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He's gone and bought one!

He's gone and bought one!

The Tyre Kickers - Classic Cars Jun 26, 2026 31 min
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About this episode

Max kicks things off with “Breaking news, I've bought myself a new car.” Matt waits outside a pub near Evesham as the hosts spot arrivals—first an orange Porsche, then “Now, behind the Porsche is a Blue Rolls Royce.” The reveal turns into a deep inspection and drive: rust checks, service history spreadsheets, and talk of Shadow 2 improvements, brake wear, and steering/air-con quirks. The episode closes with a keeper verdict and a tease about what’s next in the “two year journey to buy a shadow.”

Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Car

1974 Rolls-Royce Corniche

"Rolls Royce Cornish, I think. [103.3s] 1974 Rolls Royce Cornish. [105.3s] It's the one he looked at."
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Car

Porsche 911

"... Blue Rolls Royce. Yeah, there's an orange or red 911. But behind that, I think there's an old man in a..."

The Porsche 911 is a sports car made by Porsche. It’s famous for its recognizable look and performance-focused design. In the podcast, it’s mentioned as a specific car that stands out by color and style.

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Car

Toyota Prius

".... Well, I ordered an Uber, but I was hoping for a Prius. This is very nice, but it's not what I expected."

The Toyota Prius is a car that uses a gas engine plus an electric motor. That helps it use less fuel than many regular cars. The podcast mentions it because the speaker wanted that specific kind of efficient car.

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Term

W-Edge

"It's a Rolls-Royce Silver Shad. It's a W-Edge. [234.2s] It's light blue."

“W-Edge” sounds like a special label for the exact version of the car. On older cars, these labels can mean a particular body style or build setup.

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Caribbean blue

"He'll nerd out in the colour in a minute. [237.7s] Caribbean blue. [238.4s] So after two years of going on and on about this,"

“Caribbean blue” is the name of the car’s paint color. With classic cars, the exact color shade can be a big deal for originality.

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Rolls-Royce Shadow 2
MrWalkr (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Rolls-Royce Shadow 2

"Because it's a Shadow 2. So this is one of the very, very last ones. And the Shadow 2 was a slightly better car."

This is a Rolls-Royce from the “Shadow” generation, and the Shadow 2 is the later, improved version. The speaker likes it because it looks a bit cleaner and drives better—especially the steering.

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Car

Silver Shadow

"And actually, I like the look of the Shadow 2s, because I think they're a slightly cleaner look. There's a bit less kind of gubbins around it. It's a much better drive. And I just think, you know, there's not that many good Silver Shadows around."

The Silver Shadow is the Rolls-Royce model that came before the Shadow 2. The host is basically saying the Shadow 2 is the nicer, cleaner-looking version, and that finding a good Silver Shadow is harder.

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gubbins

"I like the look of the Shadow 2s, because I think they're a slightly cleaner look. There's a bit less kind of gubbins around it."

“Gubbins” just means extra bits and pieces. In this case, the speaker means the Shadow 2 has fewer extra-looking details, so it looks cleaner.

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Concept

dealers website

"It popped up on the dealers website, and I was there within two days, and then I just bought it on the spot,"

The host is describing how the car was found and purchased quickly after it appeared on a dealer’s online listing. For listeners, this is a practical “how it happened” moment: spotting a listing early can be the difference between getting a desirable classic and missing it.

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V8 burble

" [617.4s] This is a setting off. [620.0s] Nice little burble to it. [621.4s] Nice little V8 burble. [623.6s] It's very smooth."

“V8 burble” is the distinctive rumbling/crackling sound a V8 makes. It usually happens when you’re just cruising or easing on/off the throttle, and it’s part of the engine’s personality.

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three-speed auto

"and it's got a big V8 with a three-speed auto so it is a slow car."

A “three-speed auto” is an automatic gearbox with just three forward gears. It’s older technology, so the car often feels less smooth and less efficient than modern automatics with many more gears.

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de-restricted

"So we're coming into a de-restricted now. Floor it."

“De-restricted” means the car has been modified so it’s not as limited as it was from the factory. The engine can usually make more power and feel more responsive after the restrictions are removed.

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kicked down

"All kicked down. It's got kicked down 50, 60."

“Kicked down” is what happens when you push the gas pedal all the way in an automatic car. The transmission drops to a lower gear so the engine can pull harder and the car accelerates more.

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Car

Citroen DS

"The closest thing to driving this car is a Citroen DS because you've obviously got the suspension and the powered brakes steering."

The Citroën DS is known for a suspension system that makes the ride feel smooth and “floating.” The host is saying the other car feels similar—more like gliding over the road than driving a typical modern car.

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camber

"It kind of follows the cambers on the road which is quite unusual. I thought it was pulling to the left"

Camber is how a road slopes sideways. If the car “follows the camber,” it means the road’s sideways slope is pulling the car’s path slightly, so it can feel like it’s drifting even when you’re not steering much.

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super light steering

"it's just following the camber of the roads because it's kind of strange but it's got super light steering. This is all just fingertip touch"

“Super light steering” means the wheel turns with very little effort. That’s handy for parking and city driving, but it can also make the car feel a bit twitchy if the road is uneven.

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turning circle

"It's got a very good turning circle. It's got kind of London taxi turns."

Turning circle is how tight the car can turn—basically how much space it needs to make a U-turn or park. A “very good” turning circle means it’s easier to maneuver in tight city streets.

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London taxi turns

"It's got a very good turning circle. It's got kind of London taxi turns."

“London taxi turns” is a way of saying the car can turn very sharply, like a city cab. It’s meant to describe how easy it is to maneuver in tight streets.

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ticking over

"Right, I'll just park it here. I'll leave it ticking over. I'll put it in part"

“Ticking over” means the engine is just idling while the car is stopped. They’re keeping it running so they can switch drivers and move again.

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Car

Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow 2

"of a new Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow 2 [1046.9s] or Bentley T2 Motor Car."

This is a classic Rolls-Royce luxury car. The host is talking about the paperwork and service records that came with it, and how much it’s cost to maintain over the years.

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service history

"Because I've had quite a few receipts with the car [1057.1s] with the service history, which is going back to..."

Service history is a paper trail of what work has been done on the car. It helps you see whether the car was maintained regularly and lets you estimate what it might cost to keep it going.

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receipts

"Because I've had quite a few receipts with the car [1057.1s] with the service history, which is going back to..."

Receipts are the documents showing you paid for repairs or maintenance. They’re useful because they let you verify what work was done and when.

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miles

"But there's a buck. Oh, there's a buck, is it? [1085.7s] That's over 8,377 miles"

Miles tell you how much the car has been driven. Higher mileage usually means more wear, and it helps explain why maintenance costs might be higher or lower.

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Concept

pre-purchase inspection

"Now, the fact I didn't get it inspected [1319.3s] before I bought it [1320.8s] has been nagging away at me."

A pre-purchase inspection is when a mechanic checks a used car before you buy it. The goal is to find problems early so you’re not stuck paying to fix them right after you purchase.

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Car

1974 Rolls Corniche

"Now, when I was looking at that [1329.2s] 1974 Rolls Corniche a few episodes ago, [1332.3s] I used Oscar Pinder"

The 1974 Rolls Corniche is a classic Rolls-Royce luxury car. People love it for its old-school style and comfort, but it can cost a lot to keep in good condition.

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Company

RR&B Garages

"[1332.3s] I used Oscar Pinder [1333.6s] from specialists RR&B [1335.8s] Garages."

RR&B Garages is a specialist garage the host mentions using for a classic Rolls. Specialists are helpful because they’re more familiar with the common problems on older cars.

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Term

braking zone

"It's my braking zone coming up. Just get over the brow of the hill."

A “braking zone” is just the stretch of road where you start slowing down before a turn. Drivers use it as a timing cue so they brake at the right moment.

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T-junction

"I'll just try it again going into this T-junction. Yeah, there's quite a... quite a rumble there."

A “T-junction” is an intersection shaped like a T. The host is talking about what the car feels like when they’re braking and turning at that kind of intersection.

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rear brakes

"So on the Shadow 2, because I know the rear brakes on the Shadow 1 are the expensive bit, is it the same on the later Shadow 2s?"

“Rear brakes” are the brakes on the back wheels. The host is pointing out that the back brakes are the part that usually costs the most to fix on these cars.

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master cylinder

"as the Shadow 1s have standard master cylinder as a normal cardboard to get the feel on the brake pedal"

The “master cylinder” is the part that turns your foot pressure on the brake pedal into hydraulic pressure. That pressure is what actually makes the brakes work, and it can affect how the pedal feels.

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bonnet

"Pop the bonnet up and do all the inside and the engine bay things and then we'll go outside..."

“Bonnet” just means the front hood of the car. They’re talking about lifting it to look at the engine area and the underside for signs of condition.

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engine bay

"Pop the bonnet up and do all the inside and the engine bay things and then we'll go outside..."

The engine bay is the space under the hood where the engine lives. Looking there can reveal problems like leaks, rust, or sloppy repairs.

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radiant heat

"Yes, it was hot enough in here without the radiant heat of the engine."

Radiant heat is heat you feel from something hot without touching it—like warmth from the engine. It can make the car bay feel hotter during inspection.

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Delco Rimi air compressor

"That is the old Delco Rimi air compressor so no wonder that's noisy."

This is an air compressor from Delco Rimi. It makes pressurized air for some car systems, and if it’s loud, that can mean it’s getting worn out.

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Concept

ramp of truth

"Is it time now for the ramp, the ramp of truth ... because looking underneath the Rolls Royce is where you get a real sense of what it's like."

The “ramp of truth” is a way of saying you learn the real condition of a car only when it’s lifted up so you can see the bottom. That’s where hidden rust or damage is easiest to spot.

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corrosion

"Normally I'll start by looking at corrosion, obviously these cars have quite sharp edges along the bottom ..."

Corrosion is rusting or metal breaking down over time. On older cars, it’s especially important to check the underside because problems there can be hard (and costly) to fix.

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rear valence

"and hence, you know, rots away but this is all nice and tidy along the rear valence section going up to the back of the wheel arches."

The rear valence is a body panel near the bottom of the back of the car. It’s the kind of area that can rust because it’s low to the ground and gets wet and dirty.

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Handbrake cable

"Handbrake cable I mean these are only small things the handbrake cable kind of gaiters split"

The handbrake cable is what connects the handbrake lever to the rear brakes. If it’s exposed or corroded, the handbrake can feel sticky or not work evenly.

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gaiters

"the handbrake cable kind of gaiters split shock absorber bushes are starting to perish, they've got a bit of rusty stains"

Gaiters are protective covers that keep water and dirt away from parts like cables. If they split, the cable area can rust and start to wear out faster.

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shock absorber bushes

"shock absorber bushes are starting to perish, they've got a bit of rusty stains around them. There's no rot"

Shock absorber bushes are rubber mounts that help the shock absorber move smoothly. If they wear out, the suspension can feel looser and the ride/handling can get worse.

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subframes

"corrosion, obviously the subframes on these are so heavy duty it's not like an old"

Subframes are strong metal frames that support parts like the suspension. If they rust badly, it can affect how the car handles and may require serious repair.

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hydraulic pipes

"Again, all your pipes, you've got all this rat's nest of hydraulic pipes for all the height control"

Hydraulic pipes are tubes that move pressurized fluid to parts that need to move or adjust. If they corrode or leak, the system may not work properly.

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height control

"rat's nest of hydraulic pipes for all the height control for the back end and"

Height control is a system that keeps the car’s ride height consistent. On some cars it uses hydraulic parts, so the condition of the lines and components affects how well it works.

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timing chain cover

"yeah, so the [1652.5s] first thing I look for these, I mean these like to [1654.6s] leak oil, at the very front you've got [1656.8s] the front of engine, so [1658.7s] that's the like timing chain [1660.9s] cover, so they like to leak which"

It’s a protective cover at the front of the engine that keeps the timing chain area sealed. If the seal/gasket fails, oil can leak out and make a mess near the front of the engine.

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rocker covers

"it's all [1676.3s] dry up [1676.9s] till the telltale holes [1680.1s] which tells me that the rocker covers aren't [1682.0s] leaking, which I had a look under [1683.9s] the bonnet, it's been put on with"

These are the top covers on the cylinder heads. They keep oil inside; if the gasket hardens or fails, oil leaks out and you’ll see it around the top of the engine.

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rubber gaskets

"which I had a look under [1683.9s] the bonnet, it's been put on with [1685.6s] the new style rubber [1687.5s] gaskets rather than the cork gaskets [1689.4s] so they, you put those on and they don't leak"

Rubber gaskets are sealing parts used under engine covers to prevent oil leaks. In this context, the speaker says the car was fitted with newer-style rubber gaskets, which tend to seal better and resist the heat cycling that makes older gaskets fail.

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cork gaskets

"[1685.6s] the new style rubber [1687.5s] gaskets rather than the cork gaskets [1689.4s] so they, you put those on and they don't leak [1691.9s] whereas the cork ones [1692.9s] the cork expands and contracts and they start leaking"

Cork gaskets are older-style sealing material. Because the engine gets hot and cools down, cork can change shape and eventually stop sealing well, leading to oil leaks.

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steering rack

"the next favourite one is the steering rack, you can see some oil around here, so the oil, the internal seal leaks"

Your steering rack is the mechanism that turns the steering wheel into the movement that actually steers the wheels. If its seals leak, you can lose fluid and the steering can get worse over time.

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internal seal

"so the oil, the internal seal leaks fills up these gaiters ... and if you can hear water inside or oil it means the internal seals are gone"

Inside the steering rack there are seals that keep the steering fluid from leaking out. If that seal fails, you can lose fluid and the steering system can start to deteriorate.

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power steering fluid

"and then you'll have no power steering fluid they don't normally tend to go bang"

Power steering fluid is the fluid that helps your car steer with less effort. If it leaks out, steering can get heavy and you may risk damaging the steering system.

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discs

"and can you see the state of the discs from here"

Here, “discs” means the brake rotors—the parts that the brake pads squeeze to stop the car. Looking at their condition helps you judge brake wear.

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run out and warps

"for run out and warps without taking the wheels off"

Runout means the disc isn’t perfectly straight as it spins, and warps means the disc surface is distorted. Both can cause the brakes to feel shaky or uneven when you stop.

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Part

calipers

"it's got recently new calipers all round by the looks of it"

Calipers are the parts that squeeze the brake pads against the spinning brake disc to make the car slow down. If they’re “new,” it usually means someone has done brake work recently.

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anodized

"they're all anodized modern and new"

Anodized is a protective coating process that helps metal resist corrosion. If brake parts are anodized, it’s usually meant to keep them looking better and lasting longer.

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Part

flexi hoses

"modern and new flexi hoses so it's obviously had a certain amount"

Flexi hoses are the rubbery lines that carry brake fluid to the brakes. New hoses can mean the braking system has been serviced and is less likely to leak or feel “spongy.”

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hydraulic work

"flexi hoses so it's obviously had a certain amount of hydraulic work done before"

Hydraulic work means someone has serviced the brake fluid system. Since the hoses and calipers look new, it suggests the brakes were worked on before.

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Part

pads

"so the pads have the pads have got good thickness on them"

Brake pads are the replaceable parts that press against the brake disc to stop the car. “Good thickness” usually means they still have enough material left for normal braking.

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hydraulics

"but the fact that we're talking about [1794.3s] hydraulics on a shadow and that's pretty much it"

Hydraulics means the car uses pressurized fluid to help run certain functions. If something in that system gets noisy or starts acting up, it can be a sign the pump or related parts may need attention.

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test drive

"[1799.9s] so Oscar we've done the test drive [1801.5s] you've had a look around it, you've had it up on a ramp"

A test drive is when you drive the car yourself to see how it feels and sounds. It helps you catch problems that might not be obvious just by looking at it.

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air con pump

"[1835.7s] bit of a surprise, possibly a new air con pump [1838.8s] well it was a bit noisy on the test drive"

The air con pump helps the air-conditioning system move refrigerant around so it can cool the cabin. If it’s noisy or not working well, it may need replacement.

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