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America’s Woodie Era in the Savoy! May 28, 2026

Show notes

Woodie wagons are usually filed away as beach-cruiser nostalgia, but once you hear the details, they turn into rolling history lessons. We’re back with Mary Argruza from the Savoy Auto Museum in Cartersville, Georgia, for a lively tour through a woodie display that connects craftsmanship, wartime problem-solving, and the moment the American station wagon became the default family road trip machine. If you love classic cars, automotive museums, and the stories behind the sheetmetal, this one is a must.
We start with a tiny American Bantam woody and a surprisingly important thread in the Jeep origin story, then move to a restored Nash woody with period-correct wood patina and clever camping features like screen windows and a mattress setup. From there, we talk about a 1930 Ford Model A woodie known as a depot hack, essentially an early courtesy shuttle designed for train station pickups, and why driving old wood-bodied cars feels so different from anything modern.
Then it gets wonderfully weird: we break down “early air conditioning” on a Ford Country Squire using a water-filled unit that cools while you’re moving, and fogs things up when you stop. We also hit the collector reality check with Packard wood maintenance, a barn-find look at what happens when you skip the sanding and varnish, and a pint-sized Crosley tin woody with an unexpected tie to WWII technology. After that, Jeff drops Car Culture knowledge on the Indianapolis 500 Borg-Warner Trophy, and Mike shares five scenic drives around Houston, from the Blue Water Highway to the Bolivar ferry and a Lake Houston loop.
Subscribe for more real-world car talk, share this with a wagon lover, and leave a review so more drivers can find us. What’s the one classic car museum you’d build a road trip around?

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Five Scenic Drives Around Houston; An Iconic Trophy, and first look at the Yukon! May 27, 2026

Show notes

Houston can feel nonstop, so we went looking for the kind of drives that make the city fade in the rearview mirror fast. We lay out five scenic cruises around Houston you can actually do without sacrificing the whole weekend, starting with the Bluewater Highway Coastal Drive between Galveston and Surfside Beach for beach, marsh, and fishing-town views that hit especially hard at sunrise or sunset. If you’ve been searching for Houston day trips, scenic drives near Houston, or an easy coastal escape, this route belongs at the top of the list.
From there we head inland to FM 149 through Sam Houston National Forest, where the payoff is quiet back roads, seasonal color in spring and fall, and the simple luxury of fewer cars. We also talk through the Bolivar Peninsula ferry route with its free crossing, ship-channel watching, and the chance of spotting dolphins, plus what to know if you’re tempted to drive on the beach and don’t want to get stuck in soft sand.
Then we stretch the day trip north with the Texas Independence Trail toward Washington-on-the-Brazos for farmland scenery, bluebonnet fields, and small-town stops, and we finish the travel portion with the San Jacinto River and Lake Houston loop that delivers big water views shockingly close to home. After that, the show takes a fun car-culture turn with the Indianapolis 500 Borg-Warner Trophy and its famous details, before we wrap with our 2026 GMC Yukon AT4 Ultimate review covering luxury feel, big-screen tech, smooth 6.2L V8 power, air ride comfort, towing capability, and the six-figure price tag.
If you like practical local adventures mixed with real-world car talk, subscribe, share this with a friend who needs a getaway drive, and leave a review so more Houston drivers can find us.

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Building A 20 Million Auto Repair Brand! May 26, 2026

Show notes

You can feel it when a business is built on momentum instead of luck and Jesse Jackson brings that energy in a big way. We talk with the founder of Mango Automotive about how she jumps from software and automotive industry data into the brick-and-mortar world, buying her first auto repair shop while still learning what it truly takes to run a service bay, lead a team, and win customer trust. The result is a fast growth story that’s equal parts mindset, operations, and gritty daily execution.
We dig into what actually moves the needle in an automotive repair business: elevating the customer experience, marketing with intention, and building systems that don’t fall apart as you scale. Jesse breaks down why the team that helps you reach one revenue milestone may not be the team that gets you to the next, and how hiring a strong operating partner and then hiring people “better than us” becomes a strategy, not a slogan. We also get into branding that people remember, including the clean modern feel of Mango shops and the famous “pink wall” that customers definitely notice.
If you’re curious about EV service and hybrid repair, Jesse shares a grounded take: training great technicians matters more than chasing shiny equipment. We also talk recruiting in a technician shortage and why culture, pay, weekends off, and basic respect can turn a hiring problem into a reputation advantage. Subscribe, share this with someone building a car repair business, and leave us a review with your biggest takeaway.

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Road Trip To The Savoy? May 25, 2026

Show notes

A great car museum visit is part history lesson, part design tour, and part road trip excuse and the Savoy Automobile Museum in Cartersville, Georgia checks all three boxes. We sit down with Mary Agrusa to talk about how the Savoy has grown into one of the most interesting automotive museum destinations near Atlanta, with modern galleries, educational exhibits, and a rotating collection that keeps bringing people back. If you love classic cars, race cars, concept cars, and the stories behind them, this conversation is packed with details you can actually use to plan a visit.
We also preview the Savoy’s big September 12 car show, which is aiming for about 500 show cars outside while the indoor exhibits keep rolling. Mary explains the real logistics behind hosting a massive car event, plus what’s changed at the museum over the last year, including leadership transitions and the legacy of the museum’s founder. Along the way, we connect the dots between the Savoy and the wider Cartersville museum scene under Georgia Museums Incorporated, making this an easy weekend itinerary for anyone who wants more than a quick stop.
Then we get into the kind of behind-the-scenes museum stories car people love: how long rotating exhibits stay (about four months), why borrowing cars from private owners can be tricky during show season, and what happens when a rare vehicle needs to leave early for a special appearance. Mary also shares what it’s like when GM Heritage cars come through the doors, including the strict rules around handling and even dusting, plus a fascinating Corvette development connection tied to Bill Mitchell. We round it out with Jeff’s Motor Minute on a 1964 Mercury Comet with a lifetime warranty strategy that paid off for decades and a 2026 GMC Yukon AT4 Ultimate review covering the 6.2L V8, ride comfort, tech, towing, fuel economy, and what $100K-plus really buys in a full-size SUV.
Subscribe for more real-world car talk, share this with a friend planning a road trip, and leave a review so more enthusiasts can find us. What’s the best car museum or car show you’ve ever been to?

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What Safety Recalls And Auction Prices Reveal About Modern Car Culture May 22, 2026

Show notes

Recalls, auction shockers, racing, and a little automotive history whiplash all land in one fast-moving hour, and it starts with a simple reality: most of us are driving computers on wheels now. We dig into the latest vehicle recalls, from Mercedes-Benz instrument display issues and seat belt concerns to Tesla rear view camera problems and a Ram tire speed-rating warning. The most useful tip is also the easiest one: we walk through how to use SaferCar.gov with your VIN so you can confirm open recalls and get them handled before they become expensive or dangerous.
Then we jump into Hemmings online auction results and play “guess the sale price” with everything from a 1969 Camaro restomod to an ’86 Jeep CJ7, a clean 1967 Mustang fastback, and a jaw-dropping 1969 Pontiac Firebird that sells for serious collector money. Along the way we talk about what actually moves prices in the classic car market: rarity, originality, documentation, and the small details that separate a fun driver from a top-dollar collectible.
We round out the show with the racing calendar (yes, even lawn mower racing), plus NASCAR, NHRA, Formula One, and Indy chatter. Auto history takes us from the Tucker 48 Cyclops Eye headlight to the Corvair’s final days and the infamous seatbelt ignition interlock experiment, before we end on a modern buyer problem: JD Power numbers showing more early return cycles, more 84-month car loans, and more negative equity showing up at trade-in time.
Subscribe for more real-time car talk, share this with a fellow car nerd, and leave a review to help more drivers find the show. What’s the most surprising recall or auction price you’ve seen lately?

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Andrew Chapman Explains The Fast Track From School To Stock Cars May 21, 2026

Show notes

A college class gets interrupted by one of the best calls a young driver can receive: “Can you race this weekend?” We sit down with Andrew Chapman, a newly 21-year-old ARCA driver, and trace the line from a bare-bones go-kart setup to real stock car results. He shares how he got connected with a team owner, what it takes to earn trust quickly, and why being ready matters as much as raw speed when opportunities show up with almost no notice.
We also dig into Chapman’s other lane: electrical engineering. Cars are turning into rolling computer networks, and racing is already obsessed with data, sensors, and communication between driver and crew. We talk about how technical fluency can keep a career moving even when rides change, and why engineering can open doors across motorsports, from setup and diagnostics to inspection and safety roles.
Then Don delivers a full new car review of the redesigned 2027 Kia Telluride, including the trim walk, the Telluride X-Pro SX Prestige AWD experience, interior tech highlights, pricing, competitors, and the big question of whether a 2.5-liter turbo four feels like enough for a large three-row SUV. Jeff rounds things out with the true origin of the Indy 500 milk tradition, followed by a clear-eyed look at automotive tariffs, supply chain complexity, and the USMCA review that could reshape North American production decisions.
Subscribe for more real-world car reviews, racing stories, and smart automotive talk, then share this with a friend and leave a quick rating and review. What part of the show do you want us to go deeper on next?

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Plugs for Run Flat Tires? Some Houston Hiking? the '27 Kia Telluride first look! May 20, 2026

Show notes

Run-flat tires sound like a simple promise: keep driving after a puncture and skip the spare. The reality is more nuanced, and we dig into the details that actually matter when you’re stuck on the side of the road asking the big question: can a run-flat tire be plugged? We talk through why run-flats cost more, how the reinforced sidewall carries the load after pressure drops, and why the puncture location (tread vs sidewall) changes everything. We also get into the practical stuff most drivers never hear, like how long the tire was driven deflated, what a certified technician needs to inspect, and how different tire manufacturers handle plug or patch rules and warranty language.
Then we switch gears with a set of outdoorsy driving destinations around Houston for anyone who needs a quick nature reset without leaving town. We highlight spots where you can step off the main path and find dirt spurs, tree tunnels, boardwalk shade, birds and turtles, tall grasses in the wind, and even a long greenway that gives you real distance on foot.
We close with a car review of the redesigned 2027 Kia Telluride, including trim levels, the X-Pro SX Prestige experience, interior tech and comfort upgrades, and the honest pros and cons of the turbo four-cylinder and transmission tuning. If you’re shopping for a three-row SUV, we also talk pricing and competitors so you can cross-shop smarter. Subscribe for more, share this with a friend who loves cars or trails, and leave a review with your take: would you plug a run-flat or replace it?

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Can You Build A Killer Ride On A Tight Budget? May 19, 2026

Show notes

A $4,000 budget. Five months to build. And a crowd ready to judge what you created. We kick things off with the Hot Rod Build-Off connected to the Hot Rod Riot in Victoria, Texas, and it instantly turns into the question every builder wrestles with: what do you do when time and money are the constraints, not your imagination? We talk through what that kind of challenge demands, from smart planning to stretching every dollar with salvage-yard parts and help from friends who know where the good stuff is buried.
Then we shift into automotive news that swings from hilarious to high-stakes. The Little Tikes Cozy Coupe gets a tongue-in-cheek “EV charging station,” which is funny until you realize how fast electric vehicle culture is rewriting everything around cars. From there we dig into Toyota’s reported plans for a major Texas assembly expansion and what that could mean for future truck production and US auto manufacturing.
We also get serious about autonomous vehicles with the Waymo robotaxi recall tied to a software issue involving flooded roads. It’s a perfect real-world example of why self-driving technology still struggles with weather, barricades, and the kind of judgment calls human drivers make without thinking. To round out the show, we share underrated Houston hiking spots that feel surprisingly wild for a big city, plus a fresh cruise-in and events calendar to help you plan your next weekend drive.
If you like hot rods, budget builds, Texas car shows, EVs, self-driving cars, and real-world places to go, subscribe and share the show, then leave us a review so more enthusiasts can find it. What would you build with $4,000 and five months?

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Factory Stock Dirt Racing Draws 128 Cars? May 18, 2026

Show notes

128 cars entered a factory stock dirt race and the winner took home $30,000. That single stat says a lot about where American racing energy is flowing right now, so we sit down with award-winning track announcer Rodney Rodriguez to unpack why dirt track racing in Texas and Louisiana keeps growing while asphalt fights for attention.
We get into what “affordable” racing really means, how teams spend money, and why the crowds and car counts keep showing up for dirt. Then we zoom out to the driver pipeline: quarter midgets, teenagers winning before they have a street license, and the modern pay-to-play reality that can launch a career fast. We also talk about why today’s “old guys” in NASCAR can be in their 40s, and what that says about how early drivers now have to start to reach ARCA, trucks, and the top levels.
From there, we debate NASCAR stage racing, commercials, and whether the Gen 7 car has made the racing safer but less wild. Rodney shares what he likes about staged cautions and restarts, Jeff pushes back on how it changes the feel of competition, and we compare the Cup product with the racing fans still love in feeder and regional series. We also touch on the Indianapolis 500 and Katherine Legge’s double attempt, because the best race month deserves a spotlight.
We wrap with a practical segment you can use right away: can run-flat tires be repaired with a plug or patch? Jeff breaks down puncture location, sidewall stress, manufacturer rules, and why a proper inspection matters. If you like smart car talk, racing culture, and real-world advice, subscribe, share this with a racing friend, and leave us a review. What part of modern racing do you want changed most?

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A Houston Mustang Club Leader Explains Why They Cruise So Much May 15, 2026

Show notes

A car club is only as fun as the miles you actually drive, and Richard Jones proves it. We talk with the president of the Mustang Club of Houston about how an 80-member group keeps the calendar full, from casual Saturday cruises to bigger road trips and national Mustang gatherings. He shares what it’s like leading a club when “nobody else wants the job,” plus the simple systems that keep things moving without bogging everyone down.
Richard also gets specific about his own ride: a 2020 Ford Mustang EcoBoost 2.3L that’s been lightly modified for extra punch. We dig into why a four-cylinder Mustang can still deliver real performance, why fuel economy matters when you rack up serious annual mileage, and how club cruises like their drive toward Blessing, Texas turn a normal weekend into something you look forward to.
Then we shift gears into Houston driving destinations built for date night, including Captain Foxheart’s Bad News Bar & Spirit Lounge, Beetlejuice Betelgeuse, La Carafe, Axelrad Beer Garden, and Little Dipper Bar. Jeff follows with a Texas cruise-in and events calendar, and we close out with auto history and headlines, including AI tools in car buying and why hybrids are getting harder to find on dealer lots.
If you like real car people, local events, and smarter ways to enjoy the drive, subscribe, share the show with a friend, and leave us a review.

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