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.
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 #626: Ask Rick – Preview for the Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals 2025, “The Pebble Beach of Muscle Car Shows”
It’s one of the biggest months of the year — SEMA, MCACN, and Thanksgiving! In this episode, Rick Schmidt joins Rob to tackle the real questions everyone’s asking: turkey, beef, or ham? Cranberries from the can? And of course, what makes MCACN (the Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals) such a world-class event. Rick gives us an inside look at his 13-mile 1964 Ford Galaxie XL, shares why authenticity matters more than perfection, and explains why this show has earned its nickname: “The Pebble Beach of Muscle Cars.”
From Thanksgiving table debates to restoration realities, Rick dives into the surprising truth about American vs. Taiwan-made panels, plus which cars—classic or modern—could be future MCACN stars. Whether you’re restoring, collecting, or just daydreaming, this one’s packed with laughs, insight, and muscle car wisdom. Tune in and find out: is Rick Team Turkey or Team Ham?
K&F Show #344: Dallas Races and the KF Show Hits Vegas for SEMA 2025! Dukes of Hazzard Review: S1E12 “Route 7-11”
The crew heads to Las Vegas for SEMA 2025, bringing with them plenty of laughs, chaos, and one classic Dukes of Hazzard re-review: Season 1, Episode 12, “Route 711.” With Rob and Bernie on the ground (and Corndog holding down the home front), the team dives into the gambling-themed episode that mirrors their Vegas backdrop—complete with Bo and Luke unknowingly hauling a rolling casino, Uncle Jesse turning card-shark, and Cooter pulling strings behind the scenes. The guys also reveal some big updates for Kibbe and Friends: live Patreon broadcasts moving to a new platform, new YouTube plans for 2026, and the behind-the-scenes grind of capturing interviews across SEMA’s sprawling show floor.
From there, it’s full-throttle storytelling—Dallas Kibbe’s run at the Legends Asphalt Nationals, a turbocharged Holley feature, and a round of movie-car trivia that somehow loops Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, and Cars’ Lightning McQueen into the mix. Add in Bernie’s trademark “news you didn’t ask for” (rogue monkeys and all), and you’ve got another classic K&F blend of cars, culture, and comedy. It’s Vegas lights, Georgia dirt, and General Lee nostalgia rolled into one big laugh-filled episode.
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.
TMCP 623: Don Abenante – Fabricator to YouTube Star – Building And Driving a 1970 Chevelle From Rhode Island To Vegas For SEMA 2025!
Don Abenante of Retro Fabworks isn’t your average YouTube builder — his story blends Hollywood grit, family legacy, and pure horsepower. After early stints on Below Deck, Horsepower Wars, and Netflix’s Resurrected Rides, Don found his true calling behind the welder instead of the camera, documenting every cut and weld for his growing audience.
His current project is deeply personal: a 1970 Chevelle he first planned to build with his late father. That dream paused for years but never died — and now it’s roaring back to life. Don’s transforming the Chevelle into a Ford Coyote–powered showstopper for SEMA 2025, filming the process step by step for his followers. The twist? He plans to drive the car all the way to Vegas, proving that craftsmanship, creativity, and heart still belong on the open road.
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.
K&F Show #341: Dallas’ Wild Jefferson Weekend, the Road to SEMA, and a Dukes Review S3, E12 “State of the County”
October kicks off with a bang. Rob, Corndog, and Bernie recap Dallas Kibbe’s three-day run at Jefferson Speedway: a breakout Friday-night win away from home—perfect choose-cone calls, smart restarts—followed by the rough side of racing on Saturday with hard contact and a heavy hit that likely totaled the Legends car. The best news: Dallas is OK (no head issues). With the Las Vegas Asphalt Nationals just weeks away, the scramble is on to source a competitive car and make the trip.
Bernie’s news (presented by National Parts Depot) covers the industry and the track: Bosch trims auto-parts jobs, modern-car “features” that drive us nuts (blinding DRLs, multipurpose buttons), and Ida Zetterström’s jaw-dropper .000 reaction time in Top Fuel versus Tony Stewart. There’s also a Route 66 “Pavement Pounder” road trip—think keys-in-hand cruise to SEMA with badges and Semafest perks—plus Rob’s cursed-but-fun weekend (bank card fraud, a cranky 944 speedo, and one life-changing smash burger).
Rob tees up an Ask Rick crossover for The MuscleCar Place: Bob Lutz on EV inevitability and Rick Schmidt’s response. Then it’s a Dukes of Hazzard rewind—“State of the County”—where Daisy’s new flame carries fireworks, Boss J.W. Hickman is played by Larry D. Mann (yes, Yukon Cornelius), and an Oak Ridge Boys cameo caps a leaf-strewn car-chase episode (call it 6–7 Corn Dogs). Sponsors: Holley has fall deals; NPD keeps the parts coming. Hit play for the full Dallas timeline, the Vegas plan, and all the laughs we didn’t spoil.