TMCP #545: Bonus Episode – Todd Liebelt and his Amazing Corner Carving ’65 Chevelle!
This week on The Muscle Car Place is an extra “4th-of-the-month” bonus episode that I simply could not wait until next month to share! I spoke with Todd Liebelt who not only races autocross (as I like to do) but has built an almost identical in appearance Chevelle to mine. I say almost because Todd was able to make the changes in his car, that after years of ownership I now wish I had made to mine. Our paths have never crossed before, but somehow we have generated two cars that are certainly really close siblings!
Ten years ago I made some decisions on how to build my Chevelle. Since the car has been built I have had some great driving opportunities but I have wondered how it would have been if I had built it just a little differently. Specifically, I’ve always been curious about the chassis and if it would have been better to go with a full replacement instead of (as we did) modifying the factory GM frame and then adding great bolt-on suspension options on.
I also wonder how would it have handled on the track if I had bigger tires, especially up front where I’ve run out of grip time and time again? Well, luckily for me I have been presented with the unique opportunity to talk to Todd who has an almost identical car ….except that he made the choices I did not and has the inside scoop on if it was worth it. Basically, by speaking with Tood I have the chance to go back in time and learn what the “other path not taken” would have been like (and if I should take it now).
TMCP #544 : Larry Callahan Pro-Touring Update – SEMA Dinner Update, Summer Racing Events, and The Return of MotiV8r!
It is time once again for the quarterly Pro-Touring Update, Presented by Ron Francis Wiring, and starring Mr. Larry Callahan! The focus of this update is to get updates of what is going on with Larry and The Pro-Touring community as well as getting the inside scoop on upcoming Pro-Touring (autocross) events in the June to August time frame.
TMCP #543: New Show Debut – The “Factoryish” Podcast – The Real Life, Times, and Cars Inside a Hot Rod Shop!
This week, I have the outstanding privilege of of introducing a brand new podcast on The MuscleCar Place Network. It’s called “Factorish” and is hosted by my great friends Kirk Hansen and Zip Simons. This new show is an all new concept for us, and one that Kirk has pioneered, with Zip providing the insight that only a hot rod shop owner can. It’s a full talk show, built for YouTube and audio podcast release but featuring automotive reviews and drives as well. Think of it like The MuscleCar Place, combined with My Classic Car, combined with Entrepreneur magazine.
You can plan to watch and listen to two new episodes of Factoryish each month. Be sure to visit their website often and bookmark ALL of the platforms below!
Factoryish.com
Watch Factoryish on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@factoryish9260
Listen to Factoryish on Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/factoryish/id1689680197?mt=2&ls=1
Listen Factoryish on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/03pn8RQkhiPjxBa2R8fimT
Listen to Factoryish on iHeart Radio:
https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-factoryish-114913862/
Listen to Factoryish on Audible:
https://www.audible.com/pd/FACTORYISH-Podcast/B0C4Z3CS9W?action_code=ASSGB149080119000H&share_location=pdp
TMCP #542: Ask Rick – Mecum ’23 Indy Auction Recap, What Sold, What Did Not, and Why You Need To Check The Paperwork!
It is June and finally the start of summer is upon us (technically it’s June 21st…but who’s counting). The recent Mecum auction ended with some very interesting surprises and apparently some gossip and fallout after the bidding was all done. I Asked Rick what he thought about the prices and investment quality of the offerings this year as well as his take on some cars that I was considering until the prices went up!
TMCP #541: Topher McGinnis – The Headlight Motor Man Can! Restoration for Hidden Headlights, Open to Close!
This week our guest was Topher McGinnis, otherwise known as the “Headlight Motor man.” He is the person in the vast world of “MOPAR hidden headlight restoration” and has found a unique way to service a very specific segment of the restoration industry. I didn’t ask him specifically about non MOPAR applications, but I’m sure he’d be willing to help give advice one way or the other!
TMCP #540: Vintage Air, Rick Love – How To Keep Your Cool In The Hot Summer Days Ahead – Preserving Old Cars And Trucks To Enjoy Into The Future
This week I had the extreme pleasure to once again talk to Vintage Air President Rick Love. Vintage Air has been a long time sponsor of this show, and chances are you have a Vintage Air system (or many Vintage Air parts) in your current ride. Their name is synonymous with hot rod air conditioning (and heating), much like Kleenex is to tissues! As always though the company is only a representation of the people behind it and in it. Rick Love has been there since 1998, but has an even deeper history than that with the company.
TMCP #539: Ask Rick – Good (and Bad) NPD Sponsorships, The End of of the Challenger and Camaro, and Investment Cars!
May is here and car shows are starting up across the nation. Also Cinco de Mayo and Memorial day are around the corner and the official start of summer is near. I hope you have your car out or your project almost done to a point where you can drive it and enjoy the warmer weather. This time I decided to once again Ask Rick about six cars from two different categories. The first set of cars are of “pedigree”and have either a track record or history that makes them special. The other category is $10k starter cars that are ready to go out and make some summer memories. Ricks take on these is always clear and to the point.
TCMP #538: Pro-Touring Update with Larry Callahan: How To Create a Garage Studio and Upcoming Pro-Touring Events!
TCMP #538: Pro-Touring Update with Larry Callahan: How To Create a Garage Studio and Upcoming Pro-Touring Events!
TMCP #537: Ask Rick – Lessons Learned to Promote (or Dismiss) Employees; Plus an Easter Project Car Review Blowout!
April is here and Easter is upon us! For some of us, Spring brings on the need to get out our cars and get them ready for driving. For others it is the time to look for a project car to work on since it is now warm enough to spend hours in the garage or driveway bringing it back to life. This time I decided to Ask Rick about not just three but SIX cars to get his take on; 3 were crusty (but promising) restoration projects, and 3 were terrific (and affordable) examples of 3rd generation Pontiac Firebirds/Trans Ams that might be good fits for my son to take on. However, we started by addressing some thought listener questions on business: promoting and dismissing employees.
TMCP #536: The Ring Brothers: How Two Brothers from Wisconsin Went from a Gas Station to Battle of the Builders!
This week we are joined by car building royalty, the world famous Ring Brothers! We typically interview the Rings each year at SEMA, but at SEMA 2022 they had a “surplus” of vehicles on display (4)….and they were so busy accepting accolades and competing in the Builder of the Year competition (which they won) that we were never able to connect onsite. This is the long overdue follow up! As with all things, it was worth the wait. For the first time we were able to have a discussion about not only what they had a SEMA 2022 but how the two brothers from Wisconsin went from working construction, to owning a small gas station (for 7 months), to where they are today.