2025 In Wheel Time Episodes

The automotive industry is undergoing a profound transformation that's reshaping how we think about careers in vehicle repair and maintenance. Gone are the days when becoming a mechanic simply meant learning from your dad in the garage. Today's automotive technicians need sophisticated computer skills alongside traditional mechanical aptitude. Hugh Mann from Houston Community College joins us to discuss the evolving landscape of automotive education and the lucrative career paths available t...

Ever wondered what treasures hide beyond San Antonio's famous Alamo? Our latest automotive adventure uncovers the city's best-kept secrets that most tourists miss entirely. Imagine 15 million Mexican free-tailed bats emerging at dusk in a spectacle so massive it appears on weather radar and can be seen from space. This natural wonder at Bracken Cave outshines Austin's famous bat bridge and represents just one of San Antonio's hidden gems. We also explore the eccentric burial site of Sandra W...

Ted Ryan, Ford's Heritage Brand Manager, joins us from a golf course to share exciting news about the 60th anniversary of the Ford Bronco. The special commemorative model features stunning Wimbledon white paint with red accents, including the Bronco name spelled out in red on the hood and "1966" embedded in the hubcaps. The original Bronco was unveiled on August 11, 1965, when Ford handed reporters cowboy hats and scarves, telling them "let's go rodeo" before introducing what would become an ...

What happens when a prophet tells you to become an auctioneer? For Yvette Vanderbrink, it launched a 25-year career specializing in automotive barn finds and collections. Her extraordinary journey from hospital worker to renowned auctioneer began when a minister at her church mysteriously knew about auction school application papers she'd hidden in her kitchen cupboard. Yvette shares the struggles and triumphs of breaking into the male-dominated auction world, including how she handled sexist c...

Ever dreamed of seeing your custom car immortalized as a Hot Wheels die-cast model? That dream could become reality as the Hot Wheels Legends Tour rolls into Houston on Saturday, August 2nd. We're joined by Eric Hahn, lead designer at Hot Wheels, who pulls back the curtain on this extraordinary traveling car show. Now in its eighth year, the Legends Tour has become a global phenomenon where builders showcase their custom creations for a chance at Hot Wheels immortality. The Houston stop promise...

Ever wondered what it would be like to cross America primarily on dirt roads? Andy and Mercedes Lilienthal let us ride shotgun on their extraordinary Transamerica Trail adventure – a jaw-dropping 7,100-mile journey with over 3,100 miles on unpaved terrain, all completed in just 29 days. The couple's modified 2025 Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness proved remarkably capable, conquering elevations approaching 13,000 feet in Colorado and withstanding temperatures ranging from freezing to a sweltering 111...

Houston reveals itself as a treasure trove of unexpected adventures for locals and visitors alike. From art deco aviation history to underwater shark tunnels, our exploration uncovers destinations perfect for beating the Texas heat and creating memorable experiences right in your backyard. The 1940 Air Terminal Museum at Hobby Airport stands as a stunning architectural time capsule, preserving aviation heritage with vintage uniforms and airline memorabilia in an elegant setting that now hosts w...

The frustrating reality of start-stop technology takes center stage in this eye-opening episode as we explore why this supposedly fuel-saving feature might be doing more harm than good. Through lively debate and personal experience, we unpack how that momentary engine shutdown at stoplights creates a ripple effect of delays for everyone on the road—all while saving minimal fuel. We dive deep into the political dimensions of this automotive controversy, examining how President Trump's eliminatio...

An automotive time capsule awaits discovery in the rolling hills of Montana where approximately 600 vehicles lie scattered across 100 acres of countryside. This extraordinary barn find collection, headed to auction through Vanderbrink Auctions, features everything from 1920s classics and vintage fire trucks to Plymouths, Rivieras, and even a rare 1961 bubble top with intact glass. The remote location adds to the mystique – so far from civilization there's no cell service, creating a treasure hun...

Automotive enthusiasts, buckle up for a three-course journey through the cutting edge of electric vehicles, the rarified world of elite car collections, and the rugged charm of an off-road icon reborn. We start by examining Volvo's latest electric offering—the 2025 EX40 Twin Motor Ultra AWD. Built in Belgium on the framework of last year's XC40, this all-electric crossover brings 402 horsepower and advanced pixel headlight technology to the premium EV segment. However, not everything about mode...

Looking for straight talk about electric vehicles? Our review of the 2025 Volvo EX40 Twin Motor Ultra pulls no punches, exposing both impressive features and frustrating flaws in this Belgian-built EV. With 402 horsepower and advanced pixel headlight technology, the vehicle offers plenty of power and premium features—but requires navigating through four separate touchscreen interactions just to turn it off. The real-world economics of EV ownership take center stage as we reveal how driving 270 ...

Automotive passion knows no borders in this fascinating exploration of European racing heritage and the world's most extraordinary car collections. We're joined by Lincoln Small, author of "Abarth Radborn Racing and Me," who transports us to the vibrant racing scene of 1960s Britain and Italy. Lincoln shares how he discovered Abarth's modified Fiats "like an epidemic" across Italy before bringing the underdog brand to compete against Britain's beloved Mini Coopers. His firsthand account reveals...

The ripple effects of Trump's tariffs are sending shockwaves through luxury car dealerships across America, upending a market that remained resilient even during the pandemic and chip shortages. When customers start canceling orders for $750,000 Lamborghinis rather than pay an additional $75,000 in tariffs, something significant is happening. What makes this story particularly compelling is the human element behind the headline numbers. While wealthy buyers can simply walk away from these pu...

Buckle up for a journey into the heart of authentic car culture with our exploration of Rats on the Platte, a rebellious celebration of automotive passion that thrives far from the polished showcases of mainstream car events. Speaking with organizers Jake Donahoe and Paula Sanada, we discover what makes this annual gathering in Mitchell, Nebraska a must-visit for true gearheads and automotive misfits. This isn't your typical car show – it's a raw, community-driven event where creativity and cha...

Rudy Samsel has created something special with Guys with Rides - a dealer-free marketplace where classic car enthusiasts can connect without the high fees and uneven playing field that plague traditional auction sites. As he explains to the In Wheel Time crew, his platform was born from frustration with how private sellers are treated at established auctions. What makes this concept compelling is its focus on creating meaningful connections between sellers who often have emotional attachments t...

Step inside the fascinating world of automotive history as we explore the impressive Savoy Automobile Museum in Cartersville, Georgia. Our guide Mary Agruza takes us on a captivating journey through time, revealing surprising connections between America's pioneering past and its automotive future. The museum houses a remarkable Studebaker collection that tells an unexpected story – before becoming car manufacturers, Studebaker built the Conestoga wagons that carried settlers westward during Ame...

Car buying should be exciting, not a minefield of potential fraud and deception. Yet two alarming lawsuits from Florida reveal the dark side of automotive retail, where unsuspecting customers discovered their "new" vehicles had hidden histories. One buyer found his pristine Land Cruiser had nearly 5,000 miles on the odometer despite being sold as factory-fresh, while another learned her Jeep had previously been titled to a leasing company—information deliberately concealed during the sale. Thes...

Step into the fascinating world of automotive treasures as we journey through the Savoy Automobile Museum in Cartersville, Georgia. Museum representative Mary Agrusa takes us on a captivating tour through their remarkable barn finds collection, where each vehicle tells an extraordinary story of discovery and preservation. From a GT350 Mustang with deliberately preserved deteriorating paint to the one-of-a-kind 1949 Packard Monte Carlo convertible built by Henney, these automotive time capsules r...

Special In Wheel Time Replay - What happens when childhood dreams of muscle cars finally come true? Danon Hollinger joins us at the Lone Star Street Rod Association's 50th anniversary celebration to share her journey from Hot Rod magazine fan to proud owner of a gleaming white 1978 Pontiac Trans Am. Unlike most girls growing up, Danon decorated her headboard with car magazine centerfolds instead of pop stars. Her fascinating story takes us from her early fascination with a high school crush's '...

Special In Wheel Time Replay - Courtney Enders brings her infectious energy and deep motorsports knowledge to this episode as she discusses her groundbreaking new role with NHRA TV. Far from leaving her position at Flow Racing, she explains how she'll balance multiple responsibilities while bringing fresh perspectives to drag racing broadcasting after years of "knocking on their door." The conversation takes listeners behind the scenes of Elite Motorsports' challenging 2023 season, where crew c...

Special In Wheel Time Replay - Scott Ingram slides into the passenger seat with us, bringing along his showstopping orange 1932 Ford coupe and a treasure trove of hot rodding stories spanning nearly six decades. As one of the seven original founders of the Lone Star Street Rod Association, Scott represents the authentic spirit of hot rod culture—someone who believes these machines are meant to be driven hard and enjoyed thoroughly. The striking orange '32 Ford sitting beside us isn't just for s...

A special In Wheel Time replay - Ever wandered through a museum where cars aren't just machines, but masterpieces? Mary Agrusa takes us inside the Savoy Auto Museum in Cartersville, Georgia, where vehicles are displayed with the reverence typically reserved for fine art. "We consider this really more an art museum dedicated to the automobile," Mary explains, and her passion for automotive history shines through as she guides us through exhibits that tell stories beyond horsepower and torque f...

Special In Wheel Time replay- Buckle up for a high-octane journey through Texas' most thrilling road race and cutting-edge automotive innovations. We're kicking things into high gear with Rhonda Palmer from the Big Bend Open Road Race, giving us an insider's look at what makes this 59-mile stretch between Fort Stockton and Sanderson the ultimate driving challenge. With 59 curves and 59 elevation changes, participants push their cars to technical speeds of 160+ mph while racing against t...

Drag racing fans rejoice! The International Hot Rod Association is roaring back to life with a racer-friendly approach that challenges the status quo of professional drag racing. Division Director Doug Foley joins the In Wheel Time podcast to share how IHRA is reinventing itself after years in the shadows of larger sanctioning bodies. The biggest news? Top Fuel dragsters and Funny Cars are returning to IHRA competition after a 15-year absence, with full eight-car fields already committed to the...