Up To Speed (2017)

When “regular people” think of custom cars, they think of West Coast Customs, thanks mainly to MTV’s early 2000s hit show, “Pimp My Ride.” Each week, West Coast Customs transformed beaters into cartoonish reflections of their owners’ personalities, brimming with wacky mods. Nearly 20 years later, West Coast Customs is still on TV, they’ve expanded around the globe, and they have their own roller coaster! How has a shop famous for installing monitors on every flat surface available remained relevant for so long? How did they get there in the first place? And why do so many celebrities turn to them for custom work? Join James Pumphrey for the lowdown on the world’s most famous auto shop, West Coast Customs.

As early as 1971 Porsche felt the legendary 911 was “as good as it was going to get.” That year, bossman Ferry Porsche ordered development of a car to replace the 911. Thankfully that didn’t happen. But Porsche built the 928 anyway, and it remains one of the most unique and influential rides they’ve ever built. Too bad the sales didn't match. Even so, the front-engined, V8-powered Porsche 928 became an ‘80s pop culture icon, and some of its innovative features come standard in today’s P-cars. But some bits are just plain weird. Join James Pumphrey and our distinguished guest, Porsche connoisseur Magnus Walker, to find out what makes the 928 special—maybe even more special than the 911.

Motorcycles: the rebel’s vehicle of choice. For the longest time those motorcycles were Harley-Davidsons. But by the ‘80s Harleys had lost their edge, and motorcycles as a whole were hemorrhaging cool. Then Tom Cruise raced a fighter jet on a new bike called “Ninja” in the biggest movie of 1986, and everything changed. The Kawasaki Ninja made motorcycles cool again through a combination of advanced engineering, aggressive design, and killer branding. This two-wheeled speed demon kick-started the sportbike segment, and spurred an intense battle for the title “Fastest Motorcycle in the World” that continues today. Join James Pumphrey for a face-melting ride into the history of the world’s most famous sportbike, the Kawasaki Ninja!

“Initial D” is the world’s most beloved racing anime for good reason. Combining killer drifting action, a relatable coming of age storyline, and unmatched attention to technical detail, it was tailor made for young car enthusiasts. “Initial D” massively influenced modern car culture, fueling drifting’s explosion in popularity. For most of us the world of “Initial D” is nothing but a hazy JDM dream, but for some it was reality! Join host James Pumphrey as he investigates the real Japanese street racing scene that inspired Initial D and—maybe—reveals the real drifter Takumi Fujiwara was based on!

Nissan’s first Z brought exotic European performance and looks to the masses. It's history's most important sports car, full stop. But it almost didn’t happen. In fact, it took a conspiracy to make it happen. Without a small group of enthusiasts working against Nissan’s corporate wishes, the automotive landscape of the past 50 years would be unrecognizable. The Datsun 240Z is that big of a deal! This story is weirder than we ever expected. Put on your tinfoil hats and get ready for a trip down the rabbit hole with host James Pumphrey, this is everything you need to know to get Up To Speed on the conspiracy to build the first Nissan Z!

In the early ‘80s, a con man lied his way into the driver’s seat for one of the biggest NASCAR races of the season, ran 13 laps, then disappeared forever. The claims he made to get there were bonkers, yet people just kept believing him! How could this happen?! Who was this guy? And where is he today? Join host James Pumphrey as he investigates NASCAR’s greatest unsolved mystery, the curious case of L.W. Wright!

When videogame developer Kazunori Yamauchi first pitched Gran Turismo, Sony said no. A few years later it became the best-selling title in the Playstation catalog, inspired followers like Forza, Dirt, and Project Car, and motivated genre giants like Mario Kart and Need For Speed to bring their A-game. How did this happen? What makes Gran Turismo so revolutionary? And what does the future hold for the world’s favorite racing game? Join host James Pumphrey as he finds out how Gran Turismo changed gaming forever.

Can a Formula 1 driver really be the greatest athlete of all time? YES, and his name is Lewis Hamilton! But there’s more to that GOAT status than his astonishing SEVEN Championship wins. He’s a working class person of color in a sport long-dominated by rich white dudes, the first black F1 champ in history, and a just plain nice guy. Lewis Hamilton almost single-handedly saved Formula 1 from death by boredom. But how did he get to the top from such humble beginnings? Who helped him become the inspiration he is today? And did you know F1 drivers lose 9 POUNDS OF SWEAT during a race? Find out all this and more with host James Pumphrey as he gets you Up To Speed on The Greatest Athlete Of All Time, Lewis Hamilton!

Paul Walker didn’t just play a laid back SoCal car guy in The Fast And The Furious movies, he was a laid back SoCal car guy IRL. The role of Brian O’Conner fit him like a glove, so it’s no wonder it became the defining role of his career. But there was more to Paul Walker than fast cars, explosive action, and cheesy lines—a lot more. Join host James Pumphrey as he gets you Up To Speed on the late, great Paul Walker!

Illinois electric vehicle startup Rivian built the world’s first fully-electric production pickup, and car journalists can’t stop gushing about it. They also have a huge Amazon contract, and they’re worth more money than the Ford Motor Company. … HOW?! Who are these guys? Where did they come from? Do they actually have a chance at snatching Tesla’s EV crown? And what the crap is a lawn mower turn? Join host James Pumphrey to find out: What’s the deal with Rivian?!

The Mercedes G-Wagen is one of the most capable off-roaders ever built. You might not know that. Because somewhere along the way this badass military mover became a hyper-luxurious status symbol for fancy folks, who’ll probably never take them off the pavement. How did this happen? And is the 2022 G-Wagen as capable as its military ancestors? Find out with host James Pumphrey as he dives into the odd saga of the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen!

Mickey Thompson shaped American motorsports more than any other figure, and he didn’t deserve to die. But he was murdered in cold blood in his driveway. You probably know Mickey from his tires, but there was much more to him than a name on a sidewall. He was a drag racer, a land speed record holder, an inventor, and so much more. Who killed Mickey Thompson, and why? Join host James Pumphrey for a deep dive into this racing icon, and a look at the mysterious murder that brought his life to a tragic end.