Will TRUE CUSTOM PAINT Ever Come Back? | F_cking Cars Podcast Ep 24
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Mustang
They’re talking about a Ford Mustang project where the engine has been changed. Because the new engine doesn’t fit the same way as the original, they have to use special parts and adapters to make everything work.
coyote swap
A “coyote swap” is when someone puts a Ford Coyote V8 into a car that didn’t originally have it. Even if there are kits, you still often run into fitment problems with things like brackets, hoses, and clearance.
limitations of this motor
They’re saying the engine itself makes the project harder because of where its parts are located. When you swap engines, those locations can interfere with the car’s frame or other components.
Art Morrison chassis
Art Morrison makes custom car chassis. In this project, the chassis shape affects how much space there is for the engine and A/C parts, which is why they’re struggling with clearances.
ac compressor
The A/C compressor is the part that makes your air conditioning work. They’re having trouble because the compressor sits too close to the frame, so the usual adapter pieces don’t have enough room.
vintage AC adapters
These are special adapter brackets meant to connect an older A/C setup to a compressor. In their case, the adapters don’t line up because there isn’t enough physical space.
remote mount
Remote mounting means putting a part somewhere else instead of where it normally goes. They’re doing it to get the A/C connections to fit when there’s not enough room in the original spot.
oil cooler
An oil cooler is an extra radiator-like part that helps keep engine oil from getting too hot. They’re saying they didn’t think they’d need one, but the project led them to consider it anyway.
pro-charge
“Pro-charge” means they’re adding a forced-induction setup—basically a supercharger—to make the engine breathe harder. More boost usually means you need extra cooling so things don’t overheat.
remote oil filter
A remote oil filter relocates the oil filter away from the engine to improve packaging and sometimes cooling/flow. It requires additional lines and fittings, which can complicate routing—especially when adding other components like coolers.
lines to the cooler
They’re talking about the hoses/pipes that carry fluid to and from the cooler. If the lines are routed poorly, they can get in the way or cause leaks.
immobilizer
An immobilizer is the car’s anti-theft “permission slip.” If it doesn’t recognize the key, the car may crank but won’t start because it blocks fuel and/or spark.
donor car
A donor car is basically a second car they take parts from. It can help with swaps, but you still have to wire and match the parts correctly.
wiring diagrams and pin charts
These are reference documents that show which wire goes to which plug pin. If even one connection is wrong, the car can fail to start.
e25 pin
They’re talking about a specific electrical connector pin. If that pin doesn’t get the right power, the car’s systems may not work even if everything else is connected.
NEP
NEP is a label for a specific wire/pin used in diagnostics. In this conversation, it seems connected to signals the engine uses to start and run, but the exact meaning isn’t fully spelled out.
injectors
Injectors are the fuel-spraying valves controlled by the ECU. For an engine to start, injectors must not only have fuel pressure available, but also receive electrical pulses to open and spray fuel into the cylinders.
tachometer
A tachometer shows how fast the engine is spinning. If a diagnostic pin is tied to tach signals, it can help confirm whether the engine is actually producing ignition activity.
ECU
The ECU is the engine’s computer. It sends signals to parts like the fuel pump and ignition system so the engine can start and run correctly.
fuel pump relay
The fuel pump relay is like a remote-controlled switch for the fuel pump. When the engine computer tells it to turn on, the fuel pump gets power and starts pumping gas.
ignition problem
An ignition problem means the engine isn’t getting spark at the right time. So even if fuel is present, the engine can’t actually light off.
fuel injector pulse
Fuel injectors don’t spray continuously—they get quick “on” signals. If those signals stop, the engine won’t get the fuel it needs to start.
spark
Spark is what lights the fuel-air mixture in the engine. If there’s no spark, the engine can crank but still won’t start.
coil-on plugs
Instead of one coil for all cylinders, coil-on-plugs puts a small coil right on each spark plug. If one coil fails, that cylinder can misfire or not spark at all.
fuel pressure
Fuel pressure is how strongly fuel is pushed to the engine. But if the injectors aren’t commanded to spray, the engine still won’t start even with good pressure.
mechanics shortage
A mechanics shortage means there aren’t enough car repair workers. The hosts suggest robots might help with some tasks, but trucks still need proper maintenance.
change oil
Changing oil is regular maintenance where you drain old engine oil and put in fresh oil. It helps the engine run smoothly, and the hosts are joking that robots could do this kind of basic service.
disposable cars
“Disposable cars” means cars that people are more likely to replace than fix when they have problems. If that becomes common, there’s less need for mechanics doing repairs.
Tesla Semi
Tesla is working on an electric big rig (semi truck). Even if the truck is good, it only works if there are enough charging stations and the logistics make sense for real deliveries.
charging infrastructure
Charging infrastructure means having enough charging stations where trucks need them. If charging takes too long or stations aren’t available, the truck sits idle and stops making money.
Pontiac Fiero
The Pontiac Fiero is a sports car where the engine sits closer to the middle of the car, not up front. The podcast mentions a 1996 concept version, which is a design study rather than a regular production car. It’s brought up because the Fiero name is remembered for its unusual layout.
mid-engine
“Mid-engine” means the engine is placed closer to the center of the car instead of at the front. That can help the car feel more balanced and easier to handle, especially when driving hard.
stainless
Stainless steel is a corrosion-resistant metal often used for trim, panels, or special finishes. In this segment, the hosts mention “sausage fingerprints on the stainless,” implying that the Cybertruck’s stainless-like surfaces show smudges and fingerprints easily.
brake dust
Brake dust is the fine particulate created when brake pads and rotors wear during braking. It often transfers to wheels and can be noticeable on hands or surfaces when someone removes wheel hardware, which is why the hosts reference a video where brake dust gets on fingers.
hubcaps
Hubcaps are wheel covers that protect the wheel and can improve appearance. In the segment, removing hubcaps is used as the setup for discovering brake dust on fingers, highlighting how wheel grime accumulates.
electromagnetic braking system
Instead of stopping by squeezing brake pads against a disc, an electromagnetic system uses magnets to slow the car down. That could mean less brake wear and less dust. It’s not as common yet, but it’s something automakers are exploring.
parking lots as urban design
They’re talking about how many cities end up with huge areas devoted to parking cars. In a city simulation, it can look strange because so much space is just for parking. The point is that cars strongly influence how cities are designed.
Kias
Kia is a car brand. The hosts are talking about how Kia’s newer designs try to look futuristic, especially as more electric cars become common. It’s mostly about appearance and branding.
Tron stuff
“Tron stuff” is a reference to a futuristic, neon look from the TRON movies. The hosts mean some new car designs use bright, angular lighting and styling to look high-tech. It’s describing the vibe, not a specific car part.
hundays
Hyundai (transcribed here as “hundays”) is another automaker pushing a more futuristic design direction across its lineup. The hosts connect this look to the broader industry shift toward electric-vehicle branding. The mention is about styling cues, not a specific model’s engineering.
lantern lights
“Lantern lights” appears to describe a specific lighting signature—corner or accent lamps that resemble lanterns. Lighting design language is increasingly used to identify brands and make cars look more distinctive. Without the exact model, it’s best understood as a visual description of the headlight/DRL shape.
projector light
A projector light is a type of car headlight that uses a lens to aim the light more precisely. That usually helps the beam look cleaner and shine where it’s supposed to.
turn signal
A turn signal is the blinking light that tells other drivers you’re turning. They’re joking that some modern light designs make it feel like the wrong light is doing the signaling.
running lights
Running lights are lights that turn on while you drive, usually in daytime. The hosts are saying some cars make these lights stand out so much that they look bigger than the headlights.
Modern "shallow" styling with complex body lines
The discussion critiques modern exterior styling trends: sharper, jagged body lines and more visually “busy” surfaces. The hosts argue that these shapes can be harder to execute cleanly and may rely on thinner or less rigid panels, leading to a less durable or less satisfying look.
Ford
The hosts repeatedly point to Ford trucks as an example of modern paint/finish quality concerns, including thin clear coats and visible surface texture. This is a brand-level reference used to frame their real-world observations.
clear coat getting so thin
Clear coat is the shiny protective layer on top of the paint. If it’s too thin, the car won’t look as glossy for long and small imperfections can show up more easily.
wet sanding the clear down
Wet sanding is when you sand the paint with water to smooth it out. If you sand the shiny top layer too much, you can end up showing bumps and flaws instead of fixing them.
door skins
A door skin is the outer metal panel of a door, often replaced separately from the full door structure. When aluminum doors are involved, fitting and bending the flange for a skin replacement can be tricky because aluminum can crack if it’s not handled correctly.
aluminum work hardens
Work hardening means when you bend or shape metal, it can get harder afterward. That’s why aluminum can behave differently depending on how it was formed.
extrusion or stamping
Extrusion and stamping are ways factories shape metal. The process can change the metal’s properties, so the same aluminum sheet or tube can behave differently depending on how it was made.
aluminum tubing
Aluminum tubing is aluminum pipe used for parts or systems. The speaker is basically saying the correct word matters because tubing and pipe can refer to different kinds of material.
Aluminum ages
Some aluminum alloys change over time after they’re made. After sitting for a while, it can feel stiffer and be harder to bend into the same shape.
extruded
Extrusion is how manufacturers make long metal shapes by pushing heated metal through a mold. The way it’s made can affect how the metal behaves later.
stamping out the shape
Stamping is when a machine presses sheet metal into a mold to make the exact shape. It’s one of the main ways car body panels are formed.
crimp they fold the pinch weld
A pinch weld is a seam where two metal parts are joined by folding/crimping them together, often used in body construction. The segment suggests that fresh material folds more easily, while older aluminum may not form the seam as cleanly.
u bend
A U-bend is just bending metal into a U shape. They’re using it as an example of how fresh metal bends cleanly, but older metal can start to collapse or lose the nice curve.
collapse... oval shaped
If the metal isn’t as flexible anymore, bending can make it buckle. Instead of staying round, it can flatten or turn oval.
build process (big stuff vs little stuff)
The speaker contrasts early “big wins” in a build (engine, transmission, driveshaft, exhaust) with later “little stuff” that becomes frustrating. This is a common hot-rod/custom build reality: wiring, brackets, clearances, heat shielding, and fitment issues often take longer than the headline components.
manifold
A manifold is a part that collects gases from multiple cylinders and routes them into the exhaust system. In this context, the speaker is describing how an H-pipe sits between the manifold area and other components, which matters for heat management and sensor behavior.
h-pipe
An “H-pipe” is an exhaust crossover component that connects the exhaust paths from different cylinder banks (commonly on V8s). The goal is to help balance exhaust flow and sound, and it can also affect how exhaust temperatures and emissions-related sensors behave.
HVAC system
HVAC is the system that controls heat and A/C inside the car. When you’re installing parts in the engine bay, HVAC stuff can take up space and affect where other components can go.
Controller
A controller is a small computer/module that helps run the system. They’re saying there wasn’t enough space to mount it where they first planned, so they moved it to a better spot.
apron
The apron is a part of the car’s body near the front/engine area. It’s where you might route hoses or mount parts, and it can be tight to work around.
cooler lines
Cooler lines are the hoses/tubes that carry the cooled fluid or refrigerant. They’re talking about routing them through a specific body area so everything fits.
dryer
The dryer is a filter-like part in the A/C system that helps keep moisture out of the refrigerant. It’s important for reliability, and it also takes up space when you’re fitting everything into tight areas.
inner fender
The inner fender is the inner panel behind the wheel. They’re saying they’ll tuck the parts up under it so the install looks cleaner and is less exposed.
custom kit fitment problems
Even when you buy a kit, it might not fit your exact car or layout. Then you have to figure out which parts/fittings actually work and make adjustments instead of just bolting everything on.
headlight trim rings
A headlight trim ring is the ring around the headlight that makes it fit and look right. If you change the headlight or bulb, you may need the right ring so it mounts properly.
retrofit kit
A retrofit kit is an aftermarket set of parts designed to adapt an existing car to accept a different component than what it originally used. In this case, the kit is meant to convert the headlight setup to work with a specific bulb type.
seven inch sealed beam bulb
A seven-inch sealed beam bulb refers to a standardized older-style headlight unit where the bulb and reflector are sealed together in a specific diameter. Many classic-car headlight conversions revolve around matching the correct sealed-beam size so the housing and trim ring fit properly.
body filler
Body filler is a putty used to fill small gaps and smooth uneven surfaces before painting. It’s common in custom or repair work, but it has to be applied and sanded carefully so it doesn’t crack later.
originality
In car restoration and customization, “originality” refers to keeping parts, locations, and appearance as they were from the factory. The discussion suggests a tension between making the car look right for use/fitment versus preserving factory-correct details.
gas door
That’s the little door on the outside of the car that hides where you put the gas. If you move it, you usually have to cut and patch the body so it lines up and seals correctly.
collector plates
This sounds like they’re talking about license plate/registration rules—basically whether the car’s setup will be allowed. The exact term is unclear in the audio, but the point is compliance.
small block Chevy
A “small block Chevy” is a popular Chevrolet V8 engine that a lot of people swap into other cars. The host is basically saying the engine swap doesn’t automatically mean the car’s fuel filler/body details will be accepted.
DMV
DMV refers to the Department of Motor Vehicles, which handles registration and inspection rules. The discussion implies that non-stock modifications (like moving the fuel filler) may not be something the DMV checks closely, but rules vary by location.
registration every year
They mean the yearly paperwork and fees you have to pay so the car is legal to drive. Some people try to avoid it if they’re not driving much.
hobbyist plate
Some states let you register certain cars as “hobby” vehicles. That can mean less hassle (and sometimes lower cost) than normal registration, especially for cars you don’t drive every day.
Rhoda America
They mention a specific program or plate option name that lets you get a black plate in Wisconsin. The exact details aren’t explained here, but it’s part of the conversation about plate styles.
yellow retro
They mention a Wisconsin plate option called “yellow retro,” which is designed to look like older plates from the 1970s. They’re basically talking about how different plate colors look and why people have opinions about them.
custom plate
A custom plate is a license plate with your chosen letters/numbers. The hosts are saying it can cost money and take time to get approved.
forms of multiple different variations
They’re talking about the application steps where you list several acceptable plate options. If your first pick isn’t allowed, they try the next one.
Toyota Tundra
A Toyota Tundra is a big pickup truck. They’re talking about paperwork/registration for their Tundra and how much it’s worth now compared to when it was in rough shape.
re-register
Re-registering means updating the vehicle’s registration with the state—often after ownership changes, moving between states, or correcting registration details. It can affect fees and how the vehicle is categorized/valued.
Road America plates
“Road America plates” refers to specialty license plates tied to Road America, a well-known motorsports venue in Wisconsin. The segment treats it as an optional add-on when registering a vehicle.
vehicle title
The vehicle title is the official paper that shows who owns the car. If it’s lost or needs to be transferred, you have to file paperwork so the state can issue the correct title.
pick up the new title
“Pick up the new title” means the DMV/state issued an updated or replacement ownership paper. You can often have someone else do it, but you need the right paperwork so they’re allowed to.
working on paint
They’re talking about doing custom paint work on a car. Custom paint isn’t just color—it usually involves careful prep and applying layers so it looks right.
chameleon paint
Chameleon paint is paint that looks like it changes color when you move around or when the light hits it differently. It’s usually pricier and takes more skill to apply cleanly than normal paint.
mini truck scene
The “mini truck scene” refers to a style subculture focused on compact trucks and a show-focused look—often including custom paint, graphics, and airbrushed details. In paint discussions, it usually signals a more graphic-heavy, visual-impact aesthetic rather than a subtle OEM-style finish.
airbrush
Airbrushing is a way to paint detailed designs using a tool that sprays paint very finely. It’s commonly used for custom graphics and smooth color fades on show cars.
tribal-ish pinstriping
Tribal pinstriping is decorative artwork—usually sharp, flowing shapes—added along the side of a car. It can be painted by hand or sprayed in layers so it looks like part of the paint job.
flat sanding
Flat sanding is when you sand the surface until it’s smooth and level. Paint layers can leave edges or bumps, and sanding helps them disappear before the final clear and polish.
dropped shadowed
A dropped shadow is like the shadow you see behind a sticker or lettering, but painted. It makes the graphic look like it sits on top of the paint instead of being flat.
custom paint graphics
They’re designing custom paint graphics to be the main feature of the car. Instead of relying on big body changes, they want the paint to stand out and make the whole build look intentional.
valve cover
The valve cover is a cover on top of the engine that protects important parts inside. The speaker is planning graphics so the paint flows visually onto that area.
Honda Civic
They’re customizing a Honda Civic. Instead of changing the whole body with a big kit, they want to keep the factory look and use paint/graphics plus a few small add-ons to stand out.
front lip
A front lip is a small add-on on the front bumper that sticks out a bit lower. It’s mostly for style, and it can also help the car’s airflow look cleaner.
duck tail spoiler
A ducktail spoiler is a small spoiler that sits on the trunk and curves upward. It can make the car look more sporty and may help stability at speed.
coil overs
Coilovers are suspension parts that let you lower the car. They also help you adjust how stiff or soft the ride feels.
control arms
Control arms are parts that connect the suspension to the wheel. If you change them, it can change how the car rides and how the wheels line up.
Chinese parts
The speaker mentions using “Chinese parts,” which usually refers to aftermarket components sourced from overseas. Quality can vary widely, so fitment, durability, and warranty support are key considerations when mixing cheaper parts into a suspension or appearance build.
slam it
“Slam it” means lowering the car a lot. It can look cool, but it may ride rough and rub on bumps or turn.
paint scheme
A paint scheme is just the “design” of the paint job—what colors go where and what the pattern looks like. It’s the blueprint for the final look.
tack paper
Tack paper is used to clean the surface right before painting. It helps remove tiny bits of dust so the paint comes out smoother.
fine line tape
Fine line tape is thin masking tape used to block off areas while painting. It helps you get sharp, clean lines between different colors.
They’re also talking about Instagram. It’s another place where you can see photos and updates of custom paint work.
YouTube
They’re saying the painter posts videos online. That’s useful because you can learn how they do the paint and see results before you hire someone.
masking tape
Masking tape is the tape painters stick on to cover areas they don’t want paint on. It also helps keep the paint lines sharp and stops paint from getting into cracks between panels.
door jamb
A door jamb is the area around the door opening. When you paint stripes, paint can accidentally spray into that recessed area, so you need extra masking there.
stencils
Stencils are templates that tell the painter exactly where to spray or paint. They help you get consistent shapes and keep the design from getting messy.
retro futuristic
Retro futuristic is a style that looks like the past’s idea of what the future would look like. On a car, it usually means tech-themed shapes and graphics.
hexagons
Hexagons are six-sided shapes. Using them in a car paint design can make the artwork look bold and “techy,” especially if the shapes are slightly distorted.
circuit board layer
They’re describing a paint design that looks like the lines on a computer circuit board. Making it look right usually takes careful layout and multiple paint layers.
Porsche 944
The Porsche 944 was an older Porsche sports car. People like it because it’s a fun, well-balanced design, and some versions were pretty quick. “Bringing it back” usually means Porsche might make a new car that feels like the old 944, but with modern parts.
Toyota MR2
The Toyota MR2 is a small sports car that has its engine in the middle. That layout helps it handle in a fun way. The conversation is basically about whether Toyota is actually planning a new one or if it’s just internet rumors.
2.4 liter
“2.4 liter” is the engine size—how big the engine is inside. Bigger displacement can help an engine make more power, but it’s not the only factor. Here it’s mentioned as a rumored engine size.
3 to 400 horsepower
Horsepower is a way to describe how strong the engine is. Higher horsepower usually means the car can accelerate harder. In this conversation, it’s just a rumor about what a future car might make.
tunable motor
A “tunable motor” means an engine that’s easy to modify for more performance. Enthusiasts like these because tuning and upgrades tend to work well and don’t cause constant problems. The hosts are basically saying they want a car where the engine is great for upgrades.
Toyota 86
The Toyota 86 is a small sports car meant to be fun and light. The speakers are saying they didn’t think it got the right engine upgrade or “more” where it mattered. They’re using it as a comparison point for what they want next.
BRZ
The BRZ is Subaru’s version of a small sports car. It’s closely related to the Toyota 86, so people compare them a lot. Here it’s mentioned as an example of a sports car that didn’t get the bigger engine upgrade the hosts wanted.
twin turbo v8
A twin-turbo V8 is a V8 engine with two turbochargers. Turbos cram more air into the engine, which usually makes the car feel stronger and faster.
Lexus design language
A brand’s design language is basically its “look.” The hosts are saying the car seems to follow Lexus’s styling style, but it doesn’t match the drama you’d expect from a performance car.
Lexus Lfa
The Lexus LFA is a rare, high-performance sports car made by Lexus. It’s known for having a V10 engine and for being more subtle in appearance than some other supercars. That combination is why people bring it up.
Chevrolet Camaro
The Camaro is a famous GM muscle car. The hosts are saying that when GM brought it back, it was influenced by Holden (an Australian GM brand), which helped shape how the car felt and looked.
Pontiac G8
The Pontiac G8 GXP was a performance version of the G8, which the hosts describe as being closely related to the Holden Commodore. They also discuss how it still “felt very Pontiac,” highlighting the brand’s identity even when the car’s roots were Australian/GM global.
Holden Commodore
Holden Commodore is a GM car from Australia. The hosts are saying the Pontiac G8 was basically built on that same foundation, so it wasn’t “purely American” in design and engineering.
Holden Caprice
The Holden Caprice is a large, comfortable sedan made by Holden. It’s meant more for relaxed driving than for sporty performance. The podcast mentions it because it’s an interesting option within the Holden lineup.
Chevrolet SSR
The Chevrolet SSR is a weird-looking GM truck that tried to blend truck practicality with a retro car vibe. The hosts are comparing sales potential—basically saying a Holden-based pickup might have been more popular than the SSR.
Chevrolet HHR
The Chevrolet HHR is a compact retro-styled car from GM that took inspiration from classic 1940s-era design cues. In this discussion, the hosts reference it alongside the SSR to explain how both cars use similar “retro” styling language.
Design language comparison (retro styling cues)
The segment compares the SSR to the Chevrolet HHR and notes “similar” design cues—specifically “trying to look like 40s design.” This is about how modern cars borrow visual language from older eras, which can strongly influence how people perceive styling success.
six speed
“Six-speed” means the car has a manual gearbox with six gears. More gears can help the engine feel stronger and keep it in the right rev range.
suspension components are mounted really down far
If the suspension parts sit low under the car, there’s less clearance to the ground. That makes it harder to lower the car without rubbing or scraping.
not like a very easily customizable car
Some cars are harder to modify because the important parts are packed tightly. When there’s not much space underneath, lowering and other mods can be limited.
battery would die
The speaker describes an early problem where the battery would die after cycling the roof up and down multiple times. This points to a real-world electrical/charging or battery-drain issue that can show up on certain vehicles, especially around power-operated tops.
Plymouth Prowler
They’re talking about the Plymouth Prowler, a weird-looking retro car from the late ’90s. The host thinks it would be way cooler if it had a V8 engine, because the car’s current setup doesn’t feel as exciting.
V8
A V8 is a type of engine with eight cylinders. The idea here is that putting a V8 into the car would make it feel more powerful and sound better.
V8 engine swap / modified retro car
The segment highlights a common hot-rod approach: modifying a retro-styled car by swapping in a V8 to improve performance and character. This is often done to overcome the factory engine’s limitations and to create a more desirable sound and driving feel.
ditch those headlights
They want to replace the car’s original headlights because they don’t like how they look or work. Swapping headlights is a common customization.
enj headlights
The speaker is describing a specific style of headlight they associate with “enj” (likely a shorthand for a brand or a hot-rod headlight style). They characterize them as old-school hot rod headlights with a long oval shape and small lens dimensions, suggesting a retro-inspired swap.
analog as possible
They mean cars that feel more “old-school” and mechanical instead of super computer-controlled. It’s usually about keeping the driving experience more direct and less complicated.
hypercar stuff
They’re contrasting the newest, most extreme supercars with a more enjoyable, enthusiast-focused approach. The idea is that “more tech and more speed” doesn’t automatically mean “more fun to own and drive.”
1500 horse
They’re talking about a car making an absurd amount of power—on the order of 1,500 horsepower. It’s meant to show how extreme some specialty performance packages can get.
three-year warranty
They’re mentioning that the seller offers coverage for about three years. That matters because very powerful or heavily modified cars can be costly if something breaks.
pushrod motor
A pushrod engine is an engine design where the cam pushes on rods, and those rods open the valves. It’s a common setup, and the conversation is basically saying that even “crazy” power can come from a familiar engine layout.
Chevrolet Corvette
The Corvette is Chevrolet’s famous sports car. It can feel special and sound great, but it’s usually not as wildly expensive or custom as true supercars.
custom made body
“Custom made body” means the car’s outer panels are specially made instead of coming from a regular factory design. The point is that some supercars cost a lot because they’re built with lots of custom work.
kit car
A “kit car” is a vehicle assembled from a kit—often using donor parts or components—rather than being fully engineered and built as a one-off factory supercar. The hosts are using the term to argue that some high-end builds are still, in spirit, based on simpler foundations and aftermarket components.
Audi R8
The Audi R8 is a supercar from Audi. They’re saying they’d want the V10 version, because that’s the engine option people often associate with the best sound and feel.
V10
A V10 is a big engine with ten cylinders. It usually revs high and sounds amazing, and in this case it’s paired with a manual transmission for extra driver involvement.
wheelies
Wheelies are when a car lifts its front wheels off the ground under hard acceleration. The hosts mention seeing wheelies at a drag strip, which highlights how much traction and power the car has and how aggressive the launch can be.
drag strip
A drag strip is a track built for straight-line racing. Cars run down the strip to show how fast they can accelerate.
manual transmission as an enthusiast selling point
Enthusiasts often like manual transmissions because they feel more engaging to drive. Even if a faster automatic exists, a manual can still be more fun and can be rarer, which makes it more valuable to some buyers.
brine
Brine is salt mixed with water that gets sprayed on roads to stop ice. It’s rough on cars over time, especially if you don’t wash the underbody.
