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Not Dave Attenborough

Not Dave Attenborough

Smith and Sniff May 18, 2026 67 min
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About this episode

“Not Dave Attenborough” bounces from car chat to comedy and then into something more serious. The hosts riff on David Attenborough—“We enjoyed the new. BYD Atto 3, which is the Attenborough 3.”—and get into driver-assist “SDA” quirks, plus listener stories about a “wet belt change at a cost of £1.15,000.” Later, they trade convertible and rare-car details (Ferrari 360 Spider, Renault SpaWet, Morgan Super Sport) before shifting to mental-health support, including CALM’s hotline and encouraging people to talk before “the brink of total despair.”

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Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Term

SDA

"He's sometimes referred to as SDA. So David Attenborough. SDA? SDA, I know. That's like some sort of safety system that helps with your Euro NCAP score. Yes. Isn't it? Yes. SDA is standard."

“SDA” here sounds like a car safety/driver-assist feature. The hosts say it can be annoying (“intrusive”) but that you can turn it off.

Term

Euro NCAP

"SDA is standard. Yes, we enjoyed the new. BYD Atto 3, which is the Attenborough 3. Oh, yes. It is Atto, isn't it? I was going to say, but some car they go, yes, we enjoyed it."

Euro NCAP is an organization that tests cars for safety and gives them ratings. The hosts are saying that certain safety features can help a car score better in those tests.

Topic

streaming stumble / gaming-style driving joke

"I spent a bit more time outside and I had a really good weekend gardening. And although I did fall over while streaming, but I'll talk to you about that shortly. Nothing worse than a streaming stumble. Nothing worse. The throttle wide open."

This part is mostly a joke about streaming and falling while playing, with a playful car-themed comparison. It’s not really about car tech.

Term

throttle wide open

"And although I did fall over while streaming, but I'll talk to you about that shortly. Nothing worse than a streaming stumble. Nothing worse. The throttle wide open."

“Throttle wide open” means you’ve fully floored the accelerator. That tells the car to give you maximum power.

Car

2021 Peugeot 2008 GT Premium 1.2 manual

"Alex who said, listening to Johnny's recent Nutribullet experience reminded me of a time after our son was born when my wife in her state of postpartum brain fog and lack of sleep accidentally left our 2021 Peugeot 2008 GT Premium 1.2 manual."

This is a Peugeot 2008 crossover. The “GT Premium” is a nicer trim level, and “1.2 manual” means it has a 1.2-liter engine and a manual transmission.

Term

wet belt change

"2021 Peugeot 2008 GT Premium 1.2 manual. Excellent specificity, specificity, which he adds is due for a wet belt change at a cost of £1.15,000."

A “wet belt” is a timing belt that sits in oil instead of running dry. Replacing it is a bigger job than many people expect, which is why it can be very expensive.

Topic

Using a Ring doorbell and a car app to time long idling

"We worked out the times using the Ring doorbell and the Peugeot app that you can have on your phone."

They talk about using phone/smart-home tools to figure out how long the car was left running. One tool is a doorbell camera, and another is a Peugeot phone app.

Term

90 degrees C

"It was absolutely fine. The temp was rock solid at 90 degrees C."

That’s a temperature reading: 90°C (about 194°F). They’re using it to suggest the car stayed at a safe, steady temperature while idling.

Term

boroscope

"I can't see, I can't get a boroscope into it and check out its internals, but I feel like it's okay."

A boroscope is like a tiny camera on a flexible stick. It lets you peek inside something without taking it apart.

Car

Ferrari 360 Spider

"Oh. Oh, hello. Yeah. It's a, it's a, it's a not red three paddle Ferrari 360 spider with only 20,000 miles on the clock, uh, in this blue Tour de France color."

This is a Ferrari model called the 360 Spider. It’s special because it’s a mid-engine car (the engine sits behind you) and this one is described as having a manual gearbox with three pedals.

Brand

Tour de France color

"…in this blue Tour de France color. Yes. Which is a fabulous color."

Ferrari sometimes uses special paint names for certain colors. Here, “Tour de France color” means a particular blue shade, and the hosts think it looks especially good on this car.

Term

cam belt changes

"…20,000 miles, um, 13 services, four cam belt changes."

The cam belt helps keep the engine’s timing correct. Replacing it on schedule is important, and the hosts are using the car’s documented belt changes as evidence of good upkeep.

Term

gated

"…always been dry stored. Yes. Gated man. Well, creamer colored leather innards."

“Gated” describes a manual gear shifter that feels like it has clear, fixed slots for each gear. It’s about the way the shifter guides you into the right gear.

Car

Ferrari F1

"…but I do know that most people went for the F1 paddles, didn't they, by this point? …because that is still a single clutch in those. And they're, so they're not particularly snappy…"

“Ferrari F1” is a Ferrari system for changing gears using paddles and automation instead of a traditional manual clutch. The hosts are saying it can feel slower to respond than a true manual.

Term

aluminium space frame

"…this was the first of the mid-engine drives that went to the, um, that's, um, aluminium space frame, effectively. It was. And so, yeah, they're much stiffer."

An aluminium space frame is a strong, lightweight skeleton that the car body is built around. The idea is that it makes the car feel more solid and stable when you drive it.

Term

single clutch

"…because that is still a single clutch in those. And they're, so they're not particularly snappy, are they?"

A single-clutch gearbox uses one clutch to engage gears. The hosts are saying that this design can make gear changes feel less quick and more old-fashioned than newer systems.

Term

paddles

"happened 25 years after this car came out and the trend of paddles and two paddles and I think that's why these cars will exponentially rise in value"

Paddle shifters are the little levers behind the steering wheel. You can use them to change gears without moving your hand to a gear stick.

Term

gearbox

"it's like got a proper gearbox and it's, yes, it's got a good power and it corners brilliantly."

The gearbox is what changes the car’s gear ratios so the engine can work efficiently. It helps the car accelerate smoothly and drive well in different situations.

Part

Penske adjustable dampers

"It's had a built engine by Tony Hart... It's rebuilt and maintained by Renault Tuning Specialist Prima Racing. It's got Penske adjustable dampers."

Dampers are the shock absorbers that control how the car settles over bumps and during cornering. “Adjustable” means you can tune that behavior to suit track driving.

Term

LSD

"It's got a Prima racing uprated gearbox with an LSD in it. Lovely image billet aluminium three piece wheels."

An LSD is a differential that helps prevent one wheel from spinning uselessly. It improves traction, especially when you’re accelerating out of a turn.

Part

three piece wheels

"Lovely image billet aluminium three piece wheels. Image wheels are fantastic."

Three-piece wheels are multi-part rims where the outer rim, inner barrel, and center are assembled. They’re popular in motorsport because they can be lighter and can be repaired or reconfigured more easily than one-piece wheels.

Term

billet aluminium

"Lovely image billet aluminium three piece wheels."

Billet aluminum parts are made by cutting them out of a solid chunk of aluminum. This can make them strong and precisely shaped.

Topic

Le Mans classic road trip

"and paints in the iconic Gulf racing blue with orange livery. [1505.0s] I mean, nothing says Le Mans classic road trip like this, does it?"

This is a reference to the Le Mans racing heritage and the “classic road trip” vibe associated with cars styled for endurance racing. It’s not a technical term, but it frames why the Gulf-inspired livery and track setup matter to the hosts.

Term

left hand drive

"[1543.5s] absolutely, it was a left hand drive on with no windscreen. And the driver was wearing a crash helmet. Of course. And it flew onto the North circular, went straight through the speed camera, [1552.5s] set it off and then just disappeared into the distance."

Left-hand drive means the steering wheel is on the left. In the UK that’s less common than right-hand drive, so it can be a noticeable detail.

Term

ECU

"[1583.7s] Look, the spec's too big for us to talk about. It's enormous. It's got a different ECU. It's got different throttle bodies. [1589.6s] It's been gone through."

An ECU is the car’s engine computer. It controls how the engine runs, and a “different ECU” usually means the engine is tuned differently for that version.

Term

throttle bodies

"[1583.7s] Look, the spec's too big for us to talk about. It's enormous. It's got a different ECU. It's got different throttle bodies. [1589.6s] It's been gone through."

Throttle bodies control how much air gets into the engine. If a car has different throttle bodies, it can change how the engine responds when you press the gas.

Term

forged internals

"[1589.6s] It's been gone through. Forged internals. I wish I had forged internals. I haven't. So yeah, there's tons of other automotive catnip."

“Forged internals” means key inside engine parts are made stronger using a forging process. People bring it up because it can help the engine handle harder driving or higher power.

Car

Land Rover Discovery Series 1 50th anniversary edition

"[1599.5s] I was going to get you a Land Rover Discovery Series 1 50th anniversary edition. [1606.5s] What? Yeah, there's one there as well. Yeah, that's got a bit of you on it."

This is a special edition of the original Land Rover Discovery (the early “Series 1” version). The “50th anniversary” part means it’s a limited, commemorative model people tend to seek out.

Car

Renault Sport Spider

"... on it. I mean, gosh, I haven't thought about the Sport Spider for a bit, but now I'm going to end up thinking a..."

The Renault Sport Spider is a sports car with an open-top design. It’s not as common as many mainstream cars, so people may not think about it often. The podcast brings it up because it’s an interesting, memorable model for car fans.

Car

Alpine A110

"...ike the new, essentially it was the sort of proto A110. Well, that makes absolute sense if that had an A..."

The Alpine A110 is a small sports car designed to feel quick and nimble. The podcast mentions an early version or concept that relates to the A110’s original idea. It’s the kind of car people discuss because it’s built around handling rather than just straight-line speed.

Term

electric windows

"…a windscreen for a star and a roof and electric windows. And they probably should have air con as well…"

“Electric windows” means the windows go up and down using a switch and a motor, not a manual crank.

Term

air con

"…And they probably should have air con as well like that. And in the end, you know, the engineers are like, no…"

“Air con” (air conditioning) cools and dehumidifies the cabin. Adding air conditioning to a small sports car can be non-trivial because it requires space for the compressor, condenser, and ducting, and it adds electrical and cooling-system load.

Term

roll hoop

"…it does have a roof, but it has to fit over the over the roll hoop."

A “roll hoop” is a protective bar/frame that’s there to help keep you safer if the car tips over. The roof has to be shaped to fit around it.

Concept

kit car roof

"It's like a kit car roof. I can't bear just a roughy or abused MTB roof."

A “kit car roof” is an aftermarket roof that’s not the original factory one. If it isn’t fitted well, it can end up looking wrinkled or saggy.

Car

MG MGB

"...oughy or abused MTB roof. Yeah, it's just yes. An MGB in the 70s where the owner has bought an off bran..."

The MG MGB is an older sports car made in the UK. It often comes with a soft top, and the podcast talks about how some owners replace parts with non-standard options. When buying one, it’s important to check what’s been changed from the original setup.

Term

hood

"This, the hood on this looks like that, but that's fine. Just drive it without the hood would be the way to fix that one."

Here, “hood” means the removable top/cover on a convertible-style car, not the engine cover. They’re saying the cover looks wrong and the solution is to not use it until it’s fixed.

Term

convertible top

"had to pull so hard to try and get the poppers on. And that's why when you see, and please, if you do have a catering, never drive it with the roof up... if you don't get it all taught, it does look like... all a bit slack"

A convertible top is the part of a convertible that you can open or close like a roof. They’re saying it has to be properly tightened/secured—otherwise it can look saggy and not sit right.

Term

roof up

"if you do have a catering, never drive it with the roof up. You can't see anything because it just feels like you're in a greenhouse with completely smashed windows."

“Roof up” refers to driving with the convertible top raised. The host argues that with the roof up, visibility and the cabin experience are worse—describing it as feeling like a greenhouse with poor sightlines.

Term

roof off

"but catrums with the roof off, sublime, sexy. Catrums with the roof on, not sexy."

“Roof off” means the convertible top is down. They’re saying the car looks and feels much better that way than with the roof closed.

Car

Morgan Super Sport

"Which one? Well, I haven't driven the new, new one, the Super Sport. Yes, it's good. It's sports. Yeah. And I really like the way it looks."

The Morgan Super Sport is a Morgan car—made by the British brand Morgan—that’s known for a distinctive, old-school look with modern driving. Here, they’re talking about how great it feels and how much people notice it when you drive it.

Car

Morgan Plus Four

"But that was a, [1968.3s] that was a plus four. That wasn't a super spout, but um, no, I'm down. I'm down with them."

The Morgan Plus Four is a classic British sports car. People like it because it feels old-school and fun to drive, not like a modern, computer-controlled car.

Car

Porsche 911

"proper sort of nice thing to own, I'd imagine. They're also keen value. So the, the, the super spout is, yeah, so it's basically sort of bottom end 9-11 money. Yeah. But it's a hand built car. In a way, it's not like it's a really hand built car."

The Porsche 911 is a sports car made by Porsche. It’s known for being a premium, high-performance car with a distinctive design. People talk about it because it’s expensive, but sometimes can feel like good value for what you get.

Term

hand built

"But it's a hand built car. In a way, it's not like it's a really hand built car. That's it, isn't it?"

“Hand built” means people assemble more of the car by hand instead of only using robots and conveyor-belt steps. The hosts are saying the Morgan feels special, but it’s not totally like a one-person custom build.

Term

mass produced

"Yeah. So if you value that. Yeah. 9-11s are, you know, 9-11s go down a production line just like a, you know, a Ford Puma would or something."

“Mass produced” means lots of cars are made using repeatable, standardized steps. It’s usually the opposite of a small-batch, hand-built approach.

Term

production line

"Yeah. So if you value that. Yeah. 9-11s are, you know, 9-11s go down a production line just like a, you know, a Ford Puma would or something."

A “production line” is a factory process where parts get added step-by-step in a set order. It usually means faster, more standardized building than hand-making.

Car

Ford Puma

"...n a production line just like a, you know, a Ford Puma would or something. They are, I mean, well, it's ..."

The Ford Puma is a small car in the crossover category. The podcast mentions it as an example of a car made in a factory production process. It’s brought up to contrast with cars that are made more individually or in smaller numbers.

Term

low volumes

"And if you're talking about it like in the way that they do with horology, with beautiful watches and low volumes and high-end materials, it's all of that."

“Low volumes” means they don’t build a huge number of these cars. Fewer cars usually means more care and less “assembly-line” feel.

Term

high-end materials

"And if you're talking about it like in the way that they do with horology, with beautiful watches and low volumes and high-end materials, it's all of that."

“High-end materials” just means nicer, higher-quality stuff is used in the car. That can make the car feel better built and sometimes last longer too.

Term

boot

"But yeah, it's got a small-ish boot and the hood seemed mostly watertight to me."

A “boot” is the trunk area in the back of the car. They’re saying this one doesn’t hold as much as you might want.

Term

watertight

"But yeah, it's got a small-ish boot and the hood seemed mostly watertight to me. There was a bit, it's got those slidey windows"

“Watertight” means it seals up well so rain doesn’t get inside. They’re basically saying the car seems well protected from the weather.

Term

temperamental roof motor

"And it had quite ripped seats and quite a lot of faddle damage here and there with the temperamental roof motor. I love that temperamental roof motor. That's not boating too well."

On a convertible, the roof motor is what powers the top up and down. If it’s “temperamental,” it can be flaky—sometimes working fine and other times acting up.

Concept

auction hammer price

"it ended up selling it with a hammer price of $33,600 because fans of the band really wanted to own it because it's like the ultimate piece of memorabilia and it's functioning."

“Hammer price” is the final bid amount at auction—the amount the car sells for when the auctioneer’s gavel (“hammer”) falls. It’s different from the buyer’s total cost, which can include buyer’s premium and taxes.

Car

Seagull

"...we've been thinking it's a, you know, badly drawn Seagull. Yeah. It's actually a deep V when you think abou..."

In the podcast, “Seagull” is mentioned like a joke or nickname. The speaker says it looks like a simple drawing, but it’s actually more like a “deep V” shape. It sounds like they’re describing what it is, not naming a common car model.

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