The Carmudgeon Show

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...

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...

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 neighb...

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 stan...

There is never a such thing as owning too many Volkswagens... ...or so they say. Is that really true? === The Carmudgeon Show Sponsor, Vredestein Tires: https://www.vredestein.com/ === Bidding farewell to his Honda Beat to make room for another topless driver, Jason's newly acquired 1996 Volkswagen Cabrio finally makes it home after much anticipation - but not without the drama that comes with a 1000 mile roadtrip home in a 29 year old Volkswagen arising from a low-mileage slumber. Fear not - the Mk3 Cabrio doesn't replace the Mk1 Cabriolet, rather, it will supplement the Cabriolet and the Scirocco with a...

There is technically no overall winner of Monterey Car Week. But unofficially, it's safe to say - the GMSV S1 LM takes that title.

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The Carmudgeon Show Sponsor, Vredestein Tires:https://www.vredestein.com/

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Monterey Car Week was more than three weeks ago now, yet we're still having withdrawals. This week, Jason and Derek dive deeper into their individual experiences at the world's most anticipated automotive event of the year, how the event has evolved with new audiences and activities, and how we might expect the event to...

A French forbidden fruit enters the studio on this week's episode - none other than the Alpine A110. But hang on...how did this non-25-year-old import end up on US soil? And WHY is it here? === The Carmudgeon Show Sponsor, Vredestein Tires: https://www.vredestein.com/ === Manufactures keep telling us that lightweight sports cars for the masses aren't possible to produce anymore due to rising safety standards. And yet, here we have the Alpine A110 - an incredible mid-engined, sub-2500-pound sports car you can buy brand new that can do far more than just be cute and...

Jason and Derek escape the studio this week to record from Hagerty's Motorlux event, the kickoff to Monterey Car Week 2025. We join them at this year's highlighted Bruno Sacco display, featuring designs that defined Mercedes-Benz in the 80's, 90's, and 2000's. The legacy of Sacco certainly lives on - but maybe not quite in the ways you might have originally thought... === The Carmudgeon Show Sponsor, Vredestein Tires: https://www.vredestein.com/ === Rumor has it, Sacco never designed a single car himself. But how is that possible? In this episode, Jason and Derek discuss the ways in which Sacco's design...

In celebration of 200 episodes of The Carmudgeon Show, Jason Cammisa and Derek Tam Hyphen Scott debrief their recent weekend-long Pacific Coast Rally with friends. === The Carmudgeon Show Sponsor, Vredestein Tires: https://www.vredestein.com/ === Indecisive between his BMW 850CSi and his two BMW E30 325is, Jason chooses Beatrice the Bronzit 325i sedan as his rally companion. Derek, leading the pack, brings along his newly acquired Porsche 911SC stuffed with a Euro high-compression 3.2L. They are joined by friends in a Mazda FD RX-7, Mercedes-Benz R129 300SL, Volkswagen MK5 GTI, BMW Z3 2.8, and a Mazda NC Miata - all of...

We've finally run out of questions to answer! As we come to an end of our AMA series, Jason and Derek continue to tackle the remaining questions from the last Q&A Some topics you asked about (and some you didn't), including but not limited to: - Opel Manta(?) - Nissan Altima Drivers / Big Altima Energy - Most fun new car on sale - Best "classic" BMW M chassis up to E39 M5 - Pros and cons of putting $7K into a MK1 Volkswagen Cabriolet - MK7 e-Golf vs GTI - NA vs ND2 Miata - Electric turbos and...

Jason and Derek return to the studio amidst a summer of cheap (and expensive) vehicular thrills. === This episode is sponsored by Vyper Industrial — America’s #1 rated shop chair, tool carts, and creepers, proudly made here in the US. Visit vyperindustrial.com and use code CARMUDGEON for $50 off. === Uncle Jason completed a cross-country road trip with his niece in her newly acquired 2017 Volkswagen GTI Sport (MK7). From traversing the desert to experiencing the agony of old Subaru Outbacks climbing up mountain passes, the dynamic duo had a bonding experience of a lifetime. In an arduous journey to revisit a past dail...

In this episode, Jason explains how he crashed his 1980 Rover 3500 V8 en route to film an episode of Jay Leno's Garage — and explains why it's so incredibly important to have agreed-value insurance on collector cars. === Visit http://JasonSentMe.com to get a Hagerty Guaranteed Value (TM) collector-car insurance quote! === The Carmudgeons are back from Summer Break 2025! And this episode is all about Jason's experience in crashing his Rover SD1 — and explaining the virtues of having great insurance. Earlier this year, Jason got up early morning to drive 400 miles to film an episode of Jay Leno's Garage featuring the Rover (sche...

Time for another AMA round of Ask Us Anything! We asked our listeners (that’s you) for questions, and we were positively bombarded. Now we return the favor with sarcasm and sass, plus an answer or two!

(Note: due to timing concerns, the last two episodes were published out of order. Sorry!)

=== This episode is sponsored by Vyper Industrial — America’s #1 rated shop chair, tool carts, and creepers, proudly made here in the US. Visit vyperindustrial.com and use code CARMUDGEON for $50 off. === A sampling of listener-posed questions found in this episode: Thoughts on the A124 M...

The C8 ZR1 has arrived, and so too has a new ICONS episode on Detroit’s supercar-killing, 1064-hp twin-turbo, flat-plane crank Corvette.

We’ll review the new car in detail and cover all the important bit players: the original 6-cylinder C1, the C3’s optional ZR1 package, the Lotus-powered C4, and the supercharged C6 and C7 – plus rivals like the Ferrari 348, Porsche 911 Turbo, Ferrari 296 and SF90, and Lamborghini Revuelto. Can the C8 ZR1 cement its legacy as peak American sports car, or has it lost the plot pursuing the Europeans? === This episode is sponsored by Vyper...

We review the new Audi RS6 Avant Performance, G99 BMW M5 Touring, Mercedes-AMG S63 E Performance and Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid. One looks spectacular, one has the most impressive suspension of all time, and one is unbuyable. === This episode is sponsored by Vyper Industrial — America’s #1 rated shop chair, tool carts, and creepers, proudly made here in the US. Visit vyperindustrial.com and use code CARMUDGEON for $50 off. === Welcome to the performance wagon episode! We’ve got Jason’s blue E30 325i Touring in the garage as we discuss a pair of long-roof autobahn bruisers: the G99 BMW M5 Touri...

Derek does the California Mille – California’s take on the 1000-mile Italian road rally, the Mille Miglia. Behind the wheel of a 1956 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Veloce, Derek (and OTS & Co. cofounder, Tazio Ottis), experienced some of central California’s best driving roads between Half Moon Bay and Calistoga alongside over 80 of the finest automobiles to exist by the mid-20th century. === This episode is sponsored by Vyper Industrial — America’s #1 rated shop chair, tool carts, and creepers, proudly made here in the US. Visit vyperindustrial.com and use code CARMUDGEON for $50 off. === Initially dreamt up by local driving legend and...

Jason takes a trip to the new Tire Rack/Discount Tire/America’s Tire testing facility in Texas: Treadwell Research Park. In addition to testing grip levels on BMWs and Jeeps on a monstrous wet skid pad, off-road course, rock crawling trail and more, he discovers the many lessons to be learned by carefully studying tire wear data – including how where you live can have a huge impact on how quickly you burn through your tires! === This episode is sponsored by Vyper Industrial — America’s #1 rated shop chair, tool carts, and creepers, proudly made here in the US. Visit vyperind...

Did Jeep accidentally build one of the best hot hatches of the last 40 years? It's is smaller than a Mk8 GTI and could be had with a bulletproof 4.0L inline-six and 5-speed transmission. Can it possibly give the quintessential VW hot-hatch a run for its money? We’ll talk Jeep XJ Cherokee, its origins, and all 8 generations of GTI – from the 16v 2.0L, to the 8v 2-point-slow, the soulless 1.8T, the venerable VR6, and the electric e-Golf! === This episode is sponsored by Vyper Industrial — America’s #1 rated shop chair, tool carts, and creepers, proudly made here in the US. Visit vy...

How to not get ripped off when buying a used classic car! How to spot fakes, frauds and phonies! The importance of documentation and pre-purchase inspections, and other lessons learned over 50 collective years of car shopping!

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This episode is sponsored by Vyper Industrial — America’s #1 rated shop chair, tool carts, and creepers, proudly made here in the US. Visit vyperindustrial.com and use code CARMUDGEON for $50 off.

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We start off with a reminder to put fuel stabilizer in your car when it’s going to sit fo...

Back by popular demand, it's another Random Number Generator Car Reviews episode, where Jason and Derek pull reviews of cars from their extensive spreadsheet. This, after Jason succeeds in getting his van, Jynah, stuck in the snow. And succeeds, despite there being no snow.

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This episode is sponsored by Vyper Industrial — America’s #1 rated shop chair, tool carts, and creepers, proudly made here in the US. Visit vyperindustrial.com and use code CARMUDGEON for $50 off.

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Jason takes the van to Tahoe to finally test the Vred...

The Ford Sierra RS Cosworth is best described as... Porsche-great. This week we’re doing a deep dive into Ford’s funky sedan of the 1980s: the Sierra, together with its American identical cousin, the Merkur XR4Ti.

In the early 1980s, Ford of Europe (and chairman Bob Lutz) was on a mission to get a piece of the export pie that was dominated by Mercedes, BMW, and Audi. The car they conjured up to do so, the Sierra, was a massive success in Europe.

When it eventually made it t...

A barrage of tariffs are foisted onto the automotive marketplace and throw a wrench into the car importing business (including Derek’s OTS and Co.). Are used cars affected? Not even ChatGPT knows. Jason wants to file a class action suit against VW for sunsetting 3G functionality in Mk7 cars, and Jay Leno puts his name behind California SB 712 to reduce the smog check burden on California-based classic car owners.

We’ll start off with 1980s turbocharged lag-mobiles: the Saab 99 Turbo, BMW 2002 Turbo, and Porsche 930. At the time, Lotus deemed this power curve and resp...

Bank robbers prefer sport sedans: all the speed of a supercar with seating for all their accomplices — and trunk space for their loot. And the fast sedan was born with the Jaguar sedan powered by a Le Mans-winning-engine.

In the 1950s, Jaguar was on a Le Mans winning streak with its MK120-C and D-Type race cars. But why let the sports cars have all the fun? In 1955 Jaguar introduced the 2.4 Saloon (aka the Mark 1), and a handful of months later plopped their Le Mans-winning 210 hp 3.4L straight-6 engine into the chassis to create th...

The 6-speed swapped Mercedes-Benz CLK63 AMG Black Series is finally here, and Jason drove it! Derek’s – or rather OTS’s – OEM-grade 6-speed manual CLK63 Black Series by Kwiek Classics is done, and Jason and Derek get behind the wheel to review the car that AMG should’ve built all along. 

Enthusiasts around the world have never had a chance to interact directly with AMG’s only clean-sheet engine, the M156 – a monster 6.2L, 32-valve, DOHC, cross-plane V8 making 500 horsepower for the CLK63 Black Series. But now, thanks to Matt Kwiek at Kwiek Classics, we finally can...

The Cizeta-Moroder V16T was the world's first sixteen-cylinder supercar, beating Bugatti by more than a decade. From its Gandini-designed Lamborghini origins, to disco-backed financing via Giorgio Moroder, a star-studded launch party with MC Jay Leno, and a cavalcade of lawsuits that continued up until the death of company founder and creator Claudio Zampolli in 2021.

Brian Wiklem’s "16" book is available here:

https://www.cizeta-v16t.com/

This is the true story of the Cizeta-Moroder V16T. 

The Cizeta’s mysterious engine has l...

We dish the VW/Audi dirt with tuning company 034Motorsport’s Director of Sales and Marketing, Nick Mercadante. We’ll discuss 40 years worth of VAG foibles, from mismatched rotors, calipers that can’t handle the heat, 1980s ABS tech, wandering shifters and shattering engine mounts – but don’t worry, 034 has you covered! 

Nick brought out his Audi 90 for us on this episode, and we’ll start by discussing its 6-level, buttock-melting heated seats (the relay for which is on its deathbed). Jason’s dad had this same car back in Germany in the 90s – featuring cloth s...

We talk with SCCA Hall of Fame race car driver Randy Pobst. From his racing origins in a Mk1 VW Rabbit, to his 2 wins at the 24 Hours of Daytona, and his personal car collection – including his Smokey and the Bandit Trans Am and Flyin’ Moose Volvo 740. 

To start, we’ll dive into Randy’s racing experience: factory contracts with Porsche, Mazda, Volvo, and Toyota. Winning the 24 Hours of Daytona not once, but twice, and his 2015 induction into the SCCA Hall of Fame. We’ll cover his exploits at Thunderhill, VIR, Road Atlanta, Laguna Seca, Daytona, Pi...

Many enthusiasts don't realize that the Alfa Romeo 164 and Saab 9000 share their underpinnings — with the Lancia Thema and Fiat Croma. They all ride on the Fiat Tipo Quattro (Type 4) platform, and in this episode, we discuss the their history and drive the three most powerful, quickest, and fastest FWD sport sedans of their era.

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WATCH THE FULL REVELATIONS EPISODE HERE:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G71uIVvnzvw

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This is a history less about their initial development, to the plethora of engine options, po...

It's time to be honest with each other and the world: Derek and Jason take turns roasting (or just honestly reviewing) the other's cars in their collections. Plus, they roast their own stuff.

We’ll cover the good and the bad of nearly all of the boys’ various vehicles: 

Derek’s bikes – the Ducati Panigale V4S and Husqvarna 701 Supermoto. 

Jason’s E30s – the 325i wagon and beater sedan track car. 

The mid-engine Italian exotics – Derek's Lamborghini Miura and Jason's 1975 Ferrari 308 GT4.

Land Cruiser is one of Toyota’s – and, arguably, the world’s – most haloed marques. In this episode, Jason and Derek discuss its origins and history from its jeep origins, to its enormous family tree, all the way up to the brand new 250-series models, the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser and Lexus GX550.

Jason and the Hagerty crew traveled to the rugged, mountainous outskirts of Salt Lake City (and the nearby Land Cruiser Heritage Museum) to film an ICONS episode on the illustrious off-roading Toyota. And in this episode, the carmudgeons dive into the origins of the J...

Jason and Derek drive and discuss the legendary Lancia Stratos – its origins, its parts-bin interior, and its unhinged handling.

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On today’s episode, things start off by looking at commenters' nominations for elegant mid-engine cars. Most are promptly rejected, but a handful give the Carmudgeons pause: the De Tomaso P72, McLaren Speedtail, Jaguar XJ220, Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale, and Ferrari 296. And two previously overlooked but notably elegant exceptions are: the Ferrari 246 Dino and the first...

Jason and Derek discuss the origins of one of Lamborghini’s most iconic models: the Diablo. And what makes this 1 of 83 GT edition so special.  

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The Carmudgeon Show Sponsor, Vredestein Tires:

https://www.vredestein.com/

Click here to join the Hagerty Driver's Club: https://bit.ly/Join-HDC-Cammisa-Rev

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Prior to recording this episode, Jason’s Diablo-experience was limited to a blue VT he drove as part of a V12 Lamborghini story back in 2012 that included a 1972 Miura SV, 1988 Countach 5000 QV, Mu...

Jason and Derek review their top 10 best (and worst) experiences behind the wheel in 2024. Everything from ulta-rare Porsches, to open-air Lamborghinis, manual-swapped Mercedes (and Ferraris), supercars, hypercars, rally icons, and more!

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The Carmudgeon Show Sponsor, Vredestein Tires:

https://www.vredestein.com/

Click here to join the Hagerty Driver's Club: https://bit.ly/Join-HDC-Cammisa-Rev

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Christmas comes early for us this year (but not quite in time for this episode) in the form of 6 brand new sets of dutch rubber...

We quickly review the fastest cars you can buy for less than $35,000: the 2024 Ford Mustang EcoBoost High-Performance Pack, 2024 Subaru Impreza WRX tS 6MT, 2025 Mazda3 Turbo AWD, 2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI 380 S manual, 2025 Hyundai Elantra N 6MT, 2025 Mini Cooper S and 2024 Toyota GR86 Trueno 6MT (and Subaru BRZ twin). Plus 3 of the quickest – and most expensive – new GT cars on sale today: the 2025 McLaren GTS, 2024 Mercedes-AMG GT63, and 2025 Bentley Continental GT Speed.

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The Carmudgeon Show Sponsor, Vredestein Tires:

https://www.vredestein.com/

Click here to join the Hage...

A double episode: First, our experts weigh in on Jaguar's new marketing stunt and concept. And second, Jason drives a prototype Lucid Gravity, the all-new SUV.

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The Carmudgeon Show Sponsor, Vredestein Tires:

https://www.vredestein.com/

Click here to join the Hagerty Driver's Club: https://bit.ly/Join-HDC-Cammisa-Rev

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This was a big week for Jaguar, with a controversial ad that got lots of attention, and a wild concept that previews its new 4-door electric GT. Jason feels it's...

The legendary, 500-hp Mercedes CLK63 AMG Black Series was never produced with a manual transmission. So, Derek had one built.

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The Carmudgeon Show Sponsor, Vredestein Tires:

https://www.vredestein.com/

Click here to join the Hagerty Driver's Club: https://bit.ly/Join-HDC-Cammisa-Rev

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Derek Tam-Scott's company, OTS & Co., purchased a C209-chassis 2008 Mercedes CLK63 AMG Black Series for science/tax reasons and immediately sent it to Matt Kwiek of @kwiekclassics for a new Mercedes-sourced manual transmission swap.

<...

Can the new Tesla Model 3 Performance dethrone the G80 BMW M3 as the sports sedan king?

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Click here to join the Hagerty Driver's Club: https://bit.ly/Join-HDC-Cammisa-Rev

The Carmudgeon Show Sponsor, Vredestein Tires:

https://www.vredestein.com/

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On this episode of the Carmudgeon Podcast, the boys discuss proper AIM sign-off acronyms, size queens, and Jason’s 3/4” toe-in on his E31 BMW 850 CSI (and its broken shifter). Then, Jason shares tales from Radwood SoCal, including the winners of his...

Jason and Derek open up their review archives once again and share stories about the cars they've driven over the years. 

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Click here to join the Hagerty Driver's Club: https://bit.ly/Join-HDC-Cammisa-Rev

The Carmudgeon Show Sponsor, Vredestein Tires:

https://www.vredestein.com/

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In this episode, the boys ponder the meaning of a Jaguar “175 Edition”, give praise to the best rear wiper integration ever, debate if a Juke can be cute, and wonder how many cylinders power the illus...

Is there such a thing as a car so perfect that it doesn't need any modifications?

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Click here to join the Hagerty Driver's Club: https://bit.ly/Join-HDC-Cammisa-Rev

The Carmudgeon Show Sponsor, Vredestein Tires:

https://www.vredestein.com/

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Jason and Derek have modified many of the cars in their personal collections, which makes Jason wonder: is any of those cars so good that any modification would make it worse?

The discussion begins with...

Derek and Jason own many cars and once in a while, many of them break. Or receive really cool upgrades. It's time for a car-nerd fleet update!

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Click here to join the Hagerty Driver's Club: https://bit.ly/Join-HDC-Cammisa-Rev

See: https://www.vredestein.com/

And: https://www.radwood.com/socal-2024

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The boys start with discussing "de-advanced" ignition timing on the Rover SD1 — and Jason did his first-ever brake master cylinder rebuild. But the big issue is that Jason wa...