March 23, 2026

A Wine-Bought Cadillac Comeback

A Wine-Bought Cadillac Comeback
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A Wine-Bought Cadillac Comeback
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A Cadillac convertible bought after “quite a bit of wine” sounds like a punchline until you hear what happens next. We kick off from Tailpipes and Tacos in Beaumont, Texas with a 1961 Cadillac story that goes from ratty auction find to TV-ready restoration, then right back into the shop for a drivability-focused rebuild. It’s a candid look at how classic car restoration really works when deadlines, budgets, and “while we’re in there” decisions collide. 

Then we get hands-on with a Ford F-150 Hybrid King Ranch 4x4 review for anyone shopping a luxury pickup truck that still needs real capability. We break down the 3.5-liter hybrid powertrain (400 hp, 500 lb-ft), the 10-speed automatic, towing and payload numbers, and what fuel economy looks like in the real world. We also talk features that matter day to day, from the quiet cabin and leather comfort to tailgate functionality and driver-assist tech like Ford BlueCruise. 

To wrap it up, we share upcoming cruise-ins and car shows, plus driving destinations across Southeast Texas: the Texas Energy Museum, Fire Museum of Texas, Spindletop Boomtown Museum, the Museum of the Gulf Coast, the Rainbow Bridge, and Shangri-La Botanical Gardens. We also touch on a major automotive news headline: how US tariffs are adding billions in costs and changing what automakers choose to build here. 

If you enjoy honest car reviews, local car culture, and road-trip ideas you can use, subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review. What vehicle story should we unpack next?

Be sure to subscribe for more In Wheel Time Car Talk!

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00:00 - Welcome From Tailpipes And Tacos

00:40 - The Wine Cadillac Restoration Saga

07:26 - Event Spotlight And Podcast Info

09:32 - Ford F-150 Hybrid King Ranch Review

14:28 - Local Cruise-Ins And Car Shows

17:57 - Driving Destinations Around Beaumont

23:19 - Tariffs And The Auto Industry Bill

25:09 - Tailpipes And Tacos Promos And Wrap

WEBVTT

00:00:00.160 --> 00:00:02.959
Welcome to another In Wheel Time podcast.

00:00:05.679 --> 00:00:14.720
It's the award-winning In Wheel Time Car Talk Show today, coming to you from the Tailpipes and Tacos Cruise Inn at the Loopy Turtilla Tex Max in Beaumont, Texas.

00:00:14.960 --> 00:00:19.519
Just ahead, our story of the week, Mars reviews the Ford F-150 hybrid.

00:00:20.160 --> 00:00:24.480
Jeff will have the cruise in and events calendars, and I'll bring you stories making automotive news headlines this week.

00:00:24.559 --> 00:00:27.199
We've got a lot to cram in here in the next 25 minutes.

00:00:27.359 --> 00:00:28.239
We hope you'll stay with us.

00:00:28.320 --> 00:00:30.399
Howdy, along with Mike out of this world, Mars.

00:00:30.480 --> 00:00:37.119
We always need more Jeff Zeke and Master Studio and Transmitter Engineer, David Ainsley.

00:00:37.359 --> 00:00:38.320
I'm Don Armstrong.

00:00:38.560 --> 00:00:40.159
So glad that you could join us today.

00:00:40.479 --> 00:00:44.320
We're going to get to driving destinations and the review of the Ford F-150.

00:00:44.479 --> 00:00:49.119
But uh Stan, I wanted to get the story quickly about the Cadiente.

00:00:49.280 --> 00:00:55.520
We talked about that, and uh it's a special gift, uh, and uh but it's quite a restoration.

00:00:55.840 --> 00:01:00.719
It is, and and there is no short story, but the short story uh that was a wine car.

00:01:01.039 --> 00:01:10.480
I was at an auction and it was silver with a black convertible top, and uh I had had quite a bit of wine.

00:01:10.959 --> 00:01:11.439
I see.

00:01:11.599 --> 00:01:12.719
And what year is that car?

00:01:12.879 --> 00:01:13.599
Uh 61.

00:01:13.920 --> 00:01:15.040
61 Cadillac.

00:01:15.359 --> 00:01:20.799
And so when you have a lot of wine and you're an attractive girl, you want to show off and buy a Cadillac convertible.

00:01:20.959 --> 00:01:21.599
Yeah.

00:01:22.239 --> 00:01:23.120
And the story.

00:01:24.079 --> 00:01:26.239
It looked great through the wine glasses.

00:01:26.400 --> 00:01:27.040
Yeah.

00:01:27.519 --> 00:01:31.519
But uh anyway, we decided we'll fix it up a little bit.

00:01:31.840 --> 00:01:34.159
And so that went out.

00:01:34.400 --> 00:01:34.560
Yeah.

00:01:34.959 --> 00:01:35.040
Yeah.

00:01:35.200 --> 00:01:39.840
So we so uh the company uh extensive metal.

00:01:40.000 --> 00:01:40.319
Yes.

00:01:40.560 --> 00:01:42.239
Bill Bill Carl.

00:01:42.560 --> 00:01:44.239
So he got the job.

00:01:44.480 --> 00:01:46.400
But it was they did a nice job.

00:01:46.640 --> 00:01:47.920
And Bill and I are friends.

00:01:48.000 --> 00:01:50.640
We remained friends to this despite everything.

00:01:50.799 --> 00:01:52.640
Well, TV built cars.

00:01:52.719 --> 00:01:54.000
I mean, it's just everything goes.

00:01:55.840 --> 00:01:57.200
It was part of his show programming.

00:01:58.079 --> 00:01:58.879
Yeah, it was part of the show.

00:01:59.359 --> 00:02:03.840
Texas Metal and the Federal Metal, and they started off back.

00:02:04.000 --> 00:02:11.680
I remember when they came to the original restaurant to start shooting it, and the director was there and the cameras were all set up.

00:02:11.759 --> 00:02:16.960
He said, Can't sit out in front and act like you're doing some paperwork out there by the fireplace.

00:02:17.439 --> 00:02:18.080
I said, Okay.

00:02:18.560 --> 00:02:22.800
So I'm standing out there and Bill's gonna pull up in his rollback.

00:02:23.680 --> 00:02:25.680
And you're gonna say, Hey, good to see you, Bill.

00:02:26.159 --> 00:02:27.039
Okay, got it.

00:02:27.280 --> 00:02:28.800
And so we walk over.

00:02:29.360 --> 00:02:34.080
He said, So then we introduce ourselves, and he says, So this is it, huh?

00:02:34.719 --> 00:02:35.280
Yeah, that's it.

00:02:35.360 --> 00:02:37.840
So he walks around, he opens over and says, This is a nice car.

00:02:40.639 --> 00:02:40.879
Bill.

00:02:41.680 --> 00:02:46.000
Nobody wants to pay money to see a nice car become nicer.

00:02:46.400 --> 00:02:48.000
It's a piece of crap, Bill.

00:02:48.319 --> 00:02:50.800
Now let's back up and start over again.

00:02:51.599 --> 00:02:55.120
So, anyway, there's a license plate under the carpet, you know, covering the colour.

00:02:55.280 --> 00:02:55.759
Was it really?

00:02:55.919 --> 00:02:56.240
Oh yeah.

00:02:56.319 --> 00:02:56.479
Yeah.

00:02:56.639 --> 00:02:57.439
It was rough.

00:02:57.680 --> 00:03:01.680
And uh but it was a wonderful, wonderful home for the rats that lived in it.

00:03:01.840 --> 00:03:03.120
It was just amazing.

00:03:03.680 --> 00:03:05.840
How long did restoration take?

00:03:06.719 --> 00:03:07.360
Nine months?

00:03:07.840 --> 00:03:08.560
Ninety days.

00:03:08.879 --> 00:03:09.439
Ninety days?

00:03:10.000 --> 00:03:10.560
90 days.

00:03:10.800 --> 00:03:13.919
Because of filming and just go, go, go, go, go.

00:03:14.000 --> 00:03:15.680
And they're doing two cars at a time.

00:03:15.840 --> 00:03:17.599
There was a pickup truck and so forth.

00:03:17.919 --> 00:03:24.560
But uh they chose the colors viper red, uh re-chromed everything.

00:03:25.599 --> 00:03:27.680
It's still it's still airing, they're still showing it.

00:03:27.759 --> 00:03:29.360
It's it is it's fun to watch.

00:03:29.759 --> 00:03:31.919
But it got finished and it was nice.

00:03:32.159 --> 00:03:32.879
It looked beautiful.

00:03:33.120 --> 00:03:34.560
Sheila was not allowed to see it.

00:03:34.800 --> 00:03:41.680
It was a gift to her, and so they did the reveal uh for those of you that don't know, an airplane hanger.

00:03:41.759 --> 00:03:48.080
We're in an airplane hangar in West Houston, where we live, and our offices are there, the car collection's there.

00:03:48.560 --> 00:03:49.759
So we were finished with it.

00:03:49.840 --> 00:03:50.240
There it goes.

00:03:50.400 --> 00:03:51.199
My current wife right there.

00:03:51.360 --> 00:03:52.000
Shout out Sheila.

00:03:53.919 --> 00:03:55.439
They're gonna be needing you anyway.

00:03:55.759 --> 00:03:56.639
We'll need you.

00:03:56.960 --> 00:04:04.639
Uh so when Bill got finished, we did the reveal, it was very exciting and uh look beautiful.

00:04:05.120 --> 00:04:08.560
So we got finished and it just wasn't driving like it should.

00:04:08.879 --> 00:04:11.280
So I said, let's fix it up some more.

00:04:11.599 --> 00:04:11.759
Okay.

00:04:12.319 --> 00:04:15.120
Why don't you keep the original engine as a numbers matching car?

00:04:15.199 --> 00:04:17.360
And the guy's alright, that means something for some reason.

00:04:17.600 --> 00:04:17.839
It does.

00:04:18.079 --> 00:04:20.879
But you know, those old early Cadillac motors, they were rough.

00:04:21.040 --> 00:04:24.000
I mean, from the factory, they were they sounded rough.

00:04:24.560 --> 00:04:30.480
So we're gonna send it to Louisiana to let him tighten a few things up.

00:04:30.800 --> 00:04:34.800
All of the everything under the hood was was black, you know, like like a factory black.

00:04:35.040 --> 00:04:36.000
Like factory black.

00:04:36.399 --> 00:04:39.120
And uh so we sent it to Sean Rosar and Lafayette.

00:04:40.000 --> 00:04:42.160
And he started over.

00:04:44.639 --> 00:04:45.120
Oh jeez.

00:04:45.439 --> 00:04:45.920
Really?

00:04:46.399 --> 00:04:46.879
Really?

00:04:48.560 --> 00:04:50.160
Uh in for that accent.

00:04:50.399 --> 00:04:53.040
What color do you want that uh that motor?

00:04:54.959 --> 00:04:56.079
You want to need that motor in the car?

00:04:56.639 --> 00:04:57.920
Uh am I?

00:04:59.040 --> 00:05:00.319
No, so it just needs an LS.

00:05:00.959 --> 00:05:02.000
No, not another LS.

00:05:02.959 --> 00:05:04.639
Uh yes, it needs an LAS.

00:05:04.720 --> 00:05:06.079
It needs a new transmission.

00:05:06.720 --> 00:05:09.199
What color how do you want that firewall to look?

00:05:10.240 --> 00:05:10.480
Pretty.

00:05:10.560 --> 00:05:12.720
I want it blocked and you want everything red.

00:05:12.879 --> 00:05:13.759
Everything red.

00:05:14.560 --> 00:05:17.360
Whole front end comes off the car, the trunk, the door, everything.

00:05:17.680 --> 00:05:19.920
So now it's got an LS in it.

00:05:20.399 --> 00:05:22.959
Uh a modern automatic transmission.

00:05:23.519 --> 00:05:25.279
Uh everything under the hood's red.

00:05:25.439 --> 00:05:26.160
Red, red, red.

00:05:26.560 --> 00:05:29.839
You know, I've got vacuum cleaners I've been trying to sell and unload.

00:05:29.920 --> 00:05:32.240
Maybe perhaps you'd be interested in one or two of those.

00:05:32.560 --> 00:05:33.040
They're all red.

00:05:33.120 --> 00:05:35.439
Let's have a drink and we'll start starting to bidding.

00:05:37.600 --> 00:05:38.720
I want to say one other thing.

00:05:38.879 --> 00:05:42.160
If you look closely, it's parked right here at the grill.

00:05:42.959 --> 00:05:45.439
It's aluminum, and it was rough.

00:05:45.519 --> 00:05:47.519
It had, you know, pits and all that.

00:05:48.000 --> 00:05:50.800
Well, pits, but it had, you know, people would let stuff trip on it.

00:05:50.879 --> 00:05:53.199
It stained it, but you couldn't see it from this far away.

00:05:53.519 --> 00:05:55.839
They took the whole thing apart, which is about a million pieces.

00:05:56.319 --> 00:05:56.879
A million pieces.

00:05:56.959 --> 00:05:57.040
Yeah.

00:05:57.519 --> 00:06:00.000
Literally, literally two buckets apart.

00:06:00.480 --> 00:06:03.680
And each one had to be polished by hand separately.

00:06:04.000 --> 00:06:04.399
Separately.

00:06:04.639 --> 00:06:05.680
And then reassembled.

00:06:05.759 --> 00:06:05.920
Yeah.

00:06:06.639 --> 00:06:11.279
And so I took it over to the old folks' house and gave them something to do over there.

00:06:11.759 --> 00:06:12.560
Heck of an idea.

00:06:12.800 --> 00:06:13.040
Yeah.

00:06:13.439 --> 00:06:14.079
There you go.

00:06:16.000 --> 00:06:16.480
Geriatric.

00:06:16.879 --> 00:06:17.920
You should have talked to me.

00:06:18.000 --> 00:06:18.879
You're consultant.

00:06:19.279 --> 00:06:20.720
Geriatric car repair.

00:06:21.439 --> 00:06:23.120
He we did the air ride.

00:06:23.920 --> 00:06:26.560
Listen, I wouldn't have any problem at all spending your money.

00:06:26.879 --> 00:06:28.720
The car the car drives like new now.

00:06:29.519 --> 00:06:30.240
Air ride works.

00:06:30.319 --> 00:06:32.560
Everything like it's supposed to.

00:06:32.720 --> 00:06:33.519
Sound system.

00:06:33.759 --> 00:06:36.240
I mean, it's just you can drive it anywhere.

00:06:36.720 --> 00:06:37.120
We love you.

00:06:37.360 --> 00:06:37.680
Thank you.

00:06:38.079 --> 00:06:38.639
We appreciate you.

00:06:39.199 --> 00:06:40.399
I'm very proud of it.

00:06:40.639 --> 00:06:41.360
Well, I would be too.

00:06:41.759 --> 00:06:43.199
I've never driven the car personally.

00:06:43.680 --> 00:06:44.079
Seriously?

00:06:44.319 --> 00:06:44.560
Never?

00:06:44.800 --> 00:06:45.040
Never.

00:06:45.360 --> 00:06:46.480
Not even when she wasn't looking.

00:06:47.199 --> 00:06:47.360
No.

00:06:47.519 --> 00:06:48.319
I gave it to Sheila.

00:06:48.720 --> 00:06:53.199
We didn't all the princess wave as we were leaving the airplane anchor.

00:06:53.360 --> 00:06:54.639
And they were filming it.

00:06:54.959 --> 00:06:59.839
And the Chase just her Sheila's son just fell in love with that car.

00:07:00.959 --> 00:07:07.839
So after it was redone, second time, it mysteriously never came back to my garage.

00:07:08.560 --> 00:07:11.040
Which is nice because it takes up the space of two cars.

00:07:11.199 --> 00:07:11.519
Yeah, it does.

00:07:11.920 --> 00:07:14.560
So Chase has kind of taken adopters.

00:07:15.199 --> 00:07:16.160
Taken care of it for you.

00:07:16.800 --> 00:07:21.120
Stan Holt, a founder of the Lupi Tortilla franchise, thank you very much for being with us today.

00:07:21.519 --> 00:07:22.160
Thank you very much.

00:07:22.879 --> 00:07:23.120
All right.

00:07:23.199 --> 00:07:26.000
We're going to take a quick break here on the In Wheel Time Car Talk Show.

00:07:26.079 --> 00:07:26.240
Mr.

00:07:26.399 --> 00:07:30.879
Mars is going to cue up the commercials here and try to stay focused on everything.

00:07:30.959 --> 00:07:33.759
And we're going to come back and we got lots of stuff for you.

00:07:33.839 --> 00:07:36.959
Right after this quick break here on the In Wheel Time Car Talk Show.

00:07:38.079 --> 00:07:42.240
The Tailpipes and Tacos renowned cruising expands to Beaumont.

00:07:42.560 --> 00:07:49.759
Golden Triangle cruisers will want to experience tailpipes and tacos at the Loopy Tortita, high 10th South in Baumont near Washington Boulevard.

00:07:50.000 --> 00:07:54.079
Grab free loopy breakfast tacos with any donation to Shirley's kids.

00:07:54.160 --> 00:07:56.160
Enjoy the coffee or an adult beverage.

00:07:56.319 --> 00:08:03.040
Every cruising vehicle is automatically entered to win one of the beautiful chili pepper trophies, the best hot rod, classic, and modern classic.

00:08:03.199 --> 00:08:07.920
Tailpipes and Tacos Baumont happens Saturday morning, March 21st, 8 to 11 a.m.

00:08:08.319 --> 00:08:12.079
If you're a car geek like we are, this is the event you'll want to attend.

00:08:12.240 --> 00:08:16.720
The Intel Taco Talk Show will be online live, and you may be interviewed about your ride.

00:08:16.879 --> 00:08:24.720
Tailpipes and Tacos Baumont edition Saturday, March 21st, 8 to 11am, at the Lupi Tortilla 2050 ITEM South in Baumont.

00:08:24.879 --> 00:08:29.199
The Katie Tailpipes and Tacos happens Easter Saturday, April 4th, 8 to 11.

00:08:29.360 --> 00:08:34.639
The free tailpipes and tacos cruising is a production of Lupi Tortilla Tex Mex, Baumont and Katie.

00:08:34.879 --> 00:08:36.159
It's pretty good.

00:08:37.039 --> 00:08:42.159
Apple or Android NWL Time podcast can be found everywhere, on the stream and through downloads.

00:08:42.320 --> 00:08:47.840
Whether you're on the road or at home and Jones in for a different kind of car talk show, give InWheel Time a try.

00:08:48.000 --> 00:08:57.679
Honest new car reviews, fun, informative interviews with real car people, weekly automotive news, features like Jeff's car culture and Mike's driving destinations, all on In Wheel Time.

00:08:57.840 --> 00:09:03.679
Check us out on Sirius XM Podcasts, iHeartRadio, or while you're shopping on Amazon through Amazon Music.

00:09:04.320 --> 00:09:07.840
In Wheeltime.com has a list, and we know you love lists.

00:09:08.960 --> 00:09:10.480
Thank you very much for joining us today.

00:09:10.559 --> 00:09:13.360
And be sure and join us for our live show every week.

00:09:13.440 --> 00:09:21.360
Uh if you're listening now, obviously we're live currently, but uh this is a Saturday morning when we typically record all of our podcasts.

00:09:21.759 --> 00:09:25.120
It's a big confusing mess, but uh thank you for being with us.

00:09:25.279 --> 00:09:29.360
Next week we're back in the dual studios, and we hope you'll join us then.

00:09:29.440 --> 00:09:31.919
Thanks for joining us today here on the In Wheel Time Car Talk Show.

00:09:32.000 --> 00:09:33.039
Time now for our car review.

00:09:33.200 --> 00:09:33.360
Mr.

00:09:33.600 --> 00:09:36.240
Mars drove the Ford F-150 hybrid.

00:09:36.639 --> 00:09:37.120
Yes, sir.

00:09:37.200 --> 00:09:40.480
I had a chance to drive this one uh for the last week or so.

00:09:40.720 --> 00:09:53.919
And and it's we talked about this a few weeks ago when I had one of the other Ford F-150s, more of a uh stripper as we would call it, an STX model, not nearly as loaded up as what the uh King Ranch is by all by all means.

00:09:54.080 --> 00:09:58.720
So this final desk assembly destination is a location is in Dearborn.

00:09:59.039 --> 00:10:02.480
Now there are eight available trim levels on the Ford F-150.

00:10:02.559 --> 00:10:06.159
There's three different cab sizes, three different bed sizes, different motors.

00:10:06.240 --> 00:10:09.519
There's like 20 combinations you can get out of the F-150.

00:10:09.679 --> 00:10:11.679
So there's bound to be something there you like.

00:10:11.759 --> 00:10:15.679
And if you want one that's on the luxury end, go for the King Ranch 4x4.

00:10:16.000 --> 00:10:20.480
This is a full-size pickup, seats five, and some really nice interiors.

00:10:20.720 --> 00:10:24.080
Now, on the outside of it, you're gonna find the King Ranch badging.

00:10:24.159 --> 00:10:31.279
You got LED headlights and fog lights, and even got side mirror spotlights and taillights, all of it LED, all the way around.

00:10:31.519 --> 00:10:39.279
It's got power deploying running boards, makes it a little bit nicer to step up into that because it does set up a little bit higher because of the four by four.

00:10:39.440 --> 00:10:41.519
It's even got a power rear glass on it.

00:10:41.679 --> 00:10:47.440
It's got the multifunctional tailgate that took me and a friend of mine about 20 minutes to figure out how to operate.

00:10:47.519 --> 00:10:47.840
Uh-oh.

00:10:48.000 --> 00:10:50.559
And then we also had the retractable center step in it.

00:10:50.639 --> 00:10:57.120
And once you get the tailgate operating like it's supposed to, that step works really well to step up in there, just like clipping up steps.

00:10:57.440 --> 00:11:04.320
Had the twin-panel moon roof on it, and we were rolling on some nice 22-inch wheels on it that makes it a really nice ride and drive.

00:11:04.639 --> 00:11:11.679
Interior, leather heated seats up front, even had leather heated seats on the second row.

00:11:11.919 --> 00:11:17.840
Front seats also are ventilated, so you got plenty of heat and cool choices there for the front passengers and the driver.

00:11:18.159 --> 00:11:19.120
And more enjoyable.

00:11:20.000 --> 00:11:24.320
It's available on 97% of controlled access highways called Blue Zones.

00:11:25.360 --> 00:11:30.080
Once you're on the highway, press the adaptive cruise control button on the steering wheel.

00:11:30.240 --> 00:11:39.519
Wait for the hands-free icon, and Blue Cruise helps with accelerating, braking, and steering so you can let go and relax while continuing to watch the road.

00:11:39.759 --> 00:11:44.240
Blue Cruise uses a driver-facing camera to help ensure your eyes stay on the road.

00:11:44.399 --> 00:11:52.159
The driver attention system was designed to remind you to pay attention, giving you visual and audio parts of your eyes are off the road for too long.

00:11:52.960 --> 00:11:57.039
Adaptive cruise control already adjusts your speed to the flow of traffic.

00:11:57.360 --> 00:12:01.919
Blue Cruise builds on that as a driver assistance feature, not a replacement.

00:12:02.240 --> 00:12:06.720
It helps monitor your position on the road and scans the traffic around you.

00:12:07.519 --> 00:12:14.879
In lane repositioning detects approaching vehicles and shift them over in the lane, providing a little extra room when you need it.

00:12:18.639 --> 00:12:20.480
I'm really not sure what that was then.

00:12:23.679 --> 00:12:23.919
Huh?

00:12:24.159 --> 00:12:25.519
So please continue your review.

00:12:25.840 --> 00:12:26.320
All right, all right.

00:12:26.639 --> 00:12:30.559
So up under the hood, you're going to find a 3.5 liter hybrid setup.

00:12:30.639 --> 00:12:34.960
Now, this is the new setup from Ford, 400 horsepower, 500 pound feet of torque.

00:12:35.120 --> 00:12:37.759
It's backed by a 10-speed automatic transmission.

00:12:38.240 --> 00:12:45.360
And this particular vehicle set up the way it is will tow 12,800 pounds and it'll haul 1,900 pounds.

00:12:45.440 --> 00:12:51.600
Now, again, this is a half-ton truck, so it should be about a thousand pounds, and that should be taken care of it, but it's got plenty.

00:12:51.840 --> 00:12:58.240
EPA says you should be looking for about 22 miles per gallon in the city, 24 out on the highway, and 23 combined.

00:12:58.559 --> 00:13:03.600
Now, I will say that I drove this vehicle 325 miles and I got 21.2.

00:13:04.080 --> 00:13:08.799
Now, 54.3 miles of that was actually on the electric portion of the hybrid.

00:13:08.879 --> 00:13:10.399
So it worked out really well.

00:13:10.720 --> 00:13:15.840
The uh and it does have a really nice luxury ride for a full-size pickup.

00:13:15.919 --> 00:13:20.159
It's got great acoustics in it, so that audio is really sounds really well.

00:13:20.240 --> 00:13:27.440
It's nice and quiet out on the highway, and you can tell that you're really into a more of a luxury setting than what the other truck was.

00:13:27.600 --> 00:13:30.399
Uh, it really surprised me that there was really that much difference in it.

00:13:30.559 --> 00:13:34.960
Now, the base trim price for this vehicle is$74,805.

00:13:36.080 --> 00:13:40.639
Uh as tested with destination,$79,825.

00:13:41.039 --> 00:13:42.399
So it's right at$80,000.

00:13:42.879 --> 00:13:48.240
But you can get into an F-150, you really can into it for$46,690.

00:13:48.720 --> 00:13:54.399
So if you're looking for something to compare that to, a Ram$1500 crew cab setup, it's about$45,120.

00:13:54.720 --> 00:14:00.240
Even the Toyota Tundra, which is a little higher priced, always has been,$44,235.

00:14:00.399 --> 00:14:00.720
Wow.

00:14:00.879 --> 00:14:04.240
And the GMC Sierra is at$45,995.

00:14:04.320 --> 00:14:07.519
So they're all right there together at the entry level portion of it.

00:14:07.679 --> 00:14:10.799
And again, this is a really nice riding and driving truck.

00:14:10.879 --> 00:14:16.480
It don't let the King Ranch idea think that it's a real rough and tumble four by four that you're going off-roading in.

00:14:16.639 --> 00:14:22.240
It's not, it's a luxury vehicle through and through, and I really appreciate the opportunity to drive it.

00:14:22.480 --> 00:14:26.000
Let's go to the symphony on a Saturday night in the F-150.

00:14:26.240 --> 00:14:26.720
There you go.

00:14:26.879 --> 00:14:27.840
All right, thank you, sir.

00:14:28.159 --> 00:14:30.559
Time now for the cruise in and events calendars.

00:14:30.639 --> 00:14:40.720
And by the way, before we get to that, I want to remind everybody that we are here at the Lupi Tortilla Tex-Mex for this East Texas tailpipes and tacos.

00:14:41.200 --> 00:14:44.240
And I will tell you that uh there's a lot of cars here.

00:14:44.639 --> 00:14:46.320
In the bustling town of Beaumont.

00:14:46.480 --> 00:14:49.679
Yeah, and uh it's uh certainly open to all spectators.

00:14:49.840 --> 00:14:51.679
The event is free to everybody.

00:14:51.919 --> 00:14:56.480
Get yourself a free uh taco here with donation.

00:14:56.720 --> 00:14:58.320
With a donation to Shirley's kids.

00:14:58.399 --> 00:15:00.960
All right, time now for the cruise in and events calendars.

00:15:01.200 --> 00:15:01.519
There you go.

00:15:01.600 --> 00:15:02.879
Now this is for next Saturday.

00:15:02.960 --> 00:15:05.519
It's Lamar Consolidated Auto Fest.

00:15:05.840 --> 00:15:12.320
Uh it is at the LCISD Nanatorium, which is the pool area for the uh school.

00:15:12.799 --> 00:15:17.279
Uh the register to pay for the event is the 10th annual uh Auto Fest Car Show.

00:15:17.360 --> 00:15:21.440
It's a fundraiser hosted by the Lamar Consolidated Automotive Technology Program.

00:15:21.840 --> 00:15:24.320
So you get in there and uh you make donations.

00:15:24.399 --> 00:15:29.600
They've got uh DJ, door prizes, car show, food, moonwalk, stuff for the kids to do.

00:15:29.759 --> 00:15:31.840
Uh they got a swap mate, so go on out there.

00:15:31.919 --> 00:15:34.159
This is next Saturday, the 28th, from 9 a.m.

00:15:34.320 --> 00:15:34.879
to 1 p.m.

00:15:35.120 --> 00:15:38.559
at the Nedatorium in the Lamar Consolidated Independent School District.

00:15:39.039 --> 00:15:43.679
Then you've got uh next Saturday the All Mustang Car Show at the Kema Boardwalk.

00:15:43.759 --> 00:15:44.240
How about that?

00:15:44.639 --> 00:15:46.799
Starts at 9 a.m., goes to whenever.

00:15:47.039 --> 00:15:49.919
It's at 739 2nd Street in Kema, Texas.

00:15:50.559 --> 00:15:53.840
Uh all Mustang car shows will take place at the Kema Boardwalk.

00:15:54.159 --> 00:15:59.120
Uh it would be registrations available only on the day of the show, no pre-registration offered.

00:15:59.679 --> 00:16:01.440
Then 1-4 next Saturday as well.

00:16:01.519 --> 00:16:06.240
You've got the 2026 Rolls-Royce Owners Club, Texas Regional Car Show.

00:16:06.480 --> 00:16:07.279
You're going to that, aren't you?

00:16:07.600 --> 00:16:08.559
I'm going to take my Buick.

00:16:09.039 --> 00:16:12.399
Uh, it's at the Carter Creek Winery and Spa.

00:16:12.879 --> 00:16:14.159
Just go out there for the Winery and Spa.

00:16:14.240 --> 00:16:15.919
You don't have to take your Rolls-Royce.

00:16:16.240 --> 00:16:18.000
It's at 4064 West U.S.

00:16:18.080 --> 00:16:22.000
Highway 290 in Johnson City, Texas, which is out west of here.

00:16:22.480 --> 00:16:24.720
Uh the event is scheduled for 9 o'clock.

00:16:24.879 --> 00:16:27.600
Uh they say till about noon, but it'll probably go a little bit further.

00:16:27.919 --> 00:16:32.320
And then next Sunday, you've got the Brazoria County Cars and Coffee at Lake Jackson.

00:16:32.559 --> 00:16:33.440
It's in Lake Jackson.

00:16:33.759 --> 00:16:36.000
221 Parkingway Street.

00:16:36.559 --> 00:16:40.240
Uh organizers emphasize no revving of motors and all that stuff.

00:16:40.320 --> 00:16:41.519
Just be respectful, go out there.

00:16:41.679 --> 00:16:42.000
Oh yeah.

00:16:42.399 --> 00:16:43.039
And stop that.

00:16:43.279 --> 00:16:44.639
And stop revving that motor.

00:16:44.960 --> 00:16:45.519
Shame on you.

00:16:45.919 --> 00:16:46.799
Who do you think you are?

00:16:47.039 --> 00:16:48.240
No, no sirenes either.

00:16:48.399 --> 00:16:49.120
No sirenes.

00:16:49.279 --> 00:16:49.919
Not sirenes.

00:16:50.000 --> 00:16:53.039
And then you got Cars Coffee and Quesadilla Cruz.

00:16:55.120 --> 00:16:57.840
This is in Rolette, Texas, which is east of Garland, I believe.

00:16:59.120 --> 00:17:01.840
Rowlett, Rollett, east of Garland, north of Dallas.

00:17:02.159 --> 00:17:04.559
It is at 1914 Lakeview Parkway.

00:17:04.640 --> 00:17:06.880
Get on up there and get yourself some quesadillas.

00:17:07.119 --> 00:17:09.119
And we're going to have some today, I'm sure.

00:17:09.279 --> 00:17:09.839
So there you go.

00:17:10.079 --> 00:17:10.960
I think I hope so.

00:17:11.200 --> 00:17:12.160
I hope so too.

00:17:13.200 --> 00:17:27.519
I hope that all works out for us and we can make it back on I-10 without some stoppage for four hours and rerouting traffic through Neeterville and Winnie to get out of Beaumont today because of the mess.

00:17:27.680 --> 00:17:28.960
You know, it's truly amazing to me.

00:17:31.119 --> 00:17:38.960
It's truly amazing to me that there is such a huge turnout here with a jacked-up freeway and a jacked up way to get here.

00:17:39.279 --> 00:17:45.440
It's been here so long that everybody's got used to being jacked up, so they just go with the flow.

00:17:45.599 --> 00:17:46.240
All right.

00:17:47.119 --> 00:17:49.599
Okay, uh, are you gonna do driving destinations?

00:17:49.759 --> 00:17:51.759
Would you please do driving destinations?

00:17:52.079 --> 00:17:52.799
No, right, brother.

00:17:52.960 --> 00:17:53.599
Get just set up.

00:17:54.079 --> 00:17:54.880
Get me set up, brother.

00:17:55.279 --> 00:17:55.759
There you go.

00:17:55.839 --> 00:17:57.039
It's all yours, brother.

00:17:57.440 --> 00:18:00.240
All right, so we have some people come over from Louisiana.

00:18:00.319 --> 00:18:12.160
Again, it's not very far over to Louisiana, and we got so we got a lot of out-of-town people coming in, so I thought we would look at some of the things that since you're here in Southeast Texas, you can start with by going downtown Beaumont to the Texas Energy Museum.

00:18:12.319 --> 00:18:16.319
And this is really where you're gonna get the whole old oil story for the area.

00:18:16.480 --> 00:18:19.440
Beaumont, Port Arthur, Orange make up the Golden Triangle.

00:18:19.599 --> 00:18:24.960
Literally, at one point, we were doing 25% of the nation's gasoline was produced here and shipped out.

00:18:25.119 --> 00:18:30.799
Some of the largest refineries in the country and the world are located in the Golden Triangle area.

00:18:30.880 --> 00:18:41.920
So this really sets up if you want to see about the drilling technology and the things that go into making the global energy markets and our position as a country in that, this is a great place to go and it is air conditioned.

00:18:42.160 --> 00:18:46.720
The second thing, while you're down there, you could go to the art museum of Southeast Texas.

00:18:46.799 --> 00:18:50.079
Now, this is a little bit quieter than the energy museum.

00:18:50.319 --> 00:18:56.559
Got a lot of uh regional and contemporary artworks, even though it does have a lot of industrial roots to it.

00:18:56.720 --> 00:19:02.079
Now there's a lot of rotating exhibits, so it kind of keeps things different, but it is more of an art museum.

00:19:02.319 --> 00:19:07.200
Then while you're down there, go a couple of blocks over and you get to the Fire Museum of Texas.

00:19:07.359 --> 00:19:10.640
This is the state museum or the fire museum of Texas.

00:19:10.960 --> 00:19:15.359
It's located in a 1927 fire station that was actually built back then.

00:19:15.519 --> 00:19:23.119
And it's got a lot of history in it in the exhibits because you can explore antique fire engines back into the 1800s.

00:19:23.279 --> 00:19:26.640
Got a lot of interactive displays for the kids, kind of keep them busy.

00:19:26.799 --> 00:19:32.720
And then while you're there, right outside the front door, is the world's largest working fire hydrant.

00:19:32.799 --> 00:19:36.240
Now, this is literally a 24-foot Dalmatian-spotted structure.

00:19:36.559 --> 00:19:46.960
Disney was using that to film 101 Dalmatians, and so once they got through with it, because it wasn't very far away here that they were doing that in Southeast Texas, they donated it to the State Fire Museum.

00:19:47.200 --> 00:19:47.680
Very cool.

00:19:48.240 --> 00:19:55.279
Then on the way, we're gonna head a little south, and we're going to go down to the Spindletop Gladys City Boom Tom Museum.

00:19:55.759 --> 00:19:56.160
I've been there.

00:19:57.039 --> 00:19:58.079
It's a very cool place.

00:19:58.240 --> 00:20:00.799
It is got a lot of things there if you get it at the right time.

00:20:00.880 --> 00:20:02.559
They actually have an oil derrick there.

00:20:02.799 --> 00:20:06.720
They also have an old gasoline tanker truck in the barn.

00:20:08.720 --> 00:20:10.079
I think it was in one of the pictures.

00:20:10.240 --> 00:20:18.160
And they have a place for uh like a livery stable set up, but they'll set up and recreate the spindle top gusher that really kicked off the oil industry down here.

00:20:18.640 --> 00:20:22.799
And it's a real nice place to go, and it's located right there on the Lamar University.

00:20:23.119 --> 00:20:28.559
Then we're gonna go down south, back down towards Port Arthur, where you're gonna get to the Museum of Gulf Coast.

00:20:28.720 --> 00:20:37.680
Now, this is one of the places it's got a lot of local history in it, including uh locals like Janice Joplin, Jimmy, Jimmy Johnson.

00:20:37.759 --> 00:20:46.799
It's got a sports section in it to where you're gonna find you know Bum Phillips, Wade Phillips, things like that, and a lot of the other players have got a music section where Janice is.

00:20:47.119 --> 00:20:50.240
And let's not forget the uh the famous golfer Babe Zaharius.

00:20:50.319 --> 00:20:52.000
I think she was from the Larry McGilllicudty.

00:20:52.079 --> 00:20:53.279
Larry McGillicuddy was there.

00:20:53.359 --> 00:20:53.440
Yeah.

00:20:53.599 --> 00:20:53.839
Was he?

00:20:53.920 --> 00:20:54.400
Yeah, I think so.

00:20:54.559 --> 00:20:54.799
Oh, Mr.

00:20:54.880 --> 00:20:55.680
McGillicutty.

00:20:56.400 --> 00:20:57.359
Okay, just say so.

00:20:57.440 --> 00:20:58.559
It's a great place to go down there.

00:20:58.640 --> 00:21:05.279
It's in downtown Port Arthur, and there's a lot of stuff in there that's uh that you will recognize, but you won't recognize that it's from Port Arthur.

00:21:05.440 --> 00:21:08.400
Then from the We don't recognize anything at this point in our lives.

00:21:08.480 --> 00:21:08.960
Are you kidding?

00:21:09.119 --> 00:21:10.960
Yeah, from your fingers am I holding up?

00:21:11.200 --> 00:21:11.680
Four.

00:21:12.400 --> 00:21:14.799
Then you're gonna go across the Rainbow Bridge.

00:21:14.880 --> 00:21:17.200
Now it's this is how you get it.

00:21:17.279 --> 00:21:19.039
Are they driving Subaruos?

00:21:19.279 --> 00:21:20.799
No, I just said that.

00:21:21.680 --> 00:21:30.079
Now, this is a kind of a steep incline, got sweeping views on it, and it's great for going up over the Natchez River on your way over to Orange.

00:21:30.160 --> 00:21:35.200
It's one of the tallest bridges and structures that's here in Southeast Texas.

00:21:36.799 --> 00:21:45.759
And once you get across there, you're going over to into Orange, you're gonna go to the Stark Museum of Arn of Art, and this is in the cultural district, the downtown in Orange.

00:21:45.839 --> 00:21:50.079
You're gonna find a lot of paintings and sculptures, Native American artifacts that are around in there.

00:21:50.160 --> 00:21:52.160
So it's got a lot of setups in that regard.

00:21:52.240 --> 00:21:56.480
Now, across the street from that is the Stark House.

00:21:56.640 --> 00:21:59.839
Now, this is a house, an 1894 Queen Anne home.

00:22:00.400 --> 00:22:03.279
That was built by the uh the Starks.

00:22:03.359 --> 00:22:06.400
You can actually go into all three of the floors.

00:22:06.559 --> 00:22:09.119
This place is 14,000 square feet.

00:22:09.359 --> 00:22:17.119
If you want to see how people lived in the late 1800s, early 1900s, uh, I guess what you would call it the luxury at the time, because that's what this was.

00:22:17.359 --> 00:22:21.039
So it's a great recreation and it's a great place to go and see how things work.

00:22:21.279 --> 00:22:25.519
And then while you're in orange, to wrap things up, go over to the Shangri-Law Botanical Gardens.

00:22:25.680 --> 00:22:28.559
Now, this is 250 acres along Adams Bow.

00:22:28.960 --> 00:22:37.680
It's got a lot of walkways, it's got uh garden paths, wetlands, and it's got a lot of things that you can go in if you enjoy bird watching and getting out into nature.

00:22:37.920 --> 00:22:40.960
It's got themed gardens, and it's really a cool even kids.

00:22:41.039 --> 00:22:46.319
I mean, they go out there because it's out in literally 250 acres in the swamp, and you can go see a lot of cool stuff.

00:22:46.960 --> 00:22:51.359
So that's just some things you can do while you're here in southeast Texas.

00:22:51.680 --> 00:22:54.480
And you're here for the tail pipes and tacos here in Beaumont.

00:22:56.160 --> 00:22:57.200
Well, thank you, Mr.

00:22:57.359 --> 00:22:58.000
Mars.

00:22:58.240 --> 00:23:00.880
I know I I've always wanted to go to Shangri-La.

00:23:01.119 --> 00:23:01.839
Yeah, yeah, yeah.

00:23:02.000 --> 00:23:04.880
But uh I haven't ever been, but apparently it is here.

00:23:05.200 --> 00:23:05.839
You missed it.

00:23:06.000 --> 00:23:06.640
I I've missed it.

00:23:06.880 --> 00:23:08.160
My wife's been to Shangri-La.

00:23:08.400 --> 00:23:10.480
I haven't been to Shangri-Law, but my wife's been to Shangri.

00:23:10.720 --> 00:23:12.079
Not not through you, that's for sure.

00:23:15.200 --> 00:23:17.039
Yeah, it's more like Shanghai.

00:23:17.440 --> 00:23:18.160
Shanghai.

00:23:18.559 --> 00:23:19.039
That's it.

00:23:19.359 --> 00:23:22.799
Um did want to give you a brief news story here, but U.S.

00:23:22.960 --> 00:23:31.440
tariffs have cost automakers at least$35.4 billion since last year.

00:23:31.680 --> 00:23:37.920
An enormous sum that reflects how dramatically and quickly the President's trade policies have impacted the industry.

00:23:38.880 --> 00:23:44.000
As according to an automotive news analysis of automaker financial reports, they're available through mid-March.

00:23:44.160 --> 00:23:50.160
It includes full-year tariff costs for 2025 as well as projections through March of this year when available.

00:23:50.480 --> 00:23:52.640
Tariff costs vary widely by Automaker.

00:23:52.720 --> 00:23:54.559
They are dependent on how much of a company's U.S.

00:23:54.559 --> 00:23:59.519
lineup is shipped from overseas and where they source key parts from for their U.S.

00:23:59.680 --> 00:24:00.160
production.

00:24:01.039 --> 00:24:11.680
Toyota appears poised to receive the biggest tariff bill of any automaker projecting one point four five trillion, that's in the end.

00:24:12.079 --> 00:24:18.240
$9.1 billion in cost in its 2026 fiscal year, which ends March 31st.

00:24:18.400 --> 00:24:24.799
Tariffs cost the Detroit Automaker three uh six point five billion dollars in 2025.

00:24:24.880 --> 00:24:27.279
I just wanted to pass that along to you.

00:24:28.079 --> 00:24:36.559
Most automakers I've read are absorbing most of that cost, uh, and they're also having to take the hit on the electric vehicles.

00:24:36.720 --> 00:24:55.119
Tariffs are also impacting which models automakers import to the United States, and one of them includes Jefferson Beewey, because they've decided that it's such a popular vehicle that they are going to start building it here in the United States because it's been built in China.

00:24:55.440 --> 00:25:08.960
It's a Chinese.com.

00:25:09.039 --> 00:25:15.039
We are back at the Lupi Tortilla Tex-Mex in Beaumont, Texas for the Tailpipes and Tacos cruise in.

00:25:15.359 --> 00:25:17.440
And if you're not here, you need to be.

00:25:17.519 --> 00:25:19.519
We'll be back right after this break.

00:25:21.599 --> 00:25:23.440
The Easter Bunny's coming.

00:25:23.519 --> 00:25:29.359
To the Tailpipes and Tacos Cruise In at the Loopy Tortilla Tex Mex in Katy, April 4th, 8 to 11 a.m.

00:25:29.680 --> 00:25:30.960
And you're invited to.

00:25:31.279 --> 00:25:32.640
Bring the kids and grandkids.

00:25:32.720 --> 00:25:34.960
It's a cruise in like you've never attended before.

00:25:35.119 --> 00:25:38.880
With a donation to Shirley's Kids, you'll get a free Loopy Tortilla breakfast taco.

00:25:39.200 --> 00:25:44.960
There'll be coffee and adult beverages, plus chili pepper trophies for the best hot rod, best modern classic, and best classic.

00:25:45.039 --> 00:25:46.880
There's no entry fee and no registration.

00:25:46.960 --> 00:25:49.119
Just bring your ride and the kids.

00:25:49.359 --> 00:25:56.160
Bad bunnies aren't allowed, but the Easter bunny will be there, and he'll be full of joy to help make this tailpipes and tacos a very special one.

00:25:56.319 --> 00:25:57.759
Photo opportunities abound.

00:25:57.839 --> 00:26:03.759
The Unwell Time Car Talk Show will be streaming around the globe, and you can be selected to tell your car story to a global audience.

00:26:03.839 --> 00:26:08.640
It's the Tailpipes and Tacos Cruise and Easter edition, Saturday, April 4th, 8 to 11 a.m.

00:26:08.720 --> 00:26:15.279
at the Lupy Tortika Tex Max in Katy, located on 99, the Grand Parkway, just south of I 10, the Katy Freeway, in Katie.

00:26:15.519 --> 00:26:16.240
Make plans now.

00:26:16.400 --> 00:26:18.799
Loopy Tortika is pretty good.

00:26:19.920 --> 00:26:21.599
You own a car you love.

00:26:21.920 --> 00:26:24.160
Why not let Gulf Coast Auto Shield protect it?

00:26:24.319 --> 00:26:30.559
Houstonian John Gray invites you to his state-of-the-art facility to introduce you to his specialist team of auto enthusiasts.

00:26:30.799 --> 00:26:32.319
We promise you'll be impressed.

00:26:32.480 --> 00:26:46.960
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00:26:47.200 --> 00:26:48.240
Curbed your wheels?

00:26:48.400 --> 00:26:50.559
Instead of buying new, why not have them repaired?

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How about a professionally installed radar detector?

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Gulf Coast Auto Shield does that too.

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Get a peek inside the shop and look at the services offered by getting online and heading to gcautoshield.com.

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Better yet, stop by their facility at 11275 South Sam Houston Tollway, just south of the Southwest Freeway and get a personal tour.

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Gulf Coast Auto Shield is your place to go for all things exterior.

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Call them today, 832-930-5655 or gcautoshield.com.

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That's it for this podcast episode of the In Wheel Time Car Show.

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I'm Don Armstrong, inviting you to join us for our live show every Saturday morning on Facebook, YouTube, Twitch, and our InWheeltime.com website.

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Podcasts are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, iHeartPodcast, Podcast Addict, TuneIn, Pandora, and Amazon Music.

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Keep listening, and we'll see you soon.