TMCP #622: Ask Rick — Can American Manufacturing Return for Restoration Parts? Rick’s Take: Bob Lutz Says EVs Will End the Internal Combustion Engine!
Kick off October with a fresh Ask Rick as Rick Schmidt weighs in on the value of car-show trophies, parts sourcing, and where the market’s really headed. Are small-show awards worth chasing—or are they just eating into charity budgets? Rick also unpacks the hot question in restoration parts: will manufacturing return to the U.S., or will Taiwan’s increasingly high-quality tooling keep leading the charge for low-volume classics?
Then it’s “Rick’s Take – Car Deals: The Bob Lutz Edition.” Rick sizes up a supercharged ’99 Viper GTS ACR, a ’09 Solstice GXP, and a ’00 Prowler for long-term ROI in a world edging toward electrification—followed by an “Investment Hedge” round featuring a ’87 Trans Am, ’06 Ford GT, and ’87 Buick GNX. Which has already peaked, and which still has runway? Tune in to hear how Rick reads the market—and which cars he’d flip first.
TMCP #614: ASK RICK – Independence Day Spectacular! Fun Parade Cars and Amazing Car Collections
ASK RICK – Car Collections, Does The Size Or The Quality Make The Difference?
TMCP #603: ASK RICK – Why and How Restoration Sheetmetal Is Made In Taiwan, Chevy and Ford have NASCAR EV-SUV’s, and Three Cars to Buy For a 1-Week Spring Break Trip!
ASK RICK – Why and How Restoration Sheetmetal Is Made In Taiwan, Chevy and Ford have NASCAR EV-SUV’s, and Three Cars to Buy For a 1-Week Spring Break Trip!
TMCP #598: Ask Rick – A New Year, New Goals, and New Cars for 2025!
Ask Rick – A New Year, New Goals, and New Cars for 2025!
TMCP 591: ASK RICK! – Election 2024 Special: Investing to Outpace Inflation, Presidents, and All Out Crazyness!
ASK RICK! – Election 2024 Special: Investing to Outpace Inflation, Presidents, and All Out Crazyness!
TMCP #583: ASK RICK – Mustangs in Norway, The Best PRINT Advertising, and Pre-Election Car Investments!
ASK RICK – Mustangs in Norway, The Best PRINT Advertising, and Pre-Election Car Investments!
TMCP #581: ASK RICK – Independence Day Special Edition! Growing Up Inside an All American Business – $25K American Investment Cars
It is JULY and time for another riveting Ask Rick segment where I ask him the tough questions! Happy Independence Day and make sure you stay safe with the fireworks. The Fourth is when we celebrate our independence and our freedom from oppression of the English monarchy by blowing up some stuff! This month I askeded Rick what his most memorable family tradition around this holiday and then I traveled with him down memory lane where he recalled his younger days and the early start of NPD. Growing up inside the All American business wasn’t always what it appears to be on the outside…and there are lessons to learn here about tenacity and the true cost of success. We also reviewed about all American vehicles to buy (for lest that $25,000) and hold for the best ROI in 5 years. Here’s a hint: Lil’ Red Express!
TMCP #579: ASK RICK – Summertime Parade Car Businesses; Evaluating a 4-Year College Degree in an Automotive Restoration; The Biggest International Muscle Car Parts Customers; OEM Retirements and a Changing of the Guard!
It is June and time for another riveting Ask Rick segment where I ask him the tough questions! The big event for the month is Flag Day! It is also the start of summer and time for vacations and traveling around to see this great country of ours or maybe another country. This month we dug into the realities of shipping to international customers (by the container load), the retirements of BIG names at Dodge and Chevy, and the value of a 4-year college degree in automotive education. The we followed it up by guessing at the best vehicles to buy for the summer – to use as parade vehicles – that you could sell at the end and make a great ROI!
It is the fifteenth year for The Muscle Car Place Podcast and it has come a long ways since it’s lowly beginnings and I thank you, the listener of coming along on the journey. I have been blessed with some amazing opportunities and the connections to meet incredible people and to share it all with you The Muscle Car Place audience.
TMCP #569: ASK RICK: Best ROI on Auction Cars and How A Presidential Election Affects Restoration Parts Sales
Rick’s Take on the Presidential Election 2024:
Every four years we experience a Leap year and another round of picking a new president. With this event comes another round of presidential ads, throwing of mud, and an substantial amount of finger pointing. I have heard many times in the past from suppliers regarding their outlook on the future around an election cycle and many will stop any unnecessary spending based on the uncertainly of the outcome of an election. Some will even cut out expensive trade shows (SEMA included) that they would normally attend in an attempt to save up for the rainy day they believe is headed their way.
I decided to ask Rick what his experiences were regarding this phenomenon. NPD is run very conservatively and keeps higher than normal reserves for low times and fluctuations in the market so Ricks response was very interesting. He said that he does indeed notice a flattening in sales in relation to a Presidential election. That said, it’s not just at election time, but over the whole election year. It seems like everyone gets nervous and holds back on spending. Once the whole thing is over and the parties have been decided, Rick says that people generally go back to buying for their hobbies and it is back to business as usual.
TMCP #566: ASK RICK – Muscle Cars At Mecum Bringing Big Money, The Best ROI is on “Junk”, and we own a 944!
ASK RICK – Muscle Cars At Mecum Bringing Big Money, The Best ROI is on “Junk”, and we own a Porsche 944!