Rob Dahm FLAT OUT In A 1500bhp 1973 Chevrolet Caprice Donk | Top Gear American Tuned

Big wheels, big motor, big horsepower.
In this instalment of American Tuned, Rob Dahm explores the head-spinning world of Donk racing, where 70's Chevys get paired with 26-inch street-rubber tyres and monstrous horsepower. Hot Rod, owner of Kut-Da-Check Racing gives Rob a tour around his shop, explaining the ins and outs of big wheel racing, before taking his personal Donk down to the drag strip to show how fast it really is...
Subscribe to Top Gear for more videos: bit.ly/Subscrib...
MORE ABOUT TOP GEAR:
Want to watch a bit of Top Gear on the internet? Welcome to the most comprehensive collection of official clips you'll find on KZbin. Whether you're searching for a caravan challenge, Ken Block in the Hoonicorn, cars versus fighter jets, Stig power laps or the latest Chris Harris Drives, you can find all the iconic films here.
Want to share your views with the team? Join our BBC Studios Voice: www.bbcstudios...
This is a commercial channel from BBC Studios.
Service & Feedback www.bbcstudios...

[@yungkidnf]

Donk=71-76 Caprice or Impala Box=77-90 Caprice or Impala Bubble=91-96 Caprice or 94-96 Impala

[@veedubgeezer]

I was gonna say I'm sure Donk is more specific than just the tyre

[@DaInfamous0ne]

@@veedubgeezer he's 100% correct.

[@yungkidnf]

I haven't watched a video on this channel in years, but this one caught my attention. Never in a million years did I ever think I'd see KutDaCheck Racing on Top Gear, WOW. #RIPprj

[@datrill1000]

You already know!!!!!

[@CHEGTO]

I live in Georgia and have participated in some racing throughout the state and will tell you these cars that these men are putting together are absolutely phenomenal and shows the engineering problem solving and dreams being accomplished in side street shops I love this and used to live for this thanks for this spotlight

[@stunter2875]

Absolutely love Rob and this series and hope it continues and grows.

[@Sniper269]

I'm sorry but I simply can't think of another person that could do a better job than Rob. I'll admit at first I wasn't sure he was the one for the job, even though Rob is the man when it comes to Mazda Rotary FD, FC and yes the Vette reverse swapped to rotary...Rob is a very technical person and I sort of figured he'd be questioning all these creations but he has proved me wrong and I'm glad he did.

[@wh0reb0t]

I wouldn't want one but I appreciate it. I think to be into cars is to appreciate all forms of the art. Edit: Couldn't have got a better host than Mr. Dahm. I hope they do more with him in the future.

[@LaneHouse]

I love that with outlets like Top Gear and Hoonigan, they are bringing more positive attention to Donks, Boxes, and Bubbles.

[@VirtousStoic]

only negative is, video was too short at the car showcase part. we just say 2 runs and done. we didn't see alot of go pro camera angles during the race. didn't see it race another car.

[@TheRealDieYoung]

i think this is "Donkmaster" if im not mistaken here it is racing the hoonicorn kzbin.info/www/bejne/eme5Z2mFoZ2UrsU edit: i was mistaken, thats a different 1500 hp single turbo donk lol

[@yungkidnf]

@@TheRealDieYoung not sure how or why my reply got deleted, but it explained who this was and a little bit of his teams history

[@russellcollier1599]

Hot rod was a great representative of donk racing. Another great but short episode. Glad to see top gear doing shows on things other than just exotics.

[@SpottedCreeper]

For me, these donks are way more exotic than what I think you're referring to as 'exotics' (the Italian supercars, etc) - I frequently see lambos, ferraris, mclarens, etc where I live in the UK but a donk.. never :D But, like you, I'm glad TG is doing shows on things like this, hopefully there's more of this type of stuff

[@WishyIV]

Donks are basically modern day gassers. Its amazing how fast they go. No clue how skinny tires like that on a HUGE car can go that quick. Major respect.

[@KingJT80]

shock setup. custom valved double adjustable

[@naseralshareef3026]

as Mannie Fresh once said: REAL BIG!

[@sweettee3647]

I love the donks. It's cool to see so many different interpretations of the same car. Different styles. So cool. Love Hot Rodding

[@VirtousStoic]

8th, good work hot rod. the details in the interior and the rim steering wheels is so good. good video topgear keep it up. I liked this video and I am not a customer fir these cars but I appreciate them and their beauty and the work that their owners do to take care of them and upgrade them

[@gfy69]

I saw this evolution 1st hand growing up in FL. Box chevys were the big deal in the 90s before I ever heard the word Donk. I always loved the glasshouse impalas/caprice. I never would have imagined what we see now days. I do miss the cragars and Vouges style tho you don't see it much now the big wheels are in.

[@guyjmlol]

I love how top gear is now very involved with American car culture I just wish the og 3 were involved with this 💔🙏

[@philbarrett3739]

They're trying anything they can against the "og 3". The BBC refuses to admit that it's irrelevant in today's world of entertainment.

[@beastballchampions]

I refuse to watch even this video

[@SaturdayWinter]

Rob Dahm >>>> Any American Top Gear host

[@NXT_LVL]

We had the 3 OG TG guys do a drag race episode, when they did the American west coast run with the Viper, Vanquish and LFA. where Clarkson got smoked by a 8.50 Drag truck and May got taken down by a EVO.. they spent more time dissing the American idea of customizing your car because it would always go "bang" according to May.

[@wh0reb0t]

@@NXT_LVL It's just entertainment. I wouldn't put too much thought into it. Clarkson's also referred to roll cages as climbing frames in a dismissive way. It doesn't matter it was good entertainment.

[@MrUltraworld]

Great episode! I'm fascinated by these things. Rob handled himself well.

[@kennethporter992]

Yes! He was respectful & just himself. Authentically showcased a part of motorsport people don't even know exists. Hoonigan did a donk build & it felt patronizing & like they were capitalizing on a culture they thought was a joke. Great job Rob

[@Winglessflight97]

@@kennethporter992 False. If you watched the Hoonigan series you would know that Donks are how Scotto's media empire started and Hert grew up around it. Scotto was an editor at Donk magazine and may even have created it. Why would you think it was a joke?? That's a hell-of-a lot of money for comedy... Custom one-off Rotiform wheels. A race spec'd supercharged big block? C'mon, bro. You gotta do some research before you make an disrespectful statement like that...

[@kennethporter992]

@@Winglessflight97 oh I watched it. Scotto is an original culture vulture. He been capitalizing off elements of black culture for decades. Me and you just see it differently. Was it built right? Yes. But the way the series was edited & his history is a complete turnoff for me & it didn't feel like they respected it to me

[@Winglessflight97]

@@kennethporter992 I see what you're saying but what car culture uniquely belongs to its original starting point? I honestly don't see how you can be a culture vulture in the car world unless you actually unapologetically troll in order to make a true mockery of it. If Scotto covered the scene better than we black folks did, that's our own damn fault cuz we owned hip hop coverage at the same time. It's like being mad at black basketball and football legends for being better at a game white men created. I don't see the appropriation here TBH. But to each their own, I guess.

[@kennethporter992]

@@Winglessflight97 I respect your point of view. This area of car culture still primarily Black which is why it feels exploitative to me. His magazine did create an spotlight where there wasn't one before so I do have mixed feelings on it. There's a primarily Latino lowered and custom painted mini truck culture near me & I wouldn't feel right being a spokesman & capitalizing off of that. My main thing is compared to this video is that at many points in the hoonigan series it felt like a joke. I like the respect they gave it here

[@983gold]

My favourite car in the series so far... I didn't know I was a donk man 🤔

[@Chris-pt6hh]

For people wanting a conversion since it ran the 1/8th... it'd prob run 10s in the 1/4. I wanna see a full out race donk. That thing probably weighs 5500 pounds.... take 1000 pounds away and it'd be like an 8 second car lol. Amazing.

[@maximillanguapo1229]

They have big wheel hard tire cars running 8s. 1320 did a feature on one. And, said car is even faster now!

[@zethloveless7238]

Boostdoctor 😀

[@sakidonance2642]

That isn't the real time

[@maximillanguapo1229]

@@sakidonance2642 Thanks for the clarification, internet expert.

[@daltonhanleyjr4142]

The B body cars are not 5500lbs they are 3700-4100lbs. They are lighter than modern muscle cars.

[@MagnoliaSupreme]

Love the G-bodies myself but a 22 or a 20 is the largest I’m willing to go. Nice to see something different on here. I’m from the south so seeing this kinda makes me homesick.

[@revvolutions]

It's a beautiful thing when you get to see your own car rolling down the street. I love rolling shots. *Provided it wasn't stolen or it had popped out of gear and then rolled down the street.

[@NG-VQ37VHR]

That's a constant for every one of these episodes. Every one of the owners have mentioned how cool it was to see their own car rolling, without them in it. Its something every car guy wants to experience, but most of us dont trust anyone to touch our cars.

[@clintondavid525]

I like seeing the deep dive into the build on this episode. Super solid of the man to somewhat breakdown his racecar build. Great series!

[@theangrymarmot8336]

Rob has to have those guys to his shop for some rotary shenanigans. Nothing is more fun than stepping outside of what you are used to and trying something radically different in the same enthusiast sphere. Going from V8 donks to rotary vettes would be a great reaction to watch.

[@lukebrennan5780]

DAHM is the reason I watch these episodes. Another fascinating and very well done episode introducing amazing stuff. Thanks Rob!

[@jsun9196]

Kut Da Check Racing...Let's Go Hot Rod 👍🏽👏🏽💪🏽...RIP PR Johnny 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@Cneal83]

Top gear has a donk on it damn good to see maybe they will get some respect for he work that goes into them

[@RusnakAutoDesign]

Missed out on the chance to play the midnight club's "real big" by Manni Fresh. that's the only dissapointment, otherwise awesome.

[@ulysseslewis2452]

These Donks are really fast enjoyed watching and the engineering that goes into these Cars!!!!!!

[@logicn.reasoning9744]

I hope that the next step in the evolution of donk is going to be autocross.

[@1byte4]

Loving the Rob Dahm street tuner series, Top Gear finally gets it.

[@reidbtable]

Love it!!!!!! About time these Brothas get some light for their engineering prowess!!! Salute!!!!!!💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾

[@Thepaintgod407]

KDC Racing 🏁 Hot Rod 🔥

[@johnjuiceshipper4963]

I love donks. They’re such a unique part of car culture, with a community that turns every car into a completely unique passion project. It’s such a collage of different cultures and histories, and it deserves its place in car culture. This is what it should be all about, not gatekeeping.

[@andrewfitzpatrick9741]

Ga, checking in… Thanks for putting the spotlight on KDC and Big wheel racing they been grinding for a long time. It’s overdue salute💪🏾.

[@optimaprime8970]

The only thing downside imo is that these cars are gonna become more rare original and unmolested. I want a donk, bubble and box as a set but original would be great too. With how rare the aero coupes are, it's hard to see them gutted on stilts. Mad respect on all the time and money 8nvested in the beautiful machines

[@MishraArtificer]

I admit, I'm not a fan of putting monstrously large wheels on cars like this (I prefer road racing over drag racing, so 20" would probably be my limit), but I'm impressed they're able to be driven that fast. Well done, and your Caprice looks fantastic!

[@Mr.Morden]

I've never liked driving cars from this era, their ass end flies out of control so easily because weight distribution is completely wrong, and the steering gives precisely ZERO feedback. I had a 87 Olds Cutlass that looked great but when it would rain as it does all the time here in Florida... that thing would drift in a 90 degree turn, even at a slow speed. It was like those old 1980s cop car chases where cars bellow around corners like a boat on water. I had too many close calls with that thing, it's disturbing that cars like that were the norm for so long.

[@R19Robbin]

Those wheels are freaking huge 😂🔥

[@discreetvlogs8683]

JUST KEEP MAKING AMERICAN TUNED VIDS BRUH SHIT IS COOL

[@ryan49805]

These things are dope!! The wheels and paint give them a fresher look but still kept all the style and class.

[@peterwho9380]

Brother gave him the power and the wisdom but he didn't use it to it's full potential!

[@carlosfandango2419]

Love how Top Gear are diving into this. Big up TG!!

[@TheJCDProduction]

Always look forward to seeing rob drive so many different style cars and wow people can make donks go really fast

[@TheLostYeti]

Rob is such a perfect fit for this series, glad to see this project come to fruition.

[@kandyman5315]

Awesome video 💪💪

[@MrSpadephlame]

Pure excitement on his face nice video

[@STAG162]

it's an American thing, and like most American things I just don't get the point of it. and with a workshop with that name, I was expecting to see Anthony Mackie, but anyway...

[@lildno2007]

Thanks for bringing it to the main stage. Big wheel racing is awesome. I go to plenty races down here in the south.

[@nitomeanboyGBODY]

Yup.. it’s nothin like em.. very unique and shows that enthusiasts on all car platforms can enjoy a lil of everything. Glad u guys got to experience this 💪🏼🏁

[@shreyasbs04]

Hello to every journalist in top gearmag aa i wanna know wether the concept of electrified vintage style scooter will work in india.

[@midnightfd3s]

need more Rob! he really makes this series what it is

[@lillepercon86]

Hot rod does seem super nice though

[@Beezy_Builds]

Love y'all are shedding light on these!

[@SmallBlogV8]

That's awesome! What a brilliant little niche in the racing world.

[@Thoth432Hz]

[“:The 1971-1976 Caprice Classic Impala DONK Game, Originally Started in Florida, then later, to all other States and abroad, so make sure you Pay Homage to “Big” “Murff” RIP, “Big” “Money Andrew” RIP, and still with us “DONK Master”, and All Other “DONK Riders”. In Florida we take the DONK Game very Seriously.”].

[@GetMoney-uo1qt]

Great Production and informative. One correction. The weight for Impala/Caprice 1971-76 is not in the range of 5200 lbs. Curb weight according to gm. Are as follows. 2dr. 4089 lbs. 4dr. 4167 lbs. Convertible 4085 lbs. KingsWood Station Wagon 4800 lbs. 🤓💯

[@zeus014]

LOL. My first car (back in the late summer of 1980) was an approx. #3 condition '73 Impala Custom Coupe (ie: concave rear window) with just over 70,000 miles on the clock. I worked and saved up all summer for it and paid $1000 cash. Car was bone stock, with the 175 hp (net) 350 small block with Rochester 4-barrel carb. It topped out at a little north of 100 mph, but to get there you'd need Nebraska. The only way it could have possibly accelerated in the same ballpark as this donk would have been to drop it off a cliff.

[@BeBarnee]

I'm super glad you guys are showcasing even more nieche types of racing and car culture like this one. I'm also amazed to see how appreciative everyone is in the comments. This might not be my type of racecar, but I love how different people do different takes on the same principle of going fast. Also, Rob is an amazing host!! Keep this series running!!!!! Much respect!

[@thor3105]

One of the best series from Top Gear. Would love to see a series like this done in Europe covering different types of car styles and cultures. Definitely needs a presenter like Rob, someone who can appreciate and respect all sorts of styles and tastes, as most of the time Top Gear has covered modified car culture in the past it has been somewhat narrow minded and almost disrespectful.

[@procatprocat9647]

It's great to see the BBC continuing to make money around the world like this. Now they can reduce our subscription!! Not sure about the donk things though. Each to their own

[@kentbeitel9966]

I miss seeing badass donks when I lived in Tampa and Charleston South Carolina! But they weren’t going as fast as they are now 😂

[@powersliding]

that is so cool...a new car culture

[@viccat6625]

This is a video for me I have had seven Donks still got two and I’m 55 years old. Been had one since 16 years old. Still have 75 caprice convertible and 73 two door impala custom nice cars.

[@blackmale78]

We caught hell for YEARS driving and racing these cars, glad to see people finally realizing that it's just another area of the car community and shinning some light on them.

[@GenesisElijah_]

Donk culture came a long way, from cheap chrome rims and lift kits, being laughed at and made fun of, to being the most cleanest powerful cars in the culture and being on top gear and powernation, I love my people

[@franzdoreza5230]

Interesting subject but presentation is SO boring... I know the past is the past but it shows what is important for entertaining television..

[@BaseSRKI]

Rob Dahm on TopGear ====> I subscribed🙏 😌

[@myth58]

i love donks more than most but i would never pull up to a drag strip on low pros....but im not rich like everybody else.....

[@q5echo154]

Rollin with 6 kits and an attitude jus so you dont get your ass kicked by your creepy uncle in a ‘74 Cutty

[@chrisperry2922]

I don't understand what's so unbelievable about it?...Other than the big wheels, It's all about the tuning

[@geraldgoodiii6993]

It’s hilarious seeing a box Chevy on 26s getting up on the chip and bumping in

[@COOLASSNICK81G]

Hot Rod a Legend...

[@Deep42Thought]

Or he best actor in the world! Or this just genuen emotions with pure love and apriciation of real car lover!

[@foulmouthgonz7174]

How do you find the time Rob? Love your drive!

[@noahbailey8509]

This series should really make best on youtube robs a treasure

[@BLACK-TUSK96]

this cars looks are from midnight club bro

[@cncdan1364]

4:33 that wild. That's the same engine guys on street outlaws use in promods

[@BaseSRKI]

Love it, in the 7 seconds driving it the first time: DAMN

[@flakey7832]

You guys better keep this up, ut's fascinating

[@viccat6625]

That’s looks like Kut tha Check box Chevy fast fast.

[@DiogoJoseTeixeiraDoMassarelos]

They gave us 1/8 numbers, wonder what it does in the 1/4 mile?

[@KingJT80]

and those are sandbagged 1/8th numbers. cant show it all if youre racing for money

[@jontebakhjul.aka.jkstuntman]

Small wheels roll up to speed faster but big wheels roll faster

[@jonluce905]

Ill watch your channel if Rob is the host.

[@vyrnmn]

They'd be a lot faster with proper wheels.

[@victorvidal08]

Nice to see fueltechs bein used in the right way!!!

[@staciaregis7678]

i remember the days where yall used to do car crash test but the past is the past

[@BigTweez9]

2500 hp in that caprice 🤦🏿‍♂️

[@WarningHPB]

another hit with Rob Dahm at the wheel

[@Armgoth]

Ah! I so love weird racing formats :D

[@speakerofthehouse2933]

How’s top gear’s production and script so so soooo…. bad now

[@lillepercon86]

Hot rod seems cool buttttt donkmaster need to be in this episode

[@HustleHabit]

Great feature. Glad y'all did the showcase on a unique side of racing

[@buffering7612]

With rims like that you’d think they’d try for bigger brakes.. at least they ditched the drums.

[@KingJT80]

4-6 piston caliper brakes are plenty on all four corners

[@NewfieOn2Wheels]

has to be one of my favourite episodes so far. one of those things where even if you're not into it, you can't help but admire all of the quality work put into these rides.

[@daholyvagabond]

They don’t make sense to me but I wanna drive one

[@jushas8926]

I haven't watched top gear since season 21

[@yungkidnf]

2:30 I'd just like to point out that that sky blue donk on the lift is a 75 (I honestly don't think he was actually calling it a 74 though)

[@MerlinOpeth]

I remember seeing robs video from back in the day, nice to see he's come this far.

[@mikibajrektarevic2543]

great episode those things are awesome

[@eikodunn]

👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾 Showing Rob the Donk lifestyle.

[@evolgenius471]

I want these cars on ANY of the Race Weeks/Drag and Drive events in the U.S. THAT would be BITCHIN!!!