Salt Flats Speed: One Man's Bonneville Journey

Hot rods, salt flats, and the sweet sound of engines revving—welcome to a special episode of the In Wheel Time Car Talk Show, broadcast live from the 50th anniversary of the Lone Star Street Rod Association State Run in Granbury, Texas.

The centerpiece of our show features Don Grouleff and his remarkable Model A hot rod, emblazoned with the racing number 731. Don's story captivates as he recounts pushing this classic Ford to a breathtaking 196 mph on the Bonneville Salt Flats. With a twinkle in his eye, Don shares how he once spun backward through the timing lights at nearly 190 mph—and still set a speed record. His vintage hot rod, featuring kingpin suspension and an old-school Muncie M-22 four-speed transmission, represents the perfect marriage of traditional aesthetics and high-performance engineering.

Don's journey from crop duster pilot to speed enthusiast offers a fascinating glimpse into the mindset required for both professions. After 35 years flying dangerously close to power lines and terrain, he found similar thrills and focus requirements on the salt flats of Bonneville. Now settled in Texas after leaving his California almond farm behind, Don continues to cherish this Model A that holds multiple speed records, including one that still stands at Muroc Dry Lake on Edwards Air Force Base.

We also pay tribute to Beach Boys founder Brian Wilson, who recently passed away at 82. Wilson's automotive-themed classics like "409," "Little Deuce Coupe," and "Fun, Fun, Fun" helped define American car culture and provided the soundtrack to generations of hot rodders. Between interviews, we discuss concerning automotive industry news, including potential tariff increases and predictions of significant financial challenges ahead for global automakers.

Whether you're a hot rod enthusiast, speed demon, or automotive history buff, this episode delivers the authentic stories and technical insights that make American car culture so enduring. Subscribe, share, and join our community of fellow car enthusiasts every Saturday from 10am to noon central time!

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Chapters

• 0:00 Welcome to In Wheel Time
• 2:44 Don Groliff's Bonneville Salt Flats Model A
• 10:28 Brian Wilson's Automotive Legacy
• 21:55 Automotive Industry News Headlines
• 29:25 Auto Tariffs and Trade Tensions