How much do you know about the Nissan Skyline GT-R?
The Volkswagen Golf GTI - if VW hadn't made the very first Mk1 GTI back in 1976, some of our favorite high performance hatchbacks probably would have never existed.
Everything you need to know about the Honda Civic Type R and the Honda Type R badge. From the Honda (Acura) NSX Type R through the new 2017 Honda Civic Type R.
From the early days of the Celica Supra to the 7mgte of the Mk2 supra and the iconic Mk3 Supra with the 2JZ-GTE and the new Supra concept currently being developed with BMW.
Everything you need to know about the Nissan Z. From the early days of the 240z to the 260z, 280z, 280zx, 300zx, 350z and 370z.
The DeLorean DMC-12: you know it from Back to the Future, but the story behind it's development ( cocaine! ) is crazier than you could imagine - well, not flying cars.
The complete history of the Mazda RX-7 and the Wankel Rotary Engine, from the FA RX-7 to the FC Turbo 2 and the FD RX-7, RX-8, and RX-9 concept.
This week we took on the daunting task of giving you Everything You Need to Know on the Ford Mustang. From the early days of the legendary fastbacks, to the boxy foxbody 5.0 's and the weird round spaceships of the 90s, to the current return-to- retro Mustang of today.
From humble beginnings in the form of British roadsters, the Mazda MX-5 Miata has grown through four generations to establish itself as the widely accepted king of cheap, easy, fun to drive cars.
From 1982 to 1987, Buick (yes Buick) used the Grand National to rise from overlooked GM family sedans, to the maker of America’s fastest, most powerful Muscle Car. The 1987 Buick Grand National Experimental (GNX), took the G-body auto to new heights as one of the baddest, blackest automotive triumphs in history.
This week we cover the legendary Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. From the early rally days of the Evo 2 and Evo 3, to the dyno busting antilag fire machines Evo 8 and Evo 9, this is the story of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, Mitsubishi's most legendary rally car that dominated the WRC.
The Dodge Viper - the legendary drag monster. From the SRT variants to the ACR and GTS-R, the Dodge Viper and died and arisen many times. Will we see a new Viper concept on the horizon? Only time will tell. It's time to get up to speed, on the Dodge Viper!
Taking cues from the Ford Ranchero, Chevy rolled out the El Camino in 1964. Through it's history, it's died, been reborn, lived as a confused truck car hybrid, grown into a burnout + drag machine muscle car, but all the while it has captured our attention as one of the most unique American cars of all time.
Lamborghini! The House of the Raging Bull. This is everything you need to know to get up to speed on Lamborghini, from the Miura, to the Countach, Diablo, Murcielago, and Aventador. Also, we know, we totally accidentally cut the line about the Huracan--we are aware that it does exist, haha. Maybe we'll give you an UTS on the Huracan to make up for it :)
The Subaru WRX!!! The Wait is over!!! From dominating rally to tearing up asphalt, we’ll cover all of your favorite iterations of the little monster whose hood scoop has a place in the hearts of millions.
The amazing history of the Chevy Camaro. The car that was designed to compete with the Ford Mustang. The Chevy Camaro is one of the most iconic cars in history with over fifty years of big V8s, T-Tops and just general badassness.
The story of the BMW M3, one of the most iconic german cars to ever come out of Germany ever. The E30 M3 was developed to compete with Mercedes in DTM and became one of the most collectable cars in the world. The E36 M3 brought the M3 into the luxury market and the E46 M3 solidified the M3 as one of the best sports cars ever.
The story if the Plymouth Superbird and the Dodge Daytona, two of the craziest cars to ever built. Originally designed for NASCAR, the Plymouth Superbird and the Dodge Daytona were extremely successful before they were deemed illegal by NASCAR for their crazy aerodynamic enhancements.
The story of the iconic Toyota MR2, the mid engine masterpiece often referred to as the “poor man’s Ferrari. Pulling heavy influence from Lotus in the first generation MR2, the smallest of the Toyota triplets has featured supercharged, turbocharged and naturally aspirated engines. At one point, the tiny MR2 was even faster than it’s legendary big brother the Toyota Supra. Also…pop up headlights and T-tops!!!
The story of Group B, the most insanely dangerous racing series ever known to man. There were virtually no restrictions and the series produced some of the most crazy race cars ever. Group B was so dangerous that it only lasted four seasons before it was abruptly cancelled after a number of crashes resulting in driver and fan fatalities.
The Ford F-150 is the best selling vehicle in American history. Two Ford F-150s are sold in the U.S every minute. With it’s origins dating back to the early part of the twentieth century, The Ford F-150 completely revolutionized the automobile industry and was intertwined with the American way of life.
This is the story of Santa’s Sleigh- the most iconic Christmas vehicle ever built. We trace the changes to Santa’s sleigh from humble beginnings as a two-rung, early 19th Century Christmas vehicle pulled by a solitary reindeer, to the current technological marvel that Santa Claus pilots every Christmas eve. Just as Santa Claus hurtles through the sky, we rocket through all generations of Santa’s Sleigh, covering advancements in reindeer, aerodynamics, and navigation. From the North Pole to every child’s house on Christmas Eve, this is everything you need to know about Santa’s Sleigh.
It’s the most Iconic British car of all time: The Mini. It was an engineering marvel that revolutionized economy car design and became a motorsport legend along the way. Join us as we explore the Mini’s rich history and design quirks that made it one of the best selling cars in the U.K.
The Acura Integra might be the best front wheel drive car of all time. With great styling, stellar suspension, and legendary VTEC power, the Integra was a stand out performer at the peak of the Tuner craze. Join us as we explore the Integra GS-R, Acura RSX, and the impeccable Integra Type R.
The Toyota 4Runner is the Off-Road car of the people. With a reputation for being bulletproof, it became the off-road car that defined the SUV. We cover its humble inspiration- the Toyota Trekker, the low power, but indestructible, rock dominating first and second gen 4Runners, and the Modern Luxury SUV off-road monster it is today. This is everything you need to know to get Up to Speed on the Toyota 4Runner.
The Volkswagen Beetle is one of the top selling cars of all time. From dubious roots in Nazi Germany as a 25HP family car, to its current, cute looking, well tuned, sporty little bug form, we cover the world’s obsession with the “people’s car.” Designed by Porsche, VW established a niche with this indestructible, air-cooled, flagship. It started as a dictator's dream, but came to represent peace, love and forward thinking. Thanks to the Beetle, Volkswagen established themselves as a major automotive force. This is everything you need to know to get “Up to Speed" on the Volkswagen Bug!
AE86. Trueno. Hachi_Roku. It goes by many names but the AE86 Corolla is one of Toyota's best cars ever. Whether it's drifting down the mountains of Japan, or tearing up the racetrack, the AE86 is a legend anywhere it goes. Join James Pumphrey as we learn everything you need to know to get Up to Speed on the Toyota AE86 Corolla
The Chevy Corvette: America's sports car. From humble beginnings as a design project to bonafide legend, the Corvette remains a defining American car. Join James Pumphrey as he tells the story of the Chevrolet Corvette.
The Porsche 911 might be the most influential sports car of all time. Every car is benchmarked against the 911, and the 911 is usually better. From the initial Porsche 901 to the radical 911 GTS RS, James Pumphrey tells you everything you need to know about the Porsche 911.
The Dodge Demon, the world’s first purpose built, street-legal, factory drag car. It’s so fast, the NHRA banned it from competition. The Demon is the ultimate street-legal race car with 840 Horsepower and 770 Pounds of Torque. WHAT?!? Join James Pumphrey as he tells you the rich history behind the Dodge Demon; From the early days of the Ramchargers, to the inception of SRT. This is everything you need to know about Dodge SRT’s latest tire shredding monster, the Dodge Demon. It does freaking wheelies.
The Hummer: It’s big, it’s mean, and it’s unstoppable. This military powerhouse started it’s life as a Jeep replacement for the armed forces, but the Hummer made it to the streets with help from the greatest actor of all time: Arnold Schwarzenegger. Join James Pumphrey as he fills you in on everything you need to know about the Hummer. From the war-fighting Humvee, to the glitzy Hummer H2, and the short-lived, slightly domesticated Hummer H3. This is everything you need to know to get up to speed on the A.M. General HUMMER! GET TO THE HUMMAH!
Fighter Jets! Turbochargers! Sweden! Put them all together and what do you get? SAAB! From building fighter planes in WWII, to making some of the safest cars on the road; SAAB embodies the Swedish can-do spirit and resolve. Join James Pumphrey as he tells you everything you need to know about the Saab 92, Saab 93, Saab 99 Turbo, Saab 900, Saab 9-3, Saab 9-5 and Saab 92x Aero. SAAB FOREVER BABY.
Sent from Japan to conquer terrain all over the world, the Toyota Land Cruiser is one of the greatest off-road vehicles of all time. From the Jeep BJ to the FJ40, FJ60, FJ80, 200 series and everything in between; Join James Pumphrey he gives you the low down on Toyota’s legendary Land Cruiser.
ECLIPSE. The most underrated tuner car of all time. Responsible for setting off the US tuner scene and immortalized by The Fast and The Furious franchise, the Eclipse has seen it all. See how it all began with James Pumphrey; as he explains the origins behind the DSM name, the partnership with Chrysler that gave rise to the Eclipse, and it’s influence on car culture as a whole.
AMG is known for tuning and modifying Mercedes Benz cars to insane levels. From the AMG Red Pig all the way up to the AMG Mercedes concept one that debuted last year, AMG is one of the most iconic names in all of motorsport. They invented the performance luxury car and continue to push the limits of what daily driven mean with their ridiculous Mercedes burnout machines.
Formula One is the pinnacle of both driver ability and automotive design; The best drivers in the world driving the most advanced cars on the planet. The sport’s history is chock full of great cars and legendary drivers, that Formula 1 has elevated from mere sport to worldwide phenomenon. Join James Pumphrey as he tells you everything you need to know about the world’s most monumental motorsport. From gentleman drivers racing around european backroads, to the wild 70s ruled by James Hunt and Niki Lauda, the legends of Aryton Senna and Michael Schumacher, and the Turbo V6 monsters of F1 today. Get your helmet and strap in...it’s time for Formula One!
Mclaren is Britain’s premiere supercar maker, responsible for some of the coolest cars ever made: The McLaren F1, McLaren P1, and the upcoming McLaren Senna. But what’s the story behind the name? Join James Pumphrey as he fills you in on Kiwi Bruce Mclaren, his philosophy and his lasting impact on the racing world. Then check out McLaren lie up: The F1, SLR McLaren, MP4-12C, P1, 570, 720s and much more!
The Honda S2000 is one of the most sought after roadsters on the market today. The 9000 RPM redline, balanced chassis, and refined looks made the S2000 an instant classic. But it didn’t come out of nowhere. Honda has a proud history of rear wheel drive roadsters, including the Honda S360, S500, and S800. Join James Pumphrey as he explores what makes the S2000 such a cult classic.
The Nissan Silvia is one of the most important and iconic cars in the world of drift culture. Known by different names around the world: 180SX, 200SX and 240SX, the SR20DET powered Nissan S Chassis is a mainstay at track events and canyon roads across the globe. Join James Pumphrey as he dives into the history of the S13, S14, S15, and the cars that helped make Nissan a drifting legend.
The Ford GT is without a doubt one of the greatest sports cars of all time. It was born out of revenge, and went on to take on the racing world on it’s biggest stage- Le Mans. But it wasn’t an immediate success. Join James Pumphrey as he recounts one of the best stories in sports, and the effect it had across the car world. From the original GT40, to the forgotten GT70, GT90 concept, New GT40 and the ultimate Ford GT.
The Mitsubishi 3000GT, also known as the Dodge Stealth, was Mitsubishi’s attempt to get on top of the Japanese car market. But did it work? Join James Pumphrey as he gets into what made the 3000GT cool and what made it...not so cool. Hint: it was a little heavy.
The Chevy Blazer was built to do one thing, and one thing only: tear it up! With the rise of Sport Utility Vehicles like the International Scout and Ford Bronco, Chevy needed their own off-road brawler. Enter the Chevy Blazer. Join James as he breaks down the history of one of Chevy’s longest running models. From the K5 to the Typhoon, this is everything Blazer.
NISMO: they take the best Nissans, and make them even better. From the 350Z to the Skyline GTR, to the Leaf, NISMO makes some of the best Nissans in the world. Join James as he covers the history on the road and the track.
The Jeep is the ultimate off road vehicle. Designed to carry our troops everywhere, it turned into a vehicle that could go anywhere, period. From the MB2 to the CJ5, the CJ7 and TJ, all the way to the JK, James tells you everything you need to know about Jeep!
Koenigsegg isn’t the biggest name in cars, but it might be the craziest. Christian Von Koenigsegg has dreamed of building the best cars in the world since he was a boy, and with cars like the CCR, Agera, and One:1, he might have achieved his dream. This is everything you need to know about Koenigsegg!
The Ford Crown Victoria, one of the most popular sedans in the US. The ubiquitous fleet vehicle that’s done everything from taxi driving to police patrol. Join James Pumphrey as he explores the surprisingly rich history of one of America’s most seen vehicles. “It’s a four door Mustang bruh!”
Enzo Ferrari long had a dream, and it was to build the greatest race cars of all time. Ferrari succeeded at this on many race circuits, and wanted to do it for Group B as well. They never got the chance. The F40 had its roots in racing, but was built to be driven on the streets of the real world. It’s the ultimate street legal race car, and has carried the mantle of what’s possible when great car companies like Ferrari distill their successful designs into one ultimate driving machine.
The Datsun 510 is one of the most important Nissans ever, opening the door for the brand to the US and making Americans fall in love with Japanese cars. But it wasn’t an overnight success. Before the Datsun 510, was the Datsun 310 and before that, the Datsun 210. It’s a story of trial and error then finally, triumph.
The Honda Civic is the ubiquitous people’s car that helped bring Japanese engineering to the United States. They are everywhere, everyone knows someone with a Civic. There’s one for everyone, fast ones like the Type R, and not so fast ones like the Civic Hybrid. There’s a reason why the Civic is so beloved, join James Pumphrey as he explains why!
The Pontiac GTO pioneered the American muscle car era. It was one of the most important muscle cars ever built, and set the bar for every muscle car that followed. Join James Pumphrey as he tells you the rich history behind the Pontiac GTO; From Pontiac’s early days of racing at Daytona Speedweek, to building a car that everyone wanted to buy. This is everything you need to know about the Pontiac GTO, America’s most influential muscle car.
SRT is Chrysler’s performance wing, famous for building crazy creations like the Viper SRT10, the Jeep Cherokee TrackHawk, and Dodge Demon. So how did these fire-breathing monsters come to be, and who decided they were a good idea? Join James as he explores the history of SRT.
Carroll Shelby is responsible for some of the most legendary race cars in the world: The Cobra, The Daytona Coupe, The GT350, just to name few. But before he built cars, he was driving; and before that, he was just a kid from the middle of nowhere. How did a boy named Carroll become an Icon? Join James as he explores the incredible (and inspiring) story of Carroll Shelby.
The Audi S4 pioneered the idea of a sports sedan behind the backs of their very own company. As other brands began to target the S4’s breakthrough market segment, Audi’s success was plagued by sabotage and misunderstandings. Only through Audi’s advancements in automotive engineering has the S4 remained ahead of the curve, and steadily within our hearts.
The Acura NSX is a Formula 1-inspired masterpiece that stole the hearts of car enthusiasts around the world. The NSX was Honda's first supercar, built to take on Ferrari and launch the Acura brand. The Acura NSX quickly became a performance icon. Representing the physical manifestation of a magical partnership between Honda engineers and the king of Formula 1, Ayrton Senna. This monumental piece of automotive history will forever be remembered as Japan’s most influential supercar of the 20th century.
The BMW M5 is the pinnacle of performance sedans. Since the E28 M5 debut in 1985, each model has featured cutting edge performance engines and razor sharp handling characteristics. Turning a family friendly commuter car into a race bread driving machine. Our host, James Pumphrey, will guide you through the M5’s impressive history. From a quaint hand built german sports sedan to today’s turbo powered F90. This is everything you need to know to get up to speed on the BMW M5!
The Lamborghini Miura is regarded by many to be the world’s first supercar. It set the car world on fire with its groundbreaking mid-engine layout, monster performance, and looks that could kill. Join James and learn the story of one of the finest automobiles ever made, the Lamborghini Miura.
The Volvo 240 is an automotive icon, a shining beacon of safety and refinement. But did you they’re also great race cars? Join James as he explores the history of the Volvo 200 series, its innovation, and why it makes such a great candidate for engine swaps! BRAAAAAAAAP!!!
Some of you have been lucky enough to see a head turning, Mercedes-looking machine but instead of the three points emblem you’re expecting, it bears a big, bold “B” on the front. That B stands for Brabus- one of the most respected tuning and modification companies in the world. What started in 1977 as a hobby for idle hands became a prestigious, functional, and often opulent line of bespoke, record setting automobiles. This is everything you need to know to get Up to Speed on BRABUS!
Before the Integra became the greatest FWD car ever, that spot was occupied by another Honda, the Prelude. Designed with total road domination in mind, the Prelude changed perceptions about front wheel drive performance. Join James as he digs deep and fills you in on Honda’s forgotten sport coupe.
The Ford Bronco helped bring outdoor adventuring to the masses, and brought “Sport Utility Vehicle” into our vocabulary. Join James as he tells the story of one America’s favorite Four-Wheelers! It’s the FORD BRONCO!
The Toyota Celica was one of Toyota’s first sports cars, spurring every one of their competitors to follow suit, so igniting the Japan sport coupe war. From the pony car inspired first generation to the rally-dominating Celica GT-Four, and the sporty as ever Celica GT, this car has done it all. Join James as he explores the highly requested Toyota Celica!
The Jeep Cherokee is one of the most ubiquitous off-roaders in America. From the original Wagoneer cherokee, to the world-changing XJ, to the ZJ, WJ, KJ, WK, KK, and new KL, the Cherokee has been a fan favorite ever since it arrived in 1986. Join James as he gets you Up to Speed on the Jeep Cherokee!
They’re the most legendary Honda tuners in the world...SPOON! Join James as he tells the story of Tatsuru Ichishima, the mind behind the legendary Spoon racing team. From the Civic AT hatch, to the Honda NSX, the S2000 and Civic FD2; learn all about Spoon’s most iconic cars!
The Tucker company was focused on building a new car for a new America, but that is much easier said than done. After promising innovation and performance, the Tucker 48 struggled to deliver. Join James as he explores the story of Preston Tucker, the Tucker Torpedo Concept, and how it all came tumbling down.
Pagani makes some of the most radical sports cars in the world: The Zonda and the Huayra. Seemingly out of nowhere, the company came on to the scene and blew people away with their outrageous performance and radical attention to detail. But as it turns out, it was a long time coming. Join James as he explores the story of the man behind it all, Horacio Pagani.
The 32 Ford Deuce Coupe is America’s first tuner car! Born from Henry Ford’s obsession with V8 engines, the Ford Model 18 became one of America’s favorite cars, giving the common man access to V8 power. Join James as he tells the story the 32 Ford!
We all know about the Toyota Supra and its lineage of 1JZ and 2JZ motors, but did you know that the JZ engine also lived in a Toyota sedan! Not only could you carry the whole fam but also have a sweet drift machine. Join James as he tells you all about the Toyota Chaser, or Cressida if you live in 'murica.
When You think of Great Britain, three things come to mind: the Union Jack, 007, and Aston Martin. This car company is synonymous with British performance and style, and has produced some of the best looking cars of all time. The DB4, DB7, DB9, Vantage, and Vanquish, just to name a few. Join James as he tells the story of one of Britain’s most well loved auto brand: Aston Martin!
Every sport has its legends and in NASCAR there is one driver that is recognized by all others in the sport as The King, Mr. Richard Petty. Join James as he takes you on a journey into the life of the most iconic name in American motorsports, a man who truly has an amazing past to match his amazing level of skill behind the wheel, and who is now redefining the sport once again alongside his driver, and James's good friend, “Bubba” Wallace. This is the story of Richard Petty.
Mercedes-Benz has AMG, BMW has their M division, and even Ford has their ST lineup, but did you know Mazda also has a performance division? Join James as he tells you the gnarly story behind Mazda’s in-house tuning division that has created some of the coolest Mazda models that not too many people know of!
The Chevy S10 was Chevrolet’s ruff ‘n ready answer to the compact truck revolution of the 1960s. From the Chevy LUV truck to the GMC Syclone and everything in between, join James as he gets you Up to Speed one of America’s favorite small trucks!
Inspired by military vehicles, Audi designed a revolutionary all wheel drive system that would take their coupes and sedans where they had never gone before: off road. Join James as he explores the history of the legendary Audi Quattro. From the Audi 80 prototype to the Quattro road car, and the psycho rally cars of Group B; This is the Audi Quattro.
When it comes to legendary diesel power, there’s only one name you need to know: CUMMINS! It’s the story of a man from Columbus, Indiana, who followed his dream to make a diesel America a reality. Join james as he covers everything from the Cummins diesel indy 500 racers, to the legendary 5.9L and 6.7L B-Series engines and beyond!
The Lexus LS400 was designed to save Toyota from restrictive import laws in the US. Designed from the ground up to defeat BMW and Mercedes, Toyota spent $400 million on designing the engine alone! Join James as he explores the history of Lexus’ flagship sedan, which took the luxury world by storm, and put Toyota on top.
Join James as he explores the History of the Volkswagen Scirocco, from its Beetle predecessor, to the legendary Golf, Karmann Ghia, and everything in between! This Volkswagen hot hatch is gonna “Scirocc” your world! I’m sorry.
This is the story of one of the world’s most-loved trucks, an indestructible icon and off-road legend. The Toyota Tacoma can do it all! Join james as he explores the rugged history of the Toyota Tacoma, from the Toyota truck, to the Hilux and beyond!
The GT500 is one of Carroll Shelby’s greatest creations: A Ford Mustang with the heart of the GT40 Le Mans racer! Join James as he explores the long history of the original buff horse, from the 427, 428 Police Interceptor, to the 428 Cobra Jet and beyond!
Hennessey Performance is one of America’s most infamous tuning shops. They’ll build you anything from 1000 HP Camaro’s, 300 MPH Supercars, and 6x6 Ford F-150s. But how did this outrageous shop get its start? Join James as he explores the life and builds of the one and only John Hennessey.
Lancia is the Italian automaker behind some of the greatest rally cars of all time: the Fulvia, the Stratos, the Lancia 037, and Lancia Delta Integrale blazed the way for Lancia’s rally dominating legacy. Join James as he explores the history of the world’s winningest rally car maker, LANCIA.
The Ford Ranger is one of America’s most beloved pickups! This small wonder conquered the road with innovative design and unrivaled capability. Join James as he explores the Ranger’s history from the Ranger F100, Ranger GT, Ranger Splash, and new 2019 Ranger! There might even be a Raptor in there too!
What do you get when you take a boxy little hatchback, replace the backseat with a high-performance engine, and add a turbo? You get one of the most badass pieces of automotive engineering thought up by the French. Join James as he explores the history of the Renault 5 Turbo!
What’s better than a Porsche? How about a Porsche that’s not actually a Porsche? This is the story of Germany’s most notorious tuning company, the outfit that turned ordinary Porsche bodies into some of the most fearsome sports cars the world has ever seen. From their very first Porsche 356 project car, to the Yellowbird and beyond. This is the story of RUF!
The Chevy Suburban is America’s longest running automotive nameplates, serving families, businesses and the military since the mid-1930s. Join James as he explores the rich history of the Suburban, and why America has kept it around for so long!
The Porsche 918 is the most radical Porsche of all time. With a groundbreaking hybrid system and 887 horsepower on tap, this bad Bavarian can go toe to toe with nearly anything on the road. But how did Porsche end up building it in the first place? Join James as he explores the history of Porsche supercars from the Porsche 959, Porsche Carrera GT, and of course the PORSCHE 918!!!
The Subaru Forester helped Subaru form a strong foothold in the US with uber-practical design and an innovative marketing strategy. Join James as he does a deep dive on the legendary Japanese wagon that paved the way for crossovers of today!
Tesla is among the world’s most fascinating car companies. From their electrifying debut with the OG Tesla Roadster, to the Model S, Model 3, Model X, and upcoming Model Y, Tesla has kept the hype for over 15 years. Join James as he explores the company’s shocking history, and get amped up for the future!
This is the story of the first Australian car company. From humble beginnings making saddles horses, to unleashing some of the baddest machines the Land Down Under has ever seen! From the 48-215, to the Monaro, Commodore, Torana, Maloo and beyond. This is the history of Holden!
Rolls Royce makes the fanciest cars in the world. BAR. FREAKIN’. NONE. You want diamonds in the dash? Done. Umbrellas in the door? Easy. 0 to 60 in under 5 seconds in a car weighing nearly 3 tons? No problemo Amigo. Join James as he explores the illustrious history of Britain’s most exclusive automaker.
The Chevy Silverado is a pick up icon, and has been a staple in the American truck market for almost 20 years. They’re loved by farmers, construction workers, and your average city folk who enjoys pullin’ stuff in their free time. There’s no question that the Silverado belongs among the best, so join James as he explores the truck’s hard working journey to get there.
The Pontiac Fiero is one of the most groundbreaking American cars ever made. The mid-engine design was poised to bring General Motors into the future of automotive design...if it worked. Join James as he explores the troubled past of the Pontiac Fiero, and tells you where it all went wrong!
THIS IS A CRAZY ONE FOLKS! The Pontiac Aztek is a famous failure of very pointy proportions! Famously designed by committee, the Aztek is one of the weirdest looking mass-produced cars of all time. So where did it all go wrong? Join James as he tells you the INSANE story of the Pontiac Aztek!
This is the story of Honda’s ubiquitous four-door sedan: the Honda Accord. From humble beginnings as a cost-conscious commuter, to a surprisingly sporty undercover beast, and everything in between. Join James as he explores the deep history of one of America’s best selling cars. This is the Honda Accord.
Whether blasting down the drag strip or hopping on hydraulics, the Chevrolet Impala is one of America’s most iconic rides. Join James as he explores this landmark car, from the Bel Air Impala, to the legendary 409, to the 90s SS and beyond. This is the Chevy Impala.
The Range Rover is one of the world’s most iconic vehicles, and somewhat of a contradiction. It’s an off roader capable of going anywhere, but usually driven by people who would never go off pavement. So how did that happen? Join James as he explores the awesome history of these sick off road luxury trucks!
The Nissan Sentra is Nissan’s humble commuter car. But in 1991 something weird happened: Nissan made it fast! Join James as he explores the forgotten history of one of the world’s best sport compact cars, the B13 Sentra SE-R, and how Nissan messed it all up.
Saleen has been a staple in the tuning world since the ‘80s, and has helped so many Mustangs reach their final form. They’re currently working on a car for the GT4 racing world, and have gone through a ton to get here! Join James as he dives into the history of Saleen!
It’s the spunky little coupe that put Ford deep in the rally game! Join James as he explores the history of the Ford Escort! From the Mk.I, to the Escort Cosworth, to the RS200 Group B monster and beyond!
James explores the legendary Japanese monster that started it all for Up to Speed, the Nissan GT-R. From the bottom of our hearts, Enjoy! :)
There is probably nothing more American than hitting the open road on a Harley! This is the story of the most successful American motorcycle manufacturer, Harley-Davidson! Stop reading this and press play!
It’s the flat butt, economic commuter car that ended up becoming a dream for tuners and street racers all over the world. In the late 90s they were seen at countless car shows, and might has well have been the official Domino's Pizza delivery car. Considering the short time it was in production, the quick little Honda made a pretty huge impact. Join James as he tells you everything you need to know about the Honda CRX!
It’s the boxy American sedan that was driven by RoboCop, Conan O’Brien and also your uncle. It hauled all the groceries and saved Ford in the 1980’s. Over 7,500,000 of them were sold in 34 years of production! Join James as he explores the history of the Ford Taurus!
When it debuted in 1990, the Ford Explorer instantly became the midsize SUV to own. It kicked off an SUV revolution that can still be felt today, and if you grew up in the ‘90s or early ‘00s, chances are you or someone you know had one. Join James as he EXPLORES how this instant Ford classic raised the bar for the Sport Utility Vehicle.
The Jetta is VW’s most popular sedan, but it’s not just a Golf with a trunk! Join James as he dives deep into the Jetta’s past, and tells you all of it’s secrets!
Mugen Motorsports is one of the most legendary names in Honda tuning. Opening their doors in the early 70s, this small outfit has been behind some of the coolest Honda builds and racecars ever. Join James as he gives you the inside scoop on Mugen!
The Chevrolet Astro Van and its twin bro the GMC Safari are a staple of American car culture. It is possibly the coolest van ever because it can handle off-roading, grocery getting, lift kits, rally, boat towing, and it can even fit 6 Pumphrey’s and one Nolan! This is the story of the Chevrolet Astro Van.
It’s Bugatti time! You already know the Veyron and Chiron, but did you know Bugatti’s history goes back over 100 years? Join James as he explores Bugatti, from Ettore Buggati’s Type 1, to the legendary Type 35 race car, the EB110 supercar, Veyron, Chiron, and beyond!
This the Chevy that gave Ricky Bobby his courage back! Nope it’s not the Corvette or the Camaro, this is the story of the Chevrolet Chevelle!
Chevrolet, Dodge, and Ford … we all know them, but what about the small American company that gave them a run for their money? This is the story of AMC and it’s epic underdog struggles and victories!
The Toyota FJ Cruiser was left in the dust in 1984 after the birth of the famous Toyota Landcruiser, but in 2013, after being developed in secrecy initially, it made a comeback that completely took the automotive world by storm.
How do you make the iconic VW Golf better? Well, Volkswagen thought it would be a cool idea to take the hatchback and give it a little thing called ALL WHEEL DRIVE!
Some would say they helped build America, definitely made truckers look cool, and they gave Optimus Prime his sexy body. They transport, they do semi truck pulls, they roll coal, and they're the mack daddy of truck racing. This is the story of Peterbilt!
Back in the day everyone wanted a muscle car, we’re talking about the Ford Mustang, Dodge Charger, Chevy Nova, and Pontiac GTO. But what about Plymouth? Plymouth gave us the Barracuda! A car so cool that the rock band Heart wrote a song about it!
The Ford Focus is one of the coolest rally cars to ever compete in WRC, it's been the star of Ken Block's Gymkhana, and it has been one of Ford's best-selling sedans/ hatchbacks for years ... this is its story.
If you had to name an iconic Chevy muscle car you’d probably go for the Camaro or maybe even the Corvette, perhaps the Impala or Chevelle. But what about the Monte Carlo? A car built to destroy Ford Thunderbirds on the oval! If you love France boy are you in for a treat! #DoItForDale
It’s the german coupe that looks like a mini Audi R8 and is named after one of the most legendary motorcycles races ever! This is the story of the Audi TT.
No, not the golf company! This is the story of Reeves Callaway, a former SCCA champion that lost his funds early on in his career which led him to become one of the most sought after American engineers, builder, engine guru, and racer!
Most of us know the Toyota Corolla thanks to Inital D, but to the rest of the world the Corolla is just as iconic as the Mona Lisa or Post Malone. Chances are YOU have sat, driven, or owned a Corolla. But how exactly did the Toyota Corolla grow to be such a global icon?
This is the story of a motorcycle that broke the rules and mold of what a bike should be! The Suzuki Hayabusa has established itself in the motorcycle community thanks to its absurd displacement, design, and its ability to go fast af in a straight line. This is the story of how Suzuki created a bike named after a bird that EATS OTHER BIRDS!
There's a Syclone coming! Just kidding, it's a Typhoon. Just kidding, it's both. The Syclone & Typhoon are possibly GM's most iconic little pickups, so naturally they deserve their own Up to Speed episode. This is everything you need to know on the GMC Syclone & Typhoon.
Alpina makes some of the already cool luxury cars into even cooler cars with way more #HRSPRS anyone could ask for. Most people think they are just another fancy BMW, but trust us … they are way cooler than the average bimmer and this is their story!
From humble beginnings of being badass to new 2020 Charger SRT® Hellcat Widebody. The Charger is a masterwork of muscle. Here’s a crash course on everything you need to know about the hellish history of the Dodge Charger.
The Dodge Challenger is the legendary muscle car that’s been turning heads since 1969. From the 426 Hemi to the 707 HP SRT Hellcat, this drag strip scorching DEMON continues to be an American icon! Join special guest Bruce Greene of Funhaus fame as he tells you everything you need to know about the Dodge Challenger. This year marks the 50th Anniversary of the Challenger! Dodge will be celebrating this huge milestone at this year’s LA Auto Show! Go say hi, and tell them Donut sent you!
Off-roading, we all love it but some like to do it in style. After Japanese manufacturers quickly jumped on board the Lifestyle 4x4 segment, Land Rover realized they needed to step their game up! Land Rover soon developed the Defender and the Range rover. The Range Rover not only had 5 doors, the iconic 3.5L Rover V8, but it was the uber-luxurious 4x4 that we didn’t know we needed. Now stop reading this and watch the vid!
Lotus has been dedicated to building cars for the pure driver since 1948! Lotus has created some of the best handling road cars like the famous Lotus Elise, Exige, Esprit, and Evora. When it comes to the track, well Lotus has a rich history in F1with its innovative Type 25 and track dominating chassis technology. This is the history of a small British brand that helped redefine what a driver's car should be.
The Dodge Durango is a rough-and-tumble SUV that’s just as comfortable off-road as it is on it. Join Bruce as he explores the Dodge Durango’s rich history, from the Durango Magnum 5.2 to the blistering fast Shelby SP-360 hot rod SUV, from the Durango Adventurer to the baddest of them all: the all-wheel-drive, 475-hp Durango SRT.
The Nissan Patrol is an all-terrain conquering beast! From conquering the Paris-Dakar Rally to winning over a community of off-road enthusiasts in Australia and the Middle East, the Nissan Patrol is the 4x4 weapon of choice for many. The coolest part is that it rocks an inline 6 just like it’s bro the GTR R34, except this one is for climbin’ stuff! And it also came with a diesel engine under the hood paired with some turbos. This is the story of the Nissan Patrol, now named the Armada.
The Dodge HEMI is one of the most legendary names in Cars, branded on the sides of the Dodge Charger, Challenger, and Dodge Ram all over the world. But what does Hemi actually mean? Join James as he explores the long history of the hemispherical engine, and how it’s able to make so much power babeh! From the Welch automobile to Chrysler’s plane engine, to the Hemi’s first appearance in cars like the Chrysler Imperial and Plymouth Savoy. It’s the Hemi Like you’ve never seen it. Strap in because James is wearing a sweet Dodge Hellcat sweater in this episode and a sweet Dodge hat! This is the story of the Dodge Hemi engine.
Cosworth is solely responsible for arguably some of the coolest ever: the Ford Cosworth RS200, Ford Escort RS Cosworth, Ford Sierra RS Cosworth, the Mercedes-Benz 190E Cosworth, Chevrolet Vega, the freakin’ Audi RS4, and a long list of Cosworth powered racing cars from rally to Formula 1. So how in the world did a small British company establish itself as a performance powerhouse that is still working with companies such as Aston Martin, helping develop one of the most powerful naturally aspirated V12 engines ever?
Cadillac is a name we typically associate with luxury, expensive stuff, and old people. But in 2004 GM set out to give the Cadillac brand a new look, one that would appeal to young people, still be luxurious, but be capable of doing donuts. Caddy went to the drawing board and decided to give America a new luxury sedan, the CTS. It did not take long before Cadillac decided to go toe to toe with Mercedes-Benz’s performance division, AMG, and BMW’s M division. Cadillac took the V8 out of the C5 Z06 Vette and threw in the CTS … which they now had named the CTS-V. But what happened next?
The Nürburgring has gone by many names over the years, but none are as accurate as “The Green Hell”. This legendary track has a reputation for being brutal and unforgiving, it is the very track that scared Niki Lauda forever, and the same track that allowed Ayrton Senna to show the world his talent. Everyone from BMW, Honda, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, Ford, Hyundai, Lamborghini, Ferrari, and the list goes on and on … they all test at the Nurburgring to see who takes home the title of the fastest car around “The Ring.” The track also attracts thousands of enthusiasts every year, all looking to test their abilities behind the wheel, yet this has resulted in millions of crash videos. The Nurburgring even offers its guests the chance to sit in the passenger seat of proper race cars piloted by seasoned drivers in order to experience the track at its finest. So what exactly is it that the Nurburgring has that it draws OEM manufacturers, custom builders, and speed freaks from all over the world? Ohh yeah and did we mention that this “track” is also a toll road? This is everything you need to get up to speed on the world’s fastest and craziest toll road/race track!
There are motorcycles and there is Ducati. There is a very good reason that Ducati is the largest Italian motorcycle manufacturer to date. Ducati grew from a small company in Bologna Italy to a powerhouse creating barely road-legal motorcycles like the Ducati Panigale V4 R and Desmocedicci. In the world of racing, Ducati has been a key contender in MotoGP, WSBK, the AMA, and even at the Isle of Man TT. Setting Ducati’s apart from the likes of Yamaha, Suzuki, and BMW to name a few there are staple bike features unique to the Italian stallions. Ducati bikes have some of the best styling cues on anything with two wheels, you then pair that to the Ducati L-twin engine or the V4 motor now used in production bikes to get some of the best sounding engines … not to forget the Ducati dry clutch and single-sided swingarm that really make their bikes stand out. But Ducati did not start out by making motorcycles, in fact the first product to bear the Ducati name did not even have an engine. This is everything you need to know to get Up To Speed on Ducati and Ducati motorcycles.
The Ford Fox Body Mustang, one of the most iconic American muscle cars of the 70's and 80's. From SVO to the 5.0, Saleen Super Car to the SVT Cobra, McLaren M81 to the GT350, the fox body Ford Mustang is one of America’s most beloved muscle cars. Equally at home on the race track as it is on the drag strip, this is the story of an almost infinitely tunable platform for speed. This is everything you need to know to get Up To Speed on The Foxbody Mustang.
Ken Miles was the reason Carroll Shelby found success on the track with his Shelby Cobras, and why Ford beat Ferrari with their GT40’s in the 1966 24 hours of Le Mans. From driving tanks on the beaches of Normandy, to running his own mechanic shop, Miles was known to do things his way. He built his own winning MG's and raced Porsche 550 Spyder's to podium after podium. His skills led him to becoming Carroll Shelby's Chief Test Driver and he was just getting started. So how did Miles go from being a high school drop out to almost being the first driver to ever win the Triple Crown? Join James as he gets you Up to Speed on Mr. Sidebite himself. This is everything you need to know on Ken Miles!
The Acura Legend lived up to its name and proved that Acura knew how to build a great car. They challenged luxury brands like BMW and Mercedes, showing everyone that you don’t need to spend a ton, to get a ton. From turbos, all wheel drive, to crazy hybrid systems, the Acura Legend crossed the pond and became an actual Legend.
The story of the BMW 8 Series begins with the BMW M1 mid engined supercar. While that car was a bit of a failure for BMW, it had a strong influence on the company’s future. Shortly after the groundbreaking 635CSI, BMW went even nuttier and built the V12 powered E31 850i. Not to be outdone by themselves, BMW made an EVEN NUTTIER coupe, the 850CSI. McLaren used the same engine in the McLaren F1! Join James as he explores the 8 Series’ awesome history, ending with the amazing G15 8 Series, and the mighty M8!
The Chrysler PT Cruiser is America’s most hated, retro styled, uber-utilitarian car that also sold millions of units. With roots in the Dodge Viper and Plymouth Prowler, the PT Cruiser had a surprisingly advanced development that involved virtual reality and later featured some of the craziest models. Everything from a limited edition Brian Setzer SEMA car to Chrysler’s own PT Cruiser Turbo GT. If you thought the PT Cruiser was dumb, you ain’t seen nothin’ yet!
Alfa Romeo, an iconic automotive powerhouse with deep roots in racing, and the masterminds behind the new Giulia GTAm, the modern Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione, and 4C Spider. With over 100 years of history, they helped mould Enzo Ferrari, survived two world wars, and were pioneers of the early automotive space, from the early 8C spiders, to the legendary Alfa Romeo 155. Grab your Quadrifoglio for good luck, and join James Pumphrey as he tells you everything you need to know about Alfa Romeo!
The cursed tale of TVR automotive--one of the most unlucky automotive companies of our time. And yet, they've managed to hold on, and create some of the most unique looking british sports cars of the era. From wacky names like the Jomar, the Grandtura, and the Griffith, to their wacky looking Tuscan, or Trident, TVR has managed to set a precedent for creating unique looking, light-weight, fast sports cars--that no other brand could quite replicate. With TVR's luck, who would want to?
Nissan’s Datsun took the American streets and tracks by storm in the 1970s. From the BRE 510 and 240Z to compact trucks and the B210 Honey Bee, this is the story of a brand that built a huge name for itself and then decided to leave that name behind.
Whether it’s a Ford Transit or a Ford Econoline, you could call any Ford van a Supervan! From shagadelic E-Series conversion vans in America to the ubiquitous Transit cargo vans in Europe, we remind you how awesome these unassuming work and family vehicles really are.
The Mercedes-Benz Unimog is like a rolling Swiss army knife. Half truck, half tractor, all MASSIVE. Originally built for farming by a company that made metal trinkets in a country banned from making military equipment, the Unimog now does everything from army service to off-road racing and climbing volcanos.
The Ford Fiesta — Ford’s affordable, pint-sized, rally dominating, hot hatch. It burnt rubber in the XR2, RS Turbo and Fiesta ST, tore up WRC rallies in Fiesta S2000 and R5 M-Sport rally cars. Ford has sold over 17 million Fiestas worldwide, making it Ford’s third most popular car of all time. Gather round D-Holes, and hear James Pumphrey explain why this Fiesta is no siesta.
The Legacy birthed Subaru’s best selling vehicle, the Subaru Outback. It was driving rallies before the Impreza WRX and even won with legendary driver, Colin McRae. From its trusted All-Wheel Drive to its sleeper Legacy 2.5 GT Turbo, the Legacy might not be the hottest Subaru in town, but it is Subaru's longest running model. See how the Subaru Legacy forged a whole new road in marketing strategies and set Subaru on the path to success.
The Bentley Motor Company--the mastermind team behind some of the world's most luxurious bespoke, performance built cars. They survived being bought out by a competing brand, roared through the 20's with the Bentley Boys, and now produce some of the most customizable British 'muscle' cars on the market. From the iconic Continental GT asnd Flying Spur, to the early Lemans slaying 3-liter and 6-litres, to the newest Bentley Bacalar and behemoth Bentayga, join James Pumphrey as he walks us through Bentley's rich, RICH, history.
The great BMW Z8--a car that knocked modern retro styling out of the park, and sent automotive collectors into an all out bidding war. Designed by the acclaimed Henrik Fisker, and powerful enough to lap a Ferrari on the track--this car is hands down, one of the most iconic BMW's in the history of the German automotive brand. Inspired by one of the most beautiful, but failed sports cars, the BMW 507, which captivated celebrities like Elvis Priestley, and more--the BMW Z8 roadster, ushered in a new era of automotive styling. Timeless, lightweight, and with a hint of luxury.
Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution is the off-roading king of the Dakar Rally. It’s the OG SUV that left Jeep Wranglers, Nissan Patrols and Land Cruisers quakin’ in their boots. Whether a Pajero, a Montero or a Shogun, it’s been sold for over 40 years and even has a Guinness World Record. No joke, the Mitsubishi Pajero holds the record for Most Victories of a Dakar Rally Car between 1985 to 2007. So sit back and join James as we explore what makes the Mitsubishi Pajero a legendary 4x4.
The Toyota GT86, the Subaru BRZ, and the Scion FRS--the tuning trifecta that helped define the meaning of ‘driving experience.” With famed Tetsuya Tada at the helm, and a Subaru Boxer engine under its bonnet, the 86 took off from Japan, splashed into the European and American Automotive markets, and ushered in a new era of young drivers and enthusiasts. Of all its accolades, the GT86 just lacked one thing...power babeh!
The Ford SVT Raptor was born from the Ford SVT Lightning high performance sport truck, baptized at the Baja 1000 and remains one of the fastest high performance off-road production trucks to ever exist... plus it's called the friggin' RAPTOR! What more could you want!? Join James as we explore the dusty origins of one of America's favorite trucks. The journey from humble Prerunner to race-proven legend, this is the story of the Ford Raptor!
The Chevy LS V8 Engine--don't let it's small size fool you, this motor is one of General Motors greatest legacies, and perhaps the most swapped engine platform to date! With humble LS1 beginnings in the C5 Corvette, to its current mid engine LT2 powerhouse in the C8 Corvette, this engine platform has stood the test of time, and proven to the automotive community that yes--you CAN fit this engine in your car too. Come on down drift freaks, boost creeps, and Corvette geeks, and join us as James Pumphrey tells the tale of the Chevy LS Engine--maybe we'll even convince you to LS swap something!
The Toyota Prius might be one of the most hated cars, but it was the first mass-produced hybrid in automotive history! It kicked off a revolution with the Prius concept and quickly turned into an entire Toyota hybrid family, including the Prius Plug-In, Prius C and Prius V. From 1899 to 2020, join James as he explores the Toyota Prius and tries to find LOVE for one of the most hated cars.
HKS, Japan’s most renowned tuning company, and the father of the aftermarket automotive parts industry. From designing bolt on turbo kits for skylines in the 1970's, to crafting full carbon fibre Altezzas, to outfitting drift cars for Formula D, HKS has pioneered the Japanese Domestic Market (JDM,) conquering motorsport after motorsport along the way. Join James Pumphrey as he dives into the legacy of Hiroyuki Hasegawa, and the History of HKS.
The Mustang. The F150. The Taurus. These are just a few of the cars pushed to the extreme by Ford’s Special Vehicle Team. SVT has been turning your favorite rides into monsters for decades, building icons like the SVO Cobra, the Terminator, Ford Focus SVT, Ford Taurus SHO, Ford Lightning, and everyone’s favorite truck named after a dinosaur. So fasten your seatbelt and get ready to join James as he dives DEEP into the history of Ford’s very own Special Vehicle Team.
Toyota Racing Development, TRD, Toyota's legendary in house tuning shop, are the masterminds responsible for Toyota's global motorsport domination. From Toyota's modern consumer TRD brand, with their off roading Tacomas to their performance built Camry's, to TRD's motorsport domination, conquering many platforms from Nascar to IMSA, TRD has been pushing the boundaries of their brand since the mid 1950's. Join James Pumphrey as we get you Up To Speed, on the history of Toyota Racing Development.
Ariel Motor Company is famous for their Ariel Atom, Ariel Nomad and Ariel Ace, but did you know the Ariel of today actually started 150 years ago? From penny-farthing bikes to iconic motorcycles like the Ariel Red Hunter, Ariel Square Four and Ariel Cyclone, this small British manufacturer set the stage for success but died under poor leadership. Now back from the dead, the Ariel of today makes ultra-low production, ultra-lightweight speed monsters. So hold on to your face and join host James Pumphrey as he gets you Up To Speed on the exciting history of Ariel Motor Company!
Rauh-Welt Begriff (RWB,) is one of the most notoriously successful, yet controversial, Japanese car tuners to exist today. With his army of modified Porsche 911’s, he has built a world famous tuning company—frequently circulating through automotive press giants like Speedhunters, Hoonigan, Illest, Fatlace, and Auto Otaku. From his first Rough World AE86’s, to Porsche 930’s, 964’s, and 996’s, many find his modification techniques to be…. well, rough! Grab a Stella and your air saw, and sit back in your leather armchair, as James Pumphrey tells the story of the REAL Nakai san, and the history of RWB.
Ford Thunderbird was meant to be the Ford Motor Company's answer to the Chevy Corvette. From Square Birds to Bullet Birds to Aero Birds to Retro Birds, this American icon got bigger and bigger (literally) and even shared the same platform as the Foxbody Mustang! So take flight with James Pumphrey as we discover how it all happened and meet the people who shaped it into a National Treasure. Except this one we don’t have to steal from the Decoration of Inner Pendants!
Did you know that the Ford Probe, was ALMOST a next generation mustang? Or that Mazda helped Ford, to mastermind the design of the Probe? Whether you answered yes or no, the Ford Probe and Probe GT, has a juicy history of pissing off Mustang fan boys, and thanks to Mimi Vanderholen, winning the hearts of 90's women and families across the US. Slated to compete with the Japanese domestic market cars of the time, and to compete in the Nascar dash series--it soon became clear, that this midsize passenger sedan, could keep up with the competition. So sit back, relax, and join James Pumphrey as he walks us through the tale of the failed Ford Mus... I mean, Ford Probe.
Geely is the biggest car company, that you’ve never heard of. Their Chinese badge may be only 30 years old, but in that time, they’ve managed to sell millions of cars, like the Geely Haoqing, and the Geely Borui, win an FIA manufacturer’s cup, and set a lap record at the Nurburgring in the Lynk & Co.'s Lynk 03. But how in the world did they go from making unreliable cars in the 90s to BUYING VOLVO? And what made the founder so mad that he drove a steamroller over an entire lot of cars? Join James Pumphrey as he gets you up to speed, on the largest Chinese car brand you've never heard of.
The Suzuki Samurai (Jimny) was a compact off-roader with a BIG 4x4 punch! What kicked off as one of the most revolutionary all-terrain vehicles, even outselling the Jeep Wrangler two to one in 1987, ended with an unbelievable fraudulent crash lawsuit that killed Suzuki's automotive American dreams. Sharpen your katanas because host James Pumphrey is about to take a stab at one of Suzuki's greatest creations.
JOHN DEERE is one of the most recognizable brands in the world with its iconic yellow deer, the symbol of HARD WORK! But did you know their tractors and farm equipment have been helping the world for nearly 200 years?! Join James as he plows the fields of John Deere’s long history. From the Model D and 110, to Gator 6x4 and beyond. And by “beyond”, I mean farmers fighting for the right to repair their JOHN DEERE tractors which could change the nature of farming forever.
When “regular people” think of custom cars, they think of West Coast Customs, thanks mainly to MTV’s early 2000s hit show, “Pimp My Ride.” Each week, West Coast Customs transformed beaters into cartoonish reflections of their owners’ personalities, brimming with wacky mods. Nearly 20 years later, West Coast Customs is still on TV, they’ve expanded around the globe, and they have their own roller coaster! How has a shop famous for installing monitors on every flat surface available remained relevant for so long? How did they get there in the first place? And why do so many celebrities turn to them for custom work? Join James Pumphrey for the lowdown on the world’s most famous auto shop, West Coast Customs.
As early as 1971 Porsche felt the legendary 911 was “as good as it was going to get.” That year, bossman Ferry Porsche ordered development of a car to replace the 911. Thankfully that didn’t happen. But Porsche built the 928 anyway, and it remains one of the most unique and influential rides they’ve ever built. Too bad the sales didn't match. Even so, the front-engined, V8-powered Porsche 928 became an ‘80s pop culture icon, and some of its innovative features come standard in today’s P-cars. But some bits are just plain weird. Join James Pumphrey and our distinguished guest, Porsche connoisseur Magnus Walker, to find out what makes the 928 special—maybe even more special than the 911.
Motorcycles: the rebel’s vehicle of choice. For the longest time those motorcycles were Harley-Davidsons. But by the ‘80s Harleys had lost their edge, and motorcycles as a whole were hemorrhaging cool. Then Tom Cruise raced a fighter jet on a new bike called “Ninja” in the biggest movie of 1986, and everything changed. The Kawasaki Ninja made motorcycles cool again through a combination of advanced engineering, aggressive design, and killer branding. This two-wheeled speed demon kick-started the sportbike segment, and spurred an intense battle for the title “Fastest Motorcycle in the World” that continues today. Join James Pumphrey for a face-melting ride into the history of the world’s most famous sportbike, the Kawasaki Ninja!
“Initial D” is the world’s most beloved racing anime for good reason. Combining killer drifting action, a relatable coming of age storyline, and unmatched attention to technical detail, it was tailor made for young car enthusiasts. “Initial D” massively influenced modern car culture, fueling drifting’s explosion in popularity. For most of us the world of “Initial D” is nothing but a hazy JDM dream, but for some it was reality! Join host James Pumphrey as he investigates the real Japanese street racing scene that inspired Initial D and—maybe—reveals the real drifter Takumi Fujiwara was based on!
Nissan’s first Z brought exotic European performance and looks to the masses. It's history's most important sports car, full stop. But it almost didn’t happen. In fact, it took a conspiracy to make it happen. Without a small group of enthusiasts working against Nissan’s corporate wishes, the automotive landscape of the past 50 years would be unrecognizable. The Datsun 240Z is that big of a deal! This story is weirder than we ever expected. Put on your tinfoil hats and get ready for a trip down the rabbit hole with host James Pumphrey, this is everything you need to know to get Up To Speed on the conspiracy to build the first Nissan Z!
In the early ‘80s, a con man lied his way into the driver’s seat for one of the biggest NASCAR races of the season, ran 13 laps, then disappeared forever. The claims he made to get there were bonkers, yet people just kept believing him! How could this happen?! Who was this guy? And where is he today? Join host James Pumphrey as he investigates NASCAR’s greatest unsolved mystery, the curious case of L.W. Wright!
When videogame developer Kazunori Yamauchi first pitched Gran Turismo, Sony said no. A few years later it became the best-selling title in the Playstation catalog, inspired followers like Forza, Dirt, and Project Car, and motivated genre giants like Mario Kart and Need For Speed to bring their A-game. How did this happen? What makes Gran Turismo so revolutionary? And what does the future hold for the world’s favorite racing game? Join host James Pumphrey as he finds out how Gran Turismo changed gaming forever.
Can a Formula 1 driver really be the greatest athlete of all time? YES, and his name is Lewis Hamilton! But there’s more to that GOAT status than his astonishing SEVEN Championship wins. He’s a working class person of color in a sport long-dominated by rich white dudes, the first black F1 champ in history, and a just plain nice guy. Lewis Hamilton almost single-handedly saved Formula 1 from death by boredom. But how did he get to the top from such humble beginnings? Who helped him become the inspiration he is today? And did you know F1 drivers lose 9 POUNDS OF SWEAT during a race? Find out all this and more with host James Pumphrey as he gets you Up To Speed on The Greatest Athlete Of All Time, Lewis Hamilton!
Paul Walker didn’t just play a laid back SoCal car guy in The Fast And The Furious movies, he was a laid back SoCal car guy IRL. The role of Brian O’Conner fit him like a glove, so it’s no wonder it became the defining role of his career. But there was more to Paul Walker than fast cars, explosive action, and cheesy lines—a lot more. Join host James Pumphrey as he gets you Up To Speed on the late, great Paul Walker!
Illinois electric vehicle startup Rivian built the world’s first fully-electric production pickup, and car journalists can’t stop gushing about it. They also have a huge Amazon contract, and they’re worth more money than the Ford Motor Company. … HOW?! Who are these guys? Where did they come from? Do they actually have a chance at snatching Tesla’s EV crown? And what the crap is a lawn mower turn? Join host James Pumphrey to find out: What’s the deal with Rivian?!
The Mercedes G-Wagen is one of the most capable off-roaders ever built. You might not know that. Because somewhere along the way this badass military mover became a hyper-luxurious status symbol for fancy folks, who’ll probably never take them off the pavement. How did this happen? And is the 2022 G-Wagen as capable as its military ancestors? Find out with host James Pumphrey as he dives into the odd saga of the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen!
Mickey Thompson shaped American motorsports more than any other figure, and he didn’t deserve to die. But he was murdered in cold blood in his driveway. You probably know Mickey from his tires, but there was much more to him than a name on a sidewall. He was a drag racer, a land speed record holder, an inventor, and so much more. Who killed Mickey Thompson, and why? Join host James Pumphrey for a deep dive into this racing icon, and a look at the mysterious murder that brought his life to a tragic end.
Formula 1 is incredibly dangerous, few people knew this more intimately than three-time world champ Niki Lauda. The Austrian F1 ace survived one of the most grisly wrecks in the history of the sport, at the Nürburgring, then got back in the driver’s seat a month later and missed the championship by only one point! Lauda was one of the most determined drivers of all time. But there’s more to his legacy than winning. Join host James Pumphrey for a deep dive on the driver whose push for safety reform undoubtedly saved countless lives on the grand prix circuit, Niki Lauda!
Why is the world’s craziest car collection rotting away in a jungle? We’re talking $5 BILLION of Lamborghinis, Bugattis, Bentleys, and McLarens in doubles, triples, and more—some of the rarest, coolest, and most-valuable cars on the planet! The royal family of Brunei has more money than God and less morals than a barrel of demons. But that doesn’t explain why so many priceless cars are left to rot, does it? Join host James Pumphrey to find out as he digs into the $5 Billion car collection of the Sultan of Brunei!
Colin McRae is the most famous rally driver of all time, yet he only won the World Rally Championship once! He was a wild, unrelenting force of nature behind the wheel. Colin introduced a generation to the excitement of rally racing, and built a legacy that would one day come to an abrupt and tragic end. Who is this guy? How did he become the biggest name in rally racing, and why did his driving style make him an icon? Join host James Pumphrey for a deep dive on rally racing's reckless messiah, Colin McRae!
Pretty much everyone thinks the new Bronco is badass, but if Ford had messed it up they’d be in big trouble. Bringing a beloved automotive icon back from the dead is risky business, and it’s gone badly for a lot of manufacturers in the past—including Ford! What did they do differently this time? And why were the stakes so high? Find out with host James Pumphrey as he dissects the return of the Ford Bronco!
You probably know the Fiat Abarth 500 hot hatch. But did you know Abarth is one of the first factory tuners in the world? The House of the Scorpion is so famous for making cars faster “Abarth” is slang for anything strong in Italy. Cool, but how did it get such a killer rep? And what does a cross-country race with a train have to do with it? Find these answers and more as host James Pumphrey investigates the history of Italy’s legendary tuning firm, Abarth!
Forza--the game that literally opened up the world of digital racing, the first console racer that let you yell at other players online, and the only racing game to knock the mighty Gran Turismo from its golden throne! This is everything you need to know to get Up to Speed on Forza!
Lamborghini Countach--the V12 supercar that went head to head with Ferrari for almost two decades, the originator of Lambo doors, and the most famous supercar the world has ever seen! This car was made specifically to take down Enzo Ferarri, but was it successful at killing the all powerful Testarossa? Put on your Ray Bans and get ready for a top speed run down the ‘80s nostalgia highway, this is everything you need to know to get Up To Speed on the Lamborghini Countach!
The Batmobile, Batman’s favorite crime-fighting, jet-powered, bat-shaped supercar with gadgets galore and a heavy goth vibe! The Batmobile is an icon that has evolved since its DC Comic debut in 1939, with icons like Tim Burton and Christopher Nolan shaping its creative journey along the way Between the comics and cartoons, the TV show, and the movies—from The Dark Knight, to Batman Forever, to The Batman (which comes out next week,) there are OVER 250 Batmobiles. But, which came first? Which one is craziest? And which one actually makes sense for fighting crime? This is everything you need to know to get Up To Speed on the Batmobile!
The Pontiac Firebird--It’s the famous muscle car with a big ole fire-chicken on the hood--the car that gave birth to the Trans Am. The fire breathing, tire burning, highway ripper from Smokey and the Bandit. From it’s humble pony car origins, to the airbrushed phoenix of the 70’s, to the round and ugly as heck final generation Trans AM in 2002… What happened to this magnificent beast? What finally killed off the Firebird? Join James Pumphrey as he tells gets us up to speed on the Firebird!
The 1973 gas crisis didn’t just mean prices at the pump spiked. It meant a sea change in how Americans thought about their relationship with cars, and how U.S. auto manufacturers designed them. Luxury and V-8 dominance had been the signifiers of car culture for a generation, but suddenly, fuel-sipping economy and the nimble joys of compact imports had changed the game. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the old dogs of Detroit didn’t exactly knock their first experiments in competing out of the gate.
For seven decades, the Volkswagen Bus–or the Kombi, the Transporter, the Caravel, the Hippie Van, the Vanago, or the Type 2, if you prefer–has been a global icon on the roads. But the staying power of this hardworking, underpowered cab-over that bursts at the seams with personality wasn’t a sure thing. After it became a phenomenon, a conspiracy between an American president and a powerful labor union (yes, the States used to have those) nearly stopped the Bus in its tracks, and it all came down to chickens. From its humble origins as a back-of-the-napkin design exercise, to its upcoming all-electric rebirth, this is everything you need to know to get up to speed on the Volkswagen Bus!
Everyone’s seen a Honda Civic that’s been stanced to within an inch of its life with overfenders bolted on. No big deal! But try to do the same to a hand-built exotic supercar and people are gonna have opinions. So what kind of a madman would make his name doing just that? Enter: Wataru Kato and his attention-grabbing custom shop, Liberty Walk. Take a ride through the origins of Kato-san’s unique style and the rise of his unique and controversial body kit biz.
With the just-revealed Toyota Corolla GR hot hatch on its way, now’s a good time to take a look at what those two letters–increasingly relevant to everything exciting in the Toyota lineup–mean. What the heck’s a Gazoo, and what’s it got to do with racing? Come along on a hero’s journey, involving an unlikely middle-aged protagonist and his tragically-fated mentor, as we get you up to speed…on Toyota Gazoo Racing!
By now, there’s a good chance you’ve heard some version of the story: Nissan’s CEO, facing a prison sentence in Japan, hires some smooth operators to sneak him out of the country in a music box. It’s not the kind of circumstance we’re used to watching billionaires find themselves in. So who is Carlos Ghosn? How did he climb to the top of the automotive industry and what caused him to fall so hard? And what’s going on with him now? This is everything you need to know to get up to speed on…Carlos Ghosn!
Prepare for some dang foolishness. The world’s most expensive cars, covered in eye-melting livery, racing (and wrecking) on public roads because who cares about the rest of us peons, right? Except, don’t call it a race–it’s a rally. Maybe you heard about the time Johnny Knoxville nearly got creamed participating in it. Or how about the time its organizers took the action to North Korea? It’s a larger-than-life story with some larger-than-life personalities...This is everything you need to know to get up to speed about The Gumball 3000!
A three-wheeled car that gets 70 to the gallon! Murder in a corporate office! Financial crimes and possible mob ties! A CEO with a surprising past! Even though this story takes place half a century ago, people keep coming back to it. But of all the failed auto start-ups, why are people still captivated by the story of the 20th Century Motor Car Corporation? This is everything you need to know to get up to speed on…The Dale!
How Red Bull got a Formula 1 team...