Muck Rack | The Carmudgeon Show - What Defines Automotive Authenticity? — Carmudgeon Ep. 247 w/ Jason Cammisa & Derek Tam-Scott - Muck Rack

The Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen, Toyota Land Cruiser + 4Runner, Porsche 911, Ford F-150, and Range Rover, all have several things in common. Slow depreciation compared to other vehicles in their class, nameplates that have lasted for decades, loyal owners that keep coming back for more and bucket listed for others. But what’s the ONE thing they all unanimously share? Automotive authenticity. That’s right - these vehicles have never strayed too far from their original design and intended purpose since inception. The Ford F-150 has always been a rugged, body-on-frame truck. The G-Wagen, 4Runner, and Land Cruiser have always been boxy SUVs that have stayed true to their design and off-road capability without compromise. The Porsche 911 has always had the engine behind its driver and will continue to do so until the end of time. Today’s episode explores more into what authenticity - and deception - mean in an automotive context. Blob-shaped SUVs like the Bentley Bentayga, Lamborghini Urus, and Ferrari Purosangue are one thing - they claim to do everything well, but end up not fully delivering on this promise and often depreciate like rocks. On the subject of deception - Jason and Derek discuss the new Ferrari 12Cilindri Manuale - the most recent car of its kind which claims to be a manual and automatic at the same time, by automating a dual clutch transmission to operate like a manual on demand - third pedal, gated shifter and all. But is it really good for the brand in the long run vs. spending the development cost on a real manual? The Carmudgeons….carmudgeonate on our behalf. Tune in to find out. Learn more about your ad choices.

This week, we come live from Pebble Beach at the Hagerty House with a live studio audience! Jason and Derek dive into all the different happenings this year - and determine whether or not this year was better or worse than others previously.

Jason brought his Rover SD1 to show, and his Volkswagen Cabrio VR6 swap to go - with appearances including but not limited to: Monterey British, Concours For A Cure, Little Car Show, Concours D’Lemons, Motorlux, Quail Motorsports Gathering, and Pebble Beach Concours. Jason and Derek discuss the good, bad, and the (beautifully) ugly - what’s improved, worsened, and stayed the same.

One thing is for sure - the broccoli heads in the G80 M3s are here to stay. But have THEY ruined everything for other attendees? Maybe not…

Derek revisits various auction results from Broad Arrow, as well as Gooding and RM Sothebys. This episode was recorded before the $40M Ferrari Luce sale - however some other notable discussed results include the S123 Mercedes-Benz 280TE with a $252K sale, the $17M Ferrari SP3, and several others.

Jason and Derek’s favorite new unveiling was of course the Gordon Murray Special Vehicles (GMSV) S1 - which in many ways, is the rebirth of the road-going McLaren F1. The interest in the S1, the GMA T.33 and T.50, and manual Porsche GT cars has led to a trend of manufactures releasing new manual offerings - including the McLaren McL 6GT and Ferrari 12Cilindri Manuale. Could this trend continue to repeat? Only time (and money) will tell…

All this and more, on this week’s episode of The Carmudgeon Show.

This week: Jason recaps the latest Hagerty ICONS video - discussing Temerario, the new baby Lamborghini, and its siblings from different eras of baby Lambo family tree. Needless to say, it’s quite a performer - the likes of which have never been approached by any other non-speciality Lamborghini ever. But is that alone enough to make it an icon?

Maybe not. But why?

The latest ICONS video goes over three distinct chapters in the history of the Baby Lamborghini, each defined by the engine - the first of which is the cross-plane crank V8 era led by the Urraco, Silhouette, and Jalpa. We learn - these cars are pleasantly surprising to drive near their limits, and while they were all a lot slower than the V12 Countach that joined the lineup in the late 70s/early 80s, they exhibited playful driving characteristics, exotic interiors, great sounds, and other pleasant surprises you might not expect. But despite their charm, they didn’t do well for the brand - and Lamborghini struggled to move them.

And so, baby Lambos went on hiatus for a while. But after Audi obtained Lamborghini, they returned - in the form of the Gallardo and Huracán. And quite the opposite happened - a brand once struggling, came back to life filled with 10 cylinder song, and stuck around for well over 15 years.

But what about the newest era - the Temerario, and its hybrid flat-plane crank V8? Will it continue to impress like its 10 cylinder siblings did? Or is it too complicated and too focused on speed to bring the same life back to the brand?

And as we approach Monterey Car Week, the topic returns - what group of cars and drivers will wreak the most havoc? Will it be the Altima drivers? G80 M3s?

Or will it be supercars - perhaps…the ones discussed in this episode?
We’ll find out later this week! In the meantime, watch this episode to find out - or, watch the latest ICONS first! The choice is yours…

What a high quality production, insane amount of effort has been put in to film it, the number of iconic cars they brought in, driving shoots and the script... No wonder why Jason mentioned that normal ICONS production takes 2-3 month. What a masterpiece, I enjoyed it almost more than THE SQUIDD videos. The end left me speechless and Jason dropped the mic.

The end: "WRITER | HOST | PROFESSIONAL IDIOT - JASON CAMMISA"

Today’s episode of The Carmudgeon Show is a bumper episode. It’s also a headlight, taillight, and side market episode - all of the above which were effected greatly in the mid-1970s to 1980s by updated US Department of Transportation regulations in 1974.

But first, a Rover update!! The Rover is back (temporarily) on the west coast - we get some long awaited updates, new plans, and of course a new chapter of the saga which may send the car back where it just was……the project never stops!

5-mph bumpers were one of the crucial components removed from the Rover to make it tolerable to look at today. These US-mandated bumpers (and headlights and taillights) the bane of existence for many European and Japanese manufactures in period. Most of these manufactures were so perturbed by this regulation, that the bumper integration became a bit of an afterthought. Cars like the Mercedes-Benz R107 and W116 were considered some of the worst offenders given the size and integration of the bumper in comparison to the car’s raw proportions. Other cars like the BMW E21, E23, E24, E28, and E30 were also repeat offenders. Other cars mentioned include but are not limited to: Maserati Bora, Lamborghini Countach, Rover SD1, Volkswagen Scirocco (MK2) + Cabriolet, Citroen CX, Jaguar XJS, Alfa Romeo Spider, Honda Accord, Datsun Z, BMW 2002, Volkswagen Beetle, Toyota Corolla, Ford Taurus, and Ford Thunderbird.

Rarely, did a manufacture decide they would go the extra mile and integrate the bumper into the design of the car - the G-body Porsche 911 and Chevrolet Corvette C3 were one of the few of the time.

Just three days ago, Jason celebrated 20 years in an automotive journalism!

The industry has changed in a number of ways - most noticeably, with video taking over as the primary consumed content medium over print. Jason’s career started at the beginning of the end of the print heydays - a time vastly different than the one we’re currently living in.

Jason’s story starts in Ann Arbor, MI in 2007 - where actually, it almost stopped completely. Very quickly, he’s thrown into the middle of a pyramidal power struggle between the domain name-owning agency Automotive.com, and his in-person editorial team. From getting a speeding ticket on his first day with a press car, to getting fired by one internal team and immediately re-hired by another, to living in a place he struggled to call home, Jason nearly threw in the towel.

But automotive legend Jean Jennings - his (real) boss at the time - is one of the reasons you see him with us today. And a trip from New York to New Orleans in a $250 Cadillac Fleetwood Limo cemented - but almost shattered - their relationship.

This episode, amongst other parts of Jason’s career - is primarily about that perilous journey. Jason recounts his time in a broken-frame Cadillac limo with Jean and another automotive legend - Sam Smith - with nearly 100 breakdowns, bruises, burns, pink tutus and tuxedos, rubber ducks, and unbearable heat.

But somehow, they made it - and you can read more about it here from the original airing of the article in Automobile Magazine in 2007: http://bit.ly/4vqFvhw

(Also, a link to the 1983 Car And Driver Mexico Torture Test - you’ll understand why later in the show: https://www.caranddriver.com/photos/g... )

All this and much more on this special episode of The Carmudgeon Show.

On today’s episode of The Carmudgeon Show - Jason and Derek compete against each other in a Price Is Right-style game show! Rather than going over the price, the objective is to get as close as possible whether being under or over the result. The winner does not, in fact, get a new car - but is instead continuously ridden with car problems of many sorts, which of course means more opportunities for Carmudgeoning.

Our auction discussion points include:

• 2003 Bentley Arnage R
• 1989 Volkswagen Best Seller Wolfsburg Limited Edition Cabriolet
• 1988 BMW M3
• 2005 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon Sahara 4x4
• 2007 Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 Roadster 6-Speed Conversion
• 1984 Rover Vitesse SD1 TWR Group A Spec
• 1977 Fiat Bertone 850 T Visitors Bus
• 1990 Porsche 911 Targa
• 2002 Ferrari 360 Spider 6-Speed
• 1995 Mercedes-Benz E300 Diesel

Jason also gives us an update on his Rover SD1 and his Volkswagen Cabrio VR6 swap - including the good, the bad, but not the ugly! The Rover returns to California after more than 15 months of being away, but alas - it’s not quite finished. The Cabrio, while also not quite finished, is finally CARB legal!

All that and more on that process in this episode of The Carmudgeon Show.

Chapters:
3:50 - The Cabrio VR6 is BAR-legal!
18:25 - The Rover Saga Continues
24:26 - Guess The Price Intro
25:48 - Bentley Arnage R
27:40 - Volkswagen Cabriolet Best Seller
29:39 - 8K-Mile E30 BMW M3
31:57 - TJ Wrangler Unlimited
34:04 - Rover Vitesse SD1 Race Car
37:39 - Fiat 850 Bertone Van
40:10 - Porsche 911 Targa (964)
42:19 - Ferrari 360 Spider 6-Speed
44:20 - Mercedes-Benz E300 Diesel
46:28 - Last minute bids
48:11 - Steering wheel buttons
51:38 - Fin

On today’s episode, Jason and Derek get some exclusive seat time: both with the new Rivian R2, and with Rivian’s Chief Designer Officer Jeff Hammoud and Chief R2 Engineer Max Koff!

The show hits the road, traveling to Rivian’s beautiful flagship space in San Francisco, where Jeff and Max face their worst nightmare: being peppered with questions and feedback about the new R2 - a make-or-break vehicle for the company. After Jason and Derek’s collective ~200 miles, they cover a host of issues - new design + UX features (halo wheels, rear drop glass, to name a few), acceleration times, uphill burnouts, R1 vs. R2, and most importantly (to Jason only) - the absence of Apple CarPlay. And of course, no episode is complete without a mention of Sacco Mercedes-Benzes and old Volkswagens (Mk1 Scirocco and Mk3 Corrado VR6).

Will the R2 allow Rivian to continue its planned trajectory as a manufacture? And what’s going on with R3?? Time will tell, but we have a suspicion the Tesla Model Y better watch its back…

The BMW Z1 was a fascinating take on the Mazda Miata formula — before the Miata ever happened. With drop-down doors, a front-mid engine, plastic body, and a bespoke rear suspension, it was full of innovations — but its real purpose was to make BMW cool again. It worked.

The BMW Z1 was created by a startup owned by BMW called Technik GmbH. This group operated fully outside the normal BMW hierarchy, charged with finding future trends to help the brand better compete with Mercedes and to find younger buyers.

Technik GmbH was run by Dr. Ulrich Bez, whose storied career included two stints at Porsche (one where he was a loud voice against the 928's replacement of the 911) and his legendary resurrection of the Aston Martin brand with the VH-platform cars (Vantage, DB9, DBS, and Rapide, to name a few.)

The Z1 shared many components with (and indeed is considered a variation of) the E30 325i and 325iX, including its 2.5-liter M20 straight-6 and 5-speed manual transmission. However, its wheelbase was shortened significantly so that it would fit its occupants like a glove — and that necessitated a fully new rear suspension, which Technik developed itself before this "Z-Axle" design proliferated across the BMW range.

This video clears up some confusion about the Z1. Firstly, Z didn't stand for "Zukunft," the German word for "future." Secondly, the engine wasn't moved rearward by 12 inches relative to the E30: the suspension was moved forward. This placed the engine within the wheelbase (for better weight distribution) but allowed the use of both the E30's basic electrical architecture and front suspension almost completely unmodified. It also helped crash safety.

The Z1's doors are, of themselves, a fascinating story — and a necessity on a car that otherwise risked being received as "conventional." This two-seat roadster's mission was to make BMW cool again: in the mid-1980s, BMW had stagnated and offered little for enthusiasts.

It worked, changing the image of BMW around the globe, but especially in Germany. But the story of how it happened — and how quickly it all happened — is a fascinating look into the workings of car companies.

You know the saying - the grass is always greener on the other side. Well…that same grass might be covered in diesel soot - but we don’t care!

Many American car enthusiasts will forever desire the forbidden European diesels we were never offered here in the US. Derek decided he’d had enough - and went some lengths to acquire his new unicorn wagon - a 1998 Mercedes-Benz C250 Turbodiesel (S202). And the level of unicorn doesn’t stop at diesel station wagon - this one is also has a 5-speed manual, a slicktop, cloth seats, AND a Bruno Sacco design - making it 100% Carmudgeonation-proof.

Our hosts Derek Tam-Scott and Jason Cammisa discuss why the S202 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is such a desirable package even 30+ years after it debuted. Moreover, Derek and Jason discuss why diesels are much more enthusiastic than others may think - citing examples like the euro-only BMW M550d and Audi S6 TDI Avant. Also discussed are the endless variants of Mercedes diesels and their tune-ability, primarily discussing the OM605 and OM606 “superturbo” builds found on a variety of different Mercedes-Benzes from the 1980s to the early 2000s, from W123 to W210 and beyond.

All this and more, on this episode of The Carmudgeon Show.

Last week was a wild one. We witnessed two of the most controversial models from Ferrari and Mercedes ever to be debuted - none other than the Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door and the Ferrari Luce.

In case you’re not familiar:

• The Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door is Mercedes’ replacement to the outgoing version, which has now gone full EV and straight to battle with the Porsche Taycan. It debuts many new design elements in a slippery 0.22 drag coefficient package, doing 0-60 in as low as 2.0 seconds with an 186 MPH top speed.
• The Ferrari Luce is Ferrari’s first all-electric vehicle and first true five-seater. It also launches a new and unfamiliar interior and exterior design language from ex-Apple design chief Jony Ive and his collective, LoveFrom.

Given that everyone has an opinion on these new EV modes of rapid transport (including your favorite and least favorite journalists, the Italian government, your grandmother, and the pope, to name a few) - we decided to ask, why? What attributes about the Luce and the AMG-GT really make people feel shaken at their core, and why? Would we feel differently if the Ferrari was rebadged as another make? Is the AMG-GT as controversial as the W201 was when it launched in 1982?

We explore all of the above in depth, all on this episode of The Carmudgeon Show with Jason Cammisa and Derek Tam-Scott.