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OTOSOT 85

OTOSOT 85

Smith and Sniff Jan 16, 2026 30 min
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About this episode

A lively discussion unfolds as Richard Porter and Johnny Smith tackle listener questions, focusing on the legacy of Quentin Wilson's 'Cars the Star.' They explore which cars from the past 30 years deserve a spot in a potential revival, debating iconic models like the Bugatti Veyron and Tesla Roadster. The duo also shares humorous anecdotes about their own car experiences, including bizarre sales tactics and memorable vehicles. With a blend of nostalgia and automotive insight, this episode is packed with engaging stories and thoughtful reflections on car culture.

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Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Car

Lotus Elise

"...ilable in all states or situations. Hey, this is Elise Hu from TED Talks Daily, and I'd love to tell you..."

The Lotus Elise is a small, very light sports car that is really fun to drive. It's known for being quick and nimble, making it popular among car enthusiasts who love speed and handling.

Car

MG ZS180

"...Kev Davis, who is in Hampshire. Hi, Kev Davis. And is a substantially welded MG ZS180 owner."

The MG ZS180 is a sportier version of the MG ZS, which is a small SUV. It has a more powerful engine and is designed for better performance, making it more exciting to drive.

Car

MG Z

"...I would suggest, off the top of my head, the Bugatti Veyron, Ford Focus, Rover 75 and MG Z cars,..."

The MG Z is a small car made by MG that is known for being fun to drive. It has a sporty design and is popular among car enthusiasts.

Car

Ford Focus

"...I would suggest, off the top of my head, the Bugatti Veyron, Ford Focus, Rover 75 and MG Z cars,..."

The Ford Focus is a small car made by Ford that is known for being affordable and good on gas. It's a popular choice for many drivers.

Car

Bugatti Veyron

"...I would suggest, off the top of my head, the Bugatti Veyron, Ford Focus, Rover 75 and MG Z cars,..."

The Bugatti Veyron is a very fast and expensive car made by the Bugatti company. It's famous for being one of the quickest cars you can buy.

Car

BMW 3 Series

"...BNW 3 series, Escort cars with Loser's Carlton,..."

The BMW 3 Series is a small luxury car made by BMW that is known for being fun to drive and having a nice interior. It's a popular choice for people who want a sporty yet comfortable car.

Car

Leyland Princess

"...Kev concludes by saying Quentin didn't bother with the tale of the Leyland Princess,..."

The Leyland Princess is a British car that was made in the 1970s and 1980s. It had a unique look but didn't do very well in sales.

Car

Austin 1300

"I wrote a whole script for an episode about the Austin 1100 and 1300 because it seemed like there was enough to say kind of an interesting car."

The Austin 1300 is similar to the Austin 1100 but has a bigger engine, making it a bit more powerful. It was also a popular car in the UK.

Car

Austin 1100

"I wrote a whole script for an episode about the Austin 1100 and 1300 because it seemed like there was enough to say kind of an interesting car."

The Austin 1100 is a small car that was made in the UK a long time ago. It was popular for being practical and affordable for families.

Car

Austin 1300 GT

"as a kid, seeing a bright orange 1300 GT in the window of the local showroom and pressing his nose up against it. And we were going to start the whole show with a sort of recreation of that."

The Austin 1300 GT is a small car that was popular in Britain. It was known for being stylish and fun to drive, especially during the 1960s and 1970s.

Term

Faulty Towers

"And they had a starring role, of course, in Faulty Towers, the infamous whipping the car with the branch."

Faulty Towers is a funny British TV show from the 1970s about a hotel and its quirky owner. Cars are sometimes part of the funny situations in the show.

Car

DeLorean

"...I think we did the DeLorean instead. That series of the DeLorean had the beetle in it. Yes, I remember that one..."

The DeLorean is a unique car known for its shiny metal body and doors that open upwards. It's famous because it was featured in a popular movie about time travel.

Car

Volkswagen Beetle

"...the DeLorean had the beetle in it. Yes, I remember that one. The Silver Shadow..."

The Volkswagen Beetle is a small, round car that became very popular and is known for its unique shape. It's one of the most recognizable cars in history.

Car

Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow

"... the beetle in it. Yes, I remember that one. The Silver Shadow. So another one, which I don't think was ever do..."

The Silver Shadow is a very luxurious car made by Rolls-Royce, known for being super comfortable and stylish. It's often talked about because it's a classic car that many people dream of owning due to its elegance and high price.

Car

Land Rover Range Rover

"...ver done, getting back to Kev's question, was the Range Rover. What, it was never done? I don't remember. They..."

The Range Rover is a fancy SUV that can handle tough terrains but also feels very comfortable inside. People talk about it because it's seen as a luxury vehicle that can go anywhere, making it popular among those who want both style and adventure.

Car

Range Rover

"...I think the Range Rover was never done because there's a good story to tell there..."

The Range Rover is a fancy SUV that can drive off-road and is known for being very comfortable and luxurious. It's popular among people who want a stylish vehicle that can handle rough terrain.

Car

Land Rover

"...they did the Land Rover, the original Land Rover, but I don't think the Range Rover was ever done..."

Land Rover is a brand that makes tough vehicles designed to drive off-road. The first Land Rover was made a long time ago and is known for being very durable.

Car

Land Rover Discovery

"...y to tell there. To be more specific, I think the discovery would be a really good, the cars, the star, beca..."

The Discovery is a roomy SUV that can carry a lot of people and gear while also being able to drive off-road. It's talked about because it's great for families who enjoy outdoor activities and need a reliable vehicle.

Car

Fiat Panda

"one that springs to mind is the original Fiat Panda. Oh, the Fiat Panda would be really good."

The Fiat Panda is a small car that is easy to drive and park, making it great for city use. It's known for its simple design and functionality.

Term

flat glass

"...the Zyra went, I'll give it all flat glass. There'll be no curvature to the glass. Give it flat glass because it'll be cheaper to make."

Flat glass means the windows are straight and not curved. This can make the car cheaper to build but might not look as nice or be as aerodynamic.

Car

Fiat 500

"...the original Panda is a true people's car because it kept Italy moving. It stepped into the, you know, the role of the original 500. 500, yeah."

The Fiat 500 is a small, cute car that has been popular for many years. It's easy to drive and great for city life.

Car

Ford Escort Cosworth

"It's got lots to stay about it. Escort Cosworth, probably, yeah, Lotus Carlton, definitely."

The Ford Escort Cosworth is a special version of the Ford Escort car that was built for racing. It has a powerful engine and is famous for its speed and unique look.

Car

Lotus Carlton

"It's got lots to stay about it. Escort Cosworth, probably, yeah, Lotus Carlton, definitely."

The Lotus Carlton is a fast car made by Lotus, based on a regular car called the Vauxhall Carlton. It has special features that make it much quicker and more fun to drive.

Car

Renault 5

"Because that's, that's a sort of harder one to, well, the Renault, I mean, the five, obviously, because of its reborness."

The Renault 5 is a small car that many people liked back in the day. It's known for being easy to drive and having a fun design.

Car

Renault 4

"The four has got a good story around it."

The Renault 4 is an older small car that many people remember fondly. It was known for being useful and having a unique look.

Car

Renault Clio

"...I owned a 2003 Clio in around 2018. I got it for free from a 92 at the time year old man who was giving up driving for the second time. This Clio was a dark blue 1.2..."

The Renault Clio is a small car that's easy to drive and park. The 2003 version is known for being economical and is often used as a city car.

Term

MOT

"...I'll be scrapping it when the MOT runs out in September..."

MOT is a yearly check in the UK to make sure cars are safe to drive and not polluting too much. If a car fails, it can't be driven legally until it's fixed.

Car

Lexus LS

"I had that Lexus LS that I got for free because it was a leftover prop from one of Clarkson's videos. I wish you had."

The Lexus LS is a large luxury car that offers a smooth ride and many high-end features. It's known for being comfortable and reliable, making it a popular choice among luxury car buyers.

Car

BMW X5

"...there was a very good condition BMW X5 in there, a British right and drive car. Yeah. And they went, oh, okay, is that that sure? They went, yeah, yeah, we drove it out here..."

The BMW X5 is a big, fancy car that can carry a lot of people and stuff. The first version came out in 1999 and was known for being both powerful and practical.

Car

Mazda 626

"...So what I'm going to say is that there were some Mazda dealers who had a few kicking around, and you could still register one in 2001. And that's what it is. Because it looks like a Jaguar. They were very well equipped..."

The Mazda 626 is a car made by Mazda that was popular in the 1990s. It's known for being reliable and comfortable to drive.

Car

Jaguar Xtype

"The other obvious one is that the Jag X-Type came out around then. But I don't think it looks like a Jaguar."

The Jaguar X-Type is a car made by Jaguar that was produced in the early 2000s. It's known for being based on a Ford model, which some people think makes it less of a true Jaguar.

Car

Ford Pinto

"...k it's, Kelly Jones' voice, he's got like a Ford Pinto engine voice. He just gets too rough at the top e..."

The Ford Pinto was a small, cheap car from the 1970s that people often bought for its good gas mileage. It's remembered for some safety problems that made it controversial, which is why it sometimes comes up in discussions about car safety.

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