Commentary Archives - Throwin' Wrenches Automotive Podcast

Welcome to the automotive podcast that is NOT using ChatGPT!  (Adobe…  Probably)

This week Eric finally did it… he broke his truck.  Daryl is knee-deep in Quadrajunk carbs, Elon wants you to believe his Roadster can fly, and the DSM triplets go head to head in a Race Daily Kill that has lasers.  Let’s get into it!

Ten years of going to Southern Cruiser Crawl, and Eric made it a whole two hours before Treehugger 4.0 blew the front driver’s side CV axle on Fun Run.  Gray goo everywhere.  More details as they can be released… (Patrons get the whole story in the preshow!)

On October 15, at a SpaceX test facility in McGregor, Texas, Tesla finally showed off the new Roadster, nine years after it was first introduced.  The demo car drove up a ramp, launched, did a flip and used thrusters to help stabilize the landing.  Tesla says it uses 10 thruster nozzles fed by high-pressure air tanks, plus a fan-powered suction system for downforce.  The claims: 0-60 in under one second, a top speed over 230 mph and more than 300 miles of range.

Want one?  There’s a road-ready Performance version with a $50,000 reservation, a Thrust version with the cold-gas thrusters for a $250,000 reservation, and an invite-only Rocket version.  Production is supposed to start in 2028… and Musk himself admitted some of what it can do might not be legal everywhere.

So is it a hypercar or just a really expensive hop?  Even the eVTOL guys aren’t buying the “flying car” pitch.  As one put it to CNN, “We are literally talking about hopping.”  Automotive World went a step further and suggested the whole show was really about selling a SpaceX merger, not a car.

Sources: KPRC Click2Houston, Mac’s Motor City Garage, Automotive World, CNN

This week it’s the Diamond-Star Motors triplets: the 1990 Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX vs. the 1990 Eagle Talon TSi, with a nod to the forgotten third sibling, the Plymouth Laser.  All three were built at the same plant in Normal, Illinois, on the same 97.2-inch wheelbase.

Same DSM bones… so who takes it?

Sources: Hagerty, Encycarpedia, iSeeCars (Eclipse, Talon).  Figures marked “~” are typical published ranges and vary by year, transmission and magazine.

The website has a new look… tell us what you think!

Customer of the Week goes to Beardo, who is going to write a program in ChatGPT to figure out the wheel speed sensor code on his 2007 Tundra.  Apparently the dealer has more codes in the system that we aren’t sharing with him, and now he’s going to be forced to buy an OBD reader and do it himself.  Good luck, Beardo.

Customer #2 this week was an old Tundra owner trying to get a transmission covered under warranty.

And yes… Eric had to ride in a Tesla in San Diego.

Quadrajunk carbs, Chinese knockoffs, parts stockpiles, truck stuff and the winter storage doldrums.  Daryl is also obsessed with some new YouTube channels you should check out:

The night before the Paris Motor Show opened, Stellantis took over a refurbished hangar in Meudon, just outside Paris, with one message: Stellantis is back as a force in Europe.  Its Paris lineup leans hard on retro and character, led by a new Citroën 2CV concept that weighs under one tonne and is targeted for 2028 at around €15,000.  Fiat brought back the Multipla on a stand made to look like an Italian piazza, and Opel showed the 281-hp Corsa GSE.  Is the comeback real, or just good theater?  Meanwhile Stellantis’ North American sales are down 12% year over year and it’s pausing production at Windsor Assembly.

Sources: Automotive News Europe, electrive, National Law Review / Foley Automotive Update

Open-source systems like Comma AI’s Openpilot let anyone tech savvy enough turn their car into a self-driving experiment, with a retrofit kit running about $1,000.  One Tesla Model Y owner even let his FSD subscription lapse and switched to a Comma device running “Sunnypilot,” a fork of Openpilot.  What could go wrong?  Well… NHTSA just opened an investigation into Comma after five crashes involving Openpilot-equipped cars hitting slow or stopped traffic, with 11 people injured and three killed.  The probe covers about 30,000 kits, and regulators are also looking at Comma’s “hands free driving for the car you already have” marketing versus the fine print that says you have to supervise it constantly.

Source: Futurism

On Saturday, October 17, a woman called 911 to report her vehicle was sinking near Buffington Harbor in Gary.  Surveillance video near the Indiana Sugar entrance showed a white vehicle going into the water.  The water was so contaminated that Indiana DNR divers couldn’t safely go in, so crews had to pump it out overnight to lower the level.  On Sunday they recovered a white Hyundai with a deceased woman inside.  Authorities are still investigating.

Source: ABC7 Chicago

Wait… that’s not an R100.  Confused?  You’ll have to listen to the episode!

Listed in Los Angeles, this 1968 Mazda R100 Series 1 came from Canada and shows 12,345 miles.  Red on red, manual transmission, clean title and a brand new redone interior.  The catch?  The original 10A rotary is frozen.  Mostly complete, very hard to find, and the seller has “NO TIME FOR BS.”  Is a rotary project worth $26K?

Out of Western Colorado, this 1953 Chevy 3100 is an old Navy store display truck.  It’s a roller with good chrome, great cab corners and a title… plus the usual rust in the floorboards.  The seller has more if you want to go all in: an S10 frame with a 4.3L V6 and 4L60E (turns over, under 40,000 miles), already modified to a 116-inch wheelbase, for $1,750, a full Panza kit still in the box for $1,300 and an S10 4×4 rear axle with disc brakes for $400.  That’s a whole restomod in one ad!

Daryl Scott… Who is the man who will ride across the state and inspect a VW with his brother man?  Daryl Scott… Damn Right!

Eric Stahl… He came. He saw. He blew up his truck and didn’t write a country music song about it… yet.

Thanks to our sponsor, Fort’s Toyota of Pekin, and a big thanks to all of our Patreon supporters!  Patrons get the preshow, and Apple Podcasts Premium gives you full integration right in your podcast app.

Want in on the fun?  Email us at [email protected], comment on Spotify, or leave a review on Apple Podcasts to be heard worldwide!

Check us out on YouTube… before we are banned for copyright!

Thanks for listening, sharing, and commenting!

Eric & Daryl

The post Episode 114 – Lazers appeared first on Throwin' Wrenches Automotive Podcast.

Welcome to the automotive podcast that will not be cutting 5% of its workforce through a voluntary redundancy programs.

On this episode of Throwin’ Wrenches…  

All of that and more on this episode of Throwin’ Wrenches.

As always, we’d like to give special thanks to Fort’s Toyota of Pekin for their ongoing support of this program.

In addition to the fine folks at Fort’s, our Patreon supporters help keeping the wrenches flying. Thank you!

Eric’s Adventures: Racing, wheeling, detailed maps, and roadside attraction photography from the remote U.S. in his newly-equipped Land Cruiser. The man’s got a full plate… and an empty tank of gas.

Daryl

Back when German cars were still making exciting, well-engineered compact sedans, we had some absolute legends.

Doggone it, these cars had soul! They were engineered to last, easy to work on, and genuinely fun to drive. Compare that to today’s “connected” vehicles with sealed powertrains and software you can’t touch. We’d say the enpoopification is real.

Which would you choose to Race?

Let us know at [email protected] or on Facebook.

Two of the world’s biggest automakers are testing 100% renewable gasoline in Spain with partners Bosch and Repsol. Here’s the kicker: no engine modifications required. Your existing car, your existing fuel system, same fuel pump… just different fuel.

The renewable gas is made from cooking oil, animal fats, and biological waste. Since hundreds of millions of combustion vehicles will be on the road through the 2040s (especially in developing countries where charging infrastructure is sparse), this could be a realistic bridge to a cleaner future without replacing every car on Earth.

Source: Expedition Portal

BMW confirmed it will cut roughly 8,000 jobs through a voluntary redundancy program running October 2026 through end of 2027. The deal targets admin, development, and corporate functions—production jobs are explicitly off the table. Estimated savings: ~€1 billion annually starting 2028.

More than half of BMW’s global staff (87,000 of ~154,500) are based in Germany, with major concentrations in Munich, Regensburg, Dingolfing, and Leipzig. The Munich research center alone, home to 25,000 engineers and developers, will be hit hardest.

Source: Automotive World

Bloomberg dropped a report in July saying Tesla’s Cybertruck has become the auto industry’s biggest commercial flop—surpassing even Ford’s legendary Edsel disaster (1958).

The Numbers:

For context, the Edsel was supposed to sell 200,000 units in year one. It sold less than a third of that. The Cybertruck is following a similar trajectory but starting from the opposite direction: overhyped promise turning into the cold reality of consumer rejection.

Source: Yahoo Finance

Shell just divested Jiffy Lube to private equity firm Monomoy Capital Partners. The deal closed July 1, 2026.

The Timeline:

Jiffy Lube now operates some 2,000 independent service centers across North America. Shell is offloading “non-core” businesses as part of a strategic pivot away from traditional lubricants and drilling operations.

If you’ve got a Jiffy Lube horror story (and honestly, who doesn’t?), expect the franchise model to tighten under private equity. Pennzoil Quaker State will keep supplying the chain for now.

Source: Yahoo Finance

After nearly 40 years of faithful service, the USPS is finally retiring the Grumman Long Life Vehicle (LLV). You know the one: right-hand-drive, aluminum body, famously tiny, powered by a Pontiac “Iron Duke” four-cylinder and Chevrolet S10 pickup chassis.

The Stats:

The Replacement? Oshkosh’s new Next-Gen Delivery Vehicle (NGDV). It’s actually a proper vehicle: airbags, air conditioning, modern safety features. Finally. The USPS allocated $9.6 billion for this overdue update.

The LLV is a slice of automotive history. It’s a humble, brilliantly simple machine that did one job and did it for longer than anyone expected. RIP to a legend.

Source: Hagerty

 Eric: 2003 Toyota MR2 Spyder – $5,500

From the listing: 2003 Toyota MR2 Spyder convertible. 102,000 miles. Full set of wheels and tires will go with the car. Aftermarket stereo. Custom black and silver leather seats. Aftermarket seat covers installed to protect them. $5,500 obo. No trades, no deliveries. Rebuilt title in hand.

Daryl: 1993 Chevrolet G20 Conversion Van – $6,000

From the listing: 1993 Chevy G 20 Conversion Van with 146000 miles on it. Has a 4.3 V6 with a automatic with overdrive. I have owned it for 26 years, has a very nice interior. It has some body damage on the passenger side, the 

doors open and close and is drivable as it is. The Van was damaged when I bought it, and I drove it the way it was. Van has a clean and clear title. I have the 3 doors needed to repair and they are included with the sale. I have done alot of maintenance work on the van, about  $3000 in parts, too much to list, This is a bargain!! 

Email us: [email protected]

Fort’s Toyota of Pekin

Patreon

The post Episode 112 – Cyber Edsel appeared first on Throwin' Wrenches Automotive Podcast.

Welcome to the automotive podcast that singing the blues in our Little Deuce Coupes.  (R.I.P. Brian Wilson)

On this episode of Throwin’ Wrenches…  

As always, we’d like to give special thanks to Fort’s Toyota of Pekin 

In addition to the fine folks at Fort’s, our Patreon supporters help keeping the wrenches flying. Thank you!

Suzuki’s Jimny 5-door is so popular in Japan that they’ve suspended orders after just four days, creating a 3.5-year backlog with 50,000 orders and only 1,200 units per month production capacity.

We explore the newly opened World of Volvo Museum in Gothenburg, celebrating the Swedish automaker’s 100-year history, and discuss GM’s massive $4 billion investment to move production from Mexico back to US plants, including the shuttered Orion Assembly facility.

Car Culture

In tribute to the late Brian Wilson, we dive into how the Beach Boys shaped American car culture with classics like “Little Deuce Coupe” and “409,” plus Wilson’s surprising hit about a Honda scooter that introduced Americans to the Japanese brand.

1995 right-hand-drive Suzuki Jimny – $15,995

You might say Eric was smitten by the Suzuki after he and Mrs. Stahl traveled across Iceland in one. Sure, it’s lacking a few creature comforts. Maybe the crash rating isn’t spectacular. And no, you can’t buy a new one here in the United States. That’s why he found a USED Japanese-market import to call his own.

He also found something that may replace “Little Mule” one far-off day. It rhymes with Mahindra.

2023 Lordstown Endurance EV Truck – $32,000 

What’s this? Why, it’s a barely-used 2023 Lordstown Endurance EV truck, of course. We’ve talked about Lordstown Motors quite a bit over the years but never actually seen one in the wild until now.

It’s hard to believe these didn’t take off.

Maybe that’s a good thing?

Got something that really grinds your gears? Let us know at [email protected] and we’ll be in touch.

The post Episode 102 – Beach Party Iceland appeared first on Throwin' Wrenches Automotive Podcast.

Welcome to the automotive podcast that is sending you an audio Valentine.

On this episode of Throwin’ Wrenches…  

Thanks for listening. To join in on the fun of the show, just email us at [email protected] or post a review on itunes to be heard worldwide!

Special thanks to Fort’s Toyota of Pekin for their ongoing support of our podcast. If you’re in the market for a new or used Toyota, or service, please give them a try!

We’d also like to thank our dedicated Patreon supporters and iTunes Premium supporters for helping to make this program possible.

Source: Wall Street Journal

Nissan’s board has determined that Honda’s terms for a combination of the two automakers are unacceptable, people familiar with the matter said, endangering a merger plan designed to shore up Nissan’s faltering business. In a statement, Nissan said no decision had been reached but one option under discussion was scrapping its December agreement with Honda to aim for a merger. Both automakers said talks were continuing and they aimed to announce their direction in mid-February.  

Source: The Wall Street Journal

Source: Reuters

 New U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy signed an order on Tuesday directing U.S. regulators to rescind landmark fuel economy standards issued under President Joe Biden that aimed to drastically reduce fuel use for cars and trucks.

In a memo, Duffy directed the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to reconsider the 2022 model year through 2031 model years for cars and trucks.

The agency in June said it would hike Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) requirements to about 50.4 miles per gallon (4.67 liters per 100 km) by 2031 from 39.1 mpg currently for light-duty vehicles.

Duffy, who took office late Tuesday, also directed NHTSA to reconsider rules for heavy duty pickup trucks and vans through 2035.

“Artificially high fuel economy standards designed to meet non-statutory policy goals, such as those NHTSA has promulgated in recent years, impose large costs that render many vehicle models unaffordable for the average American family,” Duffy’s memo said. “They also put coercive pressure on automakers to phase out production of various models of popular (internal combustion engine) vehicles.”

Source: Automotive News

Increased throughput across Mazda’s dealer network helped the Japanese automaker achieve its highest sales in nearly four decades. “Mazda is focused on pushing more sales through the current dealerships rather than trying to add on more dealers for growth,” Rob Sickel, chairman of the Mazda National Dealer Advisory Council, told Automotive News after the automaker held a virtual franchise meeting on Jan. 30. Mazda has 545 dealers in its network. In 2024, they sold an average of 669 vehicles, up from 625 in 2023. Sickel said 21 Mazda dealers topped sales of 2,000 vehicles last year.

Source:Auto Dealer Today

Car insurance rates are expected to continue to rise this year, though at a slower pace. Rates climbed 15% across the country last year and have jumped a cumulative 42% since 2022, according to insurance comparison-shopping website Insurify. 

Insurify forecasts a 5% rate increase this year to a national average full-coverage rate of $2,435 by year-end.

Source: CBT News

Despite South Carolina granting Scout Motors $1.3 billion in incentives to build its $2 billion EV plant in Blythewood, state residents won’t be able to buy the company’s vehicles when they hit the market in 2027. Due to state laws prohibiting direct sales, even the 4,000 workers employed at the facility will have to go out of state to purchase a Scout EV.

Scout, owned by Volkswagen, has opted for a direct-to-consumer sales model, similar to Tesla and Lucid, aiming to provide a more transparent and cost-effective buying process. However, South Carolina is among the nearly 20 states that mandate vehicles to be sold exclusively through dealerships. Other states with similar restrictions include Texas, Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, and Kansas, while North Carolina allows direct sales.

Source: InsideEVs.com

What an age of miracles we find ourselves in. The internet is the greatest tool for disseminating information that humanity has ever created, but it also allows anybody to just instantly broadcast whatever is on their mind at any given moment, regardless of how true it is or not. That does lead to the occasional bit of misinformation that news outlets like InsideEVs must correct.

Since the recent debut of two new electric concepts from Scout Motors, the American truck and SUV brand revived by the Volkswagen Group, we have noticed more than a few comparisons drawn to another EV truck company: Rivian.

The comparisons are fair; Scout’s two concept vehicles bear a strong resemblance to Rivian’s first two vehicles, the R1T truck and R1S SUV. And the lines between the two brands are further blurred by the fact that the Volkswagen Group and Rivian have recently started working together.

While Scout and Rivian have similar designs and will probably compete for the same customer, and Scout will use the new electrical architecture that VW is co-developing with Rivian, the two vehicles and brands are not the same. They do not use the same platform, are built (or rather, will be built) in different places and should have considerably different price tags.

Auto Industry Bracing for Further Disruption in 2025, Experts Say

Source: Detroit Free Press

Tariff threats, affordability issues and electric vehicle adoption hurdles are among the many dark storm clouds blocking projections of the 2025 auto industry landscape. 

Analysts, experts and professionals from the auto industry spoke out about their concerns Wednesday at the 31st Annual Automotive Symposium hosted at the Detroit branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago on Wednesday.

Some key takeaways from the event include: 

Kristin Dziczek, policy adviser for the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, told guests and assorted news media that everything is changing when it comes to the auto industry — the vehicles sold and what fuels them; the infrastructure needed to support those new fuel sources; the technologies those products use; and how automakers produce them. The potential for disruption is absolute, but really, what else is new?

“What never changes is people need a car,” Dziczek said. “The U.S. is a large country.”

Source: Investor’s Business Daily

Rivian (RIVN) has made its all-electric commercial van available for sale to the general public after years of it being only available to Amazon.com (AMZN).

Late Wednesday, the EV startup officially made the Rivian commercial van available with a starting price of $79,900 with deliveries slated to begin in April 2025. There are two variants, a 500 series and a 700 series, with both getting around 160 miles of range.

Rivian signed an agreement with Amazon in 2019 to design and develop electric commercial delivery vans and has prioritized production for Amazon since then. The online marketplace ordered 100,000 of Rivian’s electric vans and said in December 2024 it had 20,000 Rivian electric vans in its delivery fleet.

Amazon currently has a 15.6% stake in Rivian, according to FactSet. However, Amazon is also looking elsewhere to electrify its fleet.

However, Rivian in November 2023 amended its agreement with Amazon to allow the EV startup to sell commercial vans to any other commercial customers. At the end of the third-quarter, Rivian said it expected Amazon to increase its delivery order of vans in Q4 and announced it had launched the Rivian Commercial Van platform for the commercial market.

Meanwhile, Bernstein on Jan. 28 initiated coverage of Rivian with an underperform rating and a 6.10 price target, 52% below the current trading level.

The firm believes Rivian has built a brand based on adventure and has the resources to scale it, but it faces slower market growth, rising competition and limits to the segments its brand can address.

Bernstein analysts wrote that Rivian can succeed in its plan to reach more than 500,000 units by 2030, but that financial success for shareholders is not a given and that Rivian’s breakeven is “years away” and the company is facing “mounting risks.”

Source: CarBuzz

You’ve probably heard of the so-called Ferrari blacklist, which is essentially a list of individuals the Italian automaker won’t sell cars to. Why does the list even exist? Well, Ferrari and its Prancing Horse logo have a carefully curated reputation, and it remains one of the most exclusive brands out there.

You may argue that a car company has no right to tell you what to do with an expensive car you paid for, but it works. Ferrari is one of the most valuable car brands in the world, and most of its vehicles can be found in the garages of any avid car collector. You may own the car, but Ferrari owns the brand, and it will go to great lengths to protect it from people like Justin Bieber.

(Best Write-up Award-Winner) 

Features

Seller’s Description:

Divorced? Single? Lonely? Confidence taken a hit? 

Never fear, help is here! Cancel that Bumble account, put away those ED pills and grab this once-in-a blue-moon opportunity for permanent MoJo.

In fact, once finished digesting this advert, I suggest hitting a furniture store and acquiring a new bed. You can transport it home in your size-substitution pickup and prepare to embrace your new life.

Here in sunny Broad Ripple (46220), I offer you this fine 1969 Classic Fiat 500. Imported by myself from Naples (Italy, not Florida), this has been my (occasional) daily driver, and I am hoarse from shouting ‘I have a girlfriend’.

Powered by an eager 495cc, delivered to the rear (12”) wheel via an agricultural (it’s a 1969) 4 speed gearbox, fun and attention are a guarantee.

Proud in Ferrari Red with a black interior, the bodywork is in perfect shape. Drives as smooth as your new girlfriends panties.

Like a clown looking for a circus, I have decided, reluctantly to part with it.

If it is listed, it is available. ‘Is it available?’ will be ignored. 

Low ballers will be forwarded to the MOJO Gods and you will forever sleep alone

Source: ClassicCars.com/

Seller’s Description

The 88 is a full-size car that Oldsmobile produced from 1949 until 1999 and was an image leader for GM when first introduced. It was one of the best performing vehicles on the market at the time due to its relatively small sized, lightweight, high compression V8 engine whose performance enabled the Olds 88 to be considered the first muscle car by some even though the title is disputed.

Specific to the 1957 model year is the Golden Rocket 88 whose only badging was 88’s under each taillight. It was equipped with a 371ci Rocket V8 rated at 277hp. Styling highlights were more evolutionary than radical, with a three-piece rear window design marketed as the “Twin-Strut Rear Window.” This particular example is a two-family car that the original owner traded for a new vehicle in 1977. The original owner left his name & number for the 2nd owner and they became life-long family friends shortly after.

In the early 80’s the 2nd owner repainted it in its original color of Banff Blue. The 2nd owner sold it back to the original owner (and his son) in 1987. The original owner gifted the car to his son in 2016 and his son has been the sole owner since. At just over 100,000 miles the current owner had the original Rocket V8 and 4 speed Jetaway auto transmission rebuilt and both run incredibly.

We’re close to our 100th episode, so stay tuned for a special celebration.

The post Episode 98 – Love is in the Air (Unless You Drive a Nissan) appeared first on Throwin' Wrenches Automotive Podcast.

Welcome to the automotive podcast that will not be merging with Honda, Nissan and Mitsubushi.

In this week’s episode, hosts Eric & Daryl dive into the transforming automotive landscape, from industry mergers to electrification challenges.

We explore two highly anticipated releases:

This week’s spotlight falls on a meticulously restored 1998 BMW M3 Coupe with DINAN upgrades, representing the perfect blend of classic BMW engineering and modern performance enhancements.

And Eric picks a tiki hut on wheels that spent its life on Gilligan’s Island.

Join the conversation:

Catch new episodes of Throwin’ Wrenches on all major podcast platforms. Special thanks to Fort’s Toyota of Pekin for their continued support.

The post Episode 96 – Automotive Merger Mania appeared first on Throwin' Wrenches Automotive Podcast.

Welcome to the automotive podcast that enjoys bringing you a festive yule log. 

On this episode of Throwin’ Wrenches…  

As always, thanks for listening.  To join in on the fun of the show, just email us at [email protected] or post a review and we’ll read it on the air: Good, bad or ugly! 

Eric has nothing new in the projects department, except for the fact that he’s getting back to work after an annual pilgrimage to Italy. He didn’t bring us back any prosciutto or anything, so he’s persona non grata as they say.

We also talked to his travel agent and learned that he’s run out of frequent flyer miles and he can’t take any more vacations until June, 2025. 

Meanwhile, Daryl’s stuff is tucked away for the winter, which is great. Since Illinois antique vehicle license plates are good for 5 years at a time, all of the license renewals came in for the entire fleet of the Scott Auto Museum at once, so he got that ironed out, along with ordering new brake lines for the ‘55 Caddy. Lines and a master cylinder will be the last hurdle before he’s able to drive the thing next year.

And finally, our friend Dustin just bought a new car after an unfortunate incident involving a Nissan CVT transmission and a sound that went something like “ka-boink”. We’re happy that he chose something from the Ford family of fine cars with a conventional transmission. 

We could spend hours describing our guest for this Christmas show. He’s a podcasting legend known throughout the world for his successful shows Drunken Lullabies, Drunken Lullabies Presents: Drunk at the Movies, Dishing Disney, The Importance of Seeing Ernest and most currently, Radio Rewind and Yesterdaze.

If you’ve never heard of any of these shows, make sure to click through the links above and give a few of them a listen. There’s something in there for everybody because Dustin has a great many interests (from craft beer to collecting vinyl and enjoying live music to the appreciation of comedian Jim Varney’s entire catalog.)

It was one of Dustin’s interests that ended up bringing Eric and Daryl together for the first time, and the shared chemistry ended up being the genesis of Throwin’ Wrenches Podcast. We’ll dive into what that first experience was, learn what other projects Dustin has worked on over the years, and why podcasting is such an enjoyable outlet for folks who consume media at an enviable pace.

It’s our tradition to bring you a Christmas-themed show each year. While this episode is a little light on the yuletide celebration, it did bring ‘the family’ together again for a short time. We’ve been wanting to have Dustin on the show for many years, and we were finally able to connect and make it happen in 2024. Even after a few years without doing a show together, we stepped right back into it without missing a beat. We’d like to thank Dustin for being a great friend and inspiration for fellow podcasters everywhere.

As we embark on 2025 and nearly 100 episodes of this goofy little automotive podcast, Eric and I would like to wish all of our friends a very Merry Christmas and safe, enjoyable holiday season. May Santa bring you all the car parts you asked for, and may you and your family have a Happy New Year.

Thanks for your support, and we look forward to bringing you more content in the new year!

The post Episode 95 – “The Voice” of Christmas appeared first on Throwin' Wrenches Automotive Podcast.

Welcome to the automotive podcast that is ready for some trunk-or-treat!

On this episode of Throwin’ Wrenches:

Source: CNBC

Stellantis’ U.S. new vehicle sales during the third quarter continued a yearslong freefall despite CEO Carlos Tavares’ actions to fix what he has called “arrogant” mistakes by the company. The Transatlantic carmaker reported U.S. sales Tuesday of 305,294 from July through September, a 19.8% decline from the third quarter of 2023 and an 11.5% decrease from the prior three months of this year. Stellantis was expected to be the worst sales performer of major automakers during the third quarter, and auto industry forecaster Cox Automotive had projected a sales decline of roughly 21%.

Source: Reuters

European automakers are the most likely to be affected by the dockworkers strike at U.S. East Coast and Gulf Coast ports because they rely heavily on those locations, but a longer walkout could prove “debilitating” to the entire sector, industry officials and analysts said. The dockworkers began their first large-scale stoppage in nearly 50 years early on Tuesday, halting the flow of about half the nation’s ocean shipping.

Source: AP News

Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill Saturday that would have required new cars to beep at drivers if they exceed the speed limit.

California would have become the first to require such systems for all new cars, trucks and buses sold in the state starting in 2030. The bill, aimed at reducing traffic deaths, would have mandated that vehicles beep at drivers when they exceed the speed limit by at least 10 mph (16kph).

The European Union has passed similar legislation to encourage drivers to slow down. California’s proposal would have provided exceptions for emergency vehicles, motorcycles and motorized scooters.

In explaining his veto, Newsom said federal law already dictates vehicle safety standards and adding California-specific requirements would create a patchwork of regulations.

The National Highway Traffic Safety “is also actively evaluating intelligent speed assistance systems, and imposing state-level mandates at this time risks disrupting these ongoing federal assessments,” the Democratic governor said.

Source: Wards Auto

General Motors recently entered into a Memo of Understanding with Hyundai Group for co-development of a wide array of possible projects, technology sharing and purchasing for shared projects. GM President Mark Reuss says he has high expectations for the agreement despite the automaker’s spotty history with joint ventures. “This is really a shared vision around what both of our goals are and objectives, and open communication and I think staying agile and flexible because this industry and market isn’t stagnant,” says Reuss.

Source: CNBC

Source: Autocar

Mercedes-AMG is hatching plans for a spectacular electric supercar that will launch the performance brand into the EV age.

The new performance halo model was previewed by last year’s retro-inspired Vision One-Eleven concept, and it is described as a “brand-defining successor to the SLS Electric Drive”, the 730bhp quad-motor EV that was launched in 2013 and which cost £333,000. But while that car was limited to just nine examples, the new AMG supercar is planned for significantly higher production numbers when it arrives later this decade.

Making its flagship less of an exclusive offering is central to AMG’s evolving electrification strategy. It has already launched powered-up versions of the EQE, EQE SUV, EQS and EQS SUV, with specific motors and battery technology separate from those of their standard siblings.

The new electric supercar is considered a key part of Mercedes-AMG’s future, despite CEO Michael Schiebe moving to extend the life of some of AMG’s more profitable combustion-engined models amid slower than expected sales of its EVs.

However, Schiebe leaves little doubt about the company’s ultimate trajectory, telling Autocar: “It’s clear that we are going all-electric.”

The new supercar will be charged with cementing AMG’s performance credentials as it switches from high-output combustion engines to electric power. Autocar understands it is likely to outpace the 1049bhp Mercedes-AMG One, whose Formula 1-derived, V6/electric hybrid set-up is good for 0-62mph in 2.9sec and 0-186mph in 15.6sec.

Source: Facebook Markplace

From the Listing: 1996 Fiat Panda 4×4 imported from Japan over a year ago.  Has all original import documents as well as clean Michigan title.  Engine is recently rebuilt and has a ton of life left.  4×4 works great without issue, is FWD with 4×4 disengaged.  Has 1.1 liter Fiat FIRE engine that gets great mileage and has no problem hitting highway speeds.  Has new engine and tranny oil, antifreeze, tires, water pump, timing belt, 4×4 bushing, and thermostat.  Has small rust spots on rockers and seats have slight blemishes.  Also has cold working AC and a 5 speed manual transmission.

Source: Facebook Marketplace

From the Listing: Who needs a sweet solid 1963 AMC rambler custom wagon project as a Ford straight six. It will need a motor I’m told. Automatic transmission, Ohio Title. If you know somebody looking for a project wagon, please feel free to share my ad.

The post Episode 93 – Panda Versus Rambler appeared first on Throwin' Wrenches Automotive Podcast.

On this episode of Throwin’ Wrenches…  

Thanks for listening.  To join in on the fun of the show, just email us at [email protected] at any time.

The contenders this time are all three-wheeled wonders.

Source: NADA

For the largest global automakers, profits in China have been hit by falling sales as consumers embrace electric vehicles from homegrown brands such as BYD, which last year supplanted Volkswagen as China’s bestselling carmaker. In July, EVs and plug-in hybrids accounted for over half of all cars sold in the country for the first time, while the share shipped to dealers by non-Chinese brands slipped to 33%, down from 50% two years earlier.

Source: Electronics Weekly

Nissan and Honda announced an EV collaboration in March.

Nissan CEO Makoto Uchida, Nissan says: “We are very pleased to welcome a new member to the strategic partnership between Honda and Nissan. Mitsubishi Motors has unique technologies and expertise.”

Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe, said the industry is going through a “once in a century” period of transformation towards electrification and collaboration would help resolve related issues more quickly.

Mitsubishi Motors CEO Takao Kato, said that collaboration is essential to future success in the automotive industry.

Former Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn was scathing about the  move: “I can’t imagine for one moment how it’s going to work between Honda and Nissan unless it’s a takeover, unless it’s a disguised takeover by Honda of Nissan and Mitsubishi with Honda in the driver’s seat. It’s going to be a takeover, a disguised takeover,” he told Automotive News.

One of the most controversial executives in the car industry is not afraid to call things as he sees them. After saying Nissan is “boring, mediocre” and in a “bad position” while describing the Renault-Nissan alliance as “small and fragile,” the 70-year-old fugitive now has something to say about the newly formed Honda-Nissan-Mitsubishi partnership.

Source: Motor1

Mercedes-Benz becomes the first foreign automaker to gain approval to test Level 4 autonomous driving technology in prototype vehicles on selected roads in Beijing. The approval, granted by the Chinese government, is described by Mercedes-Benz as a “crucial step” in advancing its existing Drive Pilot system to a level where it possesses full control from start to finish of any given journey where the conditions and autonomous regulatory framework allow.

Source: WardsAuto

Source: Automotive News

Stellantis is halting production for a week at the Trenton, Mich., plant that makes V-6 engines for the Jeep Wrangler and Ram 1500 Classic to whittle down a large backlog. The downtime is because of a need “to balance engine inventories with production,” the automaker said. Stellantis has been adjusting its production output and laying off workers, in some cases, amid sliding sales and changes to its vehicle portfolio.

Source: Reuters

Source: Axios

Source: POLITICO

Most states now levy a dedicated fee on electric vehicle owners. Some also have rolled back other incentives, such as New Jersey’s decision this year to restart sales tax on EVs. Or they have reconfigured registration fees to land more heavily on EVs, as in Maryland. The justification from both Democratic and Republican policymakers for making EVs more expensive is that states are staring down a budgetary cliff. The gasoline tax — long the backbone of transportation funding — has lost potency as vehicles become more efficient.

“It’s more of an anti-electric vehicle policy than a road funding policy,” state Rep. Frank Hornstein, the Democratic chair of the Minnesota House Transportation Committee, said of states trying to make up gas tax revenue by charging EV owners.

States face a balancing act: The more quickly drivers go electric, the more quickly gas tax revenues decline; the more states lean on EVs to make up lost gas tax revenue, the more it weighs down EV demand.

“We’re not at a point where electric cars are in any way, shape or form quote-unquote ‘stealing’ from the gas tax,” Hornstein said. “We’re far from that. … It’s a drop in the bucket.”

Source: Motor1

Ferrari is set to reveal its first electric vehicle by the end of 2025 and it should be a big deal for the Italian automaker. Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna says that the automaker’s first electric car won’t lose the brand’s “unique” feel. Vigna also pointed out the obvious—Ferrari’s first EV “will have four wheels.”

Ferrari has been testing heavily camouflaged prototypes ahead of the EV’s debut, but we don’t really know if the test mules will resemble the finished product.

Ferrari has turned to former Apple Design Chief Jony Ive and industrial designer Marc Newson to work on the car’s outside appearance.

Our friends over at Motor1 stated the following in regard to the vehicle’s design:

Our first look at Ferrari’s EV was hiding underneath a heavily modified Maserati Levante body with fake exhaust tips tacked on the back. But just because the prototype is an SUV doesn’t necessarily mean Ferrari’s EV will be one as well. It’s unclear what the final form looks like at this stage of its development, although we expect some light crossover-like features (like minor cladding and a slight lift).

Like some other automakers, Ferrari wants to develop “sound signatures” for the vehicle. So, this means that it won’t be virtually silent.

Ferrari CEO Vigna previously stated, “Electric cars are not silent,” but he didn’t reveal what sort of non-silence we should expect from Ferrari’s first EV.

Ferrari has been working with SK On, a South Korean vehicle battery manufacturer, and the two companies recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding to continue their ongoing collaboration. So, it seems likely, though not guaranteed, that the batteries for Ferrari’s first EV will come from SK On.

We expect the EV to have at least two electric motors, but of course, there’s room for more. Perhaps a top-level version will have three or even four motors.

There have been some reports suggesting that Ferrari would price the EV at over $500,000 to start. However, Ferrari CEO Vigna said $500,000 was “a surprise” to him, so we expect a lower figure.

It won’t be cheap though. Our friends over at Motor1 suggest, “It’ll likely cost much more than the Portofino M, which starts at around $250,000, but it could cost less than the SF90 Stradale that’s on its way out.”  That model starts at over $520,000. There’s a lot of space between those two figures. We should find out its price when it debuts.

Source: Bring a Trailer

Source: Facebook Marketplace

From the Ad:

The post Episode 92 – Electric Ferraris and a Trike Showdown appeared first on Throwin' Wrenches Automotive Podcast.

Welcome to the automotive podcast that does not require a special license to listen to… unless you live in Australia!

On this episode of Throwin’ Wrenches…  

All that and more on This episode of Throwin’ Wrenches!

We joke all the time about our retirement job.  More often than not, we find ourselves looking at being a Good Humor salesman. (Remember them?)

They all have wheels, and some even have motors, so it all counts for Throwin’ Wrenches.

Similar style to Race Daily Kill…  I want to know what your opinions are on these three different levels of food trucks… Would you quit your day job and make this the full-time gig…  Maybe it’s something you might do part-time?  What about a straight side hustle?

What are your choices for…  Full-time, Part-time or Side Hustle?

(A side hustle is a secondary job or small business that someone has in addition to their main career to earn extra money or fulfill a passion. Side hustles can offer more freedom and control than part-time jobs, allowing people to choose when and how many hours they work, and to pursue activities that align with their interests. Some people may eventually turn their side hustle into their primary career.)

Source: The U.S. Sun

All cars will now have to be fitted with speed-limiting AI tech due to new EU rules. The new gadget can, in some cases, slow the vehicle down for you if it catches you breaking the speed limit.

Intelligent Speed Assitance (ISA) systems became a legal requirement for motors across the EU as a law passed two years ago came into effect on July 7.

ISAs make use of AI, GPS data and even onboard cameras to assess your speed in real time as you drive along.

The system will then intervene if you go above the limit it has worked out for the road you are on.

For example, the system can assess things like road markings to determine whether you are in a 20mph or 30mph zone.

From there, there are three types of ISA which firms could opt to install, with each offering different levels of intervention.

First of all, informative ISAs only result in a warning message and sound to alert the driver that they are breaking the limit.

One level up from that is the supportive ISA, which works by increasing the upward force on the accelerator pedal to try and make it harder for drivers to speed up.

Finally, intervening ISAs are the most active, with the system actually slowing the vehicle down, whether the driver wants it to or not, until it goes back under the limit.

Source: Morning Edition, NPR

Depending on where you live, you may have already heard of street takeovers: impromptu events, usually at night, in which drivers of muscle cars take turns doing donuts in intersections for cheering crowds.

In Alabama, the police refer to it as “exhibition driving.” Birmingham officer Mark Jones says it’s hard to miss.

“You can see the smoke from them burning their tires from several blocks away,” he says.

Police say the phenomenon grew during the pandemic, but it isn’t new. Filmmaker Yakpasua Zazaboi encountered it 25 years ago as a young man in Oakland. Californians call the events “sideshows,” and he says it helps to understand the original slang.

“When you see young fellas pulling up in their cars and they’re trying to look cool,” he says, “the way that you kind of lean back and towards the side — it was generally called ‘sidin.’ ”

And he says the sideshow is just a show of show-offs. People showing off their souped up cars, along with elements of style and fashion. He says it was “love at first sight” for him.

“[It was] hundreds if not thousands of black faces, all getting along together, all having fun in the middle of the night,” he says.

But sideshows also disrupt traffic, disturb neighbors and endanger lives. Spectators make a game of crowding in as close as they can around the spinning cars, and the resulting collisions are prime viewing on social media.

For coastal automobile dealers, contingency planning for severe tropical weather is muscle memory. But higher insurance premiums are an added pain point this year, some said. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts an 85 percent chance of an above-average Atlantic hurricane season. It expects 17 to 25 named storms. Dealers told Automotive News they are confident in their hurricane readiness, though they plan to closely monitor the weather.

Source WMBD-TV, Peoria

Three 15-year-olds are now in the Peoria Juvenile Detention Center and one in the hospital after officers stopped two cars that were reported stolen early Tuesday morning.

According to a Peoria police news release, officers saw two cars traveling south on Western Avenue around 4:30 a.m. One was excessively speeding and the other car following had a missing passenger window. Both cars were reported stolen.

One car stopped near AutoZone on W. Proctor while the other continued south. Three 15-year-old boys were inside the stopped car. Officers detained and interviewed the three at Peoria Police Department before they were charged with possession of a stolen motor vehicle and possession of cannabis. The driver of the stolen car was also cited for no driver’s license.

The second car attempted a left turn on SW Jefferson Street. When the driver saw the police, he abandoned the car and ran.

He was taken into custody after a brief chase, being taken to a local hospital for a hurt ankle.

When released, he will be arrested and taken to the Juvenile Detention Center for possession of stolen motor vehicle, fleeing and eluding, reckless driving, obstructing police and possession of burglary tools.

Source: Road & Track

Younger drivers in the United States are already familiar with the restrictions brought by graduated licensing, with the grindingly slow graduation from provisional, probationary, or intermediate status to the glorious freedom that comes with a full license. From that point onwards, you are free to drive any car you can afford and insure.

Now one Australian state is set to impose new restrictions on all drivers wanting to drive the most powerful cars, regardless of their age or level of experience. From December this year, anybody in South Australia wanting to operate what is categorized as an Ultra High Powered Vehicle (UHPV) will have to take and pass an additional test to earn a new U-License. Failing to do so will result in a fine of up to $2500 Australian if caught in a qualifying car; that’s nearly $1700 at current exchange rates. Get caught a second time and you face up to a year in jail.

Earning the U-License will be done through an online training course followed by a test; there is no practical element to prove any level of driving skills. Much of the course is reportedly dedicated to explaining the function of active safety systems.

Source: Facebook Marketplace

From the Ad: 1929 Mercedes Gazelle kit car. I belongs to a friend of mine. Want info? Call or text. 

What a comprehensive ad, wouldn’t you say?

There’s a TON of these air-cooled VW Beetle-based kit cars lurking around Marketplace these days. Just taking a quick look yielded quite a few:

Could these be the cheapest and most fun roadster “fun cars” out there today?

Speaking of roadsters…

Source: Hemmings

From the ad: Gateway Classic Cars of Atlanta is proud to present this 1991 Buick Reatta convertible. Its red exterior turns heads while the tan leather interior offers a touch of elegance and sophistication. Under the hood a 3.8 liter V6 engine paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission. This Reatta is equipped with power features including power brakes power locks power seats power steering and power windows all designed to provide you with a convenient driving experience. 

For your comfort the Reatta comes with air conditioning and the AM/FM radio provides a variety of entertainment options for your journey. The manual convertible top is easy to operate allowing you to enjoy the open air at a moment’s notice. The car also features seatbelts. The leather interior adds a touch of luxury to this classic car. This 1991 Buick Reatta convertible is a blend of classic style and modern convenience offering a unique driving experience. Don’t miss the opportunity to own this classic Reatta.

The post Episode 91 – Food Truck Frenzy! appeared first on Throwin' Wrenches Automotive Podcast.

Welcome to the auto podcast that did not buy a Bentley Continental last week…

On this episode of Throwin’ Wrenches…

Thanks for listening.  To join in on the fun of the show, just email us at [email protected]

Eric explains how a trailer toilet works, rattles off some rally time with his son, Aiden, and recaps this year’s MOORE Overlanding & Off Road Expo. It sounds like a really cool event and may be worth checking out in 2025.

Meanwhile, Daryl is tracking down some tires for his 1947 Chevy Fleetline and preparing for some spring cleaning on all the daily drivers. He needs to get a good coat of wax on everything.

Source: Bloomberg

Tesla’s edge over Toyota narrowed to about $83 billion before the start of regular US trading Tuesday. After the close, the electric-vehicle maker is expected to report its first decline in quarterly revenue in four years and a 40% plunge in operating earnings. Toyota has drawn criticism for biding its time on cars entirely powered by batteries and wagering that consumers will be more open to its gas-electric hybrids. Its strategy has paid off in recent months as EV sales growth has slowed.

Source: Automotive News 

A group of state dealer associations is pressing Honda Motor Co. and Volkswagen Group not to sell planned electric vehicles from Scout and Sony Honda Mobility outside of the country’s franchised dealer system. The Automotive Trade Association Executives, in perhaps the most public display of frustration yet, addressed the issue in a full-page ad in the April 15 issue of Automotive News, calling out both automakers as well as Scout, a brand formed by Volkswagen Group, and Sony Honda Mobility, a joint venture between Sony and Honda that is developing electric vehicles under the Afeela brand.

Source: Automotive News

Big discounts to move electric vehicles off dealership lots means consumers have a selection of vehicles priced below $41,000. Automakers and retailers offered huge incentives — sometimes five-digit discounts — to sell EVs that lingered on dealership lots for more than 100 days in the first quarter of 2024. They are trying to overcome consumer worries about EV driving range limitations, a lack of public charging stations and high prices. The price-cutting strategy is not sustainable long term, said Stephanie Valdez Streaty, director of industry insights at Cox Automotive.

Source: Automotive News

Subaru said it will end production of its oldest U.S.-built model, the Legacy sedan, after the 2025 model year, citing a shift in consumer preferences away from cars to crossovers and SUVs. The Japanese automaker also said Tuesday that it plans to produce eight electric vehicles globally by 2028. Ending Legacy output at a plant in Lafayette, Ind., would presumably free up capacity for Subaru to produce at least one of those EVs in the U.S., helping it to potentially qualify for EV consumer tax credits.

Source: NBC News

More than 40,000 people were killed last year in traffic crashes, according to preliminary data released Monday, remaining above pre-pandemic levels but slightly down from their peak in 2021. Traffic deaths spiked in 2020 and again in 2021 and have since declined slightly. Still,they are up 25% since 2013, and the Governors Highway Safety Association found that pedestrian deaths reached a 40-year high in the United States in 2022.

The NHTSA said that “distracted driving,” an issue that has grown in urgency with the ubiquity of smartphones, resulted in 3,308 deaths and 289,310 injuries in 2022, and 3,522 deaths in 2021.

The agency released the data to coincide with the launch of an April campaign to spread awareness about distracted driving called “Put the Phone Away or Pay,” which hopes to scare people away from texting and driving, but which some advocates call an ineffective waste of resources.

Source: CI PROUD

Three 15-year-olds are now in the Peoria Juvenile Detention Center and one in the hospital after officers stopped two cars that were reported stolen early Tuesday morning.

According to a Peoria police news release, officers saw two cars traveling south on Western Avenue around 4:30 a.m. One was excessively speeding and the other car following had a missing passenger window. Both cars were reported stolen.

One car stopped near AutoZone on W. Proctor while the other continued south. Three 15-year-old boys were inside the stopped car. Officers detained and interviewed the three at Peoria Police Department before they were charged with possession of a stolen motor vehicle and possession of a cannabis. The driver of the stolen car was also cited for no driver’s license.

The second car attempted a left turn on SW Jefferson Street. When the driver saw police, he abandoned the car and ran.

He was taken into custody after a brief chase, being taken to a local hospital for a hurt ankle.

When released, he will be arrested and taken to the Juvenile Detention Center for possession of stolen motor vehicle, fleeing and eluding, reckless driving, obstructing police and possession of burglary tools.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

Elon Musk‘s X platform is continuing its video push, launching a dedicated app for smart TV sets.

The X video app launched Tuesday, with the company touting a handful of key features, including a trending video algorithm, artificial intelligence-powered trending topics and cross-device compatibility, so users can start watching on their phone and continue watching on TV.

The X TV app will not have any ads at launch, according to a note sent to the company’s corporate partners Tuesday.

“We’re focusing on launching this new feature for consumers first, but we do plan to monetize it, and will discuss different forms of partnerships — and that may include ads,” the note said.

The company also posted a preview video of the video experience, providing a brief glimpse of the TV app. The videos included in the preview video included Tucker Carlson’s interview with Vladimir Putin and footage of a SpaceX rocket lifting off. SpaceX is also owned by Musk.

Video has emerged as a key priority for X, which is led by CEO Linda Yaccarino, a veteran NBCUniversal advertising executive.

In addition to letting users upload their own videos, à la YouTube, the company also cut deals with some third parties, like a multiyear deal with Range Media Partners. That deal included a show hosted by sports personality Jim Rome, with the tech company also unveiling shows hosted by Tulsi Gabbard and Don Lemon.

Source: Car From Japan

Car from Japan for the win this week…  Searching for Toyota models from 1928 to 1999 with a max value of 5k.  96 cars showed up…  Lots of weird stuff… and one cool hatch. You might be more familiar with this model as a Tercel.  Sold in the US with a 2 or 4-door option without the hatch.

Source: Facebook Marketplace

Original Colorado barn find. That’s all the ad says. Maybe it’s a scam. Maybe it’s a cool 50’s car that should come to the Scott Auto Museum.

That’s all for this week. Thanks again for your support and we’ll catch you on the next episode!  

The post Episode 88 – Leaving a Lasting Legacy appeared first on Throwin' Wrenches Automotive Podcast.