The Carmudgeon Show

On this episode of The Carmudgeon Show, it’s a showdown between the NA2 Acura NSX and the Ferrari F355 - both of-the-period rivals in the late ‘90s to early ‘00s, now analog sports car classics in 2026. Although seemingly quite different at first, both cars have much more in common than you might expect. But which one is better? === Visit http://JasonSentMe.com to get a Hagerty Guaranteed Value (TM) collector-car insurance quote! === As both the 355 and NSX have benefitted from a major popularity boost in recent years, both cars have earned their way into enthusiasts’ hearts - and wallets - with 90th percentile examples selling well above $150,000. But alas, this wouldn’t be The Carmudgeon Show without pulling apart all the flaws with these mid-engined contemporary classics. While both cars do a lot well - particularly in the induction noise department - numb steering, lackluster interior materials, and pricey timing belt services are some of the many points to be picked apart by Jason and Derek. And how do they compare against the 993 Porsche 911, and modern-day sports cars like the Lotus Evora and Emira? Alas, there can only be one winner. And maybe it’s not the one you’re expecting… Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we discuss some of the most insane auctions of recent times - and why everyone is scratching their heads at the results. The Bachman Collection, consisting of 48 Ferraris, just sold for over $114 million dollars and consisted of some of the most controversial specs ever produced. Ok, maybe we’re being kind - many of these specs were just downright UGLY. But that didn’t stop bidders from paying well above top dollar - with highlights including a 2003 Ferrari Enzo that sold for $17.875M, a  1995 Ferrari F50 that sold for $12.21M, and a 2017 LaFerrari Aperta which sold for $11M. Many cars sold for more than twice their previous records, including two Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradales that collectively fetched over $3M.  Derek and Jason discuss what this might mean for the collector car market overall, and whether or not these results are an indicator for where Ferrari values are headed in comparison to Lamborghini, Porsche and other brands. All this and more on this week’s episode of The Carmudgeon Show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The last few years have been a rollercoaster for wagon fans in the US and around the world - we’ve gained some and lost many more. But could the tides be changing? Tailgates opening to new beginnings? We dive into the origins of the station wagon to find out... === Visit http://JasonSentMe.com to get a Hagerty Guaranteed Value (TM) collector-car insurance quote! === Both fans of the station wagon, Jason and Derek discuss their personal origin stories with wagons. Jason’s begins with a 1975 Chevrolet Impala Wagon that he grew up in the back of - which spurs a conversation around 1970s and 80s American station wagons from the GM clamshell tailgate, the Buick Estate Wagon and Roadmaster, to the rare Cadillac Castilian. Derek discusses growing up in the ‘90s (1890s, of course) - while his family cars were convertibles and sedans, the school run was enveloped in Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable wagons, Volvo 240 and 740, Mercedes 300TE and E320, E34 BMW 5 series, and Audi 5000 and 200 Avants. Exploring how many consider wagons to be uncool or frumpy, he explores the advent of new at the time SUV offerings starting in the same time period, like the Ford Explorer and Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee. Jason and Derek then explore what has become of the wagon market and why- noting the recent departure of the Volvo V90 and V60. Many wagons have inflated greatly in cost, ending up under or over-contented due to lower demand and cost of federalization - a trend explored via the Acura TSX Wagon and Jaguar XF Sportbrake. The classification of wagons has also changed over the years, now grouping CUVs like the new Subaru Outback and Buick Envista that have no business being classified as a wagon. Favorite niche wagons are also discussed, like the Volkswagen Passat W8 4Motion 6 Speed, the euro-only Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG, and modified variants of BMW wagons like the E46 Touring with ZHP drivetrain. All this and more, on this week’s episode of The Carmudgeon Show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The day has come… Jason’s VR6 swap on his Mk3 Volkswagen Cabrio is finally on the road! ….well, sort of. With some frustrating snafus along the way, there’s still plenty of work left to be done. But not enough to prevent a first shakedown (and burnout, of course) from happening with the existing stock 12-valve VR6 before it gets replaced by a built motor from Techtonics Tuning. === Visit http://JasonSentMe.com to get a Hagerty Guaranteed Value (TM) collector-car insurance quote! === Derek and Jason begin today’s episode with a recap of the swap progress so far - in a matter of weeks, Jason’s 1996 Volkswagen Cabrio went from being gutless, to gutted, to glorious - receiving not just an engine swap, but also a full subframe and suspension swap from a VR6 Jetta as well. To top it off, Jason mounted period correct BBS RX multi-piece wheels that really tie everything in together. If Volkswagen had made a true Mk3 GTI Cabriolet, this is about as close as you could get! After discussing hours and dollars spent on the project, Derek circles back on other cars that sound better or worse than a VR6. The Ferrari 512BB comes to mind, even being a Bosch CIS-equipped car. Amongst other CIS cars, Jason also discusses the rich induction sounds of his other cars - including his Mercedes-Benz 2.3-16 Cosworth and Mk1 Volkswagen Cabriolet. And of course, it’s not a Carmudgeon Show without critically blasting other lesser-sounding cars - in this case, the S14 in the E30 BMW M3 and all Nissan VQ engines. Was all the fuss worth it? You’ll have to watch (or listen) and find out! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

2026 has begun - and we’ve already had a healthy mix of highs and lows. But Carmudgeonation carries on, this week bringing along some pretty heavy metal that ISN’T an IROC-Z Camaro - rather, the 1974 Porsche Carrera RSR IROC. === Visit http://JasonSentMe.com to get a Hagerty Guaranteed Value (TM) collector-car insurance quote! === Jason is nearing the finish line on his MK3 VW Cabrio VR6 swap - with much of the car torn apart and roughly put back together again, he discovers a fatal engine flaw that will put him back quite some time. While the VR6 runs, a bastardized time-sert has cracked the head - pushing Jason to make the decision to go big and begin the process of a full Techtonics VR6 engine build. But not all in the land of 6 cylinders is lost. Derek and Jason kick off the new year by driving an iconic race car that happens to be road-legal - the 1974 Porsche Carrera RSR IROC. A car they both agree, is perhaps the most extreme 911 either of them has ever driven. The story goes - in October of 1973, Roger Penske took delivery 15 of special 1974 cars in Riverside California, which had been built to his order. He acquired the cars to participate in the first ever International Race of Champions (IROC), which was actually a series of four races, three at Riverside in late October and the final race at Daytona in February of 1974. The cars would be driven by a dozen of the best racing drivers in the world, hailing from different racing disciplines including Indy, Can-Am, NASCAR, and Formula 1. In the hands of George Follmer and Mark Donahue at Riverside International Raceway, this particular car won twice - more than any other of the 15 cars it competed against. All this and more, on this week’s episode of The Carmudgeon Show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

2025 has come to a close - and it’s another year-end episode reflecting on the best and worst cars Jason and Derek have encountered this year. Maximum Carmudgeonation is achieved today, so hold onto your hats - and we guarantee, you’ve never listened to another podcast where the Vinfast VF8 and McLaren F1 are both mentioned. === Visit http://JasonSentMe.com to get a Hagerty Guaranteed Value (TM) collector-car insurance quote! === Before getting into the thick of it, Jason updates us on his MK3 Volkswagen Cabrio VR6 swap - with the 2.slow and the rest of the front + rear subframes out, we learn one other MK3 (Jetta GLX) has been sacrificed in the name of top-down VR6 burnouts. A myth is busted - Harbor Freight plastic carts don’t appear to be makeshift engine stands after all. But they do explode catastrophically! Derek also goes over some highlights of another year dealing cars at OTS - with sales and consignments including the likes of the Ferrari F50, Porsche Carrera GT, and an array of modern Ferrari Challenge cars (360 Challenge Stradale, F430 Scuderia, and 458 Speciale to name a few). He also reflects on a changing market - moving away from 60s Ferraris like 250 Lusso and 330 GTC. Jason begins with his first wave highlights - including but not limited to: Lancia Stratos, Lancia Thema 8.32, Cizeta-Moroder V16T, Saab 9000 Aero, Alfa Romeo 164 Quadrifoglio, E34 BMW M5 with an S70B56 swap, the Kwiek Classics Mercedes-Benz CLK63 AMG Black Series 6-Speed, Ford Sierra Cosworth, Merkur XR4Ti, Jeep Cherokee, and of course Derek’s recently acquired Mk1 Jaguar. Derek follows with the Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint Speciale, RUF Tribute, Kimera EVO37, the Toyota 2000GT, and more recently the Porsche 911 IROC RSR (to be further explored on a future episode…) Jason remarks on many of the the other great cars he’s driven for various Revelations, Ultimate Drag Race, and Ultimate Lap Battle episodes, including the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 (C8 and C4), Porsche 992 GT3 RS, Ford Mustang GTD, Ford GT (both generations), W204 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG (including the Anderzen manual swap), Alpine A110, Audi RS6 Avant, and the Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid (the BMW M5 Touring was unfortunately not so good). But not to worry- plenty of Carmudgeonation goes down - with roasts of the automatic Porsche 996 Turbo, BMW i3 and i8, the ND2 Mazda Miata, and even Jason’s own MK3 Cabrio (while it still had its 2.slow). All this and more, on this week’s end-of-2025 finale of The Carmudgeon Show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Derek brings in a rare French treat to the studio this week - a Peugeot 205 Rallye. Take a 205 GTI, replace the fuel injection with Weber DCOE 45 carburetors, remove weight, and you’ve got the key components to the Rallye.Jason, naturally, attempts to make the episode about MK1 Volkswagens - in particular, the Rabbit and the Golf GTI. He’s always claimed his 16V-swapped MK1 Cabriolet is the most fun car he’s ever driven - but can the 205 Rallye dethrone the gold standard?===Visit http://JasonSentMe.com to get a Hagerty Guaranteed Value (TM) collector-car insurance quote! ===...well, yes. Sort of. But first, we have to understand where Peugeot was coming from when they conceived the 205. Derek and Jason discuss the stately and reserved aura of the Peugeot brand before the launch of the 205 in 1983, referencing cars like the 204, 304, 404, 504, and 604. Although the 205 was a modern departure from its stodgy (and abundantly French) past, the base car remained quite frumpy - until the GTI came around, boasting fender flares, rev-happy 1.6 + 1.9L engines, sport-tuned suspension, and a host of other upgrades that made it one of the most iconic hot hatchbacks of the 80s.Jason recalls the time he drove a 205 GTI 1.9 and MK1 Volkswagen Rabbit back-to-back, both owned by Rich Griot of Griot’s Garage. Having been thoroughly impressed by the 205 GTI, he dives into his latest drive with the Rallye - in comparison to said GTI, a much more charismatic car wanting to vibrate its nuts and bolts apart all the way up to 7,000 RPM.This naturally triggers the inevitable - what criteria makes a hot hatchback great? Is practicality most important, or can great driving dynamics overshadow the initial intent? Jason and Derek reference other small and fun successes like the Hyundai Veloster N, ND3 Mazda Miata, and Subaru BRZ/Toyota GR86 - and how none of them are quite as special as the 205 Rallye.All this and more, on this week’s holiday special of The Carmudgeon Show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week’s episode topic comes from a listener-submitted AMA request - one worthy of its own episode. They ask - what single metric about a car’s driving experience tells you the most before you drive it? === Visit http://JasonSentMe.com to get a Hagerty Guaranteed Value (TM) collector-car insurance quote!  === At first, you may think there’s one straightforward answer. But you’d be wrong. Discussion begins with Jason’s MK1 Volkswagen Cabriolet - a car he claims is the most fun he’s ever driven. Derek roughly agrees - but counters with the Peugeot 205 Rallye, and much more substantially - the McLaren F1. But how can a nearly 40 year old subcompact convertible be as rewarding to drive as a hypercar? Mass seems like the obvious answer - but a 4000 lb car from today can often out-dance a 2000 lb car from 35 years ago. Take a Lotus Elise (perhaps, with a small cow in it) and a Rivian R1T - both will dance around a race track in a much more similarly than differently vs. any car and truck combination from even 10 years ago. Having covered that base, Jason and Derek explore other possibilities - including peak horsepower per RPM and engine configuration. Derek recalls a time when Alfa Romeo stuffed their Twin Cam four cylinder in everything from GTVs to large Ambulances - simply because it was a such a good engine despite whatever weight it was tasked to pull around. Jason decides to ask AI what it thinks, answering (oddly) with the Toyota Matrix, Honda Fit, and Nissan Versa. On theme with the MK1 Cabriolet, the boys discuss structural rigidity - which leads to another exploration of convertibles ranging from 996 Porsche 911 Cabriolet, to BMW Z3M, Mercedes-Benz SLK, and of course- the Nissan Murano Cross-Cabriolet. There’s an answer for everyone out there - and more on this episode of The Carmudgeon Show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

That’s right - on this episode of The Carmudgeon Show, Jason and Derek risk their lives to deliver crucial mass-market automotive journalism by getting behind the wheel of the VinFast VF8 - one of the most criticized vehicles ever to be sold in the US. But c’mon, really - is it as bad as everyone says it is? Well. Uh…yeah. It’s even worse than you thought. === Visit http://JasonSentMe.com to get a Hagerty Guaranteed Value (TM) collector-car insurance quote! === Before jumping down the throat of the VF8, Jason and Derek discuss the recent developments of ADAS systems and vehicle acceleration regulations being considered within the Chinese market: “The cars are too damn fast!” - CCP, probably. Surprisingly, Jason and Derek both agree - and discuss the potential benefits of having acceleration-limited vehicles, referencing the terror of Dodge Challenger and Charger Hellcat drivers, F80 and G80 BMW M3, and of course the Nissan Altima. As a counterpoint to the VF8, Jason discusses his recent experience driving the newly refreshed Tesla Model Y Plaid, and how he still thinks they are some of the best appliances on the road. Jason was able to test the most recent version of Tesla Full Self Driving (FSD), and how it’s made great improvements in recent years - even without LiDAR. A great appliance, the VinFast VF8 is not. Jason and Derek share their findings in their individual driving experiences - in agreement on nearly all of the shortcomings of which there are many. At just 10,000 miles, the VF8 has experienced broken suspension components, dangerous throttle calibration, and other poorly-executed features that make us wonder how it was ever allowed to be sold to the public in the first place. There are also dumpsters involved. More on that in this riveting episode of The Carmudgeon Show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 911 Turbo is 50 years old this year! We’ve come a long way since the days of having just four manual gears to row and enough turbo lag to sustain the birth, life, and death of a civilization. From the beginning of the 930 until now, the Turbo has always been the flagship of the 911 range - but has it been worthy of being at the top? === Visit http://JasonSentMe.com to get a Hagerty Guaranteed Value (TM) collector-car insurance quote! === During this episode, Jason discusses his involvement with the latest 50 Years Of Turbo video, discussing some special cars he was able to drive like an early Euro 930 all the way up to the 50th Anniversary 992 Turbo S. Jason and Derek break down the Turbo lineage and where it comes from - first materializing on the Carrera nameplate on the 356, working its way into the nomenclature of the 911 range including the 1973 Carrera RS and Carrera 3.0, and eventually into the 1975 Turbo Carrera. After covering the various versions of 930 (including how the terms “930” and “Carrera” often have different meanings than most people realize) , they eventually work their way up the timeline to discuss the 964, 993, 996, 997, and 991 Turbo models. Jason and Derek discuss their favorite and least favorite models within the range - and their answers may surprise you. One thing is for sure - the character of the Turbo lends itself much more to a drive who simply wants capability and not pure necessarily driving enjoyment. Which begs the question - is it the “best” 911? Or has the popularity of recent GT3 and GT2 models changed the narrative? Find out more on this episode of The Carmudgeon Show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s highly likely that the Grumman LLV has been a regular part of your life for much longer than you’re aware of. But what is it? And why is it so important? Luckily for you, the newest Revelations episode on the Hagerty YouTube channel answers all of the above. === This episode of the Carmudgeon Show is sponsored by Vredestein Tires: https://www.vredestein.com/ === Before getting deep into the excitement of mail delivery vehicles and government contracts, Jason discusses his recent autocross experience at Sonoma Raceway in his MK7 Volkswagen e-Golf and E30 BMW 325i - with none other than Randy Pobst as his passenger and coach. The results of this endeavor surprise us - from new learnings about tires, to beating lap times in ways we might not expect. Meanwhile on the other side of the track, Derek discusses his recent track day at Sonoma driving his 1982 Porsche 911 SC - bringing the oldest car on track by a good 15 years closest to a 1997 BMW M3. Most of the episode is devoted to discussing the Grumman LLV (Long Life Vehicle’) - one that has delivered the mail to millions of Americans for decades, and will soon retire and be replaced by the Oshkosh NGDV, for better and worse. Jason and Derek discuss Grumman’s long and illustrious history covering everything from canoes to large aircrafts such as the Albatross and the Tomcat. As the LLV is on the brink of being fully retired, they have already become relatively collectable (and difficult to obtain as a civilian) - so no better time than to celebrate it’s long life on the road. All this and more, on this week's episode of The Carmudgeon Show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode, Derek and Jason discuss a very important important question -- which era was peak car? Or is the best era yet to come? We promise you this - the answer is much more complicated than you think. === This episode is sponsored by Battery Tender. Visit https://www.batterytender.com/ and use code HAGERTY20 for 20% off. === Fresh off the release of Retrospective, a new Hagerty show that explores old magazine comparison tests and how they stack up in the modern era, Jason begins to wonder which era is peak car. Having discussed what is "peak sports sedan" between BMW E90 M3, Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG, and Audi B7 RS4, Jason and Derek break down the criteria of what makes a car era great as a whole - from serviceability and intended purpose, to speed, value, styling, and other intrinsic characteristics. More importantly, is the true value of a car established by the opinions of enthusiasts or non--enthusiasts? All this and more on this episode of The Carmudgeon Show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Whether it's going racing or producing zero to sixty times, many car manufactures have spent decades doing whatever it takes to get a competitive edge on their performance figures. But in a world of democratized speed where your average EV truck or SUV can do an 11 second quarter mile, does anyone still value the numbers? And at what lengths will manufactures go to keep their performance figures competitive? === This episode of the Carmudgeon Show is sponsored by Vredestein Tires: https://www.vredestein.com/ === Before digging into the data, Jason discusses his recent trip to the Wednesday Night Drags at Sonoma Raceway - garnering some rather unusual attention in his MK3 Volkswagen Cabrio with the almighty 2.slow . Upon laying down several solid runs, he finds his mid 18 second quarter mile times are far more lethargic than what Volkswagen reported in period. This prompts the larger discussion at hand - historically speaking, do manufactures cheat or "optimize" their test data? Jason brings in his own previous findings, first by exploring the testing of his MK1 Volkswagen Scirocco, and wondering how his test figures could be more than a second off from the official numbers. More glaring however is the data from Jason's in-period testing of the Ferrari 458 Speciale and 458 Italia, as well as the 599 GTB - the likes of which far out-performed cars in magazine testing vs. cars that were delivered to real-world customers. All this and more, on this week's episode of The Carmudgeon Show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's episode explores an array of different tangets: most notably, Sacco-era Mercedes-Benzes, the ALSO Elecric Bike, and a broad discussion of manual swaps. === This episode is sponsored by Battery Tender. Visit https://www.batterytender.com/ and use code HAGERTY20 for 20% off. === Derek and Jason begin the episode discussing yet another Sacco-era Mercedes-Benz fleet update - Derek's newly acquired W140 Mercedes-Benz S500 Grand Edition and the installation of a new steering box on Jason's 190E 2.3-16 Cosworth. Jason then takes a turn to discuss the new ALSO Electric Bike, a sister company of Rivian. The first Series-Hybrid Bicycle of its kind, the ALSO draws parallels in function to road cars like BMW i3 REX, where both vehicle have a backup generator propelled by an alternate energy source (in this case, pedal power). Jason gives reason for why car enthusiasts should take an interest in this new two-wheeled technology and how it might change the future of mobility. Naturally, conversation finds its way into the discussion of manual swaps and whether or not there is a case in which a manual swap is unfavorable vs. an automatic. Derek and Jason extrapolate on different types of manual swaps (IE: modifying a semi-automated manual in a Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale vs replacing an automatic transmission in a Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG). All this and more on this episode of The Carmudgeon Show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, The Carmudgeon Show finds itself in a new and unfamiliar setting…The Motoring Club in San Francisco! === This episode is sponsored by Battery Tender. Visit https://www.batterytender.com/ and use code HAGERTY20 for 20% off. === Jason and Derek leave the cave and are joined by a live studio audience of Motoring Club members this week who are excited to hear their banter - that is, until audience members find out they are the subject of a grand roasting based on their choices of vehicles. The boys crank the heat up to 11, but even they find challenges with what they can and cannot roast… A plethora of vehicles are covered, including but not limited to: - E36 BMW 318Ti - BMW i3 - 987 Porsche Boxster Spyder - 997 and 991 Porsche 911 GTS and Turbo - E30 BMW 325 - BMW 2002 - R129 Mercedes-Benz SL500 - W140 Mercedes-Benz S420 - Volkswagen Westfalia - Hyundai Ionia 5 N - Fiat Panda Sisley - Renault Espace Quadra - All sorts of Range Rovers (RRC, P38, L322, L405) - G87 BMW M2 - Audi TT - Nissan Stagea - Fiat 124 Spider - Mazda RX8 Wondering what’s going on with The Motoring Club and Motoring Coffee? Looking for a place to hang out, talk cars, go driving, and drink coffee? Head on over to www.themotoringclub.com to learn more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We recently lost Claudio Lombardi, one of the most brilliant and innovative engineers of all time. Today’s episode discusses the legacy of rally-winning engines in his wake, as well as the origins of those engines in their various forms going all the way back to the early 1950s. === This episode is sponsored by Battery Tender. Visit https://www.batterytender.com/ and use code HAGERTY20 for 20% off. === This week's episode covers many wins - not just motorsport-related ones! We begin with a recent trip to England, where Jason & his dream team walked away with several notable awards from the International Motor Film Awards, including Best Journalism Film for the fourth time in a row! While across the pond, Jason also makes an appearance at Gordon Murray Automotive to tour the factory and meet Gordon Murray himself, who gives a nut-and-bolt rundown of the latest and greatest, including the GMA T.50, T.50s, T.33, and T.33 Spider. Jason and crew then a detour over to Gordon’s personal car and motorcycle collection, including a Mercedes-Benz McLaren SLR XP and, familiarly, a Ferrari 308 GT4. Interestingly, however, most of his favorites are manual transmission, twin-cam four cylinders - which segues into this episode’s main topic at hand. Derek leads us along a history of Italian twin-cam engines, in both Fiat Lampredi and Alfa Busso forms - beginning in the 1950s and continuing for nearly 50 years. The basic architecture of these engines powered everything from the Alfa Romeo Giulia to V12-powered Ferrari 275 GTB. The evolution of these engines brought both turbocharging and supercharging into the mix, and took Lancia to win many rally championships in cars like the Lancia 037 and Delta Integrale - while also ushering along many eras of notable passenger cars including but not limited to to the Alfa Romeo 164. All this and more, on this week's episode of The Carmudgeon Show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Which is more fun - running the Colorado Grand amongst million-dollar collectibles, or doing a $2000 budget car rally with friends? The answer is complicated and may not be what you expect. === This episode is sponsored by Battery Tender. Visit https://www.batterytender.com/ and use code HAGERTY20 for 20% off. === The Colorado Grand is an invitation-only vintage rally takes place on Colorado backroads each September. It’s not a race—just a scenic, 1,000-mile road trip for owners of highly collectable sports and racing cars, mostly built before 1960. Think Ferrari 250 GT SWBs, 250 Testarossas, Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwings, pre-war Bentleys, Aston Martin DB4 GTs, Jaguar D Types, and all kinds of other sporting classics touring the Rockies at their own pace. Joining on today’s episode is Tazio Ottis, Derek’s business partner who joined him on the rally, and joins us to discuss the event and his 1961 Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint that he and Derek drove below and above 10,000 feet of elevation. For contrast, Tazio and Derek also discuss their recent company 'Shitbox' Rally around Northern California - a very different departure from TCG comprised only of $2,000 cars. Derek brings his salvage title Mercedes-Benz C280, Tazio finds an MG Midget, and joining the old car crusade is a 1976 Datsun 280Z and Triumph Spitfire. All this and more, on today’s episode of The Carmudgeon Show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Malaise Era, a period of the US auto industry from the early 1970s to the mid 1980s, was certainly not one that garners much enthusiasm or celebration from your typical modern day car enthusiast. The rather abrupt introduction of stricter emissions and safety standards, plus the demand for better fuel economy, gave US automakers quite the fight to stay relevant and afloat while Japanese manufactures infiltrated US market share. Despite the struggle though, the Malaise Era was actually an important period of innovation that indirectly created a lot of important engineering and incredible cars. But why? === This episode is sponsored by Battery Tender. Visit https://www.batterytender.com/ and use code HAGERTY20 for 20% off. === This week's episode follows Hagerty's latest Revelations video highlighting the Mercedes-Benz R129 SL - and how despite being at the end of a generation of Bruno Sacco cars, its original design was conceived all the way towards the beginning of the Malaise Era. Much of why the R129 took so long to develop was because Mercedes diverted engineering resources to the W201 "Baby Benz," the W124 "E-Class" and the M102 new family of downsized, fuel-efficient engines to hit American CAFE fuel-economy and emissions requirements. But much of why the R129 took so long to develop, partly due to the Malaise Era, is what made it so great throughout the 1980s and early 1990s. Other cars, however - like the Ford Mustang II, Cadillac Cimarron, and Isuzu Pup - may not have enjoyed the same celebration (and likely never will...) Jason and Derek also discuss the struggles of the US auto industry during this time - and how they're eerily related to the current US administration's removal of penalties for CAFE standards. Could we be entering an era where we erase all the progress we gained after the Malaise Era? Or will the free market allow for innovation in ways we may not expect? All this and more, on this week's episode of The Carmudgeon Show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hagerty has a new show on the block - Driveway Finds! And it just so happens that its hosts/creators, Dustin Hallinan and John Brito, live a short drive away from The Carmudgeon Show studio. Chaos ensues. But maybe not in the way you’d think… === This episode is sponsored by Battery Tender. Visit https://www.batterytender.com/ and use code HAGERTY20 for 20% off. === Dustin and John are on a mission to rescue forgotten classics and bring them back to life - in various states of condition. In their debut episode for the channel, they take on John’s neighbor Ernie’s beloved 1968 Pontiac Firebird, a car he bought barely used and racked up over 200,000 miles with before parking it in a field back in 1984. Derek and Jason chat about project cars - particularly the subject vehicles of the next upcoming episodes in the series. Dustin and John most certainly have an affinity for American Muscle, driving to the studio in one of their latest finds - a 1963 Chevrolet Impala they recently acquired with just 72,000 original miles. But reading the room appropriately, they also bring in their 1961 Mercedes-Benz 220D with a LS swap and Muncie 4-speed transmission - used primarily for Australian style burnouts and other forms of tire shredding. Plenty of discussion also revolves around BMW E30s, E28s, air-cooled and water-cooled Volkswagens, “Skidrow” burnouts at Waterfest, Corvettes, wearing white New Balances in public, Ferrari 250s, and much, much more on this episode of The Carmudgeon Show. Tune in, it’s a great one! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Air-cooled Porsche 911s are wonderful to drive. With charming handling characteristics, bank vault build quality, and often cheerfully entertaining powertrains, it’s no surprise that they’re a hot commodity in the collector car marketplace with millions of fans around the world. There is one problem, however……by modern day standards, they’re SLOW! === This episode is sponsored by Battery Tender. Visit https://www.batterytender.com/ and use code HAGERTY20 for 20% off. === On this week’s episode, Jason and Derek discuss their recent seat time in the 1988 Vonnen Porsche 911 Hybrid — a radical twist on Stuttgart’s beloved icon. Vonnen has taken a standard 1988 Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2 G50 and added batteries and a sandwich motor between the engine and flywheel that adds nearly 150 HP and 130 TQ to the standard car. This isn’t Jason’s first rodeo with a Vonnen-modified 911, as his first experience began with a similarly-equipped 991 Carrera Coupe he tested nearly 10 years ago with Road & Track. Spoiler alert - adding power to an already-fast Porsche doesn’t yield quite the same joy as an air-cooled 911 does with a fraction of the power. How does adding electrons alongside the traditional flat-six change the 911 experience? Can a hybrid system of this nature change the way we interact with classic cars forever? Well one thing is for sure - with only 150 pounds of additional weight and clever integration, Vonnen’s system adds a lot less complexity and a lot more enhancement to the out-of-the-box, air-cooled 911 experience than you might imagine. All this and more, on this week's episode of The Carmudgeon Show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices