Another Pointless Automotive Podcast · Frank Harrington IV and Chadwick Atkinson

Episode #200 - 200 Mother Effin Episodes!

·1 hr 15 min·5 clips

Frank and Chadwick consult a Magic 8-Ball to see if their 'ratchet' podcast will last another 200 episodes.

This episode marks the 200th installment of Another Pointless Automotive Podcast, hosted by Frank and Chadwick. The hosts casually acknowledge the milestone before consulting a Magic 8-Ball to ask if they will produce another 200 episodes. They reflect on maintaining a near-weekly release schedule for nearly four years, having only missed two or three episodes. The hosts revisit several of their favorite past episode formats, starting with their comprehensive discussion of the Geo brand. They recall an "Automotive Would You Rather" series, citing specific installments like episodes 14, 34, 75, 116, 152, and 197, which presented morally challenging scenarios. Another recurring format is the "Saving" series, where they devise plans to revive struggling car brands like Mitsubishi, Buick, Infiniti, Alfa Romeo, and Nissan. They highlight a budget rally car challenge from episode 175 where they secretly acquired and revealed vehicles to each other. A memorable moment was their on-location recording at an off-road park for episode 17. The hosts express a strong desire to create more field recordings, such as a future $5,000 adventure van challenge involving camping. They discuss the appeal of their "Grudge Match" episodes, which pit brands like Subaru against Mitsubishi, and "Spotlight" deep dives into specific models like the Honda Accord or Mitsubishi Galant VR4. The idea of covering automotive failures, like the Pontiac Aztek or the life of Scion, is also proposed. An interesting insight is their shared disinterest in being a breaking-news podcast, preferring cyclic topics and enthusiast perspectives. They contemplate inviting more guests but aim to avoid traditional interviews, instead wanting to create a "safe space for car nerds" to discuss topics loosely. Chadwick shares a personal story about mischievously throwing smoke bombs into an abandoned Ford Escort as a teenager. Frank recounts a story about sneaking out his grandmother's Plymouth Sundance as a 14-year-old, which later inspired a song called "Grandpage." The tone is highly conversational, relaxed, and filled with inside jokes and tangential personal anecdotes. The style is unstructured and meandering, focusing on camaraderie and humorous reflection rather than a strict agenda. This episode would appeal to long-time listeners who enjoy the hosts' chemistry and want a nostalgic look at the podcast's history. Those seeking a focused, informational car news segment might find it too self-referential and scattered.

As heard by us

A milestone episode that shows a loose car chat can still have shape.

This 200th episode does not play like a victory lap. It feels more like a tune-up of the show’s own method, with two hosts circling why a topic first format keeps the podcast moving.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

Press play for a 200th-episode hang that still knows where the wrench is.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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