Randy and Alex kick off with a flurry of Bring a Trailer activity, led by a Jim Farley–owned 1972 Pantera (pre-L) that’s drawing big attention and could make for an exciting auction close. They then shift to Alex’s first trip to Japan, where car culture feels unavoidable—tiny kei cars, right-hand-drive oddities, immaculate builds, and even parking habits that seem almost alien to Americans. The watchlist rundown follows: a rare Bill Thomas Cheetah with four-wheel drums, a BMW Z1, multiple esoteric classics, and sequential-VIN 1965 Porsche 911s. They wrap with upcoming BAT events and community shout-outs.
This week on our little podcast, Alex and Randy talk about the Jim Farley Pantera and great PR advice for other auto execs before moving on to Randy's recent trip to Japan. He describes the general automotive vibe there: multi-generational Skylines casually out in the wild, tiny Kei cars everywhere, the cultural norm of backing into one's parking space, Cal-look Beetles, multicolored license plates, Mitsuokas, Tokyo Drift lookalikes, a ride on the bullet train, a visit to the Tamiya model store, and a missed Fast & Furious-themed opportunity (to be remedied next time).
Next up, the pair go over highlights from their watchlists, including a former resident of our very own BaT HQ, some early Subaru love, a Sabrina pull, a matched pair, an odd but compelling boat, and an odd but compelling Cord.
Follow along! Links for the listings discussed in this episode:
"Carly, CEO of Ford Motor Company, FOMO Co., has a Pantera live on the site that he and I chatted about when he was on the BET podcast."
Ford Motor Company is a major car company in the U.S. When someone from Ford is involved in a car story, it often means the car has broader appeal beyond just enthusiasts.
Ford Motor Company is one of the biggest U.S. automakers, and it has a long history of performance and motorsports involvement. In collector discussions, a Ford executive name-drop can signal mainstream attention or unusual cross-over interest in classic cars.
"...Carly, CEO of Ford Motor Company, FOMO Co., has a Pantera live on the site that he and I chatted about whe..."
The Pantera is a sports car model that people collect and talk about. In this episode, it’s mentioned because someone has one listed or featured. That usually means it’s a car enthusiasts recognize and want to see.
The Pantera is a performance car model that’s often discussed in collector circles for its distinctive look and reputation as a serious driver’s machine. In this episode, it’s mentioned in a story about a Pantera being listed or featured, which is why it comes up at all. The key point is that it’s a notable, enthusiast-grade car worth attention on the site.
"What's the bid at? [98.7s] What's the bid at? [99.3s] It is at 130. [101.0s] It ends the day."
A “bid” is the current highest price someone is willing to pay. As more people bid, the price goes up until the auction ends.
A “bid” is the current highest offer in an online auction. On Bring a Trailer, the bid amount is what determines the car’s market interest in real time as the auction approaches the end of day.
"...They fake it.
[214.4s] It's like fake enthusiasm."
“Fake enthusiasm” means pretending to be excited just to look good. They’re suggesting some people act like they love cars, but it might be staged.
“Fake enthusiasm” describes performing interest for appearances rather than having real passion. The segment argues that some auto executives are portrayed as car-lovers through staged experiences, not authentic engagement.
"I was never a partisan for any of the big three and now it's like all I really am interested in is Ford's. It's even retroactive... You know, one last reflection on this, there's always been a little bit of being counterism or a lot, I guess I should say in the big three..."
They mean the major U.S. car companies that have dominated the market for decades. The point is that the speaker used to not care much, but now they’re paying attention to Ford.
“Big three” is shorthand for the three major U.S. automakers: typically General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis/Chrysler (depending on the era). The speaker uses it to frame how brand loyalty and press attention have shifted over time.
"I'm pretty sure when he won the index of performance and that 1100 cc Furman 550.
[336.6s] Anyway, I love stuff like that and car guys do too."
“1100 cc” is the engine size. Bigger numbers usually mean a larger engine, and in racing it often determines which class you compete in.
“1100 cc” refers to engine displacement measured in cubic centimeters (cc). Displacement is a key spec that historically influenced class rules in racing and can correlate with potential power output, though modern engines can vary widely in efficiency and tuning.
"And the Uber you get in and what pulls up, right?
[430.8s] And the Toyota Centuries driving all over the place and the like hierarchy of what's
[436.2s] fancy and what's the every person."
The Toyota Century is a top-tier luxury Toyota in Japan. It’s the kind of car people recognize as “nice and classy,” not flashy.
The Toyota Century is a flagship Japanese luxury sedan known for a traditional, understated design and a strong reputation for comfort and refinement. It’s also a common sight in Japan’s higher-end “everyday luxury” segment.
"Obviously, there's full size stuff too, but the small stuff is everywhere
and everybody backs into their parking space, which just makes me smile.
It's like little stuff that just makes you appreciate life and smiling"
Instead of pulling into a parking spot forward, you reverse into it. People do this because it can make it easier and safer to see when you drive out.
Backing into a parking space is a parking technique where the car reverses into the spot rather than pulling in forward. It can improve visibility when leaving and may reduce the chance of scraping curbs or bumping nearby cars.
"[573.3s] But no, just to rattle some off.
[574.9s] I mean, I told you, I saw like a gold wrapped R34 Skyline, which is crazy.
[579.8s] I saw a HAKO."
“Wrapped” refers to applying a vinyl film over the car’s paint to change its color or finish without repainting. A “gold wrap” is often used to create a metallic or flashy look that can be removed later if the owner wants to revert to the original paint. It’s common on enthusiast cars because it’s customizable and reversible.
"Early skyline base and this guy was cruising underneath an overpass and like sitting up with this awesome posture, right hand drive, no tin on any of the windows."
Right-hand drive means the driver sits on the right side of the car. That’s normal in Japan, so it’s a detail that makes the scene feel authentic. It also changes where the controls are from what many people are used to.
Right-hand drive (RHD) means the driver sits on the right side of the car, which is common in Japan and the UK. The speaker highlights it as part of the “awesome moment,” emphasizing the authentic Japanese street presence. It also affects how the car feels and how it’s driven/parked compared with left-hand-drive markets.
"I don't know if it had one knobbies on it or whatever. If it just feel like everyone I see is like, yes, slammed on once. So this one was very much not high, high sidewall, high ride height."
“Slammed” means the car sits very low. People do it for looks, but it can make the ride harsher and tires wear faster.
“Slammed” describes a car lowered significantly from stock ride height, usually for appearance. It often implies suspension changes (springs/coilovers) and can affect ride quality and tire wear.
"So I saw two cow look Beatles left hand drive. One of them was like candy apple red... Left hand drive cars."
Left-hand drive means the steering wheel is on the left. Since Japan usually has right-hand drive cars, left-hand drive cars feel unusual there.
“Left-hand drive” means the steering wheel is on the left side of the car. In Japan, many cars are right-hand drive, so seeing left-hand drive cars can stand out and often suggests an import or a different market origin.
"And one of them was like primer, like dilapidated, but they were both dropped with it with a tilted rear lid..."
“Dropped” means the car is lowered, typically via suspension changes. In this context, it matches the “cow look” Beetle theme and the enthusiast preference for a low, aggressive stance.
"...with it with a tilted rear lid and a stinger exhaust and the big torque thrust looking wide fives down."
A stinger exhaust is an exhaust pipe that sticks out farther than stock. It usually makes the car look and sound more aggressive.
A “stinger exhaust” is an exhaust system with a long, protruding tailpipe that sticks out beyond the body. It’s often associated with a louder, more aggressive look and sound, and can be a common modification on classic Beetles.
"[754.7s] Yeah.
[755.1s] Big subs in the back, roof rack.
[757.7s] Venetian blinds in the roof."
A roof rack is the thing on top of the car that you can strap luggage or gear to. It can also make the car less efficient and noisier at speed.
A “roof rack” is an aftermarket or factory luggage-carrying system mounted on the roof. On a custom/classic build, it’s often for the look as much as function, but it can add wind noise and slightly hurt aerodynamics.
"So Japanese license plates are cool on everything, right? There's green ones. There's yellow ones. There's black ones. There's white one."
Japan’s license plates come in different colors and styles. People who like cars can spot those differences and tell what kind of vehicle it is.
In Japan, license plates vary by color and format depending on vehicle type and registration category. Enthusiasts often notice these differences because they can signal what kind of car it is (and sometimes how it’s used).
"[929.5s] So that was cool.
[930.8s] We went to the Tamiya model car store.
[933.4s] So it got to geek out on cars there."
They went to a Tamiya store, which is a big Japanese brand for model car kits. It’s the kind of place where car fans can geek out over building and collecting models.
Tamiya is a well-known Japanese hobby brand famous for model kits, including model cars. A visit to a Tamiya model car store is a classic “car geek” stop in Japan because it’s packed with scale kits and related accessories.
"Is it like a flagship store? Okay, cool brand store that they're losing money on. You can tell there's not that many customers."
A flagship store is a brand’s big, fancy main shop. It’s meant to look impressive, even if it doesn’t always make a lot of money.
A flagship store is a brand’s main, high-profile retail location—often designed to look premium and attract attention. In the episode, it’s mentioned as a “beautiful building” that likely isn’t supported by enough sales volume.
"Did you see recently the Lewis Hamilton pictures of him in his F 40? I saw a little during the Japanese GP."
Lewis Hamilton is a famous race driver. When he shows up in a certain car, it usually means that car is getting a lot of attention.
Lewis Hamilton is a top Formula 1 driver, and when he’s spotted with specific cars it often drives attention to those models and brands. In this segment, his Ferrari ownership is used as a hook for car culture.
"They like load you in and some random person in their tuned car, which sounds like a recipe for disaster to me, will go drive you to the movie locations"
A “tuned car” is a car that’s been modified to feel or look better than stock. In this case, they’re joking that using one to drive strangers around could be risky.
A “tuned car” is a vehicle modified beyond stock—often with changes to engine, exhaust, suspension, or software—to improve performance or appearance. The speaker flags it as a potential risk when used as a rideshare-style tour vehicle.
"That's one that I didn't do, but I would like to go back and do. [1108.0s] I would like to go back and do F1."
F1 is the highest level of race car competition in the world. It’s the big international open-wheel racing series.
F1 refers to Formula 1, the top level of international open-wheel racing. In Japan, F1 events are typically tied to major circuits and often include fan experiences and track access.
"Yeah, go over there, whether there's an event happening that you lock into like an F1 race or a driving thing you can do or sport you can attend."
“F1” is the highest level of professional race car driving. The hosts are saying you could plan your trip around a big race event like that.
The phrase “F1 race” refers to Formula 1, the top tier of open-wheel motorsport. In the context of this episode, it’s used as an example of a major racing event you could plan around while in Japan.
"...navigate away from the slot car raceway that is Alps inspired."
A “slot car raceway” is a track for miniature cars that run along a guided slot, typically used for hobby racing. The hosts mention it as a place to visit in Japan, tying it to the broader enthusiast culture around cars and racing.
"But this is the first one that's in kind of the classic coupe shape. It's a street car version."
A street car is set up to be driven on normal roads. In this case, they’re saying this Cheetah is meant for street use, not just track racing.
A “street car” is a vehicle configured for public-road use, as opposed to a race-only car. Here, they’re distinguishing this Cheetah as a street-oriented version in a classic coupe shape, rather than a cut-down roadster built for racing.
"There's a zero mile, actually 65 kilometer, but I'm going to round that down to zero. BMW Z1."
The BMW Z1 is a quirky BMW roadster from the late 80s/early 90s. It’s famous for its unusual door design and it’s being highlighted as a very low-mileage car.
The BMW Z1 is a distinctive late-1980s/early-1990s BMW roadster known for its unusual design and gullwing-style doors that slide into the body. In this segment, it’s referenced as a “watch list” car with extremely low mileage.
"...which was a fun car from the early days of BET that we sold on BET in, I think, 2016. May 31st, 2016, my first day on the job..."
“BET” is the auction website they use. It’s where people bid on cars, and sometimes the same car shows up again later.
Bring a Trailer is the auction platform the hosts refer to as “BET.” When they mention a car “sold on BET” and then “it’s back, bidding,” they’re describing the site’s repeat-auction culture where cars can reappear after prior sales or relistings.
Concept
US ski team Subaru Wag
"But if I could have like a US ski team Subaru Wag from back in the day,"
“US ski team Subaru Wag” is a reference to a specific enthusiast fantasy: a Subaru wagon associated with U.S. ski-team branding/era. It’s essentially shorthand for the kind of period-correct, lifestyle-oriented build that collectors chase—car + identity + era.
"But the Brat is iconic, and you rarely find them in good shape."
The Subaru Brat is an old Subaru that’s kind of like a small pickup, but with a very unique style. People like it because it’s rare to find one that’s still in good condition.
The Subaru Brat is a quirky 1970s–80s-era Subaru pickup/utility vehicle known for its compact size and rugged, outdoorsy vibe. It’s especially popular with collectors because clean examples are uncommon, and it has a distinct look compared with typical pickups.
"Did you see the Nash Healy Le Mans with a V8?
Do they all have V8s?"
A V8 is an engine with eight cylinders. It usually means more power and a distinctive sound. When people ask if a car has a V8, they’re really asking what kind of performance it’s built for.
A V8 is an engine with eight cylinders arranged in a “V” shape. It’s commonly associated with strong low- to mid-range power and a distinctive sound, which is why it comes up when discussing classic performance cars. Whether a specific model uses a V8 can dramatically change its performance and rarity.
"And then he found the next VIN and decided he had to buy it.
And now he's selling both of them together."
A VIN is like a car’s unique ID number. It helps prove exactly which car you’re talking about and lets people verify its history.
VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) is a unique code assigned to each vehicle. In collector-car circles, VINs are used to confirm exact ownership history, build details, and authenticity—especially when tracking down a specific car after finding one already listed.
"That means they will have clay barred the finish without a doubt.
Yeah, yeah.
It's unfortunately a repaint,"
Clay bar is a step where you rub a special clay over the paint to pull off tiny dirt and grime that normal washing can’t get. It helps the paint feel smooth and look shinier.
Clay bar detailing is a process where a special clay removes embedded contaminants from a paint surface—things like industrial fallout and overspray that washing alone can’t remove. It’s commonly followed by polishing and waxing/sealing to restore smoothness and gloss.
"There was a really good C5 Corvette non-Z06 hard top, [2460.2s] fixed roof coupe. [2461.0s] Those are very hard to come by in nice shape."
A C5 Corvette is a specific generation of the Chevrolet Corvette, built in the late 1990s and early 2000s. People like it because it’s a real performance car, but it’s not as rare or expensive as some newer Corvettes.
A C5 Corvette refers to the fifth-generation Chevrolet Corvette (1997–2004). It’s a popular “sweet spot” era because it offers modern Corvette performance and styling compared with older generations, while still being relatively attainable.
"That's live right now? No, sold for 26 grand. 26 grand. I think it's kind of a bargain for like the nicest one around."
That means the car ended up selling for about $26,000. Auction prices like this help show what similar cars are actually worth.
“Sold for 26 grand” is the final auction price (in thousands of dollars) paid for the car. On Bring a Trailer, the sale price is a key data point for gauging market value based on condition, desirability, and how the bidding played out.
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