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OTOSOT 83

OTOSOT 83

Smith and Sniff Jan 02, 2026 39 min
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About this episode

A lively audience Q&A session unfolds as Johnny Smith and Richard Porter share hilarious and outrageous rental car stories, including a memorable trip to the Stelvio Pass in Fiat 500s and a chaotic lads' holiday with a Polo. They also discuss bizarre hotel experiences, the quirks of faulty cars, and even dive into a playful debate about creating 90s-inspired limousines. The episode is filled with laughter, nostalgia, and entertaining anecdotes that highlight the unpredictable nature of car culture and travel.

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Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Car

Talbot Solara

"...including a Talbot, Alpine and Solara, Haines manual. I'm coming."

The Talbot Solara is a car that was made in the late 1970s and 1980s. It was designed to be a practical vehicle for families and came in different styles, like a sedan or hatchback.

Car

Fiat / 2100 Familiare

"...they all got fiat 500s, and they did the Stelvio pass..."

The Fiat 500 is a small car made by Fiat, known for being easy to drive in cities and having a classic design.

Car

Fiat 500S

"...to Bergamo, outside Milan, and they all got fiat 500s, and they did the Stelvio pass,"
Car

Alfa Romeo Stelvio

"...an, and they all got fiat 500s, and they did the Stelvio pass, rather than bother driving through Europe."

The Alfa Romeo Stelvio is a stylish SUV that is fun to drive and looks great. It's named after a famous mountain road, and people like it because it offers a mix of luxury and sporty performance.

Concept

Stelvio Pass

"...they did the Stelvio pass, rather than bother driving through Europe..."

Stelvio Pass is a mountain road in Italy famous for its beautiful scenery and winding turns, making it a fun place to drive.

Car

Bmw 3

"And I'm, I borrowed a, hired a BMW 3, I would have been a 328 CI, E46 brand new at the time."

The BMW 328i is a model in the 3 Series lineup, which is known for being sporty and fun to drive. The E46 is the specific version of this model that was made from the late 1990s to the mid-2000s.

Car

Dodge Neon

"...What we were supposed to get was like a Dodge Neon or similar. And the man at the desk went,..."

The Dodge Neon is a small, inexpensive car that many people used for everyday driving. It was made by the Dodge brand and was popular for being affordable.

Term

convertible

"we got upgraded to a Chrysler Sebring convertible. Now, there were three of us, and we had suitcases."

A convertible is a car that has a roof that can be taken off or folded down, so you can drive it with the top down and enjoy the sunshine.

Car

Chrysler Sebring

"we got upgraded to a Chrysler Sebring convertible. Now, there were three of us, and we had suitcases."

The Chrysler Sebring is a car that was made by Chrysler. It comes in different styles, including a convertible, which means you can take the roof off to enjoy the open air while driving.

Car

Peugeot 307 estate

"...and then just handed over this Peugeot 307 estate"

The Peugeot 307 estate is a type of car that has more room in the back for carrying things. It's great for families or trips where you need extra space.

Car

Peugeot 307

"...eet everyone else and then just handed over this Peugeot 307 estate to the photographers on the shoe."

The Peugeot 307 Sedan is a small car that is easy to drive and has enough room for passengers and luggage. It's a budget-friendly option for people who need a reliable vehicle for everyday use.

Part

gearbox

"...they went, yeah, we've broken the gearbox. I'm sorry, you've done what?"

The gearbox is the part of the car that helps it change speeds. If it breaks, the car can have trouble moving properly.

Car

Audi A3

"So I'm going to say something buzz. Not like Audi A3. Well, one end."

The Audi A3 is a small, fancy car that feels nice to drive and has a lot of cool features. It's a good choice for people who want a luxury car without going for something really big.

Car

Audi TT Roadster

"[975.7s] TT Roadster. [977.2s] Oh, hello."

The Audi TT Roadster is a small, stylish convertible car that offers a fun driving experience. It's known for looking good and being enjoyable to drive.

Car

Daihatsu Materia

"Do you remember the Daihatsu Materia?"

The Daihatsu Materia is a small car made by the company Daihatsu. It's designed to be practical and has a boxy shape that makes it easy to use for everyday tasks.

Car

Opel Senator

"They were the people who had opal senators that had been secretly converted to four-wheel drives. They could kind of drive across a field..."

The Opel Senator is a big car made by the German company Opel. It was popular in the late 1980s and early 1990s for being comfortable and spacious.

Car

Land Range Rovers

"Well, I think they tried Range Rovers and they had some Range Rover problems."

The Range Rover is a fancy SUV made by Land Rover. It's known for being good at driving off-road while also being very comfortable inside.

Part

limited-slip differential

"Limited slip diff. Colway track and field remold on the rear."

A limited-slip differential helps both wheels on an axle to turn at different speeds while still providing power to both. This is important for better grip and handling, especially when turning or driving on slippery surfaces.

Term

Ferguson Formula four-wheel drive system

"With the Ferguson Formula four-wheel drive system, off those senators that really existed for Bricksmith, you have got the ultimate, and I use this word advisedly, weapon."

The Ferguson Formula is a type of four-wheel drive system that helps cars have better grip and control, especially when driving fast or on slippery surfaces.

Car

Lotus Carltons

"Green as well. Because, actually, Lotus Carlton's were already kind of dark. They were very dark green."

The Lotus Carlton is a super-fast car that was made in the 1990s. It's known for being really powerful and fun to drive, which makes it special among car lovers.

Car

Lexus SC430

"But yeah, it's Alexis SC430, full Michael MacDonald spell. And it had exactly the same thing."

The Lexus SC430 is a fancy car that can turn from a closed roof to an open one. It's designed to be comfortable and stylish.

Term

bump start

"...turn the ignition back on but not try to use the start motor, but then bump started itself and it just healed. So you do this every morning and it was really dicey"

Bump starting is a way to start a car by pushing it to get it moving and then using the car's momentum to start the engine instead of using the battery. It's useful if the battery isn't working.

Car

Jeep Cherokee

"I realized I had a Jeep Cherokee, an XJ-shaped one."

The Jeep Cherokee is a type of SUV that is good for both city driving and off-roading. The XJ is a specific version of this model that was made for many years and is known for being tough and dependable.

Car

Volkswagen Bora

"...d? I still have the hamlets that we found in the Bora, when we drugged it out,"

The Volkswagen Bora is a small sedan that is easy to drive and has a comfortable interior. It's a good option for people looking for a reliable car for daily use.

Car

Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow

"...t out, and you'll hate me because they're in the silver shadow. Best, sorry, I'm going to just get this huge st..."

The Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow is a very fancy car that was made a long time ago. It's known for being super comfortable and luxurious, making it a symbol of wealth and status.

Car

Ford Cortina

"Yeah, you know it, in a cortina, cliche. So there was that, cortina, mark one, jingle."

The Ford Cortina Mark One is an older car model that was popular in the 1960s. It was known for being a good family car that many people could afford.

Car

Ferrari Testarossa

"Do you go down the Ferrari route, say, Testarossa Daytona?"

The Ferrari Testarossa is a famous sports car from the 1980s. It has a unique look with side vents and is known for being very fast and powerful.

Car

Porsche 911 Turbo

"Or do you go down Mike Lowry, Mark Spenet route of 911 Turbo,"

The Porsche 911 Turbo is a faster version of the regular Porsche 911. It has a turbocharged engine that gives it more power and speed.

Car

Ford RS200

"I'm thinking RS 200 because it's low slung, which is cool. I mean, it's fugly, but it's great."

The Ford RS200 is a famous rally car from the 1980s. It's known for being very low to the ground and has a unique look, which some people find unattractive but others think is cool.

Car

Audi Quattro

"I'll give some time to a sport Quattro."

The Audi Sport Quattro is a powerful rally car that was used in racing. It's famous for its technology and ability to drive on all four wheels, which helped it win many races.

Car

Lancia Delta S4

"Maybe a Delta S4."

The Lancia Delta S4 is a famous rally car that was very advanced for its time. It used both a turbocharger and a supercharger to boost its power, which made it really fast.

Car

Peugeot 205 T16

"I'm either going RS 200 or maybe 205 T16."

The Peugeot 205 T16 is another fast car made for rally racing. It's designed to be very nimble and can handle different types of roads well.

Term

Alcantara

"Oh, it's not a euphemism. Because by the way, I've had it re-trimmed in Alcantara."

Alcantara is a soft, suede-like fabric used in cars to make the interior look and feel more luxurious. It's strong and easy to clean, making it a favorite for car manufacturers.

22 cars featured

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