The Smoking Tire Podcast — Jonny Lieberman

Date: September 2, 2025
Hosts: Matt Farah & Zack Klapman
Guest: Jonny Lieberman (Automotive Journalist)

Overview

In this engaging, freewheeling episode, Matt, Zack, and guest Jonny Lieberman deep-dive into the elite world of specialty Porsche builds, particularly RUF’s extraordinary “Rodeo” model, the state of the high-end restomod scene, EV “synthetic gears”, and some inside baseball on automotive events in California. Interspersed is an extended whisky-tasting experiment—a blend of car nerd-out, irreverent humor, and food and beverage culture, as only these three can deliver.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Studio Mayhem & LA Car Culture Banter

• Timestamps: 01:38–03:37
• The episode opens amid technical chaos at the studio, leading to the quip:
  "We engine swapped the studio." – Zack Klapman (01:55)
• Lieberman recounts a recent party at Matt’s place, referencing Paul Kramer’s recovery and the practical wisdom of buying a ranch house in your 40s.
• Ample LA parking pride is discussed.

The RUF Rodeo: A Million Dollar, Off-Road, Air-Cooled Monster

• Timestamps: 03:37–15:06

Driving Unicorns: RUF vs. Singer vs. Gunther

• Matt reflects on being among the few journalists to drive the latest Singer and RUF offerings ("…just get both. And he's like, no, really, I'm actually… you’re the only person who’s driven them.").
• Jonny, Matt, and Zack realize they’re the "only three journalists" to have driven the new RUF Rodeo (05:22).
• Only Jonny and Matt got to fully explore the car, with one rule: "Estonia says you have to take it off road." Jonny: "I said, only if I can drive it not like a bitch."* (05:50)

Rodeo’s Dynamics: The Widowmaker, Reimagined

• It’s a 610 HP, selectable-AWD, carbon-tub, long-travel off-roader described by Jonny as "a million dollar off road handful" (06:24):

  "Did you experience the snap lift off—oversteer?"

• Matt: "Nothing rotates like a Rodeo." (06:44)
• Rodeo channels the 930 "Widowmaker" mythos but with even less weight, over double the power, softest springs ever, and monumental oversteer on throttle lift.
• Advanced AWD system—"you can drag to select where you want it, or pop it in auto. It’s insane." – Jonny (11:39)

Comparisons to Legendary Oddball Builds

• Connections drawn to the Nissan Juke R ("driving a pinball"), Canepa 959SC, and Hummer EV (10:04–11:21).

  "When you floor the Hummer EV at night... the headlights are pointing at the sky. You have two seconds of, you cannot see what you’re rocketing towards. It’s so safe." – Jonny (11:16)

Design and Ergonomics

• Interior details: Navajo blanket/Ralph Lauren motif, big stitching (nod to Freeman Thomas, Audi baseball stitch), exposed carbon tub—a "flex".
• Critiques:
  • Electric A/C is universally bad in RUFs.
  • Steering wheel is "way too far away and not adjustable"—not ideal for all bodies.

    "If you’re starting from scratch … you didn’t have to make it that way. But maybe they did." – Matt (13:14)

Whiskey Science: Tasting Experiments and Nerdy Bourbon Insight

• Timestamps: 22:08–33:21, 40:41–53:03, 57:07–67:10

Char Level & Barrel Location Experiments

• Fan Andrew (Director of Whiskey Research) sends blind samples.
• Char level test:
  • Level 1: Lighter, more vanilla and sweetness.
  • Level 4: "Fuck, that's delicious... That is a fabulously delicious bourbon." – Matt (29:49)
• Aging on different warehouse floors:
  • Bottom: "Cleaning solution." – Jonny (44:08);
  • Top: "Way better... you get candy and vanilla, but still harsh."
• Climate impact (Kentucky vs. Scotland):
  • Two-year-old whiskey aged in Kentucky is darker, more syrupy and harsh; Scotland version is lighter, more "scotch-like":

    "Second sip, second half, very bad." – Matt (65:43)

Bourbon Law & Tasting Techniques

• Lieberman explains legal requirements for bourbon and nerds out on the role of barrel char, warehouse microclimates, and the science of “white dog” spirits.

Discussion: EVs, Synthetic Gears, and Engagement

• Timestamps: 31:11–37:40

• Talk about Porsche’s EV Cayenne prototype with "synthetic gears"—a feature that mimics traditional gear changes for driving engagement.

  "I want my EV Cayman to mimic the power-to-weight, gear ratios... of a 550 Spyder." – Matt (31:40)

• Jonny prefers authenticity ("no fake noise"), but Matt sees it as a way to make EV sports cars more emotionally engaging via downloadable "car packs" and adaptive gear and throttle mapping.

Cadillac's Dolby Atmos, High-End EVs & General Motors Banter

• Timestamps: 38:27–40:54

• Jonny praises Cadillac’s physical integration of Dolby Atmos, especially as demonstrated in Elton John’s "Rocket Man":

  "I hate Elton John… but this blew my mind." – Jonny (38:55)

• Cadillac Vistiq, Optiq, and Escalade IQ discussed—true luxury EVs with power and features, but not for enthusiasts craving visceral driving engagement.

Low-Volume Porsche Restomods: McKellos (& Naming Woes)

• Timestamps: 49:40–56:57

• Lieberman describes driving multiple McKellos (restomod) 911 builds; rave reviews for chassis and finish but lambastes branding:

  "McKellos is just a bad name… It sounds like a diner." – Jonny (54:45)

• General industry commentary on the importance of a memorable, evocative name ("Mulholland" is floated).

Car Culture: LA Events, Cars & Coffee, and Community

• Timestamps: 46:30–84:24

• Upcoming Willow Springs Cars & Coffee event (Oct 11) previewed—live show, exhibition racing, judged concours.

• Jonny and Sang Yoon's quarterly Helms Bakery Cars & Coffee—focus on inclusivity and "real" enthusiast turnout, now sponsored by Cars & Bids.

• Practical advice for car show organizers: "Have coffee and snacks BEFORE the early staff and feature cars load in!"

• Deep dive into the trials of sourcing proper kaiser rolls for New York-style breakfast sandwiches in LA ("Brent’s Deli is the answer").

Patreon Q&A — Notable Exchanges

• Would Jonny Buy Another EV?

  "I would buy another Rivian. I love mine. I don’t even care that I lost a little money on it." – Johnny (90:22)

• Enhancing Drive of Hellcat Widebody

  • Best mods: "Michelins, not Pirellis – and upgraded brakes"
  • "They're fun 7/10 cars, not fun 10/10 cars." – Matt

• Lightweighting in Sports/Track Cars: Does It Matter?

  "80 lbs only matters if you compare them back-to-back, or change unsprung or roof weight. On the front axle: huge difference." (101:34–102:29)

• Favorite Porsche Mount Rushmore (Best Porsches Ever):

  • Jonny: "550 Spyder," "America Roadster"
  • Matt: "997 GT3 RS 4.0," "85 Carrera Club Sport," "73 RSR Lightweight"
  • "You're so right on the 4.0. I forgot about that for a second." – Jonny (108:54)

• Car Industry Burnout?

  "I get burned out on the job, but I can sit and talk cars all night long." – Jonny (110:01)

• Stealth Wealth in Cars:

  • In LA, little true stealth—"People want it to be seen." Exceptions: vintage/rare watches, classic trucks, Bronco restomods, old Land Cruisers.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Nothing rotates like a Rodeo." – Matt Farah (06:44)
• "It’s a million dollar off-road handful." – Jonny Lieberman (06:24)
• "Have coffee if load-in starts at 7!" – Matt Farah, on the logistics of car shows (83:34)
• "McKellos is just a bad name…It sounds like a diner." – Jonny Lieberman (54:45)
• "We engine swapped the studio." – Zack (01:55)
• "Fuck, that's delicious…That is a fabulously delicious bourbon." – Matt, on Char Level 4 bourbon (29:49)
• "I hate Elton John… but this blew my mind." – Jonny, Cadillac's Dolby Atmos demo (38:55)
• "The car's greatest asset is its snap lift-off oversteer, once you know how to handle it." – Matt, on the RUF Rodeo (07:17)

Suggested Listening Timestamps

• RUF Rodeo deep dive: 03:37–15:06
• Whiskey science and experimentation: 22:08–33:21, 40:41–53:03, 57:07–67:10
• EV synthetic gears debate: 31:11–37:40
• Cadillac & audio tech chat: 38:27–40:54
• LA Cars & Coffee scene: 46:30–84:24
• Patreon Q&A: 87:26–end

Original, Spirited Tone Maintained

For fans of The Smoking Tire and Lieberman’s left-field stories, this episode delivers the perfect blend of car-nerd depth, competitive bench-racing, luxury car and whiskey snobbery, and the odd culinary rabbit hole. The dynamic is casual, quick-witted, and densely packed with both laughs and rare automotive experience—ideal for newcomers and regulars alike.