Car-Chum: Recent Episodes
Tony
Two chums; one podcast. An automotive journalist and a radio presenter with a shared mono-maniacal interest; surely this should be good. Surely.
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For more information on what this Golden Hour lark is all about, please read the description of Golden Hour 1. Or Golden Hour 2. Thank you.
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But wait...there's more. As if that wasn't HOT enough (uploaded during Heatwave), there's also 'information' on handling characteristics, Pot Holes and driver weight.
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Can't imagine what inspired Tony and his Car-Chum, Mike, to think about economy and efficiency. And in the spirit of economy, I will write no more here.
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Tony ditches his BMW motorbike and is left with a load of lids, while Mike sniffs leaky lines on his BMW car. This quick Car Share from Car-Chum is brought to you by Mercedes Benz.
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Car-Chum - big in Japan? Massive. But that's not quite what I meant. Instead, here's an episode all about...err,
Journalist, Mike Renaut joins Tony to explore the land of the rising (Dat)sun.
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Who knew Mazda makes a Six? What other cars manage more than four bangers? And if you've never heard of 'The Camfather', Ed - listen and learn. Fun and fact in equal measure: welcome to this edition of Car Share from Car-Chum.
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Just like episodes History 1, History 2 and History 3, but about the 1920s. And a bit longer. And a little more fun than History 3. I'm not writing any more for fear of overselling!
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Like buses - they all come at once. So it's been for Tony's Car-Chum Mike this week. A BMW/Audi/Mercedes spotting fest. Do tell us more. Do.
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Dedication is what you need. And a trumpet. And this episode of Car-Chum, where Tony and Mike the-car-journo truffle out 'interesting' automotive record breakers. Don't expect the usual stats...
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This week on Car-Chum's Car Share quickie update, more continental road tripping, Bonneville record tribute and a cat in a sphere. Catchy, eh? Add wet timing belts for good measure, too. It makes more sense as you plough through the episode.
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CarShare quickie: more driveway congestion at Tony's, a quick excursion to the Sahara and Mike's mate splashes the cash on a C3. In truth, the episode is probably more interesting than that, but better to under-sell and over-deliver, surely?
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Sometimes I'm so pleased with the title I forget the episode. Jokes. Join me and my Car-Chum Mike Renaut - yes the classic auto-journo - as we head to the Continent for a French Fancy or two. This is Car-Chum's French edition. In English.
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Car-Radio hosted this year's Podcast Lounge Cafe and Stage at the NEC Classic 2025. Join Tony and his Car-Chum Mike as they're make space on said sofa for Sheldon and Will - The Dream Car Fixers.
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Flipping Bangers' Gus Gregory and Will Trickett are treated to unsolicited car facts by Tony and historical stalking by Mike. That's Car-Chum for you.
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One in, one out: that's Car-Chum's new mantra. Not Tony and his Car-Chum, Mike, obvs - rules! Make a new one; get rid of an old one. And please, please, please make sense of Road Tax and City Emissions rules; they're both madly complex and self-defeating.
If you read that, you just saved yourself 27 minutes of listening.
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In this episode, the Car-Chums offer you the chance to experience the decade in realtime with them. Find out all about hand-cranking, ghosts and vixens. It’s a jam-packed, fun-filled frolic through the decade that gave us the Model T and an hour of Car-Chum.
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Give Car-Chum twenty minutes of your time and it will give you the collective noun for a group of Woodlice. Add to that, some design language, no bad language and some learned discourse and you have this fortnight's quickie catchup with the Chums. We call it Car-Chum's Car-Share.
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Do you love cars? And do you love the thought of Etymology? Great! You've come to the right place. Tony and his Car-Chum Mike - noted car writer and something else - take a deep and intellectual dive into the world of car naming.
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Do you like exhausts? Do you like listening to two people talk about exhausts? If that sounds like you, join Tony and his Car-Chum, car-journalist, Mike as they talk about...exhausts.
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The title I've carefully crafted there says enough, I think. Join me, Tony, with my Car-Chum and auto-author, Mike for this fortnight's CarShare quickie.
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If History Lesson 1 wasn’t enough… Tony and his Car-Chum, Mike, take a meander back through pioneering times just after the turn of the century. Who knew they had hybrids and four-wheel steering then?
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Who knew Alignment could be so interesting and so much fun. Listen to this and find the answer. Tony and his auto-author Car-Chum, Mike, talk Toe in this fortnight's quickie Car Share update.
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Recorded in 2024, this episode sat abandoned at Car-Chum Studio Park and Resort...until now. With the passing of Gene Hackman, the content took on a some sense of purpose, so I dug it out and gave it the briefest of polishes. It's a bit raw, but timing is everything. Tony - that's me - is joined by his Car-Chum and auto-author Mike Renaut. Mike takes his research seriously and watched The French Connection several times in several rooms, on several sofas, in black and white and upside down for this episode. Was it worth it? You judge.
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Tony’s been to the F1 Experience and his Car-Chum, Mike, has had an experience. In a gutter. On the plus side, he got a badge for doing it.
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Tony has totally lost confidence in whether this is actually the 100th episode. And his Car-Chum, Mike, has no idea either. Regardless, the chums treat it with all the reverence you would expect.
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Grab a Slushie and listen to this old slush about slush. But wait, there's more! A broken Jimny Dipstick and...well, there must be more. Surely.
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It's cold outside, so what could be more appropriate than Tony and his Car-Chum, Mike, delving into ICE? Oh! Hang on. In Car Entertainment. Kind of like Car-Chum itself: entertainment in your car. Enough! Get on with it!
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In this edition of Car-Chum's Car Share Tony muses on why his driveway is populated by dead brands and Mike drops the mic by saying he wants to go two-wheelin'.
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How very festive? Not. In this edition of Car-Chum's Car Share, Tony and his Car-Chum Mike deliberate the future sales aspirations of niche brands like Genesis. They also discover differences in their willingness to compromise on functioning features. Happy Christmas.
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A rip-snorting 12-part blast through the history of the automobile. Decade by decade, the Car-Chums pick their choice moments of development, innovation and dead ends. Tony and his automotive journalist chum Mike also tell their personal tales from behind the wheel (or tiller) and choose a standout product from each period.
This episode: where it all started. Maybe a little bit before, but not too much horse.
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Car-Chum host Tony goes Polestar shopping in Battersea and his car chum Mike wrestles with a forty year old knob in his BMW. The usual fayre.
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Car-Chum took to the stage live at the NEC Classic Motor Show 2024. Join Tony and his Car-Chum Mike in the Podcast Lounge. They're joined by award winning author Simon Charlesworth for a ramble around motor shows past and present.
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Should a round-the-world Maestro be left in peace asks Car-Chum host Tony? And should a Porsche Boxter be taken to pieces wonders his Car-Chum Mike?
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As per the title! Car-Chum is off to Birmingham again in November...but this time we're on stage. (Quick: think of something interesting to say.)
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It’s showtime again and Car-Chum was invited to cover Beaulieu’s Simply British event. Join Tony and his Car-Chum Mike demonstrating what they don’t know as they take a leisurely wander around the show.
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If you liked Rustival 1, you'll love Rustival 2. And this time Car-Chum made it onto the stage. With permission! Here's Tony and Mike's doing what they do - all hosted by Practical Classics' Danny Hopkins.
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Ever been faintly disappointed by the reality after the Concept? Just wait until you hear this episode.
Join Tony and his Car-Chum and auto journalist, Mike Renaut, as they analyse the details in pitiless detail. Wait, that can’t be right.
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Welcome to Car-Chum’s Car Share – a monthly update on what’s happening. And what’s not happening. And what should be happening. And might have happened if only…
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It wasn’t Tony; it was his Car-Chum Mike. The episode title is his work.
Regardless, join the Chums as they attempt to choose a car for life.
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Fancy listening to two men with no hands-on experience of the subject talk about car design? Great! Here's your chance. It's the latest edition of Car-Chum where auto journalist Mike Renaut joins Tony to impart great wisdom and 'humour'. There's also a fascinating critique of the Jag E-Type's design. All to look forward to then...
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They say it’s what is inside that really matters. Just ask the designer of the Ssangyong Rodius. Tony and his Car-Chum Mike set about finding out if interiors are the deciding factor for 38.6% of new car buyers.
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Tony and Mike go Rallying …from the comfort of their studios. Join Tony and his Car-Chum Mike as they delve sideways first into the hedge via the ditch.
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Happy Birthday Ford Mustang! Sixty years ago this week – well, the week we made this edition of Car-Chum. Join Tony and Mike as they saddle up and talk Pony. Whatever that means.
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What’s it like to be a roadtester? Imagine a different new car on your driveway every week, endless track-time and glitzy trips to launches in Monaco.
Now imagine if Tony and his Car-Chum Mike had thought to ask some of these questions of Vicky Parrott - roadtester, editor, writer, presenter and rather good driver. Instead they did this. Testing Testing from Car-Chum.
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Car-Chum’s on the road yet again this week, this time to the Practical Classics Restoration Show at the NEC. Tony and his Car-Chum, Mike, have tools on the mind…
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Car-Chum heads to the British Motor Museum in Warwickshire to cover the inaugural Rustival car show. Tony and his Car-Chum, Mike, bump into to some familiar faces and new characters from ‘the scene’.
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Tony and Mike head off the potholed tarmac to explore All Terrain Vehicles. From Mars to Iceland and EVs to tractor pulling, this is the Car-Chum episode that doesn’t need roads where it going.
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Youtube sensation(!), Matt Richardson from Furious Driving fails to learn from his mistake in joining Car-Chum years ago, by turning up again. On this edition of Car-Chum, Tony and Mike cross-examine each other – and Matt – on the vexed question: Old or New?
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Car-Chum opens the door to the future in this episode…and finds someone rather knowledgeable on the other side (of that door). Noah Gedriamas, VP of Strategy at GPR (Ground Positioning Radar), joins Tony and his Car-Chum Mike to autonomously talk auto autonomy.
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Car-Chum feels the long arm of the law in this episode. Tony's joined by his regular Car-Chum and motoring journalist, Mike to tell the stories of cars and their drivers getting nicked! From Bonnie and Clyde's letter to Henry Ford, through the-most-stolen Ford Capri, to modern-day dodgy data dealings, it's all here on this edition of Car-Chum.
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Just occasionally, something car-ry happens that’s deemed interesting enough to bump celebrity tittle-tattle out of the news. Tony and Mike mine the archives to find such car news that made it…to the news. So, Here is the News.
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Tyre expert Ben Field – Vintage Tyre MD – joins Tony and Mike on this episode of Car-Chum. They tell tales of great winter driving bravery. Well, getting stuck on the driveway anyway. Also, there’s a free winter tyre fact buried in all the fun, too. Get a grip and join Car-Chum for this winter wonderland special.
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Grab your high-viz and join Car-Chum in its favourite location – bonnet up by the side of the road. This time, Tony and Mike unravel the knot in the tow rope, search for the missing trailer ramp and get creative making a ‘temporary’ number plate. Caution: Car-Chum’s On Tow!
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Don’t fast forward, don’t walk off, don’t start scrolling! Car-Chum’s taking a break for ad breaks. In this episode, Tony and his Car-Chum Mike delve deep into the world of automotive advertising.
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More from the Car-Chums as Tony and Mike finish their weekend at the Classic Motor Show 2023.
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Car-Chums Tony and Mike head to Birmingham for the NEC Classic Motor Show 2023. They catch up with loads of clubs, exhibitors and show organisers to give you a flavour of this year’s event.
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Classic Jaguar’s editor, Sam Skelton, joins Tony and Mike on this edition of the Car-Chum Podcast. There’s a bit of Jag stuff, but oh so much more besides. Sam also reveals the most comfortable car on sale – and it is not what you would expect. Go on: take a guess. And then take a listen to this edition of the ever-entertaining Car-Chum.
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What’s the opposite of a Mini? A Maxi. The opposite of a boring automotive podcast? Car-Chum. And a Main Stealer’s parts counter? A scrap or junk yard. And that’s exactly where Car-Chum has been consigned to today. Join Tony and his Car-Chum Mike as they bathe in oil, balance toppling cars and play with the geese. The geese? Keep listening…
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They say ‘use it or lose it’ and clearly I don’t. I’ve already forgotten the difference between Fleetside and Stepside. Best listen to this fabulous episode of Car-Chum again to jog the mind. Pickups – that’s the subject of this Car-Chum episode.
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If you set the rules and make up your own criteria, you can argue anything with this one. As Tony and Mike ably prove in this edition, there are so many parameters for what makes a truly great road car.
The Chums mange to agree on quiet a few in the end though – even a winner. Of sorts. So download a copy, pop it in the 8-Track, cassette deck or CD changer and relax to the sounds of Car-Chum.
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Car-Chum doesn't do Special Editions; we leave to Peugeot and Ford in 1992. If we did though, this episode would be one such example. And so much more than just a tilt-only glass sunroof to make it special. Join Tony and Mike at the Beaulieu Autojumble 2023 as they rummage for treasure with Matt Richardson from Furious Driving, Steph from Lancaster Insurance (and I Drive a Classic, of course), Danny Hopkins of Practical Classics fame. The Chums also get a guided tour of the Autojumble from Beaulieu's Ben Coleman. Oh - and they also ride the Monorail. Well, it'd be rude not to.
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I got my Car-Chum Mike to promise he wouldn’t make me guess a year that pre-dates my Bronze Age relatives. To be fair the year was good. Mine was a lot newer, so hopefully there’s something for every taste. And what taste you have in choosing the Car-Chum Podcast. Sit back, savour the delights of the second instalment of The Golden Hour – and guess the year.
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What is luxury? Fine wines, fine food and The Car-Chum Podcast. There. Just saved 50 minuntes of listening. Hang on! What about what makes a car luxurious? Join Tony and his motoring journalist chum Mike as they deliver the ultimate definition – with a few laughs along the way.
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The Golden Hour, The Mystery Year, The Time Tunnel, The Time Machine: I was spoiled for choice when naming this edition of the Car-Chum Podcast. Any of those would have done. In summary, my Car Chum Mike and I pick a year and describe the significant cars, entertainment and events, while you play along with us trying to guess. Fun, fun, fun. That’s Car-Chum for you.
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Car-Chum pays visits and respect to Le Mans Classic and Thruxton Historic in this episode. Join Tony and his Car-Chum Mike on the Leading Light Entertainment Automotive Podcast as they hurtle towards the chequered flag.
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I reckon Car-Chum listeners are more likely than average to have a collection. What do you think? In this episode, Tony and Mike delve into the art of collection curation and try to pinpoint what works – and what doesn’t work – when it comes to displaying it. Or them. To collect or not to collect? That’s the question for this episode of Cr-Chum. Join us, do.
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I normally like to be creative with the Car-Chum episode titles, but not today. It’s a podcast and it’s mostly about Number Plates. Not much more and not much less. Of course, you’ll find all the usual Car-Chum Podcast fayre here, too: a bit of wit, wisdom and at least one fact. Number Plates then…go on, admit you’re just a little bit interested.
It’s not what it sounds; it’s a really rather good fun episode or The Car-Chum Podcast. Tony and Mike range around design, build and usage fails of some greats from Subaru, Jaguar, Ford, Volvo and Triumph. In modern management speak (and on a site dedicated to professionally showing off), these are areas of opportunity and improvement; on Car-Chum, they’re just fails.
If anyone knows how to put on a show, it’s Car-Chum. Tony and Mike get set for a Fiesta in this episode as they share fond memories of car shows past and present, old and new. So, strap your wicker basket to the boot, pack a microfibre cloth and download the latest Car-Chum for the journey there. Or at least the queue to get in. It’s show time!
The rumours swirling Silicon Valley and the City of London were true: the new Car-Chum website has launched. In this bonus quickie, Tony and Mike cut the ribbon on car-chum.com .
If you’re into measuring things, storing oddments in your car, and not having a spare wheel when you need one, this is the episode for you. Tony and Mike ponder some of the baked-in designs and mistakes that beg the question ‘Why?’.
That’s what the ’why’ refers to; not Car-Chum: why?
Shady and shiny. That’s Car-Chum. No, wait! That’s the subject of this episode of Car-Chum: car dealers. Join Tony and Mike as they cross the bunting and explore the (car) lot, making this the undisputed Podcast of the Week, the Manager’s Special, the One Listener (you) deal of the decade.
Car-Chum is visited by a distinguished guest this episode. Motoring author and Publication of the Year award winner, Simon Charlesworth, joins Tony and Mike to discuss everything from Alfa Alfettas to upside down Mondeos. Oh, and his award winning book. Did I mention his book has won…
The Car-Chum Podcast streams before you, offering the whole truth and nothing but the truth. There’s a good dollop of facts, too as well as a healthy dose fun, of course. Classic journalist, Mike Renaut is Tony’s car chum again on this edition of…Car-Chum.
What’s the best way to pass a long Car-Chum? A car journey. What’s the best way to combine a long Car-Chum and a car journey? Sleep through it. And today should send you right off. Take a break and have a nap through this edition of Car-Chum Podcast.
Blues and twos – not number twos is the subject of this week’s Car-Chum. All motoring things Emergency related: Police, Fire, Ambulance and…the other ones.
If podcasts had packaging, this one might read: ‘Surprisingly fact-full and curiously entertaining”. There are, of course, other things it might read, too, but let’s stick with that.
Unbelievable really that it’s taken so long for something as cultured as Car-Chum to enter the world of art. It’s happened in style now though with an automotive artist to the stars. Share in Art by Bex’s enthusiasm of painting cars for drivers like Sir Jackie Stewart and Mark Blundell. Join culture-vulture Car-Chums Tony and Mike in the gallery with Bex on this edition of Car-Chum.
It’s been said that American, Swedish, German, French, Spanish and Australian cars have made it to the Car-Chum hall of fame, but Italian’s finest have been conspicuous by their absence. This is the episode that rights that wrong – in spectacular style. Former Alfa PR boss Angie Voluti joins Tony and Mike for forthright views and downright fun.
Did you know that the ‘rod’ of Hotrod comes from the word ‘roadster’? Well you do now, so I’ve saved you listening to this episode of the Car-Chum Podcast. Unless that is, you want more facts and more fun. Yes that is possible and you’ll find it in this edition.
Car-Chum ushers in another year in the best way it knows how: talking about paint, obvs. What else? Join Tony and Mike as they lift the lid on colour changing tech, silly names and bodged repairs.
It’s gameshow time at Car-Chum. Three cars each, a few factual and anecdotal clues, some searching questions and iffy answers are the essential ingredients in this edition. How many would you have got? Join me and my car-journalist Car-Chum Mike Renaut as we sit poised with our fingers on buzzers.
If you’re not familiar with the title, it was a term used to refer to the options dealers could upsell you when buying a new car. A more accurate title for this edition of Car-Chum might have been “When Did You Last See…?”, but Mats and Flaps made us smile. Anyway, here it is, the latest Car-Chum Podcast.
Sorry about the title: couldn’t resist – it just seemed to flow so well. And it does desscribe the contents quite well. A chance viewing of James Bond in A View to a Kill – with Roger Moore, of course – led to a whole Car-Chum dedicated to it. More specifically, the cars in the film. Even if I do say so myself, it was a bit of a laugh. Just a bit.
Ever heard a motoring journalist hum Abba? Ever wondered what a Dodge Charger Hellcat is really like? Ever needed to pass an hour with no effort at all? If the answer is yes to any of those, try the latest Car-Chum podcasts.
Tony and Mike crank out a few of the cars they’ve yet to drive. Horsepower and horsing around: it's the usual Car-Chum Podcast fayre.
...…a Car-Chum Podcast downloaded was the obvious line there. And I missed it. Never mind, the content is all the better for it. Loads of cars, loads of accessories, loads of stories – it’s all here for your pleasure. It’s the latest edition of The Car-Chum Podcast.
With the passing of Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday 8th September 2022, Car-Chum looks back at a selection of state and personal cars associated with and owned by the former Queen.
Classic car journalist Mike Renaut and author and columnist Dr Andrew Roberts are guests on this special episode of Car-Chum.
A straightforward concept: take a fun game and then add Car-Chum. What do you get? A sort of game of Tag or It with cars. And there is a lot of car in the latest Car-Chum Podcast. So sit back, relax and learn – my Car-Chum Mike is in a knowledgeable mood.
World Leaders as cars; that’s the premise of this edition of The Car-Chum Podcast. Important questions will be answered: what car would Joe Biden be…if he were a car, what comes after A6 and is there such a thing as a Mini Clubvan?
The Car-Chum podcast is back with a bang after it’s summer holidays.
Happy holidays! Car-Chum’s on a quick summer break, but we made sure to leave you with a few memories before I left.
I was tempted to cut out all the good bits and leave the rest, but it was too difficult to find them – so instead, here are a few other prime cuts. Back soon!
Time for the second leg of Car-Chum’s lap of the UK. This time Tony, Mike (aka the Chums) and Dr Andrew Roberts (aka someone who actually knows something useful) head west, then north then south again. There’s a heady mix of cars, Littlechef, The Prisoner, George Fornby and Get Carter to look forward to here. Buckle and up and join us!
It’s roadtrip time for The Car-Chum Podcast! Author and automotive historian Dr Andrew Roberts hitches a ride around the UK with Tony and his journalist Car-Chum, Mike. It’s a two-parter; there’s so much to see. Cars, sites of significant interest, sites of absolutely no interest, Benny Hill, a Hovercraft and melon are the highlights of the first leg: Norwich to Eastleigh.
In this episode of The Car-Chum podcast Tony and his automotive journalist chum, Mike, truffle out the annoying quirks that afflict some cars; unbelievably, sometimes by design. Gear and radio select buttons that look and feel the same, sunroofs that tickle hair and mysterious faults that are never fixed. It’s all her on this edition – welcome to Car-Chum’s Princess and the Pea.
Car-Chum pulls over to the hard shoulder of the motorway – if there is one, that is - and savours the joys of a good breakdown. Tony talks of missing gearsticks, holey pistons and head gaskets, while Mike splits discs and cracks screens. All the bills and all the hassle – that’s this episode of Car-Chum in a recovery truck.
Reading. Not the place in the Berkshire; the activity. Reading about cars in particular: that’s the subject of this edition of The Car-Chum Podcast. Books, magazines and brochures. Tony and his Car-Chum (and automotive author, Mike Renaut) barely scratch the surface of this massive industry, but they do reveal a few facts along the way…like who invented the 0-60 metric.
Tony and his Car-Chum / journalist Mike are joined by someone who actually knows what he’s talking about. This week, Furious Driving’s Matt Richardson drops by to tell tales of driving, photographing, reviewing, Youtubing and importing. Cars that is.
As crazy as it might sound, I thought it was a good idea to have a guest on Car-Chum this week who knows absolutely nothing about our subject. Luckily, he has a good way with words and has a tale or two to tell. So here it is: the episode of Car-Chum with a knowledge-free guest. (You * should get a laugh though.)
Car-Chum heads to Portugal for a classic car rally featuring everything from a 911 to a Micra. Tony is joined by auto-author Mike – accidentally showing a byte or two of knowledge, the chums give a bit of context and history on each entrant.
It’s all sun and fun in this week’s Car-Chum podcast.
Car-Chum Aims and Objectives: Make sense, make fun, make money…maybe, maybe not. We’re not the only ones making – or trying to make – things: seems that car manufacturers are at it, too. Try artificial hearts, watch movements and bras. Widen your retail horizon with this week’s Car-Chum.
Be honest: everyone loves a van. Well, loves driving one – a hired one – anyway. Today Tony asks Mike to join him in a commercial free, commercial episode of Car-Chum. Everything from the humble Transit to the Espace F1 is here – not forgetting the Supervan, something promiscuous from Alfa and those strange conversions from normal cars. Join us, arm out of window, on this episode of Car-Chum. Vans.
What are the last two cars you drove? Not your everyday conveyance, obvs. That was the plan for this edition. And I stuck to it. My auto-journalist, Car-Chum Mike kind of did his own thing to do with Bugattis. That was no bad thing though and it all made it through the edit on the grounds of being jolly interesting. A Bentley, a Tesla and a terrible joke all feature alongside in this edition of Car-Chum.
The forgotten and the obscure. Brands and models you might never have heard of. But, worry not, Tony and his Car-Chum Mike have heard of them and accidentally demonstrate a little knowledge here and there.
So, listen and learn along with this episode of Car-Chum!
Ever dreamt of taking to the water? All that freedom, tranquillity and relaxation. What if you could drive to the sea, river or pond and just…well, carry on driving straight in? That’s freedom for sure, but maybe not so tranquil or relaxing.
This week Tony and his Car-Chum Mike explore the niche world of the amphibious car. Ahoy!
Before you tick the box, ask yourself do you really need a subwoofer in a Smart Car? Or a built-in vacuum cleaner in your Honda?
Options: they’re a great online pastime and a real manufacturer money maker. But which should you choose, and which should you lose? Tony and Mike are your guides on this week’s Car-Chum.
Licences of all sorts – and yes, that’s spelled correctly – I checked! From birds to trucks and booze to tests, this episode covers everything you (don’t) need to know about vehicular licences. Not just licenses, mind: training and testing, too. It’s all here on this week’s edition of Car-Chum.
This week’s big announcement is Car-Chum confirming its 2022 availability to officiate at closing ceremonies.
Also, Tony is proven right on Romanian pronunciation, he gets all thoughtful about the future and promises to spend more time on his motorbike. Meanwhile Mike surprises everyone by reviewing some big new car releases for panned for the year ahead.
The Car-Chums do find some common ground though, by agreeing that they both like the Rover 800 and Porsche Cayman.
From CarPlay to coaches, this week’s Car-Chum podcast has it all. How about robotised manual gearboxes from Saab (the Sensonic, remember them?), a daily driving Model T and a Golf GTI chase with a 1950s Bristol? Yep. All of that, too. Ferraris, fat Lexuses and Dacias all duke it out for a coveted page on this year’s Car-Chum Calendar.
Ever wondered what the Coke Truck is in real life – a Freightliner, Scania or Kenworth? Or how about which car Chris Rea was in when he wrote ‘Driving Home For Christmas’. And what type of Dodge was it that the Beach Boys said Santa used to deliver gifts? Somehow, a Volvo 340, Chrysler Alipne, Skoda Estelle, Lotus Sunbeam, Reliant Robin and a Renault Alliance 11 also make appearances for a reason that becomes apparent later in this week’s Car-Chum.
I mean, it is as amazing as it sounds. Much like the mildly unpopular Engine Size Quiz 1; just more American as the capacities get bigger.
This week, Tony challenges Mike to join him in naming a make and model for every size of engine – picking up from where we left off in Episode 8 – 3 litres. Bonus points for interesting anecdotes and facts…who wins this round?
Ever felt as is a car has over-promised and under-delivered, or under-promised and over-delivered? If so, you’ve picked the right episode of Car-Chum.This week Tony and Mike pick out some of their favourite hits and misses. Mercs and Audis vie for attention with Porsche 912s and NSUs. From the USA to Germany and from Japan to the Isle of Man, there’s delight and disappointment to be found everywhere in this week’s Car-Chum.
Luckily Tony and Mike don’t like revelling in mistakes, missteps and rubbish – unless it’s of their own making. So despite the title, all – well almost all – is positive in this week’s Car-Chum.
What could have been a morose memorial to Mitsubishi in the UK was more celebratory of their achievements and 50% of the Car-Chum team thinks the Tigra is a good design. See? Positive. There’s also comment on Range Rovers, E-Types and a really appealing sounding advert.
For the love of driving. Great machines that delight and maybe surprise.
Tony and Mike pick a few favourites: some driven from the back, some from the front, a couple driven at the Nürburgring, one at Castle Combe, some on road and one on rally stages.
Add some Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust specials – like the Austin Powers Shaguar, plus the A8 Ronin chase and you’ve got the usual eclectic mix that makes Car-Chum unique. Enjoy.
Tony and Mike discuss cars that *may be bought by default for reasons beyond talent alone. You know – the trinket, the must have, the be seen in. And at the other end, cars that are bought because everyone learns in them. Yes, Nissan Micra, you. I’ve also looked at Citroen’s new Ami while Mike has driven a converted 2CV. Fear not though, that’s somewhat countered by Chevy LS and Rover V8s.All that and a seasoning of other things in this week’s Car-Chum.
Just a decade ago the sky was blue, the sun shone every day and you could buy any car you wanted for sixpence. So why didn’t we? This week, Mike joins Tony again to kick off the new series by dwelling on the recent past! All the cars we could have bought – nee should have bought and a few that we’re glad we didn’t. That, plus much more of course, in this week’s Car-Chum.
Well, it was supposed to be a sneak peak behind the scenes, but we soon discovered there wasn’t much to see. So Mike talked about models and car chases while I went for car brochures and press cars. I’d like to say it’s better in reality than description…
How we dart seamlessly between a humble 1.3litre Cavalier and a mighty seven hundred horse Hellcat has to be heard to be believed. Chuck in a couple of Matras, a Manta, Mercedes and an M1 and you have this week's Car-Chum.
A new take on a variety show this week for CarChum. It started out as cars that just missed the mark, but ended up with a Skoda Felicia Pickup and a couple of average travel guides. And then there’s motorbikes, trains, busses and lorries. Probably the only things missing are planes.
I name a capacity; you name a car, model and preferably a fact that is both a fact and interesting. Add to that a no-Google guarantee.Sounds like fun, no? If you like that sort of thing. Luckily Tony and Mike do like that kind of thing and even accidentally displayed a hint of knowledge. Loads of brands, loads of models, a few things you might not have known before. That’s this week’s Car-Chum.
A pet peeve of mine – jumbled junk in the car – particularly stuff that doesn’t really do anything useful. It’s not just accessory shops that are guilty; manufacturers, too, can get a little carried away.
It’s not all iffy though: ever heard of a Vibrasonic, do you know who designed the interior of the first Dicovery, and which cars have umbrellas? You’ll be blessed with all this essential knowledge after you’ve heard this week’s edition of Car-Chum.
If you’re looking for the most complex description of Saab’s model line up and numbering system or you enjoy questionable renditions of ‘Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off’, allow me to recommend this week’s edition of Car-Chum. If you want a considered and serious digest on second generation car models like Ford’s Capri, the C2 Corvette, Mercedes W210 E Class and the Jaguar MkII…you’re still in the right place. Sort of.
The height of fashion and cutting edge social media trailblazing for Tony and Mike this week as the chums reveal the cars that influenced their formative automotive years. From the Ford Country Squire to Fiat 131 Mirafiori, from the Vauxhall Senator to the DeLorean DMC-12 – this episode has it all.
Mike teaches Tony how to say Alpine (as in A110), Tony teaches Mike how to say Pallas. And was Marcus Tandy’s A610 really an Alpine when it blew up in the last episode of BBC’s Eldorado?
Swedish-square design, dependable dating and tiny wheels all feature along with an unbreakable Range Rover Classic and the marvellously mundane Sierra, Montego and Volvo 240.
Tony accidentally stumbles on Mike’s favourite subject – cars of TV and Film fame. Turns out, he knows rather a lot about it.
Ghostbusters, James Bond, Dukes of Hazzard, Inspector Morse and, of course, The Blues Brothers all feature on this star-studded episode of Car-Chum.
Exploding aircon, taped-over service lights, dogleg gearboxes and stationery Rover P6s. It’s a quality start for Car-Chum.