In Wheel Time Podcast

Latest Episodes:

From Broken Wipers To A $235K Corvette Apr 17, 2026

Show notes

Recalls are supposed to be rare. This week proves they’re practically a genre of automotive news all by themselves. We start by sorting through a big stack of safety and compliance issues across major brands, from Ford truck and SUV problems like wiper arm failures and trailer braking or signal concerns to GM’s backup camera glitches and even scarier talk of rear wheel lockup risk on diesel trucks and SUVs. If you follow automotive recalls, new car reliability, or just want to know what could affect your daily drive, you’ll leave with a clearer picture of what’s happening and why it matters.
Then we switch gears into pure fun with “Guess What It Sold For,” pulling recent online sale results and putting our instincts to the test. We bounce from an affordable 1968 Chevrolet Corvair and a scruffy 1967 Mustang convertible to a classy 1946 Cadillac Series 62, a 1972 Dodge Challenger, and a 1993 Ford Ranger that somehow still brings real money. The collector car market is equal parts logic and emotion, and you can hear that push and pull in every guess.
The jaw-dropper is a 1963 Chevrolet Corvette split-window “Fuely” that sells for $235,000, which leads to a real conversation about numbers-matching originality, rare mechanical fuel injection, and why some cars stop being transportation and start becoming rolling history. We also hit a quick Texas cruise-in and car show calendar, plus two big culture notes: Scout’s delayed return under Volkswagen and Ford replacing Carol Shelby street names with modern nameplates.
Subscribe for more car talk, share this with a friend who loves auctions or hates recalls, and leave a review with the one sale price that shocked you most.

Be sure to subscribe for more In Wheel Time Car Talk!

The Lupe' Tortilla Restaurants
Lupe Tortilla in Katy, Texas
Gulf Coast Auto Shield
Paint protection, tint, and more!
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

---- -----
Want more In Wheel Time car talk any time?
Be sure to subscribe on your favorite podcast provider for the next episode of In Wheel Time Podcast and check out our multiplatform broadcast every Saturday, 9aCT simulcasting on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Twitch and InWheelTime.com.
In Wheel Time Podcast can be heard on you mobile device from providers such as:
Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music Podcast, Spotify, SiriusXM Podcast, iHeartRadio podcast, TuneIn + Alexa, Podcast Addict, Castro, Castbox, YouTube Podcast and more on your mobile device.
Follow InWheelTime.com for the latest updates!
Twitter: https://twitter.com/InWheelTime
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inwheeltime/
https://www.youtube.com/inwheeltime
https://www.Facebook.com/InWheelTime
For more information about In Wheel Time Podcast, email us at
info@inwheeltime.com

From EV Demand To Texas Swap Meets Apr 16, 2026

Show notes

EV demand slows down, a classic American brand hints at a sedan return, and BMW flat-out says software is now the core of the car. That’s a lot of change for one Saturday, and we talk through what it means for real drivers and real enthusiasts when factories idle, platforms get shared, and “digital functions” become as important as horsepower.
We hit the week’s automotive news from multiple angles: GM’s EV production pause in Detroit, the surprising direction of Buick’s future lineup, and the broader race where legacy automakers are trying to keep pace with Tesla and the rapid-development mindset coming from Chinese electric vehicle makers. Along the way, we get nostalgic about the old auto show era of clay models and concept shells, then contrast it with today’s reality where the biggest upgrades often arrive as software, screens, and updates.
Then we switch gears into pure car culture with a mini deep-dive on the Model T Ford launch. If you’ve always believed it was black from day one or that the moving assembly line started immediately, you’ll want to hear the details. We wrap with a practical, boots-on-the-ground guide to swap meets in Texas, including why events like Lone Star Park, Conroe’s Hot Rods of Texas, and the massive Pate Swap Meet still matter if you love classic car parts, project builds, and the thrill of finding the right piece.
Subscribe for more weekly automotive news and car culture, share this with a friend who still loves the hunt for parts, and leave us a review. What’s the best deal or rare part you’ve ever found at a swap meet?

Be sure to subscribe for more In Wheel Time Car Talk!

Model T Secrets In Plain Sight; Bring Cash or Go Home; Uncharted Subaru Apr 15, 2026

Show notes

The Ford Model T gets talked about like a simple origin story, but the real history is full of weird details and big misunderstandings. We walk through the facts that actually explain how the Model T changed American transportation and manufacturing, including what it cost in 1908, why “black only” became a thing, and how Ford’s choices around simplicity and efficiency helped put everyday drivers behind the wheel. We also clear up a major myth: the Model T didn’t launch with the moving assembly line, and the timing of that innovation matters if you want to understand how mass production really took over.
From there, we widen the lens to the human side of early cars and car culture. Starting a Model T could be physical and even dangerous, and the engineering workarounds like early ignition solutions show just how fast the auto industry was evolving. We also connect the Model T to a bigger story about roads and infrastructure, because the car shows up before America has proper roads, then helps create the demand to build them.
Then we shift gears into practical present-day fun: swap meets. We talk about how parts hunting has changed, which Texas swap meets still feel like the real deal, and the simple rules that make the day a win, like bringing cash, arriving early, and preparing to walk a lot.

Finally, Don shares a straight-shooting car review of the 2026 Subaru Uncharted EV, covering design, interior tech, comfort, range expectations, pricing, and competitors, plus a teaser about what happens when you actually commit to plugging in a plug-in hybrid. If you like car history, EV talk, and real-world ownership advice, hit subscribe, share this with a car friend, and leave us a review with your biggest takeaway.

Be sure to subscribe for more In Wheel Time Car Talk!

Closed EV Plants Can Hollow Out A Town Faster Than You Think Apr 14, 2026

Show notes

A giant EV factory can feel like a town’s future on opening day and like a crater on closing day. We sit down with Sunderesh Heragu, professor at Oklahoma State University and President of the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers, to unpack what really happens when EV manufacturing plants, battery factories, or assembly projects get paused midstream. We talk about why EV production is built differently than internal combustion, and why that difference can make a restart or a quick replacement tenant harder than people expect.
We also zoom out to the forces driving these decisions: gasoline prices, inflation, disposable income, and the uncertainty that freezes investment when executives can’t get a clean read on demand. Then we widen the lens even more, looking at global EV growth and the competitive pressure from overseas makers like BYD. Trade relationships, tariffs, and supply chain redesigns all show up in the background, shaping where the next wave of production could land and who might buy up idle North American capacity.
From there, the conversation turns local and personal. When a plant closes, it’s not just a building problem. It’s job loss, struggling mom-and-pop stores, and cities left holding the bag after tax abatements and infrastructure bets. We kick around realistic reuse ideas like warehouses and data centers, while being honest about the employment gap, and we also touch on hybrids as a practical path when charging infrastructure isn’t ready.
If you care about the future of EV jobs, the rust belt economy, and what comes next for these mega-sites, hit play. Subscribe, share this with a friend who follows the auto industry, and leave us a review with your take on what communities should demand when the next factory deal gets signed.

Be sure to subscribe for more In Wheel Time Car Talk!

Gas Prices Do Not Follow Oil Prices Overnight Apr 13, 2026

Show notes

The gas price sign can feel like it’s mocking you: crude oil dips on the news, but your local station still sits above four dollars a gallon. We walk through the real mechanics behind that disconnect and why it’s rarely a simple one-to-one relationship. From supply and demand to politics, weather, shipping constraints, and the time it takes crude oil to become finished gasoline, we map the chain that turns headlines into what you pay at the pump. If you’ve ever asked why prices jump fast but fall slowly, this conversation is for you.
We also dig into the global pressure points that can move markets overnight, including the Strait of Hormuz and the ripple effects of uncertainty across worldwide oil pricing. Then we bring it back home: how U.S. benchmarks influence regional costs, why refining and state-specific fuel requirements can raise prices, and how gas taxes and local distribution help explain why two stations in the same neighborhood can show different numbers. We keep it practical, focused, and grounded in how drivers actually experience these swings.
After the news, we shift into car culture and new-car talk. Jeff’s Motor Minute highlights the Houston Art Car Parade and its long-running community vibe. Don then reviews the all-new 2026 Subaru Uncharted EV, a subcompact electric SUV with sharp proportions, dual phone chargers, a huge center screen, and surprising punch with 338 horsepower. We also talk honestly about EV range expectations, pricing, and why plugging in a plug-in hybrid can dramatically change your real-world fuel costs.
Subscribe for more straight talk, share this with a friend who’s furious at the pump, and leave a review to help more drivers find us. What’s the most you’ve paid for gas this month?

Be sure to subscribe for more In Wheel Time Car Talk!

Why A 1959 BMW Isetta Still Stops Traffic Apr 10, 2026

Show notes

A one-door BMW microcar shows up at a Texas cruise-in and instantly steals the whole parking lot. We’re live from the Tailpipes and Tacos Cruise-In in Katy, and we sit down with the owner of a 1959 BMW Isetta to unpack why this tiny, strange-looking classic is actually a rolling masterclass in packaging and creative engineering. From the front-opening body to the steering wheel mounted on the door, the Isetta is proof that great design is not always about speed.
We also zoom out into the real life of a collector who keeps an eclectic mix of classics and vintage trucks drivable, then share the kind of story every car person understands: tracking down the exact Porsche 911 you ordered new, sold after your wedding, and finally bought back years later for a full factory-fresh restoration. It’s nostalgia, research, and commitment all in one garage.
Then we flip to modern practicality with our 2026 Kia Carnival review, focusing on why this hybrid minivan that looks more like an SUV is winning people over. We talk design, interior space, captain’s chairs, fold-flat third-row utility, the 1.6L turbo hybrid powertrain with 242 horsepower, real-world fuel economy, pricing, and how it stacks up against Pacifica, Odyssey, and Sienna. If you like car culture stories plus clear buying guidance, this one hits both.
Subscribe for more honest car reviews, interviews with real car people, and weekly automotive talk, then share this with a friend and leave a quick rating and review so more listeners can find us.

Be sure to subscribe for more In Wheel Time Car Talk!

The Bricklin Showed Up And So Did The Easter Bunny Apr 09, 2026

Show notes

The easiest way to understand car culture is to hear it happening in real time, with engines cooling in the parking lot and families weaving between rows of chrome. We’re live from the Easter weekend Tailpipes and Tacos cruise-in at Lupe' Tortilla Tex-Mex in Katy, Texas, where breakfast tacos, hot sauce debates, and a surprise Easter Bunny are all part of the soundtrack.
Then we jump into a fast, addictive “sold car roundup” game: we name a car, guess the sale price, and reveal what it actually brought at auction. The numbers are eye-opening, from a 1969 Chevrolet Camaro that lands at $66,150 to a Bullitt-styled 1967 Mustang in the same range. We hit plenty of variety along the way, including a 1969 Pontiac Firebird, a 1977 Pontiac Le Mans, a budget-friendly 1978 AMC Concord wagon, a clean 1962 Oldsmobile Starfire, a 1969 Mercury Cougar, and the quirky-cool 1975 Bricklin SV-1 with its standout doors. If you care about classic car values, collector car trends, and real-world auction comps, this segment gives you a lot to react to.
The morning turns fully community-focused as we hand out kids’ pedal-car awards and then bring in the chili pepper trophies: Best Classic goes to a ’57 Chevy Bel Air, Best Modern Classic to a 1980 Ferrari 308 GTSi, and Best Hot Rod to a 1966 Chevelle gasser. We also spotlight the charitable heart of the event, supporting Shirley’s Kids, and why cruise-ins like this keep the hobby growing.
If you had fun with the price guesses and trophy picks, subscribe to In Wheel Time, share this with a car friend, and leave a review. What car from our list would you bring to Tailpipes and Tacos?

Be sure to subscribe for more In Wheel Time Car Talk!

Maple Syrup Smell - Signs Your Car Is Done: National Parks Road Trip, the Kia Carnival Apr 08, 2026

Show notes

The moment a repair estimate lands, every driver asks the same question: am I maintaining a car or financing its last years? We get specific about the “sell it” repairs that blow up budgets fast, from a blown head gasket to a transmission replacement, cracked engine block, air suspension failure, and the kind of electrical problems that eat shop time without guaranteeing a clean fix. We also talk overheating damage like warped or cracked cylinder heads, heater core replacement that requires major dash work, and timing chain or timing belt failures that can turn into valve and piston damage on interference engines. The goal is simple: help you make a calm decision when repair costs start to outrun your car’s value.
Once you choose not to repair, we walk through what to do with the vehicle next: selling privately, trading it in, donating it for pickup, or turning it into a project car. If you’ve ever stared at a “fix it or sell it” crossroads, this part gives you practical next steps instead of guilt.
Then we shift into summer mode with national park road trips and driving-focused routes worth planning for, including Glacier National Park’s Going-To-The-Sun Road, Yosemite’s Tioga Pass at high elevation, and Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park where brake management matters on long descents.

We close with a straightforward review of a hybrid minivan that leans SUV in style, covering interior space, cargo flexibility, fuel economy, and pricing against familiar competitors.
If you enjoy real-world car advice and road-trip planning, subscribe, share this with a friend who’s debating a big repair, and leave a review with the most expensive fix you’ve ever faced.

Be sure to subscribe for more In Wheel Time Car Talk!

Gulf Coast Auto Shield
Paint protection, tint, and more!
The Lupe' Tortilla Restaurants
Lupe Tortilla in Katy, Texas
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Save The V8 And Pass The Breakfast Taco Apr 07, 2026

Show notes

New car shopping feels like it should be getting easier, yet the spring market is doing the opposite. From our live remote at the Tailpipes and Tacos Easter edition at Loopy Tortilla in Katy, we break down why U.S. auto sales are sputtering as the season changes and why volatility may be back on the menu.
We connect the dots on the big forces squeezing buyers right now: vehicle affordability, a jump in gasoline prices, soft job growth, and consumer confidence that just is not there. We also talk about how the loss of a federal EV tax credit can ripple through electric vehicle demand, and we debate the kind of leadership decisions that leave enthusiasts shaking their heads, including the controversy around dropping V8 models even as brands try to pivot.
Then we switch gears into pure summer planning with a driver-focused national parks road trip guide. We cover standout roads like Glacier National Park’s Going-to-the-Sun Road, Yosemite’s Tioga Pass, and Rocky Mountain National Park’s Trail Ridge Road, plus practical driving tips for altitude, braking on long descents, and picking the right vehicle whether you are bringing the whole family or just chasing a great stretch of pavement.
We also hit a packed events calendar and close with a hard look at dealership pricing transparency, including an FTC case tied to hidden add-ons and mandatory fees. If you care about car buying, car culture, and smarter road trips, subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave us a review so more drivers can find the show.

Be sure to subscribe for more In Wheel Time Car Talk!

Live Car Talk From A Texas Cruise In Apr 06, 2026

Show notes

Your car does not usually “die” in one dramatic moment. It wears you down with a stack of estimates, a new noise every week, and that sinking feeling when the shop calls back. We’re broadcasting live from the Tailpipes and Tacos cruise-in at Lupe Tortilla Tex Mex in Katy, Texas, and we bring the same energy you get walking a real parking lot full of drivers, hot rods, classics, and daily beaters with stories. Along the way we talk community, the fun of showing up even when the weather threatens, and why we’ll always lean toward cars that get driven, not hidden.
Stan Holt drops in with racing talk and a deep dive on a serious build: a 55 Chevy wagon project headed toward NHRA-style competition. We get into what it means to chase a “SEMA ready” look while still planning to run it hard, how a project can pivot from a classic 283 and four-speed plan to an LS swap, and what that change does for performance, maintenance, and class strategy. If you like drag racing details, gear talk, and real-world build decisions, this one delivers.
Then Jeff’s Car Culture turns practical with a clear checklist of car repairs that often signal it is time to sell or trade in: blown head gasket, transmission replacement, air suspension failures, cracked engine block, electrical system overhauls, warped or cracked cylinder heads, heater core replacement, and timing chain or timing belt failure. We also cover what to do when you choose not to fix it, including trade-in, private sale, donation, or handing it off as a project car. Subscribe for more honest car talk, share this with a friend facing a big repair, and leave a review with the moment you knew it was time to let a car go.

Be sure to subscribe for more In Wheel Time Car Talk!

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected