Show Notes
Have you ever been curious about where some automotive terminology comes from or what that obscure term even means? Well, the guys dive into the stories behind some common car terms and even go deeper into some of the more obscure and the interesting origins of them. It may be surprising how many things in the automotive realm we take for granted and not think about why they are called that and if there is even a reason behind the name. Strap in for an educational one this week. Cold Start Hint: It has international styling but not an international sound
Answer to Episode 72 Cold Start: Wacky Races theme song
More from Cold Start
Restomods have become a massive industry within the automotive space in the last decade, popularized by big names like Singer and Guntherwerks. It is interesting to see its increased popularity as more car enthusiasts yearn for the old analog feel with modern amenities. However, the companies within this emerging market operate in a gray area of rebuilding old cars rather than being considered manufacturers. Todd and Sylas explore the differences of brands like Singer compared to RUF, and what are the main draw backs of buying a restomod compared to a manufactured car. Cold Start Hint: John Lennon tune at least twice Answer to Episode 85 Cold Start: BMW F82 M4
Have you ever been on vacation and thought to yourself, "it would be so much cooler if I had my car here!" Okay, maybe this thought only passes through car enthusiasts' heads when their beloved car has been left at home. This internal voice is louder in some heads than others, and it drives some people to take vacations with their cars. Of course road trips aren't something new or daring, but what if that internal voice convinced you it was a good idea to ship your car overseas to join you on a European vacation? This is exactly what ran through Sam Stromberg's head as he shipped his BMW M4 from the United States to Europe -- to go on the road trip adventure of a lifetime. Cold Start Hint: Danger to crank hub
Back for more answering of the why questions no one thinks to ask. This time Todd and Sylas get into those little details around your car that you may not notice on the day to day but you most certainly have seen. Ever wondered why the edges of your windshield have those little black dots? This episode is your chance to find out why -- plus learning other earth-shattering stories behind automotive design. Cold Start Hint: Speedo is limited to 85mph, but maybe 88?
What started as a public relations crisis turned into absolute dominance on track. Todd and Sylas cover the fascinating story behind Audi making their debut in American motorsports, and the performance that followed. The 1988 Trans-Am season was not only the first time that Audi raced in America, minus the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, but it was also the first time they went circuit racing. Audi has always been know in the motorsport history books for their success in rally, but not many know about their early days on pavement. Their all wheel drive Quattro system was so dominant in circuit racing that it was seen as an "unfair advantage", and actually led to AWD racecars being banned in several series. Cold Start Hint: A sedan turned racecar, with an odd number of cylinders.
The guys sit down with Daniel Rascher, a sports economist and Professor at the University of San Francisco, and the President of the consulting firm, SportsEconomics. With decades of experience in the sports industry, he has worked with clients such as the NBA, NFL, MLB, NASCAR, Formula 1, IndyCar, ALMS, and many more. Professor Rascher gives his perspective on the economics of the motorsports industry at the moment, and shares his experience working on the major antitrust case between 23XI and NASCAR earlier in 2026. Get ready: we are going back to class, to learn about a side of motorsports that we don't typically think about! (Plus, Sylas learns that yards are used in football, not baseball. :-)) Cold Start Hint: It raced after the IndyCar split