TMCP #633: The 2025 Christmas Show: 17th Annual Feature Interview with Santa Claus – Does The Sleigh Have Turbine Power?
’Tis the season, and it’s time once again for the Christmas episode of The Muscle Car Place—a tradition now 17 years strong. We’re thrilled to welcome our most exclusive guest of the year, known by many names around the world, but to us he’ll always be Santa Claus. 2025 was a whirlwind year filled with unforgettable moments alongside the Holley MoParty and the Kibbe & Friends gang, from epic parking lot steak dinners to incredible interviews with creators and automotive legends, capped off by the best SEMA experience I’ve had since debuting my Chevelle. We came home with a mountain of great content, lasting memories, and gratitude for the amazing community that continues to surround this show.
As always, this episode also pauses to remember the real reason for the season—the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. If the noise of Christmas has made it easy to miss that truth, Linus Van Pelt said it best long ago by reading Luke 2:8–14, which we share again in this episode. If that message stirs something in your heart—whether it’s brand new or something you’ve drifted away from—know that you can always come home, and Christmas is a perfect time to do it. If you’d like to learn more about accepting Christ’s gift to you, I or anyone on our staff would be honored to talk with you.
TMCP #632: The Full Business of “Give Away Sweepstakes” with Hodson Motors — Riley Hodson on Building, Giving Away, and Growing the World of Classic 4×4’s Sweepstakes
Just outside the chaos of SEMA, we sat down at Hodson Motors—Riley Hodson’s backyard-born, fast-growing sweepstakes operation that’s taking over the classic 4×4 world. What started as a humble father-and-son hobby turned into a full business when Riley realized people weren’t just following his truck builds…they trusted him. From diesel-swapped Suburbans to bone-stock Toyotas, Riley breaks down the real math, the real risks, and the real heart behind giving away fully built vintage trucks to everyday enthusiasts. No hype, no gimmicks—just honesty, hustle, and a shop full of lifted classics ready for their next home.
Riley walks us through how he chooses the trucks, why some sweepstakes boom while others flop, and why every winner needs to know they’re not just getting a truck—they’re inheriting a hobby. It’s a rare, transparent look behind a world most people only see through ads and hashtags, and it proves why Hodson Motors has become the trusted name in classic 4×4 giveaways. And let’s be honest…nothing makes your muscle car look better than a perfectly built vintage truck parked next to it. After hearing this episode, you’re going to want to check out HodsonMotors.com and throw your name in the hat for the next one.
TMCP #631: Ask Rick – The Year In Reivew and the Year to Come: Restoration Parts Prices, Online Auctions, and Great Cars for Investment!
In this Christmas edition of Ask Rick, we sit down with Rick Schmidt to talk holiday traditions, family time, and how he celebrates the biggest day of the year. Rick shares what Christmas looks like in the Schmidt household—good food, classic movies, and quality time with the people who matter most. As we wrap up 2025, it’s the perfect moment to slow down, reflect, and appreciate another great year in the world of Muscle Cars.
Rick also gives his year-end perspective on the shifting automotive landscape, from the sharp rise in restoration part prices to the evolving future of EVs, hybrids, and traditional fuels. He weighs in on the booming online auction scene and whether the growing number of platforms is helping or hurting sellers. It’s a thoughtful, honest look at where the hobby is heading as we roll into 2026—one that every enthusiast will want to hear.
K&F Show #348: Christmas Kickoff and Toys for Tots 2025!! // Christmas Car Movie Review: “Elf” (the Will Ferrell one)!
In this week’s episode of The Kibbe & Friends Show, the crew kicks off the Christmas season with one of the most beloved holiday films of the modern era: Elf. Rob, Corndog, and Bernie dive deep into what makes this 2003 classic so timeless—from Jon Favreau’s intentional “Rankin/Bass meets live-action” style, to the practical effects and forced-perspective tricks that give the movie its handmade, storybook charm. They break down everything from Buddy’s fish-out-of-water innocence in New York, to Zooey Deschanel’s vintage-inspired performance, to the behind-the-scenes choices that turned a goofy comedy script into a heartfelt family movie that has joined the ranks of A Christmas Story and Christmas Vacation as a true annual staple.
But being K&F, the review doesn’t stop at plot and characters—the guys treat Elf like a full-blown car movie. They dig into the real New York City Crown Vic taxis Buddy dodges throughout the film, talk P-codes and wheelbases, and then go full “Corndog Spec Ops” on the five different sleighs built for production—including which were stunt shells, which survived, and why the hero sleigh might secretly be Mopar-powered. If you love Christmas movies, deep-cut trivia, and automotive rabbit holes disguised as holiday cheer, this is a must-listen episode.
TMCP #630: SEMA 2025 Show Spectacular Finale – Centerforce Clutch Tech, Holley’s LT-Swapped 4th Gen Camaro, and Meguiar’s Pro-Level Detailing for Real-World Builders
This episode delivers a packed finale to our SEMA 2025 coverage, featuring three can’t-miss conversations straight from the show floor. We kick things off with Trent McGee from Centerforce, breaking down real-world clutch selection for street, strip, and track — covering everything from classic muscle car setups to high-horsepower, twin-disc race applications. Then Mark Gearhart from Holley joins us to walk through their LT-swapped 4th-gen Camaro and the bigger picture of modern engine swaps, showing how builders can bring modern power and drivability into older platforms. We close out with Mike Pennington from Meguiar’s, who dives into their new pro-consumer detailing line, sharing practical tips on paint care, polishing, interior cleaning, and headlight restoration that everyday enthusiasts can actually use.
We wrap this episode proud — because this was, without a doubt, our best SEMA show and coverage to date. The depth of the interviews, the quality of the guests, and the real-world value packed into these conversations made this series something truly special. If you’re building, restoring, maintaining, or dreaming, this finale ties it all together and sends SEMA 2025 out the right way.
K&F Show #347: Thanksgiving Special Car Movie Review – “Planes, Trains, and Automobiles!”
Few movies capture the chaos, heart, and humor of the holidays quite like Planes, Trains, and Automobiles. Steve Martin’s tightly wound Neal Page and John Candy’s endlessly lovable Del Griffith deliver one of the greatest odd-couple road trips ever put on film — a journey packed with missed flights, broken-down cars, and moments that somehow make you laugh uncontrollably and tear up at the same time. It’s loud, ridiculous, heartfelt, endlessly quotable, and somehow only gets better with age. This movie isn’t just a Thanksgiving watch; it’s a Thanksgiving tradition that reminds us that sometimes the people who drive us the most crazy are the ones we’re most grateful for.
From all of us here at Kibbe & Friends, we want to wish you and your family a warm, happy, and safe Thanksgiving. Whether you’re traveling across the country or just heading down the street, we hope your week is filled with good food, good laughs, and the kind of memories that only come from time spent with the people who matter most. Drive safe, hug your people, and don’t forget to enjoy the ride.
TMCP #629: SEMA 2025 Show Spectacular #3 – Scott & Perry with Heights Suspension Mopar Bolt-In IFS/IRS, Jason Bruce with Blueprint “Compatible” Crate Engines, Tab Chapman with Diamondback Classic Radials (Custom Sidewalls), Terry McGean with Hemmings Marketplace Media & Rally Adventures
SEMA 2025 continues to deliver, and this third installment of The Muscle Car Place show is packed with killer interviews and industry insight. From Heidts Suspension’s bolt-in Mopar independent suspension systems, to Blueprint Engines’ OEM-style “compatible” powerplants, to Diamondback Classic Radials’ one-of-a-kind custom sidewall tires, and finally to Terry McGean from Hemmings sharing how the iconic brand is evolving in the modern collector car world — this episode is all about blending classic muscle with modern technology and real-world drivability.
As we head into the holiday season, we’re leaning into tradition as well. Don’t miss the annual Planes, Trains and Automobiles movie review over on the Kibbe & Friends Show, and be sure to tune in this Friday for the final SEMA 2025 episode. Big interviews, big moments, and big laughs are still to come. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
K&F Show #345: SEMA 2025, Road Coarse Racing, and Matthew McConaughey // Car Movie Review – 40th Anniversary of Back to the Future!
SEMA 2025 delivered one of the most electric weeks the KF crew has had in years—and Rob, Corndog, and Bernie break it all down in Episode 345 of The Kibbe & Friends Show. From jaw-dropping builds like the Ringbrothers’ futuristic Aston Martin to the return of real-deal ’60s–’90s muscle across Central Hall, the guys dive into everything that made this year’s show unforgettable. Rob also shares his wild post-SEMA detour to Atlanta, where Dallas tackled his first-ever road course race in the Moonshine Series—with delays, crashes, segmented cautions, and a hard-earned breakthrough behind the wheel.
To celebrate the 40th anniversary of Back to the Future, the episode finishes with a full replay of the very first BTTF review the guys ever recorded—an episode their team says “made the ensemble click.” It’s the perfect mix of SEMA chaos, racing stories, and time-travel nostalgia… plus the kickoff of their annual Toys for Tots fundraiser with the U.S. Marine Corps. Dive in and enjoy the ride!
TMCP #625: Dan Kahn – A Crashers Guide to SEMA 2025! What To Know If This Is Your First Time At The Big Show!
This week on The MuscleCar Place, Rob Kibbe welcomes Dan Kahn, president and CEO of Kahn Media, for an insider’s masterclass on how to get the absolute most out of SEMA 2025. Dan’s deep roots in the automotive world—spanning journalism, car building, agency leadership, and service within SEMA itself—give him a uniquely panoramic view of the industry. As the author of The New Rules of the Road, he’s built his career around helping brands and creators tell authentic stories that connect passion with professionalism.
In this episode, Dan shares proven strategies for creators, builders, and businesses alike: how to navigate SEMA effectively, build meaningful relationships, and create content that truly stands out. From the etiquette of approaching brands to leveraging media credentials for access, Dan breaks down what separates those who simply “walk the floor” from those who maximize the experience. Whether you’re an industry veteran or a first-time attendee, this conversation is a blueprint for turning SEMA into opportunity, influence, and long-term success.
TMCP #624: SEMA 2025 Product Preview: Blaine Burnett on Ridetech’s All New Pro-Touring Chevelle (and GM A-Body) Replacement Chassis!
If you’ve ever dreamed of giving your classic A-body the precision handling of a modern performance car—this week’s MuscleCar Place episode is for you. Rob sits down with Blane Burnett of RideTech to dive into the all-new MOMENTUM Series Chassis, a complete foundation engineered for 1964–1972 GM A-bodies like the Chevelle, Tempest, Cutlass, and Skylark. Built on RideTech’s legacy of innovation—now strengthened through its partnership with Fox Factory Holding Corp—the MOMENTUM Series delivers modern geometry, rigidity, and customization in a true plug-and-play solution. Even better, a full chassis comes in at an incredibly competitive $20,000–$30,000, putting high-end engineering within reach for serious builders.
Adding even more credibility to the project, long-time Optima Ultimate Street Car competitor Tom Farrington has partnered with RideTech, trusting the new chassis under his ’66 Chevelle. Farrington’s proven record as a multi-event winner in the OUSCI series speaks volumes about RideTech’s confidence and craftsmanship. Tune in to hear Blane break down the engineering, options, and vision behind the MOMENTUM Series—and see it in action at RideTech.com or YouTube.com/@RideTechTV.