About this episode
Celebrating Motor Week's 45th anniversary, host John Davis welcomes former reporter Yolanda Vazquez, who shares her journey from aspiring Broadway star to a respected figure in automotive journalism. The conversation dives into her unique path, including her experiences at NBC, working with legends on Saturday Night Live, and her eventual role at Motor Week. Yolanda reflects on the challenges and joys of transitioning into the automotive world, highlighting the importance of adaptability and the sense of family within the Motor Week team.
pound-feet of torque
"...thank God, we had the Internet. I was like, how many pound feet of torque? What is a torquey? I mean, it just none of it computed initially in my head."
Pound-feet of torque tells you how strong an engine is when it comes to turning things, like the wheels. It helps you understand how quickly a car can speed up or how much weight it can pull.
Pound-feet of torque is a measurement of rotational force applied by an engine. It indicates how much twisting force the engine can generate, which is crucial for understanding a vehicle's acceleration and towing capacity.
torquey
"...What is a torquey? I mean, it just none of it computed initially in my head."
If a car is described as 'torquey', it means the engine has a lot of power to speed up quickly, especially when you're starting from a stop. It makes the car feel strong and responsive.
The term 'torquey' describes an engine that produces a lot of torque, especially at low RPMs. This characteristic allows for better acceleration and responsiveness, making the vehicle feel more powerful during everyday driving.
Mazda MX-5 / Miata
"Oh, yeah, Mazda Miata. Of course. See, my memory is still there."
The Mazda Miata is a small sports car that is fun to drive. It's known for being light and easy to handle, making it a favorite among people who enjoy driving.
The Mazda Miata, also known as the MX-5, is a lightweight two-seat roadster known for its agile handling and fun driving experience. It has become a popular choice among car enthusiasts and is celebrated for its classic sports car characteristics.
optional hardtop
"...and they sit down the optional hardtop for it all painted. And we drove that car for the show for a year."
An optional hardtop is a roof that you can put on a convertible car to make it more like a regular car. It helps keep the weather out and can make the car quieter when you're driving.
An optional hardtop is a removable roof that can be added to a convertible car, providing additional protection from the elements and enhancing the car's aesthetics. It can improve the car's structural rigidity and reduce wind noise while driving.
LeMay Museum
"...So we did the LeMay Museum in Tacoma, Washington, which was incredible. Just the design of the actual museum itself."
The LeMay Museum is a place where many old and unique cars are displayed for people to see. It's located in Tacoma, Washington, and has a large collection of cars that tell the story of how cars have changed over time.
The LeMay Museum, located in Tacoma, Washington, is known for housing one of the largest and most diverse collections of automobiles in the United States. It showcases a wide range of vehicles, reflecting the history and evolution of the automobile industry.
auto collection
"...which was incredible. I think one of the absolute premier auto collections in this country today."
An auto collection is a group of cars that someone collects, usually because they are interesting or rare. These collections can include many different types of cars, showing how they have changed over the years.
An auto collection refers to a curated group of vehicles, often owned by an individual or organization, that showcases the history, design, and engineering of automobiles. Collections can vary widely in focus, from classic cars to specific brands or models.
Harold LeMay
"...Harold LeMay, he was a refuse collector who collected most of these cars."
Harold LeMay was a man who loved cars and collected many of them. His collection became so big that it turned into a museum where people can see all the cars he gathered over the years.
Harold LeMay was a prominent American businessman known for his extensive collection of automobiles, which became one of the largest private car collections in the world. His passion for cars led to the establishment of the LeMay Museum, which preserves and showcases his collection.
National Corvette Museum
"...the National Corvette Museum was pretty cool to do because they had just suffered that sinkhole."
The National Corvette Museum is a place where you can learn about the Corvette car, see different models, and find out about its history. It became famous when a big hole opened up in the ground and damaged some of the cars inside.
The National Corvette Museum is dedicated to the history and preservation of the Chevrolet Corvette, showcasing various models and memorabilia. It gained attention in 2014 when a sinkhole opened up beneath the museum, damaging several valuable Corvettes.
Chevrolet Corvette
"...tories. In addition to the museums, the National Corvette Museum was pretty cool to do because they had ju..."
The Chevrolet Corvette is a fast and stylish car that many people love for its sporty look and powerful engine. It's been around since the 1950s and is known for being a fun car to drive, often seen as a symbol of American car culture. People talk about it because it's not just a car; it's a part of history.
The Chevrolet Corvette is an iconic American sports car known for its performance, sleek design, and rich history. First introduced in 1953, it has become a symbol of American automotive engineering and is celebrated for its powerful engines and agile handling. The Corvette is often discussed for its cultural significance and its role in motorsports.
sinkhole
"But that story of the sinkhole kind of put the museum on the map for non Corvette people."
A sinkhole is a big hole that suddenly appears in the ground, often because the ground underneath has collapsed. In this case, it affected a museum where Corvettes were displayed, making it famous.
A sinkhole is a depression or hole in the ground caused by the collapse of a surface layer, often due to erosion or underground water movement. In the context of the Corvette museum, a sinkhole famously swallowed several valuable Corvettes, drawing significant media attention.
Bowling Green
"So all of a sudden, this little town of Bowling Green became this destination..."
Bowling Green is a city in Kentucky where Corvettes are made. It has become popular for people who love cars and want to learn more about them.
Bowling Green is a city in Kentucky, known for being the home of the Corvette manufacturing plant and museum. It has become a destination for car enthusiasts and tourists interested in the history and production of the Chevrolet Corvette.
Luscious Garage
"But that was a really cool event that I went to and Luscious Garage in San Francisco. This was a garage. It was the ultimate green garage."
Luscious Garage is a car repair shop in San Francisco that works on hybrid and electric cars. It's unique because it has an all-women team, which is not very common in this field.
Luscious Garage is a specialized automotive repair shop located in San Francisco that focuses on hybrid and electric vehicles (EVs). Founded in 2007, it is notable for having an all-female staff, which is relatively rare in the automotive industry.
hybrids
"...they worked on hybrids and EVs, which sounds bizarre. But they were one of the first to specialize in hybrids."
Hybrids are cars that use both a gas engine and an electric motor to run. This helps them save fuel and produce less pollution than regular cars.
Hybrids are vehicles that use two or more types of power, typically combining a conventional internal combustion engine with an electric motor. This combination allows for improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions compared to traditional gasoline-only vehicles.
EVs
"...they worked on hybrids and EVs, which sounds bizarre. But they were one of the first to specialize in hybrids."
EVs, or electric vehicles, are cars that run only on electricity instead of gas. They are better for the environment and can save money on fuel.
EVs, or electric vehicles, are cars that are powered entirely by electricity rather than gasoline or diesel. They are known for being environmentally friendly and often have lower operating costs due to fewer moving parts and reduced fuel expenses.
two-speed transmission
"...it was only a six-solder. Okay. And it had, I believe, a two-speed or a three-speed at the most..."
A two-speed transmission is a system in a car that helps it change gears. It has two settings for speed, which was typical for cars made a long time ago.
A two-speed transmission is a type of gearbox that allows the vehicle to operate in two different gear ratios, which can affect acceleration and top speed. It was common in older vehicles, including early Corvettes.
fiberglass body
"...it was this gorgeous looking fiberglass body. But it didn't have a whole lot of guts at that point."
Fiberglass is a strong, lightweight material used to make car bodies. It helps cars be lighter and can be shaped into different designs easily.
Fiberglass is a lightweight, durable material commonly used in automotive manufacturing, especially for car bodies. It offers advantages in terms of weight savings and design flexibility.
Zora Arkus-Duntov
"...But you do know you are speaking to a previous Corvette owner. Yeah, I know. He's a vet guy, but I knew he would know. It was 1953 at the New York Motor Rama Show. Yes. The name Corvette comes from British Navy class."
Zora Arkus-Duntov was an important figure in the history of the Corvette, known for making it faster and better. He helped shape the car into what it is today.
Zora Arkus-Duntov is often referred to as the 'Father of the Corvette' due to his significant contributions to the car's development and performance enhancements during the 1950s and 1960s.
Request an Explanation
Heard something you'd like explained? We'll add it to this episode.
Sign in to request explanations for terms you heard.
Want to learn more?
Browse our glossary for plain-English explanations of automotive terms, jargon, and concepts.
Help improve this episode
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.