seat occupants
was as good as possible,
they took development cars
to old people's homes in Germany
and offered the door
up to old folk to see how they got in and out.
Did you know that?
I thought you didn't know that.
How good is that?
How good is that?
Neil Clifford's not even smiling,
because he's got his CEO face on.
No, no, no, I was just thinking,
we're the 90s.
No, I was thinking,
we're the car of the year,
the European car of the year in 83 or 84.
That's where I was.
This is a disconnected
bunch of people. It's incredible.
This is absolutely incredible.
Anyhow, welcome back in the room, Neil.
Let's do...
Hello.
Let's do...
83.
ADHD is a skill, isn't it?
Times.
Absolutely is.
How many windows have you lit this week?
No, I'm joking. What car
that were launched
and then the rest of the
composition just knew they had to give up?
The car was good.
So, I think, roughly translated,
that is, what car when it was launched
was so good, the competition thought
they might as well just give up.
I think this is a really, really good one.
Neil Clifford can go first.
What was he stop thinking of Fiat Uno's?
Well, I was considering the Uno
because it was a big
A, I always believed
those European car of the year,
but it was also the year that I started
in that Fiat garage in 83.
So, I think it was 83.
Which road was that on in South Sea?
Is that Albert Road?
No, it was on Copner Road, Cannons.
No, yeah, yeah.
As you were.
But I won't choose the Uno.
There are so many, but I'm only going to talk about one
because you're all going to be annoyed
because this is about
those iconic
generational cars, isn't it,
that just blow away the competition
and we basically all want to
own all of them, don't we?
Because even if they're 20 years ago,
they're still magnificent.
The one I'm going to choose
and I know Harris is going to be
a little bit
chippy about this
because he's always chippy about this car
is the 996
Gen 1
GT3
because
even though his friend Andy
fucking whatever his name is
didn't do it and it's really
about the Gen 2
and the fucking gearbox is a bit shit
and the brakes need to be better
and the body kit you could have ordered
it for a standard career.
We know all of Harris's
foibles about the Gen 1
996 GT3
but it basically
started
the GT3 generation.
And I remember
was it 99?
When was it
Harris? 99.
99.
It was your
guards red with the fake number play
and all that. I remember
that auto car
and I remember
that car and obviously I didn't
I couldn't afford one, I'd never driven one
it took me two or three years
and actually they went down in value
because I bought a jet black
not Balsall, because Balsall
is a crap color. Jet black
on a V
two or three years later
for like 40 grand
so they depreciated
cars used to depreciate them didn't they?
They should do.
And I looked
a bit of a twat driving around in Muzzle
Hill with that car because there's like a billion
speed bumps and that car is not great
on speed bumps but
I was so chuffed with it
black with black
leather, it had the elephant ear seats
it was magnificent thing
I think that started such a genre
of cars that really were
not
had no rivals for probably 15 or 20 years
so it was a magnificent
the GT3
2996, Gen 1 because obviously that was
the beginning. I think that car has to be
if you were Aston or if you
were frankly even Ferrari, I know
Ferrari is a bit different. If you were
who else can I say
Alfa Romeo, you looked
to that car and went oh
shit
we are a bit buggered here
so that's my choice. I think
actually I've got no
objections to that at all because
even though the one you've chosen
I don't think is it's actually
the weakest one. It started
the movement and therefore it's the
right one to choose because
I suspect
that the opposition such as it was
looked at that and thought oh my god
that's their first attempt. They can sell it for
15% more than a normal 911
and you know the only person
people that come close with Ferrari and they had
a thing called the 360 which is already
one and a half times the money and the
challenge to Dali was really no quicker round
and track and that was two times the money
so yeah you're quite right I agree
completely. Let's go to
Manish
Manish
I had a good think about this. We talked
about one which one or the other
you may pick so I won't mention it but
I actually think
the car that
just made me stop and I think
made the opposition stop at the time
and really look at what they were
producing was a car that
it was better than
the thing that came before it which was
better than the thing that came before it
and
redefined
Ferrari and I think for me that's
the 458.
I think
people are just thinking because
I know Neil you love the 360 and I think
the 430 and I do get
your aesthetic. I don't think you're on
I do think the 355 was kind of
just an amazing
car.
It was for me but I don't think you could scream
and shout as Chris has
said many times it wasn't
a paradigm shift from the
348. There were lots of things about
the 348 that were wrong and 355
got right and I think
removing those test or also strikes
just the improved back lots of bits
and pieces obviously a better engine
the car was incrementally
better then to have the kind of
whatever you want to call it
to create the 360 and then the
430 after that. It's just such an amazing
escalate and you wonder
well what's going to come after that
and surely the only way is either plateau
or slightly down and
I think to produce the 458
and it's
so I think aesthetically
ahead of its time
we know Ferrari were doing technical things that
other people weren't doing at the time anyway
but I remember
the and I did a couple of
things with McLaren the MP412C
which was its contemporary
and people just going
yeah if that
458 hadn't existed
I think this MP412C
would be the most exciting car out there
and I think also the Gallardo
had been out there for four years
and we know that was a massive success
for Lamborghini but
the 458 arrived
and I think it just made it look boxy
square bit dull I know it
had a V10 but
I have to say that
the 458 and if you look at the very last ones
and I know Mr Clifford has got
a very particularly beautiful last ones
they just again just got better
and better I mean how do you make
a car that's that good
that you can then just continue to improve
and I think
when people look back at that kind of
Montenegro and I know you guys are real purists
front engine V12
F12 fans but I think
that 458 a little bit like the modern
Fiat 500 I think it's a masterpiece
and that platform
what you could do with it
where it was coming from
where they took it to
that's it for me
agreed
I think the working
title for this subject was actually
cars that made
the opposition want to give up
and actually the 458
when I first tested it thinking oh dear
they're all a long way behind this
it was the biggest single step of a sports car
I think in the history of the genre
DCT gearbox that incredible
normal aspirated engine that seemed to have
talk from low down and rev to God knows what
and of course Ferrari was offering a
seven year warranty and servicing
and they didn't break
you know you were used to them breaking
they didn't break those cars
it's probably a bit different at the moment
but those cars did not break
Chris Cooper
I was one just listening to you guys so far
because I'm going to choose
there's a couple of things I've got in my mind
and they're kind of all in the 90s
although the 458 is clearly lighter
later
are we likely to see this kind of car again
I hope so I kind of think
because I'm positive about the future
I do think ironically
there is a greater opportunity
now for somebody to do this now
when everyone thinks well that's it the car's done
it's all EV
everyone's cars are pretty good
that is just
the circumstances where somebody can say
no
I think that's right
better is definitely available
are we here for
drill or are we here to make
the world better and feel better
that's our call to action
before I get to that
and change the world having taken up car manufacturing
God help everybody
I think
I got two
one is the original
Lexus LS400
yep
I think
a mate of mine
the boss's boss
had one when they first came out
and it was at the time when
I was a pop consultant
working at
it came out in 1990, 8990
that car
and I worked
at the time I was a very very junior
junior
understudy deputy
interim consultant
at Tush Ross what's now Deloitte's
and the partner's
cars that took them off to lunch
at Simpson's or wherever it was
and brought them back three days later
they had some XJ40s
they had three XJ40s
six cylinders
and then one of the partners
turned up in one of these
and everyone was a God thinking
that Jag was not very good anymore
this is actually really
it's a spaceship
compared to those
the other one the one I kind of
my second one that's very interesting here
because I'm just going back to the original question
and it said what car, not what cars
can anybody
hear some droning noise somewhere
it's that
whining that I often hear
maybe it's because of what I'm speaking
carry on I'll just
I'll amend
that's very good
what cars
okay
the other one
which I remember did thinking driving
when I very first drove it
because the Land Rover Discovery
that I've been driving that day
had shed a wheel on the M40
and the AA
turned up with a higher car
and the higher car was a very very early
this was in 99
higher car they turned up with
was a Ford Focus
yeah
Jesus Christ
particularly because the car
that preceded it the Mk5 Escort
you could have said well that's it
Ford had done
it's just dead
so I think the Ford Focus
everything changed after that
and bless him Richard Parry Jones
who very sadly died a few years ago
in that very very awful accident
he had on his farm
but he was
he was a god
I've never driven one of those
they're probably
they're all baggy now but when they were new
they were so tight
just the way it steered
the ride comfort
the handling like all those things for me
the seat was slightly too high
but even for me I forgot about all that
so if it is to and I read it as to
Lexus LS400
and Ford Focus
I'm currently looking at you
I've amended the question for you then
but I'm now amending it back for me
so I'm going to choose one like the others
because you're the one at the
back of the classroom that's allowed to bring his toys in
to play with him at the back
to stop him eating all the
plasticine
and you want to be a fire engine at break time
it's nine you were a fire engine
Nina Nina
give him his milk
sit him in the corner
so
I found this really interesting
because I mentioned it in the context
of the E39 B&W that I've been
writing about recently
and I remember
just feeling
sorry for the people that were having their cars
delivered to the group test which went on
for a few years when the car was fresh
then they refreshed it
and it was just
every time the new Merc would turn up
and the Audi would turn up you're like
oh god just stay at home lads
it's a bit like playing against one of those
incredible Springbok rugby teams
when you'd sit there you'd get your pint
you'd sit in the pub to watch it
but really you just knew we were going to get an absolute shooing
or maybe all black
maybe sort of 1994-95
when Lomu was playing for New Zealand
you'd watch another Underwood just being sort of splatted by him
so
I thought about that car
then I thought about the Focus
which really did
redefine things
but I still think people bought
Golfs as they did
they bought lots of Golfs because there was a badge involved
the car that I genuinely thought
when I first I didn't even have to drive it
I just saw it
and I looked around it and I opened the door
and I thought they're all
bugged
it was the 2001 Frank Stevenson Mini
because
that entered the class
look at that
that entered
it sort of created its own class
this sort of prestige
beautifully built city car
and I just thought to myself
anyone that sees one of these is going to want one
they're not going to want a Corsa
they're not going to want a Polo
there's nothing else that matches this
and actually, conversely
I bought one last week
a 2007 plate
a 2007 plate
done 70,000 miles
couple of owner Mini
one convertible for the summer
because it's got a years MOT
and it was £1,500
and I just thought we'd have lots of fun in it
it'd be a dog car, use it around town
and I sat in it and I just looked at the dashboard layout
and I just thought
this car had a profound
effect on people when it was launched
there's a bit of a cult symbol now
because it was just high quality
BMW high quality materials
for the cost of a well-specced fiesta
and why would you buy a fiesta
if you could have one of those
that is a very good call
and it's a very good call
it's slightly feminine
yeah but then they did the Cooper S didn't they
they did
yeah
and I remember doing
the group
the sort of twin test on that launch
with the Peugeot 206
not their finest work
and just thinking, good God
on every level
Peugeot has done a chance here
and sure enough, look at the sales figures for that car initially
they were through the roof
they didn't make enough of them
I own the little Goodwood one
the Rolls Royce one
with the Rolls Royce leather
and the Rolls Royce font in the dash
I just put car play in it
I've just put car play in it
which basically eradicates
any reasons by any new cars
ever again
here we go, I won't use it
but I love the fact that it's there
now we all know
what this is about
and before anyone starts telling
FNAF FNAF style jokes, we're not having any of those
we're grown up about that kind of thing
14 inch Chris, do you go first?
so
this is one of Neil's suggestions
I suspect in Neil's case it's going to be whole cars
no, it's not
actually
to me
to me
this question
is the generation game
conveyor
for car addicts
yep
I could do with that
it's the fondue set
for car addicts
fondue set, very good Chris Cooper
very good
on my
conveyor belt
I won't use it but I love it's there
and I've got all of these
yep
one of those Karsha hot jet washes
yep
love the idea of that
I've used it about once
that water filter
you put in line with your tap
so when you wash your car
the water all beads and there's no like
stains or lime and stuff
use that once
snow foam, never use that
oh that's quite good
I know it is, I know it is
but I just you know where is it
and you put it in for always too complicated
yep
I really wanted one of these
and I'm really glad I've got it
I know it's useful
an air compressor
like
properly pumping up your tyres
like garage style
rather than just
you know
spare set of wheels
I've got spare set of wheels
for three cars
you never change them
I never change them
I never change them
that
um
the pièce de résistance though
was
one of those
if you've got like a big
drum of petrol
like the big drums you see like
exactly
one of those, one of the mechanical pumps
that you can pump petrol out of a drum
I've got one of those
and it sits in the garage
I think
obviously there's lots of regulations about
storing petrol boys and girls
so you have to observe all of those
and you know we do
because we're sort of blah blah blah
but
I won't use it but I love the fact
that I'm sort of
semi-commercial
in my regard to how I'm going to look after my car
so it's the generation game conveyor
it's the fondue set for car addicts
ok
um
he's only chosen 10 there
Manish what would you go next?
well I will just read this out
Lola
the R107 that I don't have yet
and
the Bentayga
there you go
it's here
I've nicked all the windows
and I'm just so dumb
I didn't check
Manish wins
he did
you know this was my question
and actually
I'd written it in my head
which clearly is not in reality
because I'm not very good at writing things
I wrote it in my head
these are things that are
on the car
I agree
as opposed to accessorisation
but of course
all the answers are correct that we're giving
this was
all those little things
that are very exciting that are on your car
even if they are
options on the car or the car
the genre of the car just means
that it has these types of things
but you never actually use them
I would
maybe mention a couple of them but
I've only got one car with this
and actually two cars
cooled seats
what the fuck are cooled seats
I've never
I use them
tell us what you use them for
because I can't feel it
I tell you why because I get
I often wear a gillet as people sometimes
observe on the internet
sometimes they're quite effective these gillets
and I like having the air cooled on my back
because it means that when I get out from a drive
I don't have a sweaty back
when I'm wearing a gillet
ah
alright boss
I've never
I'm going to try it
because I sort of thought it was
some sort of Los Angeles thing
where you're driving along and you've got your AC on
but it's still a bit sticky
so you put your ICC
you do they really work
they do
the only downside was the early ones
I think I've told this story here
at this point I have to apologise to my wonderful daughter
whose birthday it was yesterday
when she was younger
I
had a Jaguar, a red Jaguar XKRS
as a long term Evo magazine
and I had an especially
lively Vindaloo
and she was sitting behind me on the way to school
and I let's just say
couldn't control myself but I had the cooled seat on
and now I realise that that
vents on the back of the seat
and bless her
she didn't appreciate it
so there you go
don't do that in that generation of Jaguar
carry on
the other one that really
harks back to 2005 Evo
and probably Richard Mead
and in fact Chris Harris
was this amazing car
which was the Subaru T25
Lichfield
and I know this is not just the Lichfield thing
this was like a Subaru
whatever those posh Subarus were
ProDrop
yeah exactly, C-Type
or C-Spec
or whatever it was
I never really understand all of it
was the cold water sprayer
and the fact that
whatever that was doing
when the engine was getting very hot
or the brakes or somewhere was getting really hot
and you had this special little
button where you could spray water
on something
I thought that was just so fucking cool
What did it spray on?
Was it brakes or turbo or
intercooler
intercooler
and you know I've got one of those cars now
the man
that's around the corner in Princes Risba
that sort of looks after it
because it's always bloody braking
because that engine
only lasted about 5 miles
before it blew up
is that when it was up on the
thing in the garage
I said just show me where
that very technical sprayer
thing and he's like oh it's just a little
it's just a little hose that comes down
and you go up in the car
and press it and it's like the most
crap thing actually
it's just this little
onto the turbo
so my bubble was slightly burst
but I did think it was
quite exciting when I was
it was a 5-star
it was almost one of those generational
special cars
I remember that T25
425 horsepower
going round Millbrook you know as fast as a
996 turbo
it was a big article that for me
I've read it about 100 times on the bog
Was that a separate tank?
Is there a completely separate tank for that?
Are you from a water tank?
GT2 RS has got water cooled
that's right
and the M4 GTS has the same
thing as well
When I read this
it's both the way that Neil
and the way that Chris did
I think
I won't use it but I love the fact it's there
within a car
it's just brilliant because
I think it harks back
sometimes to our childhood
because a bit like
anything in life
we want the things that we couldn't have
when we were younger
and so I'm a bit fixated on
rear centre armrests
for example
I never sit in the back of my own cars
really
but they have to have a rear centre armrest
and do you unfold it?
so it's down
if I have people in the back seat
I'll lean in beforehand and put it down
just so they know I've got one
I'll never use it myself
rear centre armrest is everything
I can't see myself
and I would reject
a car on the grounds that it didn't have one
even if someone said to me
you realise you'll never put your elbow on that
I'd say it doesn't matter it has to be there
because if I haven't got one I've not made it
I'm still L trim
I'm not GL or gear
another one
I think you find that this
isn't the case later in life
but
when I had these cars when they were new
the full BMW toolkit in the boot
I never used
but my god
when they stopped putting them in the car
I remember writing
three paragraphs
in the road test of the E60
530i
in order car
you've written more about the lack
of a toolkit than you have the steering
get your priorities right
but I was so incensed
that this toolkit wasn't there
not that I was ever going to use it
I just thought
as I say this I realised that sometimes
these
additional features
feed to our childhood
but they're a metaphor for where you think that car company is heading
and you can be uncomfortable
with the message it's sending
for example
when Porsche took
the twin
cup holders out of the 991
on the dashboard and gave us that thing by the gear lever
I've winched about that so many times
but I think
my worry is that a car company that does that
has it lost sight of what it's doing
because it either doesn't know
that most of the people that buy the car
will be pissed off by that or it doesn't care
both of which
eventualities I struggle with
so rear head restraints
for one I just
for me
if I never sit in the back
I just want to know it's there
I want to know they're there
and they disrupt your view out of the rear window
they're utterly pointless
have you ever taken the centre
rear headrest
out
in the days when you could like
push that little thing
and pull them out leave the outer ones
because that looks quite cool
but take the centre one out because
I had an original A-class Merc
and I would take the centre one out
because I wanted the rear headrest
I also wanted to be able to see something
they were a sign of status
they were
so I think
just knowing it's there
was also
in a broader way
one of the reasons I justified a lot of my behaviour
in the car magazine
early in the day because I'd sit there
and I'd get a fair amount of posts
in those days it was written letters
saying why do you have to drive like a child
and you're always sideways
and I realised that
actually I was just selling a dream
people didn't buy M3
E46 because I said they were good
they knew the car was good
but just seeing one fully sideways
on the cover magazine
tipped them over the edge to make that purchase
I do believe
it was all part of the myth
and I think
if you talk about I just like
I don't use it but I love the fact it's there
that applies to all
performance cars on the road
because you can't use all that performance
but you love the fact that
someone did 0-60 in 2.1 seconds
and it does impact you
but you just like the fact it's there
there's nothing better than being at the traffic lights
and having some bloke come up to you
or a woman next to you and you know
you can take them down unless they're in a sharon
per sport motherfucker
you've got it covered
you don't need to use it
that's another discussion
and maybe
you realise you've finally matured when you
don't use it
I've yet to reach that point if I'm honest with you
but it's all under the same heading
in terms of the
sort of paraphernalia of motoring
as Chris was describing
I mean so much shit I pour
it's quite a joyous thing
I did the usual thing you do
when the spring comes up
you wait for the crocuses to come through the ground
and you
the equinox has changed
and you always head down to Halfords to buy the 7 batteries
for the cars that aren't working
and as you're walking on Halfords
you just buy shit that you don't need
but it's lovely isn't it
I'll never use it but I love the look of it
so
there's lots of love in that question
now we're going to move on to Neil Clifford's
Quick Fire Supercar Quiz
I apologise to anyone
that is a fan of this podcast
and will say
you had that one before on your other list
because of course the other list I've lost
so
it's still fun
please don't complain I've done this on my day off
right
here we go
he only has three a year
no that's Chris Cooper
very good
I'm doing
I've changed his hub a bit
because I'm going up and down
you understand what I mean
F40
Supercar
are you sure it's not at the level above
no because the level above didn't exist
when the car was made
I've got one of those coming too
DB7
manual V12
oh
I think that's a supercar
it's not a supercar
very very interesting question it's not a supercar
that's a really good one okay
it's a GT
yeah
in my head it's a casual
when it was new it was the only car
that people tested against the 550 Maranello
and the 550 Maranello
was when it was launched
considered to be a supercar
was it
V12 manual
this is V12 manual
because by any condition
it's not a supercar
but I think it might have been
considered one when it was new
is it a hot hatch right
Lee managed the way
and that's bullying
okay
it's a coupe
career GT
supercar
okay
Audi R8 V8 manual
supercar
not a supercar
no
it's on the cusp
I've just lost my calibration
manual
can someone plug
into coupe's OBD
press reset
hard reset
I've got three or four more
okay Jaguar
E-Type V12 manual
commemorative edition
I
the last of the E-Type V12
not a supercar
supercar at the time
absolutely a supercar
what was faster than it at the time
yeah nothing
I think it was a British supercar
yeah a British supercar
you might be honest with that
I might have completely lost my
polarity
I think you have
okay
a few more
Lamborghini Espada
oh that's good
hatchback
I fucking haven't got a cleaner
it's gone
why do you think it is a supercar
it's a supercar
just because it's got two seats in the back
it's a supercar
I think it is a supercar
I think it is a supercar
because it's absurd
it's absurd
and absurdity is supercar
okay couple more
here you go
these are on-car and classics aren't they
we're always tempted by these
and the only excitement we'll be buying it
and then the day after will be shit
TVR, Sabira, Silver, Red, Rose
4.2 SE lightweight
Cerbera
is a
no it's a sports car
yeah it can't be a supercar
I mean it had supercar performance
why though just because of price
are we being sort of
egotistical here
it doesn't have supercar performance
doesn't mean it's a supercar
it was a supercar killer
I think actually it was a supercar slayer
and that's why we loved it
so to go around slaying supercars
it couldn't be a supercar itself
doesn't make it one you're right
okay two more
Mercedes SLS GT
final edition
no sports car
I think that's a supercar
I think that is a supercar
no
sports car
it's not fast enough
so it's not
fast enough
it's just got an M15
it's got an M157
it's got a drive sump
156 in it with a different designation
so it's not that powerful
525 horsepower maybe
GT is the final edition anyway
no
it's just camouflage
I was just camouflaging a normal SLS
last one
Honda
Gen 2
NSX R
all
by the time it got to gen 2 no it can't be a supercar
there were lots of things that were more super
the gen 1 of course
I get it it's a bit lighter
I'll just light it
I think this is
a very interesting question
because
someone and I can't say who
someone
on this podcast might
have just invested in a NSX
and they might just be trying to create
a bit more headroom for the value
of ordinary NSXs by proclaiming
or having experts such as
Managed Pandy and Chris Cooper
declare the fact the NSX R is a supercar
and that will then drag up values
of the normal car
I don't know who that person could be
having thought about the imaginary
circumstances you've described
I think that NSX R is
totally a supercar
I tell you what, that NSX R is a hypercar
he's right
and last but not least
918
hypercar
that's the beginning of hypercar
which was the first hypercar
Chiron
Veron
yeah
next week we will be doing
supercar or hypercar
supercar
Chris Cooper will be doing
Grand National Winner
or Goodwood Winner
and we've also got to do
which cheese is a car
I'll do some cheese and cars
do some cheese and cars
right we could do a bit of
F1 newsy stuff
yeah we'll have to do that
Manage anything there for you?
just one small thing caught my eye
Max Verstappen's race engineer
who's also director of engineering
at Red Bull
Jampaleo Lambiasi
is going to McLaren
what's very weird about this
announcement is he'll be going to McLaren
in 2028
exactly
they're negotiating garden leave
I did sort of get that
but I just wonder
I was just going to make
a slightly bigger Red Bull conversation
they've obviously not had
the start that they were
looking for
I don't think the problem is just
the chassis I think
they've created their own power unit
before the season we were all like oh my god
how amazing
three races in were like
if in Max's hands
it's struggling to kind of come
seventh or eighth
and there is something interesting about his driving
he kind of has worked out
how not to overtake someone and then get overtaken
he doesn't like it
so his positions have been fantastically static
in the last couple of races
he won't be overtaking and he will not overtake someone
and I just wondered whether this
Lambiasi will end up
basically
just underneath Andrea Stella
in the pecking order
at McLaren
and
you know
you do wonder whether you're looking at a future
McLaren team principle there
and that is
that's an extraordinary thing
because I remember him as a
race engineer for Daniel Kviat
back in the day
and you know
he's an incredibly impressive
human being
impressively capable
and imagine the scariest job in the world
I think to be
Max Verstappen's race engineer
having Max talk to you in a race
and being cool
and being able to sort of parry him
corner after corner lap after lap
give him a bit of advice
because you never hear or very rarely do you hear Max
sort of tearing up, shout out I know how to drive the car
you know he has a little moments
mostly actually having a go at someone on the road
but
I think he's an incredibly impressive man
I think it's incredibly impressive
of McLaren to tempt him
and I also just wonder on the other side
whether you know teams
have their cycles in Formula 1
and I wonder whether this is a very big deal
because I always wondered
what would happen post-D-Trick
Matterships
and you do wonder
whether sometimes you need somebody who's that powerful
ride at the top
to be able to expedite decisions
keep the whole team together
Adrian's gone
they've lost John Wheatley, they've lost quite a few people
and now Lambiasse feels like
quite a big other piece to lose
but Christian was the one that
won it all
It's interesting actually
Joss has responded to this news
did you hear what Joss said
incredibly kind statement from Joss
who was at rallies we can
here we go
we've known it for a while and we also knew
when it was going to happen he added
so we have another year and a half let's say two years
to work with him it's a huge opportunity
for him and we understand it
we also said you have to do it
you have to see it with both hands
and the rest is up to Red Bull to replace him
oh that's good
it's a good response
growing up and mature
it just shows you know
I think people forget
in the fog of
Joss behaviour
and people do struggle with Joss
I get along well with him
he was a father of a kid
that went into the most cutthroat sport in the world
when he was 17 years old
and this Lambiasse bloke
basically helped his son grow into a young man
so it would have had an incredible impact
on his life I think
so you can imagine the bond is strong
so we don't think this is anything
to do with those I think quite
silly rumours of Max maybe
not staying
I think
I think there's nothing
you're certain at the moment
I think Max is just biding his time
having a look round
and genuinely the bit I do believe
is he doesn't want to do it he won't do it
100%
just don't think he gives a shit
he'll do what he wants to do
question actually
there were a few articles about
you know Max
do you regret
not having taken the opportunity
to go to Mercedes with both hands
had he gone
and had he been at Mercedes this year
do you think he would have been happy
he probably would be winning but I wonder
whether he'd be just as unhappy
or almost as unhappy
he couldn't have gone to Mercedes this year
because he didn't have
yes they could have bought him out of a release
but it wouldn't have been easy
I think there was a spot film this year
this was all being negotiated
14 months ago
do you remember that's why
Russell's contract just kept getting
pushed back
he total left the door open for him
very much
he did
until it became clear that
it wasn't going to be a release
but who knows anything's possible for money
but I think your question is a good one
I don't know
but my sense is
it's entirely possible he just wouldn't be
enjoying it because he doesn't like
to him he doesn't like these cars
but then again
they love winning and Max loves winning
so never underestimate how much racing drivers
love winning
so this job he's gone to in McLaren
he's gone as chief racing officer
which is sort of a new one on me
what's that mean
it creates a job for him haven't they
what does it mean chief racing officer
he's literally subordinate to Andrea
what's the job mean
he's chief of racing
okay
at the track presumably he makes every
single decision
at the track
along with other people that make every single decision
he only decides what to do with racing though
that's how it is
I have to say I do love the way that
we've adopted this sort of
nomenclature of the Americans
we've ever seen
I'll leave this with you
what would the thing you'd be
between the C and the O
chief spreadsheet officer
Mr Cooper or chief
chief hat bag officer
chief creative officer
that's the best one
chief onion barge officer up there
no it's mango and
something quiche
quiche
I would be
chief chaos officer I think
I can't imagine
cco
right let's move on
to
news
has anyone else got any news
news Neil go on
have we noticed
that ncp has gone bust
yes good shout
I thought that was quite
a big thing because
I should have done the research but I haven't
but wasn't this thing created like
before the war
after the war
when all the
bombs and they bought all this thing
and whatever and I think it's a
little bit of our
our card jigsaw
ncp it is
we like that sign
it was a sign of comfort when you
shit it's a cup I can space I'm late
for a meeting and you see a little
ncp and the reason why
I noticed it because I
did see it I think in the ft
or something but I'd sort of forgotten
and I was rushing to a meeting I had to be
in a meeting in central
London and it was going to be longer than
two hours I couldn't park on the bloody street
because the part of London where there's any two hours
and I thought I'd go to the ncp
on Sloan Square
no just on Sloan Street
it's really cool one bloody expensive but
really great little location zipped
in there
got new shutters and men working
on the shutters the shutters went up went
in and normally you press that button
and get the ticket all those machines
have been taking away
and I drive in and a lovely parking guy came
up and said look we're taking over we've only
taken over from today
you've got to pay on that there's the location
go on your park and
your app and pay
but then when you've coming back in
there's no buzzer so just
knock on the door and I'm like what if
you're not there I need to go home
he's like mate
I'm working here 24 hours a day I'll still
be there and he was I came back
three hours later knocked on the door
and got away and I thought that's very sad
ncp have gone
the other the other bit of news which is
sort of very Neil Clifford specific
news is someone
which I noticed on piston heads
which is brilliant
has bought my written off
Bristol fighter yes
yes so
it's like amazing and I wish the guy
all the luck and I've had a little chat
with him and it's all very exciting and they're going to
recreate frankly every bloody
panel was knackered in carbon
fiber wow and they're going
to redesign the front and I said please don't
really design the front that much
because the ugliness was part of its charm
and
actually it was only ugly in photos
a bit like me in real life
I'm not as ugly
I'm sort of the reverse of
a good looking person but so
is a Bristol fighter
so I think we need to give
them all the motivation and help
we do to rebuild that
then there is another one on car and classic
actually the only automatic
just to make even shitter
is put an automatic gearbox in it
but it is in Bristol red metallic
red and by the way
I do have the service history file for sale
I can't believe you're going to try to sell it now
it's unbelievable
you're brutal you are
it'll be like nothing it's a joke
it's like those bastards
that when you get to sort of 20 miles
out of London you're on the London to
ride some bike ride and they're selling
those cooled gel packs
for seats and everyone else's ass is
on fire and they've only got two left
people fighting 50 quid for this gel pack
it should have cooled seats
that should be with the car
that service history of course
good
all right let's move on to our
two car garage
we missed out favourite ugly car
favourite ugly car
bloody hell favourite one
what's your favourite ugly car
he says knowing full well that that was asked
or not
I'm going to go first this time
there's really two
I know what you're going to pick
they both come from the same styling house
I know he's going to
because the wind is in this direction today
I'm going to choose the Aston Martin
V8 Zagato
because I just think it's
utterly magnificent
and I still lust after them now
but whenever I show a picture of one to a friend
that doesn't like cars they go what is that
it looks horrible but I don't think so
I think it's not ugly
it's only ugly to non-car people
we want to understand
my understanding of aesthetics see my dog
I think my dog is the most beautiful dog ever born
but a lot of people don't see it that way
right Chris Cooper
mine comes from a similar place
really
when I
show people the pictures of a car
or explain I've got one
they say oh isn't that quite ugly
I think what's ugly about the
LPN A110
what
people think it's ugly
they do
they do
I do think they do actually I do think so
I don't get it
I don't see it
so
my favourite ugly car
in the eyes of others because I don't think it's ugly at all
I think it's beautifully proportioned
it looks lovely from every angle
doesn't photograph terribly well a bit like Neil
yes
and a Bristol fighter
it's stunning like Neil
and a Bristol fighter
in real life
in real life
manage
I think
it would have to be for me
the how fair said
yeah
the monster
it's the one
it shouldn't
it should be ugly
that's what I'm trying to say
every box is there
should be slightly under wheel
the back is
it's almost bust like
look at the proportions I haven't scratched that
but it's not ugly is it
it's just not ugly
it's a hell of a car
well it is ugly exactly
I didn't understand until I did some research
last year into these things
it was built by Zegato
but it wasn't styled by Zegato
it was styled in house was it
is that okay
the story is
it's like
fag packets behind the dashboards
they had a right laugh making them
okay so Neil Clifford
we've not left you with many places to go have we
oh you've left me with plenty of places to go
thank you
no I'm going to trump a lot of you
obviously it links
into my Bristol fighter story
the Bristol because actually
most Bristol's certainly V8
that's not true actually
409, 1011 were decent
they got uglier in 11
and the 603
was terrible 412
yeah
that really is it's ugly
in the photo it's ugly
in real life
but I think it's absolutely
magnificent and I'm desperate
to find
a good one that's cheap
and I look there isn't such a thing obviously
there are good ones rare
and cheap ones not rare
and cheap ones
very not rare
but I love a Zagato car
you know Anthony Crook
had a lovely relationship with Zagato
right the way back to sort of 403
404 so and he actually
was the concessionaire for Zagato
before he bought Bristol
but I think that car
the roof's a bit
you know the roof bit
is a bit tricky
but I love that square brick
front
and
the dash is
a little bit tricky
most Bristol's
from 411 onwards
I mean
the Britannia and all that
they were really shocking they were like giant Skodas
but to me
when I see one in London
and actually Merlin's got a good
I think 411 or 410
when I see them I'm like
that guy
he's got four aces in his hand
he's trumping everyone
if you're
pooling around in a Bristol
and it hasn't broken down
I think you're a player
I think
I still mesmerised by them because there was a
it's sort of disappeared now but when I was younger
there was a weird
Bristol fraternity in this city where I'm now sitting
and people did have them
and there was a sort of belligerence about
some of the moneyed
areas of society
around Clifton where people would have a Bristol
because they were proud of the name
so I told you guys here
my father's ENT surgeon
had a Bristol and you know there were several parks out here
near where I am right now
they'd be on the street and they'd be massive
and I thought they were normal
it was only when I went I'd go somewhere else
and I'd say well there's none of those funny cars daddy
you go well no one buys them really outside Bristol
because
because they were just proud they were called a Bristol
you can see why in the 70s
even by the 70s or even in the 80s
the Bristol aircraft company
was still
must have been in Bristol
totally revered
and sort of worship because of
the Brabazan
and all those Bristol things and aero engines
and obviously...
I can't go into it now but this city
is a little bit
intent on going back through its history
and ripping itself apart
but the Bristol bit is a really good
point of agreement between all citizens
so there's a whole new railway area
which is called the Brabazan
in fact Brabazan is a safe space word
for everyone because it involves
the people engineering and of course
regardless of your polarity of politics
the one person that really championed
aerospace in Bristol was Tony Ben
so the most left leaning MP
was a huge supporter of Concord ironically
he was, yeah
so actually that's quite a safe
space for Bristolians now it's very interesting
he was the minister
leading that white hot
technology in the 60s
he was, yeah
yeah, yeah
GSL1 as well
here we go
this is a really good two car garage
I really like this two car garage
this is from someone called Charlie
interesting
two car garage suggestion
I know Finley wrote that
two car garage but the budget is in cylinders
you need a day-to-day cruiser
not boring but not scintillating
unless things you wanted to be
room in the boot from Aberdeen, smooth and compliant on the motorway
but not lifeless in the B roads
this should be paired
with a coupe or cab that's fun
for a weekend blast turns the knowing head
to the cars and coffee
and attracts old blokes at petrol stations
performance should be sprightly
but doesn't need to be stratospheric
the budget, this is good
is nine cylinders between the two
carte blanche on the check
very good
it's very good this, Cooper you can go first
so, because I usually cheat
I thought how much of a cheat
compared to my usual standards to say
well I thought it was ten cylinders
and I thought no that completely ruins
the principle of Charlie's
fantastic suggestion
well done sir
so, ignoring a bit about the Labrador
I wonder whether I could choose
a one cylinder motorcycle
and then something eight cylinders
but I don't think the Labrador
would buy that
so, to the everyday cruiser
it said
not scintillating unless you really
want it to be
I think you'd go
for you
for a GR Yaris
that gets you
mathematically
you're in the right place but I'm not sure
everyday car, I think you've been sucked in there
you're putting a Labrador in that
say again
you're putting a Labrador in that
you can put the seat down
it's a Toyota Yaris, it's a family hatchback
it's going to be sick
well only if you drive it
so hold on
so just to be clear
you are referring to the Yaris GR
as a day to day cruiser
correct
I'd love to live in your world
and then the next one
a coupe or cab
it's fun for a weekend blast
turns the heads at cars and coffee
attracts old blokes at petrol stations
performance should be
sprightly but doesn't need to be stratospheric
and I think
in this year
of our great British Jaguar day
at Bister in May
it can only be
a Jaguar E-Type
Series 1.5
that's good
one of those is spot on
I wait to see everybody else's
9 cylinder arithmetic
let's go to Manish first
I'm not very
confident on this round generally
but this time
I have it
I really have it
so my run around
which my Labradoodle
would be very happy in
is a 2009
Alpha 159
black manual
2.4 diesel with 5 cylinders
this is interesting
do you see it
it's a beautiful car
I've got to tell you the interior
on this car
a Labradoodle would be very happy
in that
the interior
looks like this
this is basically
I think the car has been styled at a rock
look at that
look at that
tan leather
that would be my daily
with Labradoodle
5 cylinders leaving me 4 cylinders
and I found
the most beautiful
1956
Austin Healy
100x4
4 speed manual, the Le Mans edition
for a mere 220,000 euros
and I actually
don't think you're going to get
a cuter cabrio
than that
Neil Clifford
7004s had 6 cylinder engines
one didn't, it's not the 3.0
I knew you're going to do that
and it's not
and it's an inline 4
and I have photos of it
just check a bit of housekeeping
what are the coupes
in these particular areas
be very careful what you let through
so 9 cylinders used
very good
you're right to be confident
Neil Clifford
paired with a coupe cabriolet
it's fun for a weekend blast
turning heads with cars and coffee
I am going for the little
it's got a special name
I don't know what it's name is
the little 3 cylinders
azuki engineed catering
clever
clever clever
because
if I read the text
I can't really read the text
anyway it's all you need
in a catering frankly
as we know the littler engine ones
are the best
and it's a little azuki engine
3 cylinders, probably turbo charged
80 horsepower
you can have enormous fun in that
that leaves me
I've got a pretty open goal now
I've got all the money in the world
which is what you need
when you go and look at buying a car
bramley
and
even though he has the best cars
he's never knowingly unsold
but they're the best
and Simon only has brilliant cars
and he always has a magnificent
Mercedes
estate
and I think this one
E320
you know
it's a car you can rock
in monaco
you can rock up anywhere
it's one of those cars
there should be a little chat for us
that defies its value
its status
is royal
and it's got the seven seats
it's got the air conditioning
it's got every option
it's been super well looked after
down at Edward Douda's
spent 15 grand bill
it's only 25 grand actually
I know it's a lot of money for that car
cause you can get really shit ones for less
but this one's probably the best one
60,000 miles
and you can be in Mayfair
you can be in Milan
you can park at Buckingham Palace
you can park wherever you want
Salon Privet, Goodwood
everyone's going to be like
that man knows
so I think that actually
is a thinking man's solution
to that
two car garage
which is probably not going to get beaten
it's a lot of confidence in the panel
I'm saying it really is
you're all strutting about
in slightly tight fitting trousers
with semi-wrecked penises
it's really quite impressive
strutting about
and let me tell you now, it's a warm day
so
slightly confusingly here
I've gone for a car at Brownlee as well
now Simon we have no commercial going with the tool
but at some point you might have to write us a check
cause I'm always choosing cars of his
but I wanted to find
an M3 CS Touring
cause I've gone around in one
and I think it's the best car
really ever at the moment
but you have to have the ceramic brakes
so he's got one with ceramic brakes
so that's six of my cylinders as my everyday car
M3 CS Touring
if you don't choose that, you're a mug
now, I don't want three cylinders
I want two cylinders
sorry, that was your everyday cruiser
smooth and compliant
on the motorways
yes, I live with one
I can assure you, it's very smooth and compliant on motorways
just checking
my coupe
to turn heads, I've got three cylinders left
I only need two
so you basically failed the question then
no, no, I had a budget
of nine, didn't have to use them all
I've used eight
which means, if I need to
I've got one left over for a single cylinder
and the motorcycle, just in case
they want to rag around in the fields
the suggestion that I'm intimated earlier that you laughed at
that's the suggestion
no, no, no, no, because I've covered all bases here
you don't have to use all nine
I've chosen to use eight
I think that's quite
a good choice
those two cars
yeah, you see, ultimately
you know once again
I've just nipped in there at the last minute
BMW Touring
the XL one is what a car
I mean, it's mega
David Power turned up to one when I drove his Mini
I just want one, just a five of this car
right, let's do some music, it's Sunday night
and I want to watch my television program
here we go, so it's, yeah
I'd like a tune from Manish please
for some reason, I found myself
watching a very old
spy film, Billion Dollar Brain
Michael Caine as Harry Palmer
and it's about
a mad billionaire American
who wants to start an uprising
in a foreign country
and basically
almost provokes World War Three
and it's just such
a topical movie
I'd watch it, everything that needs to be said about the world
was said in 1967
when it came out, anyway
the theme tune
or the music was written by
somebody called Richard Rodney Bennett
and the piece of music that you need to listen to
from Billion Dollar Brain is about the girl
it's called Anya
and it's such a haunting
piece of music
like it, like it, are we looking into that
Neil Clifford
Chuck O'Cahn
ain't nobody
if you weren't walking
into a pub in about 85
thinking you were basically
in
simply red
and just feeling the bollocks
and Chuck O'Cahn came on
and you ordered, I don't know what you ordered
snakebite and black
just it was
the 80s for me were brilliant
yeah
also go watch some early Chuck O'Cahn
she watched
yeah
Chris Cooper
I might have chosen this before but I don't care
because I listened to it a bit over the last few days
driving battles of Orthogormul a million times
Heaven 17
temptation
it's just pretty good
good tune
it's good that
I've got, I hate to say it
I'm going to share a piece of popular music
that I listened to in the car the other day
came on the radio and it just made me bop out
and I think this bloke is so talented
he's in the news of it
Bruno Mars
Locked Out of Heaven I just think it's a really
really great pop song
and
his story is quite fascinating but my god is he
talented whatever he does seems to be brilliant
now before we finish Chris Cooper's got a bit
housekeeping to deliver
so we need to say a very very big
thank you
to the very nice Matthew at Penn 9 Cars
based at Bista and the equally
very nice Dan Fiskins
because on Wednesday this week
just gone we had a lovely
day filming I had to pretend to be Chris Harris
it's unfucking
believably difficult to do what Chris does
it is really really hard
I had a 3 second piece to camera
to speak to and I had to do it about 3 million times
so deep
in more respect to Mr Harris
but it was a piece of film we did
to start to showcase the cars
that are coming to the Great British Jaguar Day
at the end of May
beautiful day, lovely weather
and Fiskins brought along one of two
original red
D type short noses
originally told to Peter Flood
all the articles
managed to say it was
sold on by Bernard Charles Eccleton
he might deny it but that's what's in
all the paperwork
I've seen the history file and it's in there
Matthew
from Penn 9
apart from having a wonderful treasure trove of things
in their locker
he brought along an XK120
that's got proper
racing pedal box
limited slip diff
3.8 engine
300 horsepower
it just reminds you why
these cars are fantastic
they said you can't have any tyre squeal
on the bister track
I think I did a lap apart from a little bit in the middle
of the street where all it did was squeal
its tyres
it is just so mega
so to Dan Fiskins who's going to bring along
that Jag and a few other things
Great British Jaguar Day and to Matthew as well
who's going to bring on one of the XJR15s
and some other lovely stuff
thank you very much both of you and to Pip
and to Jack
and Liz and others at Bistermotion for having us
up there on Wednesday, it was wonderful
so we'll show some little snippets of that
in the next few days, so thank you to all of you
We're also
bringing the
one owner from new
Alan Clarke 120
that's still in the family
I think they probably are
so we'll start feeding some of these in
Last piece of housekeeping here
6th of June
is what we're calling the Howl
at Thruxton
live podcast Good Cars
it's a no noise restriction day
these are rare in the UK
so I'll be pushing this a bit harder on the socials
if you've got something loud
if you want to come and bring your GT3
with your fancy open exhaust this is one of the few days
of the year when you can do it
so that's all Ferraris
all Porsches, all Lamborghinis
all Paganes, all this shit that you can't use
when you get black black
you can bring to this day
6th of June
with a live podcast
and some Coleslaw
so have a great week
and we will come and annoy you again
next week, bye bye
this podcast is for you
you'll also hear from skincare experts
we break down lots of myths in the beauty industry
if this sounds like your thing
search for Naked Beauty on your podcast app
and listen along, I hope you'll join us
we have 4 with available all-wheel drive
and let's go
Toyota
find yours at Toyota.com
Toyota
let's go places
A-Cast powers the world's best podcast
here's a show that we recommend
A-Cast helps creators launch, grow
and monetize their podcast
everywhere
A-Cast.com
Request an explanation for:
2 cars
2 cars featured
Request an Explanation
Heard something you'd like explained? We'll add it to this episode.
Sign in to request explanations for terms you heard.
Want to learn more?
Browse our glossary for plain-English explanations of automotive terms, jargon, and concepts.
Help improve this episode
See something that's not quite right? Our annotations are AI-generated and can sometimes miss the mark. Click the flag icon on any annotation to suggest a correction.
Report incorrect info
Suggest better explanations
Flag missing cars