Videos about cars are not just entertainment, but a whole world of emotions, technology and adrenaline. From professional reviews of new Porsche 911 to amateur drift filming on Nissan Silvia in an underground parking lot - content about cars captivates millions of viewers. But how to really find cool videosthat are worth your time? Where to look for unique angles, honest test drives or extreme races filmed with professional equipment?
In this article we will look at TOP 10 YouTube channels about cars that are a must-watch, weβll reveal the secrets of shooting auto videos on a smartphone, and show you how to distinguish quality content from clickbait. Weβll also share life hacks on how to download videos legally and where to look for rare footage from closed tracks. Buckle up, it's going to be interesting!
TOP 5 YouTube channels about cars with millions of views
If you are looking professional content with a deep dive into technical details, these channels should be in your bookmarks. They are run not only by bloggers, but also by former engineers Formula 1, racers Le Mans and rare car collectors.
The first place is rightfully taken Car Throttle is a British channel that combines humor, in-depth reviews and exclusive test drives. Their video about Bugatti Chiron on the highway NΓΌrburgring received more than 50 million views. Feature of the channel - they film cars in motion using drones, which gives unique angles.
- π Car Throttle β reviews, comparisons, extreme tests (12 million subscribers)
- π§ TheStraightPipes β honest reviews without censorship (3 million subscribers)
- π Donut Media β car history + entertainment format (5 million subscribers)
- π¨ Hoonigan β drift, burn-outs and street racing (4 million subscribers)
- π₯ Shmee150 β luxury supercars and collectible models (2 million subscribers)
Please note TheStraightPipes are a Canadian duo who are never afraid to criticize even the most expensive cars. Their video about Tesla Cybertruck with the analysis of all the constructive jambs it became viral. And if you like vintage cars, then Donut Media released a series of videos about JDM classics (Japanese cars of the 90s), which cannot be found in this quality anywhere else.
β οΈ Attention: Many channels edit the engine sound in the studio. To check originality, watch live streams or videos with overhead microphones (for example, Hoonigan they always show the filming process).
How to shoot cool videos about cars on a smartphone: 7 rules
No need to have a professional camera RED Komodoto make an impressive video. Modern smartphones (for example, iPhone 15 Pro or Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra) cope with this task no worse. The main thing is to know a few tricks.
First: angles. Never shoot a car from the front at eye level - this is the most boring shot. Try:
- π± Low angle (camera at bumper level) - emphasizes the aggressive design
- π Drone or high angle (from a balcony, bridge) - will show the car surrounded
- π Dynamic flyby (walk around the car with the camera on)
- π‘ Shooting through glass (for example, reflection in a store window)
Second: sound. The built-in microphone of a smartphone will not transmit a roar V8 or turbine whistle. Use external microphones (eg Rode VideoMic) or record the sound separately, and then overdub it in the editor. To do this, place the microphone close to the exhaust pipe (but not too close so as not to distort the sound).
Connect an external microphone|Select cloudy weather (no sharp shadows)|Clean the lens from fingerprints|Remove a spare battery or powerbank|Check the free space on the memory card-->
Third: lighting. The best time to take photos is golden hour (first hour after sunrise or before sunset). Avoid direct sun - it creates harsh shadows. If you're shooting in cloudy weather, increase the exposure manually in your camera settings.
β οΈ Attention: When shooting a moving car with a smartphone, always turn on stabilization (for example, modeHyperSmoothon GoPro orSuper Steadyon Samsung). Without this, the video will be shaky and unsuitable for editing.
If you shoot at night, use LED panels with a color temperature of 5600K - they simulate daylight and do not distort the color of the car.
Where to look for rare videos about cars: 5 unobvious sources
YouTube is not the only place where you can find unique videos. If you are interested closed tracks, 80's racing series or prototypes that never went into production, these resources will help:
| Resource | What's there | How to search |
|---|---|---|
| Petrolicious | Video about rare classic cars with owner history | Filter by brand or era (for example, "Japanese Classics 1990s") |
| DriveTribe | Amateur footage from tracks, reviews from mechanics | Use tags #JDM, #TrackDay, #ProjectCar |
| Rare Car Videos (Telegram) | Race archive Group B, crash tests, factory rollers | Enter the model into the search (for example, "Lancia Delta S4 crash") |
| IMCDb | Database of cars from films and TV series | Select a movie (for example, "Fast & Furious") and see a list of cars |
| Vimeo (group "Car Culture") | Author's short films about auto culture | Sort by date added (many old but high-quality videos) |
One of the most valuable resources is IMCDb (Internet Movie Cars Database). Here you can find which one Ford Mustang filmed Bullitt (1968) or where it is now DeLorean DMC-12 from Back to the Future. And in the Telegram channel Rare Car Videos often posted unreleased footage from racing WRC 90s that you can't find on YouTube.
If you need technical videos (for example, how does a gearbox work? PDK or how the engine is assembled Toyota 2JZ), check out the channel Engineering Explained. Its presenter is a mechanical engineer who disassembles the structure of machines at the physics level.
How to download videos from Petrolicious legally?
Petrolicious allows downloading of videos for personal use as long as you credit the source. Use a browser extension Video DownloadHelper (available for Chrome/Firefox). Important: do not distribute downloaded files on social networks - this violates copyright.
Extreme videos about cars: drifting, crash tests and racing
If you're bored with regular reviews, it's time to move on to adrenaline content. Here's what you should look at first:
- π₯ Euro NCAP crash tests - how he behaves Volvo XC90 in a frontal impact at 64 km/h
- π Racing 24 Hours of Le Mans β night shooting from on-board cameras Audi R18
- π¨ Drift on Nissan Skyline GT-R - legendary videos Keiichi Tsuchiya (Drift King)
- β‘ Arrivals Top Gear on the highway - for example, Bugatti Veyron vs Eurofighter Typhoon
- π Trophy raids β Dakar Rally or Silk Way Rally in the desert
One of the most impressive videos - crash test Mercedes-Benz S-Class (2020) against a concrete wall at a speed of 56 km/h. A camera inside the cabin shows the airbags deploying in milliseconds. And if you like drift video then series "Hot Version" from Option Video (Japan) - this is the bible for lovers of controlled skidding.
For those who want to see cars at the limit, we recommend looking for a video with NΓΌrburgring Nordschleife - the most dangerous race track in the world. They often film there like production supercars (like Lamborghini HuracΓ‘n) compete with racing prototypes. Just keep in mind: many videos are filmed on closed tracks with the permission of the organizers - do not repeat such stunts on public roads!
Videos from riders' on-board cameras (e.g. MotoGP or DTM) help to understand trajectories and braking points. This is useful if you plan to go to the track yourself.
How to edit a video about cars: programs and effects
Even the best video can be ruined by poor editing. If you are filming cars for your channel or just want to make a beautiful video, here TOP 3 programs for installation:
- Adobe Premiere Pro - professional tool with support
4K HDRand plugins for color correction (for example, Magic Bullet). - Final Cut Pro - optimized for Mac, works great with video iPhone.
- CapCut β a free mobile application with ready-made templates for auto videos.
Key effects to use:
- π¬ Slow down (Slo-Mo) β for shooting rotating wheels or exhaust gases
- π Audio overlay - replace street noise with recording an engine in the studio
- π¨ Color correction β add warm tones for retro cars or cool tones for supercars
- π Telemetry - add graphs of speed, engine speed (can be done in RaceRender)
One of the most popular techniques is audio-synced transitions. For example, when the car changes gear, the editor cuts the frame exactly at the moment the box clicks. This technique is used in the video Car Throttle and Donut Media.
β οΈ Attention: Do not overuse the βshakerβ effect (shaking the camera) - this quickly tires the viewer. If you want dynamics, it is better to use a quick change of angles (every 2-3 seconds).
To edit video from a drone, use the plugin Neat Video in Premiere Pro - it removes noise and makes the picture clearer.
Legal nuances: is it possible to rent cars on the street?
Before you publish videos with cars, you should find out about legal restrictions. In Russia and most European countries, filming cars on public roads allowed, but there are nuances:
- π Car numbers β they can be shown if the video is not used for commercial purposes. Exception: filming for news or investigations.
- π₯ People's faces β if passers-by are in the frame, their faces must be blurred (according to the law on personal data).
- π Racing on public roads β filming and publishing such videos can become evidence of an offense (Article 12.9 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation).
- π Copyright β if you use music or film footage, licenses are needed (for example, through Epidemic Sound).
If you are filming in a closed area (for example, at a car showroom or at a track), always ask permission from the organizers. Some dealers (eg. Ferrari or Rolls-Royce) prohibit filming without approval.
You should be especially careful with videos that show Accidents or crimes. In Russia, such footage can be seized at the request of the police if it becomes part of a criminal case. If you witness an accident, it is better to transfer the video to the insurance company or the traffic police than to post it in the public domain.
What happens if you remove a car with license plates and post it online?
In most cases, nothing will happen, but if the owner of the car files a complaint (for example, due to the disclosure of personal data), the video may be blocked at the request of Roskomnadzor. To avoid problems, blur the numbers in the program Blurring Tool (available online).
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about car videos
Is it possible to make money from videos about cars without a car license?
Yes, but there are restrictions. If you film other people's cars on the street, you are not breaking the law, but the owner can demand that the video be removed if it harms his reputation (for example, if the car is in poor condition). For commercial use, it is better to rent your cars or negotiate with the owners.
Which camera is better for shooting cars: DSLR or mirrorless?
For dynamic shooting (racing, drifting) a mirrorless camera is better (for example, Sony A7 IV) - it focuses easier and faster. For studio shooting (reviews, details) a DSLR is suitable (Canon EOS R5) with good color rendering. If your budget is limited, take it DJI Pocket 3 β it is compact and with built-in stabilization.
Where can I download engine sounds for editing?
Legal sources:
- Freesound.org (free, but you must indicate the author)
- Epidemic Sound (paid subscription, but safe for monetization)
- YouTube Audio Library (free tracks and sounds)
Never use sounds from other videos - this is a violation of copyright!
How to make a video about a car at night without noise?
Use a camera with a large sensor (eg Panasonic S5 II) and a lens with aperture f/1.4-f/1.8. Settings:
- ISO: no higher than 3200 (otherwise there will be noise)
- Shutter speed: 1/50 or faster (to avoid blur)
- White balance: 3200K (for warm light from flashlights)
In post-production use Topaz Video AI to remove noise.
Can I use stills from other bloggers' videos?
Only with permission of the author or under license Creative Commons. Most channels (including Car Throttle and Donut Media) prohibit the use of their materials. The exception is short quotes (up to 10 seconds) in review videos with the source indicated.