The Radiator Arms

As 2025 comes to a close, James, Ant and Will take a moment to reflect on how the year has shaped them as car people — from the cars they’ve driven and the experiences they’ve shared, to the moments that caught them off guard along the way. It’s a relaxed, end-of-year conversation about changing tastes, learning curves, community, and what spending a year talking honestly about cars can do to your...

Today we’re talking about the stuff even car enthusiasts get wrong on the road and on track — from confusing grip with handling, to misunderstanding weight transfer, to treating traction control like the enemy… and why “driving fast” still doesn’t automatically mean “driving well”. Expect pub-chat honesty, a few uncomfortable truths, and the usual detours into tyres, steering habits, heel-and-toe,...

This week, James, Ant and Will dig into the newly announced 3p-per-mile tax for EVs and ask the big question: will this ever actually happen? They explore what the tax means for everyday EV drivers, how it compares to the real-world running costs of petrol and diesel, and whether the policy makes sense at a time when manufacturers are already struggling to meet EV quotas. They also discuss impleme...

It’s Christmas at The Radiator Arms, which means one thing: car-enthusiast gift chaos. James, Ant and Will go through the best, worst and most confusing Christmas car gifts — from genuinely useful tools and model cars to the presents no petrolhead actually wants. They also talk about nostalgic childhood gifts, bargain ideas, and the things you should probably avoid putting under the tree. Ant also...

This week, James and Will swap their worst breakdown stories — from running out of fuel on the motorway to cars catching fire, mystery electrical gremlins, and the recovery services that somehow make a bad day even worse. They also read your listener submissions, including some truly heroic (and slightly chaotic) rescue attempts. It’s a mix of storytelling, catharsis, and the kind of car-person mi...

Things non-car people never understand… from why we even love cars, to their belief that there's nowhere you can legally drive a car over the speed limit! In this episode, James, Ant and Will break down the divide between car people and everyone else — with stories, confessions and the everyday moments that only car people will understand! ★ Featuring: • James: https://youtube.com/@JayEmmOnCars •...

Are modern cars getting worse to use? In this episode of The Radiator Arms, James, Ant and Will dive into the modern car gimmicks that drive everyone mad — from touchscreen controls and capacitive buttons to fake exhausts, overprotective ADAS systems, and those inconsistent electric handbrakes that seem to have a mind of their own. They explore why so many car features we hate are becoming standar...

What happens when you go from fixing computers… to driving Ferraris? In this episode, James and Will talk about what it’s really like being thrown in the deep end with supercars. From Will’s first drive in a Ferrari Scuderia to taking the F12 out solo, this is a candid look at the thrills, nerves, and surprises of getting used to fast cars for the first time — plus a few lessons learned about wind...

Remember when relatable cars felt special? In this episode of The Radiator Arms, James and Will sit down to talk about why so many modern cars feel less soulful than the ones we grew up loving. From affordable first cars to the icons that defined generations, they reflect on the machines that had character, connection and pride built into every drive. It’s a nostalgic, funny, and honest look at ho...

What’s Japan’s car scene really like? In this episode of The Radiator Arms, James, Ant and Will talk about Ant’s trip to Japan — exploring the driving experience, the car community and how Japanese car culture compares to life on UK roads. From the myths and the hype to the surprising everyday realities, we reflect on what makes Japan’s car culture so unique — and whether it truly feels as differe...

What really happens on your first track day ? This week on The Radiator Arms , James, Ant and Will relive Will’s first experience at Blyton Park — with the Mini JCW track car and Ferrari 550 Maranello both making an appearance. They share track day mistakes , setup lessons, and first-time nerves, plus what they’d do differently next time. It’s a mix of car banter, hard-won advice, and honest laugh...

Why do movies keep getting cars so wrong — and why do we still love them anyway? This week, James, Ant and Will dive into Hollywood’s greatest automotive hits and misses, from Fast & Furious fantasies to Bond’s DB5, Lotus Esprit submarines and the gloriously inaccurate driving scenes that make car fans wince and grin in equal measure. • The car films we love — and the ones that make us shout a...

After last week’s EV palate cleanser, we go full internal-combustion: what makes an engine sing, what spoils it, and why sound and feel still matter. From silky straight-sixes and shrieky V12s to rotaries, turbos, superchargers and the unloved diesels, it’s a grounded, good-humoured wander through the engines that shape car culture. Highlights: • Daily drivers to dream motors: Clio hybrid, R53 Min...

How do we make EVs sexy — or is that even the right question? This week on The Radiator Arms James (JayEmm on Cars) is joined by Ant (SPORTZ N TOURING) and Will (Will the Plank) to argue about styling, sound, range anxiety, bargain EVs, and whether electric cars can ever capture a petrolhead's heart. ★ In this episode we dig into: • Sexy EVs vs gimmicks: Renault 5 E-Turbo, Rimac, Lotus Evija, McMu...

Are classic cars best left original — or can the right modifications make them even better? In this episode of The Radiator Arms, James, Ant and Will debate where to draw the line between preservation and improvement. ★ This week we cover: • Our time with the Nissan UK’s Datsun 240Z • The end of Will’s Bora-fronted Golf, and whether quirky swaps can add value • How subtle upgrades can transform cl...

In this episode of The Radiator Arms, Ant and Will dive into the age-old debate: are you really a car enthusiast if you don’t fix your own car? From DIY brake jobs on the side of the road to relying on trusted garages, we explore what it means to be “a real car person” in today’s world of finance plans, warranties, and increasingly complex cars. • Why some enthusiasts swear by DIY while others go...

Track days promise unforgettable thrills… and a few nasty surprises. In this episode, James and Ant break down what a track day actually is (vs. driving experiences vs experience days), why instructors and etiquette matter, how fast the costs and consumables add up, and the formats that give the best value — from PalmerSport at Bedford Autodrome to renting prepared cars, and even dipping a toe at...

This week on The Radiator Arms, the trio are back together — James, Ant and Will — to talk about how one of the UK’s best car shows hints at the future of car culture. Helmingham Hall is full of classics, supercars and curiosities, but it also raises the question: what will the next generation of car enthusiasts actually have to be excited about? • Why Helmingham Hall stands out among British car...

In this episode of The Radiator Arms, James and Chris wrap up their European road trip with a stop in Amsterdam. From rain-soaked ferry crossings to laps of the Nürburgring, Porsche and BMW museums, and even a surprise detour into Prague, the journey has been packed with cars, culture, and plenty of laughs. But it’s in Amsterdam where things get really interesting — with some of the strangest, sma...

In this episode of The Radiator Arms, James is joined by Chris for his very first time in Germany – and what better way to experience it than in a Porsche Boxster? Recording from the incredible Motorworld Munich, they share the story of a road trip that takes in some of Germany’s most iconic automotive destinations. From the high-speed thrills of the Autobahn to legendary race tracks and world-cla...

In this episode of The Radiator Arms, James,and special Guest Chris, celebrate the “normal” cars that stole our hearts — the everyday heroes, once affordable and accessible, that have since become icons… and in some cases, shockingly expensive. From humble hatchbacks to family saloons, we explore why these cars connected with so many people, and how nostalgia, rarity, and desirability have pushed...

In this episode of The Radiator Arms, Ant, Will, and Ben (from Mile By Mile Valeting) look back at their dream cars — and how those dreams have changed with time, experience, and reality. From childhood posters of exotic supercars like Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Porsche to more attainable modern classics, we explore how growing up, budgets, and practicality reshape the cars we lust after. Find Ben...

Ant has just sold his Audi R8 GT Spyder – one of only 333 in the world – to invest more time into YouTube and growing the channels. In this episode of The Radiator Arms, Ant, Will, and Ben (from Mile By Mile Valeting) explore what comes next… how do you replace a supercar with a daily car that’s fun, engaging, and still something you want to look back at when you park it? We dive into the realitie...

What don’t people understand about supercars! In this episode of The Radiator Arms, Ant, Will, and special guest Ben from Mile By Mile Valeting dig into the myths, assumptions, and realities of living with exotic cars. From awkward public reactions to the pressure of daily driving something rare and expensive, this episode pulls back the curtain on supercar ownership – and why it’s not always what...

In this week’s episode of The Radiator Arms , it’s over to you! James, Ant, and Will answer questions from the community – from the serious to the silly – and the result is a chaotic mix of rants, laughter, and questionable inventions (yes, someone genuinely suggests a BBQ chip pan…). Expect passionate opinions, surprising stories, and more than one idea that should never see the light of day. • A...