Uncategorized Archives - Throwin' Wrenches Automotive Podcast

Welcome to the automotive podcast that wasn’t invited to the opening of the Tesla restaurant.  

On this episode of Throwin’ Wrenches…  

All of 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] or post a review on itunes to be heard worldwide!

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

Sponsor:

PATREON – Thanks to our Patreon supporters. 

Itunes Premium –  people love it!  Full integration into your Apple Podcast app. 

Projects:

Eric: 

Daryl: 

NEWS:

Report: Nissan Closing Two More Production Plants By 2027

The two plants produce vehicles for the U.S., but Nissan gave no indication on the future of those products.

Justin BannerWriterMotorTrend StaffPhotographerManufacturerPhotographerJul 21, 2025

With Nissan in dire straits, the Japanese brand has been reaching for every avenue to save itself through the “Re:Nissan” initiative. Recently, word came down on July 15 that its Oppama plant in Kanagawa, Japan, would shut down and production there would move to Kyushu (in Fukuoka, Japan) by early 2027. Now, a new report suggests is that two of Nissan’s Mexico plants will shutter in the same timeframe with no word on where the vehicles built there will be assembled in the future.

Faraday Future’s New FX Super One Luxury Van Has a Funky F.A.C.E.

AI-enhanced interactive LED grille aside, can this jumbo luxury people mover make a dent in a market where full-size SUVs rule?

Mike Floyd July 17, 2025  Motortrend

We’re at Faraday Future’s Southern California headquarters getting our first look at its upcoming new vehicle, when we walk around to the front of the car. The LED grille is flashing and pulsing through images and video like a Times Square billboard. That’s the point: The F.A.C.E. of the FX Super One is designed to draw attention. It got ours.

F.A.C.E. stands for Front AI Communication Ecosystem, and like everything else in this era, it has an artificial-intelligence component to it, because of course it does. Imagine you have your Super One parked outside at a sporting event, and you program your F.A.C.E. to promote a product you have. People could potentially interact with said product placement and get answers. Or you can just goof off and have it show photos of you in a Speedo, or your dog or cat in a cute outfit. Oh, the possibilities. (To be clear, it has to be parked to show anything interactive.)

It’s a neat party trick, but chances are most of the folks who end up buying a Super One—which Faraday is rolling out as part of the company’s new Faraday X subbrand strategy (think Lexus versus Toyota)—when it goes on sale sometime early in 2026 as the vanguard model of a planned product blitz over the next 24 months won’t opt for the fancy digital mug.

What will they get as a whole? A huge, luxurious minivan (Faraday prefers MPV, or multi-purpose vehicle) with a passel of unique options, a suite of AI-enhanced software and technologies that help power it and its systems, and two all-wheel-drive powertrains from which to choose, one all electric and one Faraday calls an AI Hybrid Extended Range (AIHER). Right now, it’s sort of an answer to a question that not a lot of Americans in the market for big people movers are asking. But Faraday hopes it will find a niche.

Local:

AutoCanada Inc. has firmed up agreements to sell 13 of its 17 new-vehicle franchises in the United States

as it prepares to exit the American market and refocus on Canada. The deals with several unnamed buyers are worth Cdn $82.7 million (US $60.3 million), including real estate, the company said July 16. They include Chevrolet of Palatine, Crystal Lake Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram, Hyundai of Palatine, North City Honda, as well as two multi-franchise locations: Autohaus of Peoria, consisting of Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, and Volkswagen stores; and Bloomington Automall with Audi, Lincoln, Mercedes-Benz, Subaru and Volkswagen locations.

Source: Automotive News Canada

New Rivian supplier ‘Adient’ set to bring dozens of jobs to Town of Normal

By Imani McClay  NEWS 25

Published: Jul. 21, 2025 at 3:50 PM CDT|Updated: Jul. 21, 2025 at 5:28 PM CDT

NORMAL (25News Now) – Dozens of full-time jobs are headed to McLean County as a new supplier for Rivian gets ready to plant their roots in Normal.

Gov. JB Pritzker, alongside the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and Adient, the new supplier, made the announcement Monday.

Adient, a global leader in automotive seating, will establish a facility in Normal to assemble front and back seat components for the EV company. The supplier plans to make a capital investment of more than $8 million, creating about 75 new full-time jobs.

Nik Duffle, the Town of Normal’s director of economic development, said this will have a huge economic impact.

“Being a job provider and a capital investor in the community will just continue to provide support and stability for the local economy,” said Duffle.

Adient will repurpose an existing 85,000 square foot warehouse south of College Avenue, adjacent to Rivian’s plant.

As part of the State’s incentive package, Adient received a reimagining energy and vehicles Illinois’s tax credit for their investment and job creation.

https://abcnews.go.com/Business/horsepower-matter-electrification-changing/story?id=123959938

What makes a supercar “super”? Is it horsepower, 0-60 mph records or the gratification of rowing your own gears?

Moment of Musk:   Listen to the preshow!!!

Eric:  

Its a Bugatti…  Or it’s something else.  Whatever it is, it’s fun and I would drive it a few times.

Daryl:

1970 Mercury Cougar Convertible

The post Episode 103 – Faraday Face appeared first on Throwin' Wrenches Automotive Podcast.

Welcome to the auto podcast that is talking stainless… and we’re not talking cutlery.

On this episode of Throwin’ Wrenches:

Thanks to Fort’s Toyota for their continued sponsorship. We could not do this show without their support, so please consider supporting them if you’re in the market for a new or used Toyota. Their service department is pretty amazing, too!

Owner/Fabricator at Brockett Built

Eric first met Marcus at an SCCA racing event in Pekin. He pulled up with a Lexus IS wagon that was a little chopped and appeared to be one of those dudes who would be an amazing addition to the “regulars”. Since then, they have been chatting at Fort’s Toyota over the years as he has been trying to get us to do a Supra exhaust.  All the while Brockett Built, formerly known as Shade 12 Fab, continues to show off his technical and artistic skills with custom exhaust work on anything with 4 wheels.

A post shared by Brockett_Built (@brockett_built)

We’d like to pay our respects to the late George Beres, a central Illinois automotive legend. We had the pleasure of interviewing him in 2019 and learned a great deal about the automotive sales business.

George was a pioneer, a masterful businessman, and a wealth of knowledge about how to sell a quality product to the everyday consumer. We wish his family peace and comfort in the days ahead.

Source: Reuters

Volkswagen’s voice assistant integrating ChatGPT into its cars will be able to converse with users in a back-and-forth dialogue by the middle of the year, the carmaker said on Monday as it presented the technology in Las Vegas. Volkswagen presented its first vehicles featuring ChatGPT, to be available for customers in North America and Europe from early in the second quarter of this year, at the CES electronics trade fair.

Source: Bring a Trailer

This 1979 Plymouth Volare Custom sedan retains its new-car sale and rustproofing paperwork from Crowley Chrysler Jeep Plymouth of Forestville, Connecticut, and remained with its first owner until December 2023, after which the selling dealer acquired it. Medium Cashmere Metallic paint is accented by stainless trim and a color-coordinated full vinyl roof, while tan vinyl upholstery lines the front and rear bench seats. A 225ci Super Six sends power to the rear wheels through a three-speed automatic transmission, and the car is further equipped with 14″ steel wheels, new narrow-whitewall tires, power steering, power-assisted front disc brakes, air conditioning, and an AM radio. This Volare shows 2,400 miles and is offered by the selling dealer with the manufacturer’s literature, receipts, and a clean South Carolina title.

Source: Bring a Trailer

This 1994 Lexus LS400 is one of 1,800 Anniversary Editions produced and is finished in Midnight Indigo Pearl over gray leather upholstery. It is powered by a 4.0-liter V8 paired with a four-speed automatic transmission and equipment includes 16″ Anniversary Edition wheels, Traction Control, fog lights, heated power-adjustable front seats, a power-operated sunroof, cruise control, automatic climate control, a Nakamichi Premium sound system, and a cassette stereo with a remote CD changer. The car was acquired by the seller in 2022 and it now has 87k miles. This LS400 is now offered at no reserve with a clean Carfax report and a clean California title in the seller’s name.

Source: Bring a Trailer

This 1985 Toyota Pickup XtraCab SR5 is a 4×4 example that has been registered in California since 1990 and was acquired by the current owner in 2020. The truck was repainted white with black graphics under previous ownership, and it is powered by a 2.4-liter inline-four linked to a five-speed manual transmission and a dual-range transfer case. Additional equipment includes 15″ steel wheels, a suspension lift, front disc brakes, a spray-on bedliner, air conditioning, and an AM/FM stereo. Braking and power steering components along with the water pump, timing chain, valve cover gasket, and front main seal were replaced in preparation for the sale. This Toyota pickup is offered by the seller on behalf of the current owner at no reserve with an accident-free Carfax report and a clean California title in the owner’s name.

The post Episode 85 – Brockett Built appeared first on Throwin' Wrenches Automotive Podcast.

Welcome to the auto podcast that… is making for lost time!  

On this episode of Throwin’ Wrenches:

All that and more on this episode.

Post show edit… We are happy to announce that the Railroad strike we were buckling down for did not happen.  Union and corporate lawyers agreed hours before the strike was supposed to happen.  That said, many hazardous materials and time-sensitive shipments were set aside to save from being ruined while sitting in freight yards.  So, like everything lately, it’s still going to muck everything up!

Or did they agree…

U.S. rail agreement was presented as a done deal. Now that they’ve seen it, workers disagree

Read more at: https://www.star-telegram.com/news/business/article266239661.html#storylink=cpy 

1975 Winnebago Brave $7,500 FART BOX ALERT

59k mikes All original. Runs and drives. 523 hrs on the Onan generator.

Ac blows cold. Dual water tanks. Shower inside the bathroom.

Big block 440 on dodge dually chassis. Trade for a boat preferably. 

1985 Jaguar XJ6 Vanden Plas – $6,300

From the Posting: Reluctantly have to sell my 85 xj6 excellent shape all the hard work has been done including inboard back brakes This Jaguar has had a full bare metal restoration have a CD of 160 pictures of that. 

Drives like a dream. Front seats could use new skins, and the other have a stack of receipts of all work done. 55,000 miles everything works as it should. A/C could use a charge or upgrade. Serious inquiries only no tire kickers showing by appointment only! 

The post Episode 68 – Porsche IPO and EV Motorcycles get jilted appeared first on Throwin' Wrenches Automotive Podcast.

Welcome to the automotive podcast that’s buying popcorn for the Elon/Vlad arm-wrestling match.

What’s that? You haven’t heard about such a thing?

Don’t worry, we’ll talk about it later in the show.

We’ve got a lot of news packed into this episode, plus a few project updates and Eric picks a Car of the Weak that’s straight out of a late 80’s music video. Hop in and let’s take a drive!

Quick shout-out to our friends below. They help make this podcast possible, so please take a moment to thank them for their support.

Eric recaps his latest nightmare at the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office. Learn why you should avoid multiple transactions and/or the Roanoke office at all costs. (Full story in the Patreon Preshow) . He also talks about the importance of functioning brakes on his project Tacoma pickup, and why replacing innertubes on a wagon wheel isn’t for the faint at heart.  

Daryl just bought more old junk. He’s trying to sell some other old junk. This is a new concept since old stuff seldom leaves the Scott Auto Museum of North Peoria, but space is at a premium these days. Anyone need a ’58 Plymouth? 

Source: AP News

Pete Davidson is heading to space. The “Saturday Night Live” star will be among the six passengers on the next launch of Jeff Bezos’ space travel venture, Blue Origin.https://t.co/8Q8G6wIU1r

— The Associated Press (@AP) March 14, 2022

Pete Davidson is heading to space.

The “Saturday Night Live” star is among the six passengers on the next launch of Jeff Bezos’ space travel venture Blue Origin, the company announced Monday.

The launch is scheduled for March 23 and Davidson will be the third celebrity on a Blue Origin flight. William Shatner was on a flight in October, blasting off from West Texas and reaching a height of roughly 66 miles above Earth on the 10-minute jaunt.

The other passengers on next week’s flight are CEO and investor Marty Allen; Sharon and Marc Hagle; teacher and entrepreneur Jim Kitchen and George Nield, a former NASA manager who has worked to promote commercial spaceflight.

UPDATE:  3.22.22

Source: QZ.com 

The cargo ship Felicity Ace is aflame from bow to stern with a lithium-ion battery fire that can’t be put out with water alone.

The fire has been burning since Wednesday (Feb. 16), as the ship drifts in the Atlantic about 200 miles southwest of Portugal’s Azores Islands. Its 22-person crew abandoned ship and was rescued on Thursday.

The ship left Germany on Feb. 10 and headed for the US with about 4,000 Porsches, Bentleys and other luxury cars aboard, and some of those were electric vehicles. It’s not clear if the batteries contributed to the fire starting in the first place—a greasy rag in a lubricant-slicked engine room or a fuel leak are the usual suspects in ship fires—but the batteries are keeping the flames going now. A forensic investigation will take months to determine the cause.

UPDATE:  3.1.22

The cargo ship that caught fire in the Atlantic while transporting roughly 4,000 Volkswagen AG vehicles to the U.S. has sunk despite efforts to tow it to safety. The Felicity Ace sank 220 nautical miles off the coast of Portugal’s Azores Islands around 9 a.m. local time on Tuesday after being battered by waves and leaning 45 degrees to its starboard side, the ship’s operator said.

Source: NADA

Recent media coverage about rising new-vehicle prices fails to account for unprecedented market conditions in the retail auto market. The analysis that follows (which is largely based on J.D. Power PIN data drawn from 42% of all consumer transactions for new vehicles) explains key factors driving vehicle pricing.

The widespread microchip shortage has sharply cut vehicle production and reduced dealership inventories to 40-year lows, while consumer demand has remained strong. These market forces drove the average price paid by consumers up 13% in 2021. Even with such an increase, the average price paid by consumers during 2021 was still below the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP).

Vehicle inventory levels drive manufacturer decisions on incentives—such as rebates, promotional financing and other incentives. In particular, manufacturer incentive spending historically rises and falls as inventories rise and fall. With such low inventory and such high demand, the OEMs reduced their incentive spending each month last year, with reductions in available OEM incentives effectively raising prices for consumers. Average incentive spending per unit in 2021 fell from $3,482 in January to $1,516 in December. For the year, incentive spending per unit averaged $2,429, a decrease of 39.7% compared with full-year 2020.

And the increase in vehicle prices was not limited to the legacy automotive brands. Direct sellers, such as Tesla, also increased their prices in 2021. According to data from Kelly Blue Book, the average transaction price of a Tesla in December 2021 increased by 20.2% year-over-year. While the MSRP of vehicles sold by franchised dealerships have seen only minor increases, the price increases implemented by Tesla are likely to remain permanent.

Source: GM Authority

Chevrolet’s biggest moment during Super Bowl LVI may not have been its Sopranos’ themed ad for the all-new 2024 Chevy Silverado EV, but the three 1960s-era Chevy Impala lowriders featured during the halftime show as a nod to California car culture. Those beauties were parked in front of a large neighborhood street set that featured open rooms for performers and dancers.

Those performers included hip-hop legends Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Kendrick Lamar, Mary J. Blige, 50 Cent, and Eminem in what was hailed as one of the better halftime shows in recent memory.

And some of those dancers took to gyrating on top of the hoods of those classic Chevy droptops. But the cars’ owners, Members of the Public Enemy Car Club of Los Angeles, reassured concerned viewers that the hoods were switched out for reinforced ones.

Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The state of Georgia has stepped in to take control of the Rivian site near Covington amid local opposition to the planned $5 billion electric vehicle plant.

Local elected officials had been scheduled to vote next month on whether to rezone the 2,000 acres of rural property east of Atlanta for industrial use. They faced pressure from hundreds or thousands of area residents unhappy with the massive proposed factory.

But now local officials won’t vote, after the state assumed control and withdrew rezoning applications. The state can more easily bypass local zoning laws.

Local residents who oppose the Rivian plant already faced long odds to block the project, which Gov. Brian Kemp hailed as the largest economic development project in state history when it was announced in December. Environmental groups also support the plant, viewing Rivian’s electric vehicles as a way to reduce greenhouse gases and combat climate change.

Rutledge resident Chas Moore, who helped organize a legal fund to challenge the plant, declined Tuesday to comment on opponents’ next steps. The plant is located about 40 miles east of Atlanta, between the small communities of Social Circle and Rutledge.

Source: Reuters

Ford Motor Co (F.N) on Wednesday will announce a reorganization under which its electric vehicle (EV) and internal-combustion engine (ICE) units will be run as separate businesses in a move to fast track growth in EVs, three people familiar with the plan said.

The EV and ICE businesses will have separate names but will remain under the Ford corporate umbrella, in the same way the company operates its Ford Pro commercial business for corporate customers, said the people, who asked not to be identified.

The U.S. automaker will name executives to lead each business and Ford will also outline updated profit margin targets for the company overall, the sources said. The idea is for Ford to eventually report separate financial results for the EV and ICE businesses, one of the sources said.

Ford spokesman T.R. Reid declined to comment on the report. “We’re focused on carrying out our Ford+ plan to transform the company and thrive in this new era of electric and connected vehicles,” he said.

Tech billionaire Elon Musk doubled down on his challenge to duel Vladimir Putin of Russia in “single combat” for the fate of Ukraine Tuesday while ribbing Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, a Kremlin ally and fearsome militant who called the world’s richest man “effeminate.”

“You’ll need to pump up those muscles in order to change from the gentle (effeminate) Elona into the brutal Elon you need to be,” Kaydrov wrote on the Russian social media platform Telegram.

In response to Musk’s challenge, Kadyrov invited the SpaceX and Tesla founder to the Chechen Republic for training on firearms, martial arts and how to “monitor and update your social network accounts,” according to a translation of his Telegram post Musk tweeted Tuesday.

Daryl : 1936 Pontiac Business Coupe – $20,000

Source: Facebook Marketplace

From the ad description: “Entertaining offers over 15k, vehicle has always been garaged.  No rust or body repairs known. 100% original at this time, will need some tlc to be perfect. Would make a great street rod. If interested message me with offer. Mileage shown is correct. Vehicle has been in family since 1960.”

Daryl doesn’t need another old car. But he wouldn’t mind shoehorning a 30’s GM coupe somewhere in his garage. Or neighbor’s garage. Or shed. Anywhere.

Source: Facebook Marketplace

From the ad description: “I’ve been cruising this beauty all summer and it’s an absolute blast to drive!. It’s an ‘89 D50 Ram 50 pickup. Custom paint, custom convertible kit. Story I got was the guy bought it and took it straight to the shop to have the custom work done. I got it from the guy’s nephew after he passed. I put brand new wheels and tires on it and had it aligned a couple weeks ago.

Lots of new parts! I have too many toys so this one has to go because I don’t have a mullet and I don’t own a pair of pit vipers. I’m mostly interested in cash but I will entertain trades of higher value.”

Who wouldn’t want to rock something radical like this for Summer of ’22? We think Eric should go for it!

The post Episode 59 – Elon vs Vlad appeared first on Throwin' Wrenches Automotive Podcast.

Welcome to the Automotive podcast that is getting national attention… and it’s not just from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol!

While coming home from a recent camping trip out West, Eric made his way through the Oklahoma Territory. This wild, unsettled land is home to a treacherous tollway with savage characters and unwritten rules. Pressing East with a trusty Toyota FJ Cruiser as his horse, Eric faced challenges and obstacles at every turnpike except one.

Did hero make it home unscathed with a renewed faith in Oklahoma Tollway employees?

Listen to the entire episode to find out…

Our friends at Carly Connected Car reached out to us recently to see if we would be interested in trying out their newest automotive diagnostic tool that uses a Bluetooth OBD2 adapter and their related smartphone app. Of course, we said “yes!”

As well all know, in-depth diagnostic information on any car or truck built after 1996 can help you catch expensive hidden problems. That’s where Carly comes in. Performing regular health checks on your car enables you to identify problems before they become a major headache on the road or cost you a ton of money.

Any gearhead has likely messed with an OBD2 scan tool before, or at least had their car’s computer scanned by a tool at their local auto parts store to see what that pesky “check engine” light on the dash really means. The new reality is that most auto parts stores have stopped offering that service for free, and even when it was a free service in some areas, you likely had to wait a while to get it done. The alternative? Take your car to a dealer or a mechanic’s shop and pay the $50-100 diagnostic fee. Nothing wrong with that, but Carly makes it much more simple for the everyday enthusiast.

To start checking your car’s mechanical health, all you have to do are three easy steps:

Once those steps are completed, follow the on-screen prompts from the Carly app on your phone and you’ll be able to run a full diagnostic scan of your vehicle’s engine, electrical and other systems in just a few seconds.

Want more? With Carly you can access real-time data of valuable data such as transmission fluid temp, engine hours, variable valve timing info, O2 sensor data and so much more. This isn’t just for your car’s computer anymore

You can even do custom tuning of some settings such as locks, seat belt chimes, windows and other systems. There’s a lot of horsepower at your fingertips with Carly.

With most enthusiasts holding onto their cars longer these days, we wanted to put Carly through its paces and see if it could identify a few issues on one of our vehicles for a real-world test. We decided to try out the Carly on Daryl’s wife Sarah’s 2007 Toyota Solara Convertible since it was time to get the car out of storage and see if it needed any mechanical attention than was obvious to the naked eye. As it turns out, it was a great vehicle to test since there were no warning lights on the dash and every other indicator showed the car was in good condition.

After a brief scan of the Solara’s computer, we were surprised to learn there were a pair of faults that appeared:

What this told us was that the spongy brake pedal at the end of last season may be something a little more involved than just some pads and rotors. Carly also notified us that there was a low battery condition, which made sense since Solara sits in storage over the winter months here in Illinois.

With these codes, it’s now possible to search out possible causes and repairs for the car. This wouldn’t have been possible without the Carly device and app, which puts knowledge and power back into the consumer’s hands. It also saves us some coin and keeps a running total of how much money (based on AAA repair cost data figures) that you’ve saved using the device. Pretty nifty!

So it seems Daryl may have to pay some attention to the little ragtop before he and the Mrs. take a summer road trip. All of this information was gleaned by Carly in less than 5 minutes. Not bad!

Overall, we really liked Carly, and we know you will, too. That’s why we’re partnering to offer listeners a 15% discount on the Carly system when you purchase one and use the discount code TWA 15.

Visit Carly Online at https://www.mycarly.com/

Use the Throwin’ Wrenches Discount Code to Save 15%: TWA15

Eric

Eric took another cross-country trip from Arizona to Illinois… he tent camped in the snow and got cold…  and he somehow recovered. There’s a lot more to it than that, but let’s just say he likely won’t be breaking Steve Brown’s Transcontinental Record anytime soon.  

He also can tell you where the only ATM in Tulsa, Oklahoma is. Trust us, you’ll want to listen to his latest adventure in this episode. 

Daryl

Somehow,  Daryl lit a fire under himself and ordered up some stainless pre-bent brake and fuel lines for the ‘58 Plymouth project car he’s kinda-but-not-really working on. He’ll literally have no excuse for not starting in on it when the weather gets nice.

After a brief hiatus, Race/Daily/Kill is back! Since it’s nearly convertible season, we’re going across the pond for a little British (Roadster) Invasion. We have three spring yellow drop-top choices for this installment of the contest where the winners may still be losers.

Yeah, baby. 

1962-66: 1147cc 4 cyl – 63hp 

1967-70: 1296cc 4 cyl – 67hp

1971-80: 1493cc 4 cyl – 75hp

4 speed manual

1962-1980: 1798cc 4 cyl – 95 hp

4 speed manual

1958-1966: 948cc 4 cyl – 46 hp

1966-71: 1,098cc 4 cyl – 96 hp

4 speed manual

 $2,155

 $2,607

$1,795

Eric: Race the MGB, Daily the Sprite and Kill the Triumph. 

Daryl: I actually do fit (barely) in a Sprite, but I’d have to kill it since it’s comically cute. Therefore, I’d daily the Triumph with it’s smaller motor since gas prices are on the rise. I’d Race the MGB since it’s the performer of the bunch.

Trouble in Paradise!

The Chinese military has banned Tesla cars from entering its complexes, citing security concerns over cameras installed on the vehicles, two people who have seen notices of the directive told Reuters. The move is the latest sign of China’s growing scrutiny of the U.S. electric carmaker amid tensions with Washington.18 hours ago

Elon Responds…

Source: Mercury News

1993 Toyota DJ81 Land Cruiser – $7,200 (current bid)

Source: eBay

Eric’s choice this week is a California-clean 80-series Land Cruiser. This one features the inline 6 cylinder with an automatic trans. Sadly, this model didn’t have an option for a locking differential, which would come in handy on the trails.

Listed by the seller as a clean title truck with a recent repaint, this timeless SUV also has managed to rack up some 380,233 miles in its lifetime. That may be enough to keep folks away, but Eric may be willing to take a chance on this one.

Virtually, at least.

1938 Chrysler Royal C-18 4 door – $12,000

Source: Facebook Marketplace

This is the entire ad: “Or best offer willing to trade for mid 70’s Corvette.”

Come on, dude! Give us a little more than that!

A nice car with a reliable 241 flathead 6, 3-speed trans and built the year before Chrysler’s Fluid Drive debuted so parts and service are easier. A bulletproof old Mopar that you just don’t see.

Johnny Carson’s first car was a similar-era Chrysler Royal and he loved it. NBC actually found his old car back in Nebraska and gave it back to him in the 80’s.

The post Episode 45 – War and Peace on the Oklahoma Tollway appeared first on Throwin' Wrenches Automotive Podcast.

Welc0me to the Auto Podcast that …  Needs more time in the saddle!  

http://throwinwrenches.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/TW-33.mp3

Sponsors:  

Fort’s Toyota of Pekin.  www.toyota-pekin.com  

CASEY LAW Office.  www.CLOpeoria.com 

PATREON – If your a top tier Patreon Subscriber, you got a ton of free content with Epiosde 33.  We recorded the Pre and Post show with you in mind!

Thanks for listening.  Shout out to Jason Sach who goes by @64morgan44 on Instagram. Check out his restoration of his vintage Morgan 4/4. Wood work. Metal work. It’s a craftsman’s paradise. 

Projects:  (Where we talk about what’s going on with our cars or projects) 

Eric: 

Daryl:

The Drive Report, Eric’s latest viewing on Amazon Prime

Headlines

TWISM:

He doesn’t know why, but Daryl spent too much time thinking about this FB post from TestDriveJunkie.

1989: If you had to choose one. Chevy Lumina or Ford Taurus? 

Also, Daryl says “No Thanks” to 16 seasons of Fast and Loud with Richard Rawlings” on Motor Trend on-demand.

International News:

Europe Automobile Sales Show Rebound in May

European car sales showed the first signs of a tepid recovery in May as showrooms reopened after a two-month shutdown because of the coronavirus pandemic, according to data from the industry association ACEA.

Passenger vehicle registrations in the European Union, the European Free Trade Association and the UK fell 57 percent. While that is the worst May since ACEA started tracking the data in 1990, it was an improvement over the 78 percent plunge in April.

Lyft Promises to Switch to 100% Electric Vehicles by 2030. 

US and Canadian ride-hailing company Lyft Inc. said Wednesday every vehicle on its ride-hailing and rental car platform will be electric by 2030, but it would not provide direct financial support to drivers for switching from gas-powered cars.

Instead, the company plans to push competitors, lawmakers and automakers to make it easier for drivers to switch to electric vehicles by creating financial incentives, Lyft executives said during a call.

John Zimmer, Lyft’s co-founder and president, said the company has reached a scale to impact policy change.

Lyft, whose vehicle fleet is currently made up of less than 1 percent electric cars, in a statement said it would aggressively promote and help drivers access incentive funds.

“If policymakers do their part in the next few years, EVs should reach cost parity with gasoline vehicles by mid-decade,” the company said.

Environmental activists have called on Lyft and larger rival Uber Technologies Inc. to electrify their fleets. A February study found ride-hail services create around 50 percent more carbon emissions than private car trips.

“Lyft are likely to get hit with regulations pushing them in this direction anyway,” says Colin McKerracher, head of transport analysis at Bloomberg NEF. “So they may just be trying to get out in front of that and announce it on their terms.”

Uber has not made a blanket commitment to electrification, but is partially subsidizing drivers’ electric vehicle purchases in London.

And yet, nobody cares. 

National News:

GM CEO Mary Barra ‘Cautiously Optimistic’ on Coronavirus Recovery, Consumer Demand

General Motors CEO and Chairman Mary Barra is “cautiously optimistic” about consumer demand returning as well as a global economic recovery as businesses continue to reopen following shutdowns due to the coronavirus pandemic. “We’ve been pleasantly surprised how demand has come back,” she said Wednesday morning on CNBC’s “Squawk Box.” “We’re cautiously optimistic as we see demand resuming.” Barra said the company is “hopeful that we’ll have a strong recovery” overall but is planning for multiple scenarios “to make sure the company is strong from a business perspective and can weather any outcome.”=

Source: CNBC

Get your dream car now…  Because you might have to settle on your 3rd choice color in July!

At the start of June, new-vehicle inventory levels were down by one-third compared with a year ago. The situation is expected to get worse before it gets better, as automakers struggle to get production consistently up and running. Not all vehicles are affected, but certain segments such as midsize trucks are dwindling rapidly in supply. Although millions of Americans are facing financial hardship, many still need vehicles, and they will be looking for value messaging similar to the 0-percent-for-84-months incentives widely promoted in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Source: Automotive News

Mobile Recall Service

Ed Roberts added his second mobile service van on March 11. It has become an $80,000 tool for picking up recall work at Bozard Ford-Lincoln in St. Augustine, Fla.

When the first one arrived late last year, Roberts expected it to primarily serve the dealership’s fleet customers. But things have tilted toward individual clients, with about half of the orders involving recall work.

Source:  Automotive News

Dodge Challenger Turns 50. Celebrates with Special Edition

https://www.motortrend.com/news/2020-dodge-challenger-commemorative-special-edition/

Several months ago, Dodge debuted a special-edition Challenger coupe celebrating the muscle car’s 50th birthday. The model features special badges, gold wheels, and a plush interior—but only 1,960 cars were allotted for production. Now, Dodge is offering more buyers a chance to get in on the Challenger’s anniversary magic with the 2020 Dodge Challenger 50th Anniversary Commemorative Edition, which features pretty much all of the same upgrades as the previous special edition and none of the pesky production caps. Dodge will build as many as people want.

Local: 

(WEEK.com)

Northwoods Mall transforming parking lot into free drive-in theater

PEORIA (WEEK) — Northwoods Mall is transforming their parking lot into a free, community drive-in theater to present family-friendly movies.

Starting Friday, June 19 and occurring Fridays and Saturdays (weather permitting), cars will be admitted starting at 8 p.m. with the movie beginning at 9 p.m.

The series, ‘Free Cinema Under the Stars,’ will run until July 11.

The movie lineup will begin with Instant Family and conclude with Transformers/Bumblebee.

Moment of Musk:

“Staggeringly dumb.”

That’s the latest insult Elon Musk threw at Nikola Motors (NKLA), which has rocketed a crazy 500%+ since April. Love him or hate him, no one denies Musk is a genius. He built Tesla (TSLA)—easily the world’s most innovative car company—from scratch. When he’s not running Tesla, he works a “side job” as a rocket scientist for his private space company, SpaceX.

The Rabbit hole…

Nikola…  Who is freaking Nikola Motors???… Are there anyone decedents of Tesla getting paid off his naming rights?

BADGERS?  We don’t need no stinking badgers!

Full disclosure… Eric signed up for updated on Starlink internet service.  If you have ever been to his house, you know why!  #1barlifestyle

Touchscreen controls in new car suck, and now an expert verifies our claim!  

In a recent video, Edmunds expert Mark Takahashi posted his take on the worst automotive design trends that are currently being adopted by carmakers. The list involved a number of unsurprising mentions, such as the massive grilles on vehicles from Lexus, BMW, and Genesis, as well as fake vents on the Honda Civic Type R. But within this list, Takahashi also took issue with a trend that is arguably popularized by Tesla—the use of touchscreens.

It may look sleek, but digging through menus to access basic functionality is not.

RIFF ZONE: 

Daryl: Car insurance and car buying service commercials that stress the word “Fair.”

What are you, 5? 

Eric: Do not come into a conversation saying you are known A-hole!  Sick of that mentality!  

Cars of the WEAK!©®

Eric:  2000 MR2 SPYDER

It was a wild and wacky situation… And Eric had a first chance at a classic MR2 that found its way in for trade…  After texting a picture to the wife, she asked why they didn’t own it…  Eric had to tell her that he got weak on the trigger!  Will another opportunity come around???

Daryl: 1954 Studebaker Commander coupe – $5,000

Source: FB Marketplace

Powered by a 169 cubic inch inline 6, and a 3 speed manual, this plain yellow and black coupe is a pure example of a timeless 50’s design from the Raymond Lowey studios. It’s in Springfield, too. Not too far for a weekend road trip filled with blue smoke, roadside breakdowns and a AAA flatbed ride the rest of the way home.

Thanks for all the love…  We have enjoyed the emails lately!

The post Episode 33 – Autocross , Air Compressors and Badgers appeared first on Throwin' Wrenches Automotive Podcast.

http://throwinwrenches.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/TW-2018-Christmas-Special-.mp3

We are glad to have you along for this festive final show of 2018.  Eric and Daryl use this year-end edition to cut loose and tell some holiday tales about Christmas and winter driving errors of years ago.

Astro Van stories abound.  Also, a flying Christmas Tree, a spinning Volare and one upset spouse…  We share it all.

Cars of the week:

1960 Bentley with a blown engine and a 1925 Ford Model T, Snow Flier edition.  We will let you guess who picked each of these.

Thanks again for all the support in 2018.  We look forward to more shows and more content in 2019.  Let’s also hope for some great Elon nonsense for more of our favorite segment,  our “Moment of Musk”. (Soon to be trademarked?)

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,

Daryl & Eric

The post Episode – Christmas 2018 appeared first on Throwin' Wrenches Automotive Podcast.