| | | |

Episode 48 – The Flying Targa Circus

Welcome to the auto podcast that loves a rainy night.

Is that another early 80’s song reference? You bet it is. It’s been raining cats & dogs here in Central Illinois for the past few weeks, and for some reason, this gem of a song just stuck in our head. Don’t worry, we only sing a few bars of it in the intro.

And now, for something completely different:

Sponsors

Thanks to our Patreon supporters, and our loyal sponsors who help make this program possible. Please consider one of our sponsors the next time you’re shopping for services.

Fort’s Toyota of Pekin Arena309
CLOMorton Bessler Welding

Feedback

Do you consider this podcast an automotive news show, or an automotive entertainment show? After hearing from some listeners, we discover that this program may be more of the latter, which is fine.

Really, it is.

Just don’t tell Eric.

Thanks also to T. Hanlon for dropping us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts and giving a shout-out to the #RaceDailyKill segment. You won’t be disappointed with the lineup in this episode, T.

Projects

Eric: Does anyone have a Mk3 Supra sunroof laying around? There may have been an unfortunate accident where ours decided to take flight.  We’ll learn all the graphic details of The Flying Targa Circus.

Daryl: Our ‘55 Plymouth gets some fuel system fixes and a wet-sanding party before the first big show of the season. Meanwhile, Oscar, our ‘47 Chevy Fleetline got pulled out of long-term storage and major brake work begins. 

Race Daily Kill

This week’s episode features a very special Bring a Trailer edition of Race, Daily Kill. While this segment isn’t endorsed or sponsored in the least by BaT, we do appreciate this auction site offers the discerning motorist. We’ve decided to line up a few choice vintage sportscars and one very special modern Porsche. All of these choices are live auction items at the time of recording. Let’s light this candle.

The Contenders 

 

The Verdicts

Eric: Race the Porsche, Daily the Healy and Kill the 70’s Ferrari.

Daryl: Race the Healy, Daily the Porsche and Kill the Dino. (Sorry about your kid, Enzo.)

Do you have a suggestion for an upcoming installment of #RaceDailyKill? Lay it on us at info@throwinwrenches.com.

Headlines

International News

  • Kia is recalling more than 440,000 cars and SUVs in the U.S. for a second time to fix a problem that can cause engine fires. And the automaker is telling owners to park them outdoors and away from structures because fires could happen when the engines aren’t running. The recall covers certain Optima sedans from 2013 through 2015 and Sorento SUVs from 2014 and 2015. The same vehicles were recalled last year because brake fluid can leak into a control computer, causing an electrical short. That can increase the risk of fire even when the vehicles are parked. Source: AP
  • Hyundai is recalling more than 390,000 vehicles in the U.S. and Canada for two problems that can cause engine fires. In one recall, owners are being told to park their vehicles outdoors until repairs are made. The largest recall covers more than 203,000 Santa Fe Sport SUVs from 2013 through 2015. Some are being recalled a second time. Brake fluid can leak into the anti-lock brake computer, causing an electrical short that can lead to fires. Source: AP
  • Toyota Motor Corp. said most of its U.S. vehicles would still run on gasoline a decade from now because it doesn’t think fully electric vehicles will have caught up in cost and convenience. Toyota doubled down on its commitment to a technology it pioneered, hybrid vehicles, which are fueled with gasoline but also have an electric motor that raises fuel efficiency. The company projected that in 2030, slightly more than half of the vehicles it sells in North America would be hybrids, while around 30% would run on traditional gasoline engines and the remainder would be fully electric. Source: The Wall Street Journal

National News

Empty Lots, Angry Customers: Chip Crisis Throws Wrench into Car Business

Source: The Wall Street Journal

Americans are shopping for cars in near-record numbers, but the world’s computer-chip shortage has left dealers with the fewest offerings in decades. The market mismatch is driving up prices, and many buyers expecting to drive new cars off the lot have to wait weeks or months for their vehicles to arrive. Some showroom models sell for thousands of dollars over the sticker price.

Unfazed by Chip Scarcity, GM Expects to Hit 2021 Profit Goal

Source: Bloomberg

General Motors Co. isn’t fazed by a global chip shortage that has brought many auto plants to a standstill.

The carmaker left its full-year outlook unchanged on Wednesday and said that, if anything, it would hit “the higher end” of its 2021 earnings target. That came as it reported stronger-than-expected profit growth in the first quarter.

Buoyed by robust demand in the U.S. and China, the Detroit-based automaker posted adjusted profit of $2.25 a share, beating a consensus estimate of $1.08. GM attributed the healthy performance to booming sales of full-size and higher-margin sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks.

Stellantis Revenues up 14% to $44.4B in First Three Months of the Year

Source: NADA Automotive News

Stellantis NV on Wednesday said revenue increased 14% to $44.4 billion (27 billion euro) in the first quarter of 2021 as global shipments increased 12% despite a global semiconductor shortage.

The report is the first financial results for the transatlantic automaker since its tie-up between Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV and French competitor Groupe PSA in January. Unlike its Detroit rivals, Stellantis only will report earnings for the first and second halves of the year. Results for the first half of 2021 are scheduled to be reported in August.

Ford Posts Big April Sales Gain Amid Rebound From Pandemic

Source: The Detroit News

Amid a hot vehicle market and a rebound from the early days of the coronavirus pandemic, Ford Motor Co. posted a nearly 65% sales gain in April compared to a year ago.

The Dearborn automaker reported selling 197,813 vehicles last month, for a 64.8% gain over April 2020 when COVID-19 case numbers were growing and restrictions aimed at stopping the spread of the virus hit factories and showrooms. Retail sales were up 57.1%.

Local News

Gas Prices Increased 5 Cents Per Gallon in Last Week in Illinois, AAA Says. Here’s Why

Source: NBC Chicago/Illinois Policy

Gas prices have risen across the nation following the ransomware attack on the Colonial Pipeline May 7 that forced the fuel distributor to halt operations. The pipeline supplied roughly 45% of the East Coast’s fuel

While the shutdown mainly impacted the East Coast, experts suggest the closure, coupled with growing driver demand in the leadup to Memorial Day weekend, is driving price increases at the pump.

Illinois began its “Bridge Phase” to reopening its economy May 14 and Pritzker has predicted Illinois will “fully reopen” by June 11.

Illinois gas prices are the highest in the Midwest partly because the state tax on gasoline doubled in 2019 to 38 cents per gallon from 19 cents. It is automatically hiked every July 1 for inflation, with this year’s boost hitting $0.392 per gallon.

After the last automatic increase in 2020, Illinois’ average gas taxes ranked third highest in the nation. The hike set for July 1 will see the average driver paying the state $105.67 more per year than in 2018.

Moment of Musk

Source: MarketWatch

A day after sparking another selloff in the world’s biggest digital asset, Tesla’s chief executive officer Elon Musk took to Twitter to say his electric-car company hasn’t done any divesting.

“To clarify speculation, Tesla has not sold any bitcoin,” Musk tweeted in the early hours of Monday. He was responding to a tweet from another user who accused him of triggering losses in the cryptocurrency.”

Doge Coin  Doge Coin  Doge Coin

Say it enough times and Elon will pop on twitter and say something flippant about cryptos and make the Bi-nance groupies go crazy.

He has found the excitable group response he has been lacking for the last few years.    

Grinding the Gears

Daryl keeps hearing commercials for Take Five: The 5-Minute oil change. These franchises seem to be popping up all over the Midwest in recent years. Just like the $3 car wash phenomenon, are people really busting their hump to get a 5-minute oil change? We’d rather it take a little longer, to be honest. Their signature line is “You don’t even have to leave your car.” While the drive-through oil & lube place isn’t a new concept, the idea of staying inside your car while someone works on it just inchses below you (usually in a pit) can’t be fun. Who’s the lucky guy who gets to change the oil below a sizzling-hot Elantra with an owner inside it with an itchy trigger finger? Do they have to hold onto the customer’s keys for safety, or is that not ‘contact-free’? These are all of the things that just make us question modern times

Cars of the Weak

Eric:  1991 Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-Benz 300 E 4-M 4WD Sedan 4D

$1,200 OBO

Features

  • Becker factory radio
  • 4 rims for snow tires available

Needs

  • Tires
  • Spark plug wires
  • Fuel filter
  • Must be towed off property.

For a mere 1200 bones, Daddy needs a new hoopty for the autocross track and rally events!


Daryl  1969 Chevrolet Nova SS 396

Source: Barrett-Jackson 

A true SS with not a lot of fanfare. Just a clean, straight original 350 horse big-block 4 speed survivor. Redlines. Rallys. Everything that a small muscle car needs, and nothing it doesn’t.

Come to papa. 

As always, thanks for listening!

Feel free to drop us a line at info@throwinwrenches.com with show ideas, suggestions and bad jokes.

Find us on iTunes:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/throwin-wrenches-automotive-podcast/id1398126760

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply