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These Cars Aren’t Allowed at Shows Anymore

These Cars Aren’t Allowed at Shows Anymore

MartiniWorks Podcast Apr 17, 2026 65 min
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About this episode

The MartiniWorks crew digs into three big threads: Alex’s C4 500 Duramax project continues to shrink its problem list, but parts availability and past “shoddy work” keep turning fixes into new setbacks. Dakota then celebrates finally buying a rare 1996 Volkswagen Golf Harlequin—manual, pistachio green, mostly stock, air suspension—sight-unseen from Open Air Imports, and it’s already winning over strangers at town. The hot topics shift to car-show politics: Supercar Saturday bans vq-platform cars, sparking debate about stereotypes vs safety, plus a broader discussion on “right to race” laws protecting existing tracks from noise lawsuits.

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Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Concept

500 mile break-in

"We're doing the the 500 mile break and yeah, yeah ... Yeah okay, so so the good news is that the problems are getting smaller"

After you do big engine work, you usually don’t drive it hard right away. A “500 mile break-in” means you drive it for a while more gently so the new parts can settle in safely.

Part

diff went in

"Yeah, that was after the diff went in, right? I think so ... so so the good news is that the problems are getting smaller"

“Diff” is short for the differential, which is part of the drivetrain that helps the wheels turn properly. They’re saying they installed a new one (or replaced it) during the build.

Term

cracked piston

"We started with we have a cracked piston then we needed a"

A piston is a key engine part that moves up and down to make power. If it cracks, the engine can’t run correctly and usually needs significant repair, not just a quick fix.

Car

LMM Duramax

"Okay, so that truck came with an LMM Duramax, right? They produced in between 06 and 08 the LMM now Duramax's fundamentally are pretty much the same..."

Duramax is GM’s diesel engine family. The “LMM” part is a specific version of that diesel used in certain years, and it has a different setup for how heat/coolant and emissions cooling parts are connected.

Term

EGR cooler

"The LMM is the only year model where the EGR cooler is fed from the oil cooler housing which sits on the back of the driver's block..."

EGR is an emissions system that routes some exhaust back into the engine. The EGR cooler helps manage temperatures so the engine can run cleaner without overheating those gases.

Term

oil cooler housing

"The LMM is the only year model where the EGR cooler is fed from the oil cooler housing which sits on the back of the driver's block..."

Engine oil can get too hot. The oil cooler housing is part of the system that helps cool the oil, and in this case it also connects to how the EGR cooler gets its feed.

Term

heater core

"...then that feeds your heater core. All the rest of them feed off the front of there's an outlet on the water..."

A heater core is a small heat exchanger used to warm the cabin by circulating hot coolant through it. The speaker describes how coolant flow is routed into the heater core via lines connected to the EGR cooler plumbing on the LMM.

Term

auxiliary pump

"So we thought okay, that's fine, right? We'll put up an auxiliary pump in there to put heat, you know coolant through the heater core..."

An auxiliary pump is a second pump added to help coolant circulate faster or farther. Here, it’s used to try to get enough hot coolant to the heater core.

Term

gasket

"...then obviously have heat the auxiliary pump doesn't have enough to do it so I had to get a new elbow... and then I forgot a gasket because I realized there was two gaskets on it not one..."

A gasket is a sealing component that prevents leaks between two mating surfaces, especially in coolant/oil passages. The speaker describes forgetting a gasket during reassembly, then having to tear it back apart and redo the line installation.

Concept

shoddy mechanic work

"Didn't know it at the time, but there's been some shoddy mechanic work done on that thing in the past And so we're uncovering a lot of those gotcha, you know the other day. I went yesterday. I finally had it running"

They’re saying past repairs were done in a sloppy way. Because of that, problems were hidden until later, when they finally got the vehicle running and started using it.

Term

gooseneck ball

"I went to go move our wedge trailer with it. Go to flip the gooseneck ball over motherfuckers welded tight Someone welded the plate in upside down. So that way you can't get it out."

A gooseneck ball is the part that connects a gooseneck trailer to the truck. In this case, it was welded in a way that made it impossible to remove and swap the hitch setup.

Term

gooseneck trailer

"I went to go move our wedge trailer with it. Go to flip the gooseneck ball over motherfuckers welded tight Someone welded the plate in upside down."

A gooseneck trailer is a type of trailer that hooks to a truck using a hitch ball in the truck bed. Here, they couldn’t properly use the trailer because the hitch hardware was welded in the wrong way.

Term

chime box

"We did we did we did by disconnecting the chime box But that's another nuance right so like I'm pretty sure the the ABS module is out on it"

A chime box is what makes the truck beep when it detects warnings. If you disconnect it, the beeping stops, but the underlying problem may still be there.

Term

ABS

"...that's why it's beeping because it has a brake warning Which is not not the end of the world most like big rigs don't have ABS and whatever."

ABS helps prevent the wheels from locking up during emergency braking. If it’s not working, the truck may warn you and braking may not be as controlled.

Term

brake warning

"...ABS module is out on it And that's why it's beeping because it has a brake warning"

A brake warning is the truck telling you something in the braking system isn’t right. It could be a sensor issue, low fluid, or a system fault that needs checking.

Concept

parts availability

"...here's the thing you can't get the part. Why GM doesn't make them anymore That's so weird..."

Parts availability means how easy it is to find replacement parts when something breaks. If a truck uses a rare setup, you might have to wait longer or travel farther to get the right part.

Term

rear axle

"...there's others like the rear axle it shares with a fucking box truck, right? That's a spicer rear axle and the issue is it's too big to be small"

The rear axle is the big mechanical part that helps deliver power to the rear wheels. If the exact axle version is hard to find, repairs can be slow and expensive.

Company

Spicer

"That's a spicer rear axle and the issue is it's too big to be small So none of your local Chevy parts dealers have them"

Spicer is a company that makes parts for trucks, including axle components. The issue isn’t that it’s a bad brand—it’s that the exact axle you need is a weird size, so it’s hard to get locally.

Concept

problem ridden

"...we've seen this car has been here for years and that is another just problem ridden"

“Problem ridden” just means the vehicle has a lot of issues. The speaker is saying they’ve seen the car/truck cause trouble for years, so it’s a risky purchase.

Car

Honda S2000

"Yeah, I know we're gonna adopt there's a lot of projects going on and I love s2000s But if you could give me a bone stock s2k or this s2k all fixed up and put back together"

The Honda S2000 is a sporty Honda roadster that’s known for feeling fun and responsive. They’re saying a stock (unmodified) one is much less likely to turn into a long, expensive problem than a car that’s been messed with.

Concept

project car

"we kind of bought someone else's project there again Or we bought someone else's, you know, maybe less than ideal work needed some love ray from the beginning ... And you have to kind of rip all of that back work off before you start again"

A “project car” is a vehicle that needs significant work—often because it’s been modified, repaired poorly, or has unresolved issues. The episode emphasizes the risk of buying someone else’s unfinished or incorrectly wired project, where you may have to undo lots of prior “patches” before doing it correctly.

Term

wired wrong

"Or we bought someone else's, you know, maybe less than ideal work needed some love ray from the beginning Yeah, and then it was it was wired wrong and it's just yeah, yeah"

“Wired wrong” points to incorrect electrical wiring—often causing intermittent faults, no-start issues, or unreliable operation. In project cars, bad wiring can be especially time-consuming to diagnose and may require ripping out prior work to restore proper circuits.

Concept

pre-purchase inspection (PPI)

"It's worth take to a shop and haven't inspected for the hundred bucks They charge her hundred and fifty to do a vehicle inspection Because they might uncover a lot of things you didn't know or the seller didn't tell you"

A pre-purchase inspection is when a mechanic checks a car before you buy it. It helps you find problems the seller might not mention, and it can save you from buying a headache.

Term

vehicle inspection

"It's worth take to a shop and haven't inspected for the hundred bucks They charge her hundred and fifty to do a vehicle inspection Because they might uncover a lot of things you didn't know or the seller didn't tell you"

A vehicle inspection is a mechanic’s check of the car’s condition. It’s a way to spot hidden problems before you hand over your money.

Car

1996 Volkswagen Golf Harlequin

"So yeah, I was about it a [595.4s] 1996 Volkswagen Golf Harlequin if you've listened to the podcast for a while, you know, I've been talking about it"

This is a special version of the Volkswagen Golf from 1996. It’s famous for its unusual, colorful paint pattern, and it’s hard to find—so getting one is a big deal for collectors.

Concept

budget constraint when buying a rare car

"So the stars aligned. It was absolutely insane. I was putting out some posts looking for one [639.6s] Kind of a lot of dead ends honestly because these these cars are very hard to find and then I had a budget that I had to stick to"

When buying a rare enthusiast car, a fixed budget can strongly shape what you’re willing to accept—especially if the market is thin and listings are scarce. The host describes dead ends and difficulty finding the right car within their budget, which is common for limited-production models.

Concept

negotiating with Harlequin owners

"[647.1s] When you negotiate with Harlequin owners, you don't negotiate because yeah, kind of just is [652.2s] Like they have their price that they want and there isn't much to go off of off that"

They’re saying it’s hard to haggle because the owners already know what they want for the car. When a car is rare, there aren’t many alternatives, so prices tend to be firm.

Company

open air imports

"They're called open air imports. I'm like, okay ... And I got to say open-air imports was phenomenal to work with the communication I've never worked with a brand they had better communication than what they did"

This is the company the host worked with to help find the car. They’re being praised for how easy and responsive the communication was.

Car

Volkswagen Golf Harlequin

"Go on their page and check it out and why I didn't realize at the time is the Volkswagen Golf Harlequin was only made in North America. It was not made overseas. I can't import one from Germany or wherever like you'd think the polo was the polo"

This is a rare, special version of the Volkswagen Golf with a unique look. The key point here is that it was made for the North American market, so you can’t just assume you can import one from Germany like you might with other Volkswagens.

Concept

consignment

"He's like I have a personal friend that wanted to sell his Consignment I'll give you the info if you're interested. We haven't listed it yet or anything like that"

Consignment means the seller places the car with a dealer/importer to sell on their behalf, rather than the dealer buying it outright first. In this segment, the host is offered the car’s details before it’s officially listed, which is common with consignment inventory.

Term

manual

"Immaculate that's dope immaculate condition ... 120,000 miles manual pistachio green base number one one one so cool number alone is fucking sick"

“Manual” means you drive by using a clutch and shifting gears yourself. Some buyers prefer it because it can feel more engaging than an automatic.

Term

120,000 miles

"Immaculate that's dope immaculate condition ... 120,000 miles manual pistachio green base number one one one so cool number alone is fucking sick"

Mileage is a key ownership metric that affects expected wear items, maintenance history, and overall value. The host mentions 120,000 miles while emphasizing the car’s “immaculate” condition, suggesting low wear relative to the odometer.

Term

air suspension

"And down in Florida so Florida car and it's basically stock other it has air suspension wheels and Aftermarket steering wheel everything else is completely stock in that car"

Air suspension is a suspension system that can raise or lower the car using air. It’s often used to change the stance/ride height, and it can be a big part of how the car feels.

Term

Aftermarket steering wheel

"it's basically stock other it has air suspension wheels and Aftermarket steering wheel everything else is completely stock in that car"

An aftermarket steering wheel is a different steering wheel than the one that came from the factory. People swap them for looks or feel, and here it’s mentioned as one of the few non-stock items.

Concept

enclosed trailer

"hooked it up with transport from Florida to Wisconsin. It was honestly a very fair price for what I thought for an enclosed trailer and stuff Florida"

An enclosed trailer is a covered truck/transport that shields the car during shipping. It helps keep the car cleaner and safer from rain and debris.

Concept

importing a vehicle from Europe

"So I want to promote, you know places that I enjoy working with so if you guys are interested in Checking out importing a vehicle from Europe. It's they actually sell super insanely cool stuff through there"

Importing a car from Europe means buying it overseas and bringing it to your country. You usually have to deal with shipping and paperwork, not just buy it like a normal car.

Concept

JDM

"And I everyone thinks of importing JDM stuff There is a ton of really cool euro stuff that you can import too"

JDM means “cars made for Japan.” People often associate importing with Japanese cars, but you can also import cars from other countries.

Concept

buying a car sight unseen

"So a little bit nerve-racking because the owner very very very busy man He had a lot of stuff going on so communication was kind of slow in between and I for buying a car sight unseen Especially of like this rarity the nature of it"

Buying a car sight unseen means purchasing without personally inspecting it in person. The host highlights the risk with a rare vehicle—limited photos, no full view of key areas, and relying on photos/videos and the seller/transporter’s process.

Concept

air (seen the air)

"Especially of like this rarity the nature of it I didn't get like an absolute ton of photos like I never even seen the air. I'd set up before getting it"

They’re saying they didn’t really get to look at the car themselves before buying it. That’s why the process felt risky.

Concept

engine bay

"I didn't see the engine No, I did see I got one photo the engine bay and then the first video I received of the car"

The engine bay is the area under the hood where the engine lives. They’re saying they didn’t get much detail about it before the car arrived.

Concept

loaded onto the trailer

"Was a video of it being loaded onto the trailer and it was sent by the transporter So I kind of had limited Stuff all the guys like yeah, I rolled the dice a little bit in it, you know"

This refers to the car being physically placed onto the transport trailer, typically by a transporter/shipping company. It’s mentioned as the first video the buyer received, showing how the shipping process became the main “proof of condition” moment.

Concept

rolled the dice

"So I kind of had limited Stuff all the guys like yeah, I rolled the dice a little bit in it, you know"

“Rolled the dice” is a risk metaphor—here it means taking a chance on a rare purchase with limited photos and slow communication. It ties directly to the uncertainty of buying a car sight unseen.

Car

Camaros

"“...Mustangs to focus STs To Camaros all the way to Euro and GTI”"

They’re talking about the Chevrolet Camaro, another popular American performance car. They’re listing it as one of the cars they’ve owned.

Car

focus STs

"“...I’ve owned everything from Mustangs to focus STs To Camaros...”"

They mean the Ford Focus ST, a sporty version of the Focus. It’s a smaller car that’s meant to feel more fun to drive than a normal commuter hatchback.

Concept

stance cars

"[1033.6s] I ever seen in person was a 20th anniversary black magic pearl [1039.4s] Mark 4 GTI that was lowered roof rack in the snow had turquoise wheels. I can picture it right now yellow fog lights [1045.6s] And I was just taken back because I just didn't know about stance cars at that point"

“Stance cars” are cars modified mainly for how they look—usually with the car lowered a lot and the wheels positioned just right. People do it for the visual style, not just speed.

Car

Mark 4 GTI

"[1033.6s] And I don't know if it's because of the first stance car [1035.8s] I ever seen in person was a 20th anniversary black magic pearl [1039.4s] Mark 4 GTI that was lowered roof rack in the snow had turquoise wheels."

The “Mark 4 GTI” is a Volkswagen Golf GTI from the Mk4 era. It’s a popular small performance car that a lot of enthusiasts modify.

Part

dual compressor setup

"[1105.3s] Has like so the air ride. It's a dual compressor setup and the controller [1110.1s] That has a NES controller. That's sick as the"

A “dual compressor setup” means there are two air pumps working for the air suspension. More than one pump can help the car adjust height more quickly and consistently.

Term

air ride

"[1102.4s] The a couple of the cool things [1105.3s] Has like so the air ride. It's a dual compressor setup and the controller"

“Air ride” means the car’s suspension uses air pressure instead of normal springs. That lets you change how high or low the car sits, sometimes at the push of a button.

Term

NES controller

"[1105.3s] Has like so the air ride. It's a dual compressor setup and the controller [1110.1s] That has a NES controller. That's sick as the"

They’re using an NES-style game controller to control the air suspension. Buttons control things like raising and lowering the car.

Term

super Famicom controller

"[1115.0s] Our super Famicom controller as the air ride controller [1118.5s] So the buttons on the right control the the increase pressure and then the d-pad on the left lets it all out"

They mention using a Super Famicom controller as the suspension control. It’s basically a gamepad repurposed to operate the air suspension.

Term

controller...increase pressure...d-pad...lets it all out

"[1118.5s] So the buttons on the right control the the increase pressure and then the d-pad on the left lets it all out [1125.7s] Can control each corner and I was so surprised with how well it"

They explain that the controller has one input to add air pressure and another to release it. That’s what makes the car go up and down.

Term

control each corner

"[1125.7s] Can control each corner and I was so surprised with how well it"

“Control each corner” means the car can be adjusted at each wheel independently. That helps you set the car’s height and stance more precisely.

Term

PSI

"So I just kind of played around looked at it was drive on the highway hit a bump and rubbed slightly... So I was like, okay... I found just 60 psi all four corners"

PSI is just a way to measure how much air pressure is in the suspension. Higher PSI usually means the car sits higher; lower PSI usually means it sits lower.

Part

airlift gauges

"And I have two manual airlift gauges... The each one has two needles and it's for the right and left side... now I just hold two buttons to the front 60 to the rear 60"

These gauges show how much air pressure is in the air suspension. If you can see the pressure for each side, it’s easier to set the car to the same height every time.

Concept

preset

"That's sick enough. Yeah, it's pretty much A preset pretty much just as quick as a preset But rides really good"

A preset is a saved “height setting” for your air suspension. Instead of adjusting pressure every time, you can switch to a saved setup quickly.

Part

soft line between the hard line and the caliper

"It may be worth doing Break lines. Yeah, specifically the soft line between the hard line and the caliper... my pedal feel is 300 times better."

Brake lines carry brake fluid to the brakes. If the rubbery part gets old, it can swell when you press the pedal, making the pedal feel mushy—new lines help the pedal feel solid again.

Term

pedal feel

"my pedal feel is 300 times better. I need some pedal feel for sure... So what happens is when you hit the brake then you're the the line just expands first and it's like it gets mushy and gross"

Pedal feel is how the brake pedal feels when you press it. If it feels soft or squishy, it often means something in the brake system is flexing or not responding crisply.

Concept

service records

"So yeah, it was super neat and it came with a ton of paperwork, too. So I have a binder... I have records and receipts of any time it was brought in for service or some weird quirky stuff popping up with it"

Service records are paperwork that shows when the car was serviced and what was fixed. If you’re buying a used car, this kind of history helps you trust that it was maintained and can show if anything weird keeps happening.

Concept

paperwork binder

"So yeah, it was super neat and it came with a ton of paperwork, too. So I have a binder. I was actually flipping through it because it's just like it's fascinating"

An owner binder is basically a folder of receipts and documents. It’s useful because it shows the car’s past and helps you understand what maintenance it’s already had.

Concept

vehicle history / provenance

"It's history. I have records and receipts of any time it was brought in for service or some weird quirky stuff popping up with it"

“History” here means the car’s background—who owned it and what happened to it over time. Better history usually makes it easier to trust the car’s condition.

Concept

original owner

"From the original owner. Work that dates back to 1996. 2001"

The “original owner” is the first person who owned the car. If they kept good records, it can make it easier to know how the car was treated from the beginning.

Term

80 horsepower

"“...because it makes like 80 horsepower...”"

They’re throwing out a rough power number—about 80 horsepower. More horsepower usually helps with acceleration, but how the car feels also depends on other things.

Concept

police chase scenario

"“...imagine you're in like a police chase in the Harlequin...”"

They’re using a “police chase” situation as a dramatic way to describe the car while driving. It’s more about the vibe and excitement than about real-world police procedures.

Car

Nissan skylines

"“...I love the history of them and stuff, but you drive this car. I've driven skylines...”"

They mention Nissan Skylines because it’s a well-known performance car. It’s basically them saying they’ve driven other exciting cars before and this one surprised them too.

Concept

factory-built vs owner-modified

"“...he's like you did all this yourself, huh? ...no vw did this factory like this... Volkswagen produced it...”"

The speaker corrects a misconception: people think they personally painted the “balls,” but they say “vw did this factory like this” and “Volkswagen produced it.” This highlights the difference between an owner’s custom work and a factory special/trim that came that way from production.

Concept

small tweaks to make it my own

"“...I'm excited to do a few little small tweaks to it just to make it my own...”"

The speaker says they’re planning “a few little small tweaks” to personalize the car. In enthusiast culture, this usually means reversible or taste-based changes (cosmetic or minor functional upgrades) that don’t erase the car’s identity.

Brand

Continental

"[1583.1s] Both are accepted. I've heard people say both and probably in north america. It's more right to say harlequin [1589.2s] But I want to give a huge shout out and thank you to continental Conti Conti Conti if you're sponsoring the martini works podcast [1596.0s] I gotta get some dw s o six plus is asap on that thing"

Continental is a well-known tire brand. The host is saying they’ll likely buy Continental tires and encouraging listeners to use Continental’s selection tools.

Car

Morgan Six Plus

"...he martini works podcast I gotta get some dw s o six plus is asap on that thing I probably could use some ..."

The Morgan Plus Six is a sports car made by Morgan. It’s designed to be light and fun to drive. The podcast mentions it because the speaker wants to get one soon.

Term

new tires

"[1596.0s] I gotta get some dw s o six plus is asap on that thing [1599.7s] I probably could use some new tires and that's what I'll be going with if you guys are interested in running continental head"

New tires means replacing worn-out tires. It matters because tires are what actually contact the road, so fresh ones usually improve grip and braking.

Concept

track

"I go to the track on the weekends or I have a car that I drive in the midwest and I ride through every season"

“Track” refers to driving on a closed course for performance testing and high-grip driving. The speaker contrasts track weekends with daily driving across seasons, which matters for tire choice and vehicle setup.

Part

exhaust

"I've had a mark five Toyota Supra exhaust in my garage Since the beginning of time like a stock one. Yep. My stock exhaust I took off because it's all one piece."

The exhaust is the system that carries fumes out of the engine. People swap exhausts to change how the car sounds and sometimes how it performs.

Car

Toyota Supra

"Have a nice spot for the harlick in the park. I've had a mark five Toyota Supra exhaust in my garage Since the beginning of time like a stock one."

The Toyota Supra is a popular sports car. The host is talking about the exhaust on their Supra—how they removed the factory exhaust and are selling it.

Concept

Marketplace

"So I put it on marketplace at 50 bucks and I got a couple people Messaging and they kept flaking"

Marketplace is an app/website where people sell used stuff to neighbors. The host is telling a story about selling an exhaust and how some buyers flaked or made complicated plans.

Car

Pontiac Vibe

"Finally starts driving away. He had that whole fucking thing strapped to the roof of his Pontiac vibe and the exhaust was longer than the car"

A Pontiac Vibe is a small everyday car. In this story, someone had a huge exhaust system mounted on top, which made it take up a lot of space and look unusual.

Concept

Supercar Saturday show rule banning VQ cars

"So super car saturday is a show... They made a new rule... officially prohibit all vq platform vehicles from attending supercar saturday... due to the number of complaints and incidents that have occurred at previous shows"

The episode describes a new organizer decision for Supercar Saturday: prohibiting VQ-platform vehicles due to prior complaints and incidents. This is an example of how car-show communities sometimes respond to safety and behavior concerns by changing eligibility rules.

Term

vQ platform vehicles

"We have made the difficult decision to officially prohibit all vq platform vehicles from attending supercar saturday. Clarification this includes 350z 370z g25 g35 g37 q 40 q 50 q 60"

“VQ” is Nissan’s engine family used in a bunch of popular sports cars. The organizers are banning those cars from the show because they think they’ve caused too many problems in the past.

Car

Infiniti Q40

"We have made the difficult decision to officially prohibit all vq platform vehicles from attending supercar saturday Clarification this includes 350z 370z g25 g35 g37 q 40 q 50 q 60 Cars from attending. Uh, this was not an easy decision"

The Infiniti Q40 is a luxury car model from Infiniti. In the podcast, it’s mentioned because the host is listing which cars are not allowed to attend a specific event. The reason given is that it falls under a certain platform/engine group.

Car

Infiniti G25

"...r saturday Clarification this includes 350z 370z g25 g35 g37 q 40 q 50 q 60 Cars from attending. Uh, ..."

The Infiniti G25 is a luxury car model from Infiniti. In the podcast, it’s mentioned because the host is listing cars that won’t be allowed at an event. The reason given is that it’s part of a specific platform/engine category.

Car

Infiniti Q60

"We have made the difficult decision to officially prohibit all vq platform vehicles from attending supercar saturday Clarification this includes 350z 370z g25 g35 g37 q 40 q 50 q 60 Cars from attending. Uh, this was not an easy decision"

The Infiniti Q60 is a luxury coupe made by Infiniti. The podcast mentions it because the host is saying certain cars are not allowed to attend an event. The stated reason is that it belongs to a specific platform/engine group.

Car

Nissan 350Z

"Clarification this includes 350z 370z g25 g35 g37 q 40 q 50 q 60 Cars from attending."

The Nissan 350Z is a well-known Nissan sports car. The hosts mention it because the show is banning 350Zs along with other VQ-powered models.

Car

Nissan 370Z

"370z that you always go to my like hometown car show and something like to think of a place banning them Because a couple of dickheads are revving and doing browns."

The Nissan 370Z is a sports car from Nissan’s Z line. It’s the kind of car enthusiasts bring to shows, so it matters when events decide to ban certain models.

Concept

show bans for specific car platforms

"370z that you always go to my like hometown car show and something like to think of a place banning them Because a couple of dickheads are revving and doing browns. It sucks and then but also it's opening the door because now It's like you can pick and choose platforms potentially."

The speakers are discussing event rules that restrict certain cars from shows, likely due to noise or aggressive behavior from a subset of attendees. They highlight the “gray area” problem: once you ban one platform (like VQ-powered cars), it becomes unclear where the line should be drawn and who decides.

Term

VQ

"What else is wild is like so where do you draw the line then exactly does a glory account a glorious got a vq Right a sedricks got a vq. You know a bunch of those cars have vqs in them, right?"

“VQ” is the name of a type of engine used in a lot of Nissan/Infiniti cars. The discussion is basically: if events ban cars with that engine, it could end up banning a huge range of models.

Concept

banned

"Everything in that platform has gotten banned. It's like, hey, there's this group of enthusiasts that they they all you know"

They’re talking about events banning certain car groups. The host is basically asking: if the problem is a few bad actors, does banning everyone with that car/engine really fix it?

Car

Nissan VQ

"How like facebook car pages are, you know, it's like hey the vq owners group of new england vqs something"

“VQ” is Nissan’s engine family that shows up in a lot of popular Z-cars. The speaker is saying that banning a whole group based on the engine doesn’t necessarily stop the people who cause trouble.

Car

Infiniti G35

"Yeah, because again, I know so many owners of 350s and q50 g35s that would never do any of this"

They’re talking about the Infiniti G35, a car a lot of people modify and enjoy. The host’s point is that most G35 owners wouldn’t act like the “bad” group people blame.

Car

Infiniti Q50

"Yeah, because again, I know so many owners of 350s and q50 g35s that would never do any of this"

They’re mentioning the Infiniti Q50 as one of the cars whose owners they know personally. The takeaway is that most owners aren’t the ones ruining events.

Concept

slammed

"I just I get it because people are what ruined those events Look at slammed enough gatlenberg and what happened there h2o."

“Slammed” means a car is lowered a lot for looks. The host is saying that certain trends can attract people who ruin events, even if the style itself isn’t the real problem.

Concept

H2O

"Look at slammed enough gatlenberg and what happened there h2o. I mean all of them, right ruin events"

“H2O” is referenced as an event that was “ruined,” likely referring to a specific car meet known by that shorthand. The speaker uses it as an example that problems at events can spread across different communities, not just one platform.

Concept

riverside

"It's like riverside for example I am so scared of something happening."

They mention Riverside as an example of a car event they’re worried about. The idea is that when events get bigger, the wrong crowd can show up and start ruining the experience.

Concept

banning platforms

"But what do you guys think? Do you think banning platforms will help? ... They they sought out this specific platform for a reason. There was something that led to this being A rule that they are implementing."

They’re talking about restricting where people find out about car events or how they’re promoted. The hope is that fewer troublemakers show up, but the concern is that it could just make things worse instead of better.

Concept

enforce it super super heavy

"It's like the more you enforce it The more that like the pushback is against it ... They like tried to enforce it super super heavy that they said no tolerance and everyone fought back against it."

They’re saying that if organizers clamp down too hard, people may get angry and resist. That can make the situation worse for everyone, even the people who were there for the right reasons.

Concept

Gatlinburg

"It's like the same exact thing that happened at Gatlinburg ... everyone fought back against it and like it just turns into this no one wins in this situation."

They bring up Gatlinburg as a real-world example of a place that tried to clamp down on bad behavior. The point is that heavy rules didn’t make everyone happy and it turned into a fight instead.

Concept

no tolerance

"It was like the city pushed against it. They like tried to enforce it super super heavy That they said no tolerance and everyone fought back against it."

“No tolerance” means there’s basically zero tolerance for certain behavior—if you do it, you get punished right away. They’re saying that even with that approach, people can still fight back and it doesn’t always fix the problem.

Concept

car show get out of control

"But when I look back at every single of every single time that you saw a car show get out of control h2o Auto motion Gatlinburg each time the city drew a hard line in the sand and said nope We're not doing this and it that was the turning point to the downfall"

They’re talking about what happens when car events aren’t managed well. If people feel like they’re being shut out with no alternative, the situation can get worse instead of better.

Concept

collaboration

"But they also work with the show, you know, we want you to go here host and after meet there Exactly do this here because what happens is when you have that collaboration It becomes a mutually beneficial thing"

They’re saying the best outcomes happen when the event organizers and the city work together. When everyone agrees on where things happen, the event runs smoother and stays safer.

Concept

drift stuff

"it's the same reason why you see some shows doing like drift stuff now or burnout pits or stuff People don't have to go do that show in the street."

“Drift stuff” means cars sliding around on purpose, like in drifting competitions. The point here is that if events allow it in a safe place, people are less likely to try it on the street.

Concept

burnout pits

"it's the same reason why you see some shows doing like drift stuff now or burnout pits or stuff People don't have to go do that show in the street. They can do it right there"

A burnout pit is a specific spot at an event where people can do burnouts. If the event provides a place to do it safely, fewer people feel the need to do it on regular roads.

Concept

stop-and-go traffic

"...they came to us and said we don't want you to host a show / Because it's bringing too much traffic the strip is back to back and it's gonna stop and go traffic..."

Stop-and-go traffic is when cars keep slowing down and speeding up because of congestion. The hosts are saying the event would make the strip more crowded and annoying for everyone.

Concept

burnout box

"...it's like i'm not expecting supercar series to have a burnout box because no no no i agree..."

A burnout box is a special spot at an event where people can do burnouts without causing problems elsewhere. The conversation is about what venues should reasonably provide for car fans.

Term

VQ platforms

"...it's like these 350z's and vq platforms are causing an issue, you know, it's like, okay..."

VQ is Nissan’s engine family used in cars like the 350Z. When someone says “VQ platforms,” they mean cars built around that kind of setup, and the discussion is about those cars being treated differently at shows.

Car

Ford Mustang

"[2406.2s] Oh, well, no mustangs can come anymore because they always hit crowds at the end of the show [2410.6s] It's like"

They’re talking about the Ford Mustang as a car people associate with certain show-going behavior. Some events end up banning or restricting it based on reputation, not because the car is inherently unsafe.

Concept

Modification based limitations

"[2412.5s] You see this in the truck scene right like we see [2416.0s] Modification based limitations. So there's a lot of shows that won't do squatted trucks."

Some car shows make rules based on modifications—like how low or high a truck sits. If it doesn’t meet a height/fitment limit, the truck may be turned away.

Term

squatted trucks

"[2416.0s] Modification based limitations. So there's a lot of shows that won't do squatted trucks. It doesn't matter what it looks like [2420.9s] Okay, they'll like they'll measure bumpers if they have to"

A “squatted truck” is one where the back end sits lower than the front. Some events don’t allow that look because it can change how the truck behaves and how safe it is around crowds.

Term

safety issues

"[2430.0s] And and to be fair, they also usually stem or usually reference the safety issues [2435.1s] Right because if you're pointed way up in the air, you cannot see anything in front of you"

They’re saying the restrictions are partly about safety. If a truck is angled up too much, the driver might not be able to see people or obstacles in front.

Car

Lucid Air

"And and to be fair, they also usually stem or usually reference the ..."

The Lucid Air is a luxury car that runs on electricity instead of gasoline. It’s designed to be comfortable and efficient, with modern features. The podcast mentions it while listing different cars.

Car

Power Stroke

"[2453.2s] It's like this is a group second gen comments probably real it's gonna piss a lot of people [2458.6s] I'm so sorry, but it's it's uh, no, let me take that back. Let me take that back. It's probably the six liter power stroke guys"

“Power Stroke” is the name Ford uses for a diesel engine used in some of their big trucks. The hosts are saying that a lot of people in the truck scene have these engines and they’re often treated differently at events.

Term

six liter

"[2458.6s] I'm so sorry, but it's it's uh, no, let me take that back. Let me take that back. It's probably the six liter power stroke guys [2465.5s] Okay, because they're just they're cheap and you can beat the shit out of them"

“Six liter” means the engine is about 6.0 liters in size. The speakers are using it to point to a particular diesel engine crowd.

Concept

unreliable

"[2465.5s] Okay, because they're just they're cheap and you can beat the shit out of them [2469.0s] And they're very unreliable, but it does not matter"

The speakers claim the referenced Power Stroke trucks are “very unreliable,” framing it as part of why they’re cheap and get abused. In car-show contexts, this kind of reputation can influence how events set rules for certain vehicle types.

Term

beat the hell out of them

"[2465.5s] Okay, because they're just they're cheap and you can beat the shit out of them [2469.0s] And they're very unreliable, but it does not matter [2474.8s] You know rocol race hell praise dale type shit."

“Beat the hell out of them” is slang for aggressive driving and hard use, often associated with trucks bought cheaply and used without much care. The hosts use it to explain the culture around certain diesel trucks and why they’re common in the scene.

Term

trombone

"[2474.8s] You know rocol race hell praise dale type shit. You more so need a truck that sounds like a trombone. I think that's what we're going [2480.8s] to be"

They’re comparing the truck’s sound to a trombone. The point is that the diesel has a recognizable, loud, distinctive noise.

Concept

cars and coffee style shows

"The cars and coffee style in the morning [2518.5s] The cars and coffee style shows you see so much less of the bullshit"

“Cars and coffee” is a casual car meet that usually starts early in the morning. The idea is that people are more relaxed and respectful when it’s early, compared to later shows.

Term

revving

"You still get a couple people for whatever fucking reason they start revving or also [2583.8s] Audio guys are getting almost as bad as these fucking kids revving and burning out."

Revving means pushing the gas to make the engine spin faster (higher RPM). At car shows, some people do it to be loud, but it can get annoying for everyone else.

Term

audio system

"No, no not getting bad. They have I don't know [2590.6s] I feel like it's getting worse. I feel like it's truly getting worse like audio [2595.2s] I like systems. I like audio system [2597.8s] I like that setup"

A car audio system is the stereo setup—speakers and sometimes a subwoofer and amp. If someone turns it up too much at a meet, it can be just as annoying as loud driving.

Concept

car shows audio volume rules

"You're piercingly loud music and it's for extended periods of time. Nobody wants to listen to your fucking music ... Do like a 30 second demo. Don't do a five minute"

They’re talking about event etiquette and rules around loud sound at car shows. The idea is: keep it short and not so loud that it ruins everyone else’s experience.

Car

Chevrolet Silverado

"Um had this this dude that rolled in I forget his name. Super cool guy. He's got a Silverado like a 46 drop Silverado beautiful truck nasty wide wheels looked really good"

They’re talking about a Chevrolet Silverado that’s been lowered to look more aggressive. Lowering the truck changes how it sits and can make the wheels look bigger or more tucked-in.

Term

sound system

"He's got a Silverado like a 46 drop Silverado beautiful truck nasty wide wheels looked really good ... and he's got a sound system in it and before the event. He's like, hey, can I do a demo inside?"

A sound system is the upgraded audio gear in the truck—speakers and amps that make music louder. The issue here is that the demo would be too disruptive for the event space.

Concept

PA system

"We show up the morning of the event and the pa system is broken. [2707.3s] Scott I think his name is and I go to Scott and I say homie"

A PA system is the event’s loudspeaker setup. It’s what organizers use to play announcements or music, and if it’s broken it can mess up the whole audio plan.

Concept

cars aren't like stock

"And it's like typically it's like these cars aren't like stock either / So it's like they still look like you can still go to a car show"

They’re saying the cars at these events aren’t just factory cars. People usually modify them, so the show has to make room for that kind of custom setup.

Concept

audio demo

"Having my eardrum shit and it's like like you said if there's like a time set aside like hey, they're doing an audio demo / We got like five audio guys here. They're gonna do a demo like one o'clock."

They’re describing a planned moment where the cars’ sound systems get to show what they can do. It’s scheduled so people can enjoy it without it ruining the rest of the event.

Term

power hour

"Do a power hour or something. Yeah, exactly / It it like because it's like the three songs in a row like every like half hour."

A “power hour” is basically a dedicated time slot for the loud stuff. Instead of doing it randomly all day, you group it so everyone knows when it’s happening.

Concept

huge burnout

"Same same with anybody that makes a ton of horsepower and they want to fucking do a huge burnout or / Rev up their car."

A burnout is when a car spins its tires and makes smoke to show off. They’re saying it’s cool sometimes, but not when it interrupts the event for too long.

Term

rev up their car

"Rev up their car. There's a time and place for that in the middle of the show doing it for fucking three minutes / Is not the time or place to be doing that."

Revving is when you push the engine to spin faster so it sounds louder. They’re saying there’s a right time and place for that at a show.

Term

rev bomb

"The promise to your rev bomb one car and then everyone with a Honda rev bomb their shit / and it's like guys"

A rev bomb is when someone quickly revs the engine really hard to make it loud. They’re saying it spreads—one person does it and then everyone else feels like they have to.

Company

Fortune Auto

"All right our next sponsor, of course is fortune auto... They literally will tear down an entire set of coilovers if it does not fit the specs"

Fortune Auto makes aftermarket suspension parts for cars and trucks. In the episode, they’re praised for careful quality control—basically checking and re-checking parts before they’re shipped.

Car

Dodge Dakota

"... make some incredible stuff. I got them on my 240 dakotas random on multiple cars Dustin you put in uh for..."

The Dodge Dakota is a pickup truck made by Dodge. The podcast mentions it because the speaker is talking about having one and possibly working on it or using parts across different vehicles. It’s included as part of their personal car experience.

Concept

off-road stuff

"Are you probably good because they are expanding into the off-road stuff..."

They’re saying Fortune Auto is getting into suspension for off-road driving. Off-road setups often need to handle bumps and rough terrain better than regular street suspension.

Concept

overland

"They're focusing a lot some stuff into like the overland stuff, which I think is really neat"

Overland is basically traveling off-road for long trips—think rough roads and camping-style setups. The episode suggests Fortune Auto is making suspension parts meant for that kind of use.

Term

coilovers

"They literally will tear down an entire set of coilovers if it does not fit the specs... before going out the door"

Coilovers are suspension parts that let you adjust how the car rides and handles. In this episode, they’re saying the manufacturer checks the coilovers very carefully before they ship them.

Concept

drifting

"I told him. Hey, I'm gonna be drifting my 240... Here's the valving we recommend"

Drifting is when you intentionally slide the car sideways while still steering and controlling it. The hosts are saying suspension tuning matters a lot to make that work safely and consistently.

Term

spring rates

"Here's the valving we recommend... Here's the spring rates. We recommend we'll build them for you"

Spring rates are how stiff the springs are. Stiffer or softer springs change how the car feels when you turn, brake, or accelerate—so it matters a lot for drifting and everyday driving.

Term

valving

"I'm gonna be drifting my 240... They're like perfect. Here's the valving we recommend"

Valving is basically how the shock “controls” movement—how stiff or soft it feels when the suspension compresses and rebounds. The episode suggests they tune it so the car can do both drifting and normal street driving.

Concept

right to race

"All right boys. Let's talk about right to race. What is that? ... this bill essentially layout and say that um if a racetrack is existing ... and you build a house that you can't call and complain because there's a lot of noise on race days"

“Right to race” is about protecting racetracks from complaints when people build homes next to them. The law tries to say the track was there first, so noise from racing isn’t a surprise.

Company

SEMA

"So um SEMA the SEMA organization everyone knows SEMA for the show ... the specialty equipment manufacturers association ... they do everything from ... Advocating for right to repair"

SEMA is a big organization for the car parts industry. It’s involved not just in shows, but also in pushing for laws that affect aftermarket parts and how people can maintain their cars.

Concept

right to repair

"... advocate for The automotive aftermarket ... Advocating for right to repair for example, you know, so you can fix your own stuff and and all of that"

“Right to repair” means you should be able to fix your car without being forced to go only to the dealership. It supports independent shops and owners getting the information and parts they need.

Concept

Laguna Seca

"... this stems from like Laguna's very fair. I agree, right? Laguna sake is probably the biggest example. There was all that drama"

Laguna Seca is a famous race track. The hosts mention it as an example of the noise-related drama that can happen when people move near a track.

Concept

Rote America

"Obviously motorsports is huge in Wisconsin both on the large scale at like rote america and the small scale"

Road America is a major road-course race track in Wisconsin, known for hosting top-level series and major events. The speaker uses it as an example of how motorsports is economically important in the state and how legislation can impact even established venues.

Concept

vetoes it

"Bill goes to vote whatever passes the house passes all sorts of stuff gets all the way to governor evers desk and he vetoes it"

A veto is when the governor says “no” to a bill. The speaker is saying that when bills get vetoed, it can stop changes that would affect racing.

Concept

indy car

"you look at the the large scale things like indy car comes to to uh, rote america every year"

IndyCar is a major type of professional racing in the U.S. The speaker is saying Wisconsin gets big-name racing events like this.

Concept

imsa

"nascar has been there before and imsa is coming back for a six-hour endurance race event this year"

IMSA is a big organization that runs sports-car races, including long races that last hours. The speaker is pointing out that Wisconsin is getting a major endurance event.

Concept

nascar

"And nascar has been there before and imsa is coming back"

NASCAR is a very popular form of racing in the U.S., with stock cars. The speaker is using it to show that big racing organizations have ties to Wisconsin.

Concept

six-hour endurance race

"imsa is coming back for a six-hour endurance race event this year"

An endurance race is a long race where the car has to last and the team has to manage things for hours. Here, it’s specifically a six-hour event, which shows how big the racing is.

Concept

lawsuit / legal fees

"So it's like wir does not have the money to to lawyer up against the lawsuit / And I think that's the biggest thing too / It's like they they see the legal fees to even save it and they're like well"

A lawsuit is a legal fight in court. The speakers are saying that the cost of lawyers and court battles can be so high that people choose to close the track instead of fighting.

Concept

street racing

"And if you take it away, it's gonna get worse. It's like and all the street racing and like all the street / Activities on the roads have gotten crazy"

Street racing is when people race cars on public roads instead of on a track. The speakers are saying that if legal places to race disappear, people may try to do it illegally elsewhere.

Concept

noise issue

"Oh, no, you know when has it been like outside of like a noise issue Man that race tracks causing a bunch of problems"

They’re talking about complaints that race tracks are too loud. The argument is that the law is about noise, but it may not actually address building new tracks—more about what happens when people already live nearby.

Concept

RC hobby airplanes

"We talked about airports even the The rc hobby been impacted like this... You can only fly electric because of noise pollution issues"

RC hobby airplanes are small planes you fly with a remote control. Some places restrict them when the noise becomes a problem for neighbors.

Concept

noise pollution

"Yeah, I think that's so fair and it goes like not only for motorsport, but it goes with a bunch of things... You can only fly electric because of noise pollution issues"

Noise pollution just means “too much noise.” If it bothers people living nearby, the rules can change and limit what you’re allowed to do.

Concept

electric airplanes

"There's cities and stuff where you can't even fly Gas or glow airplanes anymore. You can only fly electric because of noise pollution issues"

Electric airplanes use batteries and an electric motor. They’re often quieter than gas-powered models, so some areas allow them even when louder ones aren’t.

Concept

economic impact of racing

"Uh, I forget SEMA posted the the economic impact of racing in in wisconsin. It's something like 40 billion dollars annually"

They’re talking about how racing affects the local economy. The idea is that events bring in visitors and spending, so changing rules around racing can ripple into jobs and businesses.

Concept

motorsports are a part of american history

"I mean, it's a gigantic chunk of our annual gdp not only wisconsin, but motorsports are a part of american history"

They’re saying racing isn’t just a hobby—it’s also part of American culture. That’s why changes to rules around shows or racing can feel personal to fans.

Part

lug nuts

"right now we're working on some Martini works lug nuts, but we all know that we really want good ones Like enthusiast ones because we've used ones we've liked and we've used ones that sucked"

Lug nuts are the bolts that hold your wheel onto the car. If they’re the wrong size or not a good fit, the wheel can be unsafe. People upgrade them for better fit, nicer looks, or weight savings.

Company

MartiniWorks

"right now we're working on some Martini works lug nuts, but we all know that we really want good ones"

MartiniWorks is referenced as the brand behind the podcast’s own lug nut development. That implies they’re sourcing or designing wheel hardware for enthusiasts rather than using generic parts. For listeners, it’s a signal that the episode may be discussing fitment, materials, and real-world testing.

Term

trial and error process

"So I'm gonna tease this podcast always gets special things. That's why you guys listen you hear here first typically um right now we're working on some Martini works lug nuts, but we all know that we really want good ones Like enthusiast ones because we've used ones we've liked and we've used ones that sucked So we're going through the trial and error process right now of finding which ones we do like"

They’re testing different lug nuts to see which ones work best. Instead of guessing, they try them out and learn from what feels right and what doesn’t. That helps them pick parts that are actually good in day-to-day use.

Term

tuner style look

"I think it's always super cool when we're able to like we're like making our own Crazy expensive. Yeah, they have like the spinning seat on them and the nice loading seat Nerling on the tip and I like this look like the tuner style look to them"

“Tuner style” refers to an aftermarket aesthetic commonly associated with performance and customization culture. In this context, it’s describing lug nuts with visual features (like a distinctive tip or finish) that stand out. It’s mostly about appearance, but it often goes hand-in-hand with enthusiast-focused hardware.

Part

valve stem caps

"Yeah, yeah, we started with the the valve stem caps, which a lot of you guys and gals have picked up and uh, I really like those."

Valve stem caps are the little caps on the tire’s air valve. They keep grit and water out, and they can also make your wheels look nicer.

Concept

wheels and tires

"There's thinking of things that like You get when you're buying like wheels and tires for your car or just parts for your car that can like help with just like quality of life..."

Wheels and tires are the two main components of the car’s rolling contact patch: the wheel provides fitment and style, while the tire provides grip, ride comfort, and wear characteristics. Choosing them together matters because tire size and wheel fitment affect clearance, handling, and how the car drives.

Company

moteggi

"The last sponsor of today's podcast is moteggi They have extremely Cool finishes on their wheels..."

Motegi is an aftermarket wheel brand known for offering multiple wheel designs and finishes. In this segment, the hosts position Motegi as a value-focused option—aimed at getting a good-looking wheel without a very high price.

Part

koshin koshin

"What's the name of the three spoke again? The three spoke there the koshin koshin. Yeah, I always forget the name but I really like that one"

“Koshin” sounds like the name of a specific wheel design. It’s a three-spoke style, and you still need to check the wheel size specs to make sure it fits your car.

Company

martin work

"So head on over to martin work. See if there's any moteggi wheels that you enjoy if you have any questions"

They’re telling listeners to check MartiniWorks for wheels. If you’re building a car for drifting, the right wheels can make a big difference for tire fit and overall performance.

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