In Wheel Time Podcast: Your Go-To Automotive Talk Show

Extinct Icons: The 5 Car Manufacturers We Need Back on the Road

• In Wheel Time • Season 2025 • Episode 171

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Automotive nostalgia takes center stage as we explore five legendary car manufacturers that deserve resurrection in today's market. From AMC's innovative Javelin AMX with its performance-focused design to Pontiac's revolutionary GTO that birthed the American muscle car movement, these vanished brands left tire tracks too deep to be forgotten. 

The distinctive bullet-nosed Studebaker Champion once captured hearts with its unique styling and affordability, while Mercury established itself as America's sixth most popular car brand in the early 1950s with classics that remain custom car holy grails. Plymouth's no-frills Roadrunner proved that accessible performance could dominate the muscle car scene.

Our Hemings' Sold Car Roundup segment reveals surprising current values for classic automobiles. A 1989 Cadillac Alante sells for just $5,400, while a pristine '64 Chevelle commands $31,500. These figures demonstrate that classic car ownership remains attainable for many enthusiasts, with everything from British Triumphs to American muscle changing hands at reasonable prices.

We also examine concerning trends in the automotive industry, where executive compensation continues to skyrocket despite persistent quality issues. Ford CEO Jim Farley earned $24.9 million despite missing quality and EV sales targets, while GM's Mary Barra received $29.5 million as Detroit's highest-paid auto executive for the ninth time in ten years.

Whether you're dreaming of bygone automotive eras or tracking today's industry developments, this episode delivers insights that both casual drivers and dedicated enthusiasts will appreciate. Join us for the upcoming Hot Rod Tour of Texas beginning April 24th as we celebrate America's enduring love affair with automobiles.

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

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Show Introduction & Preview

Speaker 1

Welcome to another In Wheel Time Podcast. This is your place for all things automotive the award-winning In Wheel Time Car Talk Show. Just ahead, we get you involved in Hemmings' sold car roundup and what it's sold for. Along with this week's new car reviews, I've also got five extinct car manufacturers that should make a comeback. It's a story that was published on Hemmingscom and I thought this is too good to pass up, so we're going to do that as well. Later, jeff has the racing calendar, mars has this week in auto history and I'll get you caught up on the stories making automotive news headlines. Howdy, along with Mike out of this world, mars. We always need more. Jeff Zekin, I'm Don Armstrong. Glad you could join us for our live show here on this Saturday morning. Going to be a beautiful day and, by the way, I'd be remiss, remiss, reminiscent. Anyway, whatever I'll be, today is the the art car parade downtown.

Speaker 2

Yeah, we're gonna bring that up. I think Mike has something on that.

Speaker 3

Yeah, we tried to set something up. I finally heard back from them late Thursday night, Uh-huh, and they said the board of directors was busy, the parade blah, blah, blah blah. But there would be a lot of people that we could talk to that are out there lining up, and so I answered back great, that's who we want to talk, to Give me some names and I'll set it up.

Speaker 2

Never heard another word. That's okay, but it's an annual event. How many years has?

Speaker 1

it been going.

Speaker 2

Long time.

Speaker 1

I went to one of the first ones. I think Kathy and I did too. It was tons of fun Down Allen Parkway and around downtown the City Hall.

Speaker 2

It used to be you decorated something in the backyard or whatever. But I heard this year that some of the car dealerships are donating their wholesale vehicles you know, the ones they can't sell or refurbish to sell to the public, the wholesale vehicles that go to auction. They're kind of giving some of those away for the folks to do that.

Speaker 3

Well, that would be fun.

Speaker 2

Yeah, that's what I heard, anyways.

Extinct Car Manufacturers Spotlight

Speaker 1

So shall we do this? Yeah, okay, okay. Five extinct car manufacturers that should make a comeback there it is. Over the course of automotive history, many vehicle manufacturers, even successful ones, have been forced to call it quits. Despite, in some cases, being gone for decades, car lovers still reminisce about what once was. Many of the cars now classics are considered collectibles. Here are some of them that have gone extinct but could possibly potentially make a comeback in the modern-day market due to previous successes and popularity. How about the 1970 Pontiac? Oh, I'm sorry. How about this one here? And you know what that's, an AMC? And I guess I threw out the page. No Good, okay, that's good.

Speaker 2

That's just your title page, I guess. Well, that's it, but that could be. Well, look what's in the background in this whole building there. That's awesome.

Speaker 1

Yeah, I know, but that is an American motor AMC Javelin.

Speaker 2

AMX. They made a Matador too, because we had a friend growing up that had a blue Matador.

Speaker 3

Yeah, they made two or three of them, but this is the one that's really. It's like a two-seater, if I remember right there is.

Speaker 2

There's no back seat. There's no back seat Like a Cougar Nova kind of size.

Speaker 3

Yeah, it's bigger.

Speaker 1

It's a little bit bigger, but whatever. Yeah, it's bigger. It's a little bit bigger, but whatever. Yeah, I like the car, I like the design, it's pretty right there. But you know, amc in my generation is like AMC, but the car was bad to the bone. Yeah, our second car, this one here comes the judge. Here comes the judge the Pontiac GTO Judge. The Pontiac name was first introduced in 1926. The automaker hasn't produced vehicles since its last car, a white 2010 G6 sedan was assembled January 4, 2010, at the Orion Township assembly line. Once advertised as GM's performance division with the tagline we Build Excitement, pontiac released what is argued to be the first ever American muscle car, the iconic GTO. Over its lifespan from 64 to 74, and again 2004 to 2006, pontiac sold a total of approximately 185,000 GTOs. Who wouldn't love to see a Pontiac GTO revival complete or compete with Dodge? Yeah?

Speaker 2

Look at that, that's got to be somebody's man cave. Yeah, that'd be Dodge. Yeah, look at that, that's got to be somebody's man cave, yeah.

Speaker 1

That'd be yours. Yeah, it kind of looks like it. Next up is the 1950 Studebaker Champion my brother had one of these.

Speaker 2

I think my aunt still had one, I'm not sure. It looks familiar. I think she had a Ford.

Speaker 1

I asked him before he died. I said so. Whatever happened to that car? He says well, I stopped at a stoplight and a truck a garbage truck came and rammed into the back of it and pushed the rear bumper right up to the back of the front seat. Oh wow, my back was never the same. But there you go.

Speaker 2

That car. I think my aunt had a Ford.

Speaker 1

Popular model was the Champion, which is this one here, built from 1939 until 1958. The Studebaker Champion was the brand's best seller because of its durable engine styling and affordability and if you look at that it kind of looks like the Tucker a little bit, yeah, a little bit. It's got some favors there that bullet nose thing on it.

Speaker 2

Yeah, and the way the rear end's got that rear quarter, yeah.

Speaker 1

Crazy About Mercury? Oh yeah, that's a nice car, bullet nose thing on it, yeah. And the way the rear ends cut that rear quarter, yeah. Um. Crazy about mercury? Oh yeah, that's created by edsel ford in 1938. Mercury was meant to bridge the gap between ford and lincoln model lines within ford motor company. Mercury was the sixth most popular car brand in the us in the early 1950s. Classic mercury cars produced from 49 to 51 are recognized as the holy grail of traditional custom cars. The Mercury Grand Marquis was the best-selling Mercury car, with $2.7 million.

Speaker 2

The Grand Marquis yeah, that is a good-looking car there. That is, I would drive that. That would be a hot rod tour every day.

Speaker 3

Yeah, but don't chop the top on it. No, just like that. Just like that. Put some light pipes on it, though you need a little bit.

Speaker 2

No, no, no, I'm not into that. I would tip the windows a little darker.

Speaker 1

While Lincoln still exists. Mercury was eventually dissolved in 2011. However, mercury trademarked Still registered to Ford today. So the question is is Ford hanging on to hope to revive the Mercury nameplate?

Speaker 2

That's gorgeous, the Mercury nameplate, that's gorgeous.

Speaker 1

Here we go again, amc. Well, we kind of touched on this right off the bat. First created by what was the largest corporate merger in history at the time, the American Motor Corporation, amc hit headlines in 54. During its 34 years as an independent company, amc produced the Jeep, which ended up being the fate of its now extinct name when AMC was renamed the Jeep Eagle Corporation in 1988. Remember that AMC's best-selling single-generation model, the AMC Gremlin, with over 670,000 units sold in the US and Canada from 1970 to 1978. While large trucks and SUVs are still flooding the market, a smaller civilian hatchback vehicle could fill an ever-growing void in the current automotive realm, do you think?

Speaker 2

Yeah, the only thing different. I would take those prime oil tires off and put a different brand on. In my opinion, Uh-huh Like some BFGoodrichs or something, yeah some. Gatorbacks, whatever.

Speaker 1

Next up is Plymouth. Plymouth's brand image Do you not have that? I don't have another picture. Well, plymouth's brand image was focused around building affordable vehicles at the lower end of the market. It did well on sales through the 50s and 60s, but by the 80s and 90s the name began to fade. Many Plymouths were rebadged as Dodges or Mitsubishis and by 2000, plymouth production went extinct. When it came to no-frills power at a fair price, plymouth Roadrunner delivered. We saw several of them that John's got in his collection out there at the Hemi Hideout. 1968 to 70 are widely regarded as the most popular car ever made by the brand. By 1970, the Roadrunner became Plymouth's best-selling performance model and one of the best-selling muscle cars ever produced. I thought that was a fun little thing to go through.

Hemings' Sold Car Roundup

Speaker 1

It was good. All right, let's do some of the recalls. If you don't mind, can we do that? I don't mind at all, all right. First up is Nissan. Nissan Kicks for 2025. Incorrect Weight rating on a label.

Speaker 2

What I couldn't buy that first Buick because they didn't have the label under the hood. They would not sell me the car. So I went to another dealer and found one. Found one and bought it and bought that one.

Speaker 1

They didn't have the label on it. I thought that was interesting. Chrysler Pacifica plug-in hybrid for 2025. Loss of control from a loose brake caliper bracket. Incorrect head restraint. Information on the Cadillac Lyric for 2025. That's causing a recall. Well, couldn't go for recalls without having a Ford in there. Ford Transit Connect 2019 to 2020. Engine may overheat and if it does that, it could possibly explode. Seatbelt may fail to retract or extend Ford Expedition 2018 to 2020, along with the Lincoln Navigator Same here Models. Here's some more Ford stuff for you Misaligned engine oil plug. So that means that you've stripped it to get it into the oil pan. It's misaligned. Ford Expedition, ford F-150, and the Lincoln Navigator 24 and 25 model years. Here's another one Incorrect fuse may cause a loss of drive power in the Ford F-150 hybrid for 2025. Huh.

Speaker 3

I'm still on the misaligned oil plug. Normally when I strip a bolt or something, you can't get it back out.

Speaker 1

Well, it doesn't leak. So how would you know, unless you went to change the oil, that it's misaligned.

Speaker 2

Is that particular part put in by automation or is it a human? That would be the difference I couldn't tell you.

Speaker 1

All I can tell you is that it's probably from the factory that made the engine, and typically the engine is not made at the assembly plant. No, it's pretty similar.

Speaker 2

All they do is drop it.

Speaker 1

Yeah, and I would think that would happen at the dealership.

Speaker 3

That's probably where they found it Well but you know most people I don't know. It's part of the make ready, I mean.

Speaker 1

Well, it's part of the well. No, they don't change the oil at make ready. No, the oil doesn't get changed until whoever buys it.

Speaker 2

They change the plug at make ready.

Speaker 1

Whoever buys it, changes the oil.

Speaker 3

Okay, so the factory that's in it when they ship it, it's going to be in there for 5,000, 10,000 miles, sometimes 15,000, 20,000 miles tonight.

Speaker 2

About 3,500 for mine.

Speaker 1

Okay, let's do the fun stuff, shall we? Okay, we happen to have this week's Hemings Sold Car Weekly Roundup. This is a little fun thing that we do. So these cars sold through Hemingscom in the used car department and they come with a description. And this is for you, jeff, because I thought this would be a perfect Jeff car A 1989 Cadillac Elante. Do you remember the Cadillac Elante?

Speaker 3

Aye, aye aye, I do. We talked to a guy in the Cadillac, alante. Aye, aye, aye. Huh, I do. We talked to a guy in the Cadillac, the Houston Alante Club. Oh Lord.

Speaker 1

Can't imagine they've made enough of them.

Speaker 3

But whatever the case may be, I didn't say it was a big club.

Speaker 1

Wasn't this the car that was shipped over from Italy? I believe so. Yeah, the Alante. Yeah, so this is an 89 version. How much do you think?

Speaker 2

that that car sold for 89 version. That car sold for $32,000. Really yeah, mr Morris, $10,500.

Speaker 1

$10,500. Now do we have Jeff Heitzman with us. He says $40,000. $40,000. Are you ready for this? Are you sitting down?

Speaker 2

Yeah, the car sold for $5,400. Oh, that was my next guess. I was going to say that, but it didn't sound simple. I thought you wanted to do the new price.

Speaker 1

That's one of the things. Well, the new price probably was $5,000. All right, next up the 1964 Chevrolet Chevelle. I would like to have one of these.

Speaker 2

Oh, everybody would Come on 64 Chevelle.

Speaker 1

Now it appears as though it's got a V8 motor in it, because some of those Chevelles you know had six cylinders in them.

Speaker 2

Yeah, look at the tailpipe, look at the way it's stanced.

Speaker 3

It's got the V8 emblem on the side of it and it's got those are hubcaps, by the way, are they?

Speaker 2

Yeah.

Speaker 1

Wheel covers.

Speaker 2

I can't see them that good you can tell, because there's fuzzy dice.

Speaker 1

Okay, yeah, yeah, so how much do you think a 64 Chevrolet Chevelle two-door, that would be a hardtop. How much do you think that that would go for? I'm going to go with the 32 again.

Speaker 3

Heitzman says 21. I'm going to stay around 18. 18. Well, the car sold for 31.5.

Speaker 2

I just have my 32s mixed up.

Speaker 1

Yeah, next car on the agenda is the 1971 Chevrolet El Camino. This is an SS Now. Whether it's original or not, I don't know, but it's a 71 El Camino. My daughters think this is a really ugly car. I like it and I would buy it. This one here actually has a 454 in it, but in 71, the horsepower was not what it once was when it was a 427. Just remember that. 71, Chevy El Camino SS. How much do you think it sold? For $19,000.

Speaker 3

Heitzman says $29,000, and I'm going to say $36,000. Heitzman wins $29,000, and I'm going to say $36,000. Okay.

Speaker 1

Heitzman wins. $27,300 is the sold price for that one.

Speaker 3

I just saw one on Facebook Marketplace in Alabama, a roller for $6,000.

Speaker 1

Yeah Well, that would kind of fit with the price of this All right. Next up 1977 Chevy Impala Caprice Two-door.

Speaker 2

I'll let you go first, Michael. It has a 350 V8 in it with 300 horsepower 1977.

Speaker 3

Chevy Impala Caprice Ten. Just because it's Caprice, I'm going to go eight. It's got aftermarket wheels on it. Yeah, and there's a priest, I'm going to go 8. It's got aftermarket wheels on it.

Speaker 2

Yeah, and there's a trailer behind it. Did it just come off of that or what? I don't know. What does Mr Heitzman say?

Speaker 3

He's saying 33. He's impressed by it.

Speaker 1

Okay, well, you'll be impressed by the sale price of $12,600.

Speaker 2

We're all over the board on that one.

Speaker 3

What did you say?

Speaker 2

Mike.

Speaker 3

I guess it's 11.5 or something like that.

Speaker 1

Okay, 77 Impala, alright, next up for all of our English lovers 62 Triumph TR4. Remember, we talked to the president of the.

Speaker 2

Triumph Club here in town, but this isn't a bug eye, though.

Speaker 1

No Well, bug eye would be a sprite, oh that's right 62 Triumph TR4. From England, along with all of the problems that they have with these cars. What do you think that that's sold?

Speaker 2

for oh gosh, that's a.

Speaker 1

Don't think too much about it.

Speaker 2

That's a $7,000 car $7,000?.

Speaker 3

Man, I'm thinking $11,000. What did Jeff say?

Speaker 1

$17,000. $17,000. That car sold for $8,000.

Speaker 3

I'll take it Next up Next up All right.

Speaker 1

Across the pond a 1988 BMW 325i. It looks like a convertible to me. Yes, it does. Okay, 325i 88 model year sold for fill in the blank.

Weekly Automotive Recalls

Speaker 3

Mars. I'm not a fan of that, neither am I, that's either here or there, yeah, yeah, I know it's a BMW 14. 16. Heitzman says 17. 7. $7,460.

Speaker 2

Which pond? Because this has got a pond plate of Minnesota on it. I don't know if it's a pond, yeah Well, whatever, look at that.

Speaker 1

This tempts me. It tempts me. This is what we used to call a bucket tea.

Speaker 3

Remember those yeah, yeah, yeah.

Speaker 1

A 1923 Ford hot rod.

Speaker 3

Now they call them tea buckets. They do.

Speaker 1

What do you think? No, no. What do you think, no, no, what do you think? It's got a 350 Chevy engine in it. How much did it sell for? Will the Heisman go first?

Speaker 3

Is that a blower?

Speaker 1

No, it looks like it's got two, four barrels on it.

Speaker 3

Jeff says $15,000. Heisman says $15,000. I would say maybe $18,000. $17,850.

Speaker 2

I was going to say 17, 850. If he had just given you a chance to speak up, catch off.

Speaker 1

Okay now here's one for Heitzman. This would be his car. He would drive this A 1979 Mercedes-Benz 280 CE. A 1979 Mercedes-Benz. I can see Heitzman sitting in the car, the window rolled down, his elbow out, and him smoking a pipe filled with Prince Albert tobacco.

Speaker 3

I was thinking cigar, but okay, I can live with a pipe 79,.

Speaker 1

How much?

Speaker 2

Nine grand, nine grand 24.

Speaker 1

24?

Speaker 3

Heitzman says Heitzman says 24. I'll go to 25.

Speaker 1

Okay, 19,950. See, you too can get into the classic club era easily Under $20,000. And finally Put that in your pipe. Finally, I had to do this for Leslie here for sale a 1994 Jaguar XJS Jaguar.

Speaker 2

Uh-huh, what is going on? Oh, it's got wiper, it's got the front headlight wipers on it.

Speaker 3

It looks like it got smacked?

Speaker 1

No, it didn't. How much do you think that that car sold, for it was built that way. How much do you think that this car sold, for it was no reserve car. So keep that in mind. A 1994 Jaguar XJS.

Speaker 3

Eight grand oh man Heitzman says $35,000. I would go $26,000.

Speaker 1

$11,538. And you too can have all the problems on four wheels with that car?

Speaker 2

You can just smell it. Bring a wrecker. You can just smell it.

Speaker 1

No, have the wrecker follow you wherever you go. That's the way that that works. You can just smell that, all right. I can just smell that, all right. Just ahead, jeff has the racing calendar, mars has this week in auto history and I'll have this week's auto news headlines some of them anyway In Real Time. Car Talk Show continues after this break.

Speaker 1

Well, let's try it again. You've waited all winter and it's finally here the Tailpipes and Tacos Spring Cruise Inn. It's been a while, but the popular Tailpipes and Tacos Cruise Inn returns to the Loopy Tortilla Tex-Mex in Katy, saturday, april 19th. Make any donation to Shirley's Kids and get a free breakfast taco. There'll be mimosas and Bloody Marys too. Get to the best cruise inn of the year. Tailpipes and Tacos Saturday, april 19th, 8 to 11 am. Cruise in. Make 8 to 11 am Cruise in. Make a donation of any amount and grab a free Loopy Tortilla Breakfast Taco. Tailpipes and Tacos only happens at the Loopy Tortilla Tex-Mex in Katy, 703 West Grand Parkway at Kingsland Boulevard, just south of the Katy Freeway. Join the car camaraderie and your car will automatically compete for one of three Chili Pepper trophies at no charge.

Speaker 1

Spring is here and what better way to celebrate than with a free taco at Tailpipes and Tacos Saturday, april 19th, 8 to 11 am. The In Wheel Time Car Talk Show will be there too. We hope to see you then. Come on out. You own a car you love. Why not let Gulf Coast Auto Shield protect it? Houstonian John Gray invites you to his state-of-the-art facility to introduce you to his specialist team of auto enthusiasts. We promise you'll be impressed.

Speaker 1

Whether you're looking to massage your original paint to a like-new appearance, apply a ceramic coating, install a paint protection film, nano-ceramic window tint or new windshield protection called ExoShield, gulf Coast Auto Shield is where Houston's car people go. Curbed your wheels. Instead of buying new, why not have them repaired? How about a professionally installed radar detector? Gulf Coast Auto Shield does that too. Get a peek inside the shop and look at the services offered by getting online and heading to gcautoshieldcom. Better yet, stop by their facility at 11275 South Sam Houston Tollway, just south of the Southwest Freeway, and get a personal tour. Gulf Coast Auto Shield is your place to go for all things exterior. Call them today, 832-930-5655, or gcautoshieldcom. Hey, you're going to the Hot Rod Tour of Texas. Be sure, and follow the In Real Time team when we join over 300 other enthusiasts beginning April 24th as we trek across Texas. Get the info link at inrealtimecom and our In Real Time Facebook page. Cool Time now for the Racing Calendar sponsored by the Texas Muscle Car Club.

Speaker 2

Challenge. Thank you for that. We've got NHRA this weekend. Nhra Ford Wide Nationals at the Strip at Las Vegas Motorsports Motor Speedway, motor Speedway. Thank you for that. It's English, so look forward to that. Check your local listing on it. You've got Indy. You've got the Grand Prix of Long Beach this weekend. Yay, 90 laps in Long Beach, california. That's always interesting. It's always a good race to watch. I like the open wheel Go. Andretti Craftsman Truck Series race was postponed yesterday due to weather, much like maybe the Xfinity and the NASCAR Cup guys. That might happen, but they're all in Bristol for the NASCAR Xfinity and the Big Cup guys. They were in Bristol yesterday also. That was canceled. You've got IMSA racing this weekend. It is the Grand Prix of Long Beach because they're running with the Indy guys. And then you've got Homestead Miami for the Formula E going on. And then you also have Don's favorite, my favorite as well, the Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix. That's in the Bahrain, it's in your brain Bahrain International Circuit, bahrain, bahrain.

Speaker 1

There's a lot of racing going on this week in auto history, Mr Mars.

Speaker 3

Got quite a few things going on, so we're going to kind of run through them. This week, in 1977, on the recommendation of the National Advisory Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, they approved the standardized symbol signs for the nation's streets and highways. You're going to see some right here. What year did they do that 1977.

Speaker 1

I didn't realize that.

Speaker 3

Reserve parking for the handicapped. Handicapped crossing fire station. Stop ahead, yield ahead and parking.

Speaker 1

Hey, the food and restaurant one that should be Bucky's sign.

Speaker 3

Well, this was all part of it before pre-Bucky's, but that's all in the blue signs that you're going to find out on the highway. Then, in 1971, ford introduced the Pinto Now this is actually 1970 for the 71 model year and it was designed to be compact, lightweight and budget-friendly, competing against all the cars that were coming in for the imports because of the rising fuel prices at the time. It was a simple design, rear-wheel drive, really successful at first, but then they ran into a problem with the fuel tank.

Speaker 1

No, actually people ran into the fuel tank and it was a problem it caused a problem.

Speaker 3

Yes, but they actually sold 3 million of those cars, oh, yes, so they sold a lot of them. So also this week, 1912, the first New York City cab painted yellow. Now John Hertz founded the Yellow Cab Company in Chicago in 1907. John Hertz, like the Hertz Rental Car Company yeah, that was his cousin. He chose yellow based on a visibility study by a local university that determined that that color was more recognizable than all the other colors out there. So then in 1912, he moved to New York, took it on over there and it quickly caught on over there and now it is universally the recognized cab color, particularly in New York. Cool, now, april the 11th. This is Jeff Day.

Speaker 3

Jeff, yeah, baby, for you 1988, Neil Young released his album. This Song's For you, Harold.

Speaker 1

Melvin and the Blue.

Speaker 3

Notes. Now, this included the song Coupe de Ville. Coupe de Ville. This For you Also. In 2007, production begins on the Buick Enclave. Yes, now 2017, exactly 10 years to the day, jeff Day on there, they released the second generation of the Buick Enclave. They did it intentionally. That's all yours. On Jeff Day on there, they released the second generation of the Buick Enclave.

Speaker 2

They did it intentionally.

Speaker 3

That's all yours on, jeff Day. All right, thank you. Now, april, the 12th, 1964, the first Mustang TV ad airs. Now they were really smart when they did this, because they did this just before it went on sale and was debuted at the World's Fair that year. It went across all three major networks the night before the official release. It showed the Mustang's sporty design, the affordability, youthful appeal. First day 22,000 Mustangs sold on the very first day. Very successful ad campaign. Also, 1981, the launch of the DeLorean DMC-12 in the US. Now this caught everybody's attention because of the futuristic stainless steel body, the gullwing doors, and it was powered by a V6 engine.

Speaker 1

And the cocaine left on the dashboard.

Speaker 3

No, that came with the second generation. Okay, it promised style over speed. It was built in Northern Ireland. It was very iconic because of the underwhelming performance and production issues it had performance and production issues it had. But the short run production ended in 1983 and it lives on as the time machine and back to the future. Always will, always will. That's this week in automotive history.

Automotive Industry News Headlines

Speaker 1

A two Alright, here I'm going to kind of close out this segment. Alright, Starting off with this story, just to get you mad If you weren't mad enough. Mary Barra received compensation with $29.5 million last year as CEO of General Motors, a 5.9% increase as the automaker achieved strong earnings and executed on key business goals. Barra's base salary of $2.1 million was unchanged from 2022. Well, so how does she get the $29 million? Through stock options mainly Stock options and bonuses and stuff like that.

Speaker 2

Yeah, but her stock was in Tesla.

Speaker 1

Who is her husband? Does she have a? Husband or is it another woman? I don't know, I have no idea, I don't either, because you certainly never hear about him on either because you certainly never hear about him.

Speaker 3

Of course, if I were him, I would. I'd stay back, I'd be on an island in the bahamas somewhere hey, mary, where's john?

Speaker 1

oh, I don't know. Actually, does it make any difference? I don't care, she didn't care. Her stock is in tesla. Uh, bella, in 2024 again became the highest paid detroit three executive, a distinction she held for eight straight years before falling behind former Stellantis CEO, carl Tavares in 2023. Compensation for Carl, who resigned in December, fell 37% in 2024 to $23.9 million. Well, no wonder the company Duh, he stole all the money. Ford CEO Jim Farley saw his total compensation slip 6.1% to 2024 to $24 million. $24.9 million, as guess what? Quality and electric vehicle sales fell short of goals. Yeah, I think the biggest problem is those recalls. Do you know how much recalls cost a carmaker?

Speaker 2

A lot. Well, they build them into price. No, not as many as.

Speaker 1

Ford does.

Speaker 2

That's true too. They've got some built in.

Speaker 3

But some of them are something so simple as a typo error on a label, and it costs them so much money. Even to get all the paperwork just to get the stickers replaced.

Speaker 1

And having to go through all of that. They probably got a recall department and all they do is work on recall stuff. Can you imagine how big that is?

Speaker 3

The process has got to be monstrous just to get it approved from the government and all that stuff. And then you've got to send it to the dealerships and they're paying $150 an hour loaded rate to put stickers on.

Speaker 2

We used to work with factory reps all the time and their goal is to increase sales, depending on the service department, but they also were the mediator for the warranties.

Speaker 1

And let's see here. Let me go back to that story that I just read just a minute ago. Mary Vera, no, it was Jim Farley.

Speaker 2

Oh yeah, and he still made. What 29?.

Speaker 1

Oh, here it is over here. He still made $24.9 million.

Speaker 3

I don't know how he can survive off that. I'll tell you what, Jim.

Speaker 1

For all the future. Recalls we're taking it out of your paycheck there For all the future. Recalls we're taking it out of your paycheck. There you go, and you'll still have money left over. Yeah, Don't you think?

Speaker 3

Absolutely.

Speaker 1

Yeah, that ain't going to happen either.

Speaker 3

No.

Speaker 1

I got some other really interesting stories we're going to get to in the next half hour. Hey, we'd love to hear from you. Shoot us an email. Our address here is info at inwheeltimecom. We'll be back after this.

Speaker 1

Pro-am Auto Accessories has been serving Houston's auto enthusiasts since 1984, providing world-class products for sports cars, european sedans and American muscle. Pro-am is known as the place to go to find exclusive and hard-to-find parts and accessories. Pro-am is one of the very first distributors in the USA for brands such as Recaro, redline, momo, corbo and Simpson. Located in the heart of Houston's premier retail and service corridor, the Galleria area, pro-am's walk-in storefront includes an 8,000 square foot warehouse, showroom and installation bays. Pro-am not only sells parts and accessories, but also offers installation and service. Pro-am is now reaching a worldwide audience through Pro-Amcom, taking its local reputation to the rest of the world. At Pro-Am Auto, you'll be dealing with a small group of professionals who truly want to help you with your automotive needs. If you don't see what you're looking for on the website, call and Pro-Am will lend you a hand. Pro-am Auto 6125 Richmond at Greenridge in Houston's Galleria area. Call them at 713-781-7755.

Speaker 1

The award-winning In Wheel Time Car Talk Show now reaches 5.3 million folks each year. Check us out on InWheelTimecom, the Odyssey Radio app, youtube, facebook and just about every other entertainment source out there, including our live broadcast every Saturday 10 to noon Central Time. The In Real Time Car Talk Show has informative automotive guest interviews, new car reviews, along with popular features, including Jeff's Car Culture, the latest new cars, cruise ins and racing dates. It's InRealTimecom. Join us. That's it for this podcast episode of the In Real Time Car Show. I'm Don Armstrong, inviting you to join us for our live show every Saturday morning on Facebook, youtube, twitch and our InWheelTimecom website. Podcasts are available on Apple Podcasts, spotify, stitcher, iHeart Podcast Podcast, addict TuneIn, pandora and Amazon Music. Keep listening and we'll see you soon.

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Don Armstrong

Host
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Jeff Dziekan

Co-host
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Michael Marrs

Co-host