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The White Elephant in the Room

The White Elephant in the Room

That Car Show Dec 26, 2025 69 min
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About this episode

Ryan shares his experience driving what he calls the best car he's ever had, while Lindsay recounts a humorous valet story involving a driver with a unique excuse. The crew discusses the latest Jim Carna video featuring Travis Pastrana, debates the peak years for Mercedes, and engages in a festive Secret Santa where they pick dream cars for each other. The episode wraps up with discussions on white elephant gifts for car enthusiasts and a fun look back at memorable automotive moments.

Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Genesis GV70
Dinkun Chen (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Genesis GV70

"Big ups, as they say, for the Genesis GV70. It's a hell of a thing."

The Genesis GV70 is a fancy SUV from the luxury brand Genesis. It has a lot of features and a stylish design, making it a great choice for those looking for a comfortable and high-quality vehicle.

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Concept

LA Auto Show

"...journey coming up for Christmas and Toyota, they've been kind enough to provide me the car we all lusted after at the LA Auto Show. Do you recall?"

The LA Auto Show is a big car event that happens every year in Los Angeles. At this show, car companies display their newest models and exciting features, making it a popular place for car lovers.

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Toyota Crown
Autosdeprimera (CC BY 3.0)
Car

Toyota Crown

"...the car we all lusted after at the LA Auto Show. Do you recall? Wait. The Toyota Crown Signia. Oh, yes. The Crown sedan or station wagon."

The Toyota Crown Signia is a type of car made by Toyota. It's a luxury vehicle that can come as a sedan or a station wagon, which means it has a lot of space for passengers and luggage.

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Concept

wagon

"...this wagon existed. And the reason why is because they are marketing it as a crossover, as an SUV. Wagon is nowhere to be found on the website."

A wagon is a type of car that has more space in the back for carrying things. It looks like a regular car but has a longer shape and a hatch that opens up to the back.

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Hyundai Genesis
Calreyn88 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Hyundai Genesis

"...site. And then we all saw, to bring this back to Genesis, that new wagon that they've introduced or that ..."

The Hyundai Genesis is a luxury car that offers a lot of features for a good price. It's comfortable and has a nice design, making it a great choice for those looking for something upscale.

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Genesis
Andrew Bossi (CC BY-SA 2.5)
Car

Genesis

"...how many hours behind the wheel did you do in the Genesis? And was it comfortable? It was wonderful..."

Genesis is a brand of luxury cars made by Hyundai. They are designed to be high-end and comfortable, similar to brands like BMW or Mercedes-Benz.

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Term

horsepower

"360 horsepower is enough to terrorize the Iowa drivers. It is."

Horsepower tells you how powerful an engine is. The higher the horsepower, the faster and stronger the car can be.

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BMW X3
Calreyn88 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

BMW X3

"...but I've been thinking. So this happened. I valed the X3 last weekend."

The BMW X3 is a luxury SUV that offers a comfortable ride and good performance. It's popular for its spacious interior and high-quality features.

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Term

manual transmission

"So mine is a manual. And I, anytime I valet it, I always check with the valet because they don't expect it to be a manual."

A manual transmission is a type of car gear system where you have to change the gears yourself using a stick and a pedal. It's not as common now because most cars have automatic transmissions that do this for you.

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Porsche 718 Spyder
Mr.choppers (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Car

Porsche 718 Spyder

"Well, Dan, if you're listening, probably know Dan has what's probably the highest mileage 718 Spyder in the country."

The Porsche 718 Spyder is a sports car that is designed for performance and fun driving. It's part of the Porsche 718 family and is known for being lightweight and very responsive on the road.

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Company

Shark Werks

"Apparently he didn't even need a clutch, but he decided this is a good time to do the shark works re gearing. So if you know the seven, eight cars, you know that they're geared very long."

Shark Werks is a company that makes changes to Porsche cars to make them perform better. They help improve things like speed and handling.

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Term

engine conversion

"They do a engine conversion. If that's, yeah, if that's your thing, but, but really more importantly, they do this re gearing."

An engine conversion is when you take out the engine that came with a car and put in a different one. People do this to make their cars faster or more efficient.

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Term

re-gearing

"they do this re gearing. And so they gear the gears. So they're much more natural, right?"

Re-gearing means changing the gears in a car to make it perform better, especially after making changes like putting on bigger tires. It helps the car stay powerful and efficient when you drive.

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Part

clutch

"So you had a new clutch put in, you had this, this re gearing done, and then they put a lighter"

A clutch is a part of a car that helps you change gears. If you get a new clutch, it can make your car work better, especially if it's a manual transmission.

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Company

Sharkworks

"So if you ever have the chance, I mean, Matt Farah has this, I don't know if he has sharkworks, he may have the demand."

Sharkworks is a company that makes cars go faster and perform better, especially Porsches. They help improve engines and other parts of the car to make them more fun to drive.

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Term

GT3

"I was told to look into sharkworks years ago for the GT three. And I remember poking at the price tag, but it sounds like it's worth it."

The GT3 is a special version of the Porsche 911 that is built for racing and high performance. It has a stronger engine and is lighter, making it faster and more fun to drive.

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Porsche Carrera GT
Alexander Migl (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Porsche Carrera GT

"It's a lot cheaper than the Carrera GT. Well, that's for sure."

The Porsche Carrera GT is a supercar made by Porsche that is famous for being very fast and powerful. It was made in the early 2000s and is now considered a classic.

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Porsche 718
Alexander Migl (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Porsche 718

"Manual transmission, 718s with the four liter six. Or mine's a nice one."

The Porsche 718 is a type of sports car made by Porsche. It has a powerful engine and is designed for great performance and handling.

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Term

four liter six

"Manual transmission, 718s with the four liter six. Or mine's a nice one."

A four liter six is an engine that has six cylinders and can hold four liters of fuel and air. It's designed to give a lot of power, making cars faster and more fun to drive.

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Porsche Boxster
Alexander Migl (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Porsche Boxster

"we've even cross shopped a spider or a cab or Boxster or whatever. I just, you know, and we took that car out and it was just like the perfect weather day."

The Porsche Boxster is a two-seat convertible sports car that is fun to drive and has a soft top that you can put down for nice weather.

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Term

Jim Conner

"So Ken Block obviously had a history of creating these videos that were called Jim Conner. And in essence, they were celebrations of tire shredding and seeing what you could do with cars."

Jim Conner refers to a popular series of videos where a driver performs amazing stunts and tricks with cars, often showing off their skills in a fun and exciting way.

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Term

tire shredding

"And in essence, they were celebrations of tire shredding and seeing what you could do with cars."

Tire shredding is when a car's tires are spun so fast that they start to wear out quickly, creating smoke and noise. It's often done for fun or in racing events.

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Subaru Brat
Charlie from United Kingdom (CC BY 2.0)
Car

Subaru Brat

"He is sporting a big moustache and he is in a Subaru Brat. Do you guys remember the Subaru Brat?"

The Subaru Brat is a small truck made by Subaru that was popular in the late 70s and 80s. It has a distinctive look with seats in the back of the truck bed, which makes it stand out.

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Term

chicken tax

"...to get around the chicken tax. And we didn't really have the chicken tax, but from what I understand, the chicken tax was that America was selling too many chickens to Europe."

The chicken tax is a tax that makes it more expensive to import certain types of trucks into the U.S. It was created because the U.S. was selling a lot of chickens to Europe, and in return, Europe put a tax on American trucks.

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Chevrolet El Camino
Bull-Doser (Public domain)
Car

Chevrolet El Camino

"It's like a car. It's more like a mini El Camino than a truck, right? Yes."

The Chevrolet El Camino is a mix between a car and a truck, making it useful for both driving and carrying things. It's a classic vehicle that many people find interesting.

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Concept

rally cars

"And if you're not familiar with Vermont, those guys turn cars into rally cars or hill climb cars."

Rally cars are built to race on different types of surfaces like dirt and snow. They have special features to help them drive well in tough conditions.

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Concept

hill climb cars

"And if you're not familiar with Vermont, those guys turn cars into rally cars or hill climb cars."

Hill climb cars are made for racing up steep hills. They are built to be fast and handle well on the tricky slopes.

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Term

AI

"...in a world of CGI and, you know, an AI and all that, I mean, this still like captures your attention."

AI means machines that can think and learn like humans. In movies, it can help create special effects or even write scripts.

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Term

CGI

"...in a world of CGI and, you know, an AI and all that, I mean, this still like captures your attention."

CGI means using computers to create images and effects in movies. It helps make things look real that can't be filmed in real life.

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Company

Drake Motor Cars

"That car show is proud to partner with Drake Motor Cars. Drake Motor Cars is Denver's premier destination for exactly the kinds of vehicles that we like here at that car show."

Drake Motor Cars is a car dealership in Denver that sells special and high-quality cars. They focus on vehicles that car lovers really enjoy.

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Ford Broncos
Calreyn88 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Ford Broncos

"like here at that car show. Think Velocity Broncos, Audi RS6s, Acura NSXs and air cooled Porsches. ..."
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Audi Rs6S
Dinkun Chen (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Audi Rs6S

"Think Velocity Broncos, Audi RS6s, Acura NSXs and air cooled Porsches."

The Audi RS6 is a fast and powerful version of the Audi A6 car. It's popular because it combines luxury with great performance.

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Acura Nsxs
This picture has been taken by Oleg Yunakov. Contact e-mail: yunakovgmail.com. Image can be used in accordance with the terms of the СС-BY-SA license. Other photos can be seen here. (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Acura Nsxs

"...r show. Think Velocity Broncos, Audi RS6s, Acura NSXs and air cooled Porsches. You can see their compl..."
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BMW 528I
Dinkun Chen (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

BMW 528I

"...e for Ryan, I'm like, Dan also gets the 1979 BMW 528i, which is listed for about 60,000 on their site. ..."

The BMW 5 Series is a luxury car that's known for being comfortable and fun to drive. It's a good choice for people who want a stylish car with lots of features.

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Honda Accord
Dinkun Chen (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Honda Accord

"...n't make it work. It might be the world's nicest Accord. It's gorgeous."

The Honda Accord is a popular car that many people like because it's dependable and comfortable to drive. It's been around for a long time and is often chosen by families because it has a lot of space inside.

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Ferrari 430
nakhon100 (CC BY 2.0)
Car

Ferrari 430

"...on and that is maybe I'm projecting here the 2008 Ferrari 430 Scuderia. It is a beautiful black car."

The Ferrari 430 Scuderia is a super-fast sports car that's designed for racing. It's lightweight and has special features that make it really fun to drive.

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Ford F150
UltraTech66 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Ford F150

"So I owe you 150 grand, Lindsay. And in that case, I'll bridge the gap with a 2024 F-150 Raptor just to complete the Ford showcase showdown package for you. Nicely done."

The Ford F-150 is a big truck that many people use for work and everyday driving. It's popular because it's tough, can carry heavy loads, and has a lot of different features to choose from.

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Mini Classic Mini
Leozgzzz (CC0)
Car

Mini Classic Mini

"I've driven one. I've driven a classic mini with right hand drive manual and all this and I r..."

The Mini Classic is a small, cute car that many people love because of its unique shape and fun driving experience. It's a classic car that represents British style.

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Porsche 911
David Villarreal Fernández (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Car

Porsche 911

"... I would go for the America, America Rates to the 911, which is obviously a 964. Yeah."

The Porsche 911 is a famous sports car that many people admire for how it looks and how fast it can go. It's been around for a long time and is known for being really fun to drive.

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Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster
Photography by Semnoz in November 2005 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Car

Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster

"I ended up going with, I would go back to 1957 because I would love to see the specific 300 SL Roadster that was at the Classic Center..."

The Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster is a famous old sports car from 1957. It's known for its unique doors that open upwards and is very popular among car collectors.

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Mercedes-Benz SL
Matti Blume (CC BY-SA)
Car

Mercedes-Benz SL

"...1957 because I would love to see the specific 300 SL Roadster that was at the Classic Center that had ..."

The Mercedes-Benz SL is a stylish convertible sports car that many people admire for its looks and speed. It's a luxury car that offers a fun driving experience.

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Mercedes-Benz 300 Sc Cabriolet
MrWalkr (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Mercedes-Benz 300 Sc Cabriolet

"...now, so you could have gotten the, let's see, the 300 SC Cabriolet, the 180 sedan, which is nothing to write home ab..."

The Mercedes-Benz 300 S Cabriolet is a fancy convertible car from the 1950s that's very stylish and luxurious. It's a rare car that many collectors want to own.

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BMW E30S
Dinkun Chen (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

BMW E30S

"...conic. And, you know, up against, you know, M3s, E30s and, you know, whatever else was on the, what el..."

The BMW 3 Series is a small luxury car that's known for being fun to drive and having a nice interior. It's popular among people who want a stylish car that also performs well.

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Jaguar Xj Jaguars
IFCAR (Public domain)
Car

Jaguar Xj Jaguars

"... track at that time? Like, I feel like they were XJ Jaguars. Maybe the Tom Wilkinshaw racing Jags."

The Jaguar XJ is a high-end car that's known for being very comfortable and stylish. It's a favorite among people who want a luxurious driving experience.

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BMW M3
Matti Blume (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

BMW M3

"Yeah. M3, right? Yeah."

The BMW M3 is a faster, sportier version of the regular BMW 3 Series. It's built for people who love to drive and want a car that feels exciting on the road.

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Mercedes-Benz Eclass
Diego Delso (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Mercedes-Benz Eclass

"Mercedes that just was the most Mercedes of the Mercedes was the W124. So the Bruno Sacco designed E-Class that came out in 1984. But 84 was an interesting year for Mercedes-Benz because you could get the new E-Class, but"

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is a fancy car that's very comfortable and has a lot of high-tech features. People like it because it feels luxurious and drives smoothly.

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Mercedes-Benz 190E
Riley from Christchurch, New Zealand (CC BY 2.0)
Car

Mercedes-Benz 190E

"The big coupe. The 190D and the 190E was introduced in 1984 as well. So that was a ne..."

The Mercedes-Benz 190E is a smaller luxury car that many people liked in the 1980s and 1990s. It's known for being well-built and comfortable to drive.

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Lamborghini Countach
MrWalkr (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Lamborghini Countach

"...drive a stick when he was a kid on a Lamborghini Countach, but now I have. Right."

The Lamborghini Countach is a very famous sports car that looks really cool and goes super fast. It's known for its unique design and is loved by car enthusiasts.

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Chevrolet Beretta
Bull-Doser (Public domain)
Car

Chevrolet Beretta

"...hey gave away? I want to say it was like a Chevy Beretta, but I can't remember. It was a close Pontiac G ..."

The Chevrolet Beretta is a small car that was popular in the 1990s. It's known for being affordable and having a sporty look.

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Pontiac Got Pontiac
W. Bulach (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Pontiac Got Pontiac

"...same. A Pontiac promo and you can see where that got Pontiac, right? But, um, someone's, someone's, someone's..."

The Pontiac GTO is a classic car that many people think of when they hear 'muscle car.' It's known for being powerful and fast, making it a favorite among car lovers.

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28 cars featured

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