About this episode
Joe Berry, the creative producer behind Grand Tour and other major automotive media, breaks down what it really takes to make global car content—plus the chaos when it doesn’t go to plan. He digs into why British sensibilities shaped Top Gear/Grand Tour’s humor and authenticity, shares his own path from TV production to joining the show, and explains the logistics behind the iconic opening sequence. The conversation also includes a harrowing Switzerland hill-climb crash story, then pivots to what makes modern car videos work online, leading to Cars and Bids’ new channel Key.
It’s That Car Show, and today we’re joined by our pal Joe Berry, the guy behind some of the wildest, most ambitious automotive films ever made. We’re talking The Grand Tour, Top Gear, Petrolicious, and now Cars & Bids’ new channel, Key.
Joe peels back the curtain on all of it... from the legendary Grand Tour opening sequence to the insane logistics behind global shoots, to the moments when things didn’t exactly go to plan… including "that" Rimac crash.
We also get into the DNA of great car content: how British sensibilities shaped the genre, what it was like working with Clarkson, Hammond, and May, and why authenticity still matters more than anything else.
Joe’s the real deal. He's cool as hell, insanely talented, and full of stories you’ve never heard before.
It’s Joe Berry, and it’s That Car Show.
@joeberry
@keycarculture
@carsandbids
@thatcarshowpodcast
@d9nnyp
@lindseymjesch
@ryanbahrke
The Grand Tour
"some of the most ambitious automotive shows ever made. Joe Barry is a creative producer and filmmaker who worked on the Grand Tour and was involved with producing some of the show's car focused films"
The Grand Tour is a popular car show made by the same people behind Top Gear. It’s famous for big-budget car stories and filming around the world.
The Grand Tour is a major automotive TV series created by former Top Gear hosts. It’s known for high-production car reviews, challenges, and international filming, which helped shape modern automotive entertainment.
Motor Trend
"writing for Top Gear America, producing content with Motor Trend, and giving a well rounded perspective on the evolving automotive media landscape."
Motor Trend is a well-known car magazine/website that publishes car reviews and automotive news. Working with them usually means creating content for a big audience.
Motor Trend is a long-running automotive media brand that covers new cars, reviews, and industry news. Producing content for it typically involves both editorial standards and large-audience reach.
speeding ticket
"And you've usually picked up either a flat tire or a speeding ticket or, you know, whatever."
A speeding ticket is a penalty you get when you drive faster than the speed limit. It’s basically a warning that you were going too fast and you’ll have to pay a fine.
A speeding ticket is a fine issued when a driver exceeds a posted speed limit. It’s relevant here because it highlights how driving conditions and routes can lead to unwanted legal trouble.
flat tire
"And you've usually picked up either a flat tire or a speeding ticket or, you know, whatever."
A flat tire means your tire’s gone soft or fully deflated. It usually happens from hitting something sharp, and it can leave you stuck on the road until you change it or get help.
A flat tire is when a tire loses air pressure, usually from a puncture or sidewall damage. It’s a common roadside issue that can turn a normal drive into a stressful delay, especially on long trips.
Formula One
"But it's more, it's more, you know, the other great love was growing up [545.4s] with Formula One and Formula One. [549.3s] I don't think it does any more."
Formula One, or F1, is the highest level of open-wheel race car competition. Teams build very advanced race cars, and the sport has a huge fan base—especially in the UK.
Formula One (F1) is the top tier of international open-wheel racing, known for highly engineered cars and strict technical rules. It’s a major part of motorsport culture in the UK and Europe, shaping engineering talent and racing technology.
Top Gear
"So yeah, I think F1, I think Top Gear, I think, you know, all the great magazines we've had, Evo, Auto Express, and, you know, all the people that"
Top Gear is a famous car TV show from the UK. It’s known for entertaining car tests and challenges that got a lot of people interested in cars.
Top Gear is a long-running British automotive TV show that helped popularize car culture globally. Its format—reviews, challenges, and celebrity segments—made it a major platform for car enthusiasts and journalists.
F1
"So yeah, I think F1, I think Top Gear, I think, you know, all the great magazines we've had, Evo, Auto Express, and, you know, all the people that"
F1 is Formula 1, the biggest kind of race car competition in the world. Teams build super-advanced cars and race them on tracks around the globe.
F1 refers to Formula 1, the top tier of open-wheel racing run by the FIA. It’s known for cutting-edge engineering, strict technical rules, and high budgets that drive rapid tech development.
Jaguar
"So being British, my, my, my father's a big Jaguar guy, Jaguar, that is Ryan. I'll hear that. That's right. I can't say it that way to save my life, but I'm with you."
Jaguar is a British car brand that makes luxury cars, and it also has a racing background. Here, it matters because the speaker’s dad is a big fan, and that’s how they bonded over cars.
Jaguar is a British luxury automaker known for performance-oriented models and a strong motorsport heritage. In the segment, it’s central because the speaker’s father is a “Jaguar guy,” shaping their shared interest in cars.
Jackie Stewart
"I remember didn't Jackie Stewart have an involvement? Is that right? I didn't know that."
Jackie Stewart is one of the most famous Formula 1 drivers ever. When someone brings up his involvement, it usually means there’s an important historical connection in F1.
Jackie Stewart is a legendary Formula 1 driver and later a team/series figure. Mentioning his involvement signals that the conversation is touching on motorsport history and how prominent figures connected to teams or projects.
Jaguar XKR
"before again, my dad, we were, we were washing his, uh, Jaguar XKR. [1407.3s] Um, one Sunday afternoon. [1409.8s] Quality vehicle. [1410.5s] Yeah. [1410.7s] Lovely car."
A Jaguar XKR is a sporty Jaguar that’s meant to feel fast and comfortable. The speaker is saying it’s a nice car, but the current price makes them a little nervous.
The Jaguar XKR is a performance-focused model from Jaguar, built around a powerful supercharged engine and a grand-touring feel. In the transcript, it’s mentioned as a “quality vehicle,” which signals it’s a desirable car even if the speaker thinks current pricing can be a red flag.
CVs
"I've put in over a hundred CVs resumes into, into every sort of, you know, TV position I could find and nothing came of it."
“CVs” means a job application document—basically your resume. In the UK, people often use the term “CV” instead of “resume.”
“CVs” is short for curriculum vitae, a resume-style document used in the UK and many other countries. It’s typically more detailed than a standard one-page resume and is used when applying for jobs.
CV
"like nothing, that's a hell of a CV, it was, it was eclectic, let's call it that."
“CV” usually means your resume. It’s the document you send to show your experience, and here they’re saying it helped get them the job.
“CV” here means a curriculum vitae, essentially a resume used for jobs. In this context, they’re talking about how impressive or “eclectic” the CV was and how it influenced the hiring decision.
cover letter
"However, he then folded the, the cover letter back to the front and, and, and so yeah, that had a nice little little,"
A cover letter is a message you send with your resume. It helps explain why you’re a good fit, and in this story it’s what helped them stand out.
A cover letter is a short letter you submit with your CV to explain why you want the job and highlight relevant experience. The speaker emphasizes that the cover letter content—especially their stated passion—was a key factor in getting hired.
car show
"I was definitely one of those who was like, this is weird. We're a car show, can't we just do, you know, this week on the grand tour?"
A car show is an event where people bring cars to display them and talk about them. Here, they’re saying they expected a normal car-show style segment, not something more chaotic or entertainment-focused.
A “car show” is an event where cars are displayed and showcased, often with themed activities and media coverage. In this context, the speaker is contrasting a traditional car-show format with something more like a TV segment or stunt.
Aston Martin DB11
"...ne where we went to Italy and pratted around in a DB11 and we got Richard a Hellcat, Charger Hellcat, I..."
The Aston Martin DB11 is a luxury sports car made for comfortable, fast driving over longer distances. People talk about it because it’s designed to feel special and drive smoothly, not just go fast in a straight line. In the podcast, it’s mentioned as the kind of car you can enjoy on a trip.
The Aston Martin DB11 is a luxury grand tourer (a fast, comfortable long-distance car) known for its styling and high-end driving experience. It’s discussed in the podcast because the hosts “pratted around” in one during a trip, which is a common way these cars get attention—luxury plus performance in real-world travel. The DB11 also represents Aston Martin’s modern approach to combining everyday usability with supercar-level capability.
Dodge Charger
"...d around in a DB11 and we got Richard a Hellcat, Charger Hellcat, I think, was it a Charger? And that was..."
The Dodge Charger is a car that’s built for performance, with a sporty, powerful engine in many versions. People talk about it a lot when they mention the really fast “Hellcat” style models. It’s basically a muscle car you can drive day to day.
The Dodge Charger is a full-size American muscle sedan that’s known for strong performance and a long-running history in the brand’s lineup. In a podcast context, it comes up when discussing high-powered trims like the Hellcat, which are often used to highlight how far modern muscle cars can go. It’s a natural topic because it blends everyday usability with dramatic acceleration.
FIA
"Therefore, FIA sanctioned hill climbs they absolutely love. And this was an FIA sanctioned one, the guys that we were speaking to, the guys that I made contact with were like proper sanctioned FIA guys and whatever."
The FIA is the organization that oversees and sets rules for a lot of international racing. If an event is FIA-related, it’s typically run under recognized standards.
FIA stands for Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile, the international organization that governs many forms of motorsport. When something is FIA-related, it generally means standardized rulemaking and official oversight for competition.
on standby
"So we'd gone back and asked Andy and the guys if we could sort of put the local, wasn't that local, but the local air ambulance on standby. And now they weren't going to be on standby..."
It means the emergency team is ready and waiting, just in case they’re needed. They’re not doing anything until an incident happens, but they can jump in fast.
“On standby” means emergency services are positioned and ready to respond immediately, but they’re not actively treating anyone at that moment. In events, organizers may pay for this coverage to reduce response time if something goes wrong.
air ambulance
"So we'd gone back and asked Andy and the guys if we could sort of put the local... the local air ambulance on standby... And in this case where we'd paid extra to have this, this air ambulance like put on standby or whatever."
An air ambulance is a helicopter that can take a seriously injured person to medical care quickly. It’s used when time matters and driving would take too long.
An air ambulance is a medical helicopter or aircraft used to transport patients quickly, often when ground travel would be too slow. Event coverage with an air ambulance is typically about rapid response for serious injuries.
jaws of life
"you've always got a couple of guys, a couple of trained firefighters, jaws of life, you know, medical apparatus, you always have that on a big, on a big car show..."
“Jaws of life” are heavy-duty rescue tools firefighters use to cut open a wrecked car. They help free people who are trapped inside.
“Jaws of life” is a common nickname for hydraulic rescue tools used by firefighters to cut into wrecked vehicles. They’re designed to spread, cut, and remove metal so trapped occupants can be reached.
staggered runs
"But yeah, the boys would go up one, two, three staggered, 20s, 15, 20 seconds in between them."
Staggered runs mean the cars go up one after another with a gap. It’s safer and helps prevent cars from catching up to each other.
Staggered runs are when cars are sent up the course with a time gap between them rather than all at once. This reduces traffic on the course, improves safety, and helps officials manage incidents without multiple cars arriving at the same time.
hill climb
"And what we were doing, because it was like a, obviously it's with the, with the being a hill climb, it was a one way system, one way hill from start to finish."
A hill climb is a motorsport event where cars race against the clock on an uphill course, usually from a start line to a finish line. Because it’s typically one-way and narrow, event logistics like traffic control and safety marshaling are especially important.
pace car
"And so what we'd been doing all day was the boys go up. I was following behind them in like a pace car kind of thing."
A pace car is like a lead car that sets the pace for other cars. It helps keep everyone spaced out and moving in an orderly way.
A pace car is used to control the flow of vehicles by setting a steady speed and spacing. In motorsport or hill-climb events, it helps keep cars from bunching up and can make it easier to manage traffic around the course.
Rimac
"And, and yes, I'm running down and what's interesting is the Rimac, which was an awesome car and I had to foster that relationship..."
Rimac is a company that makes very fast electric cars. The host is saying they had to convince people the car was real and then helped get one onto the show.
Rimac is a Croatian electric-vehicle company known for high-performance EVs and advanced battery/e-motor technology. In the segment, the speaker references a Rimac car as a major, attention-grabbing presence at the show.
authenticity and creativity
"...What is it that makes good car content... It's, gosh, it's authenticity and it's creativity, right?..."
The speaker identifies two key ingredients for great car content: authenticity (real enthusiasm, real people, real experiences) and creativity (a fresh angle or storytelling approach). This is a content-creation concept rather than a technical car term, but it’s central to how they evaluate “good car content.”
Cars and Bids
"...Yeah, so Cars and Bids auction channel, auction site, obviously, for enthusiasts Cars, founded by Doug DeMuro five, six years ago..."
Cars and Bids is a website where car enthusiasts can buy and sell cars through auctions. It’s popular because it’s tied closely to the YouTube “car community.”
Cars and Bids is an online auction platform aimed at car enthusiasts. It’s known for content-driven listings and a community that overlaps heavily with YouTube car culture.
car culture
"...for a sister channel, which could go a little bit deeper into car culture, and the people behind the Cars..."
“Car culture” means the community and stories around cars, like why people love certain cars and how the scene works. It’s more than just specs and model numbers.
“Car culture” refers to the broader community and stories around cars—people, history, events, and motivations—not just specifications. The speakers contrast it with content that focuses only on technical trim-level differences.
trim levels
"...not into like, the different trim levels of the, you know, whatever, Chrysler, Neon, or whatever..."
Trim levels are the different “packages” a car can come in. They change what features you get, like tech, comfort items, and sometimes engine choices.
Trim levels are different versions of the same model that vary by features, equipment, and sometimes powertrain options. The segment notes they don’t want to focus only on trim-level comparisons.
JDM
"...a plotted history of JDM in America, like Japanese cars in America from the first ever car that was imported here..."
JDM means “Japanese cars made for Japan.” People use it to talk about Japanese models that became popular with enthusiasts outside Japan.
JDM stands for Japanese Domestic Market. It refers to cars that were originally sold in Japan, and later became popular in other countries for their design, engineering, and motorsport heritage.
Porsche
"And he has a daughter who just started working at Pecla at the Porsche Experience Center in LA. So there's that."
Porsche is the car brand being referenced here. They’re talking about a Porsche location/event connected to the Porsche Experience Center.
Porsche is the automaker behind the Porsche Experience Center mentioned in the segment. The discussion uses Porsche as the anchor brand for the community and the event-related context.
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