It’s one of the biggest months of the year — SEMA, MCACN, and Thanksgiving! In this episode, Rick Schmidt joins Rob to tackle the real questions everyone’s asking: turkey, beef, or ham? Cranberries from the can? And of course, what makes MCACN (the Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals) such a world-class event. Rick gives us an inside look at his 13-mile 1964 Ford Galaxie XL, shares why authenticity matters more than perfection, and explains why this show has earned its nickname: “The Pebble Beach of Muscle Cars.”
From Thanksgiving table debates to restoration realities, Rick dives into the surprising truth about American vs. Taiwan-made panels, plus which cars—classic or modern—could be future MCACN stars. Whether you’re restoring, collecting, or just daydreaming, this one’s packed with laughs, insight, and muscle car wisdom. Tune in and find out: is Rick Team Turkey or Team Ham?

This week on The MuscleCar Place, Rob Kibbe welcomes Dan Kahn, president and CEO of Kahn Media, for an insider’s masterclass on how to get the absolute most out of SEMA 2025. Dan’s deep roots in the automotive world—spanning journalism, car building, agency leadership, and service within SEMA itself—give him a uniquely panoramic view of the industry. As the author of The New Rules of the Road, he’s built his career around helping brands and creators tell authentic stories that connect passion with professionalism.

In this episode, Dan shares proven strategies for creators, builders, and businesses alike: how to navigate SEMA effectively, build meaningful relationships, and create content that truly stands out. From the etiquette of approaching brands to leveraging media credentials for access, Dan breaks down what separates those who simply “walk the floor” from those who maximize the experience. Whether you’re an industry veteran or a first-time attendee, this conversation is a blueprint for turning SEMA into opportunity, influence, and long-term success.

If you’ve ever dreamed of giving your classic A-body the precision handling of a modern performance car—this week’s MuscleCar Place episode is for you. Rob sits down with Blane Burnett of RideTech to dive into the all-new MOMENTUM Series Chassis, a complete foundation engineered for 1964–1972 GM A-bodies like the Chevelle, Tempest, Cutlass, and Skylark. Built on RideTech’s legacy of innovation—now strengthened through its partnership with Fox Factory Holding Corp—the MOMENTUM Series delivers modern geometry, rigidity, and customization in a true plug-and-play solution. Even better, a full chassis comes in at an incredibly competitive $20,000–$30,000, putting high-end engineering within reach for serious builders.

Adding even more credibility to the project, long-time Optima Ultimate Street Car competitor Tom Farrington has partnered with RideTech, trusting the new chassis under his ’66 Chevelle. Farrington’s proven record as a multi-event winner in the OUSCI series speaks volumes about RideTech’s confidence and craftsmanship. Tune in to hear Blane break down the engineering, options, and vision behind the MOMENTUM Series—and see it in action at RideTech.com or YouTube.com/@RideTechTV.

Don Abenante of Retro Fabworks isn’t your average YouTube builder — his story blends Hollywood grit, family legacy, and pure horsepower. After early stints on Below Deck, Horsepower Wars, and Netflix’s Resurrected Rides, Don found his true calling behind the welder instead of the camera, documenting every cut and weld for his growing audience.

His current project is deeply personal: a 1970 Chevelle he first planned to build with his late father. That dream paused for years but never died — and now it’s roaring back to life. Don’s transforming the Chevelle into a Ford Coyote–powered showstopper for SEMA 2025, filming the process step by step for his followers. The twist? He plans to drive the car all the way to Vegas, proving that craftsmanship, creativity, and heart still belong on the open road.

Kick off October with a fresh Ask Rick as Rick Schmidt weighs in on the value of car-show trophies, parts sourcing, and where the market’s really headed. Are small-show awards worth chasing—or are they just eating into charity budgets? Rick also unpacks the hot question in restoration parts: will manufacturing return to the U.S., or will Taiwan’s increasingly high-quality tooling keep leading the charge for low-volume classics?

Then it’s “Rick’s Take – Car Deals: The Bob Lutz Edition.” Rick sizes up a supercharged ’99 Viper GTS ACR, a ’09 Solstice GXP, and a ’00 Prowler for long-term ROI in a world edging toward electrification—followed by an “Investment Hedge” round featuring a ’87 Trans Am, ’06 Ford GT, and ’87 Buick GNX. Which has already peaked, and which still has runway? Tune in to hear how Rick reads the market—and which cars he’d flip first.

While Rob stayed back to support Dallas’s racing season, the Kibbe and Friends crew stormed Holley Moparty 2025 to capture the best stories on the grounds. From drag racing icon Paul Rossi sharing his trailblazing Mopar legacy, to Dave Swearinger’s track-ready “ZomBEE” Super Bee build, to new tech insights from Holley’s Steve Sparkman and Sublime’s Blake Anderman — this episode is packed with passion, horsepower, and the future of Mopar performance.

David Kruk – 1970 Super Bee.
With the Holley MoParty kicking off in Bowling Green, Kentucky, we’re spotlighting longtime attendee David Kruk and his 1970 Dodge Super Bee. David and his wife Lizzie have become familiar faces at the event, showing off a car that’s logged over 80,000 miles and countless upgrades.

What started as a $400 parts-car rescue has turned into a full-blown autocross machine. The Super Bee has evolved from a tired 440 big block into a third-gen Hemi–powered, QA1-equipped racer that can hold its own against lighter cars on the track.

From the Columbus Goodguys to the Optima Ultimate Street Car Challenge, David has proven that a big yellow B-body can fly. Catch him this weekend at MoParty — whether it’s on the autocross course, drag strip, or just swapping stories with fellow Mopar fans.

Follow his adventures on Facebook.com/david.kruk.1, TikTok.com/@70beeracing, and YouTube.com/@david.ksuperbee. And if you’d like to park a mini version of his Super Bee on your shelf, Johnny Lightning now offers a scale replica of his car.

In this episode of The Muscle Car Place, Rick takes us inside the impossible yet fascinating world of OEM leadership—where shifting politics and billion-dollar bets make or break the future of the industry. Then, in true “Rick’s Take” fashion, he shifts gears to the fun side: which ’90s icons and classic rides make the best tailgate companions—and the smartest flips for ROI. From Corvettes and Cobras to Broncos and Foxbody Mustangs, Rick breaks down which cars will impress your buddies, hold value, and maybe even make you money after football season.

Join us for a special RoadKill Nights episode of The Muscle Car Place! We catch up with the legendary Finnegan and Freiburger, talk Dodge with Ashton Munoz, go behind the scenes with Mike Copeland on race tech and staging, hear from Chris Coberg of DSR Performance, and get insights from Ed Buczeskie at Carlisle Events. Plus, Dallas Kibbe celebrates his fourth Legends racing win!

TMCP #617: Mike Spagnola - The End of the EV Mandate, What Tarriffs (Might) Do To Prices, and Paving a Future for Next Generation Gear Heads!

TMCP #616: ASK RICK - Restoration Sheetmetal for 80's Cars, Fox Body Mustangs Values On the Rise, and the Mustang GTD as the Best MidLife Crisis Car Investment?

TMCP #615: The Real NASCAR Wing Car Story From Those Who Made It: Carlile Chrysler Nationals 2025

ASK RICK - Car Collections, Does The Size Or The Quality Make The Difference?

Rick Love and the Vintage Air Summer Special: The New Gen5 Systems Are Here! Plus - Dallas Kibbe Wins His First Race!

The HPX Show Special! Nick Fillipides: American Racing Headers, Ash Garrett: SRI Performance, Antron Brown: NHRA Top Fuel World Champion, Ed Bolian: VIN Wiki

ASK RICK - Is a New EV Dodge Charge Now a Collectible...Failure? Plus, Interesting Classics for the Collection - ROI Be Damned!

TMCP #610: The HPX Expo in Charlotte Is Here! Doctor Jamie Meyer And Dana Teague Reveal The Final Details - Top Tier Speakers, Racers, and More!

TMCP #609: Gus Kozarzewski, How The MECUM Auctions Consignment Team Works - Valuation, Marketing and Even Mechanics!

ASK RICK – Outguessing "Tariff Price Hikes" In The Automotive Industry - Failed Car Deals - Best Car Jobs For Kids!

Griffin McGrath of Legends Direct; Bringing the Professional Dealership Mentality to Legends Racing; Debut of the Dallas Kibbe Legends Direct Development Driver Program!