Rod Emory's Def Leppard Porsche Outlaw

A “tribute” build is a recreation or homage to an earlier car, usually keeping the look, spirit, and key details of the original. Here, they’re finishing a tribute to the original Baja Bug after the first one was totaled.

Amelia Island is a coastal area in Florida that hosts major classic-car events. In enthusiast circles, it’s especially associated with laid-back vintage-car touring and shows compared with busier big-city events.

Pebble Beach is a famous California resort area best known for high-profile concours d’elegance events and luxury/performance car culture. The speaker contrasts it with Amelia Island, implying Pebble Beach is a more universally attended event but can be tiring due to traffic.

Ice racing tires are specialized tires designed for low-traction winter surfaces like ice and packed snow. They’re typically built with compounds and tread patterns that can maintain grip where normal road tires would slide.

Vettestine is a tire brand being promoted in this segment. The hosts emphasize that it’s a heritage-focused, European-performance-oriented tire line, and they specifically talk about how the sidewalls look.

A tire sidewall is the outer wall of the tire between the tread and the bead. It’s important for tire construction and also carries branding/markings, and in this segment the host is praising the sidewall’s visual design.

“Outlaw” cars are enthusiast-built, non-stock projects that blend classic looks with modern drivability or performance tweaks. The key idea is that they’re intentionally not a factory-correct restoration—more like a personalized hot-rod interpretation of a classic.

A “donor car” is a vehicle you buy mainly to harvest usable parts or use its body/chassis as the base for a new build. Calling it a “patina donor” suggests the donor already has desirable aged appearance, so it can contribute both parts and the vintage look.

“RM” refers to RM Sotheby’s, a major classic-car auction house. In this context, it’s where the speaker bought the donor Porsche.

“Body bumpers” are bumper designs that sit closer to the car’s body and often match the bodywork more closely than later, more protruding bumper styles. On classic cars, this is usually a visual-era detail that can change the look without necessarily changing the underlying performance hardware.

Porsche 911 is the iconic rear-engine sports car line known for its distinctive handling and long-running evolution. In this segment, the hosts are describing a conversion where 911 components are used underneath another early Porsche, specifically to improve braking, suspension, and steering feel.

Fuel injection is a system that delivers fuel to the engine using electronically controlled injectors rather than a carburetor. It helps the engine maintain the right air-fuel mixture across different speeds and temperatures.

Disc brakes use brake pads clamping onto a spinning rotor to slow the car. Calling them “big” usually implies larger rotors and/or calipers, which can improve braking power and heat handling.

Brewster Green is a Porsche paint color name. The host also notes they added pearl to it because the newer factory Brewster Green can appear “too flat” without the extra sparkle.

“Pearl” in automotive paint refers to pearlescent pigments that create a shifting sparkle as light hits the surface. It’s often used to add depth and visual “flop” so the color doesn’t look flat in different lighting.

“Flop” is the way a paint color changes appearance with viewing angle, typically shifting shade as light reflects differently. Pearlescent pigments can increase flop, making the car look more dynamic rather than flat.

Basket weave is a patterned upholstery fabric where threads are woven in a repeating crisscross texture. In seats, it’s mainly a visual and tactile choice that can also help hide wear compared with smoother materials.

“Speedster seats” refers to a specific seat style associated with Porsche speedster interiors—typically more supportive, often with distinctive bolstering and a sportier shape. The term is used here to describe the upholstery/seat design rather than a generic seat type.

“German square weave” describes a specific carpet weave pattern—square, tightly woven fibers that create a textured look. “Tan” is the color, and the host is using it to specify the interior’s materials and finish quality.

The car’s electrical system uses a 12-volt battery and wiring to power accessories like radios and audio components. When the host says “it’s all 12 volts when it works,” they mean the audio setup is designed to run on the standard automotive voltage rather than requiring a separate power system.

A “stealth amplifier” is an audio power amplifier hidden inside the vehicle so the installation looks factory or unobtrusive. In this case, it’s paired with a hidden “sound stream” to improve audio without visibly changing the dash or center area.

The steering wheel is the driver’s interface to the steering system, and its size affects leverage and steering feel. Here it’s discussed in millimeters, which is a common way enthusiasts compare wheel diameter for quicker or heavier steering response.

Millimeters here refer to steering wheel diameter. The host contrasts the original wheel size (400 mm) with a smaller aftermarket/reproduction wheel (385 mm), which changes steering ratio feel and how much effort is required at the rim.

“385” is the steering wheel diameter in millimeters for the reproduction wheel being discussed. Compared with the original 400 mm wheel, the smaller diameter typically makes the steering feel quicker because the driver’s hand movement translates to less wheel rotation.

“Reproduction ones” means aftermarket parts made to replicate an original equipment (OEM) design. The host implies the reproduction steering wheel is stronger than the original, which matters because wheel materials and construction affect stiffness and flex.

In steering-wheel context, “flex” refers to unwanted bending or give under load. The host says the original Darrington wheels “flex too much,” which can degrade steering precision and feel, especially during spirited driving.

“Basket weave” is a leather or fabric upholstery pattern that looks like interlaced strands, similar to a woven basket. In car interiors it’s used for texture and visual style, and it can be hard to keep from looking busy when combined with other colors or materials.

In this context, “interior” refers to the cabin materials and design—especially the seats and upholstery. When custom colors and upholstery patterns are discussed, the interior is where those choices show up most directly.

In this context, “build this” refers to the custom-car decision to refuse a customer’s requested spec. The speaker frames it as protecting the brand’s identity and avoiding a one-off mistake that could harm reputation.

A sand car is a vehicle set up for driving in sand dunes, typically with gearing, tires, and cooling suited to low-traction, high-load conditions. The speaker uses it to explain that a Subaru engine can be a good match for dune use, but not for a classic Porsche 356.

“Gen-V throttle bodies” are the engine’s air-control units (one or more) that regulate how much air enters the intake. Newer generations typically improve airflow control and calibration, which helps with smoothness and response.

MoTeC is a well-known performance electronics brand, and “MoTeC ECU” means the engine is controlled by a MoTeC engine control unit. An ECU manages fuel, ignition timing, and throttle/air strategies to make the engine run correctly and efficiently.

An alternator’s “amp” rating indicates how much electrical current it can produce. A “155 amp alternator” provides enough electrical output to run power-hungry accessories like electric air conditioning.

“Electric air conditioning” means the A/C system is driven by electrical power rather than relying on engine mechanical drive. This is often used in conversions or custom builds where packaging and accessory drive choices make electric operation practical.

An “amber fiberglass shroud” is a heat/engine-bay cover made from fiberglass with an amber color. In this context, the speaker ties it to Porsche motorsport history as a visual cue and design tribute.

The Porsche 911R is a stripped-down, track-focused 911 variant from Porsche’s motorsport history. The speaker uses it to reference when Porsche developed the “911 type engine” that later race cars also carried forward in spirit.

The Porsche 910 is a classic Porsche race car from the 1960s, associated with the brand’s early motorsport development. Here it’s mentioned as part of the lineage of cars that used the same amber fiberglass shroud look.

The Porsche 917 is a legendary Le Mans–era race car known for its dominance and big-engine approach in the late 1960s. The speaker references it because the “amber fiberglass shroud” look is a motorsport heritage detail they wanted to echo.

In the context of car use, “freeway” implies sustained high-speed driving where you need enough power and traction to merge and maintain speed. The host uses it to contrast city cruising with the demands of highway acceleration.

Wheel width affects tire size and the contact patch—the area of rubber touching the road. Narrow wheels and tires can reduce grip and make it harder to accelerate confidently, which is why the host connects this setup to freeway usability.

A paint-to-sample program is a custom-color process where a customer provides a reference color (or requests a unique shade) and the manufacturer formulates paint to match. The speaker notes that Porsche didn’t have such a program in that era, so custom colors required a different workflow.

Paint swatches are small, physical samples used to confirm a specific color before the final paint is applied. In this story, the body shop mixes colors, creates swatches, and sends them to Germany so Porsche can match the customer’s unique request.

The Porsche 356 is the original post-war Porsche model, known for its lightweight design and early air-cooled layout. In this story, the speaker says the car is at the very end of the 356 model run, right as the 911 was being introduced.

An open barge is a type of cargo transport vessel without a fully enclosed container, which exposes vehicles to more environmental conditions during shipping. The speaker connects this to why cars arrived with protective coatings that needed to be removed carefully.

A hoist is a lift used to raise a car so the underside and lower body can be accessed. Here, it’s used when the new Porsche arrives at the dealership and the dad washes off shipping protection.

“Obsolete Porsche parts” refers to discontinued parts that are no longer produced by Porsche but may still be available as leftover inventory. The speaker’s point is that the shop sold new-old-stock (NOS) items that had become “obsolete” due to model changes or part supersession.

New old stock (NOS) means parts that were manufactured earlier but never sold to customers, so they’re effectively “new” despite being from an older production run. In classic Porsche circles, NOS is valuable because it can be the closest thing to original equipment for discontinued components.

The Volkswagen Beetle is the classic air-cooled VW with a rear-engine layout and a huge enthusiast following. In this story, the speaker emphasizes a highly unusual conversion: a Beetle made with wrought iron bodywork while still being running and drivable.

A sill is the structural panel along the bottom edge of the car’s body, near the doors. Calling it a “machine steel sill” suggests a fabricated/aftermarket steel reinforcement or replacement piece, which is why people notice it and assume it isn’t original.

A parts manager runs a dealership or shop’s parts department—ordering inventory, managing stock, and coordinating sales of OEM and aftermarket components. Here, it’s relevant because the speaker says the job included upselling owners on additional items like steering wheels.

Upsell is a sales tactic where a seller encourages a customer to buy a higher-value option or additional add-ons. In dealership parts departments, it often means steering buyers toward accessories or upgrades beyond the base purchase.

A “Talbot mirror” refers to a specific style/brand of exterior mirror used on certain cars. Here it’s being contrasted with a more common “Durant” mirror, and the host uses it as evidence that the car’s mirror setup is period-correct (or at least intentionally specified).

“Machine turned thresholds” are door-sill/entry trim pieces with a machined, decorative finish. The host mentions them as a practical choice too—Chick didn’t want people scuffing the carpet when entering and exiting.

A “horn toggle” is a switch that changes how the horn sounds. In the segment, the host discovers it isn’t a kill switch and learns it selects between two horn tones—one deeper and one higher-pitched—suggesting a dual-tone setup.

A horn ring is the circular pad on the steering wheel that you press to sound the horn. On older cars, it’s often part of a more mechanical-looking horn arrangement, and the wiring can be set up so different tones are selected by different switches or toggles.

Cosmoline is a thick, waxy rust-preventive grease used to protect vehicles and parts during storage or shipping. It can be wiped off during detailing, and the hosts use it as evidence that the car has been recently cleaned versus being left in its original protected condition.

Ownership history is the record of who has owned a vehicle over time. For collector cars, it helps spot red flags like frequent flips, gaps in records, or inconsistencies with the car’s stated provenance.

“993” refers to the Porsche 911 generation from the 1990s (the 911 (993)). Mentioning a “993 component” highlights that enthusiasts often search for specific parts tied to that exact generation, since fitment and specs can differ between years.

The Porsche 935 is a high-performance race car derived from Porsche’s 911 platform, built for endurance and competition use. It’s significant because it’s associated with serious motorsport success and is known for being extremely capable—and sometimes extreme—in how it’s set up for racing. It may be mentioned on a podcast when the host talks about iconic race cars and the appeal of driving or owning something purpose-built for track competition.

“Impact zones” are engineered areas on a car designed to absorb and manage crash energy. Modern regulations often require specific deformation behavior, which can change how the front and rear of a car are structured compared with older designs.

“Bumper heights” refers to how high a car’s bumpers sit relative to the ground, which is regulated in many markets. Those rules are meant to improve outcomes in low-speed impacts, but they can force changes that affect the look and proportions of classic cars.

“A pillars” are the vertical structural supports at the front corners of a car’s cabin, next to the windshield. They’re critical for crash protection and rollover strength, so modern safety rules often require stronger or differently shaped A-pillars than older cars had.

Nick Shorsh is described as being involved with Audrain and as the person the builder has already made multiple cars for. In this segment, he’s the key client/connector driving the Porsche 914 project.

Audrain is referenced as the group behind a project the builder is working on. In this segment, it functions as the organizing context for the custom Porsche builds (including the potential 914 Outlaw).

Mike is mentioned as one of Nick Shorsh’s partners for whom the builder has also created a car. The name is used as a client/partner reference rather than a technical or historical figure.

The Porsche 914 is a mid-engine sports car known for its compact size and simple, lightweight layout. In this segment, they’re talking about how the 914’s packaging and wiring harness make it feel “clunky,” and how they plan to simplify it for an “Outlaw”-style build.

A mid-engine layout places the engine closer to the center of the car, typically between the front and rear axles. That usually improves balance and handling because the car’s weight is distributed more evenly side-to-side and front-to-rear.

A wiring harness is the bundled set of wires and connectors that routes electrical power and signals throughout a vehicle. In older or compact cars like the 914, the harness can take up a lot of space and make interior work and troubleshooting more time-consuming.

“GT silver” refers to a specific Porsche racing-inspired silver paint color used on some 911 GT models. They’re describing it as having more “pitch” (visual depth/flake effect), which makes the car’s body lines look better even when it’s dirty.

The Porsche 550 is a classic 1950s Porsche race car, famous for its lightweight design and motorsport pedigree. In this segment, they mention their personal “55 coupe” as a silver car, tying the color choice to early Porsche racing aesthetics.

Horsepower is a measure of engine power—how much work the engine can do over time. When someone says a build makes “425 horsepower,” they’re describing the output level the engine and supporting mods are targeting or achieving.

This refers to a recurring Porsche-focused gathering centered on trading literature and parts/collectibles, hosted at a Hilton venue. It’s mentioned as a regular community event that the speaker attends and where they met other Porsche enthusiasts.

Die-cast cars are small model vehicles made by pouring molten metal into a mold, then finishing them for detail. Enthusiasts collect them because they often replicate obscure real cars and can be surprisingly detailed for their size.

Hot Wheels is a popular die-cast toy car brand known for lots of real-world-inspired models and fantasy variations. In collector circles, older releases can become harder to find and more valuable.

Blueprint cabinets are storage drawers used historically by architects and builders to keep large paper plans flat and protected. In this story, they’re repurposed as display storage because the dimensions conveniently fit Hot Wheels and other small die-cast cars.

Matchbox is another major die-cast toy car brand, historically known for smaller, more realistic “everyday” vehicles. Collectors often track specific releases and variations the way car people track real models.

“Shukos” is a collector shorthand for Schuco die-cast toy cars, a German brand known for detailed models. The term matters here because it signals the speaker is collecting European die-cast lines, not just mainstream American toys.

The hosts discuss how car-themed toy/die-cast hunting at vendor booths became a fun ritual when the speaker’s kids were young. The segment focuses on finding obscure European models and buying them at events.

The Volkswagen Bus is a classic van known for its spacious interior and distinctive styling, originally designed for people and cargo transport. It’s often discussed because it became a cultural icon and is still popular with owners who want something practical with a lot of character. On a podcast, it may come up in the context of unusual or “weird” vehicles that stand out in the Volkswagen lineup.

The Porsche 904 is a classic mid-1960s Porsche race car known for its lightweight, purpose-built design and strong motorsport heritage. In this segment, it’s used as a styling reference for how the host wants to shape the nose on a custom build.

A bead blaster is a blasting tool that propels small abrasive beads at a surface to clean it or strip paint/rust. In a fabrication shop, it’s commonly used to prep metal before welding or finishing.

The Porsche 911 GT3 RS (991.1 generation) is a track-focused version of the 911 built around maximum grip and driver feedback. It’s known for being extremely sharp to drive, with a setup that prioritizes lap-time feel over comfort.

The Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS is a high-performance Cayman variant built for track use, typically with a more focused chassis balance than a standard Cayman. The speaker is comparing how it feels versus their 911s, implying the GT4 RS has strengths but doesn’t match their preferred 911 experience.