The Grey NATO – 234 – Our Automotive (Mis)Adventures
The Grey NATO – 234 – Our Automotive (Mis)Adventures
The TGN Boys are back with a bit of an oddball episode that focuses on both Jason’s and James’ history with cars and driving. From first cars and best cars, to accidents, tickets, and more – it’s a topic that is close to both of their hearts and it was a really fun chat to record. But don’t worry, it wasn’t just about cars…
Before all the car, Jason and James chat about chance encounters with solid dive watches in Geneva, new Lego sets, three time zone chronographs, and more. Stay in the mix for a Final Notes that will have you packing for a good time and rewatching the best of Best Motoring.
Click here if you want to play episode 234 from your browser – thanks so much for listening.
8:27 Lego ICONS Land Rover Classic Defender 90
9:58 Arken Watches
10:03 TGN Ep. 156
11:45 Arken Watches Instagram
12:30 Jason’s Blancpain Bathyscaph Hodinkee LE
13:40 Autodromo Group B Rallysport Chronograph
14:15 Timex 3 time zone chronograph
26:38 1979 Volkswagen Rabbit
31:55 1994 Cavalier Wagon
37:20 Cadillac CT-5 V Blackwing
43:40 Volkswagen MK1 GTI
55:49 Ferrari FF
58:29 Pontiac 6000
59:55 Saab 900 Turbo
59:24 Volkswagen Fox
1:00:34 Mazda 929
1:04:08 Triumph TR-6
1:06:20 Mercedes E450
1:09:25 Packable Bottle Protection
1:10:36 Jalopnik’s fav Best Motoring Track Battles
"If you don’t know where you are going, any road will get you there." – Lewis Carroll
I learned to drive in the 90’s using my dad’s late 70’s Mitsubishi Celeste. Driving a stick was pretty much common at least back then. The wheel doesn’t even have power steering so it was a beast to handle but you get used to it. And boy did I get used to it when I had to drive up and down Baguio City in the Philippines. It’s a city up on the mountain and driving through 3rd world country roads is not something you do when you’re starting. There’s no concept of safety or at least safety is a relative term. Anyway most cars after that was handed down to me, after the Celeste I suddenly became the owner of a late 80’s Toyota Corolla which I drove pretty much all through high school. I was never a car person but enjoyed and did a lot of driving. To my family it was just a means of transportation. My first and only car I purchased was the uncool Honda Element, a boxy Lego like car with seats you can fold out to carry gear with. This is the car I drove through college till I started hustling and bustling. I was doing a lot of filming so it was an appropriate car as far carrying equipment is concerned. It’s so sporty you can literally hose down the interior. I drove it everywhere and also slept on it when I was on tour as a performing musician. I think I’ve racked up enough miles that could reach the moon.
I had the usual parking, speeding, and traffic tickets but the worst thing I experienced and wouldn’t want anyone to go through was driving under the influence. Penalties, and jail time wasn’t a fun ride, no pun intended. This is something I want to impart to everyone here. Cause we all do drink and drive, we just don’t know it. That one bottle of beer is enough for you even if you’re not inebriated to get into trouble. And with that drink all common sense goes out the window so be careful and don’t be stupid! Ever since I moved to NYC, I gave up driving altogether but I miss it occasionally.
Great episode, guys! I agree with always having a car with a manual. There's just nothing like rowing through the gears. My daily driver is a 2012 Mazda 5 micro van with sliding rear doors, huge cargo area, and a 6 speed manual transmission. With two small boys and a dog it's the perfect car for me right now. My wife is Norwegian and she learned to drive in a car with a manual. For the first few years of our marriage both our cars had manual transmissions. She now has a Mazda CX-5 and prefers the automatic, but I still take a manual over an auto any day. Cheers!