Rain drifting, weird speed limits, no cops, and a ride in something too fast for the WRC. This is the podcast from TST's New Zealand Adventure. The Smoking Tire podcasts on the last night of their New Zealand trip. Our guests are Andrew Lamb and Caswal Parker, the founders of the game Automation, which lets you design cars and engines and then test them on the track and on the market. They thought TST should see what cars Kiwis make, so they paid our airfare and brought us to the island of GT-Rs...
Feb 18, 2015•1 hr 55 min•Ep. 159
This week Matt and I are joined by Andrew Johnson co-founder of Wheelwell a new social networking site tailored to the automotive community. We of course talk about Wheelwell and how it serves the community vs. forums and older sites like CarDomain but we also cover his track prepped C5 Vette, Pfadt and LG suspension parts, IRS Foxbodyies, the new Ford GT, bargain bin 996 Porsches, the maladies of selling minivans and I share my thoughts on the 2015 Ford F150 Ecoboost. Want your question answere...
Feb 11, 2015•1 hr 35 min•Ep. 158
This week we're joined in studio by Spike Feresten ( @SpikeFeresten ) host of Car Matchmaker on Esquire. We cover Spike's deep love of Porsches, his time working with Jerry Seinfeld and cheating at gokart racing with David Letterman for the Late Show Team. In addition we talk Pebble Beach, the spite of Ferrari, Barn Finds and Matt cracks the wheels on his Corvette for a 3rd time. Want your question answered? Want to watch the live stream, get ad-free podcasts, or exclusive podcasts? Join our Pat...
Feb 04, 2015•1 hr 33 min•Ep. 157
This week we're joined by Brandon McAleer ( @brendan_mcaleer ) of Canda, Road & Track, TTaC as well as some BBC stuff alongside his compatriot one Mr. Jack Baruth ( @JackBaruth ) also of Road & Track, TTaC. This week we discuss the US Nissan Skyline market, Jack tells us about his time in a McLaren racecar and their 650S, we talk Detroit Auto Show, Ford GT, ATS-V, CTS-V, Boss 302 vs GT350, C7 vs C6 ZO6 and why a 996 track car makes very little sense. Also Matt got a moving violation on h...
Jan 28, 2015•1 hr 33 min•Ep. 156
This week we're joined by Travis Okulski ( @tokulski ) Editor at Jalopnik along with Jeff Glucker ( @JGlucker ) co-founder of Hooniverse . Travis is in town for the Corvette Z06 launch and Jeff... well he was just killing time after recording a Hooniverse Podcast . With Travis' impending time in the Z06 we of course discuss that and the potential of its new 8 speed automatic. But we also touch on Top Gear, launching an M4 via a 5" curb, many bad Bob Dylan jokes, an update on Matt's Lexus LS400 a...
Jan 21, 2015•1 hr 48 min•Ep. 155
Recorded just prior to Christmas Matt is back from a cross country drive with his girlfriend the proud owner of a Lexus LS400 nearing 900,000 miles. Zack in the mean-time has taken up quad-copter camera duty while Thad has resorted to filling his Fiesta with race gas to make obscene power and I didn't do a damned thing other than work and make cookies. This week we had a Mustang Ecoboost in and we discuss that along with our usual mix of barely socially responsible nonsense. Want your question a...
Jan 14, 2015•1 hr 32 min•Ep. 154
This week Paul and Todd of Everyday Driver ( YouTube | Podcast ) drop by to talk about their new film Mid-Engines and Mountains . The new film highlights the fun and differences found in driving an Alfa 4C, Porsche Cayman and Lotus Elise through... well mountains. In addition the guys rolled in with a brand new Charger Hellcat and the new holy grail of track-rats the Camaro Z28. This week Matt has the new Jaguar F-Type R (coupe) we discuss the Ferrari option debacle and we talk about the merits ...
Jan 07, 2015•1 hr 29 min•Ep. 153
This week we're joined by John Spar founder of Replay XD Cameras as well as our good friend Mike Musto ( @MDMusto ). We knew that John was responsible for developing some seriously impressive camera hardware at Replay what we didn't know was that his father was one of the founders of B&M and that he grew up at the height of drag racing in the San Fernando Valley. John shares his stories of racing, fabrication, running several successful businesses and how those endeavors ultimately culminate...
Dec 17, 2014•2 hr 4 min•Ep. 152
This week Jonathan Ward founder of Icon joins us. Most people know Icon for the absolutely insane attention to detail in their signature FJs and Broncos. We get the story behind Jonathan's move from life as a working actor into the automotive world. The Icon order backlog is deep and for good reason as Jonathan outlines the great lengths he his wife and their crew go to ultimately producing a product with few equals in quality. Want your question answered? Want to watch the live stream, get ad-f...
Dec 10, 2014•1 hr 36 min•Ep. 151
This week TST contributor Jonathon Klein ( @Jonathon_Klein ) is in town for the LA Auto Show and he joins us for our pre-Thanksgiving episode. Fresh off testing a BMW 1M w/ a V8 we sit down for a discussion that encompasses, Coachella Gypsy Cabs, minivan crash testing, Honda's quality issues, IROC-Z track cars, the uniform mediocrity of most modern V6s, Passat W8s, Jonathon gives us his take on the new Mustang Ecoboost vs GT, we talk about possible Fiesta ST suspension changes , C6 Grand Sport t...
Dec 03, 2014•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 150
Fresh off the floor at the LA Auto Show Mike Spinelli ( @Mikespin ) and Roger Garbow ( @RogerGarbow ) join us. With the auto show in town we cover a lot of material including, the Mustang GT 350, Cadillac ATS-V, Mercedes AMG GT, Porsche 911 GTS, Jaguar F-Type, we discuss the basics of flat-plan crank V8s, Kia plies journalists with beer, Mullne makes a sad showing, Matt attempts to by a Skyline GT-R and Mike takes suggestions on what he should buy to replace his MR2. Want your question answered?...
Nov 26, 2014•2 hr 7 min•Ep. 149
Once again we're joined by Mr. Aaron Gold ( @AboutCars ). This week Matt reviews the Polaris Slingshot, Aaron tells his about his time working on Top Gear, we talk diesel vs gas engines, Zack and Thad drove Local Motors Drift Trikes and we wrap up with some talk about flight simulators and aeronautics. Want your question answered? Want to watch the live stream, get ad-free podcasts, or exclusive podcasts? Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thesmokingtirepodcast Use Off The Record! and ALW...
Nov 19, 2014•1 hr 53 min•Ep. 148
Once again the collective that is The Smoking Tire has reconvened after much traveling. Matt returns and regales us with his trip to Mexico, Zack and Thad made their way to northern California to film a Ford Falcon rally car and immediately thereafter Thad drove from Texas to California with Mike Musto in matching Charger and Challenger Hellcats with a brief stint in a Viper. Additionally we get a little nostalgic for Acuras of old, Jaguar reveals their plans for an all wheel drive F-Type R, inf...
Nov 12, 2014•1 hr 29 min•Ep. 147
Our good friend and partner in podcasting Jeff Glucker ( @jglucker ) of Hooniverse joins us this week. We talk all about Matt and Jeff's experiences in the Challenger Hellcat in Washington D.C. , Matt spent some time in the new Z4 road car immediately followed by track time BMW Z4 GT3 racecar, Matt spent some time with an obscure but great Autozam AZ-1, plus we discuss Jeff's project car "The Wombat" and interesting cars from SEMA 2014. Want your question answered? Want to watch the live stream,...
Nov 05, 2014•1 hr 23 min•Ep. 146
Our good friend Jonny Lieberman ( @mt_loverman ) has once again joined us in the TST studio. Jonny is fresh off the MotorTrend Truck of they Year and shares that experience with us. Additionally we review the 2015 BMW M4, we discuss the real possibility of the C8 Corvette offering a mid-engine variant named the Zora, we compare and contrast the 2015 Mustang GT vs. Camaro Z28 while talking GT350 flat-plane engine rumors and Jonny shares his stories of the real-life pitfalls of hydrogen powered ca...
Oct 29, 2014•1 hr 46 min•Ep. 145
This week we're joined by Joshua Ovenshire ( @TheJovenshire ) and Matt Raub ( @MattRaub ) of Smosh Games . Matt met the Smosh crew while in Europe promoting Forza Horizon 2. Among many things we cover YouTube stalkers, video production, pecking order in geek culture, sheep familiarity, Kevin Pollack, building an online audience while Farah and Josh share their love of Magic the Gathering. Additionally we help Josh pick out a new car and Farah recounts his first drunken encounter with Marc Maron....
Oct 22, 2014•1 hr 48 min•Ep. 144
This Week AJ Gordon of the Peterson Automotive Museum and the Car Stories podcast joins us in studio. We talk about the rennovation of the Peterson museum, gauche behavior at car shows, how jaded automotive media is, Ford GT pricing and whether or not the Hennessey Vemom GT is usable as a canyon carver. Want your question answered? Want to watch the live stream, get ad-free podcasts, or exclusive podcasts? Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thesmokingtirepodcast Use Off The Record! and AL...
Oct 08, 2014•1 hr 57 min•Ep. 143
This week we're joined by comedian and tv host Alonzo Bodden ( @AlonzoBodden ). You probably know Alonzo from Speed's 101 Cars You Must Drive or America's Worst driver along with a reoccuring role on the final season of Californication, but Alonzo didn't swing by to talk about David Duchovny. We get into Alonzo's long list of cars he has owned over the years as well as his collection of motorcycles. Want your question answered? Want to watch the live stream, get ad-free podcasts, or exclusive po...
Oct 01, 2014•53 min•Ep. 142
For the first time in a little while we sit down without guests and catch up on what we've been up to. Matt and Thad both had an afternoon with the Alfa Romeo 4C and Challenger Hellcat, Zack bought a Crown Victoria detective car and I continued to produce way too many podcasts. In addition Matt talks about his trip to Europe for the Forza Horizon 2 launch event along with his first impressions of the game and a mini review of the Audi R8 V10+. We also cover the RS5 Cabriolet, disparity in YouTub...
Sep 24, 2014•1 hr 33 min•Ep. 141
This week Matt D'Andria ( @Motorator ) cohost of CarCast joins us in studio once again. Both Matts are building late-model fox body Mustangs and we compare the two cars. We talk about the upcoming Paul Newmann documentary (Winning: The Racing Life of Paul Newmann) that he has been working on alongside the rest of the Carolla crew. Additionally we cover the Celebrity Stock Car Race at Irwindale that Matt D'Andria will be participatig in, we also talk SEMA, Pebble Beach, celebrity racers and why J...
Sep 17, 2014•1 hr 51 min•Ep. 139
This week Alan & Patrick from HRE Wheels join us alongside our good friend Mike Musto ( @MDMusto ). With the HRE boys in house we of course dive deep into the world of aftermarket wheels but we also cover the Monterey Historics, the inflated 911 market, 550 Maranellos and John Frankenheimer's utterly batshit superchaged nitrous-fed Mercedes 560 SEC. Want your question answered? Want to watch the live stream, get ad-free podcasts, or exclusive podcasts? Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.c...
Sep 11, 2014•1 hr 41 min•Ep. 138
This week Mr. Aaron Gold ( @AboutCars ) joins us to discuss the Lexus RC F launch. In addition we spend an indordinate amount of time talking about mid-century busses, diesel abominations of the malaise era and why you should drive a 2015 Hyundai Genesis instead of a Dodge Viper. Want your question answered? Want to watch the live stream, get ad-free podcasts, or exclusive podcasts? Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thesmokingtirepodcast Use Off The Record! and ALWAYS fight your tickets!...
Sep 04, 2014•2 hr•Ep. 137
This week we're joined in studio by fabricator, daredevil and television host Jessi Combs ( @TheJessiCombs ). You'll probably know Jessi best from Overhaulin', Mythbusters and All Girls Garage but she came in to school us on chasing speed records at Bonneville in turbine powered batshit fueled "cars" that are way faster than anything you've ever driven. In addition we talk a bit about fabrication, her time working with Chip Foose and Chris Jacobs and possibly most impressive of all her win at Ki...
Aug 27, 2014•1 hr 52 min•Ep. 136
This week Gary and Chris from Creations n' Chrome join us. These guys know their Mustangs producing 200+ mph cars, mid-engine Mustangs and all manner of other custom creations. Beyond Chris' obvious mechanical and engineering talents Gary brings some serious knowledge to the table in the world of body work and paint. The n' Chrome part of the business refers to their highly sought after chrome paint applications. Gary and Chris walk us through building SEMA cars, their standing mile experience a...
Aug 20, 2014•2 hr 2 min•Ep. 135
Legendary pro skater and Subaru pro driver Bucky Lasek ( @BuckyLasek ) joins us this week. We of course talk about Bucky's impressive career as a pro skater with too many medal finishes to count but we really dig into his current focus in the rally world. Bucky now drives for Subaru and has become a very accomplshed driver steadily climbing the ranks of the rally scene and even stealing the occassional win in other formats. We also get into Bucky's love of Porsches, Zack's run in with Google emp...
Aug 13, 2014•1 hr 27 min•Ep. 134
This week fellow automotive journalist, chairman of Beer and Beards quarterly, and host of Ignition Jonny Lieberman ( @mt_loverman ) once again joins us at the podcast table. Matt recounts tales of learning to drive a manual transmission, hot stereos and a teenage butchering of a Subaru Legacy. Meanwhile Jonny bought a new Fiesta ST and shares with us his experience in the Nismo GTR and Challenger Hellcat. In addition we cover news on the Aston Martin Lagonda, Zombie Dust beer and Lamborghini Co...
Aug 06, 2014•2 hr 17 min•Ep. 133
Making our way through the Motortrend & Hot Road staff this week we welcome Elana Scherr ( @challengeher ) into the studio. Both Elana and Matt had the good fortune to spend a bit of time with the new Dodge Challenger Wildcat and it's genrous helping of 707HP. Elana is a horder of classic vehicles and we discuss her Opel GT, 70 Challenger, 76 Dart and how to write them off as business expenses. Additionally we cover how heroin preserves Mötley Crüe and The Rolling Stones, letters from the DM...
Jul 29, 2014•1 hr 47 min•Ep. 132
Once again Carlos Lago joins us in studio, this time to share his thoughts on the Alfa Romeo 4C. This week we also cover... Entertainment Tonight Mario Lopez Fiesta ST Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet Jetta Harlequin 240sx LS Swap Matt's Mustang Project Porsche 918 tech vs. Mclaren P1 Cheese truck theft. Fixies Scooters Restraining Orders Bro Magazine E36 Drivetrain Swaps Cold Brewed Coffee Flat Bottom Wheels BMW M235i Trikes Want your question answered? Want to watch the live stream, get ad-free po...
Jul 23, 2014•1 hr 51 min•Ep. 131
Fresh back from touring the US with Rally North America we squeeze in a podcast before Matt and Thad head back to New York for more filming. This week we recap Rally North America, a trip up Pikes Peak, review the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT, talk about the newly rumoured flat-plane crank Mustang GT 350, shark attacks on our home beaches while Blake Rong of Autoweek and Hooniverse sits in for the first half of the show. Want your question answered? Want to watch the live stream, get ad-free podcasts...
Jul 16, 2014•1 hr 36 min•Ep. 130
This week Matt, Thad and Zack check in from the road with Rally North America. The guys meet up with Larry Kosilla in New York and try out his newly modified 964 at Monticello. Comparisons are made between the seedier parts of New York, Philadelphia and Memphis. Racial epithets are used in Ohio, a 1963 Corvette Stringray with an LS1 swap is driven and a glory hole is discovered at a rural rest stop. Want your question answered? Want to watch the live stream, get ad-free podcasts, or exclusive po...
Jul 09, 2014•54 min•Ep. 129
