A lively discussion unfolds as the crew reflects on their recent adventures, including an off-road rally to SEMA and the chaos of the automotive trade show itself. Dan shares his thrilling experience navigating the desert in a convoy, while Lindsay and Ryan reminisce about their own automotive journeys. The episode dives into the unique charm of various Ford models, debates the merits of electric vehicles, and explores the concept of ideal two-car solutions. With humor and camaraderie, the hosts engage in nostalgic car talk, making it a fun listen for any automotive enthusiast.
This week, it’s a That Car Show crew show and the gang’s all here. Dan survived an off-road trip across the desert from LA to Las Vegas, only to be held captive in a dark tunnel and tortured by one of Elon Musk’s foot soldiers. Lindsey pitches some two-car solutions that somehow don’t involve a Pontiac Aztec and I’m still mad about losing car bingo back in 1986. We fire up the ol’ time-traveling DeLorean, too… this time, to visit the Ford showrooms of yore. What does peak Ford mean to you? I bet you’ll never guess where we end up. And no, it’s not 1908. Do us a favor and make sure that you are subscribed to That Car Show on your platform of choice and take a minute to leave a rating and a review. Tell your friends. Tell your enemies. It’s That Car Show.
Sheffield Watches: sheffieldwatches.com and @sheffield_allsport_watches
Drake Motorcars: drakemotorcars.com and @drakemotorcars
"But SEMA obviously is the world's biggest automotive trade show. It takes place once a year in our favorite place, Vegas."
SEMA is a big car show in Las Vegas where companies show off new car parts and custom cars. It's a place for car lovers to see what's new in the automotive world.
SEMA stands for the Specialty Equipment Market Association, which hosts the world's largest automotive trade show annually in Las Vegas. It's a key event for automotive enthusiasts, showcasing the latest in aftermarket parts, accessories, and custom vehicles.
Car
Land Defenders
"...ks that have got all the setup to people in stock defenders and Lexuses. Lexuses or Lexi? We're going to go ..."
The Land Rover Defender is a tough car designed for driving on rough roads and in the wilderness. It's famous for being able to handle tough conditions, making it popular among people who love outdoor adventures.
The Land Rover Defender is a rugged off-road vehicle known for its durability and capability in challenging terrains. It has a rich history dating back to the 1940s and has become an iconic symbol of adventure and exploration.
"So rugged radios had sponsored it and given us radios. So the whole convoy was talking to each other as we were kind of taking this trip. It was, I was a passenger in a modified F-150. So almost like a pre-runner trophy truck type thing."
The Ford F-150 is a popular pickup truck that can be used for many purposes, like hauling things or going off-road. It's well-liked because it's strong and can handle tough jobs while still being comfortable to drive.
The Ford F-150 is one of the best-selling pickup trucks in the United States, known for its versatility, power, and capability. It is often used for both work and leisure, making it a favorite among truck enthusiasts.
"...the car that did the best in that specific thing, apart from the pre-runner, was a stock defender on Steelys. Really? So... Well, how timely."
The Land Rover Defender is a tough vehicle designed for off-road driving. It's popular for adventures and can handle rough terrains well.
The Land Rover Defender is a rugged off-road vehicle known for its durability and capability in challenging terrains. It's often used in adventure and off-road situations due to its strong build and four-wheel-drive system.
"...was it like a dune, basically? Like a sand dune? Yeah, like a big steep sand hill."
A sand dune is a big hill made of sand, usually found in deserts. They're formed by wind and can be fun to drive on with the right vehicle.
A sand dune is a hill of loose sand formed by wind or water flow. They are commonly found in deserts and coastal areas and can vary in size and shape. Off-road vehicles often navigate these terrains during recreational activities.
"...you develop more of a camaraderie. So, you know, imagine if you're doing a, I don't know, a track session or you're doing a rally..."
Camaraderie is the feeling of friendship and trust that develops when people go through experiences together, like adventures.
Camaraderie refers to the mutual trust and friendship among people who spend a lot of time together, often developed through shared experiences, such as adventures or challenges.
Car
Jeep 392
"...there was like three, 392 Jeeps. Is it 392? It's the ones with the Hemi engines where they're like, this is the last version of it..."
The Jeep 392 is a version of the Jeep Wrangler that has a strong V8 engine, making it great for off-roading.
The Jeep 392 refers to a variant of the Jeep Wrangler that features a powerful Hemi V8 engine, providing enhanced performance for off-road driving.
"...It's the ones with the Hemi engines where they're like, this is the last version of it..."
A Hemi engine is a powerful type of engine that helps cars go faster and perform better, often found in muscle cars and trucks.
A Hemi engine is a type of internal combustion engine with a hemispherical combustion chamber, known for its efficiency and power output, commonly used in high-performance vehicles.
The Subaru Brat is a small pickup truck made by Subaru. It has a distinctive look and is popular for its usefulness in outdoor activities.
The Subaru Brat is a compact pickup truck produced by Subaru from 1978 to 1994. It is known for its unique design and versatility, often appealing to outdoor enthusiasts and those looking for a small utility vehicle.
"...Leah Block had her GR Corolla. Incidentally, Ryan, are you missing yours? I think I've thought about it daily..."
The Toyota GR Corolla is a sporty version of the regular Corolla that has been upgraded for better performance. It has a powerful engine and special features that make it fun to drive.
The Toyota GR Corolla is a high-performance version of the standard Corolla, developed by Toyota's Gazoo Racing division. It features a turbocharged engine, all-wheel drive, and sport-tuned suspension, making it a popular choice among enthusiasts for its agility and performance.
"...I don't want to go drive the Type R Civic in all its competition. Sorry. So Leah's car was..."
The Honda Civic Type R is a faster, sportier version of the regular Honda Civic. It has a stronger engine and better handling, making it more exciting to drive.
The Honda Civic Type R is a high-performance variant of the Honda Civic, known for its sporty design, powerful turbocharged engine, and advanced handling capabilities. It is often regarded as one of the best hot hatches on the market.
"there. She's modifying a GR Corolla. So a couple of the Ken Block cars. So the 43 Institute were"
The GR Corolla is a sportier version of the regular Toyota Corolla. It has a more powerful engine and better handling, designed for people who enjoy driving fast and want a fun car.
The Toyota GR Corolla is a high-performance version of the standard Corolla, developed by Toyota's Gazoo Racing division. It features a turbocharged engine and sport-tuned suspension, making it suitable for enthusiasts looking for a compact car with racing pedigree.
"So a couple of the Ken Block cars. So the 43 Institute were there, which is great. They do great work."
Ken Block was a famous rally driver and car enthusiast who made entertaining videos showing off his driving skills. He created unique cars and inspired many people in the car community.
Ken Block was a professional rally driver and entrepreneur known for his innovative driving videos and unique car builds. His work has significantly influenced car culture and motorsports, particularly through his Gymkhana series.
"They're obviously a charity in Ken's name. And then you just go through different halls with different, it's a bit geeky."
The 43 Institute is a charity created in honor of Ken Block. It helps support different causes, especially those related to cars and racing.
The 43 Institute is a charitable organization founded in memory of Ken Block, focusing on supporting various causes and initiatives related to motorsports and automotive culture.
"there's a whole hall on tyres. And all it is is different tyre companies. And they might have a show car or two, which is pretty cool."
Tyres are the round rubber parts that go on cars, helping them grip the road and support the weight of the vehicle. Different types of tyres are made for different weather and driving styles.
Tyres are the rubber components that provide traction and support for vehicles. They come in various types and specifications, tailored for different driving conditions and performance needs.
"They launched the new RAV4 GR edition, which doesn't have a, it's not a fully blown GR. So I think they call it GR edition or something. So in essence, it's a RAV4."
The Toyota RAV4 GR Edition is a sportier version of the RAV4 SUV. It has some upgraded features for better handling and looks, like a rear spoiler, but it uses the same engine as the regular RAV4.
The Toyota RAV4 GR Edition is a sportier variant of the popular RAV4 SUV, featuring enhancements like a unique suspension setup and aesthetic upgrades such as a rear spoiler. However, it retains the standard engine found in the regular RAV4.
"Was it the Mitsubishi Pajero or whatever? Yeah. You know, it's good enough for the RAV4 GR."
The Mitsubishi Pajero is a type of SUV that is built for off-road driving. It's known for being tough and reliable, making it a good choice for adventures.
The Mitsubishi Pajero is a mid-size SUV known for its off-road capabilities and rugged design. It has been popular in various markets for its reliability and performance in challenging terrains.
"...mmer. The one that I really liked was they did an F40 and completely modernized the F40 and that looke..."
The Ferrari F40 is a famous super-fast car that was made a long time ago. It's loved by car fans for its speed and special design, and it's considered one of the best Ferraris ever made.
The Ferrari F40 is a legendary supercar known for its raw performance and minimalist design, produced in the late 1980s and early 1990s. It was one of the last cars personally approved by Enzo Ferrari and remains a symbol of automotive excellence.
"So which, which Hummer model did they modify? It was like a civilian H3. Is that the tiny one, right?"
The Hummer H3 is a smaller version of the Hummer brand's SUVs. It's designed for off-road driving but is more compact than the larger models.
The Hummer H3 is a compact SUV that was produced from 2005 to 2010. It is known for its rugged design and off-road capabilities, but it is smaller than the original H1 and H2 models.
"...think I should not send you a picture. That was a golf, a golf colored RWB. And the next to that was Jo..."
The Volkswagen Golf is a small car that is easy to drive and great for everyday use. It's known for being reliable and fun to drive, making it a popular choice for many people.
The Volkswagen Golf is a compact car that has been a staple in the automotive market since the 1970s, known for its practicality, performance, and European styling. It has a loyal following and is often praised for its driving dynamics.
"His friend has got a Violet 355 convertible. Nice. Nice. That's Violet. And what did you think of it in that color?"
The Ferrari 355 is a fast and stylish sports car made by Ferrari. It has a powerful engine and is loved by car enthusiasts for its looks and performance.
The Ferrari 355 is a sports car produced by Ferrari from 1994 to 1999. It is known for its sleek design and high performance, featuring a mid-engine layout and a V8 engine that delivers an exhilarating driving experience.
"...driving from Denver to Milwaukee in a Genesis, a GV70. It's the 3.5. So it's the six cylinder..."
The Genesis GV70 is a luxury SUV made by Genesis, known for its comfort and stylish design. It's a good choice for those looking for a premium vehicle.
The Genesis GV70 is a luxury compact SUV that offers a blend of performance and comfort, featuring a stylish design and high-quality interior materials.
"...I really like the G 90 sitting on the big, you know, massage seats..."
The Genesis G90 is a large luxury car known for its comfort and high-end features. It's designed to compete with other luxury brands like BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
The Genesis G90 is a full-size luxury sedan that offers advanced technology, a plush interior, and a smooth ride, competing with brands like BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
"...you throw, you know, automotive bingo on top of it. It's amazing any of us survived. So right. This feels oddly specific..."
The Volkswagen Dasher is a small car made by Volkswagen in the late 1970s and early 1980s. It was popular for being affordable and good on gas.
The Volkswagen Dasher is a compact car produced by Volkswagen in the late 1970s and early 1980s. It was known for its practicality and fuel efficiency during a time when compact cars were gaining popularity in the U.S.
"...Tesla has started to do car rentals for $60 a day..."
Car rental is when you pay to use a car for a short time, like a few days. It's useful for people who need a car but don't want to buy one.
Car rental refers to the service of renting a vehicle for a short period, typically ranging from a few hours to several days. This service is often used by travelers or those who need a vehicle temporarily.
"Drake Motor Cars is Denver's premier destination for exactly the kinds of vehicles that we like here at that car show. Think Velocity Broncos, Audi RS6s, Acura NSXs, and air cooled Porsches."
Drake Motor Cars is a car dealership in Denver that sells special and luxury cars.
Drake Motor Cars is a dealership located in Denver, specializing in high-end and enthusiast vehicles.
"... ever in this lift car. It was a brand new Tesla Model 3 with white seats. And I'm thinking, that's how I ..."
The Tesla Model 3 is a fully electric car that doesn't need gas. It's known for being fast, having a long battery life, and featuring cool technology like autopilot, which helps with driving.
The Tesla Model 3 is an all-electric sedan that has gained attention for its impressive range, performance, and advanced technology features. It represents a significant step towards sustainable transportation and has become a popular choice among electric vehicle enthusiasts.
"... believe it's a great product. You know, the, the Polestar 2 that we had was built in China. And so obviously..."
The Polestar 2 is a new electric car that looks great and has a lot of modern technology. It's designed to be fun to drive and is part of a growing trend of eco-friendly vehicles.
The Polestar 2 is an all-electric performance sedan from Volvo's performance brand, known for its stylish design and advanced technology. It aims to compete with other electric vehicles while offering a premium driving experience.
"...I don't want to call it the Model 3, but Polestar 3 rather than the 4 and I think a 5..."
The Polestar 3 is a new electric SUV that Polestar is planning to release. It's designed to be a stylish and high-performance vehicle for those interested in electric cars.
The Polestar 3 is an upcoming electric SUV from Polestar, designed to offer a blend of performance and luxury. It aims to expand Polestar's lineup and appeal to a broader audience looking for electric vehicles.
"I think a Polestar is a great car. So, you know, it'll be really kind of sad if they go away in the US."
Polestar is a brand that makes electric cars, originally part of Volvo. They focus on creating high-performance electric vehicles.
Polestar is an electric performance car brand that originated as a performance division of Volvo. It focuses on electric vehicles and aims to combine performance with sustainability.
"Well, Tesla was also doing a Roadster. But you write an article about it."
The Tesla Roadster is a fast electric sports car made by Tesla. It's known for being one of the first electric cars to offer impressive speed and range.
The Tesla Roadster is an all-electric sports car that was Tesla's first production vehicle. It is known for its high performance and long range, showcasing Tesla's electric vehicle technology.
"...he concept car. So think like, you know, when the Audi TT came out and like, oh, damn, that actually looks..."
The Audi TT RS is a sporty car that is fast and fun to drive. It looks great and has a lot of cool features, making it a favorite among people who love performance cars.
The Audi TT RS is a high-performance version of the TT sports car, known for its powerful engine and sharp handling. It combines sporty aesthetics with advanced technology, appealing to driving enthusiasts.
"... to be a hybrid. But that led me down a bit of a rabbit hole and Tom Ford, who is a famous top gear prese..."
The Volkswagen Rabbit is a small car that many people liked in the past for being practical and easy to drive. It's similar to the Volkswagen Golf and is remembered fondly by car fans.
The Volkswagen Rabbit is a compact car that was popular in the late 1970s and 1980s, known for its practicality and efficient design. It is essentially the predecessor to the Volkswagen Golf and has a nostalgic appeal among car enthusiasts.
Car
Aston Dbxs
"...a Ferrari Pro Sangway and he took an Aston Martin DBXS. So the DBXS is the newest Aston Martin, which b..."
The Aston Martin DBX is a fancy SUV that combines luxury with performance. It's designed for people who want a high-end vehicle that can also handle different types of driving.
The Aston Martin DBX is the luxury brand's first SUV, blending high-performance with opulent features. It represents Aston Martin's expansion into the SUV market while maintaining the brand's signature style and craftsmanship.
"...hat else have they worked on? They worked on the Mustang GTD. Yes. So it's interesting that the Italians are ..."
The Ford Mustang GTD is a super-fast version of the classic Mustang sports car. It's built for people who want a thrilling driving experience and love powerful cars.
The Ford Mustang GTD is a high-performance variant of the iconic Mustang, designed to deliver exceptional speed and handling. It represents Ford's commitment to performance and innovation within the Mustang lineup.
The McLaren F1 is a super-fast sports car from the 1990s that is famous for being one of the best cars ever made, with a unique design and very light weight.
The McLaren F1 is a legendary supercar known for its exceptional speed, innovative design, and use of lightweight materials, making it one of the most iconic cars of the 1990s.
"Yeah. And they had an S2000 from Fast and Furious. And then they had a Busy ..."
The Honda S2000 is a small sports car that is fun to drive and has a powerful engine. It's loved by car fans for its speed and how well it handles on the road.
The Honda S2000 is a two-seater sports car known for its high-revving engine and precise handling. Launched in the late 1990s, it has become a beloved model among car enthusiasts for its performance and driving experience.
"...hese pairings. The one I saw this morning was an ID buzz and then a 718 Boxer S. And I was like, well, th..."
The Volkswagen ID. Buzz is a new electric van that looks like the old VW buses from the past. It's designed to be eco-friendly and is perfect for families or anyone who wants a fun, spacious vehicle.
The Volkswagen ID. Buzz is an electric van that pays homage to the classic VW Microbus while incorporating modern electric vehicle technology. It represents Volkswagen's commitment to sustainable transportation and retro-inspired design.
"...with those two. And then I actually saw a Nissan Murano convertible in this beautiful sort of like sea g..."
The Nissan Murano is a comfortable SUV that has a nice design and plenty of space inside. It's a good choice for families or anyone who needs a reliable car for everyday use.
The Nissan Murano is a mid-size crossover SUV known for its comfortable ride and stylish design. It offers a spacious interior and a range of features, making it a popular choice for families and daily commuters.
"...know, and then I saw a Saturn View and Oldsmobile Cutlass Sierra parked together in a driveway the other d..."
The Oldsmobile Cutlass is a car that many people liked in the past, especially from the 1960s to the 1990s. It's known for being comfortable and a good choice for families.
The Oldsmobile Cutlass is a mid-size car that was popular in the United States from the 1960s to the early 1990s. Known for its comfort and performance, it played a significant role in the American automotive landscape.
"...ll own a Ford. That said, that said, I love me a Ford GT of any vintage. I think 2005 would be a really g..."
The Ford GT is a super-fast sports car that looks really cool and is built for racing. It's famous for its speed and is a special car that many people dream of owning.
The Ford GT is a high-performance sports car that pays homage to the original GT40 race cars of the 1960s. Known for its striking design and powerful engine, the GT is a symbol of Ford's engineering prowess and racing heritage.
"That would be pretty fantastic. 65 GT 350 would be fantastic, right? I mean, this is just ..."
The Lamborghini 350 GT is a classic sports car from the 1960s that is known for being very stylish and fast. It's one of the first cars that made Lamborghini famous for luxury and performance.
The Lamborghini 350 GT is one of the brand's earliest models, introduced in the 1960s, and is known for its elegant design and powerful V12 engine. It helped establish Lamborghini's reputation for luxury and performance.
"...space shuttle on wheels. You can get the big boy Bronco too. I think that was the fifth generation that ..."
The Ford Bronco is a tough SUV that can go off-road and handle rough terrain. It's popular with people who like outdoor activities and want a vehicle that can take them on adventures.
The Ford Bronco is a classic SUV that has made a comeback, known for its off-road capabilities and rugged design. Originally introduced in the 1960s, the Bronco has a strong following among off-road enthusiasts and adventure seekers.
"What else was there? Well, there was a Taurus. They still had the Taurus."
The Ford Taurus is a big car that was popular for families because it has a lot of room and is comfortable to drive. Even though it's not made anymore, many people still remember it fondly.
The Ford Taurus is a full-size sedan that was popular in the 1990s and early 2000s, known for its spacious interior and comfortable ride. While it has been discontinued, it remains a notable model in Ford's history.
"...am was coming together with the Mustangs and the Cobras. And I realized, you know, you could,"
The Shelby Cobra is a classic sports car known for being very fast and having a unique look. It's popular with collectors and car lovers because of its history and performance.
The Shelby Cobra is a classic American sports car that combines lightweight design with a powerful engine, making it a favorite among car collectors and racing enthusiasts. Its iconic status stems from its performance and unique styling.
"...ppointed in either one of you said 1908 when the Model T was brought to the market. We didn't want to ste..."
The Ford Model T is one of the first cars that many people could afford. It helped make cars popular and changed how people traveled in the early 1900s.
The Ford Model T is often regarded as the first affordable automobile, revolutionizing the automotive industry in the early 20th century. Its mass production made car ownership accessible to the average American, changing transportation forever.
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we're gonna go really quickly but carefully for the next two miles. And that's because it was an
active shooting range. This week, it's a that car show, cruise show, and the gangs all here. Dan
survived an off-road trip across the damn desert from LA to Las Vegas, only to be held captive
in a dark tunnel encortured by one of Elon Musk's foot soldiers. Lindsay pitches some two car
solutions that somehow don't involve a Pontiac Aztec. I'm still mad about losing car bingo back
in 1986. What does a peak Ford mean to you? I bet you'll never guess where we end up and no,
it's not 1908. Do us a favor and make sure that you are subscribed to that car show on your favorite
platform. Take a minute to leave a rating and a review. Tell your friends, tell your enemies,
it's that car show. That car show is brought to you by Sheffield Watches. Sheffield is the
storied watchmaking brand that was revived a couple of years back by her good friend Jay
Turkbus and it's seen wild success in both the car and watch enthusiast communities. Sheffield
offers a wide selection of watches, many inspired by the iconic designs of its 1960s dive models,
most notably the one that Jay's parents gave him in 1970, which ignited his lifelong passion for
watches. Sheffield watches are high quality, reasonably priced in a great value. Sheffield
has truly become the car guy and car gals watch of choice. Order your Sheffield watch at
SheffieldWatches.com, give them a follow on the gram at Sheffield underscore all sport underscore
watches and tell them that car show sent you. Well, welcome back to that car show. I'm Lindsay
and this week the gang is all back together. Yes. Both of the guys are with me, Ryan and Dan. Hi
guys. How are you? Good to see you. Just back from my shift at Best Buy. I haven't done any stunts
at any movies and stuff. So I feel like I might be letting you guys down tonight. Yeah. But a good
show last week. Thanks, Robert. Thank you. Yeah. But I feel like you were out doing your best
impression of a stunt driver because you had a pretty interesting road to SEMA, which I also
want to hear about. But can you tell us a little bit about the very adventurous, very exciting
route that you took to get to this very unique event? Yeah. So we went to SEMA the hard way
and I say the hard way and I say we. I was actually a passenger princess for the journey. So
I didn't actually drive, but I was kind of in a leadership role. But SEMA obviously is the world's
biggest automotive trade show. It takes place once a year in our favorite place, Vegas.
And we organized a rally where we decided that we would go to SEMA but not do tarmac.
Not at all. Well, I think we traveled 200 miles of which probably about 30 miles of tarmac.
That counts as no tarmac for sure. Yeah. And if you think about it, it was long days. It was like
nine, 10 hour days in the desert. Wow. So for what is normally like a four hour, five hour drive?
Yeah. So yeah. So we met in Palm Springs. We had 27 rigs of different kinds and types.
And there was everything from the folks that have got all the setup to people in stock defenders
and Lexuses. Lexuses or Lexi? We're going to go with Lexi here at that car show.
Lexi. That's right. It's official. Yeah. So we had a great tour guide, a guy called Martin.
He'd done the route the week before. So he knew what to expect, but none of us did.
We set off from Palm Springs. We ventured out to this track and he said to us like
we're going to go really quickly, but carefully for the next sort of two miles.
And that's because it was an active shooting range. So either side of the track,
people are allowed to shoot their guns. So we were safe. But yeah, it was interesting.
That's a pretty wild lead in where he's like nothing to be alarmed just with a quickness.
Nothing to see here. Move along. Right. So then we got one way to light a fire under your butts,
right? Definitely. Don't mind the live ammo. Carry on.
Definitely something that we wanted to get through. But then everyone aired down.
So we took this very seriously in terms of down to 20 PSI. Convoying, we all had rugged radios.
So rugged radios had sponsored it and given us radios. So the whole convoy was talking to each
other as we were kind of taking this trip. It was, I was a passenger in a modified F-150.
So almost like a pre-runner trophy truck type thing.
But it was, yeah, a lot of fun, a lot of camaraderie. We spent the end of day one
or stayed overnight at AutoCamp in Joshua Tree. So if you're not aware, this is a,
and I think there's a few of them around the US, but it's Airstreams.
Oh, how fun. So you all allocated your Airstream. So it's a bit of glamping.
Yeah, exactly. Yeah, I was kind of hoping for a four seasons, but sadly that didn't turn out.
So yeah, we were glamping for the night. Each caravan had its own fire pit.
So, but it kind of felt well deserved up to day one. Right. And then day two, we had to be
on the track at 7am. That was the only way we would get to Vegas before sunset.
Oh my gosh. Yeah. So another day of off-roading, tighter trials. There were a couple of trials
that were just completely open and we were able to just go for it. In the middle of the trip,
we got to this like farm and it was an active farm that did like animal feed.
But in essence, you had like a number of massive green circles, which is where they were irrigating
and watering. But this was in like, it was like coming across a noasis. It was just unbelievable.
What is that one? It was a farm shaped oasis. A farm shaped oasis. But it was just like the aerial
views of this desert desert desert. And just these green patches, but big patches. And then
eventually we rolled into SEMA in time, which was great. But the valets, the valet looks were like,
what have you guys brought? Right. So that was our adventure pre-SEMA.
So can I interrupt real quick? Is this something you enjoyed off-roading? I mean, you are
traditionally sort of an on-road tarmac guy. Were you tempted by the taste of off-roading
nuts and honey? I mean, is this, maybe you didn't have that commercial in the UK, but
was this something you could see doing yourself and pursuing again? Was this...
Yeah, absolutely. It's, I think having a guide, it really makes it right.
So we had a really great guide. And, you know, Martin and the team kept us safe.
There was various points where they would spot for us. There's one bit where we kind of got to
this gully and there was like a big, steep, sandy hill. And they would basically coach each car
through that. And what was interesting is the actual, the car that did the best in that specific
thing, apart from the pre-runner, was a stock defender on Steelys. Really? So... Well, how timely.
That's amazing. I was going to ask you, were there any standouts kind of one way or another?
And so would you, was it like a dune, basically? Like a sand dune? Yeah, like a big steep sand hill.
I guess that's a dune, is it? Yeah. Yeah, we call them sand hills in the UK. I don't know,
that's formal or not, but I do. That's not as foreboding. I don't know.
And there's definitely, I mean, nobody says my favorite movie was Sand Hill, but here we go.
Those are cranes. Right. But you did the, you know, the very best part about this was that you
did it in someone else's vehicle, right? That's the best kind of off-roading is when you're
off-roading in someone else's truck, right? Yeah. Yeah, it's like boats, isn't it? Exactly.
It's like a lot of boats. There really is. You know, I was looking back through some of my
like defender off-roading footage today, and it really does make all the difference. Like,
I think you experienced Dan having a guide. It's just sort of this, because I don't know,
have you done much off-roading before this? A little bit, but nothing like in the UK is like
green-lanning and things like that. So, which is, is not really the same level of rugged terrain.
Is it as remote as you were on this trip? I think different remotes, but yeah. I mean,
on this trip, our cell phones didn't work the whole time. Really? That's how you know. Which was
really nice. Believe it or not. It's a nice break, right? Yeah. The reason I ask if you enjoyed it
is I've done a couple of these adventures, right? These organized things, and I absolutely love
it, right? It's a slower pace. It's, you know, I don't know. I always come back from these things
thinking, well, I'm going to go buy a Land Rover or a 4Runner or something. Of course, I never do,
because real life, but I absolutely could see getting into it. And glad to hear that you enjoyed
it too. I think the one thing for me is you develop more of a camaraderie. So, you know,
imagine if you're doing a, I don't know, a track session or you're doing a rally, you're not going
to get to that same level of camaraderie because you haven't overcome these things together. Right.
What's the strangest thing you saw out in the desert? See any UFOs or anything?
Well, I think it was that oasis, like just coming across the oasis. And then we had to
go around it respectfully. So we slowed down and we took a ride. But it's just really surreal.
Like, you know, green, the greenest, whatever it was, the greenest you've ever seen.
So you've got all these like great, you know, sandy and, and then just green, bright green.
Yeah. Yeah. There are better places for that. Deserts. But yeah.
Yeah. I'm doing something right if they're still in business. Yeah.
They were just trying to make you feel at home. They're like, we need some crop circles for Dan.
And so we're going to put a farm here.
Are those still a thing? Crop circles? Like it's all you heard about there. Okay.
Yeah. And it was people doing it, wasn't it? It was people messing with people.
That's what they ultimately like believe. That's that was the final answer for now until we hear
otherwise. But yeah. Yeah. So is that I wonder if it's like artisan animal feed? And they're like,
right, but was this grown in the deserts of Nevada? Was this from the oasis farm?
Because that is all that my dogs will eat. Come on.
That whole stretch was a date shake.
That's pretty wild. But okay. So defenders and the pre-runner trophy truck, those were the winners?
Yeah. And the Jeeps did really well. There was like three, 392 Jeeps. Is it 392?
It's the ones with the Hemi engines where they're like, this is the last version of it.
And then they go and here's a new, a new last version of it, right? But they did very well as
well. You know, if you've got anything that you can unlock the sway bar, you know, you can go down
to low, you can crawl across these rocks, you're going to do really well. Yeah. Not a lot of TIG ones
in that crew. I didn't see any. I think there was a couple of like wrecks on the side of the,
you know, the TIG ones that never made it.
Magically resembled a TIG one that had attempted going to SEMA the hard way. Well,
I love the name of the rally. Like that in itself puts a smile on your face and you know
you're in for a good time. Okay. So you had this epic adventure to then kick off yet another epic
adventure of a very different sort. So what did you think of SEMA? Like tell us everything.
My mind was blown. Have you both been to SEMA? I have not. Okay.
Ryan. I went a couple of years ago. We at the time was doing the steering committee
and we had a sponsor Swiss tracks and we thought we had won the lottery when they said here,
take our passes, our exhibitor passes to go to SEMA. Oh, wow. But you know, in retrospect,
I know why they were probably so ready to give them up. But I think for me, what colored my
experience was sort of the event before the event. We flew, we somehow got diverted to Phoenix,
Sky Harbor Airport, which I think might be the worst airport in the continental U.S.
And then we had to find a rental car along with the rest of the airport when all the flights
were delayed or canceled for some reason and then drive. So it was already like dark out.
And then we had to find the rental car, then drive to Vegas. And we got a late start because
we had to wait three or four hours before our Pelican cases came down on the carousels. And
if you've ever stood and stared at a luggage carousel for any length of time, it's hypnotic,
especially after three hours and eventually, you know, they appeared. We got in the world's
stinkiest rental car. I don't know if you've ever rented a car from like one of those cheaper
rental outfits, like a dollar or a fox or, you know, thrifty, you know, well, this was from one
of those. So the car had almost certainly like transported a dead body at some point in time,
it just maybe more than once. Yeah, yeah, too disposed of in that desert. So I will admit that
by the time we finally got to SEMA, I at least was cranky and tired. And the last thing I needed
was, you know, hotel room with, you know, the drifting 24 seven and Dan, I this is this was
my impression. I felt like I was at a party where I didn't know anyone, right? It was overwhelming.
There was it was there was too much. I didn't really speak the language for the most parts.
Certainly there was some crossover. But I just didn't really feel like it's kind of like Vegas,
right? You're your Vegas person or you're not a Vegas person. And I think SEMA is kind of the
same way. And I don't think I'm a SEMA person at heart. That said, we did have some fun. We did
the boring tunnel tunnel, which I think you did as well, which which I appreciate only for like the
the relative calm and solace of being in a Tesla, you know, in a in a cave beneath Vegas.
But it's one of those like maybe every five year things for me. If that I don't know.
I didn't get any solace in the Tesla because the lady in front thought she was auditioning for the
voice. Lord, you're trapped. I was trapped in a tunnel with a lady who was singing some sort of
thing that represented music. And I literally had no way to escape. So that was my traumatic,
boring tunnel experience. Okay, so for those who don't know, which I am one of those because
you get in line to get in the cars and they just pair you with whoever you're in line with,
because how did you end up with? Yeah, you know, the next opera singer has built a tunnel network
underneath Vegas, right, as part of his boring company. Is it a network, Dan, or is it a tunnel?
I think it's because they're opening up, I think in two months time, they're opening up the airport.
So the airport will go straight downtown. So I would call that as a network.
Well, the airport is kind of downtown. Should we say it's a budding network?
A budding network. A growing network of tunnels. And if I recall, you kind of have to take it
because there aren't a lot of options, right, to get from like one end to the other, right?
Yeah, I mean, you can walk like is your other option. But it's interesting because they haven't
quite yet got the autonomy. So at the moment, it's drivers. And then when you go in the tunnel,
you don't realize it as a passenger, but it's all lit with special lighting. And the lighting is
giving the driver signals. So if the lighting goes red, slow down. If the lighting goes green,
speed up. So you're oblivious to it initially, but I started talking to a different lady who
wasn't singing like a banshee. And she was explaining what all these lights meant in the tunnels.
Interesting. Not just for a show. No, no, it's not just there for your entertainment. It was, yeah.
Well, maybe be glad you had singing because I kept waiting for something to happen. Like it was
like a like a dark ride in an amusement park. I kept waiting for something like jump out.
The boring tunnel jumpscares.
I mean, I guess the name kind of says it all.
But the size of the show, you can't comprehend how big. It's almost like an airport,
like a big airport. And there's outside and inside. So big convention halls inside.
And then there's at least two tracks with continuous rubber being burnt.
So people are either doing, you know, drift examples or they're like, there was just so much
going on. I probably did about 18,000 steps a day. So my feet were absolutely, you know,
shot to pieces. A few highlights though. Subaru did reveal the new Jim Carna car.
So Travis Pastrana has been in Australia. It was a bit of a badly kept secret because
I ended up being with Travis a few months ago. And he said, yeah, I'm about to film this Jim Carna.
And I said, oh, where is it? And he went, I can't tell you. And then about 10 minutes later,
he bumped into a buddy of his who he'd worked with on Jim Carna. And just when they finished
talking to each other, one, this guy said to Travis, I'll see you in Australia then.
That's out of the bag. But it's a Subaru brat.
So I think the video goes live in a couple of weeks.
That's pretty cool. That's because that gets me excited. Right? Yeah. I like that.
So that was revealed. The Hoonigan folks had a big courtyard with, I think Hoonigan is now part
of a wider company that does all sorts from wheels to suspension. So under the umbrella,
Hoonigan, they had all the different sections. Leah Block had her GR Corolla. Incidentally,
Ryan, are you missing yours? I think I've thought about it daily, honestly. And I'm actually writing
an article for Autoblog about it now. Tentatively titled, can an old man GR Corolla? You need to
get it in. They're great. Right. Well, I also have an asterisk because, you know, I'm not quite
ready to join that category, that demographic. But no, it was fantastic. It was a fantastic car.
But I don't want to go drive the Type R Civic in all its competition. Sorry. So Leah's car was
there. She's modifying a GR Corolla. So a couple of the Ken Block cars. So the 43 Institute were
there, which is great. They do great work. They're obviously a charity in Ken's name.
And then you just go through different halls with different, it's a bit geeky. So if you're not
really into the trade stuff, so there's a whole hall on tyres. And all it is is different tyre
companies. And they might have a show car or two, which is pretty cool. But then they've got the
machines for fitting the tyres. Another hall for detailers. So the agreeos, you know, all those
sorts of folks have got different stands. Yeah. So you can remember, you can really dive deep and
whatever your area of interest is. Yeah. And like, very granular, it sounds like. I remember going
into some of these halls, though, and just praying that no one would come up to me and like want to
speak the language with me. Scan your badge. They want to scan your badge. Right. Oh, that's right.
That's right. Yeah. That's right. What's that all about? You just get spam.
Oh, okay. So they email you after they've scanned your badge. Yeah. Yeah. And so there weren't many
manufacturers there, but there was a big Toyota presence. Interesting. Yeah. So that was pretty
cool. They launched the new RAV4 GR edition, which doesn't have a, it's not a fully blown
GR. So I think they call it GR edition or something. So in essence, it's a RAV4.
It's got Corolla suspension on it, I believe, but no change in the engine. But it's got like a little
spoiler at the back. You need to look it up. But it was a cool car. Yeah, it was the official
launch, I think. The spoiler, that's how you know it's good. That's right. Obviously needs the
downforce being, you know, SUV with a ride height and a... Right. I just can't imagine.
Was it the Mitsubishi Pajero or whatever? Yeah. You know, it's good enough for the RAV4 GR.
So I think you're right. It's like Vegas. You don't want to go every year.
Yeah. Yeah. What is it about Vegas? I mean, it's like the strip club of cities, right? You just
feel like you're just getting like scammed at every, you know, corner. You have to be on guard.
Yeah, I work too hard for my money. And everyone says Vegas is like crazy, crazy expensive now,
right? Like they just, they tack on fees for this and for that. And you know, I just,
I don't know, maybe it's fun when you're on the company dime, but just of all the places you can
spend your time, Vegas is just not, you got to, you got to go once, right? You got to go once.
Right. Do it right. Yeah. Because you can't explain it. Like you have to experience it,
which it sounds like SEMA is a bit like that. Like you can't fully appreciate it unless you've
experienced it yourself. I think we can agree they both elicit very strong reactions. They're
very polarizing. Like, like you said, Ryan, people either love them or hate them. And I think people
say that about Vegas as well. So the one thing I kept seeing on Instagram from like other car
journalists and things and people who had maybe never been there before, maybe had been there 10
times was they didn't really have anything to say, like illustrate their photos. So the phrase I
saw over and over again was, well, SEMA is a wrap. So there wasn't any, like, and I wouldn't, that's,
that's not typical of SEMA. So I wonder if it was just this year. Usually they're like, well,
we saw XYZ or this was notable or good builds. Yeah. Yeah. That's the other thing SEMA is famous
for, right? The builds, right? Far apart. It's not like all the builds are in one place, if I recall,
right? So you kind of have to, it's kind of a scavenger hunt to find the good stuff, right? And
you know, it's the SEMA scavenger hunt. So Dan, did you see like, did you get a chance to check out
some of the builds and what did you see and what were your thoughts? Yeah, there was all sorts of
crazy builds. So one was a lowered Hummer, I think it had six wheels, but it was almost like a
dragster Hummer. The one that I really liked was they did an F40 and completely modernized the
F40 and that looked really, really cool. So that was probably my highlight. And you were into it?
Yeah. Yeah. So which, which Hummer model did they modify? It was like a civilian H3. Is that the
Yeah, that's the tiny one, right? Yeah, this thing was tiny. Oh, yeah. So that would be H3. Yeah,
interesting. Yeah. Yeah. What an interesting choice to do that too. So it was like slammed?
Really slammed. Like it almost looked like a dragster. Yeah. Yeah. It was super weird. Super
weird. I don't know why they were smoking when they created that. Any RWB Porsches or Liberty
Walkers or anything like that? I think I should not send you a picture. That was a golf, a golf
colored RWB. And the next to that was Jorge's friend, our friend Jorge from Tormenti Tomak.
His friend has got a Violet 355 convertible. Nice. Nice. That's Violet. And what did you think
of it in that color? I loved it. It was great. And did you see this is how little I know about
SEMA actually. So I have to go so I can learn about it. But I don't know if they do the big
trucks every year. They're like really over the top. Yes. No, they did. There was a whole line of
them. And some of them were like, yeah, you were just looking at their navels, right? Yeah, that's
what has always struck me in the pictures is like, not only are they just outrageous builds in general,
but the height, they're all raised up so high. Crazy. I'm sorry. What is above your shoulder
there? I see something. If you're watching this, maybe you see it too. It is. It's a fabulous new
sign that our friend of the show, Tori, made happen. So it's a sign of our logo. That's excellent.
That's excellent. Right now, I'm only seeing Dan's head, but I'm sure the rest of Dan and I right
now. There we go. You got the best side. Dan's not always with us. So now he's with us twice
right now tonight. In spirit. That's right. It looks very cool, though. Yeah, it turned out
really well. It's super fun. And yeah, did a little did a little remodeling of the studio.
And that was one of the first pieces to go up. So yeah, they will be available on our Amazon
store just in time for the holidays. That's right. They're at the top of everyone's gift lists,
obviously. We love it. Well, I think, I think bottom line, I have to go to SEMA next year
so that we've all been. I will take one for the team. I was gonna say, I'll take one for the team.
Dan's off the hook. Ryan doesn't have to go again yet. Well, now they're not gonna let me back.
That's right. No, you have to pitch it as like, listen, my first experience was not,
I was not as you'd hope. So I'd like to come back and let's try again.
And this was the first year they actually let like civilians in, right? Like that was the other
thing about this year. So I wonder if that, you know, changed things. They were sort of finding
their rhythm or whatever. I think that was part of it because I would always see the pictures
before, but it was like you said, it was sort of a very closed set for a long time.
You had to wonder how that'll change things. I know. Well, I will go check it out next year
and let you know. And we'll see. But Ryan, it sounds like you are gonna have a pretty interesting,
speaking of roads to events, you're gonna have an interesting trip on your way to Thanksgiving.
So can you share about the new, the chariot that you'll be enjoying? Well, because we're crazy,
we drive to most holidays, family things, right? And so we'll be driving from Denver
to Wisconsin this year. Please don't break into my house. We have a very advanced security system
and a dog who will be in a kennel. But anyway, we're driving from Denver to Milwaukee in a Genesis,
a GV 70. It's the 3.5. So it's the six cylinder. It's a 3.5 turbo Genesis has a very generously
allowed me to do that. And you know, you guys know this, but oftentimes when you get a press car,
you're sort of sort of unspoken, but you're limited to 500 miles. So to put like 2,500 miles on a car
is really very good of them. And so I will report back. I really like the G 90 sitting on the big,
you know, massage seats, you know, four position massage sheets and everything else car. I don't
know if this will be quite to that level, but it should be fun and looking forward to it. So I'm
sure I'll have lots of lots of things to say about it. And, you know, it's certainly nicer than
anything we would have ended up with from Hertz. So I'll tell you that. And with with flying and
all that, you know, we're kind of looking like the geniuses right now too, right? So instead of
yeah, the cheapskate. So no kidding. Looking forward to it. Yeah, I think it's going to be a
yeah, it should be good. But anyone listening, if you have any points of interest or like photo
spots between Denver and Milwaukee, you think I should stop and take a picture of for the inevitable
auto blog article. When I'm back, please do Fort Cody. Either of you heard of Fort Cody. It's
this. I have not. It's this old West themed, I don't know, roadside attraction somewhere in
Western Nebraska that Buffalo is it Buffalo Bill Buffalo Bill Cody? Is that the guy? Anyway,
it's this is this very old school, like, you know, tourist trap where it looks like a stockade,
and then you go in and it's, you know, it's all like, you know, crap from China, you know,
and candy and stuff, but we'll probably stop there. Nice. You know, I think the world's largest
covered wagon is somewhere along the way. So maybe that's another stop.
But anyone listening, any, any, any suggestions, please do let us know.
And we're going to start a go fund me. Go fund me page for Ryan's daughter so we can get a
Netflix subscription for her. So she doesn't have to go to all these attractions.
She today are so spoiled. Let me tell you, you know, I mean, we used to look forward of stops
like that, because I mean, how many times can you play, you know, car bingo with those little red,
you know, translucent slide, right? Yeah. We used to play license plate games, right?
That was like the height of entertainment, you know, when you were roadtripping.
Is there a beta game? If you saw a beta, you could punch your brother. Punch buggy or slug bug.
Yeah. Yeah. You're right. One headlight out and, you know, that kind of thing.
Oh, that sounds like a, that sounds like a more advanced version than we played.
It was more violent time.
Well, and I mean, when you talk about the license plate game, when you had that little,
you know, cardboard thing with the sliding red, that was kind of an advanced, you know,
fancy version of that too. I was about to just yelling out the state.
It's true. But like some of those cards are better than others. Do you remember this?
Oh, yeah.
Like some of you could not win on to save your life, right?
Highly specific stuff that, you know,
We have this. So I've got no idea what you guys are talking about.
Oh my God. Okay.
You know, I'm sure we can find one on eBay because it was, it was just little cardboard,
like, you know, eight by 11 or whatever piece of cardboard, kind of two layers,
and it had the different states and the whole intent was obviously to keep you busy on a road
trip. But you're looking at the cars that you're passing. And as you'd see a state that you hadn't
seen before, it had this thin red, like vellum almost or something and slide it to cover.
Yeah, with a little one each.
Yeah, everyone had one. And if your family was fancy, we just had one.
We also had one that was like roadside attraction. So like if you pass a church or
whatever, but then some of the stuff was really subjective, like, you know,
you're like,
you know, that just started arguments. And so this is where the family dynamics reveal,
like the success of the game depended on your family dynamics, like,
how tanker is everybody? Well, that's it. You're already in the back of a 48 horsepower
Volkswagen dasher, right? And then you throw, you know, automotive bingo on top of it. It's
amazing any of us survived. So right. This feels oddly specific. But I think this is a therapy
session for Ryan. It always is. That's the beauty of car people, right? Yes. Well, Dan,
it sounds like you, so you came back from SEMA and then you got to experience something new
at Universal Studios that it was, again, automotive themed as is most of our lives.
Watch, I didn't get to experience, unfortunately. So next year, there's a new ride coming to
Universal Studios. Yeah. So I now being a resident in California, you can get a discounted season
pass. That's right. So I thought I would get a discounted season pass and went yesterday. And
they've got a new ride, which is called Fast and Furious Hollywood Drift, I believe. And if you've
been to Universal Studios, it's an interesting setup. It's like a multi level piece of land.
So the first part of the park is at a certain level. And then everything else you have to take
either escalators or elevators down to the other part of the park. So it's on a multi level. And
then you've got all the sound stages and you've got the jaws experience and all that sort of stuff.
But anyway, if you picture this, imagine these escalators that are going down and it's multiple
escalators is not one, you kind of go down one set, you walk along, go down the next set.
Weaved in between these escalators is a roller coaster. And at the moment, they were just sending
test mules around it. But next year, it's going to be open. And the theme is Fast and Furious.
So in essence, you're doing a roller coaster. And it's not a fixed roller coaster. So what I mean
by that is it pivots on its center axis. So in essence, drifting. Oh, the actual cars that you
ride in. Yeah. Drift you through a roller coaster. And I believe there'll be different
themed cars. They've only shown that in like static images. These were all painted the same color.
But so I think a team outing middle of 26 to Universal Studio where we we go do some drifting.
Evaluate the drifting. Yeah, we need to meet up with our new buddy, Robert Nagle,
and he can ride with us. And then he can. There we go. The technique of the roller coasters.
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