Santa Wears A Cowboy Hat And My Dashboard Has Copper Wheels

Ever wonder what a dashboard really says about a car? We take you on a fast, design-first journey from the brute clarity of American muscle gauges to the handcrafted elegance of vintage European cockpits, the sculpted glamour of Art Deco luxury, and the software-rich arenas of today’s supercars. Along the way, custom hot rod clusters remind us that the best instrument panel can be a mirror of the builder’s personality.

With the design lens focused, we pivot to planning a joyful holiday road trip through San Antonio. Think River Walk lights cascading from the trees, boats glowing under the arches, and a soundtrack of carols riding the current. SeaWorld layers live theater, the state’s biggest light display, and Santa in a cowboy hat while merry mariachis roam the paths. Add cocoa-fueled trolley tours, the San Antonio Zoo’s illuminated trails, and ice skating at Hemisfair for a loop that blends movement, music, and memory. We also dive into the refreshed Alamo experience featuring narration by Phil Collins and a reimagined plaza that helps you visualize the mission’s original scale.

To close, we put the 2025 Subaru Forester Wilderness through its paces. Expect a clean, integrated touchscreen, water-friendly materials with copper accents, white-letter tires, and trail-forward styling. The 2.5-liter boxer and CVT deliver practical mileage near 26 mpg, while comfort, visibility, and playful cabin Easter eggs make daily drives easy and weekend gravel inviting. We compare it with the Bronco Sport Badlands, CR‑V TrailSport, and Rogue Rock Creek to help you sort value from vibes.

If design stories, holiday lights, and smart adventure rigs are your thing, you’ll feel right at home. Listen, subscribe, and leave a review to tell us which dashboard era steals your heart and where you’re driving this holiday season.

The Lupe' Tortilla Restaurants
Lupe Tortilla in Katy, Texas

Gulf Coast Auto Shield
Paint protection, tint, and more!

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

----  ----- 
Want more In Wheel Time car talk any time?
     
In Wheel Time is now available on Audacy!  

Just go to Audacy.com/InWheelTime where ever you are.
-----   -----
Be sure to subscribe on your favorite podcast provider for the next episode of In Wheel Time Podcast and check out our live multiplatform broadcast every Saturday, 10a - 12nCT simulcasting on Audacy, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Twitch and InWheelTime.com.

In Wheel Time Podcast can be heard on you mobile device from providers such as:

Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music Podcast, Spotify, SiriusXM Podcast, iHeartRadio podcast, TuneIn + Alexa, Podcast Addict, Castro, Castbox, YouTube Podcast and more on your mobile device.

Follow InWheelTime.com for the latest updates!

Twitter: https://twitter.com/InWheelTime

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inwheeltime/

https://www.youtube.com/inwheeltime

https://www.Facebook.com/InWheelTime

For more information about In Wheel Time Podcast, email us at 

info@inwheeltime.com

Transcript

Iconic Dashboards Kickoff

SPEAKER_00 0:04

All right, uh time now for Jeff's Car Culture Iconic Dashboards.

SPEAKER_03 0:09

There you go.

SPEAKER_00 0:09

Plus, Mars has uh Christmas road trips coming up, too. Perfect.

SPEAKER_03 0:13

Car dashboards have evolved dramatically over the years, offering collectors a fascinating glimpse into the past while showcasing the technological advancements of their time. From the classic charm of muscle cars to the futuristic allure of modern supercars. We all like allure. Uh each dashboard tells you.

SPEAKER_00 0:29

I use one of those at the lake every once in a while.

American Muscle Gauges And Grit

Vintage European Craftsmanship

Art Deco Elegance

Scandinavian Minimalism

Digital Supercar Interfaces

Custom Hot Rod Creativity

SPEAKER_03 0:31

Allure? Oh, okay. Uh first one up is a classic car dashboard. There's something undeniably for this classic, captivating the dashboards of classic muscle cars. These dashboards combine functionality with tough, no-nonsense aesthetics and the that perfectly complement the raw power of the cars, like the 69 Camaro or the 70 Dodge Challenger. With large, easy-to-read gauges, the chrome accents, these dashboards were built for speed enthusiasts who value performance over luxury. Collectors often cherish these dashboards for their nostalgic value and the way they embody the spirit of the era when American muscle cars dominated the roads. Next one on tap is a vintage European sports car dashboard. These dashboards uh are often a marvel of both design and engineering. With meticulous attention to detail, cars like the 61 Jag E-type or the 55 Mercedes-Benz SL 300 offer dashboards that are as elegant and are functional as well. These dashboards often feature luxurious materials like wood and leather, along with intricate precision crafted instruments. For collectors, these dashboards represent the pinnacle of automotive craftsmanship. Next one on deck, Michael, is the Art Deco version of the dashboard. These babies uh the movement left a significant mark on the automotive design so far as the Art Deco, uh evident in the luxury car dashboards of the 30s and 40s. Cars like the 34 Chrysler Airflow and the 36 Cord 810 feature dashboards with sweeping lines, geometric shapes, and luxurious materials that reflected the opulence of the era. These dashboards are highly prized by collectors for their artistic value and the way they encapsulate the elegance and sophistication of a bygone era. Who doesn't like that? Next one on it is a minimalistic. This is a Scandinavian style. These principles emphasize the simplicity and functionality and the ethos extended to the dashboards of the cars like the Volvo 240 or the Sab 900. These dashboards are character characterized by clean lines, uncluttered layouts, and intuitive controls that prioritize the driver's experience. Collectors appreciate these dashboards for their timeless design and the way they reflect a philosophy that values practicality and the understated elegance. Number five on the list would be a supercar. At the cutting edge, which we have here a bunch behind us, automotive technology and their modern dashboards are no exception. Cars like the McLaren 720S and the Lamborghini feature high-tech dashboards with digital displays, customizable interfaces, and advanced driver assistance systems. For collectors, these dashboards represent a pinnacle of current automotive innovation. They offer a glimpse into the future of driving where technology and performance converge to great to create an unparalleled driving experience. Lastly, Michael, is the custom hot rod dashboards. Hot rods have always been the about personalization and creativity, and the dashboards are no different. Custom hot rod dashboards often feature unique designs that reflect the owner's personality and type, much like a lot of billet grill and stuff like that. With elements like custom gauges, vibrant colors, and innovative materials, each dashboard is one-of-a-kind creation. Collectors and builders alike are drawn to individuality and craftsmanship that create these wonderful designs. I like those big chrome ones with the light. If you got big chrome, I cannot lie. Oh, there's a different song for that. Stunned you, didn't. I did.

SPEAKER_00 4:03

You know, I I'm thinking you got a future. I think so. A wrapping future.

SPEAKER_02 4:08

With uh John Gray, we're gonna get a wrapping wrapping at JC Penney's packages during the winter.

SPEAKER_03 4:13

That's a good point.

SPEAKER_00 4:14

Yeah, that's very good.

SPEAKER_02 4:15

Christmas time.

SPEAKER_00 4:21

Time now for uh driving destinations. Mr. Morris has Christmas road trips if you're looking for something to do.

Planning Winter Drives In Texas

River Walk Lights And Boats

SPEAKER_02 4:27

Okay, yeah, there was so much out there, like you were talking about that one while ago. Hold on one second. Gotta scroll down a little bit more. Right there. Okay. Um there's so much, and I started looking at some of these things, and I got to San Antonio, and there was just so much around San Antonio that I didn't even realize. So I kind of homed in on San Antonio because you got to do a little planning if you're gonna leave the area and go over there, and then uh we'll cover some more. But some of the things you want to do when you're going road tripping for Christmas, you want to make sure that even though the winters around Texas are kind of mild, just like today, but you still need to carry a jacket and uh carry some other layers, travel mugs, and thermos with some hot chocolate makes it always good. And be sure to carry your Christmas music playlist. So when you hit the San Antonio, of course, everything, first thing everybody thinks about is the riverwalk. Now they have they light it up on Friday after Thanksgiving, and it stays up until the middle of January, and they have like almost 200,000 lights dangling from the trees, the boats that are running through the river are all lit up, the restaurants and everything are lit up, so there's it's a really cool time to go to San Antonio to the riverwalk, particularly if you can get somebody on the boat, captain, that's talkative and he tells you some of the history that goes along with the river. There's uh it's it's really a truly a river. But the other thing you want to do once you get past the main tourist thing is you want to go out to SeaWorld. Now, at SeaWorld is where they have lots of stuff going on. They have uh a play, actually, and it's a live play. They can have puppeteers going on, they have people going on, they have uh animals going on from the animal park of it, and a lot of Christmas music, 30 carols and dancing and stuff going on. They also have as you're walking around, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Friends, you can find them and get some of the things.

SeaWorld Shows And Mega Lights

SPEAKER_00 6:11

Wait a minute, wait a minute. Dancers? So I they let you go from that uh that segment of the park. Then they said no, you you can't get in here. Well, there's just a they said no, no more. You you've you've scored. That's right.

Trolley Tours And Zoo Lights

SPEAKER_02 6:26

Then uh they also have what is being towered in the feet of the reindeer. The the largest light display in Texas, even more than the uh down on the riverwalk. And you can also get photos with Santa Texas style. Santa's wearing a cowboy hat instead of a regular hat like you would normally think of. So there's lots of things you can do out at SeaWorld, and if that's not enough while you're walking around, you might run into the merry mariachis who are dressed up in their Christmas garb playing mariachi Christmas music as you stroll around the place. Then, if you want something else to do, if you get tired of all that, go out and take the trolley tours. You know, they have the trolleys running around San Antonio. Well, they have set up a 45-minute tour, and they have the trolleys are all lit up. They've got lights on them, they're serving hot chocolate, and they've got things to go around town as you can do Christmas carols and be Christmassy in the trolley. From there, you can go out to the San Antonio Zoo. Now, this is again, you walk around through the zoo, they've got all the lights lit up, they've got all kinds of displays set up, some of the animals you'll be able to see, uh, music, all kinds of things going on out there.

SPEAKER_00 7:34

This segment of the show brought to you by the San Antonio Business and Convention Center.

Skating And Six Flags Holiday

SPEAKER_02 7:38

But wait, there's more. If you want to go skating, go down to the hemisphere park, and you can actually go down there and go skating during the holidays. Uh Hemisphere, yeah. They're in the hemisphere park there by the big needle. And finally, not finally, but one of the last big things is Six Flags Fix to Texas. Holiday in the park. Now they do have their live shows. Santa's, you can go see Santa at Santa's Cottage, which can be found in the Beach Bum Surf Shop that's been refurbished for Santa. Got some of their rides going and lots of music going on.

SPEAKER_00 8:12

All I can think of when I see that is the clown in the uh John Candy movie where uh the clown showed up for the kids' party drunk.

SPEAKER_02 8:21

Yeah. Yeah, at the front door, yeah.

SPEAKER_00 8:23

Yeah, but I I like the Santa Claus showing up at the front door drunk.

SPEAKER_02 8:27

If it in the cowboy hat.

The Alamo’s New Experience

SPEAKER_03 8:28

Yeah. If I could interject something, uh Kathy and I will be in San Antonio Tuesday to do just what he said. Really? Yep. I'm gonna spend a few days in San Antonio next week, and we're gonna go to the house.

SPEAKER_02 8:39

We're gonna try and get out there too a couple of days if we get a chance. She's got off next week, so we just improv do we're gonna go car and there's just so much to see and do that you can't do any of the topics.

SPEAKER_03 8:48

Here's the deal. I used to go to San Antonio for ten years. I would go to San Antonio every six weeks with my job. I've never been to the Riverwalk.

SPEAKER_02 8:55

Really?

SPEAKER_03 8:55

And I've never been to the Alamo.

SPEAKER_02 8:57

Mean.

SPEAKER_03 8:57

Never have. What the hell is wrong with that?

SPEAKER_02 8:59

Oh, and that's not the Alamo. The Alamo's got a big deal going on too.

SPEAKER_03 9:02

I had to skip it because you didn't want you, you jumped over. But yeah, uh, because I was busy, I was working and by the time the day ends, you don't want to do all that.

SPEAKER_00 9:11

So the whole Alamo experience has completely changed. Yeah, yes. And they've got a narration in there that is done by Phil Collins. Oh, yeah, because he's a big Alamo guy, he's a big supporter. It has donated all of his collection to the Alamo.

SPEAKER_03 9:26

Yes.

2025 Subaru Forester Review

SPEAKER_00 9:26

And it is truly something that everybody should see. It's in a room and it's got a big layout of the entire Alamo compound. Yeah, okay. That and all of it is still not open yet. It'll be a few more years before they finish all of that. But they highlight the parts that he's talking about so you can understand all about the Alamo and the whole story, but he does the whole narration. Nice. And to see his collection, they've got a special room for his collection of stuff. Truly amazing. I was blown away. Because the last time I had gone to the Alamo, it was kind of like it smelled like pea. Yeah. It doesn't anymore.

SPEAKER_03 10:03

Well, you and you and Jim Bowie uh were kind of sharing. Davy Crockett. Davy Crockett, yeah. Jim Bowie was there. Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 10:10

Jim Bowie left, didn't he? He he left to go make his knives. Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 10:14

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 10:14

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 10:15

Yeah. One of the things I didn't realize, and I I'll bet you that thing shows it a lot better, is there's markers as you leave the front of the Alamo and go down towards the river walk through the hotels. A lot of them hotels and stuff, the grounds that they're on now were inside the Alamo compound. Right. And when you're there, you just don't realize how big it really was.

Exterior Styling And Wheels

SPEAKER_00 10:31

Well, you know, they closed down the street in front of the Alamo. That's gone. It's now a big plaza with walkways. Nice. Yeah, that it's because it used to be you could drive past it. Yes, correct. Not anymore.

SPEAKER_02 10:42

Nice, but we hope to get out there again this holiday season. It's been several years. Beautiful. It sounds like it'd be a really great trip.

SPEAKER_00 10:49

Cool. Guarantee the Alamo experience is something to see. We're gonna we're gonna do it next week. All right.

unknown 10:55

Good for you.

Cabin Tech And Materials

Powertrain, MPG, And Ride

SPEAKER_00 11:00

All right, time now for this hour's car review. I had a chance to drive the 2025 Subaru Forester. Now don't turn your nose up, just listen to this. Um it comes in many variations. It's got the base, the premium, the sport, the limited, the wilderness, and the touring. I had the wilderness version. This is a small SUV, kind of looks like a station wagon, but it's they've changed it. They've jacked it up. It's a little bit taller than uh the regular base model. It has some special features. This is a uh five-seat, two-row uh little SUV, and um it's selling like hotcakes. And it's they're probably one of the hottest manufacturers on the market today. Exterior changes from last model year, none. Some minor tweaks, but it was completely redesigned for the 2025 model year. Exterior features, sporty off-road look on this particular model. Now we're talking about the wilderness. White with uh black trim highlights on it. Um, it gives it a much more off-road look. And I will tell you that the white paint job really looks good on this because it contrasts with the black trim. Copper colored wheels. Don't turn your nose up. Wait till you see this thing. White letter tires, uh better than the darker colors. I do I really like the white and the black with the copper wheels. I like the sound of that car too. Also, uh it has overall conservative styling, it's attractive, it's a straightforward design, and if anything was to use uh any improvement on it, I would say a little bit more on the wow factor. Put some bigger tires and wheels on it. You know, make it pop a little more. More eyeball. Yeah, make it pop a little bit more. Interior, it has a Tesla-like big screen. It's an option, but it comes with this particular uh trim level. Uh the built-in dash part of the screen really works for me. I don't like those that are standalone screens.

SPEAKER_02 13:09

Yeah, like pop-ups, like add-ons.

Pricing And Competitors

SPEAKER_00 13:11

Yeah, on the top of this. This one's built in and it really works nice. Uh copper uh headlight trim and copper head sorry, copper highlights throughout the cabin with uh stitching to match, different off-roadie seat upholstery. And I don't even know how to describe it. It uh it's pretty cool looking. A rugged, it's I wouldn't call it rugged. Rugged to me a rugged look. Not in the typical version of a rugged look upholstery. It's very different. And it works, it's comfortable, but uh it's very different. Matter of fact, one of the pictures that they show online, you can go online and look at it, uh, it shows that it's wet. Yeah. And uh, I guess to prove the fact that it is an outdoorsy upholstery, and it it's it's very cool. And you know that the Jeep people are going, hmm, that. Yeah. Um let's see. High quality fit and finish throughout the cabin. Uh cargo room, small, after the second row. Uh roof rack will be needed for extra gear. And um that seems to be kind of like a theme for this particular model, the wilderness, because it actually adds to the look. It adds to it to have a roof rack on it. Now I'm not a big roof rack fan at all, but it works for this one. Uh what I liked about it, the Easter eggs throughout the cabin. Oh boy, they're in the glass, they're on the floor mats, they're in the seats. I'm not going to tell you the all of the locations, but if you go to look at this, look for the Easter eggs.

SPEAKER_03 14:51

Does it tell you how many are in the vehicle?

SPEAKER_00 14:53

It uh to look for? I don't know.

SPEAKER_03 14:55

Jeep does what? Jeep does uh frogs?

SPEAKER_00 14:58

What did Jeep do? Well, Jeep's got the grill, uh little thing of the grill throughout the cabin. Yeah. The Jeep grill, yeah, you know, the seven-slot grill. But they're little bitty tiny ones. You have to look for these things. They're fun. Uh overall high marks for comfort and design on this Forester. 2.5 liter boxer style four-cylinder engine, 180 horsepower, 178 pound feet of torque. Um rating, 3,500 CVT transmission. Um manufacturer's rating as far as uh miles per gallon, 24 city, 28 highway for a combined of 26. I got 25.7 over 356.3 miles. What I liked about it, the mileage. What could use improvement? More power. Riding handling, comfortable ride quality. What could use improvement there? More ground clearance. I'd like to see it sit up a little bit further than it already does with bigger tires and wheels. That's just my opinion on it. But whatever. There's always that custom uh custom availability that you can do and change it yourself, you know. Base trim price,$39,835. Prices tested$42,035. Base model price,$29,995. Now, let's compare the actual trim level, the wilderness, to the Bronco Sport Badlands, for$42,260. The Nissan Rogue Rock Creek for$35,380. That's where they start. And the Honda CRV Trail Sport for$40,250. And that is my review. Next week, we're going to have the Kia EV6. So be looking for that when we're out at uh tailpipes and tacos. Oh, yeah. Okay.