logo
episode-header-image
May 2023
43m 24s

We Got Super Into Toy Cars, Part One: Ma...

iHeartPodcasts
About this episode

Remember toy cars? Ben, Noel and Max investigate the surprisingly weird evolution of old-school, die-cast car models from their origins to the modern day, ultimately asking what happened to the fad. Bonus points for everyone taking a Matchbox or Hot Wheels toy and vrooming-vrooming around as we explore this one.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Up next
Jul 10
A Ridiculous History of "Fad Diets"
Everyone in the developed world knows someone who's tried a 'fad diet' -- these are the so-called miracle practices that promise to help people lose weight and keep it off, through any number of potentially dubious methods. But where did they come from? In today's episode, Ben, N ... Show More
43m 40s
Jul 8
A Titanic Disaster: That Time An Entire Production Crew Tripped Off Bad Chowder
James Cameron's Titanic was, by all accounts, a blockbuster success. And, like so many other masterpieces, the story of its creation is a tale all its own. In today's episode, Ben and Noel dive deep into a little-known disaster that struck the already-tense production: someone la ... Show More
44m 30s
Jul 3
CLASSIC: Back When the Rich Ate Corpses
Nowadays it's safe to say that cannibalism isn't a widely-accepted practice, but not so long ago it was considered the bleeding edge (get it?) in medicine throughout Western Europe. Join Ben and Noel as they explore the odd practice of consuming human body parts in hopes of curri ... Show More
36m 21s
Recommended Episodes
Jan 2015
How Hot Wheels Work
If you're an American who had a childhood, you probably have some nostalgia for Hot Wheels. Get your engines revved for this trip down memory lane as we discuss these fun and iconic toys. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/l ... Show More
41m 1s
Oct 2015
Cars That Never Made It (Part 2)
For every car that makes it to the mainstream market, countless other bizarre experiments never see the light of day. Join Scott and Ben as they explore some of the strangest, most innovative or (in some cases) just plain doomed cars that never made it to the showroom. Learn more ... Show More
50m 35s
Dec 2023
Toys R US vs KB Toys | The Comeback Kid, Plus Hot Wheels! | 5
‘Tis the season for toys! First, we’re getting an update on where toy retailers stand today with Forbes Senior Contributor Joan Verdon. She’s covered Toys R Us since the late 90s, and has the inside scoop on whether this chain is actually making the big comeback the headlines cla ... Show More
40m 41s
Oct 2012
What will race cars look like in 2025?
The engineers and drivers of race cars constantly push the limit, and sometimes their innovations become commonplace in mainstream vehicles. So what can we expect from race cars in the future? Join Scott and Ben as they take a closer look. Learn more about your ad-choices at http ... Show More
23m 53s
Oct 2013
What is the world's oldest (running) car?
With back-to-back seating, a steam-powered engine and no steering wheel, the 1884 De Dion Bouton Et Trapardoux Dos-A-Dos Steam Runabout doesn't look like it has much in common with the modern automobile. Yet after its discovery and restoration, the world's oldest (running) car ha ... Show More
34m 31s
Nov 2019
What Makes a Must-Have Christmas Toy?
Ever since Cabbage Patch Kids came along in 1983, there’s been an annual holiday frenzy around one particular toy – the must-have Christmas toy of the year. But what makes a toy a must-have toy? Josh and Chuck investigate (and kick off the holidays). Learn more about your ad-choi ... Show More
49m 18s
Apr 2022
S11E15 - Surprising Origin Stories
This week on Under The Influence, we tell the surprising origin stories of some famous products and brands. Because sometimes, backstories have backstories.We’ll tell a surprising tale about Coca Cola and the Civil War. We’ll delve into the bootlegger background of NASCAR.And we’ ... Show More
27m 24s
Feb 2024
874: Cars That Are Science Projects, Measure The Occasional, Celebrate The Mass Market
For Topic Tuesday, the guys are asked what makes a car special? Is it rarity, brand cachet or something else? They encourage Tyler C. to get rid of a sentimental car, in order to free up future desires. Social media questions ask if all-weather tires should be the default instead ... Show More
55m 6s
Jan 2021
How Hot Wheels Forged Drag Racing’s Greatest Rivalry
Remember toy fads like pogs and silly bandz? The ’60s version was Snake and Mongoose, two real life drag racers who got immortalized in diecast form by Mattel. Don “The Snake” Prudhomme and Tom “The Mongoose” McEwen were elite drag racers, but they also became pop culture icons a ... Show More
1h 17m
May 2024
899: The Bored Game (Board Game?), The Escape Car, Pushing Enthusiasts Away
For Topic Tuesday, the guys try to figure out what four new vehicles will check off 15 different requirements! They debate comfy cars for Mike H., a young driver with the comfort preferences of an 80-year-old. Social media questions ask what’s it like to own your dream car, how m ... Show More
54m 28s