TMCP 663: SEMA 2026 Preview with Dan Kahn: Big Trends, Building Connections & Making the Most of the Show
This week, Rob welcomes longtime friend, former podcast co-host, and Kahn Media founder Dan Kahn for a preview of SEMA 2026! Dan attended his first SEMA Show in 1998 as a teenage automotive magazine editor, and this year his agency celebrates its 18th anniversary during the show. He shares what builders and automotive content creators can do to turn a trip to Las Vegas into lasting opportunities.
For up-and-coming builders, Dan explains why exploring the smallest booths can be just as valuable as checking out the biggest reveals. We discuss discovering new products, approaching manufacturers, scheduling meetings, and building relationships before asking for support. Dan also highlights SEMA’s education sessions as an opportunity to learn about running a business and connect with others facing similar challenges.
On the content side, we explore how creators such as Riley’s Rebuilds and Larry Chen have built opportunities by sharing their interests and consistently doing the work. Dan explains why useful information, curiosity, and respect matter—and why creators covering SEMA should arrive prepared while leaving room for unexpected discoveries.
Then it’s time to predict the next big trends! Dan shares why classic Ford trucks could gain more ground, carbon fiber components may reach more builders, and complete chassis packages and crate engines will continue shaping the hobby. He also explains why younger enthusiasts tackling ambitious projects with ’90s and 2000s vehicles give him hope for the future. Plus, we wrap things up with a little Star Trek trivia!
TMCP #661: ASK RICK – The ROI of Going to the SEMA Show and Fun Before Halloween Car Flips – Corvette vs GNX vs Zephyr!
It’s October, and Rick Schmidt of National Parts Depot is back for a Halloween edition of Ask Rick! This month, we tackle the business case for SEMA, explore the automotive career Rick would choose if NPD didn’t exist, and put his collector-car knowledge to work with two Halloween buying challenges.
First, is SEMA worth the trip? Rick and Rob discuss the expense, preparation, and potential return of exhibiting, along with the value of introducing new products, generating media coverage, and maintaining industry relationships. Rick also compares SEMA to the Hershey swap meet: business increasingly happens online, but there’s still value in connecting face to face.
For our first Rick on Cars challenge, the mission is simple: spend no more than $10,000 buying a vehicle, clean it up, and sell it within three weeks to fund a Halloween bash. The candidates are a 2001 Mustang Bullitt, a 1988 Chevrolet K2500 diesel 4×4, and a 1967 Mustang Coupe. Rick weighs repair needs, negotiating opportunities, and the size of the potential buyer pool.
For round two, the budget disappears, the timeline stretches to a year, and every car must be black! Would Rick choose a dual-quad 1957 Corvette, a V12-powered 1941 Lincoln Zephyr Coupe, or a 1987 Buick GNX with only 30 miles?
The Corvette raises questions about authenticity, the Lincoln offers distinctive styling and usable enjoyment, and the GNX presents the dilemma of owning a valuable car you can barely drive. A bonus 1976 Cadillac Fleetwood Castilian wagon adds one final temptation—even though it doesn’t qualify for the all-black challenge!
Post-recording auction updates: the ’67 Mustang ultimately sold for $20,000, while the 30-mile GNX brought an incredible $427,000. Those results add plenty to the discussion about buying well and leaving room for a future profit.
Which would you choose—and would you actually drive it?
TMCP #648: Bridney Jordan and the Inside Baseball World of Tires for Daily’s, Trucks and Enthusiast Rubber!
Featured Interview: This is a big month! The Muscle Car Place welcomes a brand-new sponsor to the network this month, but this partnership is about far more than advertising banners and product mentions. We’re trying to be a part of something BIG. I sat down with Bridney Jordan, Property Brands and Product Manager for Lexani, […]
TMCP #647: Mecum Auctions Insider David Morton – Live Auction Energy, Collector Car Trends & The Future of Car Culture
In this episode of The MuscleCar Place Podcast, guest host Bernie McPartland sits down with Mecum Auctions Senior Communications Manager David Morton during Mecum Houston for a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at one of the fastest-growing forces in the collector car world. What starts as a conversation about auctions quickly evolves into a deeper discussion about why live automotive experiences still matter in today’s digital world. David shares how his background in sports marketing helped shape Mecum’s growth strategy, why the company continues doubling down on live events rather than online-only auctions, and how Mecum has effectively become a motorsport-style entertainment experience that draws massive crowds, television audiences, and passionate enthusiasts nationwide.
The episode also dives into the rapidly changing collector car market, including the explosion of trucks, SUVs, restomods, and 1980s/90s-era vehicles as younger generations enter the hobby. Bernie and David discuss everything from Broncos and K5 Blazers to exotics, custom builds, Steve McQueen movie cars, and the emotional storytelling that continues driving collector enthusiasm. Plus, Rob Kibbe shares a Dallas Kibbe Racing Update covering Dallas’s aggressive summer racing schedule, preparation for the Charlotte Summer Shootout, and the challenge of balancing racing life with getting a Porsche 944 ready for prom season.
TMCP #641: Scott Bowers – Ron Francis Wiring – Wiring a Hot Rod the Right Way
Scott Bowers from Ron Francis Wiring returns to The MuscleCar Place to talk about the art—and reality—of wiring hot rods the right way. With decades of experience helping builders bring everything from garage projects to award-winning show cars to life, Scott shares why thoughtful wiring design makes all the difference. Instead of generic “universal” kits, Ron Francis Wiring focuses on engineered systems built around real-world setups, ensuring builders get harnesses that make sense and actually work the way they should.
Along the way, Scott shares behind-the-scenes stories from the SEMA Show, dives into the surprising rise of the Ford Crown Victoria as a hot-rodding platform, and busts one of the most common electrical myths in the hobby—why installing a high-amp alternator won’t “overcharge” your system. It’s a fun and practical conversation filled with real-world tech knowledge that every builder—from first-time project owners to seasoned fabricators—can appreciate.
TMCP #634: The Ultimate Reunion // How 6 People Who Never Met Built a $400K Chevelle for SEMA on Friendship, Grit, and Faith!
This week we’re doing something a little different, and honestly — something really special. For the first time ever, the original team behind my Chevelle build all sat down together to revisit the journey from 2011–2013. This wasn’t a “sponsored” build or a corporate project. It was a leap of faith between friends who believed we could pull off something big long before we knew how. We started in basements and small shops, fought rust, deadlines, wiring headaches, and fatigue — and somehow ended up rolling into SEMA together.
In this episode you’ll hear Jeff Allison, Danny Giustino, Zip Simons, Kirk Hansen, and producer Bernie all share their side of the story — the wins, the failures, the sleepless nights, the road trips, and the moments we’ll never forget. If you’ve ever dreamed of doing something way beyond your comfort zone, this one is for you. It’s a reminder that passion + good people can move mountains…and cars.
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.
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 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.
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.