Michigan's AutoTalk

Michigan's AutoTalk Episode 79: "Two states, 250 classic cars, and 12 hidden automotive gems"

In this episode, executive producer Phil Tower is joined by Hagerty.com senior writer Jeff Peek as we dive into the amazing story on Hagerty.com of two classic car collectors and over 250 vintage cars from both collections....one in South Dakota and one in Colorado. Jeff's story picks the best twelve cars from both collections and boy are there some head-turners!
The Randy Milan Collection is up for auction on the Vandenbrink Auctions website and features iconic Chevrolets especially 1959 and 1960 Impalas and over 90 combined 1959 and 1960 Chevrolets of all models. The cars from the Gary "Car Crazy" Kuchar Collection are also featured on the Vandenbrink Auctions website


Jeff's Article Online:
"12 hidden gems unearthed amid car hordes in Colorado and South Dakota"
https://www.hagerty.com/media/news/12-hidden-gems-unearthed-amid-car-hordes-in-colorado-and-south-dakota/

Vandenbrink Auto Auctions:
https://www.vanderbrinkauctions.com/auction-schedule/


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Michigan's AutoTalk podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Google Podcasts, Amazon Audio, Spreaker.com, Deezer, and Podcatcher.

Thank you for listening. If you like our podcast please share it with a friend!

Al, John, and Phil

Episode 78: “Autumn cruises, Oktoberfest and Trunk or Treat fun at The Gilmore Car Museum"

In this episode, producer Phil Tower, along with hosts Al Schwinkendorf and John Puhek, welcome back our friend Josh Russell, executive director of The Gilmore Car Museum. Josh gives us an update on everything happening this month and beyond at the Gilmore Car Museum. From Oktoberfest to Trunk or Treat it's a busy month at the museum and we have the details!
The Gilmore Car Museum is North America's largest auto museum with over 400 vehicles on display and over 190,000 square feet of exhibit space. The Museum’s 90-acre Historic Campus features numerous vintage structures including a restored and fully-functioning 1941 Silk City Diner, a recreated 1930s Shell Station, six onsite Partner Museums, and so much more. We've all been there and we can't recommend it highly enough to you and your family!

The Gilmore Car Museum is so much more than just cars... as it hosts classes, Cruise-ins, car shows, and many other family and fun events for the public and for members of the museum.


The Gilmore Car Museum online:
https://gilmorecarmuseum.org/


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Michigan's AutoTalk podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Google Podcasts, Amazon Audio, Spreaker.com, Deezer, and Podcatcher.

Thank you for listening. If you like our podcast please share it with a friend!

Episode 77: “Louis, Arthur, and Gaston...three brothers and the birth of one of America's most iconic car brands."
In this episode, producer Phil Tower, along with hosts Al Schwinkendorf and John Puhek, dive into the rich history and the amazing story of three brothers, Louis, Arthur, and Gaston, who helped launch Chevrolet and after the company's takeover by GM, a nameplate that would become one of America's most-iconic and best-selling car brands of all-time.

Al explains how the Swiss-born Arthur was the middle brother of Louis Chevrolet (1878–1941), and founder of the Chevrolet car company. His other brothers were Gaston and Arthur Chevrolet.
After brother Louis immigrated to America and earned enough money, he sent for Gaston and Arthur to join him. Once there, Arthur worked as an automotive mechanic and joined his brothers in auto racing. In 1911, Louis competed in the inaugural Indianapolis 500 but had to drop out after 30 laps when his Buick developed mechanical problems.
By 1916, after Louis left the Chevrolet car company that he had co-founded, Arthur Chevrolet assisted Louis and Gaston in the new Frontenac Motor Corporation.
Hear the rest of the story in this episode.

Links:

https://www.chevroletbrothers.com/

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Michigan's AutoTalk podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Google Podcasts, Amazon Audio, Spreaker.com, Deezer, and Podcatcher.

Thank you for listening. If you like our podcast please share it with a friend!

Episode 76: “Mustangs and the women who love them…aka, The Mustang Mamas”

In this episode, producer Phil Tower, along with hosts Al Schwinkendorf And John Puhek, welcome back our much-loved automotive writer and reporter, Phoebe Wall-Howard from the Detroit Free Press.

Phoebe has an amazing knack for discovering great stories and sharing them with Free Press Raiders across the country in the world. Phoebe recently discovered a nationwide club full of passionate Mustang lovers and all of them are women. The group is of course called, “Mustang Mamas.”

In this episode Phoebe shares some stories of some of the women she met as a part of writing the story all about the Mustang Mamas. (In case you didn't know, Mustang Mamas is a social club for women to share their pride in owning America's car, Ford Mustangs. )
The club was founded in late 2017 in Washington State. and the club quickly spread nationwide.
Today, Mustang Mamas has regional chapters in all 48 states in North America, plus Canada, and 1 international chapter in Australia, plus members in 10 different countries.
Their founders say that Mustang Mamas is a club where “women can ask questions without judgment, share their knowledge and be heard, and feel respected and valued within a group of people. Oh, and they have lots of fun too!

No Mustang? Any woman can be a Mustang Mama and take part in all activities whether she owns a Ford Mustang or not.

Links:
Phoebe Wall Howard on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/phoebesaid

Phoebe’s Detroit Free Press Story On The Mustang Mamas:
https://www.freep.com/story/money/cars/ford/2022/09/17/mustang-mamas-female-muscle-car/69498018007/

MUSTANG MAMAS ONLINE:
https://mustangmamas.com/

MUSTANG MAMAS MICHIGAN CHAPTER:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/mmregion8

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Michigan's AutoTalk podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Google Podcasts, Amazon Audio, Spreaker.com, Deezer, and Podcatcher.

Thank you for listening. If you like our podcast please share it with a friend!

Episode 75: "An inside look at the first-ever September edition of the Detroit Auto Show"

In this episode, producer Phil Tower welcomes back our friend in Detroit, Jeff Gilbert, Auto Reporter for WWJ Newsradio 950 and CBS Newsradio. Jeff has spent a considerable number of time and years at the Detroit auto show and he gave us a rundown of this year's much different show and what to expect. We also spoke with Jeff about the milestone episode of his radio feature, The Car Chronicles.

The North American International Auto Show is triumphantly back this year after a long pandemic hiatus, and this year's auto show offering may be the most dynamic ever....featuring an amusement park-like experience, with high-tech games (VR, simulators, raffles), traditional fair food (elephant ears, corn dogs, pizza), thrill rides (Bronco Mountain, Camp Jeep, Lightning launches) and flying machines.
About the show:
The North American International Auto Show (aka Detroit Auto Show) continues through Sunday, Sept. 25 with a full lineup of activities, from vehicle displays and experiential ride activations to air mobility demonstrations, street course ride-and-drives, and dinosaurs on display. The show is held at Huntington Place with additional activations in Hart Plaza.


Detroit Auto Show Online:
https://naias.com/

Jeff Gilbert on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/jefferygilbert?lang=en


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https://www.facebook.com/MichigansAutoTalkPodcast

Michigan's AutoTalk podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Google Podcasts, Amazon Audio, Spreaker.com, Deezer, and Podcatcher.

Thank you for listening. If you like our podcast please share it with a friend!

Al, John, and Phil

Michigan's AutoTalk Episode 74: "Lights, cameras, red carpets, and Dreamwheels at the Wyoming MetroCruise"

In this episode, producer Phil Tower along with hosts Al Schwinkendorf and John Puhek welcome guest Tom Norton, Executive Director and GM for Production at WKTV Community Media, in Wyoming, MI . We talk with Tom about WKTV's annual live broadcast known as “DreamWheels 2022.” DreamWheels 2022 is the broadcast television coverage of the annual one of the biggest classic car event of the year! The event was held this year on August 27th featuring a classic red carpet show at Rogers Plaza in Wyoming.
The two-hour classic car show on the red carpet featured a 10-vehicle curated collection coming up from the Gilmore Car Museum in addition to other collection items from the Grand Rapids Auto Gallery and some of the most beautiful classics from car owners across Michigan!

Online:
WKTV
https://www.wktv.org/

Like us on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/MichigansAutoTalkPodcast

Michigan's AutoTalk podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Google Podcasts, Amazon Audio, Spreaker.com, Deezer, and Podcatcher.

Thank you for listening. If you like our podcast please share it with a friend!

Al, John, and Phil

Michigan's AutoTalk Episode 73: "Lions, Tigers, and a Mustang Stampede in Motown!"

A stampede is coming… Well almost. In this episode, executive producer Phil Tower is joined by Ford Enthusiast Communications Manager Jiyan Cadiz. On Wednesday, September 14, 2022, over 1000 Ford Mustangs of all six generations will cruise from  Ford World Headquarters in Dearborn to Downtown Detroit.
Jiyan explained that it will be the first-ever Ford Mustang Stampede, and that they are expecting a record number of Mustang lovers to participate in a celebration of the famous Pony Car. Judges at the event will pick two finalists from each Mustang decade, all vying for a shot to win a two-year lease of the all-new Ford GT.

Online:
Ford Mustang Stampede
https://media.ford.com/content/fordmedia/fna/us/en/news/2022/08/19/global-debut-all-new-seventh-generation-mustang-september-14.html

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Michigan's AutoTalk podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Google Podcasts, Amazon Audio, Spreaker.com, Deezer, and Podcatcher.

Thank you for listening. If you like our podcast please share it with a friend!

Al, John, and Phil

Michigan's AutoTalk Episode 72: "Fires and exploding airbags=another roster of automotive recalls!"

In this episode, executive producer Phil Tower and co-host Al Schwinkendorf dive into a recent list of recalls that impact a whole bunch of drivers… Especially drivers of Hyundai and Kia vehicles as well as Audi and VW vehicles.
First, Hyundai and Kia recommend that owners 2020-2022 Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride vehicles park their cars outside and away from homes and other structures until their vehicles have been repaired, due to new recalls for the risk of fire. As of several days ago they have also issued a stop order for all sales of the vehicles.
This recall involves 245,030 2020-2022 Hyundai Palisade vehicles and 36,417 2020-2022 Kia Tellurides The issue: An accessory tow hitch sold through dealerships may allow moisture into the harness module, causing a short circuit. In some cases, an electrical short can cause a vehicle to catch on fire while driving or while parked and turned off.

Secondly, airbags. This time thousands of dangerous airbags are once again being recalled, though this time, they are apparently not related to the deadly Takata airbags. The recall is for a several 2016 model year VW and Audi products. They include all versions of the 2016 VW Golf, as well as the 2016 Audi A3, TT, and R8 models. Just over 1,200 cars are included in this recall.

Recall info:
https://www.autoblog.com/2022/08/08/vw-audi-golf-tt-r8-a3-airbag-recall/
And:
https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a40969702/hyundai-palisade-kia-telluride-recall/

Like us on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/MichigansAutoTalkPodcast

Michigan's AutoTalk podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Google Podcasts, Amazon Audio, Spreaker.com, Deezer, and Podcatcher.

Thank you for listening. If you like our podcast please share it with a friend!

Al, John, and Phil

Michigan's AutoTalk Episode 71: "Honoring the legacy of long-time AutoTalk host Pat O'Neill"
In this episode, executive producer Phil Tower and co-hosts Al Schwinkendorf and John Puhek remember AutoTalk host, Pat O'Neill. We were sad to learn that Pat had passed away at the age of 92. To say that Pat was bigger than life would be an understatement. Pat was the kind of person who knew what he believed in and was passionate about life, business, and his family.
Pat founded O'Neill's Auto & Transmission in 1960 and today, O'Neills is one of the oldest enduring businesses in the Cascade area that still serves the community under O'Neill family ownership.
Pat also took his trade seriously, with statewide leadership roles in several auto repair industry organizations, and years of work as an expert witness in auto litigation. With his own success, Pat paid it forward through a long history of supporting entrepreneurs in his field.
Pat O'Neill was perhaps best known to our community as the long-time host of WOOD Radio's "Auto Talk" which aired in a top-rated slot on Saturday mornings on WOOD Radio for many years. Pat was a natural on the radio and brought great wisdom to the program as well as his trademark sense of humor and camaraderie with his hosts in the studio. Pat was an incredibly generous man who loved helping West Michigan listeners solve automotive issues large and small and took great satisfaction in that public service.
Al and John and Phil also use the opportunity of this episode to share some stories about Pat O'Neill that you will love hearing. If you never knew Pat, he will know him better after listening to this episode!


Pat O'Neill Obituary:
https://media.ford.com/content/fordmedia/fna/us/en/news/2022/08/01/new-maverick-tremor-off-road-package.html

O'Neill's Transmission:
https://www.oneillstransmission.com/

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Michigan's AutoTalk podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Google Podcasts, Amazon Audio, Spreaker.com, Deezer, and Podcatcher.

And please leave us a review!

Michigan's AutoTalk Episode 70: "Under the hood of the new Ford F-150 Raptor R"

In this episode, executive producer Phil Tower and co-host Al Schwinkendorf welcomed special guest Brian Bell, F-150 Marketing Manager with Ford Motor Company
Brian told us the Raptor R has an all-new 5.2-liter supercharged V8 engine that delivers 700 horsepower and 640 lb.-ft. of torque to give it true desert-running power. Ford Performance enlisted the most powerful engine in its lineup – previously seen in the Mustang Shelby GT500® – optimizing it for Raptor-level off-road performance and Built Ford Tough® durability. The result is the most torque-dense supercharged V8 yet in a production pickup.
Brian told us this F-150 Raptor R has next-level trail-conquering capability and is built to take on all terrains with exceptional off-road durability.

Ford F-150 Raptor R:
https://www.ford.com/f150-raptor-r/2023/

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https://www.facebook.com/MichigansAutoTalkPodcast

Michigan's AutoTalk podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Google Podcasts, Amazon Audio, Spreaker.com, Deezer, and Podcatcher.

Oh, and if you'd like our podcast, please leave a review!