The Smoking Tire

What's a muscle car? What are the top 5 of all time? That's what we're discussing today. From the '60s to present day and every decade in between, Matt Farah and Zack Klapman have their own lists. Do any overlap? Do their cars fit the definition of muscle car? We'll see. Plus, Matt's used Bentley is back in the shop...

Why are Nissan GT-Rs so coveted? Why was it illegal to import them? Why did Japan build them in the first place? All that and more is covered in the excellent book, "Cult of GT-R, A Story of Crime, Obsession, and the World's Most Coveted Car". It is a detailed history of the Nissan GT-R, Japanese manufacturing, Japanese car culture, the world of import laws, and why the GT-R means so much to so many of us. The author, Ryan ZumMallen, joins us. https://www.carrarabooks...

What's the collector market up to? Will GT-Rs ever take the place of pre-war Brass Era cars? Gord Duff is the man with answers. He is the Global Head of Auctions for RM Sotheby's. If anyone knows what's going on with car collecting trends, it's him. https://rmsothebys.com/en/home/specialists/gord-duff/509891 Recorded February 7, 2024 Head to https://www.factormeals.com/tire50 and use code tire50 to get 50% off...

Jonny Lieberman is here to talk about his time street-driving the new Porsche GT3 RS, his drive in the crazy Guntherwerks Prototype, and our main topic: our five favorite European Tuner Cars. Plus questions about how much money you need to be a car enthusiast; why to keep your sports car when the snow comes; a good affordable bourbon; Audi S3 vs Golf R; and the great speed limits vs guns debate. Recorded February 5, 2024 Get 20% off Groove Life products with my link: https://www.groovelife...

Matt Farah and Zack Klapman go through their respective Top 5 cars that were sold to the Japanese Domestic Market only. Then we answer LOTS of Patreon Q&A Other topics include: adventures with Turo; the Bentley paint correction; a Prius that somehow failed smog. Recorded February 1, 2024 Get 20% off Groove Life products with my link: https://www.groovelife...

After an unfortunate surprise in the Koenig Ferrari, we're recording a podcast! We have plenty to talk about!! The Koenig Ferrari is a wild, weird thing...

We tried to drive a modified Ferrari; a deep-dive review of the 2024 Subaru WRX TR; what's it cost to repair a Bentley?; Zack's flight in an electric aircraft; Q&A Recorded January 23, 2024 Use Off The Record! and ALWAYS fight your tickets! Enter code TST10 for a 10% discount on your first case on the Off The Record app, or go to https://www.offtherecord.com/TST App code: tstpod Click on the DILLON banner, buy a pair of sunglasses, receive a FREE Smoking Tire t-shirt! https://thesmokingtire...

When is a car "safe enough"? Turns out it's not such a simple answer. From a lack of software oversight to self-certification issues to more recalls (from every company) than you could imagine, building cars is challenging, especially as ADAS systems get more common and complicated. Phil Koopman is an Associate Professor at Carnegie Mellon University in the Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering. In the car realm, he is the writer of Safe Autonomy blog, covering self-driving technology...

Parker Nirenstein is the creator and host of Vehicle Virgins, a popular YouTube channel with over 2 million subscribers. He joins us to talk about YouTube, work/life balance, cars he's owned, and more Recorded January 15, 2024 Say goodbye to harsh smoke and coughing attacks by shopping the smoothest pipes, bubblers, bongs and more at https://www.thefreezepipe.com and use code TIRE for 10% off your entire order...

Shima Hamidi is a transportation planner and a smart growth advocate. She is an expert in measuring urban form and its quality of life impacts. Shima has been published extensively on walkability, non-motorized transportation, public transit, housing and transportation affordability, public health, life expectancy, upward mobility, and traffic safety. https://www.shimahamidi.com/ https://narrowlanes.americanhealth.jhu.edu/ Recorded January 12, 2024 Head to https://www.factormeals...