Randy Porter and Alex trade stories while also giving a UK sneak peek for Bring a Trailer’s new UK landing page and local partner Sports Purpose at Bistro Motion. They discuss what they saw and drove—Porsche-heavy garages, a Renault 5 EV/Alpine vibe, and left-hand-drive oddities—plus Randy’s appearance on the Intercooler podcast. The bulk of the show digs into “questions of the week,” including how the comment-driven series started, favorite old prompts, and debates like best automatic cars, mods that aged poorly (especially wheels), and how daily-driver histories shape taste.
This BaT Podcast episode, Randy, Beck, and Alex preview some upcoming news and events from BaT in the UK—stay tuned for more! Randy also recounts test driving the Renault 5 EV, talks about what to do when your grandpa asks "so what's your story," finally starts his letter-series Chrysler (IYKYK), and takes a spirited rip around the Marin Headlands in his LoCort.
The trio then move on to the meat of the episode: answering some of our favorite Questions of the Week from all of BaT history. If you're not already hooked on this longstanding BaT feature, a favorite of the community and staff alike, please do yourself a favor and subscribe here!
"But they talk a lot of F1.
[156.9s] They talk a lot of product releases.
[159.2s] They talk a lot of, you know, what are manufacturers doing?"
F1 is Formula 1, the biggest kind of race car series in the world. People talk about teams and new tech that can influence how cars are built.
F1 refers to Formula 1, the top tier of open-wheel racing. When a show “talks a lot of F1,” it usually covers teams, rule changes, race results, and how new technology affects production cars and performance engineering.
"I've always loved British car magazines when I was a kid, right?
[167.2s] Like Evo and Car.
[169.2s] Car was the one I loved."
Evo is a popular UK car magazine. It’s known for covering fast, enthusiast-focused cars and driving culture.
Evo is a well-known British automotive magazine focused on performance cars, driving, and modern enthusiast culture. It’s often cited alongside other UK publications as a major voice in car journalism.
"Like Evo and Car.
[169.2s] Car was the one I loved."
Car is a UK car magazine. The host is saying it was the one they liked most as a kid.
Car is a British automotive magazine (often referred to simply as “Car”) known for editorial coverage of performance and enthusiast cars. In the UK, it’s a long-running publication that many enthusiasts grew up reading.
"So there are cool cars going around over there, ton of cool Rover product. [238.3s] They are Porsche heavy there."
Rover is a British car brand. People in the UK often like Rover cars, especially older ones, and it can mean you’ll see a lot of them at events or in everyday driving.
Rover is a British automaker best known for models like the Range Rover SUV line and classic cars from the mid-to-late 20th century. In the UK, Rover has a strong enthusiast following, so seeing “Rover product” mentioned usually points to a local mix of classic and modern British cars.
"They've got a 356 race car that was at my streetcar."
The Porsche 356 is an older Porsche sports car from the early days of the brand. If it’s a race car, it’s likely been modified for track use.
The Porsche 356 is the brand’s early production sports car (pre-911 era), known for its classic styling and lightweight, air-cooled character. Mentioning a “356 race car” suggests a historically significant, track-prepped example rather than a modern replica.
"Like the new Renault 5. I wouldn't drove the new Renault 5."
The Renault 5 is a car name that’s being brought back. Here they’re talking about the newer one, and they mention it’s electric. They’re also comparing it to a higher-end Alpine version.
The Renault 5 is a modern revival of the classic Renault 5 nameplate. In this discussion it’s described as an EV, highlighting how the brand is reintroducing a familiar design concept with electric power. The speaker also contrasts it with an “Alpine version,” implying different trims/variants.
"The dealer and they make an Alpine version of it, which I actually didn't like better."
Alpine is a performance brand from France. When they say there’s an Alpine version, they mean a sportier take on the same basic car.
Alpine is a French performance brand closely associated with Renault. In the transcript, “an Alpine version” of the Renault 5 is mentioned, which typically signals a sportier, more enthusiast-oriented variant (tuning, styling, and equipment) compared with the base model.
EV means electric vehicle. It’s a car that runs on electricity from a battery instead of using gasoline.
EV stands for electric vehicle—cars powered primarily by an electric motor and battery rather than a gasoline engine. The speaker is using it to frame the Renault 5 as a mainstream, practical choice in that market, even if it feels “exotic” elsewhere.
"No, the 911 has been sort of parked. It's having like a weird starting issue right now. So from basically sitting."
A “starting issue” just means the car won’t start normally. It can be caused by things like a weak battery, fuel problems, or ignition-related parts.
A “starting issue” means the car has trouble beginning the engine cycle—often due to battery/charging problems, fuel delivery, ignition components, or sensors that prevent starting. In older or intermittently used cars, sitting can also contribute by draining the battery or causing fuel system issues.
"The Chrysler is together. [605.4s] It needs power steering fluid. [606.8s] It needs a couple little details before I back it out, but it ran."
Power steering fluid helps make the steering feel lighter. If it’s low, the steering can get hard and the system can start acting up.
Power steering fluid is the hydraulic fluid used by many older power steering systems to reduce steering effort. If the fluid is low or old, steering can feel heavy and the system may make noise or wear out.
"And it got oil pressure way before it fired. [664.0s] And then I looked around and it had filled up the paper,"
Oil pressure tells you the engine is getting oil where it needs to go. If you build oil pressure before it starts, it helps prevent wear on the engine’s moving parts.
Oil pressure is the force of oil moving through the engine’s lubrication system. Building oil pressure before ignition helps protect engine bearings and internal parts during startup, especially after long periods of sitting.
"Does that have to be on the Triumph TR3 of this week, if you're talking about Cadillacs in the 70s or whatever, right?"
The Triumph TR3 is a classic British sports car. It’s the kind of older car that people love to talk about because it has a big enthusiast community and lots of restoration stories.
The Triumph TR3 is a classic British sports car from the early 1950s–early 1960s, known for its open-top roadster styling and enthusiast following. On Bring a Trailer, a car like a TR3 often becomes a focal point for community discussion because of its age, restoration culture, and parts availability.
"but it wasn't listed on BAT. I think I found it on Craigslist in the Central Valley..."
BAT stands for Bring a Trailer, a website where car enthusiasts buy and sell cars through auctions. If a car wasn’t on BAT, it wasn’t being sold through that site.
BAT is Bring a Trailer, an online auction site focused on enthusiast cars. When someone says a car “wasn’t listed on BAT,” they mean it wasn’t offered through that platform at the time.
"I tried doing the ignition coil myself. I actually had the wrong coil. TIIs, specifically 74 TIIs have their own coil."
The ignition coil helps create the spark that lights the fuel in the engine. If the coil is bad—or not the right one—the engine can run poorly and misfire.
An ignition coil is the part that transforms battery voltage into the high voltage needed to fire a spark plug. If it’s wrong or failing, you can get misfires, rough running, and sometimes backfiring.
"Oldest daily driver is a 66 fastback to high school, red, kind of Shelby clone with faded paint."
A “daily driver” is the car someone uses for normal life—school, errands, commuting—rather than just for car shows.
A “daily driver” is a vehicle used regularly for everyday trips rather than stored for shows or weekend use. In enthusiast circles, it often implies the car was lived with—miles, weather, and minor wear included.
"And then I started driving the 912, which is a 76, which is my second oldest daily driver. And that car, I've driven 100,000 miles. ... When we bought the 912, it has a six digit odometer and it had 107,000 miles and it's rolled once since."
A Porsche 912 is a classic Porsche model from the 911 family. It’s the kind of car people buy when they want the Porsche feel, but often with a simpler/cheaper setup than a full 911. Here, they’re talking about how many miles their 912 has and how they used it day to day.
The Porsche 912 is an early-1960s/1970s-era 911-family model known for being a more affordable entry point to classic Porsche ownership. In this segment, the host specifically mentions a 1976 Porsche 912 and discusses its odometer mileage and how often it was driven as a daily driver.
"When we bought the 912, it has a six digit odometer and it had 107,000 miles and it's rolled once since. It's now got like two something. ... The GIA's got a five digit."
The odometer is the mileage counter on a car. If it has fewer digits, it can roll over sooner, so the number you see today may not tell the whole story by itself.
An odometer is the instrument that records total vehicle mileage. This segment highlights differences like a “six digit odometer” and “five digit” odometer behavior, which can affect whether the mileage has rolled over and how to interpret the current reading.
"...get your license. FJ40, 66, Mustang Fastback, 2002 TII salvage title. Go overseas study, parents sell that."
A salvage title means the car was considered a total loss at some point. It usually makes the car worth less and can involve extra steps to repair and get it back to legal status.
A salvage title is issued when a vehicle is declared a total loss by an insurer due to damage or theft. It can significantly change resale value and may require repairs and inspections before the car can be put back on the road.
"[1598.3s] E92 was at so-called E92, 328 CI, Coupe,
[1604.3s] six-speed white, black."
“Six-speed” means the car has a manual transmission with six gears. People like it because you get to choose the gears yourself while driving.
A “six-speed” refers to a manual transmission with six forward gears. Manual gearboxes are often sought after by enthusiasts because they provide direct driver control and a more engaging driving feel.
"[1607.1s] The 28 actually came with better wheels than the 35.
[1609.7s] It was non-turbo, but it was, man, it was good."
“Non-turbo” means the engine doesn’t have a turbocharger. That usually makes the power feel smoother and more straightforward as you press the gas.
“Non-turbo” means the engine doesn’t use a turbocharger, so power comes from naturally aspirated combustion. Enthusiasts often prefer naturally aspirated setups for their linear throttle response and predictable power delivery.
"[1755.1s] Here's one of the ones that I've been thinking about a lot.
[1758.0s] What's the best car with an automatic transmission?
[1761.4s] I think, Rick, you might have more trouble answering this"
An automatic transmission is a type of car gearbox that changes gears for you. You don’t have to use a clutch pedal or shift manually.
An automatic transmission is a gearbox that shifts gears without the driver manually selecting them. On modern cars it’s often paired with torque converters or dual-clutch designs, and it can strongly affect how the car feels in traffic and at speed.
"So yeah, whatever it was. Two gears. That's all you needed. High and low."
The “two gears” comment describes a 2-speed automatic transmission behavior—commonly associated with older automatics like the Powerglide. With only high/low, the car relies more on engine RPM and torque than on frequent gear changes.
"And you can do period mods that are period appropriate.
You can do all kinds of stuff."
“Period mods” are upgrades that fit the car’s time period. The idea is to make the car look like it belongs to its original era, not like it was customized with random modern parts.
“Period mods” means modifications that match the era of the car—using parts and styles that would plausibly have been available when the vehicle was new or in its prime. It’s a common Bring a Trailer philosophy: keep changes tasteful and historically coherent.
"And I see that knowing that I have a smaller MOMO wheel on my 911,
[2327.2s] mostly it's out of function, so I can actually physically drive it.
But I don't like looking at it."
MOMO is an aftermarket steering wheel and motorsport-inspired brand known for wheels, seats, and related accessories. Enthusiasts often choose MOMO for a classic look, but fitment and ergonomics matter—especially with smaller steering wheels.
"So for me, it would be big, big wheels, slam it to the ground, loud exhaust. And now I want to do, in fact, on a couple of my cars, I've undone that to them."
“Slam it to the ground” means lowering the car a lot so it sits very close to the pavement. It often looks cool, but it can ride rough and scrape more easily.
“Slam it to the ground” describes an extremely lowered stance, typically from aggressive lowering springs/coilovers and smaller wheel/tire packages. While it looks dramatic, it can reduce ride quality, increase tire wear, and make scraping more likely.
"They came to me that way and I was like, I want small wheels and soft suspension and a quiet exhaust. Really what I want is I want it to feel like it did when it was new."
A “quiet exhaust” is when the car sounds calmer than a loud aftermarket setup. It can make the car more relaxing to drive, especially for longer trips.
A “quiet exhaust” setup aims to reduce cabin and exterior noise, often by using more restrictive mufflers/resonators or retaining factory-style components. Many owners eventually prefer it for long-distance comfort and reduced fatigue.
"[2633.2s] This is tricky.
[2633.9s] So yeah, you can look it up.
[2634.9s] It's one family owned car.
[2636.0s] McGee, it was in 2017."
“One family owned” means the car stayed in the same family instead of changing hands a lot. That can be a good sign because it often means the car was looked after and there may be more history about it. It can make the car feel more trustworthy to buy.
“One family owned” is a provenance/ownership-history concept often used in enthusiast listings and auctions to suggest the car was cared for and not repeatedly traded. For buyers, it can correlate with better maintenance records and fewer unknown modifications. In Bring a Trailer-style discussions, this kind of history can affect perceived value and buyer confidence.
Part
cut the center out of the barrel on the back
"“And we cut the center out of the barrel on the back so that the offset was correct.”"
They modified the wheel by cutting out part of it and rebuilding it so the wheel sits in the right place. The goal is to get the correct tire position without rubbing.
This describes a wheel-widening technique: removing the wheel’s center section (“barrel”) and reassembling it to achieve the desired offset. It’s a fabrication-heavy approach that can be used to keep the wheel’s geometry correct when making a staggered fitment work.
See something that's not quite right? Our annotations are AI-generated and can sometimes miss the mark.
Click the flag icon on any annotation to suggest a correction.
