3 On The Column

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This week, on our classic car podcast, Brian and Andrew are joined by YouTube sensation, Matt Richardson from Furious Driving:  https://www.furiousdriving.co.uk/

Matt gives us his insight into the tribulations of a day's work at Furious Driving, his passion for the cars and the satisfaction of bringing them back to life (and, of course, getting them off the drive before Mrs Furious gets home!)

Being Rover-centric is a long time passion for him and there is a bit of Italian love going on, too.  What is Matt's all time dream car and what is it like to drive? Find out here.

We look forward to the upcoming Rustival Show at the British Motor Museum, Gaydon:  https://rustivalshow.co.uk/ 

Matt gives us the lowdown on what it is that makes Rustival really special, the planning that goes into creating one of the best car shows of the season and shares some of his highlights from the last 3 years.

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Tonight, in the 3 on the Column Classic Car Podcast, Andrew Roberts and Brian Thomas meet Mike Renaut, freelance journalist, Car Chums podcast host and  American cars (especially Edsel) and movie motor enthusiast.  

Move all those Vivas out of the way!  There's a Ford LTD Country Squire wagon coming through.

If you drove an American car in 1960's London, you were (probably) a villain.

We explore the design influence flowing between US and UK manufacturers in the 1950s and 60s and the broader transatlantic styling trends. 

Quick, change all the fins!  America made how many cars an hour?

We discuss how the manufacturers' continued use of the same mechanical parts has enabled the hot rodding genre.

We just love the Ford Edsel — why did no one else?  Oh, where did I leave my sandwiches and other items of sabotage!  Don't worry, Roy.  Pop over to Dagenham and sort us out a Cortina, will ya?

Bit of wind noise on your Mondeo? Ron in service will adjust that for you.  Look out, he's hitting the airbag! And don't worry Mr Smith, your car will be ready for the midnight handover.  Just mind the paint!

It's a Mad Mad Mad World.

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For this Classic Car Podcast episode, Brian and Andrew take a nostalgic journey through the golden age of automotive brochures, exploring how these marketing masterpieces shaped car culture from the 1950s through to the 1980s and beyond. From Ford's aspirational photography to BMC's airbrushed illustrations, we discuss the art, copy, and social history captured in these colourful documents.

In a desperate attempt to be on trend, we pay a visit to the Renault Boutique and ponder some questionable wheel trims and whether or not we should have gone on to the online configurator and bought some £8000 special paint!

Why every Ford dealer needs to have a record player in the back of a Cortina.

If you don't buy a Traction Avant and buy a Maxi instead, we will report you to the headmaster.

Well, you could have had a Mercedes Benz 200 if you wanted to, but the Morris Ital beckons...it's a bit of a neck snapper.

"Richard, it's time for a Vanden Plas dear, but not in that jacket!"

Why you need a tough truck chassis made of paper.

The Austin Lancer: "Powered for rocketing performance" 

"Closing the doors requires only the lightest effort."  By whom?  (Wolseley 6/99 - disputed by Andrew).

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Brian and Andrew, this week, are really excited to have Matthew Davis and Neil Campbell from Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust, on our classic car podcast

We hear the stories of the Trust from its inception in 1983 to where it is today:

Being part of the "Our Jaguar" program and inspiring Type 00

Taking Jaguars to Blackpool and making a noise

Why people who know nothing about Jaguars are really important

What needs to be in the collection and why it's not just the cars

In the driving seat with their favourite cars, what is a project eight?

Hang on, we've found another XJ8!

Who's got the keys to the Rumble Room?

Anniversaries this year, where's my list?

"Self evidently marvellous"

"The new ones, that is the history we need to capture now: heritage is constant reinvention"

This episode is slightly longer than our normal podcast to capture more of the Trust's great story for our listeners, with a big thank you to Matthew and Neil!

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Our special guest on our classic car podcast this week is Andy Talbot. Andy will be known to many car and motorsport fans for his voice as part of the commentary team of Motorsport Mundial and Auto Mundial, the weekly shows on ITV4.

Tonight though, Andy is here to share his passion for all things Volkswagen and the story of his own Californian VW Trekker AKA 'The Thing'.

Growing up on a diet of 411's and K70's helped to develop this VW passion.  California blended into the mix starting with detailed observation of the cars in California Highway Patrol (CHiPs), his own California experience driving a Chevrolet Cavalier Convertible whilst listening to the Eagles' 'Hotel California' and a family connection epitomising 1960's style.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

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This week, Brian & Andrew on our classic car podcast delve deep in to the world of the cars used or driven by great (and sometimes not so great!) world leaders.

From the legendary Citroen DS used by general De Gaulle to the Rover P5 built for Harold Wilson with a special holder for his pipe, although he never got the built-in Humidor box for his cigars.

Top gifts to be expected when visiting the Shah of Iran would certainly include a locally built Peykan. "Thank you so much, I have always wanted one of those."

What do you do when you are Leonid Brezhnev and Matra give you a white Matra Rancho? Well, you spray it blue of course.  Then, go and see Citroen and get a Citroen SM, but if you go and see Maserati they will give you a Maserati Quattroporte.

We find out where to park for the Queen's Coronation to see the procession and all the state cars.

Oh, and if you've enjoyed this, please like and subscribe, and listen to our previous podcast episodes.

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After safely gargling with TCP (other gargling products are available), Andrew bravely joins us this evening as  the 3 On The Column classic car podcast celebrates the revolutionary safety research by British Leyland in the 1970's that led the way to some of the safety features that we take for granted in today's cars. 

Building on the slogan "Safety Fast", BL expanded this concept across their range of cars to show the world how safe their cars could be, including the periscope on the MGBGT and the child catcher on the bonnet of the SRV 5.

We pay tribute to Keith Adams, the author of www.aronline.co.uk, for the detailed story of anything British Leyland.

Why Michael Caine would only have Quartz Iodine lights on the Mini Cooper.

How safety was styled in to the Triumph TR7 and Volvo 240 without you even noticing.

Getting a clip round the ear from a trafficator, getting Assignment 6 if you are reaching out to Europe not the USA and why is the dipswitch on the floor so hard to reach?

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This week on the 3 on the column classic car podcast, Andrew and Brian recall the glory days of the multi-skilled and general crime busting heroine, Skippy the Bush Kangaroo. It is not known for sure if Skippy could drive but since she could do everything else, we look at Skippy's car choices in the Australian home market at the time.

The star car drawings of the Tin Tin books, our first introduction to French cars, are re-enjoyed. 

We take a look at the hero cars of Gerry Anderson. If you have to drive a car into the sea, a Hillman Imp with a sunroof could be your best choice, but remember that while Captain Scarlett is indestructible, you may not be.

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As a superfan of Mr Bean, you would expect Lewis to be looking to buy a Lime-flower Green Mini but no, Lewis wanted a Blue Reliant Supervan 2.

First came an 81 Robin, with no front wheel, stacked up on bricks, helping to put Lewis on the map as a collector of these fine 3 wheeler cars.  As the word got out, the  vehicles started coming to him.  His fine collection now includes Bonds, Regals, an Albion and an ex-Post Office Scammell Scarab.

We look in to the place in society of these vehicles over the years, their successes and failures, how to drive one properly, how to survive the crash gearbox and Lewis's big bang.

Tommo gives Lewis a nudge towards a prize trophy.  We learn how to start a Scarab and why you should always drive it over the cobbles.

Plus a weekend away for 2 in the Zundapp Janus 750 complete with double bed!

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Our special guest tonight is Lord Loxley, AKA Sham to his friends, star and founder of one of the most exciting Facebook car clubs, Auto Anonymous.

Sham gives an exclusive appearance on our podcast to tell us the Auto Anonymous and Finger of Approval stories: from the early days of lock down car meets with a few friends to the truly international clubs they are today, with over 11,000 members.  

He's known for sourcing rare cars to bring to the Auto Anonymous stands at the classic motor shows, and working with celebrities and their cars.  And how did he get Fabio Lamborghini signing his car?

Sham tells us how the club members and their passion make Auto Anonymous what it is today and brings exciting news of what he's planning for 2026.

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