Johnny's Garage - The Secrets of Cars

Johnny's Garage - The Secrets of Cars

By Johnny GarageLeisureAutomotive
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Johnny's Garage - The Secrets of Cars episodes

  • The Secrets of Toyota GT86 (or FT86, or Subaru BRZ), Italian POV | Johnny's Garage

    Toyota GT86, or Toyota FT86, or Subaru BRZ, was developed by these two big japan brands, on the base of Subaru Impreza chassis, but (luckily) only rear-wheels-drive, with atmospheric 2.0-liter 4cylinder boxer engine, with direct and indirect injection. 200hps at 7.200rpm. 6-speeds manual gearbox (automatic transmission available) and all electronic control removable. Center of gravity at 475mm from the floor, 1.180kg of weight, 53/47 weight distribution in the front-rear axle. The Learn-to drive-machine.

    9 min
  • The Secrets of Ferrari 348, Italian POV | Johnny's Garage

    Ferrari 348 introduced many innovations compared to previous model 328 (derived from 308).

    First of all a steel boxed frame and a removable rear sub-frame to speed up the removal of the engine for maintenance. Longitudinal rear-mid-engine with 5-speed manual gearbox (and with the first in low-left position).
    With 300hps at 7.200 rpm, the naturally aspirated 3.4-liter version of the quad-cam, the four-valve-per-cylinder V8 engine was equipped with electronic injection and engine management systems.
    The Design was perfectly balanced between Testarossa and 288 GTO. It was really fast and difficult to drive for non-expert drivers, and for this reason, many hated this car.
    But I love the car with character.

    11 min
  • The Secrets of Fiat 8V (Otto-Vu), Italian POV | Johnny's Garage

    Fiat 8V, "Otto-Vu". After WWII, in 1947, Fiat wanted to build a car (a sedan) for the US market.

    They switched from the V6 engine to the V8 engine to meet clients' tastes.
    But after some sketches, they stopped the project. In 1950 the idea of a new car for the brand came back on the "high floors" of the Company and they decided on a sports car, two doors, and a smaller body.
    They called Dante Giacosa to develop the project and in 1952 was introduced al Geneva Motor Show. 2-liter, V-8 engine with 70°degree V configuration.
    The Fiat 8V got its name because, at the time of its making, Fiat believed that Ford had a copyright on "V8".
    This is, IMHO, the best car Fiat ever made.

    8 min
  • The Secrets of Lotus Esprit, Italian POV | Johnny's Garage

    Produced since 1976 within 2004 in 24 variations, this prolific cars is based on tubular central steel boxed beam. Four independent wheels suspensions, 4 disk brakes (first series with rear disks in central of the car to have a better center of gravity and "not suspended masses" lighter. In this way, the wheel, after bump, returns to its original position faster. The 4 cylinders inline engine, longitudinal, and in the center position starts with 157hp to rise (turbocharged) 350 hp. There was even a V8 3.5-liter turbocharged engine. What a good car!

    7 min
  • The Secrets of Maserati 3200 GT, Italian POV | Johnny's Garage

    This Maserati is really significant for more than the simple reason of its name. The exterior design made by Italdesing of Giugiaro, the interior designed by Lancia designer Enrico Fumia. It was the first car with LED tail-lights. And it was the last Maserati with Maserati engine before the Ferrari became the donor of the engines.

    7 min
  • The Secrets of Lotus Carlton/Omega (Vauxhall - Opel), Italian POV | Johnny's Garage

    Lotus Carlton or Omega Vauxhall (in base on the market where it was sold) can be considered the first high-performance-sedan, that kind of car that new is represented by BMW M5, Audi RS6, Mercedes E 63 AMG and others of this kind. Born as a car for fighting in Tourisme Championship, it was the best of the series cars of this kind.

    Bi-Turbocharged engine, 3.6-liter, 6-cylinder in-line, 24 valves for 377hp. Good job GM.

    7 min

About Johnny's Garage - The Secrets of Cars

From the publisher's feed

I'm the mildly eccentric author of this car's enthusiast PodCast channel where I offer my Italian opinion about car's Secrets.