The Carmudgeon Show

As a society, we’ve been throwing around the phrase “The kids are alright” for decades. But in the automotive landscape, is that really true? On today’s episode, Derek and Jason dissect the theory that young people are getting less interested in cars and whether or not it has any validity in 2026.

Before getting into the thick of it, Jason and Derek discuss the latest Porsche Taycan Sport Turismo GTS joining them in the studio. Carmudgeonation occurs, naturally. Between unintuitive infotainment and UX, lackluster interior volume, and - naturally being a current Porsche - an eye-watering sticker price of over $180K, the newest Taycan certainly leaves some ground to be desired. But not all is lost, as the updated adaptive air suspension, good looks, and the endlessly mind-bending acceleration certainly make up for lost appeal. And of course, the existence of any wagon still on sale in 2026 - let alone, a Porsche wagon, is a win regardless of its flaws.

The bulk of this episode discusses youth interest in cars and how trends have changed in recent years. Most notably, the cultural shift in interest to Porsche products like the 992 GT3 RS over Lamborghini and Ferrari - why do kids fawn over cars that are inherently more commonplace and accessible? Does industry accessibility to press cars affect young tastes? Will broccoli haircuts live on forever?

Some of this, and more - on today’s episode of The Carmudgeon Show with Jason Cammisa and Derek Tam-Scott, driven by Hagerty.
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The term “Restomod” gets thrown around a lot these days. In an era where more people are modifying and modernizing old cars more than ever before, it’s probably time we draw some boundaries to truly understand what OEM+, OEM++, and Restomod REALLY mean in the current modified car landscape.

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The subject of today’s studio background is a 1963 Mercedes-Benz 230SL - yes, a Pagoda - with a host of Mercedes family modifications including but not limited to:

5.4L M113 V8 engine from a W220 S55 AMG

6 speed manual transmission from an SLK230

Brakes from a C126 560SEC

Rear multilink suspension from a W209 CLK

And many more odds and ends that make it all play nicely together.

Effectively transformed from a grandma cruiser to a backroad hell-raiser, Jason and Derek begin to wonder - is this just an engine/transmission swap, or has enough been done to constitute restomod status? This car comes from none other than Matt Kwiek from Kwiek Classics, who has become known for manual-swapping CLK63 AMG Black Series as well as a host of other Frankenstein’d Mercedes-Benzes. This one certainly got Jason, Derek, and company howling with laughter, but is emotion enough to constitute a restomod?

Naturally other restomod vehicles are brought into discussion - like the Cyan Racing P1800, Totem Automobile GT Super, Automobile Amos Delta Futurista, Tuthil 911K, and the Kimera 037. While these cars occupy a different market share and purpose, the Mercedes can probably keep up with the best of them on the right backroad. But does a more honest appearance and single-marque parts origin constitute OEM+? Jason’s MK3 Cabrio VR6 swap seems to fall into that category - but it still resembles a car that could have been built by Volkswagen in period. This Pagoda, however……would drift circles around its swing-armed original - and not flip over!! Maybe it’s in a class of its own.

Jason also discusses a recent trip to LA for the Air Water Show weekend, where he attends Good Vibes Breakfast Club with Andreas Preuninger, Director of Porsche’s GT Line. While he didn’t drive the GT3 S/C as expected, he did drive a Supercharged, LS-swapped 1978 Pontiac Trans Am making 700+ WHP. The car was so dialed in, we continue to wonder - does it qualify as a restomod? Or is it just a swap with all the right trimmings? 

You’ll have to listen to find out - all this and more on this episode of The Carmudgeon Show.
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Live in-studio this week we have the Longbow Speedster and co-founders of Longbow Motors Daniel Davey and Mark Tapscott. They join us all the way from the UK to show off and discuss their entry into the rather quiet EV sports car space.

You might be wondering - what’s a Longbow Speedster? What does it have to do with a medieval weapon used in the dark ages? And what happened to the windshield? As it turns out, all three of those questions can be answered with a single word: simplicity. While the Speedster is fully electric with a claimed range of 275 miles and a 0-62 time of 3.5 seconds, it’s also one of the only EVs in existence under one ton that isn’t a golf cart. More importantly, it wants to bring a more traditional approach to EV motoring - a handful of tactile buttons and no screens - just driver and machine.

Daniel and Mark chat with Jason and Derek about their origin stories as enthusiasts, discussing some festive cars owned like the Seat Marbella Jeans Edition, Toyota Celica ST185, and Mazda MX-6. Having a plethora of experience working at Tesla when the Roadster was in development, the bowmen of the long table also discuss how they plan to make a splash in the industry and why lightness will soon become synonymous with EVs in ways we never quite anticipated.

All this and more on this episode of The Carmudgeon Show with Jason Cammisa and Derek Tam-Scott.
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Jason’s got a new episode out on the Hagerty YouTube channel about a car that most enthusiasts love to hate - The Tesla Model S. While it entered production as a Car of the Year winner and paved a path for Tesla’s eventual success in selling cars on the global stage, people have loathed the company’s existence in recent years due to sociopolitical actions from CEO Elon Musk. But is the car good enough to diverge from the hate?

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Ignoring the lever-pulling of one man in particular - it’s hard to argue otherwise that the Tesla Model S is the most significant car of the last 75 years. Enjoying a near 14 year production run, you’d think it’s getting long in the tooth - but actually, it’s been continuously upgraded every year in both hardware and software, so much so that the final version - despite looking very similar -  only shares 3% of its components with the original car that debuted in 2012.

Over the course of the episode, Jason and Derek compare the Model S to other revolutionary cars in society - like the Ford Model T, Volkswagen Beetle, Citroen DS, 2CV, Mini Cooper, and several others with varying similarities.
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Today’s episode will not be a surprise to anyone who follows the automotive news cycle - because of course we’re talking about the 911 GT3 S/C! In true Carmudgeon-form, Jason and Derek pull apart the blasphemous, recently announced Porsche GT car and discuss whether it’s worth the hate, or better to hate on the haters.

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Before this - Jason gives an update on his recent battles with finishing his 1996 Volkswagen Cabrio VR6 swap (Mk3), rooted largely from OBD-II getting in the way of the car passing California smog testing. But really - what is OBD-II, why does it matter, and why can it make engine swaps a total nightmare? Derek and Jason discuss (and moan upon) the variables, including how to do drive cycles, set monitors, and stay sane in the process. To add fuel to the fire, Jason discusses the Cabrio’s latest clutch slave mishap that almost left him stranded before a rally with friends. And putting a nail in the tire of Derek’s 964 Porsche 911.

On the subject of 911s - and cabriolets - Derek then explores the origins of disdain on the new GT3 S/C. Interestingly - Porsche is not the first brand to go about taking the roof off a track-focused road car variant - citing the rather cherished existence of the Ferrari F430 Scuderia Spyder 16M, the 599 Speciale Aperta, and the 458 Speciale Aperta. Not to mention - if Porsche is making a convertible GT3, could they also bring back a Speedster too? Time and speculation will tell - but not without Carmudgeonation...

Tune in for more!
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