Topic: Rolls Royce

The hosts shared personal stories regarding past interests in alternative energy, including a "hydroxy booster" installed in a Jaguar that used electrolysis to produce hydrogen fuel. The conversation transitioned into a reminiscence about classic cars, including a 1920s Rolls Royce discovered in a California garage and various personal vehicles like a Volkswagen Beetle and a Buick Skylark. They noted that while some technologies like water-for-fuel proved impractical, the stories remain a staple of the show's long-running history.

Cathay Pacific grounded its fleet of Airbus A350s for inspections after an engine component failed during a flight to Zurich. The issue was traced to a fuel nozzle in the Rolls-Royce engines. While not an Airbus design flaw, the incident provides a brief PR reprieve for Boeing amidst its own safety crises.

A recent listener meetup in Indianapolis drew 130 attendees, including several air traffic controllers who provided insights into reported UFO sightings and the current industry staffing crisis. The controllers claimed the widely reported labor shortage is partially maintained by unions to maximize overtime pay for members. The trip also highlighted new TSA "Analogic" screening machines that allow electronics to remain inside bags during security checks.

BMW announced a $1.7 billion investment in its South Carolina plant to shift toward electric vehicle production. The Spartanburg facility is currently the largest car exporter in the United States. Additionally, BMW-owned Rolls-Royce unveiled its first fully electric model, the Spectre, priced at approximately $400,000.

During the MTV era, a 1982 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow II ran out of gas inside the Lincoln Tunnel on a Friday afternoon. The resulting traffic jam caused significant public hostility toward the driver, who was wearing a signature MTV leather jacket. The car eventually had to be pushed out of the tunnel by a recovery truck, leading to a realization about the downsides of high-profile vehicles.

Dijon, France, experienced significant unrest as armed Chechen gangs clashed with local groups, leading to calls for increased police intervention. The mention of Dijon prompted an anecdote about the quality of French's Dijon mustard and a story from 1989 involving a Rolls Royce Silver Shadow II running out of gas in the Lincoln Tunnel, much to the chagrin of New York commuters.

A discussion regarding the declining pungency of Dijon mustard sold at Costco leads to an anecdote about driving a Rolls Royce Silver Shadow II in Manhattan during the 1980s. The story details how frequent references to the "Pardon me, do you have any Grey Poupon?" television commercial prompted the keeping of a jar in the glove box. Differences between American-licensed Grey Poupon and authentic French-made versions found in Canada are also noted.

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is praised for its quiet operation and four-class service configuration. Specific features highlighted include the electronic window dimming controlled by the flight deck and the spacious legroom in the premium economy cabin. The aircraft's performance at 41,000 feet is compared favorably to Airbus models.

A Singapore Airlines Airbus A330 experienced a dual engine failure while cruising at 39,000 feet en route to Shanghai. The aircraft descended 13,000 feet before pilots were able to restart the Rolls-Royce engines. Mechanics found nothing unusual upon landing, leaving the cause of the simultaneous flame-out under investigation.

John C. Dvorak shares an anecdote about the unreliable cruise control in his 1988 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow II. He explains that British engineers used a rubber bellows system for the mechanism, which would eventually become porous and fail. This leads to a broader discussion on the eccentricities of British motorcycle and automotive engineering.

The hosts process a series of donations, including a "de-douching" for Jan Willikens and a large contribution from Carlos Severo in Brazil. They mention a "Peerage Map" maintained by a producer that tracks the locations of the show's knights, dames, and barons across the globe.

Adam Curry shares a personal anecdote about his 1982 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow II breaking down in the Lincoln Tunnel on a Friday afternoon during his MTV years. He describes the hostility from other drivers and the embarrassment of being pushed out of the tunnel by a tow truck. The story serves as a reflection on the downsides of owning high-profile luxury vehicles.

An excerpt from Barack Obama's audiobook "The Audacity of Hope" describes his first experiences flying on private jets, specifically a Citation 10. The text details the luxury of private terminals, leather seats that convert into beds, and the sensation of Rolls-Royce engines, contrasting with his political rhetoric against corporate jet owners.

A growing number of reports indicate that toxic oil fumes are entering the cabins and cockpits of commercial aircraft through the "bleed air" systems. These incidents, often involving Rolls Royce engines and Mobil jet oil, have caused pilots to become dizzy and ill during flights. The aviation industry is accused of covering up the problem to avoid the high costs of redesigning engine seal rings.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown traveled to China to encourage sovereign wealth funds to invest in the United Kingdom. The proposed deal involves opening trade routes and potentially purchasing bonds for Northern Rock in exchange for Chinese access to UK markets. The Financial Times reports that Britain intends to reciprocate with luxury goods, financial services, and the English language.