Racing Archives - 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 auto podcast that is looking for supercars….  In Portugal 

On this episode of Throwin’ Wrenches…  

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

Thanks for listening.  To join in on the fun of the show, just email us at [email protected] and be sure to leave us a review on your podcast platform. 

Thanks for listening.   

Thanks for sharing.

Thanks for commenting.

THANKS FOR REVIEWING!!!!   33 Five Star Reviews cant be wrong?

Eric: Celica near-breakdown in Ottawa – tensioner installed incorrectly!!!

Daryl: Bork is broke. Nearly put the driveshaft through the floor thanks to a center support bushing that disintegrated. Limped it home and need to drop it all and measure to get the correct parts. Hagerty said Volvo 140 series cars are up 15% in value these days, so I should probably repair it. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_Malibu

There are 9 generations of Malibu to pull from…  How do we choose the best for Race Daily Kill???

1964 Malibu SS

1978 Malibu Sedan

By Peter Valdes-Dapena, CNN

The Chevrolet Malibu, the last sedan still sold by General Motors’ biggest selling brand, will end production this year, the company announced.

Malibu production will end in November as the factory that builds it, the Fairfax Assembly Plant in Kansas City, Kansas, is reconfigured to build a new generation of the Chevrolet Bolt EV.

With the Malibu’s demise, General Motors’ mainstream Chevrolet brand will sell only trucks, SUVs, and the Corvette, a two-seat sports car, in the United States.

FenderBender Staff Reporters May 7, 2024

A customer discovered a device in their car that concealed that the airbag had been deployed.

A used car dealership in Wichita, Kansas, previously fined for failing to inform a customer that the vehicle they purchased had a deployed airbag, now faces a penalty of approximately $418,000. This comes after the discovery that an additional 13 customers were sold vehicles without airbags. The information was obtained by the Wichita Eagle from the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office.

The issue surfaced when a customer discovered an airbag simulator device in their car, which concealed the fact that the airbag had been deployed.

The dealership, now prohibited from operating, is owned by Kayode D. Ajibolade and Abidemi M. Aluko. Ajibolade stated that customers are informed about the vehicle’s accident history and that they do not guarantee anything regarding the airbags.

He also mentioned that the dealership was previously fined $20,000 in 2019 due to inadequate legal representation. The recent case was initiated after a man from Olathe discovered that the car he bought for his daughter had deployed airbags.

The court has revoked CarNation’s business license in Kansas and issued a permanent injunction preventing them from selling any motor vehicles in the state.

Fender Bender

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said that all new vehicles sold in the U.S. must be equipped with automatic emergency braking systems by September 2029.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) this week said that all new vehicles sold in the U.S. must be equipped with automatic emergency braking (AEB) systems by September 2029, reports Reuters.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a spike in pedestrian traffic deaths, with 2023 seeing a fatality rate higher than any pre-pandemic year since 2008. In 2022, the number of pedestrian deaths rose by 0.7%, marking a new record since 1981. With the passage of the 2021 infrastructure law, NHTSA was directed to implement standards for AEB.

After 2029, all cars and trucks must be able to stop and avoid collision with vehicles in front of them at a speed of up to 62 mph. In the event that collision with a vehicle is imminent, AEB must be applied at up to 90 mph. When a pedestrian is detected, AEB must be applied up to 45 mph.

NHTSA claimed that the new rule will save 360 lives each year and prevent 24,000 injuries. In 2016 a voluntary agreement was made by 20 automakers, stating that they would make AEB standard on nearly all U.S. vehicles. In 2023, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found that all 20 automakers have followed through thus far, having equipped 95% of their products with AEB.

Fender Bender

In the summer of 2023, the United States witnessed record-breaking heat waves that underscored a trend of increasingly hotter summers. This climatic shift not only challenges our daily comfort but also puts specialized products like adhesives under unprecedented strain. Adhesives play a critical role in various industries, particularly in automotive collision repair, where their application and strength are crucial. Understanding how extreme temperatures and humidity can impact adhesives is essential for maintaining their efficacy. Parker Lord explores the science behind adhesive performance in scorching conditions and provides a comprehensive guide to safeguarding your bonds against the summer heat.

The summer of 2023 has been marked by extreme heat across the U.S., with temperatures frequently soaring above historical averages. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), numerous regions experienced temperatures that exceeded the 90 degrees F mark, significantly affecting the performance and application of adhesives. This trend toward hotter summers is not new but reflects an ongoing climatic shift that demands adaptation and informed product usage.

Understanding how temperature and humidity affects adhesives is just as important as identifying the proper adhesives for your application.

“High temperatures can drastically reduce working times, while elevated humidity levels can affect cure rates, especially in one-component products,” says Parker Lord’s Leif Hansson, Fusor – OEM and Automotive Aftermarket Technical Account Manager for North America

Adapting practices and selecting products with these factors in mind is a necessity to ensure durable repairs and applications.

We have been maligned in the past for digging around the virtual junk heaps of the automotive digital arena for content for the show.  Yes… Mid-80s domestics do come up too often here!  

In this new segment..  We will type in the words “Super Car” in a Google news search and then serve you up the freshest news from the bleeding edge of the industry.  

This week’s candidate…  Portugal’s first dip in the Super Car arena… The Adamster (Not to be confused with Adam Ant or Ant Music) Furia.  FURIA!  Hyper masculine naming rules the segment and Furia screams of testosterone injection systems.  That said…  Can you be Vin Diesel and fit in one of these cars?  I always felt these were for the Richard Hammond-sized guys?  

Here is a link to the Robb Report…  I do not go to this sight… EVERY.  I thought Robb Report was for casual browning at Barnes and Noble.  I feel fancy reading a 20 dollar magazine while my wife browses for some soft core disguised as high art.  

What a weird bit of writing these guys have.  Reviewer, Bryan Hood, must have a second monitor with Thesaurus.com up when he writes reviews.

The review mentions Christiano Ronaldo.  A hot Portuguese actress?  Google says…  Soccer Player.  Seriously?  Who are we advertising for?  The hottest Portuguese woman I can find on a quick search is Nelly Furtado.  That would be a good reference…  For me anyway…  How about saying this car “is like a bird”?  Or how about…  “Whoa Nelly, this chassis can take flight”?  

Mills?  Is that some kind of reference to Engine?  When I say “Motor”… I get made fun of.  If I say “Mill” I feel like I am opening myself up for attack by the Quaker oat man.

Grunt?  Thats in reference to HP.  Maybe there is an old English Thesaurus?

  https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/adamastor-furia-is-portugals-first-supercar-1235632434/

Add this to the list of other great named makes from Portugal.  ALBA, 

By Kate Conger and Jack Ewing NYTimes News Service 

Elon Musk, Tesla’s CEO, offered a personal tour of the electric carmaker’s factory in Austin, Texas, to select shareholders this week.

“Please let us know if you have any questions about voting your Tesla shares!” Musk wrote on X, the social media platform he owns.

88 Mil a week.  Can’t argue with that!

First… I was thinking  cool little convertible would be nice… How about a 3 wheeler with a sidecar?  That would be cool.  How about a TUK TUK?  Do they sell them in the US?

Google says … YES!  Ali baba says I can get them for 1800 bucks.  Ummmm  Not sure that is show up to human scale.  Google also says…  Texas Tuks Tuks has some!

Used classics are cool…  Then I found the new!

This one has tap handles??!?!?!?!  I could side-hustle a beer tap truck!Wait… They have a cafe Tuk Tuk!!!!  Hold the phones!  They have a whole damn cafe!!!

This is how bad ideas get started… I just stare stepped myself from a 10k used TUK to a 33K cafe model!!!!  WTF???

Anyone want a Cafe and a Bagette with Brie?  That’ll be $14.75.  Do that 2372.88 times… And I will have it paid off!

Maybe this is not a great idea???

Also… This APE thing… I didnt know APE was a name synonymous with Tuk’s

Source: Hyman LTD

Alfa Romeo received a tremendous honor in late 1966 when it was selected to create a conceptual exhibit of man’s aspiration for the automobile at the 1967 International and Universal Exposition, held in Montreal. Alfa assigned coachwork duties to Bertone, and the project was spearheaded by Marcelo Gandini, the young designer who had leapt to the forefront of the automotive imagination with the Lamborghini Miura.

Two identical prototypes were prepared for the exhibition, and Gandini did not disappoint. Channeling many of the same cues that made the Miura so innovative, the new Alfa was wide and low with a shark-like nose extending through a curved fender and shoulder haunches into a truncated tail. The headlight “blinds” and stacked horizontal vents on the C-pillar were attractive, as well as futuristic in concept.

Strong customer interest prompted Alfa to develop a production version, which continued to be based on the respected 105 Series chassis, as with the Expo show cars. A new direction was taken for the model’s engine, however. Discarding the 105’s standard twin-cam inline-four, Alfa’s engineers installed a modified version of the competition-pedigreed V-8 from the Tipo 33 Stradale prototype race car. Featuring aluminum alloy construction, dual overhead-cam actuation, and a dry-sump lubrication system, the advanced racing engine provided the new production model with nearly unprecedented power for an Alfa road car.

Just 3,925 examples of the appropriately named Montreal were built between 1971 and 1975. It is estimated that as many as 100 examples had made their way to American shores as recently as a few years ago. The landmark design on the resume of the great Marcelo Gandini features one of Alfa Romeo’s most legendary motors, and the Montreal has arguably grown to be Milan’s most iconic road car of the 1970s.

According to its Certificato di Origine, this gorgeous 1971 Alfa Romeo Montreal was built on July 29, 1971, and destined for the Italian market. Imported to the US in 2018, the car is a recent Alfa Romeo Owners Club Concours award winner and is offered with its tool kit, certificate of origin, RIAR Homologation Certificate, papers, and literature. Finished in its original color combination of Rosso over Nero interior, it is very well-presented and restored to original specification. The paint and bodywork are quite attractive overall, with just a few minor blemishes picked up from use on the road. Panel fit is quite good, and the detailing is crisp and well defined. A set of proper Campagnolo alloy wheels provides the finishing touch.

The post Episode 89 – Furia Malibu Blues appeared first on Throwin' Wrenches Automotive Podcast.

On the first Sunday in October of 2023, Eric & Angela, Daryl and Gabe grabbed a bag of gas station beef jerky and headed East to that giant corn maze known as Indiana to pay our respects to motorsports and see the only hill in the Hoosier State.

Okay, so that’s not entirely true. There’s more than one hill in Indiana, and we finally got to see the Newport Hillclimb. What is the Newport Hillclimb, you ask?

The Newport Hillclimb is a traditional hillclimb event open to vintage automobiles from 1942 and earlier, and so-called “orphan car” makes up until 1955 (as long as they didn’t continue production past 1970, such as Plymouth, Mercury, etc.)

The race, which began in 1909 as a durability test of the new-fangled horseless carriage, soldiered on until 1915 before fizzling out. The reason for the lack of interest? Something about a brickyard in Indianapolis and another, faster form of racing.

Fast-forward to the mid-1960s when the Newport Volunteer Fire Department decided to pay tribute with an antique automobile hillclimb event and the rest is history. Since then, every first Sunday in October has been “race day” for the hillclimb, where classics chug, huff and puff their way up a deceivingly steep hill in search of a trophy.

For us, it was a real treat to see these old machines get a workout. Most of the time, we only see Packards, Studebakers or any other old car sitting in a show field or a local cruise night parking lot. This event proved that the old stuff still enjoys being driven to the limit now and then. There are plenty of other festivities that accompany the hillclimb, including a vintage car raffle, flea market, car show, and some food vendors that put the average county fair to shame. It’s fun for the entire family, and it’s all FREE save for a modest parking fee that goes to the local volunteer fire department.

We discuss our impressions from the Newport Hillclimb, and describe what it was like to be spectators with a bird’s-eye-view of the action from just behind the barricades. We also plot out our trip for the following year, where Gabe definitely has the advantage of having two qualifying cars that could certainly give some of these old Model T’s a run for their money.

You can discover more about the Newport Hillclimb on their website (which appears to be down right now) at newporthillclimb.com.

They’re also on Facebook.

They’ve also set the dates for 2024’s race:

An entire history of the Newport Hill Climb can be found on good ‘ol Wikipedia.

Gabe and Daryl share their respective garage & house remodel progress and the best/worst DIY drywall tips in the Patreon preshow. Learn more by becoming a sponsor.

The post Episode 82 – Newport Hillclimb appeared first on Throwin' Wrenches Automotive Podcast.

The Autopodcast that is always bringing you new guests! In fairness, we also bring you old guests… but that’s not the point. 

On this episode of Throwin’ Wrenches:

As always, thanks for listening to this show. If you’d like to join in on the fun or tell us what you think of this episode, email us at [email protected] or post a review on iTunes to be heard around the world and make Eric a happy camper.

Just like Catlin did this past week.

Thanks, Catlin! We’re happy to help enable folks to add more cars and trucks to their collection.

Sales: (866) 984-0593

Gabe’s Garage

Email

Jason’s mild manners and chill demeanor hide the fact that he’s an ice-cold, corner-carving competitor when it comes to motorsports. And he has the hardware to back it up.

Feel free to reach out if you’re interested in getting involved with the CIR SCCA as a volunteer or participant in some of the local events. You’ll be glad you did!

Source: KGTV San Diego

An ad going around online appears to show Coca-Cola being poured into a car’s gas tank with the caption “Simple trick to lower car fuel consumption by 55%.”

So should you take a stab at pouring Coke into your car?

Definitely not.

The website Snopes clicked on the ad, which did lead to a page advertising EcoPlus which is a technical device that connects to your car.

But in an email, the company said the ad is not theirs and Coke is not related to their product.

Experts agree putting Coca-Cola in a gas tank can ruin your car.

Reboot llinois put together a fantastic list of 16 things that are made in Illinois. Guess what? Rivian didn’t make the list, even though they were voted the “coolest thing made in Illinois”.  We didn’t want to short-change our fellow Illinois manufacturers, so we combed through the list and were fairly surprised by what they found right here in the Land of Lincoln.

Did you know that these 16 things are made in Illinois?

What’s your vote for the coolest thing made in Illinois? Let us know at [email protected].

I finally found it… my dream convertible Dodge Dakota pickup. And the best part is it’s in nearby Bloomington, Illinois! 

What’s up with that? 

In all honesty, it’s a project truck that will never be caught dead in my garage… but a man can dream, can’t he? 

I know what you’re thinking. This is a car that should have been crushed 20+ years ago. Why are you even considering this for a Car of the Weak? I like to consider myself a preservationist. I keep things around to ensure future generations can appreciate their historical significance. That extends to this final-year GM X-body model that happens to wear the tarnished Citation nameplate.

After a splashy debut as “GM’s Front Runners for the 80s”, the shininess wore off after steering racks that leaked and bound up, carburetors that fell out of adjustment, and exhaust systems rusted out in a year or two. Several other quirky design features didn’t go over so well. It was so bad that they revised these the year before to be the Citation II (Think Coke II). It was new and improved with fuel injection, a digital AM/FM stereo radio in that awful double-DIN style to replace the VERICAL radio from the previous generation. Lots of fixes after it was too late. That’s GM’s way. They did it with the Corvair, and the Fiero.

By 1985, anyone buying a Citation that wasn’t a fleet or rental car was a sucker. I want to make sure we learn from our FWD mistakes. That’s why this should come home with me. 83,000 mile car from MO that was owned by the guy’s grandma. AC, automatic and a gutless Iron Duke 2.5 four-cylinder. It’s checking all of my boxes.

From the BaT listing: This 2014 Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG 6×6 is one of approximately 100 examples built in Graz, Austria, by Magna Steyr between 2013 and 2015. It was subsequently modified with the Brabus B63S-700 package, which consists of the Brabus 700 engine upgrade as well as carbon-fiber body elements, LED lighting, and quilted leather upholstery. Power comes from a twin-turbocharged 5.5-liter V8 that sends power to all six wheels through an AMG Speedshift 7G-Tronic seven-speed automatic transmission, a dual-range transfer case, and five electronic differential locks.

Equipment includes a central tire inflation system, Öhlins suspension, 18″ Hutchinson beadlock wheels, a wood-paneled bed, heated and ventilated seats, and navigation. The truck was imported to the US under a “show or display” exemption, and it was previously listed on BaT in December 2021 and was subsequently acquired by the selling dealer. The differential lock intensifiers, front brake pads, brake fluid, and a propellor shaft were replaced in 2021, and the battery was replaced in 2022. This G63 AMG 6×6 has 8k miles and is offered with NHTSA “show or display” paperwork, service records, a clean Carfax report, and a clean Arizona title.

The post Episode 62 – Jason Daily Interview appeared first on Throwin' Wrenches Automotive Podcast.

So when we learned that Steve was going to run an old-school, 100-horsepower Saturn SL sedan across the country as part of the MustketBall Rally, we watched with anticipation as he prepped his rather unique race car.

Or should we say race cars. There were two. But that’s a long story. 

Speaking of stories, there was also a brief period of time when Eric *might* have been a co-driver on this fabled transcontinental run. That didn’t pan out for a few reasons. That’s also another story.

Come to think of it, these are GREAT stories that we’d rather discuss in this special interview episode. So we asked Steve to drop by to bring us up to speed (pun intended) on how his latest automotive marathon run transpired. We learned all of the gruesome details: Good, bad and ugly.

You’ll want to grab a beverage and enjoy our latest conversation with Steve Brown.

A post shared by Steve Brown (@cannonballgmc)

Steve’s always doing something amazing. Follow along and show Steve some love by giving @Cannonball GMC a follow on Facebook, Instagram, and our personal favorite… TikTok.

Keep in touch with us at [email protected] and we’ll catch you again real soon!

The post TW 59.5 – Steve Brown Adventures appeared first on Throwin' Wrenches Automotive Podcast.

Welcome to another installment of the automotive podcast that can make the most of 60 minutes (and then some). We’re trying to keep the next few episodes a little shorter because we know everyone is busy and only has so much time to devote to ‘infotainment’ on any given day.

We also know that there aren’t too many programs out there that offer a blend of automotive insight, industry news, and humor… so we’re trying to juggle it all in style. If you like what you hear, let us know. If we can dial it in a little more, let us know that, too. Hit us up at [email protected] to get on the soapbox. You won’t offend us either way!

Maybe Daryl, but he’ll get over it.

Eric’s lovely wife tipped him off about a 1997 Toyota Tacoma 4×4 sitting on the side of the road a few miles from the family homestead. She also gave her blessing to bring it home. Eric made a deal and got it for a decent price and it now resides in the barn with dreams of being a farm truck for the remainder of its days. (Or will it be the ultimate stripped-down trail rig in a few years?) 

We also catch up with Eric’s recent trip to the Great Smokey Mountain Trail Ride in Oliver Springs, Tennessee. Treehugger, the Toyota 4Runner handled the rugged trails of Wind Rock Park just fine. There were a lot of other unique trail rigs on display.

Watch the video below for more highlights from this year’s event.

That’s not all! We also get a recap of some of the Central Illinois Region SCCA autocross action with the Fort’s Racing team.

Here’s a hint: It was a great weekend out at the Mossville Tech Center.

Check out the video below for more details.

After losing an axle c-clips on his ’47 Chevy Fleetline, he’s been having tons of fun trying to locate a suitable replacement. Who knew they were so hard to find for the older Chevies with the torque tube style rear end?  

Oh, he’s also waiting on a re-cored radiator for his ’55 Plymouth and performing an entire cooling system refresh while everything’s all apart. 

Someday he may actually DRIVE his old cars instead of work on them. That’s what he gets for letting them sit most of 2020.

VW Turns to 3D Printing at Wolfsburg Plant

Source: WardsAuto

Carsick in an autonomous EV?  It’s a thing

Source: Adapt Automotive

Learn everything you wanted to know about the laws of physics, motion sickness, and why barf bags should be standard equipment on the autonomous cars and trucks of tomorrow.

Rubber Apocolypse Means for the U.S. Economy

Source: CNBC

The global economy now faces a rubber shortage because of multiple supply chain disruptions. “We could be on the cusp of a rubber apocalypse,” Ohio State University professor Katrina Cornish told CNBC. Rubber producers are working against all odds: climate change, disease and the fight for shipping containers. The global rubber market was valued at nearly $40 billion in 2020, but one analysis predicts the natural rubber market could be worth nearly $68.5 billion by 2026.

In this next segment, we’ll discuss the debut of the Ford Bronco, and why famed Camel Trophy legend and off-road racer Bill Burkes has been running with the Ford Bronco and the Rivian crowds over the past few weeks.  Why does his seal of approval matter in the race to get new 4×4 trucks and SUVs in the hands of the American consumer?  Maybe a history of being a competition driver in some of the toughest conditions of Africa is the kind of credibility these manufactures are looking for when you start a war with Jeep.  

For more on Bill Burkes:

Bill Burkes on Facebook

Bill Burkes 4 Wheeling America

Here are a few other Bronco news stories we’re highlighting in this episode: 

The Ford Bronco is finally here and Jeep should be worried

Source: CNN Business

The Jeep Wrangler has cornered a very nice slice of the auto market for a long time. But that appears to be over now that the new full-size Ford Bronco has arrived. Based on test drives on road and off, Jeep should be worried.

We’re not talking about the Bronco Sport, which you may have already seen driving around. That model is smaller, and somewhat related to the Ford Escape and the new Ford Maverick small pickup. This new Bronco is bigger and taller and it’s made to take on far more serious off-road terrain. It’s somewhat related to the Ford Ranger truck.

So while the small Bronco Sport can drive off-road, the Bronco can drive places where “road” shouldn’t even really be part of the word.

The Bronco has just gone into production in Michigan. Prices start at about $28,500, a little higher than the Bronco Sport. Prices for nicer, better-equipped versions start at more than $40,000, though.

2021 Ford Bronco First Drive Review: The Long-Awaited 4×4 SUV Is Absolutely the Real Deal 

Source: MotorTrend

Look out, Jeep Wrangler: The new Bronco is coming for you, and it’s armed to the teeth.

The 2021 Ford Bronco is easily one of the most anticipated vehicles of our fledgling decade, and we won’t keep you in suspense: Our initial impression after driving the new two- and four-door Bronco is that it absolutely lives up to the hype. Driven on-road or off, viewed as a getaway/adventure vehicle, a family truckster, or as a piece of retro automotive art, the Bronco feels like a winner. Indeed, Jeep’s longtime off-road champ, the Wrangler, now has some serious 4×4 SUV competition, as does our 2021 MotorTrend SUV of the Year, Land Rover’s epic Defender.

Ford Bronco Sold Out for Years, Orders Pour in for F-150 Lightning and Maverick

Source: MotorTrend

Ford is having a good inning. It is hitting it out of the park with interest in four new vehicles: The 2021 Ford Bronco SUV, which is finally in production; the electric 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning fullsize pickup truck; the smaller 2022 Ford Maverick hybrid pickup truck; and the electric 2022 Ford E-Transit commercial van.

Reservations are strong, Ford CEO Jim Farley said during the Deutsche Bank Global Auto Industry Conference. Filling them all will take some time. A shortage of semiconductor chips means inventory is not expected to return to normal levels until 2022.

It seems it’s only a matter of time before Tesla releases a new, cheaper, entry-level car.

Source: Inside EVs

Tesla has many upcoming vehicles in the pipeline, but it hasn’t really made much progress on bringing them to market. We’re talking about the popular Tesla Cybertruck, next-gen Roadster, and Tesla Semi. However, there has also been talk about a smaller, cheaper Tesla car, perhaps a compact hatchback that starts at $25,000.

Tesla is already receiving record orders, it’s reportedly sold out in many areas for many months, and it can’t possibly produce enough vehicles to satisfy demand. Clearly, bringing more vehicles to market at this time would just make the situation even more difficult.

Nonetheless, CEO Elon Musk has made it clear he thinks a future Tesla compact car good idea. In fact, the company has already gone so far as to try to recruit folks in China to design the car. More specifically, the car will be designed and produced in China, but sold across the globe.

2020 Daihatsu HiJet (Made by Toyota) – $20,000

Source: US Mini Truck Sales

While there are few, if any $2,000 cars left to sift through in the local classifieds these days, I have decided that the need for a small utility pickup is strong. That’s why I need to find something similar to the Tacoma I just purchased to collect sticks around the house. Only this thing has a killer lift kit and decent rims. Why aren’t there more of these cool Japanese work trucks here in the U.S.?

1990 Oldsmobile Toronado $3,500

Source: Facebook Marketplace

This rare FWD Oldsmobile personal luxury coupe was ordered new by a GM executive in Ohio and managed to survive in excellent original condition for 31 years here in the Midwest. Finished in white exterior paint with a burgundy velour cloth interior, it also has an unusual front bench seat, yet came with a digital dash and full electronic display options. The seller says it runs great, and most everything works. This is a bargain for anyone wanting a peak FWD GM car with all the trimmings. 

As always, thanks for listening, friends. We’ll catch up again real soon.

The post Episode 50 – The Ford Broncos are coming appeared first on Throwin' Wrenches Automotive Podcast.

Welcome to the auto podcast that loves a rainy night.

Is that another early 80’s song reference? You bet it is. It’s been raining cats & dogs here in Central Illinois for the past few weeks, and for some reason, this gem of a song just stuck in our head. Don’t worry, we only sing a few bars of it in the intro.

And now, for something completely different:

Thanks to our Patreon supporters, and our loyal sponsors who help make this program possible. Please consider one of our sponsors the next time you’re shopping for services.

Do you consider this podcast an automotive news show, or an automotive entertainment show? After hearing from some listeners, we discover that this program may be more of the latter, which is fine.

Really, it is.

Just don’t tell Eric.

Thanks also to T. Hanlon for dropping us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts and giving a shout-out to the #RaceDailyKill segment. You won’t be disappointed with the lineup in this episode, T.

Eric: Does anyone have a Mk3 Supra sunroof laying around? There may have been an unfortunate accident where ours decided to take flight.  We’ll learn all the graphic details of The Flying Targa Circus.

Daryl: Our ‘55 Plymouth gets some fuel system fixes and a wet-sanding party before the first big show of the season. Meanwhile, Oscar, our ‘47 Chevy Fleetline got pulled out of long-term storage and major brake work begins. 

This week’s episode features a very special Bring a Trailer edition of Race, Daily Kill. While this segment isn’t endorsed or sponsored in the least by BaT, we do appreciate this auction site offers the discerning motorist. We’ve decided to line up a few choice vintage sportscars and one very special modern Porsche. All of these choices are live auction items at the time of recording. Let’s light this candle.

Eric: Race the Porsche, Daily the Healy and Kill the 70’s Ferrari.

Daryl: Race the Healy, Daily the Porsche and Kill the Dino. (Sorry about your kid, Enzo.)

Do you have a suggestion for an upcoming installment of #RaceDailyKill? Lay it on us at [email protected].

Empty Lots, Angry Customers: Chip Crisis Throws Wrench into Car Business

Source: The Wall Street Journal

Americans are shopping for cars in near-record numbers, but the world’s computer-chip shortage has left dealers with the fewest offerings in decades. The market mismatch is driving up prices, and many buyers expecting to drive new cars off the lot have to wait weeks or months for their vehicles to arrive. Some showroom models sell for thousands of dollars over the sticker price.

Unfazed by Chip Scarcity, GM Expects to Hit 2021 Profit Goal

Source: Bloomberg

General Motors Co. isn’t fazed by a global chip shortage that has brought many auto plants to a standstill.

The carmaker left its full-year outlook unchanged on Wednesday and said that, if anything, it would hit “the higher end” of its 2021 earnings target. That came as it reported stronger-than-expected profit growth in the first quarter.

Buoyed by robust demand in the U.S. and China, the Detroit-based automaker posted adjusted profit of $2.25 a share, beating a consensus estimate of $1.08. GM attributed the healthy performance to booming sales of full-size and higher-margin sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks.

Stellantis Revenues up 14% to $44.4B in First Three Months of the Year

Source: NADA Automotive News

Stellantis NV on Wednesday said revenue increased 14% to $44.4 billion (27 billion euro) in the first quarter of 2021 as global shipments increased 12% despite a global semiconductor shortage.

The report is the first financial results for the transatlantic automaker since its tie-up between Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV and French competitor Groupe PSA in January. Unlike its Detroit rivals, Stellantis only will report earnings for the first and second halves of the year. Results for the first half of 2021 are scheduled to be reported in August.

Ford Posts Big April Sales Gain Amid Rebound From Pandemic

Source: The Detroit News

Amid a hot vehicle market and a rebound from the early days of the coronavirus pandemic, Ford Motor Co. posted a nearly 65% sales gain in April compared to a year ago.

The Dearborn automaker reported selling 197,813 vehicles last month, for a 64.8% gain over April 2020 when COVID-19 case numbers were growing and restrictions aimed at stopping the spread of the virus hit factories and showrooms. Retail sales were up 57.1%.

Gas Prices Increased 5 Cents Per Gallon in Last Week in Illinois, AAA Says. Here’s Why

Source: NBC Chicago/Illinois Policy

Gas prices have risen across the nation following the ransomware attack on the Colonial Pipeline May 7 that forced the fuel distributor to halt operations. The pipeline supplied roughly 45% of the East Coast’s fuel

While the shutdown mainly impacted the East Coast, experts suggest the closure, coupled with growing driver demand in the leadup to Memorial Day weekend, is driving price increases at the pump.

Illinois began its “Bridge Phase” to reopening its economy May 14 and Pritzker has predicted Illinois will “fully reopen” by June 11.

Illinois gas prices are the highest in the Midwest partly because the state tax on gasoline doubled in 2019 to 38 cents per gallon from 19 cents. It is automatically hiked every July 1 for inflation, with this year’s boost hitting $0.392 per gallon.

After the last automatic increase in 2020, Illinois’ average gas taxes ranked third highest in the nation. The hike set for July 1 will see the average driver paying the state $105.67 more per year than in 2018.

Source: MarketWatch

“A day after sparking another selloff in the world’s biggest digital asset, Tesla’s chief executive officer Elon Musk took to Twitter to say his electric-car company hasn’t done any divesting.

“To clarify speculation, Tesla has not sold any bitcoin,” Musk tweeted in the early hours of Monday. He was responding to a tweet from another user who accused him of triggering losses in the cryptocurrency.”

Doge Coin  Doge Coin  Doge Coin

Say it enough times and Elon will pop on twitter and say something flippant about cryptos and make the Bi-nance groupies go crazy.

He has found the excitable group response he has been lacking for the last few years.    

Daryl keeps hearing commercials for Take Five: The 5-Minute oil change. These franchises seem to be popping up all over the Midwest in recent years. Just like the $3 car wash phenomenon, are people really busting their hump to get a 5-minute oil change? We’d rather it take a little longer, to be honest. Their signature line is “You don’t even have to leave your car.” While the drive-through oil & lube place isn’t a new concept, the idea of staying inside your car while someone works on it just inchses below you (usually in a pit) can’t be fun. Who’s the lucky guy who gets to change the oil below a sizzling-hot Elantra with an owner inside it with an itchy trigger finger? Do they have to hold onto the customer’s keys for safety, or is that not ‘contact-free’? These are all of the things that just make us question modern times

Eric:  1991 Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-Benz 300 E 4-M 4WD Sedan 4D

$1,200 OBO

Features

Needs

For a mere 1200 bones, Daddy needs a new hoopty for the autocross track and rally events!

Daryl  1969 Chevrolet Nova SS 396

Source: Barrett-Jackson 

A true SS with not a lot of fanfare. Just a clean, straight original 350 horse big-block 4 speed survivor. Redlines. Rallys. Everything that a small muscle car needs, and nothing it doesn’t.

Come to papa. 

Feel free to drop us a line at [email protected] with show ideas, suggestions and bad jokes.

Find us on iTunes:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/throwin-wrenches-automotive-podcast/id1398126760

The post Episode 48 – The Flying Targa Circus appeared first on Throwin' Wrenches Automotive Podcast.

Welcome to the auto podcast that knows Cannonball Run 2 carries an odor that is not easily shaken. We will do everything in our power to avoid making a stinker of an episode to rival that movie.

Obviously, if we are talking Cannonball and VinWiki, that must mean we’re hanging out with our new favorite guest, Steve Brown.  You may remember Steve from Episode 35 as we recounted his epic run on the coast-to-coast route that spans from Jacksonville, Florida to San Diego California.  He did it solo and holds a record for that run at 27 hours and 13 minutes!

This week, we catch up and talk about how Steve spent the latter half of 2020 Running the classic Cannonball route from New York to Los Angeles.

Who helped inspire Steve to make a second run across the U.S.?

You’ll hear answers to these hard-hitting questions and a whole lot more in Episode 42!

Enjoy the ride.

The post Episode 42 – Cannonball Run 2 – The Return of Steve Brown appeared first on Throwin' Wrenches Automotive Podcast.