In this episode of Left of the Projector, we explore the cultural impact of the 2001 film The Fast and the Furious, diving into its portrayal of car culture and masculinity. Joined by Zach, Connor, Bryant and Brandon from Cars and Comrades, we dissect the film's iconic racing scenes and memorable characters, debating the significance of vehicles like the Toyota Supra and Nissan Skyline. We examine the evolution of the franchise from street racing to grand action heists, and analyze themes of loyalty and exploitation through the lens of Dom Toretto and Brian O’Conner’s relationship. Additionally, we reflect on early 2000s fashion, memorable quotes, and the film's legacy, teasing exciting crossover potential for future installments.

Left of the Projector Links

https://www.patreon.com/LeftoftheProjectorPod

https://boxd.it/5T9O1

https://leftoftheprojectorpod.threadless.com/

https://leftoftheprojector.com

https://instagram.com/leftoftheprojector

http://tiktok.com/@leftoftheprojectorpod

https://www.threads.net/@leftoftheprojector

Cars and Comrades links: http://www.linktr.ee/CarsAndComrades

Some products deserve one star reviews, but sometimes the customer is wrong. We found a few examples of the latter case.

But first: Zach is in trouble with HR, Conner gets heated, Bryant buys tires (and is tired), and Brandon tries to Fit in with the import scene.

Main topic at 1:12:09

Alert: Spotify is deleting some of our episodes for using copyrighted music. You can find all our episodes here: https://rss.com/podcasts/carsandcomrades/ //

Email us with tips, stories, and unhinged rants: [email protected] //

Our social media links etc: www.linktr.ee/CarsAndComrades //

Music by King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard: www.kinggizzardandthelizardwizard.com/polygondwanaland //

We’re back from a slightly longer than planned hiatus with a bunch of Bad Ideas, some of them from major auto makers, some our own. Be sure to write in with your own bad ideas: [email protected] //

Alert: Spotify is deleting some of our episodes for using copyrighted music. You can find all our episodes here: https://rss.com/podcasts/carsandcomrades/ //

Main topic at 40:33

Links:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oldsmobile_Diesel_engine //

https://www.junkyardmob.com/guides/olds-403-guide/ //

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_Z1 //

Why Audi V8 Engines are an Absolute Disaster: https://youtu.be/r2DWShxuPcU //

https://www.theautopian.com/chevrolet-pissed-everyone-off-when-it-put-these-dumb-air-filters-on-the-vega/ //

https://www.motortrend.com/features/nissan-leaf-awd-motorcycle-engine-swap-custom-build/ //

Email us with tips, stories, and unhinged rants: [email protected] //

Our social media links etc: www.linktr.ee/CarsAndComrades //

Music by King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard: www.kinggizzardandthelizardwizard.com/polygondwanaland //

We invited Alex the Porsche mechanic back to talk about his experiences racing in the 24 Hours of Lemons. Also, Brandon tells us about his encounter with a famous Cybertruck driver, and we discuss a few news stories about capitalism ruining fun for car enthusiasts.

Time-Stamps/Links/Sources:

Alex’s Lemons stories 1:27:11 https://youtu.be/tfB4UErrxqw?t=603 //

Harassing Cyber Truck drivers 1:53:48 https://www.theautopian.com/cyberbullying-tesla-cybertruck-owners-are-sick-of-getting-the-middle-finger/ //

Autoblog goodbye 2:11:00 https://www.autoblog.com/features/we-obsessively-covered-the-auto-industry-for-20-years //

Ford execs praise Chinese EVs 2:19:30 https://www.businessinsider.com/ford-ceo-cfo-left-shocked-after-chinese-ev-test-drive-2024-9 //

SEMA vs EPA 2:25:34 https://jalopnik.com/sema-is-creating-misleading-propaganda-about-gas-car-ba-1851623207 //

Email us with tips, stories, and unhinged rants: [email protected] //

Our social media links etc: www.linktr.ee/CarsAndComrades //

Music by King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard: www.kinggizzardandthelizardwizard.com/polygondwanaland //

Our brief thoughts after the election, which can be summed up as: join a socialist organization (links below).

PSL: https://www2.pslweb.org/join //

DSA: https://act.dsausa.org/donate/membership/ //

FRSO: https://frso.org/join/ //

SDS: https://new-students-for-a-democratic-society.ghost.io/join-sds/ //

Email us with tips, stories, and unhinged rants: [email protected] //

Our social media links etc: www.linktr.ee/CarsAndComrades //

Music by King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard: www.kinggizzardandthelizardwizard.com/polygondwanaland //

Our roundup of the latest* automotive news, from a leftist perspective. The Supra is going away (again), Texas is suing General Motors, online influencers are destroying their cars for fame, Biden is bailing out Chrysler, and Ford is just realizing that selling more cars makes more money. Meanwhile, China is selling EVs that people actually want.

*This episode was recorded over two months ago so some of the news might not be as fresh. Sorry for the delay on that. Also, Bryant sold his Saabaru, so too bad for anyone that wanted it. Conner's Camaro and Zach's Ranger are still for sale, so please email if you're interested.

Main topic at 44:26

Email us with tips, stories, and unhinged rants: [email protected] //

Our social media links etc: www.linktr.ee/CarsAndComrades //

Music by King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard: www.kinggizzardandthelizardwizard.com/polygondwanaland //

Links/Sources:

https://www.instagram.com/breadandroseslaw //

https://www.thedrive.com/news/the-toyota-supra-we-all-begged-for-is-going-away-in-two-years-report //

https://www.theautopian.com/clout-chasers-are-vandalizing-their-own-cars-for-clicks-and-attention/ //

https://electrek.co/2024/08/06/nio-eclipses-50-million-battery-swaps-drivers-prefer-the-charge-method/ //

https://www.reuters.com/legal/texas-sues-general-motors-allegedly-collecting-selling-drivers-private-data-2024-08-13/ //

https://www.theautopian.com/ukrainian-forces-claim-to-have-used-a-hydrogen-toyota-to-blow-up-a-russian-position/ //

https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2024/08/05/ford-pro-fleet-business-profit-driver-gm-stellantis.html //

https://www.theautopian.com/why-one-of-the-least-developed-countries-in-the-world-is-going-crazy-for-electric-cars/ //

https://chicago.suntimes.com/money/2024/07/13/stellantis-electric-vehicle-energy-grant-uaw-belvidere-manufacturing-plant //

In this episode, we analyze the iconic 1977 film "Smokey and the Bandit" with the hosts of Cars and Comrades. We share our personal connections to the movie, discussing how it shaped our views on truck driving and outlaw culture, particularly through Brandon's experience. The conversation revolves around the Bandit's wild quest to transport Coors beer and critiques the comedic representation of law enforcement, exemplified by Sheriff Buford T. Justice. We delve into the film's themes of working-class solidarity and anti-authoritarianism, highlighting the camaraderie among truckers and the Bandit’s folk hero status. Our analysis also touches on the humor, improvised dialogue, and gender roles, particularly through Sally Field's character. As we reflect on the film's lasting legacy, we share personal ratings and recommendations, reiterating its significance for car enthusiasts and fans of classic comedy, all while reinforcing our mission to explore car culture from a leftist perspective.

Left of the Projector Links

https://www.patreon.com/LeftoftheProjectorPod

https://boxd.it/5T9O1

https://leftoftheprojector.com

https://instagram.com/leftoftheprojector

http://tiktok.com/@leftoftheprojectorpod

https://www.threads.net/@leftoftheprojector

Cars and Comrades links:

www.linktr.ee/CarsAndComrades

Email us with tips, stories, and unhinged rants: [email protected]

A recording of the latest Socialism 101 class from the Denver chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, presented by comrades Jeremy and Bryant.

Download the slideshow here, not all slides are visible online: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1XxDKrV0O9H3J5kEqrXlLvbnWbJ6pMTWX //

Denver DSA calendar of events: https://denverdsa.org/events //

Email Bryant here: [email protected] //

Email Denver DSA here: [email protected] //

We brought on Alex (for_the_animals) to talk about his experience racing in the 24 Hours of Lemons, but we had too much fun talking about our project cars and ran out of time.

Please buy our old cars, we're running out of parking spaces.

Email us with tips, stories, and unhinged rants: [email protected] //

Our social media links etc: www.linktr.ee/CarsAndComrades //

Music by King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard: www.kinggizzardandthelizardwizard.com/polygondwanaland //

Alex's ig: https://www.instagram.com/for_the__animals/

We all went on vacation together in Colorado's Rocky Mountain National Park, and a comradely good time was had by all. On the last night we were all together, we drunkenly tried to recap all the various wildlife we saw, how our cars performed in the mountains, and some recommendations on what to see if you're ever in Colorado.

Email us with tips, stories, and unhinged rants: [email protected] //

Our social media links etc: www.linktr.ee/CarsAndComrades //

Music by King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard: www.kinggizzardandthelizardwizard.com/polygondwanaland //

Links/Sources:

RMNP: https://www.nps.gov/romo/index.htm //

https://meowwolf.com/visit/denver //

http://sputnikdenver.com/ //

The record store across from Sputnik: http://mutinyinfocafe.com/ //

https://www.forneymuseum.org/ //

https://www.corvuscoffee.com/ //

"Colorado is Wakanda for white people" https://youtu.be/2XT5aXsE75o