Roadkill (web series)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Roadkill
Roadkill-logo.png
GenreCar restoration, Documentary, Adventure-comedy
Created byMotor Trend
Developed byMotor Trend
StarringMike Finnegan, David Freiburger
Country of originUSA
No. of seasons10
No. of episodes106
Production
Production locationSouthern California
Release
Original networkMotor Trend on Demand, YouTube
Original releaseFebruary 17, 2012 (2012-02-17)
Chronology
Related showsRoadkill Q and A, Roadkill Extra, Roadkill Garage
External links
Roadkill

Roadkill is an automotive-themed internet show produced by the MotorTrend Group. It is hosted by former Hot Rod Magazine editor-in-chief David Freiburger and former staff editor . The show was described as "...guys behaving badly with cars," by Scott Dickey, chief executive at Ten: The Enthusiast Network. In addition to the United States, episodes of Roadkill have been shot on location in Australia.[1]

Roadkill aired on YouTube from 2012 until March 2018 when MotorTrend announced it would move exclusively to MotorTrend On Demand.

In 2015, the show was sponsored by the American automaker Dodge.[2] At that time some episodes of "Roadkill" generated a million views in their first 72 hours on YouTube, and many individual episodes of the monthly show exceeded 5 million views.

In August 2015 it was announced that TEN: The Enthusiast Network would be publishing a quarterly magazine titled Roadkill Magazine.[3] On 12 January 2018 Mike Finnegan announced on The Kibbe and Finnegan Show that Roadkill Magazine had been cut due to poor sales.[4]

Cast[]

Main[]

  • David Freiburger: co-leader of Roadkill. He has spent the vast majority of his career working for the various brands owned by Motor Trend Group.
  • Mike Finnegan: employed by Motor Trend Group since 2010. He is also a semi-pro winning boat racer and skilled fabricator, and wacky hijinxist. In addition to his role on Roadkill, he also records, edits, and produces the YouTube feature Finnegan's Garage on his personal channel. His signature slogan, 'This is the best day at work ever!'

Featured[]

  • Lucky Costa: co-host of Hot Rod Garage. He appeared previously on the Chip Foose show Overhaulin'. Lucky is called in when an exceptionally "Roadkilled" vehicle needs some extra help.
  • Tony Angelo: co-host of Hot Rod Garage. Tony is an accomplished mechanic, successful race car driver, and former drift-racer and was voted to his position of Hot Rod Garage host by fan choice. Like Lucky Costa, he often makes appearances on Roadkill when Finnegan and Freiburger need help. Tony is also the undisputed champion of breaking Roadkill vehicles (Rotsun, Stubby Bob, Firebird)
  • Steve Dulcich: a certified engine guru. Steve's farm serves as the backdrop for Roadkill Garage.
  • Mike Cotten: friend of Finnegan, co-host of "Faster with Finnegan," and also featured on "Finnegan's Garage."
  • David Newbern: friend of Finnegan, co-host of "Faster with Finnegan," and also featured on "Finnegan's Garage."
  • Steve Magnante: an automotive historian and host of "Roadkill's Junkyard Gold."
  • Steve Brulé: co-host of Engine Masters. Expert engine builder and dyno operator. Works at Westech Performance in Mira Loma, California. David Freiburger explains that Steve was responsible for introducing him and Mike Finnegan.[5]
  • Rick Péwé: a former editor of Petersen's 4-Wheel & Offroading Magazine.
  • Elana Scherr: the former Editor-In-Chief of Roadkill magazine and the Roadkill.com website. Along with Freiburger, she is the voice of Roadkill social media. Elana left the company with the demise of the Roadkill magazine.
  • Terry the Terrier: one of the beloved shop dogs at Steve Dulcich's shop in the middle of the California desert.[6]

Spin-offs and magazine[]

Roadkill has three spin-offs series; Roadkill Garage, Roadkill's Junkyard Gold, and Faster with Finnegan, as well as a companion series called Roadkill Extra. All are exclusives for Motor Trend on Demand.

Roadkill Garage is a monthly internet-based show available via Motor Trend on Demand. It is hosted by Freiburger and Steve Dulcich. The typical episode finds them modifying and/or repairing a Roadkill vehicle, or reclaiming a vehicle from Dulcich's grape farm. The farm, where the show is located, is essentially a large vehicle junkyard. It contains a wide range of automotive relics, especially Mopar vehicles.

Roadkill's Junkyard Gold features automotive historian Steve Magnante being tasked with visiting different junkyards to discuss the history of different models of vehicles he encounters, as well as locating potential new Roadkill vehicles for Freiburger and Finnegan.

Faster with Finnegan features Finnegan, Mike Cotten, and David Newbern. It features the trio repairing and modifying vehicles, many of which have previously been featured on Roadkill. The show frequently features other well known personalities from the automotive community, such as Cleetus McFarland, Chris Forsberg, and John Andrade Jr.

Roadkill Extra consists of daily-published episode shorts with content such as question & answer sessions, tech tips, project updates, and other Roadkill-type information. Though typically presented by Finnegan or Freiburger, others have been known to host. The majority of the episodes are only available via Motor Trend on Demand, but a few are posted on YouTube. Most episodes range from 2 to 15 minutes in length.

In 2015 the quarterly Roadkill magazine was launched. As of 12 January 2018 Mike Finnegan announced on The Kibbe and Finnegan Show that Roadkill Magazine had been cut.[4]

Vehicles[]

Name Car Fate hideEpisodes featured in
The Rotsun A 1971 Datsun 240Z, the Rotsun was originally powered by a turbocharged Chevrolet 4.3L V6/5-speed from a Chevrolet S-10 truck. It now runs a turbocharged Ford 5.0 Mustang; both engines took the same turbo out of a Ford Powerstroke diesel engine. Broken. Recently seen in the background in the Motor Trend shop.[7] 26,[8] 42, 62,[9] 65[10]
Stubby Bob Shortened, wheelstanding 1950 Ford F6 truck. Built with a boat V-drive and a rear-facing supercharged Chevy 454 with zoomie headers. Broken at a drag strip event in Dos Palos, CA.[11] 44, 52, Daily Fix: Nov 13, 2016,[12] 72[13]
General Mayhem ‘68 Charger first rebuilt with used motor home parts, including a Mopar 440. Later upgraded with a Hellcat engine from a 2015 Dodge Charger Hellcat that was destined to be crushed. 23,[14] 32, 43
General Maintenance Bone stock Dodge Charger Hellcat painted to look like the General Mayhem; Roadkill/TEN 'persuaded' to purchase it after comparison with Challenger & Viper off-road by Dodge. Sitting in Motor Trend shop. 38, 43, 47, 50
The Muscle Truck 1974 Chevrolet C10 stepside shortbed truck. Custom header and mufflers on a Corvette LS6. Owned by Freiburger. Recently seen in the background in the Motor Trend shop.[7] 18,[15] 36
Raunchero 1968 Ford Ranchero, modeled after the magazine's car that ran the first Baja 1000. 2,[16] 13,[17] 14[18]
BlaspHEMI A 1955 Chevrolet on a Jim Meyer Racing chassis, with a blown 535 cubic-inch Mopar Hemi under its flip-top hood. Owned by Finnegan. Now featuring a new blown Hemi. License Plate OMGHEMI. 8,[19] 70[20]
Crusher Camaro A 1967 Chevrolet Camaro that was rescued from a junkyard crusher (which was featured in a Hot Rod Magazine article in 1993 when it was a buyback car for emission credits that pre-dated Cash for Clunkers), giving it its name. Owned by Freiburger 19,[21] 24[22]
Draguar A 1974 Jaguar XJ12 sedan with a supercharged Chevrolet V8. 7,[23] 41
The Ramp Truck A 1973 Chevrolet ramp truck that was used by a Mazda dealership. Used to carry the Bonneville car. Owned by Finnegan 20, 25
Leaf Blower Monza 1978 Chevrolet Monza Spyder, originally running five leaf blowers under the hatch as makeshift superchargers; later upgraded to having a trailer behind it with a separate Buick 350 engine making boost for the engine up front. 16,[24] 57
Macho Grande Freiburger's (formerly) personal daily driver 1973 GMC Suburban with 350,000 miles on it; powered by a 454 Chevy. Sold,last seen in Helsinki,Finland 8, 25
Vette Kart A 1985 C4 Corvette stripped of its body parts. Looking very rusty[25] 35, 50, Roadkill Extra Featurette[26]
Crop Duster A 1970 Plymouth Duster with a mid-1980s street racer look; originally fitted with the Mopar 440 that came out of the General Mayhem after the Hellcat swap, then upgraded to a stronger Mopar 383. Owned by Freiburger.[citation needed] Steve Dulcich is working on it, but very very slowly.[6] 40, Sep 23, 2017 Roadkill Extra[27]
Missing Linc A 1978 Lincoln Continental shortened from a sedan into a coupe. Sold, and destined for 24 Hour of Lemons Glory. 63,[28] Roadkill Extra (Bloopers)[29]
The NasCarlo A late-model stock car chassis with a 70's Monte Carlo body installed. Recently seen running and driving on Lucky Costa's personal YouTube channel.[7] 46
The Renegade Jet Boat A . Finnegan and Freiburger drag an old Rogers Bonneville jet boat to Lake Elsinore behind the Muscle Truck, remove the engine from the truck, install it into the boat, go boating, take the engine back out of the boat, and re-install it into the truck. 36[30]
Monte Carlo Lowrider A 1980 V6 Monte Carlo with hydraulic suspension, driven on three wheels to Las Vegas. Sold 39
Subarute (built by Mighty Car Mods) A Subaru Impreza wagon converted into a ute. Last seen headed to Las Vegas for a car convention with Marty and Moog.[citation needed] 60
Mazdarati 1970s Mazda Rotary Pickup with a 455 Oldsmobile big-block and Toronado transaxle mounted in the bed. Was stolen during filming. Currently missing 45,51[31]
The Mini-Truck A chop-top Datsun Mini truck fitted with air suspension. Recently seen in the background in the Motor Trend shop.[7] 58[32]
Harry Tow 1971 Ford Crew Cab 4x4 460-powered tow truck. Home-built 4x4 and tow rigging. Recently seen in episode 78 48,50,78
Pig Pen 1950 GMC shortbed truck resurrected from/at Turner's Auto Wrecking in Fresno, California after 26 years off the road. Sold to the father-in-law of the show's director. (Episode 50) 31
The Gremmie 1975 AMC Gremlin with a 1976 grille; almost killed Finnegan and Freiburger once when a tire blew out on the highway. Parked in Motor Trend shop.[7] 17,[33] Ignition 129,[34] 65(background),[10] 72 (background).[13]
The "Crusher" Impala A 1969 Chevrolet Impala with the blown big block from the Crusher Camaro; Roadkill built it for Mighty Car Mods. 60,65[10]
F-Bomb Camaro An army green, twin-turbo 1973 Camaro owned by Freiburger. Sitting at Nelson Racing Engines. Roadkill Extra Mar 4, 2017,[35] Fast & Furious 4[35]
The Disgustang A 1969 Mustang Mach 1 rescued from a junkyard. Also filled with rat poop. Owned by Freiburger 66,[36] 73[37]
The Dreambird A 1969 Pontiac Firebird that hadn't run in 17 years, which now has parts from three different engines in it. Used to race in One Lap of America. Recently sold by Finnegan to his brother 67,[38] 68[39]
The Earle Camino 1977 Chevy El Camino that was a gutted, old, eighth-mile drag racing bracket car. 69[40]
Rumble Bee A 1970 Dodge Super Bee that Feiburger purchased in tribute to one he owned when he was 15 years old; powered by a 383 cubic inch Mopar Hemi. Owned by Freiburger 70[20]
Lost Boys Racing Hornet [working-title] 1973 AMC Hornet that "raced Baja in the '80s and finished the NORRA 1000 a couple of times before being parked in 2012."[41] Beaten by a Dodge Grand Caravan at a rallycross at Glen Helen Raceway. 71[41]
The Ugly Truckling A GMC crew cab built on the same concept as the Vette Kart, modeled after old 'rail job' dragsters and then driven 500 miles to the Roadkill Zip-Tie Drags. 76
The Pork Chop Express A 1971 Torino wagon with a 12V Cummins swapped into it, used to race Cleetus McFarland's Cummin's swapped Galaxie 104

Features and expressions[]

  • "Because Roadkill": An expression commonly used on the show, which is typically spoken under one of two conditions: 1) to justify doing something irresponsible, financially foolish, and/or completely unnecessary to a vehicle; or 2) to try to explain when something has 'inexplicably' gone wrong with said Roadkill-modded vehicle. "Because Roadkill" situations can happen anywhere.
  • "Best day at work ever": Usually said by Finnegan, in response to something that would make the average person burst into tears. Finn takes it all in, responding gracefully and elegantly with the heartfelt "best day at work ever". Then again: sometimes it actually IS the best day at work ever.
  • "It'll be fine" or "It'll work Perfectly/Flawlessly": One of Freiburger's more common quotes, usually at the end of a detailed description of what "Not to do" and its impending failure later in the episode.
  • "Mint": Freiburger's description of any vehicle that has working doors, a front windshield, and possibly one or more headlights powered by an actual working alternator.
  • "It'll dzus right back":As in a quarter turn dzus brand fastener, which are used to hold on panels of race cars. Describes a moment you cut a part of your car or truck out for just a brief moment of enjoyment, without thinking of the long-term effects of removing the part, or how to put it back on. Generally made in the middle of the desert.
  • BAM!!: Freiburger's frequent exclamation. Sometimes "BAM!!" is used to punctuate major success. Sometimes "BAM!!" is used for whatever inexplicable reason Freiburger wants.[42]
  • "I declare victory": Finnegan's version of "BAM!!".
  • "That'll buff out": Usually used when the guys stumble upon some extremely damaged object on the ground or part of a car, or do some (usually major) damage of their own.
  • Failure is 'LIKE' Success...: An ongoing theme within the show is the continual failure and subsequent challenges of the episode's project, a vehicle often modified on a tight budget and frequently 'enhanced' with second-hand or re-purposed parts. These parts are often inadequately ('resourcefully') installed due to lack of time and/or sleep (See: Zip Ties) - the end result is: the cars break down. Roadkill capitalizes on failure with catchphrases like "Because Roadkill" (referring to the inevitable failure of the project due to the nature of the show itself) and David Freiburger's use of "debacle" as a frequent exclamation to the current state of their efforts towards a resolution (that also often fail, leading to further complications).
  • Despite working in hazardous conditions, Freiburger has rarely been seen wearing shoes. He only seems to wear flip-flops. The few exceptions: in later Roadkill episodes Freiburger sports a pair of black Vans Era Canvas sneakers, as well as a pair of Merrell Moab hiking shoes.
  • Running with the theme of the cast's resourcefulness of utilizing junkyard parts and cheap products to achieve their goals, Zip Ties are so frequently used that Roadkill Garage have a mock info-segment called "The Roadkill Garage Zip Tie Moment" - where David Freiburger or Steve Dulcich find new and creative ways to make use of zip ties in their project. The use of zip ties has become so emblematic of the "budget car modification" sub-culture that the Roadkill team (in association with Dodge) now hold the Roadkill Zip-Tie Drags event which is a day dedicated to Drag Racing, and other social activities. Originally held in Arizona on June 30, 2016 - the meet was a large success and further dates and venues have been scheduled.
  • Finneganeconomics, or Finnenomics, is a recognized theory of economic loss. Applied loosely to Roadkill, it is based on "always losing the largest amount of money in any automotive deal made during an Internet show". Elements of Finneganeconomics include: 1) buying a car for well over an internet show's meager budget; 2) buying a car, then selling it back to the previous owner for far less than its internet show purchase price; 3) fixing a car and making improvements only to sell the improved car for less money than used to even buy it originally; 4) despite any upgrades, breaking the car and ditching it in any garage or storage lot available; or 5) struggling to rationalize keeping a vehicle that ultimately proves to be beyond salvation.
  • In some episodes where the vehicle overheats, they take the hood off the vehicle to keep the vehicle running. The first instance of this was with the Crusher Camaro's impossibly larger blower scoop and then shifted later to the '69 Impala, and more recently any chance to show an engines guts.
  • Regardless of a car's limitations, Roadkill makes the most of every opportunity to attempt a burnout.
  • When trying to get a car on the road the crew always insist on getting the important things done first, like making an entire fuel system for a vehicle that already has one before making the brakes work, putting a blower on an engine instead of fixing cooling problems, or putting new wheels and tires on before checking if the car even runs.
  • Commonly one of the hosts (usually Freiburger) will refer to the abnormally high quality performance parts the crew are fitting to vehicles that should be in a junkyard. Such instances include the supercharger that created the Draguar and most components on the Rotsun.[42]
  • Sometimes the 'go-to' improvement for an old tired engine is a new, shiny engine. Any LS will do just fine.
  • "Keep lowering your standards until you achieve a goal": a new phrase in the Roadkill universe usually used by Finnegan who tends to add it to a sentence after either something goes wrong or a basic idea fails.
  • "Tony Broke It": Every time HRG host Tony Angelo (One-Lap-Tony) is invited to the show, he manages to break the "high quality vehicle" that the guys built.
  • "I know the rules, so I'm allowed to break them": Finnegans go-to expression before butchering a vehicle.
  • "It's working!": a phrase often exclaimed by Finnegan, usually after overcoming various difficulties and having better than anticipated results. (Quite possibly a mock quote of Anikin Skywalker when his pod racer starts.)
  • "No gauges hence no bad news" : a phrase used by Freiburger to indicate that ignorance is indeed bliss when it comes to a Roadkill car.

References[]

  1. ^ https://blogs.wsj.com/cmo/2015/08/04/motor-trends-youtube-series-roadkill-is-becoming-a-print-magazine-aimed-at-millennial-car-lovers/
  2. ^ "Roadkill Nights 'Powered by Dodge' free festival featuring flashlight drag races in Silverdome lot". WXYZ. August 11, 2015. Archived from the original on 2015-08-13. Retrieved 2017-09-08.
  3. ^ Mike Shields (4 August 2015). "Motor Trend's YouTube Series `Roadkill' Is Becoming a Print Magazine Aimed at Millennial Car Lovers". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2017-09-08.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b The Kibbe and Finnegan Show EP. 56 "To Catch A Duke" http://www.themusclecarplace.com/kf-show-56
  5. ^ MTOD Roadkill Extra: The Roadkill Family Tree Roadkill Extra EP. 258
  6. ^ Jump up to: a b Motor Trend Channel (2017-10-14), What Makes the Ultimate Burnout? - Roadkill Extra, retrieved 2017-10-16
  7. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e MobileTechLucky Costa (2017-11-07), Early Days Are The Best, retrieved 2017-11-13
  8. ^ Motor Trend Channel (2014-03-21), Junkyard Turbo Swap! Chevy-Powered 1971 Datsun 240Z Autocross Thrash - Roadkill Ep. 26, retrieved 2017-05-17
  9. ^ Motor Trend Channel (2017-05-19), Junkyard Turbo 5.0 Power for the Rotsun! - Roadkill Ep. 64, retrieved 2017-05-22
  10. ^ Jump up to: a b c "Blown Impala vs. Turbo Rotsun! - Roadkill Ep. 65". www.youtube.com. 16 June 2017. Retrieved 2017-06-17 – via Youtube.
  11. ^ "Roadkill". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2017-10-09.
  12. ^ Motor Trend Channel (2016-11-13), A Tour of Roadkill’s Stubby Bob (w/ Lucky Costa) – Daily Fix, retrieved 2017-05-17
  13. ^ Jump up to: a b Motor Trend Channel (2018-01-05), Stubby Bob Lives! Huge Wheelstands! - Roadkill Ep. 72, retrieved 2018-01-08
  14. ^ Motor Trend Channel (2013-12-20), Dirt Cheap Rat Rod! 1968 Charger Buildup and Thrash - Roadkill Ep. 23, retrieved 2017-05-17
  15. ^ Motor Trend Channel (2013-07-26), Nitrous Muscle Truck and Mini Bikes! - Roadkill Episode 18, retrieved 2017-05-17
  16. ^ Motor Trend Channel (2012-03-16), Viva Ranchero! Alaska or Bust! - Roadkill Episode 2, retrieved 2017-05-17
  17. ^ Motor Trend Channel (2013-03-08), The Ranchero Returns! Alaska or Bust: The Sequel - Roadkill Episode 13, retrieved 2017-05-17
  18. ^ Motor Trend Channel (2013-04-05), The Ranchero Returns Part 2! Alaska or Bust, the Sequel - Roadkill Episode 14, retrieved 2017-05-17
  19. ^ Motor Trend Channel (2012-09-07), 426 Hemi in a '55 Chevy! Roadkill Episode 8, retrieved 2017-05-17
  20. ^ Jump up to: a b Motor Trend Channel (2017-11-03), Hemi Gasser vs. Hemi Super Bee! - Roadkill Ep. 70, retrieved 2017-11-03
  21. ^ Motor Trend Channel (2013-08-23), '67 Crusher Camaro vs '70 Super Bee 1,500-Mile Burnout-Fest! - Roadkill Episode 19, retrieved 2017-05-17
  22. ^ Motor Trend Channel (2014-01-24), 700 Horsepower & 2,400 Miles! Crusher Camaro Engine Swap Aftermath - Roadkill Ep. 24, retrieved 2017-05-17
  23. ^ Motor Trend Channel (2012-08-03), Release The Draguar! Building a Blown Jaguar Rat Rod - Roadkill Episode 7, retrieved 2017-05-17
  24. ^ Motor Trend Channel (2013-05-31), Leaf-Blower Supercharging a 1978 Chevrolet Monza Spyder! - Roadkill Episode 16, retrieved 2017-05-17
  25. ^ Motor Trend Channel (2017-12-02), Finnegan and Freiburger Talk Six Seasons of Roadkill! - Roadkill Extra, retrieved 2017-12-04
  26. ^ Motor Trend Channel (2017-12-16), Finnegan Updates You on the Vette Kart - Roadkill Extra, retrieved 2018-01-08
  27. ^ Motor Trend Channel (2017-09-23), Update on the Crop Duster - Roadkill Extra, retrieved 2017-10-09
  28. ^ Motor Trend Channel (2017-04-21), 1,800-Mile Beater Rally! - Roadkill Ep. 63, retrieved 2017-05-17
  29. ^ Motor Trend Channel (2017-04-29), Bloopers and Outtakes from the Missing Linc Episode - Roadkill Extra, retrieved 2017-05-17
  30. ^ Motor Trend Channel (2015-02-06), Boatkill! The Muscle Truck-to-Boat Extreme LS Engine Swap! - Roadkill Ep. 36, retrieved 2015-02-06
  31. ^ Motor Trend Channel (2016-06-17), Will It Go 10s? Mazdarati Is Back! - Roadkill Ep.51, retrieved 2017-05-17
  32. ^ Motor Trend Channel (2017-01-06), The Mini-Truck and Road Runner Episode! - Roadkill Ep. 58, retrieved 2017-05-21
  33. ^ Motor Trend Channel (2013-06-28), Tank Smashes Prius! Toyota Prius Battles AMC Gremlin & Suffers Crushing Defeat - Roadkill Ep. 17, retrieved 2017-05-17
  34. ^ Motor Trend Channel (2015-04-06), 1975 AMC Gremlin: The Legend Revisited! - Ignition Ep. 129, retrieved 2017-05-17
  35. ^ Jump up to: a b Motor Trend Channel (2017-03-04), F-Bomb Camaro Update! - Roadkill Extra, retrieved 2017-05-17
  36. ^ Motor Trend Channel (2017-07-14), Junkyard-Rescue 1969 Mustang Mach 1! - Roadkill Ep. 66, retrieved 2017-07-14
  37. ^ Motor Trend Channel (2018-02-02), 1,300 Miles in the "Disgustang" Junkyard Mach 1! - Roadkill Ep. 73, retrieved 2018-02-02
  38. ^ Motor Trend Channel (2017-08-11), Building Finnegan's Dream-Car Firebird! - Roadkill Ep. 67, retrieved 2017-09-08
  39. ^ Motor Trend Channel (2017-09-08), Racing One Lap of America! Kinda. - Roadkill Ep. 68, retrieved 2017-09-08
  40. ^ Motor Trend Channel (2017-10-06), Rescuing an Old Drag Race Car - Roadkill Ep. 69, retrieved 2017-10-06
  41. ^ Jump up to: a b Motor Trend Channel (2017-12-01), Roadkill's Best Dirt Car Yet! - Roadkill Ep. 71, retrieved 2017-12-01
  42. ^ Jump up to: a b Zack D (2016-02-12), Freiburger Bam, retrieved 2017-05-17

External links[]

Retrieved from ""