Michigan's AutoTalk

Michigan's AutoTalk Episode 69: "Maverick Truck mania with Ford Motor's Trevor Scott."
In this episode, executive producer Phil Tower and co-host Al Schwinkendorf and John Puhek welcome special guest Trevor Scott, the Marketing Manager for the Ford Maverick & Ranger Truck line.
Trevor joins us to talk about the exciting news on a new For Maverick Tremor.
After the runaway success of the 2022 FordMaverick(* they literally sold out every vehicle made), Ford is expanding its truck lineup with the new 2023 Maverick Tremor... A truck built with an impressive Off-Road Package.
The new Tremor package comes available on XLT and Lariat trucks and includes a 1-inch lift Trail Control™, unique off-road-tailored front, and rear suspension, and all-wheel drive with a four-wheel-drive lock and 2.0-liter EcoBoost® engine. Other design cues include blacked-out Ford logos, headlamps and taillamps, signature Tremor Orange tow hooks, an updated fender vent, and a new grille. Also, an available Tremor Appearance Package offers an even bolder look.
Trevor told us that beginning August 2, Maverick and Maverick Tremor models will be available for retail order in September. Trevor said that while customers have been able to buy most of these products off dealer lots, the order banks reopening provides the opportunity for enthusiasts to build their vehicles with the features they want.

Ford Maverick Tremor:
https://media.ford.com/content/fordmedia/fna/us/en/news/2022/08/01/new-maverick-tremor-off-road-package.html

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Michigan's AutoTalk Episode 68: "Ford's Raptor R, Pinewood Derby Cars, and a Big Daddy Don Garlits Tale"
In this episode, executive producer Phil Tower and co-hosts Al Schwinkendorf and Joh Puhek bring you three important auto-related news and history stories

First off, we have news from Ford Trucks...the announcement that the 2023 model year brings the all-new F-150® Raptor R™, Ford's most potent F-150 Raptor ever, with a 5.2-liter supercharged V8 that cranks out 700 horsepower and 640 lb.-ft. of torque...a truck Ford says is built for extreme off-roading adventures

Next up, we reminisce about the legendary Boy Scouts originated Pinewood derby races that will be 70 years old in 2023. Interestingly enough, the first pinewood derby was held on May 15, 1953, in Manhattan Beach, California by Cub Scout Pack 280C. The pinewood derby concept was created by the Pack's Cubmaster, Don Murphy. Since Mr. Murphy's son was too young to participate in the popular Soap Box Derby races, he came up with the idea of racing miniature wood cars. The rest as we know is full of pinewood derby race stories told for decades!

Finally, Al has news of a historically significant event in the life of now 90-year-old drag Racing legend, Big Daddy Don Garlits. Garlits is known across the world as the Godfather of drag racing. Garlits perfected the rear-engine Top Fuel dragster, an innovation motivated by the loss of part of his foot in a dragster accident...a much safer design since it put most of the fuel processing and rotating parts of the dragster behind the driver.

Garlits was also the first drag racer to officially surpass the 170, 180, 200, 240, 250, and 270 mile-per-hour marks in the quarter mile; he was also the first to top 200 mph in the 1⁄8 mi. To put it simply, he was a man built for speed.

Online:
https://garlits.com/

Ford Raptor R:
https://media.ford.com/content/fordmedia/fna/us/en/news/2022/07/18/700-horsepower-new-ford-f-150-raptor-r.html

Official Boy Scouts Pinewood Derby car Kit:
https://www.scoutshop.org/official-pinewood-derby-car-kit-17006.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.

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

Michigan's AutoTalk Episode 67: "A trip inside Ford's amazing heritage vault "
In this episode, executive producer Phil Tower and co-host John Puhek welcome guest Ciera Casteel, archivist with The Ford Heritage Vault.
Ford recently published a massive repository of photos and brochures called The Ford Heritage Vault. The website features over 5000 curated photos and brochures spanning 100+ years.
Ford calls The Ford Heritage Vault, “the American auto industry’s most comprehensive online database”, and says it will continue to be updated and expanded over time.

Casteel told us Ford created the site “for fans, journalists and car enthusiasts, making it easy to discover the company’s rich heritage from anywhere in the world”.
Oh, and wait until you hear about that lone Chevy in this episode!

Online:
https://fordheritagevault.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.

Michigan's AutoTalk Episode 66: " "REO Speedwagon and the greatest hits of Ransom E. Olds," executive producer Phil Tower and co-hosts Al Schwinkendorf and John Puhek focus this episode on an automotive giant and the man who gave the band, REO Speedwagon their name...Ransom E. Olds.
Ransom E. Olds was born in Geneva, Ohio in 1864 and raised in Lansing, Michigan.
He spent his childhood tinkering with all types of engines and built a variety of experimental vehicles. He claimed to have built his first steam-powered car in 1884 and his first gasoline-powered car in 1896.
In 1897, Olds founded the Olds Motor Vehicle Company, later reorganized in 1900 as Olds Motor Works in Detroit. Olds had built a total of 11 prototype vehicles by 1901.
Before Olds had selected a prototype to put into large-scale production, a fire broke out at the Olds factory. The building burned to the ground, and only one vehicle was saved from the fire; a gas-powered “Curved Dash” runabout.

The first production Curved Dashes were built later in 1901 and it was the first vehicle to be built using a stationary assembly line. This manufacturing technique enabled Olds to exponentially increase his manufacturing output from 425 cars in 1901 to nearly 2,500 in 1902.

By 1903, Olds Motor Works had become the largest automotive manufacturer in the United States. Olds also initiated several practices that are commonplace in the industry today. He was the first to establish a system of suppliers by contracting with the Dodge brothers to supply him transmissions after the factory fire, and was even the first to use advertising and publicity to market his vehicles.

In 1904, Olds left the company he had founded after being demoted by ownership. He formed the R.E. Olds Motor Car Company but later changed the name to the REO Motor Car Company to avoid a lawsuit.

Ransom Olds retired in 1925 and is today, truly one of America’s great automotive pioneers.

Online: https://www.automotivehalloffame.org/honoree/ransom-e-olds/

https://onthebanks.msu.edu/Exhibit/162-567-70/reo/

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

Michigan's AutoTalk Episode 65: "A trip around the track with Nick Pon from the legendary 24 Hours of Lemons," executive producer Phil Tower joins co-hosts Al Schwinkendorf and John Puhek for an inside look at the craziest and coolest racing circuit happening today, "24 Hours Of Lemons" Our guest is Nick Pon Associate Perpetrator, 24 Hours Of Lemons racing. This race has just one guiding principle: no team is allowed to race a car that costs more than $500. In other words, only true lemons are allowed. And yeah… Cheating is allowed to a certain extent. 24 Hours of Lemons is an everyman’s endurance event —and the winner is the team that accumulates the mthe most laps in a limited period of time.
For our Michigan listeners, don't miss 24 Hours Of Lemons at The Tony Swan Never-Say-Die Memorial, happening October 8 and 9, 2022 at Gingerman Raceway, in South Haven MI.

Links for this episode:
https://24hoursoflemons.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.

Michigan's AutoTalk Episode 64: "Can we have your attention please?", executive producer Phil Tower is the solo host on this episode asking some important questions for you… Our loyal listeners of Michigan's AutoTalk.
(* yes, this is a very short episode for a good reason. Please be sure to share your feedback with us!)

Coming next week… Episode 65!




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Michigan's AutoTalk Episode 63: "Don't be a Clark Griswold...your car's summer road trip checklist," executive producer Phil Tower joins co-hosts Al Schwinkendorf and John Puhek for a look at prepping your car for summer road trips or just a super-long drive. Al and John run through a short but important list of items to check on your vehicle to prevent mechanical troubles from putting the brakes on your summer vacation or road trip. We cover a few important preventative tips to help your car stay on the road!



Links for this episode:
Road Trip Car Maintenance: Are You Really Ready?
Advice to keep you on the road.
https://aaaliving.acg.aaa.com/auto/road-trip-car-maintenance-checklist/#

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

Michigan's AutoTalk Episode 62: "An update on the supply chain saga and news on an electrified Cadillac," executive producer Phil Tower and CBS Newsradio/WWJ Newsradio auto reporter Jeff Gilbert.

In this episode, Phil Tower speaks with Jeff Gilbert, Auto Reporter at WWJ Newsradio 950 about the continued supply chain issues plaguing the automotive industry and a discussion on the all-electric Cadillac Lyriq.
Links for this episode:

Cadillac Lyriq:
https://www.cadillac.com/electric/lyriq/order-yours

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

Michigan's AutoTalk Episode 61: "Summer HotRod Apprenticeships and Model T Driving lessons at The Gilmore Car Museum," executive producer Phil Tower joins co-hosts Al Schwinkendorf and John Puhek for our third part of three live podcast recordings from inside the Gilmore Car Museum in Hickory Corners, Michigan.

In this episode, Amy Everhart Perry, from The Gilmore Car Museum, talks about the incredible learning opportunities at the Gilmore including The amazing Gilmore Garage Works after-school enrichment program where mentors provide insight-filled instruction in automotive technology, giving students skills in welding, painting, and fabrication.
Upon completion, students leave the Gilmore Garage Works program with a resume, a portfolio, and personal letters of recommendation—as well as self-confidence and a sense of accomplishment.
Amy also tells us about their "Model T Driving experience where people learn to drive a Model T Ford…operated with 3 foot pedals (No Gas Pedal!), one hand lever, and two hand controls on the steering wheel! Drivers gt to take the wheel of an AUTHENTIC Model T Ford, built between 1908 and 1927, and drive 3 miles on paved roads within our historic campus with an experienced and enthusiastic instructor.
Finally, we chat about the awesome benefits of being a member of The Gilmore Car Museum as the museum offers a wide variety of annual membership levels for individuals, families, and friends. (*HINT-a killer gift idea for car lovers everywhere)

Links for this episode:

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.

Michigan's AutoTalk Episode 60: "An inside look at 90 acres and 400+ cars of North America's largest auto museum...The Gilmore Car Museum," executive producer Phil Tower joins co-hosts Al Schwinkendorf and John Puhek for another live podcast recording from the Gilmore car Museum in Hickory Corners, Michigan. In this episode, Josh Russell, executive director of The Gilmore Car Museum, gives us an overview of the museum and its 90+ acres in Hickory Corners, MI.
The idea for the Gilmore museum started in the early 1960s when Donald S. Gilmore began collecting vintage automobiles. Years that followed saw Gilmore collecting some of the world’s most renowned automobiles.

Gilmore then acquired 90 acres of land in Hickory Corners. Later, his wife Genevieve had the idea of turning the collection into a museum, so they established a non-profit foundation and opened the museum to the public for the first time on in the summer of 1966.

56 years later, 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.

Links for this episode:

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.