The MuscleCar Place

Robert Kibbe

The best darn podcast about American muscle cars, ever!

  1. 16h ago

    TMCP #650: Ask Rick – Father’s Day Car Shows, Summer Cruise Nights, and Patriotic Auction Temptations

    Father's Day is right around the corner, and on this month's Ask Rick, Rob Kibbe welcomes National Parts Depot CEO Rick Schmidt for a wide-ranging conversation covering everything from car show planning to collector car buying strategy. Drawing from more than twenty years of experience producing NPD's legendary Silver Springs Ford and GM shows, Rick shares what makes a great event, why most car shows overcomplicate things, and how creating an experience for the entire family is often more important than the cars themselves. The discussion also dives into the evolving world of reproduction bodies and restoration parts. Rick offers an insider's perspective on the quality improvements seen in replacement Camaro and Firebird bodies, the challenges of manufacturing and licensing, and why some projects help preserve the hobby while others raise serious questions. If you've ever wondered what goes into bringing reproduction sheet metal and complete bodies to market, this segment is packed with fascinating insight. Of course, no Ask Rick episode would be complete without auction picks. This month Rick evaluates six vehicles ranging from a 1968 El Camino SS 396, 1969 Mercury Cougar Convertible, and 1962 Chrysler 300, to a modern Shelby GT350R Heritage Edition, a stunning 1950 Oldsmobile 88 Convertible, and a 1969 Dodge Charger R/T. Along the way he reveals which cars he'd happily cruise all summer, which ones he'd avoid entirely, and why some of the hobby's most interesting opportunities aren't always the most obvious choices. The post TMCP #650: Ask Rick – Father’s Day Car Shows, Summer Cruise Nights, and Patriotic Auction Temptations first appeared on The Muscle Car Place.

    55 min
  2. May 29

    TMCP #649 (BONUS): Bri Lynn, Winter, and the Road to SEMA: Autism Awareness Through Jeeps, Family, and FlexTread

    This week on The Muscle Car Place, we're bringing you a special bonus episode recorded live from Jeep Jam in Panama City Beach, Florida. While a Jeep event may seem like an unusual stop for a muscle car podcast, the connection comes through FlexTread Floor Mats, a sister company to Legendary Auto Interiors. Legendary has long been known as one of the premier suppliers of restoration interiors for classic Mopar and GM muscle cars, while FlexTread has expanded that same commitment to quality into the Jeep and truck market. Kirk Hansen sat down with Bree Lynn of Houston, Texas, to share the powerful story behind her Jeep, "Grace," and her son Winter. After years of searching for answers regarding Winter's developmental delays and autism diagnosis, Bree found herself navigating a journey filled with challenges, uncertainty, and ultimately hope. One of the most emotional milestones came after years of speech therapy when Winter finally called her "Mama" for the first time, a moment that symbolized just how far he had come. Today, Bree uses Grace as a rolling platform for autism awareness, helping families connect through shared experiences while encouraging compassion and understanding for those living with autism. Her message, "Show Grace to Even Those That Are Different," has resonated with countless families at events across the country. Winter's own motto captures the spirit of their journey perfectly: "I have autism. Autism doesn't have me." The autism-awareness campaign will continue throughout the year as FlexTread and Legendary Auto Interiors work toward a major display at SEMA, while also offering special autism-awareness floor mats for Jeeps, trucks, and muscle cars. This is a heartfelt conversation about family, perseverance, community, and the unexpected ways our automotive hobbies can bring people together. We hope you'll listen, share it with someone who may need it, and help spread a message of hope, acceptance, and grace. The post TMCP #649 (BONUS): Bri Lynn, Winter, and the Road to SEMA: Autism Awareness Through Jeeps, Family, and FlexTread first appeared on The Muscle Car Place.

    32 min
  3. May 8

    TMCP #647: Mecum Auctions Insider David Morton - Live Auction Energy, Collector Car Trends & The Future of Car Culture

    In this episode of The MuscleCar Place Podcast, guest host Bernie McPartland sits down with Mecum Auctions Senior Communications Manager David Morton during Mecum Houston for a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at one of the fastest-growing forces in the collector car world. What starts as a conversation about auctions quickly evolves into a deeper discussion about why live automotive experiences still matter in today’s digital world. David shares how his background in sports marketing helped shape Mecum’s growth strategy, why the company continues doubling down on live events rather than online-only auctions, and how Mecum has effectively become a motorsport-style entertainment experience that draws massive crowds, television audiences, and passionate enthusiasts nationwide. The episode also dives into the rapidly changing collector car market, including the explosion of trucks, SUVs, restomods, and 1980s/90s-era vehicles as younger generations enter the hobby. Bernie and David discuss everything from Broncos and K5 Blazers to exotics, custom builds, Steve McQueen movie cars, and the emotional storytelling that continues driving collector enthusiasm. Plus, Rob Kibbe shares a Dallas Kibbe Racing Update covering Dallas’s aggressive summer racing schedule, preparation for the Charlotte Summer Shootout, and the challenge of balancing racing life with getting a Porsche 944 ready for prom season. The post TMCP #647: Mecum Auctions Insider David Morton – Live Auction Energy, Collector Car Trends & The Future of Car Culture first appeared on The Muscle Car Place.

    55 min
  4. May 1

    TMCP #646: Ask Rick – Memorial Day Muscle, Summer Flip Strategy, and Parade-Ready Classics

    In this episode of The MuscleCar Place, Rob Kibbe and Rick Schmidt kick off May with a thoughtful look at Memorial Day—balancing its deeper meaning with the traditions that bring car enthusiasts together, from local parades to community gatherings. The conversation then shifts into the latest Dallas Kibbe Racing update, where steady progress on the track is matched by a big off-track milestone: a new presenting sponsor stepping in behind the program. From there, Rick delivers his signature straight talk on topics ranging from whether giving a car as a gift is a great idea or a logistical gamble, to the future of continuation builds like Revology and whether the Camaro comeback rumors hold any real weight. The episode wraps with two fun but strategic car-buying segments. First, the guys pick parade-ready classics under $50K that can be enjoyed all summer without losing money. Then, with the budget removed, the focus turns to real profit—analyzing a ’92 Corvette ZR-1 as an undervalued opportunity, a 2000 Saleen Mustang as a niche play, and a ’71 Chevelle as the safest bet for consistent return. As always, Rick cuts through the noise with practical insight, making this episode equal parts car culture, market reality, and smart enthusiast thinking. The post TMCP #646: Ask Rick – Memorial Day Muscle, Summer Flip Strategy, and Parade-Ready Classics first appeared on The Muscle Car Place.

    47 min
  5. Apr 10

    TMCP #644: Dr. Jamie Meyer on HPX’s Big Return – AI, Street Car Takeover, and the Future of Performance!

    Dr. Jamie Meyer returns to preview year two of the High Performance Expo (HPX), coming June 2–4 to the Charlotte Convention Center—and this isn’t just another trade show. Built to unite the racing, aftermarket, OEM, dealer, off-road, and overlanding worlds, HPX is quickly becoming the East Coast hub the industry has been missing. After a surprisingly strong debut, year two expands with bigger leadership sessions from Hendrick Motorsports, a major focus on real-world AI applications (including insight from Amazon’s AI leadership), and new features like the invitation-only Shop Car Challenge and Car Show Collective. If you’re in the business—or want to be—this is where connections, ideas, and opportunities collide. But HPX is more than just a show floor. It’s part of a full “Automotive Performance Week” in Charlotte, with Street Car Takeover joining the action and bringing live racing, culture, and energy to the experience. Whether you’re a shop owner, builder, racer, or serious enthusiast, HPX offers rare access to the people, parts, and conversations shaping the future of the industry. Be sure to also check out Dr. Meyer’s podcast, Automotive Advantage, for deeper insight into the business and innovation driving it all. Learn more and register at TheHPX.com—and don’t miss your chance to be part of it. The post TMCP #644: Dr. Jamie Meyer on HPX’s Big Return – AI, Street Car Takeover, and the Future of Performance! first appeared on The Muscle Car Place.

    46 min
4.5
out of 5
693 Ratings

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The best darn podcast about American muscle cars, ever!

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