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S11 Ep5: Jack Pegoraro: I review about 100 cars a year!

S11 Ep5: Jack Pegoraro: I review about 100 cars a year!

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About this episode

Jack Pegoraro joins Fuelling Around to talk about reviewing “about 100 cars a year,” and how his channel’s “Number 27” name traces back to a cobalt-blue Porsche 964 and the atomic number. The hosts compare how they source cars for filming—often from owners reaching out—and what they choose to review versus ignore. The conversation then shifts into dream drives and real ownership stories, including a Ferrari 308 project and a Pantera restoration that turned into a full engine rebuild and repaint.

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Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Car

Porsche 964

"Unfortunately, I should pretend that but when I started off the channel I had a Porsche 964 which I did a lot of work to. It was a C4. They were very cheap at the time."

A Porsche 964 is a specific generation of the Porsche 911. It’s the kind of car enthusiasts like because it’s classic, but it also has more modern engineering than older 911s. Here, it’s the car that the channel’s “27” story starts with.

Term

four-wheel drive

"Nobody wanted them unlike now and the C4s, the four-wheel drive ones, they weren't very good. You wanted a two-wheel drive for the nice crisp feel all the rest of it so I even converted it from four to two-wheel drive."

Four-wheel drive means the car sends power to all four wheels. The speaker is saying they didn’t like how that felt on their Porsche, and they wanted the driving character of a car that only powers two wheels.

Term

two-wheel drive

"You wanted a two-wheel drive for the nice crisp feel all the rest of it so I even converted it from four to two-wheel drive. I lightened it considerably and I wanted to get a name for it"

Two-wheel drive means only two wheels get power. The speaker liked the driving feel better with two-wheel drive, so they changed their car to match that.

Term

atomic number

"and it was cobalt blue and this just sounds so terrible and the atomic number of cobalt is 27. I told you I should have asked it."

The atomic number is a basic chemistry number that tells you which element you’re talking about. In this story, the speaker connects cobalt’s atomic number to the number 27 for the channel’s branding.

Car

Ferrari 308

"I did a really crazy thing just before lockdown and bought this whole Ferrari 308. ...I literally on it you know a whim oh yeah I went in buying a Ferrari on a whim and I was"

The Ferrari 308 is an older Ferrari with the engine mounted in the middle of the car. It’s a famous enthusiast car, and in this story it’s the one he bought that helped kick off his channel.

Topic

Silverstone auctions

"a few days before the lockdown I was looking for Peugeot 205 on Silverstone auctions. There was one there and I was going through that first day looking at the cars 205 then casually I saw this 308"

Silverstone auctions are car sales events held at the Silverstone race track. He was browsing there looking for one car, and ended up buying another.

Car

Peugeot 205

"a few days before the lockdown I was looking for Peugeot 205 on Silverstone auctions. There was one there and I was going through that first day looking at the cars 205 then casually I saw this 308"

The Peugeot 205 is a small, older Peugeot hatchback that many car fans like. In this story, it’s the car he was looking for at an auction before he ended up buying a Ferrari instead.

Concept

due diligence

"and so I hadn't even done the normal due diligence you would do which is look at MOT history all that stuff I literally on it you know a whim oh yeah I went in buying a Ferrari on a whim and I was"

Due diligence just means doing the smart checks before you buy something. He’s saying he didn’t do the usual careful checks before purchasing the Ferrari 308.

Concept

MOT history

"and so I hadn't even done the normal due diligence you would do which is look at MOT history all that stuff I literally on it you know a whim oh yeah I went in buying a Ferrari on a whim and I was"

In the UK, cars have to pass an inspection called an MOT. “MOT history” means the past results of those inspections, and he’s saying he didn’t check that before buying the car.

Car

Lotus Elise S1

"because that's what was so successful was the Ferrari and over time I saw I had an Elise S1 which had a big it was twice a Cat C so it had a tear in the chassis"

The Lotus Elise S1 is a small, lightweight sports car from Lotus. Here it matters because the example discussed had serious chassis damage that was classified as Cat C, which changes what you’re allowed to do with it.

Concept

Cat C

"it was twice a Cat C so it had a tear in the chassis and you're not supposed to fix those apparently because they're you know aluminium bonded aluminium"

“Cat C” is a UK insurance label for cars that were badly damaged. It usually means the car’s history is more complicated than a normal accident, and it can affect insurance and resale.

Concept

aluminium bonded aluminium

"and you're not supposed to fix those apparently because they're you know aluminium bonded aluminium and so on"

“Aluminium bonded aluminium” refers to structural construction that uses adhesive bonding between aluminum panels/sections rather than (or in addition to) traditional welding. For damaged chassis areas, that matters because repairs can be more complex and may not be considered acceptable or safe compared with conventional metal repairs.

Car

Citroën BX16 valve

"but I did I did a Citroën BX16 valve I did a few other cars but I found that it was a lot of work"

The Citroën BX16 valve is an older Citroën model. In this story, it’s mentioned as one of the cars the host worked on while learning, which took more time and effort than expected.

Concept

project cars

"it was going to be my thing because I sort of imagined that project cars were the original road map if you like excuse the pun for the for the channel"

A “project car” is a car you’re working on. It might need repairs or upgrades, and the fun is in improving it over time.

Car

Renault 4

"you know I did a Renault 4 recently the old Renault 4 brilliant fantastic car slow as anything amazing incredible story"

The Renault 4 is an older French car that people love for being practical and characterful. Even if it isn’t fast, it can still be a great story and a fun drive.

Car

Renault 5 turbo

"like the Renault 5 turbo the you know the first series which was in the Bond film you know the mid-engine little monster"

The Renault 5 Turbo is a famous, turbocharged version of the Renault 5 that became a cult favorite. The host mentions it because it’s the kind of car people saw in movies and then wanted to own or drive.

Term

mid-engine

"the Bond film you know the mid-engine little monster and that you dream you'd never have dreamt about driving them"

A mid-engine car puts the engine closer to the middle of the vehicle. That can make the car feel more balanced and easier to handle in corners.

Car

Alfa Romeo Alfetta

"then volcanic islands off Sicily so always long drives in the summer and at one stage I think he had an alfetta something along those lines and I used to sit in the back"

The Alfa Romeo Alfetta is an older Alfa Romeo model from the 1970s. People like it because it’s a rear-wheel-drive car with a sporty, characterful feel.

Car

Citroën 2CV

"my mum had a two cv so you know I remember that I always remember the quirky push gear yeah push and twist gear stick"

The Citroën 2CV is a very well-known old French car. The host remembers it for having a strange gear-shifting setup that felt different from most cars.

Term

push and twist gear stick

"I always remember the quirky push gear yeah push and twist gear stick it couldn't have been more french could it"

Some cars don’t shift with a normal straight-moving stick. This one uses a “push then twist” motion to change gears, which can feel quirky at first.

Car

Fiat Uno Eleganza 45

"my first car was the absolutely awesome Fiat Uno eleganza 45 which was a dealer only model in the UK so it was a light metallic metallic blue and it had um such incredible luxuries as painted bumpers so it was one you know it was one color and then it had some absolutely hideous sort of plastic wheel covers"

This is a small Fiat hatchback called the Uno Eleganza 45. The host is describing what it was like to drive—especially that it felt underpowered and had a not-great gear feel.

Term

rubbery gear change

"the 45 was really gutless and it also had a very rubbery gear change so I have fond memories of it"

“Rubbery gear change” means the gear lever didn’t feel sharp or exact. It probably felt a bit soft or disconnected when selecting gears.

Term

gutless

"I mean you know the Uno was all right the 45 was really gutless and it also had a very rubbery gear change"

“Gutless” just means the car didn’t feel very powerful. It probably didn’t speed up quickly or feel lively when driving.

Term

all aluminium

"…so I love the the concept behind it which is all aluminium it's all about lightweight efficiency for me and this won't register with my other car…"

“All aluminium” means the car is made mostly from aluminum, which is lighter than steel. A lighter car can accelerate and handle more easily, often using less power to feel quick.

Term

flappy paddle gearbox

"…so they go fast because they're light not because they have a massive engine and so I loved everything about it I don't like the flappy paddle gearbox although I've got used to it…"

A flappy paddle gearbox is when you shift gears using paddles on the steering wheel instead of a stick. It can feel different at first, but you can get used to it.

Car

Alfa Romeo 159

"…car number two is my daily and it's an alpha 159 uh the black one that you the black one yeah the station wagon yeah wagon it's 1.8 1.8 tbi now the 159's are notoriously on alpha like right they're too heavy they don't drive like alphas…"

The Alfa Romeo 159 is a family-sized Alfa model that’s supposed to feel fun to drive. The host is talking about a 159 wagon with a 1.8 turbo engine, and they say this version is the best choice because it’s lighter and uses an Alfa engine compared with other versions.

Term

1.8 TBI

"…the station wagon yeah wagon it's 1.8 1.8 tbi now the 159's are notoriously on alpha like right they're too heavy…"

“1.8 TBI” describes a 1.8-liter engine with a turbo. The host is saying this specific engine choice makes the car feel more like an Alfa should, compared with heavier versions.

Term

GM engines

"…the 1.8 tbi is supposed to be the most alpha light because it has an alpha engine unlike the others that had gm engines…"

“GM engines” means the engine came from General Motors instead of Alfa Romeo. The host is saying that some 159 versions used GM parts, and this 1.8 turbo version is supposed to be more “Alfa” because it uses an Alfa engine.

Car

Alfa Romeo Giulia

"I wanted to get a Julia which is a modern car but again good fun but you have to spend a lot more money it would depreciate and all why because the 159 dynamically isn't amazing but doesn't matter"

Alfa Romeo Giulia is a modern performance-focused sedan that the host considers as an upgrade option. They mention it in the context of spending more money and depreciation, implying the Giulia would cost more to own than the older Alfa Romeo 159 they’re discussing.

Car

De Tomaso Pantera

"what is number three so number three is a nice efficient light small car it's a 1973 Detamazo Pantera with a 5.7 liter just simple and understated and very very quiet quiet I mean those were genuinely"

The De Tomaso Pantera is a classic Italian sports car from the 1970s. The host says theirs has a big 5.7-liter V8 and that it’s surprisingly quiet and easygoing for something that looks so special.

Car

Pantera

"...ce efficient light small car it's a 1973 Detamazo Pantera with a 5.7 liter just simple and understated and ..."

The 1973 De Tomaso Pantera is a sports car built in the early 1970s. It has its engine mounted in the middle of the car and, in this context, a 5.7-liter V8 for strong acceleration. People talk about it because it’s a straightforward, classic performance car.

Concept

part-finished restoration

"I flew over to see it and it was a part finished sort of restoration ... and bought it all there's all videos about all this and going over there and buying it then"

A “part-finished restoration” means someone started restoring the car, but it’s not fully completed. The host ends up doing major work to finish it properly.

Term

paint had reacted over time

"he'd done a lot of work to this car but the paint had reacted over time although he'd never used it ... it wasn't a great job so it reacted"

Sometimes car paint can go bad later if it wasn’t applied or cured correctly. The host says the paint job from years earlier ended up reacting over time, and that contributed to needing a repaint.

Concept

front date

"in the 90s Panteras they weren't worth very much and people were trying to front date them and I think he had that vision in mind"

“Front dating” means making a car look older than it really is, usually by changing visual details. The host says some people did this to Panteras in the 1990s to make them seem more valuable.

Term

chrome

"which was you know a black car with lots of chrome um in the 90s Panteras"

Chrome is the shiny metal-looking finish you often see on car trim. The host says he wanted a black car with lots of chrome accents.

Term

engine rebuild

"by the time I got it back here it ended up being a full engine rebuild a full repaint"

An engine rebuild means taking the engine apart and replacing or fixing the worn parts inside. The host says his Pantera needed a full rebuild as part of finishing the restoration.

Term

repaint

"it ended up being a full engine rebuild a full repaint and because I was repainting it I looked at the original color"

A repaint is when you strip and redo the car’s paint so it looks fresh again. The host did a full repaint and ended up choosing black instead of the original silver.

Term

mirror color

"there's um a lime [1480.4s] green which is like the mirror color yeah yeah yeah which and I thought that's it and so I painted it [1486.1s] lime green"

“Mirror color” means the paint looks extremely shiny and reflective, like a mirror. It’s basically describing a very glossy finish.

Term

lime green

"there's um a lime [1480.4s] green which is like the mirror color yeah yeah yeah which and I thought that's it and so I painted it [1486.1s] lime green uh so as well as being unbelievably loud"

“Lime green” is a very bright, attention-grabbing green color. It’s the sort of paint that makes the car stand out immediately.

Concept

shaking it down

"I've literally driven it for the first time [1491.5s] in the last two or three weeks it's been I've done 50 miles in it shaking it down [1496.7s] it's that color so it it's honestly a bit embarrassing but I love it so how"

“Shaking it down” means taking the car out for a short test period after something changed, to make sure everything is working right. It’s basically an early check before you drive it like normal.

Topic

channel content strategy (cars that get views)

"how [1503.4s] when you're looking for something new and obviously has to fit in with the three car garage at any [1508.9s] at any point how much of it is what you want and how much of it is what you think the channel might [1514.2s] be hungry for"

They talk about how they choose which cars to review based on what their viewers like. They also compare how different types of videos tend to get different numbers of views.

Term

saddled with these chains around your ankle

"because it's quite easy to buy cars especially when they're broken and cheap and then you get saddled with these chains around your ankle where you have a project you don't have time for"

He’s using a metaphor to say that buying a broken car can trap you in constant problems and extra spending. It turns into a stressful project you don’t have time for.

Car

Nissan Gtr

"I had an R32 for a while GTR never had an interest in Japanese cars at the same time"

The Nissan GT-R is a famous fast Japanese sports car. He’s saying it didn’t really interest him when he was thinking about Japanese cars.

Car

Nissan R32

"I had an R32 for a while GTR never had an interest in Japanese cars at the same time I had an intergrale yeah and the intergrale actually I found a bit of a liver"

The Nissan R32 refers to the R32-generation Skyline, a famous Japanese performance platform. Jack Pegoraro says he had one “for a while” and was “blown away,” especially by the engine, highlighting why this chassis earned a strong reputation among enthusiasts.

Term

ragged on the edge

"it took me a while to find it you have to drive it so hard that it's always ragged on the edge and you can't appreciate much other time"

He means the car feels like it’s right at the limit of what it can do. You have to drive it aggressively for it to feel “right,” otherwise it feels rough or not as exciting.

Term

RB26 engine

"but just how amazing the engine was and they were the the other thing CRB26 engine isn't it yeah the other thing that really shocked me"

The RB26 is a specific Nissan engine used in the Skyline GT-R. Car people talk about it because it’s a legendary performance motor that responds well to tuning.

Car

Lotus Esprit turbo

"[1753.5s] months that I'd always wanted and the budget was 15 000 pounds and I managed to get an R32 I managed [1760.9s] to get a Lotus Esprit turbo I managed to get um uh I won't go into the list now but you know I did"

The Lotus Esprit is a sports car with the engine mounted near the middle. “Turbo” means it uses a turbocharger to add extra power, so it usually feels quicker and more exciting.

Car

Lancia Fulvia

"[1796.7s] been intrigued and then when I found out it was that car it was like oh you know it does something [1801.3s] to me so uh yeah so that's I think that's it at the moment there are lots of cars I'd like a Lancia [1806.4s] Fulvia you always wanted one never had that's one of the cars I've always lots of them I've had"

The Lancia Fulvia is an older Italian car that many car fans associate with classic rally history. It’s also a smaller car, so it can be easier to store than bigger exotics.

Topic

Dream drive in Italy (Lake Maggiore)

"[1876.9s] Time for the final question [1883.0s] I'm afraid Jack if that's all right and it's going to be your dream drive so you need to transport us [1889.2s] there where are you going what are you listening to and most importantly what are you driving? [1889.2s] Okay so I have family and a lot of history in the lakes area in Italy so Lake Maggiore in particular"

They ask where the guest would go for a dream drive. The guest says it would be around Lake Maggiore in Italy because of family history there.

Brand

Adrian Flux

"that's just about it for this week's edition of fueling around brought to you by Adrian Flux as the UK's largest specialist insurance broker"

Adrian Flux is an insurance company in the UK. They sponsor the podcast and offer insurance quotes tailored to different kinds of vehicles and homes.

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