Richard Porter
@sniffpetrol.com
Astronaut, stunt man, liar. Also one half of Smith and Sniff.
Did we mention on today's Smith and Sniff that we're doing a live show at National Motor Museum in Beaulieu? No. We did not. Because we are useless. Anyway, it's on 2 April, it includes private access to the museum and you can get tickets here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1982006830...
OTLOT at The National Motor Museum, Beaulieu
Be part of the audience for a Smith and Sniff live show
www.eventbrite.co.uk
February 9, 2026 at 6:58 PM
Did we mention on today's Smith and Sniff that we're doing a live show at National Motor Museum in Beaulieu? No. We did not. Because we are useless. Anyway, it's on 2 April, it includes private access to the museum and you can get tickets here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1982006830...
I'm not working on the re-booted Grand Tour but I did help to choose the new presenters. Full story in the new episode of Smith and Sniff. podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/s...
How the new Grand Tour presenters were chosen
Podcast Episode · Smith and Sniff · 09/02/2026 · 57m
podcasts.apple.com
February 9, 2026 at 9:38 AM
I'm not working on the re-booted Grand Tour but I did help to choose the new presenters. Full story in the new episode of Smith and Sniff. podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/s...
Reposted by Richard Porter
I'm convinced AI is our generation's radium - a discovery with genuinely useful applications in specific, controlled circumstances that we stupidly put in everything from kid's toys to toothpaste until we realised the harm far too late where future generations will ask if we were out of our minds.
February 8, 2026 at 10:23 PM
I'm convinced AI is our generation's radium - a discovery with genuinely useful applications in specific, controlled circumstances that we stupidly put in everything from kid's toys to toothpaste until we realised the harm far too late where future generations will ask if we were out of our minds.
If you've read my latest geek out for The Intercooler, these are a couple of the test mules mentioned in the story.
February 8, 2026 at 11:17 AM
If you've read my latest geek out for The Intercooler, these are a couple of the test mules mentioned in the story.
Remember the other week when I was puzzling over this mysterious Audi-based test mule spotted in the UK in 2007? Well, I've found out what was underneath. All is revealed in my latest story for The Intercooler. www.the-intercooler.com/library/feat...
February 6, 2026 at 9:14 AM
Remember the other week when I was puzzling over this mysterious Audi-based test mule spotted in the UK in 2007? Well, I've found out what was underneath. All is revealed in my latest story for The Intercooler. www.the-intercooler.com/library/feat...
As I'll explain in the new Smith and Sniff on Monday, I had a small hand in getting these three onto The Grand Tour. They're very clever, very funny and all of them have great car knowledge. I'm not working on the show any more, but I'm delighted it's in safe hands. variety.com/2026/tv/news...
‘The Grand Tour’ Revs Up With New Hosts Francis Bourgeois, Thomas Holland and James Engelsman: ‘In No Way Cardboard Cutouts of the Old Three’
Prime Video has tapped Francis Bourgeois, Thomas Holland and James Engelsman to helm the revamped 'The Grand Tour,' which returns later this year.
variety.com
February 5, 2026 at 6:10 PM
As I'll explain in the new Smith and Sniff on Monday, I had a small hand in getting these three onto The Grand Tour. They're very clever, very funny and all of them have great car knowledge. I'm not working on the show any more, but I'm delighted it's in safe hands. variety.com/2026/tv/news...
I think this Abercrombie & Fitch T-shirt was designed for Gen Zers high on 80s retroism. Unfortunately it’s just been bought by a middle aged saddo with a British Leyland tattoo and an actual MG Metro.
February 3, 2026 at 11:46 AM
I think this Abercrombie & Fitch T-shirt was designed for Gen Zers high on 80s retroism. Unfortunately it’s just been bought by a middle aged saddo with a British Leyland tattoo and an actual MG Metro.
It's Monday, it's new Smith and Sniff time. This week, why do people advertise cars with faults and then claim these don't bother them? podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/s...
But it's never bothered me
Podcast Episode · Smith and Sniff · 02/02/2026 · 1h 2m
podcasts.apple.com
February 2, 2026 at 9:13 AM
It's Monday, it's new Smith and Sniff time. This week, why do people advertise cars with faults and then claim these don't bother them? podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/s...
This excellent video is doing the rounds on Instagram, billed as showing durability testing for the Land Rover Discovery 3. [Insert predictable reliability joke here.] But I think some of it is actually testing to make sure the airbags don't go off when they shouldn't. Can any car engineers confirm?
January 30, 2026 at 1:41 PM
This excellent video is doing the rounds on Instagram, billed as showing durability testing for the Land Rover Discovery 3. [Insert predictable reliability joke here.] But I think some of it is actually testing to make sure the airbags don't go off when they shouldn't. Can any car engineers confirm?
In today’s Smith and Sniff, David Beckham believes, Wet Leg have ambitious road trip plans, and I’ve got an update on my MG Metro Turbo. Listen here; podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/s...
Beckham's Prelude
Podcast Episode · Smith and Sniff · 26/01/2026 · 1h 5m
podcasts.apple.com
January 26, 2026 at 9:23 AM
In today’s Smith and Sniff, David Beckham believes, Wet Leg have ambitious road trip plans, and I’ve got an update on my MG Metro Turbo. Listen here; podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/s...
Help out a very talented man…
I‘d be so grateful if some of you motoring-world giants could share these artworks I have for sale. Only 2 weeks until rent is due, and genuinely not a penny to my name. Please DM for more info if interested in anything...or a commission @a1goy.bsky.social @sniffpetrol.com @carpervert.bsky.social
January 18, 2026 at 12:22 PM
Help out a very talented man…
A lot of people are putting pics from 2016 on social media. Out of interest I searched 2016 on my phone and the first thing that came up was this; a party hat with sick in it.
January 17, 2026 at 12:29 PM
A lot of people are putting pics from 2016 on social media. Out of interest I searched 2016 on my phone and the first thing that came up was this; a party hat with sick in it.
Our Smith and Sniff live show next week at The Motorist near Leeds was sold out, but they've just told us there's room for 10 more seats so we've released 10 extra tickets. Move fast if you want one.
Or just come to our Glasgow show next month instead.
Or just come to our Glasgow show next month instead.
January 16, 2026 at 6:58 PM
Our Smith and Sniff live show next week at The Motorist near Leeds was sold out, but they've just told us there's room for 10 more seats so we've released 10 extra tickets. Move fast if you want one.
Or just come to our Glasgow show next month instead.
Or just come to our Glasgow show next month instead.
🎶 Watch us wreck the mic
Watch us wreck the mic
Watch us wreck the mic 🎶
Watch us wreck the mic
Watch us wreck the mic 🎶
January 15, 2026 at 8:36 PM
🎶 Watch us wreck the mic
Watch us wreck the mic
Watch us wreck the mic 🎶
Watch us wreck the mic
Watch us wreck the mic 🎶
Reposted by Richard Porter
Every example of ai being useful begins with "okay imagine you're in a situation, and you are very dumb"
January 15, 2026 at 5:08 AM
Every example of ai being useful begins with "okay imagine you're in a situation, and you are very dumb"
A important message. Get yours here; smithandsniff.com/products/tra...
January 14, 2026 at 9:36 AM
A important message. Get yours here; smithandsniff.com/products/tra...
MMM. That's right, it's Mystery Mule Monday. And today's mystery is this weird thing, spotted near Lotus's place in Norfolk in 2007. Claimed at the time to be a hack for an upcoming VW Phaeton coupe, but I'm not convinced. For one thing, the wheelbase is way too short.
January 12, 2026 at 8:50 AM
MMM. That's right, it's Mystery Mule Monday. And today's mystery is this weird thing, spotted near Lotus's place in Norfolk in 2007. Claimed at the time to be a hack for an upcoming VW Phaeton coupe, but I'm not convinced. For one thing, the wheelbase is way too short.
It's Friday and that means another episode of On The Other Side Of Things, the question answering second show from, ahem, Britain's number one car podcast. podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/s...
January 9, 2026 at 3:59 PM
It's Friday and that means another episode of On The Other Side Of Things, the question answering second show from, ahem, Britain's number one car podcast. podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/s...
It's been pointed out that the Speedline Maracana, as fitted to the Clio 16v, is the correct diameter and PCD to fit my Dacia Spring. Oh my saints.
January 8, 2026 at 10:29 AM
It's been pointed out that the Speedline Maracana, as fitted to the Clio 16v, is the correct diameter and PCD to fit my Dacia Spring. Oh my saints.
A late suggestion in the Dacia Spring wheels chat; MINILITES.
January 8, 2026 at 9:25 AM
A late suggestion in the Dacia Spring wheels chat; MINILITES.
40 years ago today West End Girls reached number 1 in the UK. As the camera swept towards the stage for the TOTP performance to mark this, Chris Lowe leant forward to Neil Tennant and hissed, "DON'T look triumphant..." youtu.be/gyWfEwEqpIU?...
Pet Shop Boys - West End Girls on Top Of The Pops 09/01/1986
YouTube video by PetShopBoys Parlophone
youtu.be
January 7, 2026 at 6:58 PM
40 years ago today West End Girls reached number 1 in the UK. As the camera swept towards the stage for the TOTP performance to mark this, Chris Lowe leant forward to Neil Tennant and hissed, "DON'T look triumphant..." youtu.be/gyWfEwEqpIU?...
The Dacia Spring wheels chat has been excellent, but I think we all know the real answer is SLOT MAGS.
January 7, 2026 at 11:24 AM
The Dacia Spring wheels chat has been excellent, but I think we all know the real answer is SLOT MAGS.
White wheels on the Spring for those that are interested.
January 7, 2026 at 10:51 AM
White wheels on the Spring for those that are interested.
After yesterday's Spring wheels debate, here are rough mock ups of a couple of options. Bronze to match the mirrors or green to match the bodywork. Either way, the excellent @timoldland.bsky.social has offered to 3D print some centre caps to make everything look tidier. So that's nice.
January 7, 2026 at 9:27 AM
After yesterday's Spring wheels debate, here are rough mock ups of a couple of options. Bronze to match the mirrors or green to match the bodywork. Either way, the excellent @timoldland.bsky.social has offered to 3D print some centre caps to make everything look tidier. So that's nice.
In last week's Smith and Sniff I said I was looking to jazz up the bare steel wheels of my Dacia Spring. Jonny suggested moon discs, as seen in this Photoshop mock-up. Not sure. Seems the Spring isn't sold anywhere with simple centre caps on steelies, which is what I'd like. Hmm.
January 6, 2026 at 2:01 PM
In last week's Smith and Sniff I said I was looking to jazz up the bare steel wheels of my Dacia Spring. Jonny suggested moon discs, as seen in this Photoshop mock-up. Not sure. Seems the Spring isn't sold anywhere with simple centre caps on steelies, which is what I'd like. Hmm.