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OTOSOT 84

OTOSOT 84

Smith and Sniff Jan 09, 2026 36 min
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About this episode

Richard Porter and Johnny Smith dive into a heartfelt story about a listener's grandmother who passed her driving test at 71 and drove a Nissan Micra with a unique driving style. The duo reflects on her adventures and mischief behind the wheel, sparking a discussion on what they hope to drive at that age. They also tackle listener questions about car choices, including suggestions for a car consultant to Harry Metcalf, exploring options from the mid-90s to late 2000s. The episode balances humor, nostalgia, and thoughtful insights into automotive choices.

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Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Car

Nissan K11 Micra

"As was only proper for a septogenarian in the 90s, she bought herself a lovely new K-11 micro from the local Glyn Hopkins dealership, something that raised some rye smiles among family members."

The Nissan K11 Micra is a small car that was made in the 1990s. It's known for being easy to drive and park in cities.

Part

CG-13 engine

"Yes, it was the full-fat 1.3-litre 16-valve with the CG-13 engine. They were unfairly powerful, I think."

The CG-13 engine is a small engine used in the Nissan Micra that helps the car be efficient and fun to drive.

Car

Nissan K11

"...this was an R-Edge 98 model, it was the earlier pre-Facelift K-11 rather than the fresh for 98 K-11 C, which had that peculiar Primera-style grille..."

The Nissan K11 is a small car model known as the Micra, which was made by Nissan. The 1998 version is part of a generation that was popular for being easy to drive and economical.

Term

automatic transmission

"...suggested that she might want to get an automatic, but she maintained that my late grandfather would never approve of such a thing."

An automatic transmission is a system in cars that changes gears for you, so you don't have to do it yourself. This makes driving easier, especially in traffic.

Term

clutch control

"...her clutch control was fine."

Clutch control is how well a driver uses the clutch pedal in a car with a manual transmission. It helps the driver start and stop smoothly without the car stalling.

Term

synchro

"Presumably, the synchro in first has had had enough."

A synchro is a part of a car's manual transmission that helps gears shift smoothly. If it's damaged, it can make it hard to change gears, especially when starting from a stop.

Term

traction control

"...I want a car that has no traction control is just going to give me punch me if I'm not careful. So I'd like to think, well, it's time I'm 71."

Traction control helps your car maintain grip on the road by stopping the wheels from spinning too fast when you accelerate. It makes driving safer, especially on wet or slippery surfaces.

Car

Dodge Viper

"Am I going to be in a Dodge Viper?"

The Dodge Viper is a fast sports car made by Dodge. It has a big engine and is known for being very exciting to drive.

Car

Peugeot 504

"He broke down in the Sahara in a Peugeot 504 estate. Nearly died."

The Peugeot 504 is a car made by the French company Peugeot. It was built to be strong and comfortable, making it a good choice for long journeys.

Concept

Paris-Dakar Rally

"But Mark Thatcher took part in the Pari Dakar, having agreed to do it like two years previously..."

The Paris-Dakar Rally is a famous race that takes place in tough conditions, usually through deserts and rough terrain. It's known for being very challenging for drivers and their vehicles.

Car

Bugatti Veyron

"Buy a Veyron on a credit card and then go, oh, shit, I've died. I think I might do this."

The Bugatti Veyron is a very fast and expensive car that many people dream of owning. It's famous for being one of the quickest cars you can buy.

Car

Mangusta

"Well, actually, for some reason, he's got to do some awesome mangusta. But actually, I might just slip into it."

The Mangusta is a cool sports car from Italy that was made a long time ago. It's famous for its looks and how it drives, but it's not very common to see one today.

Car

Tesla

"...trying to floor pan swap Teslas with classic piston cars. Because I'm looking at the emails and they're all going,..."

Tesla is a car company that makes electric cars, which means they run on batteries instead of gasoline. They are known for their high-tech features and fast acceleration.

Concept

floor pan swap

"...when we must have gone down that huge wheel base hole of trying to floor pan swap Teslas with classic piston cars. Because I'm looking at the emails and they're all going,..."

A floor pan swap is when you change the bottom part of a car where people sit and where the car's parts are attached. This is done to fit new technology into older cars, like putting electric parts into classic cars.

Car

Volvo

"...did you know that the Volvo blah blah blah is only a few millimeters different?"

Volvo is a car brand from Sweden that is famous for making safe cars. They produce different types of vehicles, including cars and SUVs, and are known for their strong focus on safety.

Car

Renault Trafic

"He says, I'm writing to tell you about my 2019 Renault Trafic, which has an ongoing issue with the DPF."

The Renault Trafic is a type of van made by Renault, popular for businesses because it has a lot of space for carrying goods. It's designed to be practical and efficient for everyday use.

Term

DPF

"which has an ongoing issue with the DPF. The van has been to the local Renault dealership for repair."

DPF means Diesel Particulate Filter, which is a part in diesel vehicles that helps clean the exhaust gases to make them less harmful. If there's a problem with it, the vehicle might not run as well and could need repairs.

Term

limp mode

"...which turns out is what has happened to my van. Hang on, Jimmy Cliff, did he predict limp home mode?"

Limp mode is what happens when your car's computer detects a problem and makes the engine run slowly to avoid damage. It helps you get to a mechanic without causing more issues.

Car

Ford Crown

"As big fan of the Vic, is Johnny aware that the Ford Crown Victoria race is hosted by YouTuber Cleetus McFarland in Florida?"

The Ford Crown Victoria is a large car often used by police and taxis. It's known for being tough and reliable, which is why some people like to race them.

Concept

Cleetus McFarland

"As big fan of the Vic, is Johnny aware that the Ford Crown Victoria race is hosted by YouTuber Cleetus McFarland in Florida?"

Cleetus McFarland is a well-known YouTube personality who makes videos about cars and racing. He hosts events where people can race their cars, making it fun for car enthusiasts.

Car

Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow

"...Zegato, Lotus Elan and disgraced entertainer spec Silver Shadow. He has the late 80s Holy Trinity of 9-Eleven Tu..."
Car

Lotus Elan

"...trio of lovely early 70s cars. Full-year Zegato, Lotus Elan and disgraced entertainer spec Silver Shadow. He..."

The Lotus Elan Roadster is a small, lightweight sports car that’s fun to drive. It’s known for being quick and nimble, making it a favorite among people who love driving.

Car

Ferrari Testarossa

"He has the late 80s Holy Trinity of 9-Eleven Turbo, Testarossa and Kuntas."

The Ferrari Testarossa is a famous sports car known for its unique design and powerful engine, making it a symbol of luxury and performance.

Car

Lamborghini Countach

"He has the late 80s Holy Trinity of 9-Eleven Turbo, Testarossa and Kuntas."

The Lamborghini Countach is a very famous and flashy sports car with unique doors that open upwards, known for being extremely fast and stylish.

Car

Porsche 911 Turbo

"He has the late 80s Holy Trinity of 9-Eleven Turbo, Testarossa and Kuntas."

The Porsche 911 Turbo is a fast sports car that has a turbocharger, which helps it go faster and perform better than regular models.

Car

Jaguar Project 8

"He has a triumphant of peak car in his Jagd Project 7 and Project 8 and McLaren 650s."

The Jaguar Project 8 is a very fast version of a Jaguar sedan, made for racing and high performance on the track.

Car

Jaguar Project 7

"He has a triumphant of peak car in his Jagd Project 7 and Project 8 and McLaren 650s."

The Jaguar Project 7 is a special sports car made by Jaguar, known for its racing style and strong performance.

Car

Mclaren 650S

"He has a triumphant of peak car in his Jagd Project 7 and Project 8 and McLaren 650s."

The McLaren 650S is a high-performance sports car known for being very fast and having a sleek design, making it popular among car enthusiasts.

Car

Lamborghini Espada

"...h from selling his Jagd XJ Coupe and Lamborghini Espada, I think you couple of flutes could act as his ca..."

The Lamborghini Espada is a fancy sports car that can fit four people inside. It’s known for being really fast and stylish, making it a special car that many car lovers admire.

Car

Subaru Impreza

"a Scooby Impressor of some sort, popular with farming types,"

The Subaru Impreza is a smaller car that is great for driving in tough weather because it has all-wheel drive. It's also known for being sporty and fun to drive.

Car

Audi R8

"Well, what would you go for? A saucy Audi R8, a Scooby Impressor of some sort, popular with fa..."

The Audi R8 is a fast and stylish sports car that’s fun to drive. It’s known for looking great and performing really well, making it a favorite among car fans.

Car

TVR Cerbera

"Maybe something properly lairy like a TVR Cerbera."

The TVR Cerbera is a unique British sports car that is very fast and exciting to drive. It has a cool design and is made to be lightweight for better performance.

Car

Bentley Brooklands

"Well, I would go for, and we have talked about them not that long ago, and I was tooling around in a behently over Christmas. I would go, I'd go for a Bentley Brooklands from about 2008."

The Bentley Brooklands is a fancy car made by Bentley, known for being very luxurious and powerful. It has a big V8 engine and is designed for a comfortable ride.

Car

Buick Grand Sport

"Yes. The Grand Sport ones. Yes."

The Buick Gran Sport is a sporty version of a Buick car that was popular in the past. It’s known for being powerful and fun to drive, making it a favorite among car lovers.

Car

Subaru 22B

"...which is the stupid one, the BB-22B. 22B. He wouldn't go that. Yeah, because that's 300 grand."

The Subaru 22B is a special version of a Subaru car made for rally racing fans. It's famous for being fast and is very valuable because only a few were made.

Car

McLaren P1

"But a P1 is actually much, much better value. I've seen lots of P1s recently through iconic auctioneers going for around the 20 to 25 mark and they're good."

The McLaren P1 is a very fast and expensive sports car that uses both gas and electric power to go really fast. It's one of the top supercars in the world.

Car

Audi Quattro

"...ely confidence inspiring. It's like what an Audi Quattro should drive like, is I always think."

The Audi Quattro is a sporty car that can drive well in all kinds of weather because it has all-wheel drive. It’s famous for being very capable and fun to drive, especially on twisty roads.

Car

Nissan R35 Gtr

"...the R35 GT-R was a benchmark for so many other supercars. It was like, but can it outdo the, you know, 50 grand still?"

The Nissan GT-R (R35) is a fast sports car that many other high-end cars are compared to because of its great performance and technology.

Car

Rolls-Royce Silver Seraphs

"...mpanion to Harry's Shad, what about one of those silver seraphs, the BMW V12 in it? Because they're quite obscur..."

The Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph is a very fancy car that offers a lot of comfort and luxury. It’s known for its beautiful design and smooth ride, making it a special choice for those who want something elegant.

Car

Rolls-Royce Phantom

"...e're talking about, he's got to buy the cheapest Phantom that he can find. Yeah, they're down, aren't the..."

The Rolls-Royce Phantom is one of the most luxurious cars you can buy, known for its comfort and high-quality materials. People often talk about it because it’s a symbol of wealth and luxury.

24 cars featured

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