Detroit’s Lost Auto Giants, Hidden Houston, and the K4 GT Hatchback!

Detroit’s skyline hides a different kind of museum: abandoned car factories where America’s automotive identity was forged, expanded, and then left behind. We take you through the stories that still cling to these buildings, from the legendary Packard Automotive Plant and its wartime manufacturing legacy to the massive Fisher Body Plant 21 and the hope of redevelopment through new loft plans. Along the way, we connect the dots between industrial design, urban exploration, and the uncomfortable question of what happens when a city’s most important workplaces become unsafe ruins.

Then we flip the mood and head to day tripping in Houston with a simple goal: stop scrolling and go play. We share a lineup of hidden gems including Cidercade Houston for unlimited arcade games, Ready Go Amusement Arcade for a Japanese arcade vibe, and Claw Mania Kingdom for claw-machine wins that feel surprisingly strategic. If you want a night out that’s genuinely different, we also talk battle axe throwing, league play, and turning it into an easy date-night plan with food and gift cards.

We close with a hands-on 2026 Kia K4 GT-Line Turbo review, digging into what makes this hatchback stand out in a crowded compact car field: sharp styling, a big 12.3-inch display, usable space, and strong real-world fuel economy. We also get real about power, ride feel, and pricing, including why “no new cars under $30,000” isn’t the full story. Subscribe, share this with a car friend, and leave a review, then tell us what you’d pick first: exploring a Detroit factory or chasing high scores in Houston?

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Transcript

Welcome And Car Culture Setup

Don Armstrong 0:04

Thanks for being with us today. Time now here on the In Wheel Time Card Talk Show for Jeff's car culture. Not the motor minute, but the car culture. Abandoned car factories that still hold secrets.

Packard Plant Rise And Ruin

Fisher Body Plant Turned Lofts

Jeff Dziekan 0:15

Yeah, the city of Detroit was once the beating heart of the global industry in automotive industry, basically. The American automobile industry rapidly expanded in the early 1900s with Detroit as its epicenter. Millions of cars rolled out of the factories. The city rightfully earned the name Motor City. So here we go. The first one that's still in Detroit is the Packard Automotive Plant. Since the opening in 1903, the plant served as a manufacturing hub for the Packard Motor Company, producing some of America's most prestigious automobiles. During World War II, the facility joined forces with Rolls-Royce to manufacture 55,000 Rolls-Royce Merlin engines, which was on the Spitfire. The Packard Motor Company collapsed in the late 50s, which led to the closure of the automotive plant portion in 1956, leaving the location abandoned ever since. Deemed structurally unsafe for decades of neglect, the massive complex was partially demolished in 22 and in 24. Today only fragments of the 3.5 million square foot factory remain. There's been movies actually made in that part of the dilapidated structure as well. So some of it is still viable. They've got the uh folks that go in there and and skateboard and you know tag all the paint and stuff like that. So it's still around. The next one, uh, this is uh kind of near and dear to my heart, the Fisher Body Plant 21. This is the old Fleetwood plant. Uh I actually worked on the fourth floor there. Uh if you look really close, you can see my parking spot right up front. Uh built in 1919, the 600,000 square foot Fisher Body Plant was designed to serve as key manufacturing site for General Motors. The plant closed in 1984 despite a short second life with small businesses occupying the premises until 1993. The massive concrete structure was left abandoned for decades. According to the Urban Explorers, there we go, the the rail system that transported vehicles within the factory is still left in place. After decades of neglect, the building is now fenced off and finally being uh revived through the Fisher 21 Lofts redevelopment program. So they're trying to do something with it back in that area. Fisher Lofts. Fisher Lofts.

Don Armstrong 2:24

Maybe that's what they need to do with the sugar factory in Sugarland.

Jeff Dziekan 2:26

I thought that's turn it into a larger. I thought that's what they were kind of trying to do.

Highland Park And The Assembly Line

Don Armstrong 2:30

That's another story. Okay.

American Motors Plant And Chrysler Shift

Jeff Dziekan 2:32

Anyways, the next one is the Highland Park Ford plant. This one's got a lot of history to it as well. It's one of Detroit's most significant factories in automotive history. It opened in 1910, designed by the designed by the same uh architect that designed the Packard building. Uh the plant became the birthplace of the modern moving assembly line from Henry Ford, introduced in 1913. As the production of the Model T moved to a different factory, the Highland Park Ford plant transitioned into automotive trim manufacturing, truck and tractor production, as well as the production of tanks, aircraft, and certain parts in World War II. According to the Ford Company, sold uh sold this historic Highland Park complex in 1981, but it continues to leave space for storage even today. So you probably got a little storage company working, and and that's pretty good to keep it going. Last one we got, Michael, is the American Motors Detroit plant. You know, we've covered all the manufacturers there. This one was built in 1927.

Don Armstrong 3:27

Wait a minute, I thought that they were up in Wisconsin.

Jeff Dziekan 3:30

This one was the original, built in 1927. It's a two million square foot industrial complex that serves as headquarters for American Motors, or AMC. Uh the company first oversaw the development and production of appliances and focused exclusively on production of vehicles starting in 1960. Rambler, the Hornet, the Javelin, Gremlin, Pacer were some of the manufacturer's most popular models built in this factory. In the late 80s, Chrysler acquired, yeah, Chrysler required the AMC to move uh as a move to led the complex being uh repurposed for Jeep and Truck Engineering Center. So there you go.

Don Armstrong 4:05

Well, that was interesting. Yeah. Uh that's funny. Uh yeah, because I always thought that American Motors was Kenosha.

Jeff Dziekan 4:11

Yeah. Well, you know, that that's probably after that, because this was built early on. So but again, this I was there for that. You're they they were making appliances first in this one in this particular plant. So appliances?

Don Armstrong 4:31

All right, time now for Mars driving destinations, day tripping in Houston.

Mike Marrs 4:35

Alrighty, sir. You got this one, Jeff? Yep. Alrighty. So we're talking about dray tripping in Houston. A lot of places you can go and do, but today we're talking about doing things. Not just sitting around, but actually doing things. We're talking about playing. We're gonna go playing. So we're gonna start with the place that kind of sets the tone for what we're talking about. Cider cage in Houston. This is a place where you pay one time and then you have unlimited access. There's old school games like info machines, you got newer stuff like rhythm games, and you got everything in between with the videos. It's a lot loud, it's fine before you know it. You're gonna be investing a lot of time trying to beat somebody else's high school. Because you can play as long as you want for the same price. Now they also have artisan pizza, you got craft sodas, and they have adult ciders.

Jeff Dziekan 5:25

Now once you're craft ciders and adult ciders, Jeff. I'm a pepperoni guy.

Japanese Style Arcades And Claw Wins

Mike Marrs 5:30

Craft sodas. So, but after 9 o'clock p.m., it's 18 and older only. So the kids, you gotta take them during the day. If you want them there at night, not so much. So if you want something that's gonna be a little bit different, now you gotta head over to Ready Go Amusement Arcade. Now, this place is kind of like you stepped into another country, but it's in a good way. It's got a Japanese arcade vibe. There's over 50 machines that include the rhythm games, the skill based stuff, claw machines that actually take some finesse because they've got some prizes in there besides just little stuffed dolls. They've got to be a good thing. You play a game too long to make it worth time.

SPEAKER_02 6:12

So it's probably no, no more. We you you leave now. You leave now, you eat too much. 30 minutes after you play the game, you're gonna play the game.

Axe Throwing Leagues And Date Night

Mike Marrs 6:21

Well, it and if you get tired of this place, then you can go around the corner over there where you've got Claw Mania Kingdom as the next place. Oh, yeah. Now, it sounds simple, and it's basically all claw machines, but there's a ton of stuff in these claw machines that you can actually win and that's actually got some value to it. And then uh then you can also start trading up as you get something or you win something, you can actually trade up while you're there to get even bigger and better things. So that's another one that's close there. But here's the one I was saving for you, Don. If you're really ready to get something serious, go to battle axe throwing.

SPEAKER_02 7:03

So you throw your old wife down there with a battle axe?

Mike Marrs 7:08

Or maybe throw at her. I'm not sure, but anyway, that's against the law. And it's easy to do. I mean, stop asking me questions like that.

SPEAKER_02 7:16

Don't ask me that question.

Jeff Dziekan 7:18

I'm gonna ax another one.

Mike Marrs 7:19

So and they have actually have league play, they have tournaments. You can sign up for birthday parties if you want to go throw some axes.

SPEAKER_02 7:27

What happened to bowling? Like, here we go, bowling.

Mike Marrs 7:30

It's too simple. Anybody can do that. And and the thing about this battle axe, if the axe is a little too much, you get tired of throwing the axe, you can start throwing knives. Or you can shoot archery, you can shoot some arrows at it.

Don Armstrong 7:44

I'd like to shoot well, never mind. Shoot the breeze, shoot the bird, shoot the bird.

Mike Marrs 7:49

They got lots of food, so you can make it a date night if you want to, just to do something a little different. And you can get gift cards for that special person you want to do. For your birthday, darling.

Old School Golf Games And Wrap

Jeff Dziekan 7:59

Let's go through some axes, let's go through some knives, canives, canives. Let's go through some knives.

Mike Marrs 8:04

And then the last one I wanted to show you was the U.S. golf and games. Now, this is kind of old school Houston, but it's got air conditioning. Everything's air conditioned, it's got indoor mini golf, it's got batting cages, it's got a go-kart track that kind of goes outside, so it does get outside a little bit. And um, but it's also indoor. You got pool tables, you got electronic games. I mean, you got a lot of stuff in this.

Don Armstrong 8:30

I've never heard of these places on the downtown.

Mike Marrs 8:37

But that's the address for it. Uh a lot of them over there close to you, Don, on Bel Air. Bel Air Boulevard.

Don Armstrong 8:43

Well, I'm not in Bel Air anymore, so well, no, it's not anymore.

Mike Marrs 8:47

But anyway, that's these are some hidden gems that you can find in Houston to go play. To literally go and play.

Don Armstrong 8:53

All right. Well, we're gonna play right on into a commercial here. The in-wheel time car talk show continues right after this. Stay with us.

SPEAKER_03 9:06

All right.

Cabin Tech Space And Practicality

Power Mileage And Driving Feel

Don Armstrong 9:06

Uh, time now for this hour's car review. I had an opportunity to drive the 2026 Kia K4. It comes in these trim levels. You ready? The LX, the LXS, the EX, the GT Line, and the GT Line Turbo. I drove the GT Line Turbo and it was that color. This is a large car. It's a four-door saloon style hatchback. Uh, a traditional sedan is also available underneath the K4 banner. This looks like a regular SUV, but if you stand next to it, you're going, wait a minute, is this a car? Is this an SUV? What is it? They call it a large car, four-door seats, five people, including the driver. All new in 2025. Where have I been? I guess I just missed it. It is built in Mexico, and this car replaces the Kia Forte, if you remember that thing. Long body uh with a fastback to it, looks like a cross between a sedan and a station wagon. Unique styling gives this car a very cool look, in my opinion. Sleek, aerodynamic front fascia, concentric wheel well openings. Uh, what I liked about it, the saloon or wagon style of the design. It really stands out. Yes, there are others out there, but not like this one. Somehow, some way they've made it all work, and it is really cool. What could use improvement? Nothing. This is a winner in the Don Armstrong category. Interior highlights. Big 12.3 inch screen includes the instrument and infotainment systems, uh, adjustable cup holders, and roomy cell phone cubby. A cool upholstery with comfortable seating and plenty of rear leg room. Uh HVAC controls can be a little hard to see behind the steering wheel. You've got to kind of peek around it. Uh cargo, adequate uh when compared to other small SUVs, but it is a hatchback. What I liked? The abundant headroom in the rear seat because it's the saloon style. So the roof line continues on past the rear seat and doesn't slope down behind it. What could use improvement? Nothing. It gets high marks from Don Armstrong for its great overall design. As far as power is concerned, it has a 2.0 liter turbo four-cylinder. Now, it puts out 147 horsepower and 132 pound feet of torque. There is a 1.6 liter turbo that puts out 190 horsepower and 195 pound feet of torque. I did not have that one, although I think I should have. I don't know whether they got the engines mixed up or the labeling or my confusion. Somewhere in there, it has a CVT transmission too. 26 miles per gallon in the city is what it's rated, 33 on the highway for a combined of 28. I got 30.7 miles per gallon over 453 miles. Uh would have preferred more horsepower, that 190 horsepower unit would have been nice. Uh, but I certainly did like the gas mileage, there's no doubt about that, and I didn't have to plug it in either. What I liked about the ride and handling, it has car-like ride quality. What could use improvement? The GT line, I think, could be a little bit more tossable. In other words, stiffen up that suspension a little, yeah. It's a little bit sporty because it's already got a GT, which stands for Gran Turismo. Yeah, if you remember correctly. Now, I don't know whether Magato.

Jeff Dziekan 13:03

That would be the GTO.

Don Armstrong 13:05

Yeah.

unknown 13:06

Yes.

Don Armstrong 13:07

Uh so here's the pricing. Base trim price,$28,790. Price is tested$32.870. But you can get into one of these for$22,290. Really? Competitors? Honda Civic$24,695. The Mazda 3$24,550. How about the Subaru Impreza Hatch for$26,595? See, I keep hearing all these things. We can't find a vehicle under$30,000. Yes, you can.

Jeff Dziekan 13:42

You can.

Don Armstrong 13:43

You haven't looked hard enough. And this is one that I would suggest that you definitely put on the go check it out list.

Mike Marrs 13:51

Yeah. It's a good looking car, and it sounds like it's got some great functionality.

Don Armstrong 13:56

Yeah, it does. Subaru Outback is my car review next week. And so uh we do a new car review every week. And that is my car review this week. That is all.