"The Relay" Online Newsletter
May 2025 Issue

This is the monthly online newsletter for the car club council. All car hobbyist events are listed on this site under "Calendar." Just click on the link above to view the list of car shows and other activities.

President's Message

The 6th Annual Breakthrough Car Show is May 10 and is sponsored by the council. There are awards for all vehicles of any year including imports, trucks, commercial vehicles and military vehicles – we’ve got an award category for all of them. This year we have 3 food trucks including ice cream from Richlands Creamery. New this year will be cannon firings and musket demos. Please bring your special vehicle to the show and continue to pray the rain will come on another day. Thanks!

Also new this year is a couple of interesting cruise-ins. The Griffin Lounge in Petersburg (restaurant with exotic coffees, pastries from a European chief, sandwiches and even an enclosed cigar lounge) is hosting – with the cooperation of the City of Petersburg – a July 4th cruise from 10 to 2 on the fourth. I and other members of the council have been working with the owner on the event. The city will close down part of Washington Street so we can park cars and trucks at a 45 degree angle facing west. The Griffin Lounge parking lot will be for motorcycles. You can arrive at the cruise, park, go to the registration tent and get a FREE dash plaque – the entire event is FREE. There will be a DJ, live band, vendors and more. Just before 2 the mayor will speak and then the police will lead a tour/parade through the downtown area. We will arrive at a stop point and you can leave from there. The Lounge is located in the renovated historic Trailways Bus Station. I’ve thought for years that Petersburg is ready for this type of event. You may have been to Henderson where they have had a show downtown for years. A lot of smaller cities and towns have similar events. It’s time to try it and see what happens. Being an outdoor event we have to hope for good weather. It doesn’t usually rain much in July. We will also have a smaller cruise on Father’s Day June 15 from 1 to 3 and park in the Griffin Lounge parking lot. All food and beverages will be discounted 25%. The coffees and pastries are excellent! Let’s make the July 4th event a success – I’m hoping for at least a 100 cars and trucks – a success means the city will want to do this again.

I just read that the Trump administration has dismissed the hundreds of people who work on the National Climate Assessment. You can read the last assessment at this link nca2023.globalchange.gov. The report is the same old climate change stuff. The temperature keeps climbing and we must do something about it NOW or we’re all going to die. Yes, I am getting tired of the same old lies. The biggest problem facing the car hobby is the attempt to get rid of the end production of what works (gas/diesel) and put into place something that simply doesn’t work as well (electric vehicles) and that there is virtually no infrastructure for them. It is hard for me to believe there are so many people who are so mistaken about things that seem like common sense to most of us. Enjoy the spring car season and I hope to see you at the many events.

Hop in your ride and head to the 6th Annual Breakthrough Car Show on May 10

6th Annual Breakthrough Car Show - 30th Anniversary of the Council at Pamplin Park

6th Annual Breakthrough Show dash plaque

The 6th Annual Breakthrough Car Show - 30th Anniversary of the Council will be at Pamplin Park, 6955 Duncan Road, Petersburg VA 23803. Judging classes for all makes, models and years - classes for every vehicle! Goody bags and dash plaques for the first 150 registered - participant voting. There will be Vendors and Food Trucks. DJ will spin Oldies. Free spectator admission, free parking plus discounted park entry - and plenty of parking for trailers. Door prizes, music, silent auction - all proceeds go to Historic Pamplin Park. ***NEW*** We will fire the cannon during the day and there will be musket demonstrations! Complete info, registration form, and everything is at this site: carclubcouncil.com/carshow

Next Meeting

The next meeting will be Monday, April 28th at 6:30 PM at Dolce Vita, 2401 Colony Crossing Place, Midlothian, VA, 23112, (804) 639-7411. They have a meeting room that we will use. Website with menu: dolcevitamidlothian.com.

First Annual Petersburg SDA Church Sunday Cruise-In - April 6
See all the photos at Album - opens to a new window

Car Hobbyist News

National Report

It's tough to write a national report since things are changing by the hour with judges making rulings and President Trump issuing new executive orders. The report can be summed up with one word "tariff". And tariffs are the talk of the news media. People forget (or were never taught) history. For most of the time this country has existed the government has run on excise taxes and tariffs. And some believe the Great Depression was caused by a tariff while the experts say the depression was caused by the actions of the New Deal by the FDR administration. The government caused a great big problem - happens a lot.

One thing that excites me is when President Trump brings up the fact that tariffs were hauling in the money for the government before the passing of the income tax in 1913. My opinion - one of the biggest mistakes this country has made was the income tax. This made just about everything in the country twice taxed - your income is taxed and just about everything you purchase is also taxed. In some cases you could be taxed several times. And no one talks about excise taxes. Recall from history the Whiskey Rebellion. The newly formed US government had borrowed money during the war for independence and the bills were due. Import tariffs were about as high as they could go so the new government came up with excise taxes including one on distilled spirits. Farmers and many citizens considered this unfair. The government put down the rebellion with troops. This was one of the first tests of the power of the new government.

Excise taxes have expanded over the years but they are still here and still taxing distilled spirits. If you make a purchase at an ABC store you never see the excise tax of 10 or 11% because it has already been added into the price. Then there is a state tax on top of that and along with the income tax - well that bottle is getting taxed 3 times. Most of the excise tax comes from highway taxes which we know as the federal gas and diesel tax which like alcoholic beverages is already figured into the price of gas and diesel - and then the state taxes them - another item getting taxed 3 times. Plane tickets, tobacco products, tires, guns, ammo and more are subject to an excise tax that is already figured into the price of those things. Excise taxes rake in billions every year.

People that lived during the beginning of this country were not used to any of these taxes. Nor was real estate taxed. But times have changed and we now have plenty of taxation on just about everything. Taking away income from citizens is a form of control. Having less money means having less power. The super rich have the money to influence what people think.

All this talk on tariffs and Trump's drop in approval ratings has caused him to reconsider tariffs. He is considering tariff exemptions for automakers following weeks of intense lobbying by industry leaders warning of disruptions to supply chains and rising consumer costs. The Epoch Times reports The confirmation comes as automakers and suppliers voice growing concerns over the Trump administration’s 25 percent tariff on imported passenger vehicles and light trucks—effective April 3—and a similar 25 percent tariff on auto parts set to take effect by May 3.

The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, which represents nearly all major automakers, has been a leading voice in the pushback. In an earlier public statement, Alliance President and CEO John Bozzella warned that the new tariffs would ripple across the U.S. economy.

“Automaking is America’s largest manufacturing sector,” Bozzella said. “Automakers, battery makers, and parts suppliers have invested billions in American manufacturing and directly support communities and American workers in Michigan, Tennessee, South Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, Kentucky, Ohio, West Virginia, Texas, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Georgia, New York, and more.”

He said that higher tariffs would raise costs for consumers, reduce U.S. auto exports, and lower vehicle sales—“all before any new manufacturing or jobs are created in this country.”

Trump has said the tariffs are a necessary tool to incentivize domestic production and address what he said were decades of unfair foreign trade practices. The administration has said that the policy is aimed at reversing the offshoring of automotive manufacturing and reviving industrial capacity at home.

In 2005 a book by NYT writer Thomas Friedman came out titled The World Is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-first Century. I read the book when it came out. One of the most important items in the book was that products should be made where ever in the world it is the cheapest. Because we have great transportation and great communications that making products where they are the lowest is the smart thing to do. And then we send manufacturing from America to all kinds of third world countries. And it never should have been done.

America won World War 2 by out manufacturing our enemies. We have sent the manufacturing of everything from weapons to pharma drugs to foreign countries. And the result was a lot of people in America lost jobs, whole cities went into ruins when the plants left and the elites got richer.

Recall what happened to the America auto industry when we let foreign countries sell their vehicles here. Recall how many times the government has had to bail out the American automakers.

Making big changes is very difficult especially in today's world where there is always going to be groups that are going to be against almost anything and they will be protesting loudly. And we just can't trust the news media, social media, or stuff we read online.

You wouldn't think there would be people against toilets that flush properly, shower heads that don't restrict water, washing machines and dryers that actually work - but there are - and they seem to be able to find courts that go along with them. Since Covid nothing appears to make sense.

I think the new administration is trying to push the country in the right direction. With all the changes it is going to be a rough ride.

State Report

It is the year of the woman in Virginia politics this year. Not only are two women running for governor which means Virginia will have a woman governor for the first time in history but women are running for the General Assembly. All 100 seats of the House are up for re-election and of the 86 non-incumbents running statewide, 41 of those are women. Most of the women running are Democrats as the party is looking to women for votes. The Democratic National Committee is also stepping up donations to help push the Democrats back into power in Richmond.

It looks like Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle Sears and former congresswoman Abigail Spanberger are going to be at the top of the ticket with both running for governor. Northam was governor that last time the Democrats had total control in Richmond. They saddled the state with RGGI - which Governor Youngkin is still trying to end (If implemented fully RGGI would push EVs by increasing the price of gas and diesel), left us with California rules which would end the sale of new gas/diesel vehicles by 2035 and increased electricity bills with the green agenda.

Sears stands with Youngkin and Trump on energy, EVs and the environment. If she becomes governor expect her to continue what Youngkin has done and if the General Assembly goes Republican you can expect a full repeal of RGGI and other green energy projects.

After getting elected to Congress Spanberger joined the Blue Dog Democrats which are the conservative Democrats. Today it is easy to make an argument that there are no conservative Democrats. But since she joined conservative Democrats her views have apparently changed. Here is what is on her campaign site on the environment: Abigail understands that climate change is a threat to Virginia’s economy, environment, and security.

In Congress, Abigail built a record of working with both parties to lower greenhouse gas emissions in a responsible way. She focused on increasing energy efficiency, protecting Virginia’s coastline from offshore drilling, and safeguarding Virginia’s natural resources for future generations. As Governor, Abigail will also prioritize protecting Virginia’s public lands — while maintaining hunting and fishing opportunities for Virginia families.

Abigail knows that Virginia has the opportunity to be a national leader in clean energy, including by bringing high-paying clean energy jobs to the Commonwealth through investments in offshore wind, rooftop solar, and other renewable energy sources.

In Congress, Abigail supported commonsense incentives for increased deployment of clean energy sources such as wind and solar, as well as electric vehicles and grid-scale energy storage. As the next Governor of Virginia, Abigail is committed to making sure Virginia can meet its energy needs while growing its economy and keeping costs low for Virginians.

If she becomes governor she claims to protect Virginia's coastline from drilling for oil and gas while at the same time allowing offshore wind projects which would kill a lot of birds and whales. Gotta love that hunting and fishing opportunities from a person who wants - and has voted for - gun control measures.

I'm going to end with this - if the Democrats sweep the Virginia election and win everything then in about 18 months this state will look like East California. How do I know this? Look at what has come out of the GA that last two sessions, look at the California rules for vehicles that was passed into law under the Northam administration along with tax breaks for buying EVs. The Democrats lost the nationwide election on such things but have high hopes for Virginia. They are going to try and make the election about reproductive rights to get women involved and hopefully out to vote for them.

The polls right now are pretty much a toss-up but I believe it's too soon for polling. A lot of things can happen between now and November.

After all the politics here is some good news: certain Virginia bridges and tunnels could be repaired or replaced ahead of schedule. The Virginia Mercury reports: Lawmakers and Gov. Glenn Youngkin passed an administrative proposal allowing the state to expedite projects considered under Virginia’s Special Structures Program by issuing revenue bonds up to $200 million a year, and up to $1 billion total. Issuance will begin in 2028.

The Commonwealth Special Structures Program stems from a 2020 measure that allocates $80 million annually to cover “special structures,” identified by the Commissioner of Highways and approved by the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) as very “large, indispensable, and unique bridges and tunnels.”

Virginia Secretary of Transportation Shep Miller said at an April 15 CTB meeting that bonding the program funds can help projects move much faster.

“This is a great financial decision for the commonwealth,” Miller said. “Not only do we get to use cheaper money as opposed to more expensive money, but we also get the benefits of all these programs many, many years earlier.”

Ahead of the last General Assembly session, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) asked lawmakers to consider the bill, framing it as a way to help avoid future inflationary costs on the state’s structure improvements and replacements.

According to the agency, VDOT has experienced 24% in cost escalation over the last three fiscal years in its construction program.

Laura Farmer, chief financial officer for VDOT, said in a recent April 15 presentation to the Commonwealth Transportation Board that “though the current funding revenue stream for special structures is reliable, it is not sufficient to set aside money over many years to take care of replacement projects.”

Senate Minority Leader Ryan McDougle, R-Hanover, carried the successful legislation, which Youngkin signed March 21. It will take effect July 1.

It certainly is about time to get serious about fixing bridges and roads in this state. Everyone - yes, every single person in this state uses roads and bridges in some way and the state should make fixing them a priority.

I'm a luxury car dealer who thought the Cybertruck would be the hottest drop of our lifetime.
Now I'm struggling to sell it.

From; Business Insider on MSN
George Saliba thought the Cybertruck would be the hottest "drop" of his lifetime when it came out.

The luxury car dealer said the Cybertruck was initially viewed as a status symbol and attracted wealthy buyers.

Political issues and market saturation have decreased its desirability, Saliba told BI.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with George Saliba, a 34-year-old car dealer in New Jersey. His identity has been verified by Business Insider. This story has been edited for length and clarity.

I'm a general manager and owner at J&S AutoHaus, a luxury car and SUV dealership. When the Cybertruck first came out, I thought it was going to be the hottest drop of a vehicle in our lifetime.

If you were that lucky winner to get a Cyberbeast, it was just instant — you knew you hit the lottery.

That hot market lasted about three months. Fast-forward to now and I'm struggling to sell the Cybertruck. Here's why.

It's not the status symbol it once was
When the Cybertruck first came out, the people I saw buying them tended to be athletes, famous people, and, in general, people interested in status. It was better than having a Lamborghini, especially because of all the hype that was built around it.

The brand of the Cybertruck had that "you can't buy this car" appeal to it. You never saw them on the road. I was one of the first in New Jersey to drive one, and I couldn't go anywhere without getting talked to.

People who were less interested in status had the mindset that they would wait for the vehicle's value to stabilize and be closer to the MSRP. Then the MSRP cards started coming out and people start keeping them. The market just kept going down, $10 or $20 grand.

There are no real issues with the vehicle. It's a great vehicle, and it's still fun to drive and it gets attention. It's just the whole shape of the car, people kind of say it's just not the most practical. It's stainless steel and it's really angular. So it's like the easiest truck to hate, politics aside.

It was a status car. Now it's not too much of a status car.

Some of the first Cybertrucks that came out sold for over $240,000 in the auction. Today that car is worth around $70,000.

Once it gets to a price point of $50,000 or $60,000 it's going to be a really great thing to buy. There's the possibility of it coming back and getting stronger again, but the market hasn't really figured out what price that is yet.

The political situation made them less desirable
About 60 days ago, the market for selling Cybertrucks took a dip. It now feels like I cannot sell a Cybertruck to save my life.

To me, the strongest impact that kind of crushed the market was the political stuff.

My guy who I sold a Cybertruck to said, "Dude, everyone's getting a sticker. Like, no one wants them anymore."

People started giving me middle fingers. My friend called me and said, "I gotta sell my Cybertruck. Someone just threw a rock at me while I was driving, my kids were in the backseat."

People are putting Toyota labels on their Cybertrucks to avoid infliction and confrontation from others. They're trying to dim down the anger by renaming their vehicle. Then there are those bumper stickers that say, "I bought this before Elon went crazy."

Other Teslas are still selling
The Cybertruck has taken the most hate, but I don't see people hating Tesla because of what's going on politically.

The Tesla market in general has always been in solid demand. How can you go wrong with the Model 3 and Model Y? It's better than any other car. It's better than a Chevy, better than a Volkswagen. It has the best tech and driving infrastructure.

I have seen some decreased demand, but the way Tesla works is prices adjust. Prices will get lower, and then people will start buying again, because at the end of the day, it's an amazing product and people do want it.

When the car gets cheaper, you have more demand from a different audience. So all those people who couldn't afford a Tesla at $70,000 for a Model Y back when the prices were inflated are looking to buy electric cars now for a lower price.

I'm still actively looking for Cybertrucks and I just bought one the other day, but the pricing that I would like to pay has to be "sell now" because there's a lot of risk buying them at this time — Tesla could just drop their prices at any time.

Chesterfield Cruise-in Opening Night - April 5 - See all the photos at Album - opens to a new window.
Photo by Jeff Malo.

Meme Time (EV Version)

Breakfast Caravan Cruise to Powhatan - April 13 - See all the photos at Album - opens to a new window.
Photo by Jeff Malo.

Exclusive: What’s Next for David Freiburger After Roadkill

From Hagerty


David Freiburger has been in automotive enthusiast media for decades. He helmed Petersen’s 4-Wheel & Off-Road, Car Craft, and Hot Rod, where he became most well-known as the co-host of Roadkill on YouTube alongside Hot Rod Staff Editor Mike Finnegan. Roadkill‘s run ended late last year, so I wanted to catch up and see what Freiburger has planned for the future. We met for lunch in Burbank and then visited his home garage to see some of his stash of hot rod parts and current projects.

A bit of background: Freiburger hired me at Hot Rod in 2011, just in time to go on that year’s Power Tour. In addition to serving as an associate editor of the magazine at the time, I helped out a bit on the first season of Roadkill and helped the show get its name. Because I could tow a trailer, I was often on standby in case things went sideways, which they often did. In TV parlance, I was a “Production Assistant” or “Production Driver.” I also spent some long nights in the shop and on set with the rest of the film crew and Hot Rod staff, wrenching on cars or in “production meetings” brainstorming ideas that could salvage an entertaining show after some mechanical disaster or another. It was hectic, but it was also a lot of fun.

Post-Roadkill, Freiburger has a lot of irons in the fire. The one that he’s most excited about is his recent move to announcing NHRA drag racing. “I’m doing in-booth announcing, what they call in-venue. It’s not for Fox TV, but they do stream it on NHRA.TV. I’m also working for NHRA on Fox doing top-end interviews, in-the-pits interviews, basically what they call field reporting.” He’ll be covering eight events this year: two at Pomona, two at Vegas, plus Gainesville, Chicago, Bristol, and Indy.

Just like any professional sport, there is a tremendous amount of backstory that can give context to every NHRA event, plus the myriad statistics that can help fans appreciate each pass. Matchups against other drivers, personal best reaction times and trap speeds, margins of victory—the list goes on.

“I do research and study for at least two days before every single event,” Freiburger said, “just to familiarize myself with the progress of every racer and who’s doing what in the point standings, and you’re looking for storylines. For example, Tony Stewart: Indy car guy, NASCAR champion, Sprint Car champion, Midget champion. He’s the greatest driver of our generation, and he’s now doing NHRA drag racing, but he had struggled and not won anything in his first year. Then this weekend he won for the first time.”

When drivers get out of their cars on the top end, field reporters like Freiburger have about 10 seconds to ask a question, hoping the driver can offer a good response while coming down from a 300-mph adrenaline high.

The transition from Hot Rod to NHRA has rich precedent. The magazine’s founder and first Editor, Wally Parks, also founded the NHRA. Freiburger’s Editor-in-Chief successor at Hot Rod, David Kennedy, also left for the NHRA.

“I feel like it’s kind of an extension of the heritage of hot-rodding and what I do for a living,” Freiburger said. Helping to make the move even easier, Freiburger gets to work in the booth alongside Brian Lohnes, who announced Drag Week with Freiburger for years. For those that don’t know, Drag Week is a Hot Rod magazine event created by Freiburger to torture drag racers… and they keep signing up for it. Racers must make at least one pass at a dragstrip and then drive along a prescribed route with checkpoints to make it to a separate dragstrip to race the following day. Racers rack up about 1000 miles on their drag cars over five days of racing to claim the title of World’s Fastest Street Car. Lohnes and Freiburger provided hours of announcing and commentary for five straight days of racing during many Drag Week events, helping build great chemistry.

“Brian Lohnes and I actually met at the very first Drag Week in 2005.” Freiburger recalled, “He was a cub reporter for Competition Plus. We hit it off and have been friends ever since, and he definitely helped me get the job. I also benefited, I think, from just being a guy hanging around NHRA races for like five or six years. Most of the people there were familiar with me, so it’s a pretty comfortable fit to just slide in and do the job.”

All of the engine tech articles and dyno sessions Freiburger has been a part of over his automotive career have prepared him for this NHRA role. “I think the thing I’m best at there is I do technical standups explaining things, which is just like what I was doing on Engine Masters TV. That’s what I’m most comfortable with there.” Freiburger said.

The fast-paced nature of a live event means that the tech explanations must be broad and quick, but you’ve got to know the details to summarize them in digestible bits that can fit into a dynamic broadcast.

“You can’t go deep into any subject, but you can give people the ‘wow, I bet you didn’t know this’ kind of highlights,” said Freiburger. One of his recent tech tidbits was an explanation of pedaling a drag car: “You’re in a Top Fuel car and it breaks the tires loose at half track, and you obviously have to get throttle control to regain traction or do the best you can to get the finish line before the other guy. It’s just more complicated than you think it is because the pedals on those things have very little travel,” Freiburger explained. “One thing I didn’t know, that I learned from J.R. Todd, a Funny Car driver, is that there’s all the butterflies on the injector hat on top of the supercharger, and when you’re at half-track and you’re wide open and the thing’s making 12,000 horsepower, you’ve gotta pedal it and close the throttle blades a little bit, but there’s so much airflow coming in from the supercharger that it wants to suck the throttle shut. They have to actually work against that while they’re modulating the throttle.”

The NHRA work on camera is the newest endeavor, but Freiburger’s main job is still his YouTube channel, @TheDavidFreiburger, which he started with a rusty Buick road trip that was a proto-Roadkill episode. Hitting the highway in a dodgy rattletrap is Freiburger’s milieu. “I do a lot of road trips, but that’s not 100% of it,” Freiburger said of his YouTube channel, which also includes tours of the San Fernando Valley and Southern California desert that point out places of interest to hot-rodders. “I probably do YouTube wrong because the algorithm wants you to post essentially the same video every single week at the same time. . . I do car stuff every single week, but sometimes it’s, ‘hey, look at this cool car I got that I’m gonna flip’, and sometimes it’s ‘look at this road trip!’ Sometimes it’s a 4×4. Sometimes it’s a drag car, so it’s kind of all over the map.”

That variety, though, is what his viewers have come to expect and appreciate.

Freiburger’s worked with several other hot-rodding personalities over the years, and many fans have been wondering if he’d team up with anyone on his new channel. They didn’t have to wait long for an answer.

“I guess the breaking news is Finnegan and I are gonna do an episode next week,” said Freiburger. “It’s the first time on YouTube that he and I will get back together after Roadkill and do a cross-country road trip.

“You came up with Roadkill, we need another [name].” Freiburger said, putting me on the spot. I suggested “Skidmarks” because that was my personal frontrunner back in the day, before I also suggested “Roadkill” as the name—not for the YouTube show, but for a one-shot magazine of rat rods and other strange rides that our company at the time didn’t have a proper venue to feature. That magazine eventually became Overkill, which ran for a few issues. (As far as I can tell, the Skidmarks name is, for some reason, still up for grabs.)

Freiburger’s YouTube channel will also be one of the best ways to keep up on developments of many of the former Roadkill project cars, as he bought 11 of them when the company sold them off. Finnegan also scooped up a few for himself. “I’m looking forward to getting after stubby Bob,” Freiburger noted, referencing the heavy-duty Ford dump truck that was turned into a wheelstander by shortening the wheelbase and installing a mid-engine big-block Chevy V-8 and a V-drive. “It needs everything. The transmission is brand new. It’s got a GearStar 4L80E in it, but the engine’s blown up, the rear end’s blown up, the suspension front and rear is trash. It needs brakes. . . I mean, it’s a disaster.”

Aside from former Roadkill project cars, Freiburger is always looking for low-buck project cars and 4x4s that he can wrench on and road trip. “I gave away a ‘68 Camaro last year. The people who won it flew into L.A., drove it all the way home to Atlanta, and they got 20 miles per gallon the whole way,” he said. He’s got a 1972 RoadRunner that he’s been finishing up that will likely be used for the next sweepstakes on his YouTube channel, but he also has an exciting new project that he’ll keep for himself that he’s been hoping to do for ages. We won’t ruin that surprise, but here’s a hint: his Mopar roots have been calling.

Without episodes of Roadkill keeping him on the road for a week at a time, Freiburger has been free to take on some additional new assignments. Cleetus McFarland invited him to announce the Freedom 500, an annual race of retired Crown Victoria cop cars that McFarland hosts on the circle track he owns. Freiburger has raced it himself, and other drivers have included NASCAR’s Corey LaJoie and Michael Waltrip, as well as last year’s race winner, Travis Pastrana. There’s also the Duct Tape Drags, an event Freiburger started that he describes as a tongue-in-cheek drag race version of 24 Hours of Lemons. “It’s a cool event because there are imports and trucks and muscle cars and late models and old guys and young guys,” Freiburger said. “Everybody shows up at this thing because it’s just a party.” The event details are still being negotiated, but you can expect a similar party in Tucson again this year.

Between his YouTube channel and announcing at NHRA races, the Freedom 500, and the Duct Tape Drags, he’ll be putting plenty of miles on his flip-flops this year. He continues to preach the gospel of internal combustion.

If you'd like to hear Freiburger tell in his own words why Roadkill was cancelled go to youtube.com/watch?v=rYw5WCfSW7Q&t=66s.

On November 18, 2024, MotorTrend announced that that my TV shows would no longer be produced. That means Roadkill (13 seasons) and Roadkill Garage (9 seasons). The spinoffs were also ceased, including Hot Rod Garage, Faster With Newbern & Cotten, and Roadworthy Rescues. There are many episodes of those shows that have been produced but not aired or streamed, and MotorTrend tells me that all those unseen episodes will continue to stream on Max and Discovery+, and will also air in 2025 on MotorTrend cable TV. Some complete episodes can still be seen on the MotorTrend channel of YouTube.

Jewels Found On Ebay

Here are a couple of hot finds from Ebay Motors.

eBay item number: 267197895513
$40,000.00 or Best Offer
eBay description: 1967 Ford fairlane GTA convertible
Since I am listing this for my brother in law, I can’t answer most of the questions someone may have. If you are interested please call John at 717-767-XXXX, ok to leave message . Asking $40,000 OBO. Thanks for looking! Listing my brother in laws 1967 Ford fairlane GTA convertible. Rebuilt c-6 transmission and 390 engine. New black interior, convertible top, glass rear window, chrome bumpers. New wheels and tires: mustang mags, 1” whitewalls. Marti report available, title in hand. Car is dark green with white convertible top, black interior.

40K for a car covered in dust and only 9 photos with only 2 of the exterior - and except for 1 photo parts of the vehicle were cut off. If you're selling something online you'd better have lots of good photos. Car Guide says this car is worth in average condition just less than 30K. The Fairlane has been on Ebay for a while with no offers. Looks like brother-in-law needs someone else to list this car.

Next up is a "project".

eBay item number: 197161884443
$75,000.00 or Best Offer
eBay description: The 1967 Ford Mustang Fastback Eleanor Project is a sought after classic car with a sleek design and a manual transmission.This model started as a C code 289 but was in the process of getting a Coyote Boss 302 crate motor swap with a TKO 600 5 speed from a donor car that comes with the sale. Donor car is a one owner 99 gt with only 1800 miles on the engine and trans with 80k in reciepts. Already tuned for over 500 hp car is street legal and fast. Both cars have clean vehicle titles, This Mustang is a great find for collectors and car enthusiasts looking for a piece of automotive history. Too Much to list so look at pics. What you see comes with the car plus more. All the glass is there, some interior but not all. No seats. Car dolly goes with the car. Trailer not included. Buyer pays for shipping or can be picked up.

Trailer not included!!! Then you'd need a tractor trailer to get the thing(s) home! So you would get a running driving 99 Mustang to take apart and try to get all the parts to fit a 67 (rough body) fastback Mustang - what could go wrong? And at only 75K you could spend 200K to build a car worth 100K - this is a bargain.

eBay item number: 156786761294
$30,000.00 Buy It Now
eBay description: GTO lot (3). We have three 1965 GTO’s for sale. They are all restorable project cars in varying condition. None are running. Two are 5N cars, all are real GTO’s.

General condition of cars:

Car No. 1 HT Red (original paint) Originally 389 4 bbl, 4 speed. Different engine (355 not running), Has a 4 speed transmission, Air Conditioning, Only rust is a small spot in the trunk. No seats, Needs full restoration. Have grill parts, headlight trim, beautiful 4 speed console, extra tail panel chrome trim, extra taillight housings, and more.

Car No. 2 HT Original paint blue, 389 4 speed (missing), Rust in Bottom of floor and trunk, the rockers are rust free, only the very bottom of floor and trunk are rusted, Needs complete front clip, Drivers 1/4 panel replaced, Wheel well edge of other side rusted, Formerly a drag race car. Won B stock class in 1965. Needs full restoration. has all window trim in excellent condition. bucket seat have the mounts on the bottom rusted, need replaced. has door glass and side glass. Frame is good,

Car No. 3 Coupe (Post), Original 389, Automatic (not running) Rust in floors, Trunk, rear window frame, Some in door jams,5N car. No seats. Needs full restoration. Has some loose parts. Rear window pan is new (in trunk), has steering wheel and column, Has a good replacement floor (in one photo). some trim in white bucket,

Also included is a brand new hood.

All three cars are in Mojave, California in my storage site on airport property. By appointment only. Pickup only. Bank wire transfer Cars released when clear.

I have the Car No. 1 pictured - all the cars look like they were sent to the scrap yard to be parted out. They are missing a lot of parts so why not just try that buy 3 and build 1 car out of everything plan. I'm seeing these escapees from junkyards more often as old cars go up in value. Despite these GTOs being in the California desert they are very rusty and very dented. For $30K you should be able to get a much nicer example.

River City Cruizers Spring Show - April 19 - See all the photos at Album - opens to a new window.

Revving Up Repairs: The Emerging Technology of Car Maintenance

From Self Reliance Central
The vehicle maintenance industry is undergoing a transformative shift, driven by cutting-edge technologies and innovative approaches that prioritize efficiency, sustainability, and convenience.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing diagnostics and maintenance scheduling. AI-driven tools analyze data from onboard sensors to detect issues that may elude human technicians, ensuring precise identification of problems. By processing vast datasets, AI optimizes service schedules, reducing unnecessary workshop visits and minimizing costs while maintaining vehicle health.

Augmented Reality (AR) is transforming repair processes by overlaying digital information onto physical vehicles. Mechanics access real-time, step-by-step repair instructions, 3D component models, and diagnostic data through AR interfaces. This enhances precision, reduces errors, and accelerates repairs, particularly for the complex systems found in modern vehicles.

Autonomous Maintenance Drones are an emerging solution for large-scale fleet management. Equipped with diagnostic tools or minor repair capabilities, such as tire pressure adjustments, drones can perform preliminary checks at depots. This minimizes human labor, enhances fleet uptime, and ensures vehicles are road-ready with minimal downtime.

Blockchain for Maintenance Verification is gaining traction to ensure transparency in maintenance histories. Blockchain-based ledgers securely record service records, parts replacements, and repairs, creating a tamper-proof history verifiable by buyers or insurers. This fosters trust in the used car market and ensures accurate vehicle valuations, especially for high-value or classic cars.

Digital Service Records are replacing traditional paper logs with centralized, accessible maintenance histories. Available via apps or online portals, these records detail past services, parts replaced, and future recommendations. This streamlines communication between owners and mechanics, enhances transparency, and simplifies tracking for long-term vehicle care.

Eco-Friendly Practices are becoming integral as the industry embraces sustainability. From biodegradable cleaning products to recycling worn parts, green maintenance reduces the environmental footprint of service activities. These practices align with growing consumer demand for environmentally responsible services, appealing to eco-conscious vehicle owners.

Energy Harvesting for Sensor Power is an innovative approach to powering maintenance systems. Sensors that harness energy from vehicle vibrations or heat can monitor components like brakes or suspension without relying on battery replacements. This ensures continuous, reliable data collection for predictive maintenance, even in remote or harsh conditions.

Predictive Maintenance leverages IoT sensors and analytics to monitor vehicle health in real-time. By tracking metrics like temperature, pressure, and wear, these systems forecast component failures before they occur, alerting drivers to schedule timely repairs. This proactive approach reduces breakdowns, lowers repair costs, and minimizes downtime.

Remote Diagnostics enables technicians to troubleshoot issues without physical inspections. Using connected vehicle data, minor problems like software glitches can be resolved remotely via updates or recalibrations. This saves time and resources, particularly for fleet management and routine maintenance tasks.

Subscription-Based Maintenance Models are emerging as automakers offer bundled service plans. These subscriptions cover routine maintenance, diagnostics, and wear-and-tear repairs for a predictable monthly fee. This model simplifies budgeting, especially for electric vehicles with unique maintenance needs, and enhances owner convenience.

3D Printing is redefining parts supply chains by enabling workshops to print custom components on demand. This reduces inventory costs, eliminates wait times for rare parts, and allows for tailored solutions to specific vehicle needs, minimizing downtime and enhancing repair flexibility.

Advanced Technician Training is critical as vehicles integrate complex electronics and software. Training programs now focus on advanced diagnostic tools, software updates, and hybrid/electric vehicle systems. Well-equipped technicians ensure high-quality repairs, keeping pace with the rapid evolution of automotive technology.

Vehicle-to-Cloud Connectivity allows vehicles to communicate directly with cloud platforms, enabling manufacturers and service providers to monitor performance remotely. Over-the-air (OTA) software updates can address issues like battery management or infotainment glitches without shop visits, reducing costs and enhancing owner convenience.

These trends collectively point to a future where vehicle maintenance is smarter, more sustainable, and seamlessly integrated with vehicle operation. By leveraging technologies like AI, AR, and blockchain, alongside practical innovations like subscription models and drones, the industry is poised to deliver faster, more reliable, and eco-friendly services, benefiting vehicle owners, fleet operators, and the environment alike.

42nd Virginia Vair Fair - April 26 - See all the photos at Album - opens to a new window.

How The Vintage Truck Market Got So Big

From Hagerty
“Special then, special now.” That mantra goes a long way in explaining today’s collector car market. The idea is this: If a car was unique and desirable when it was new due to style, performance, or rarity, it’s a good bet that it will be coveted by collectors later. Enthusiasts tend to chase the dreams that they once had—and still have—and valuations follow. Think 427 Cobra. Jaguar E-Type. Porsche 911S.

There’s another bit of the market filled with cars that somehow still exist despite overwhelming attrition. They became special despite being ubiquitous in their day, simply due to the majority of them vanishing before anybody thought to care. Think Datsun 510. Honda CRX. 1970s American wagons.

Classic trucks don’t really fit in either of these two categories. GM, Ford, and Dodge built way too many pickups in the postwar years for most of them to be considered special. And they were designed to work for a living, not for fun or as status symbols. Old truck attrition isn’t much of a factor, either. GM built nearly 4 million trucks from 1967 to 1972 alone, and Ford just under 3 million. There’s still a strong supply of drivable examples, even after decades of hard use as rust and damage culled the numbers.

Despite all that, classic trucks—particularly those built from that magical 1967–72 era—have been on a tear in the collector vehicle market. This isn’t new, either. It has been happening for several years, with strong prices for survivors and modified examples achieving six-figure results over and over across the auction blocks of America. As one perplexed old school hot rod and street rod builder friend of mine put it after a trip to a recent Arizona auction, “It’s just a bunch of @#$*ing trucks.”

So, how did we get here? How did classic trucks evolve to the spot they’re in now, and why do they seem to have staying power beyond other fads in the marketplace?

High Impact
If you want to understand the recent truck market, you first need to understand the muscle car market’s meteoric rise in the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s.

In those years, enthusiasts who first experienced muscle cars and the scene in the 1960s and 1970s had entered their peak earning years. Muscle car prices rose steadily into the 2000s, with the first million-dollar muscle car at auction (a Hemi ’Cuda convertible) making waves in 2002. LS6 Chevelles, Boss 429 Mustangs, Ram Air GTOs, and A12 Road Runners were always considered special if not valuable, but the market woke to them in a big way in this era, with the best examples setting records at auction for years—right up until the housing crash dropped on top of the collector car market in 2009.

Craig Jackson of Barrett-Jackson saw the muscle revolution developing, and as he took charge of the family business in 1995, he positioned his company to take advantage of shifting demographics by bringing in more muscle cars for sale. “As Tom Barrett said, when we started the auction, they were new cars out in the parking lot,” Jackson told Linkage magazine. “When I started collecting muscle cars … I owned, with my parents, a Figoni et Falaschi Delahaye. And when we sold that car, I took my part of the profits and went out and bought a ZL-1 and a Hemi ’Cuda convertible. My dad told me that I was out of my mind.

“My brother and I—when he was still alive, he died in ’95—we had both talked. And he loved muscle, too. So he took the brunt of telling my dad and Barrett that we need to bring more of these in. When my brother passed, the first year I sent a questionnaire out to all my customers. We tweaked the auction based off listening to all my customers’ input.”

Muscle cars soon became a Barrett-Jackson staple, and Barrett-Jackson became a Speedvision (later Speed Channel) staple, helping to propel that auction’s growth—and the market for American muscle—to a wider audience.

Popularity in the muscle car world spilled over into the truck world in that era, too—both for classic trucks and for then-new examples. It didn’t take enthusiasts long to realize that the same muscle car fundamentals they chased after also lived underneath those relatively cheaper pickup beds and bodies. There was available V-8 power, a live rear axle, and a simple suspension system.

“I blame the class of ’83,” says C10 Talk podcast host and owner Ronnie Wetch. He’s interviewed hundreds of truck buyers, builders, and parts manufacturers over the past decade, with 310 episodes aired to date.

“It’s a generational thing,” says Wetch. “These guys, they wanted the Barracudas, the Plymouths, the Camaros, the Chevelles, the muscle cars—maybe the Mustang—whatever it might have been. They’re like, I can’t afford that. I’m working at Taco John’s, Taco Bell, you know, whatever they’re doing, maybe the local grocery store. Well, they can afford an old truck.

“And so those guys got those trucks, then built those trucks and then made them rad, and that made the younger kids want them, too. So the class of ’83, they’re in. As time evolves, the class of ’89, the class of ’92, the class of ’95. Those generations of kids got involved, too. That’s just the Chevrolet C10 alone, ’60 all the way up to ’87. And then you get into GM’s C/K, you know … the OBS (old body style, 1988–98) and the NBS (new body style, 1999–2007) will come into their day as well.”

The Nostalgia Factor
Muscle car prices are part of the story here, then, but they’re not the only factor. Ask any owner why they own their truck and you’ll hear a story about their family. Hindsight tends to add a rose-colored tint to experiences. Times seem simpler in retrospect, shaped by memories from the passenger’s side of a bench seat, on the way to run errands, get parts, haul equipment, or grab some ice cream. Those days get further away as the years pass—but the trucks are still here.

Josh Molenkamp had a 1972 Chevelle project as a teen in the early 2000s—right at the time that those cars were seeing increased popularity and prices in the market. He took a hard turn from the norm and chose to sell the Chevelle. He instead built a ’70 Chevrolet C10 that had belonged to his father.

“I did it mostly because of the history with the truck,” says Molenkamp. “It was the first thing I had driven. I was 12, and I started driving that truck out to the woods going hunting and whatnot. And I just loved it. We had a ton of memories in it. I think there’s a lot more people who connect with having and being around an old truck. Everybody knows somebody who had one … And so it’s the nostalgic thing that people now are really after.”

Molenkamp still has the ’70, now lowered and often spotted doing burnouts on Instagram (@jmolenkamp) or cruising to events with his son or daughter. He’s added a lowered first-gen Blazer to the mix as well. “The Blazer is a weird vehicle to wrap your head around,” he says. It’s similar to an A-body Chevelle or GTO, but it’s a convertible pickup. It’s smaller than a car. But unlike the truck, the kids all fit and can come, too.”

Six-Figure Enthusiasm
At the high-altitude view, all that works to explain how trucks became popular in the collector space—but over the past few years, we’ve seen surprising and steady growth in the segment at both auctions and events. That can be chalked up to some of the same shifting demographics that powered the muscle car market’s rise.

A new group of buyers, 20-plus years removed from their youth and now in their own buying prime, are looking back. They still love muscle cars, but for many of them, what they had were classic trucks. And they didn’t leave them stock back then, either.

“A key tell on this was something I saw at auction a number of years back,” says Wetch. “There was a ’71 Plymouth ’Cuda and it wasn’t a Hemi or anything. I don’t even think it was a 440. It went for something like $58K. And then an ’84 C10—LS swapped, lowered, rims, tires. It went for about $10,000 more. And at that point I was like, OK, we’ve made a big shift.”

Since the late 2010s, the trend has continued. Pick your location—Barrett-Jackson in Scottsdale or Palm Beach, Mecum in Kissimmee or Indy—and you’ll find six-figure sales on custom truck builds, both from the GM and Ford camps, and usually featuring coilover or air suspension, modern fuel-injected V-8 power, and plus-sized wheels and brakes. Events have sprung up and grown all over the country, too—including Dino’s Git Down in Arizona, where more than 10,000 GM trucks came together for a two-day event this past November.

“Much like we experienced with baby boomers collecting classic American muscle cars, Gen Xers and millennials are attracted to the SUVs and trucks of their youth,” says Craig Jackson.

“In 2014, a multiple-award-winning custom 1957 Chevrolet pickup named ‘Quicksilver’ took home top honors at the Barrett-Jackson Cup competition. That win helped change the concept of what can be a collectible vehicle in the hobby and in the industry. The truck crossed our Scottsdale auction block in 2016 and sold for $214,500—an amount unheard of for a custom pickup just a few years prior.

“Over the last several years, trucks and SUVs—like the 1970s Ford Broncos, Toyota Land Cruisers, and Chevy Blazers, as well as third-generation Toyota SR5 trucks—have become as much of a status symbol as they are utilitarian. Much like American muscle cars, resto-mod trucks and SUVs are sophisticated, reliable, and even safer, with modern amenities, comfort, and technology.”

Mecum’s 2023 Kissimmee auction set a high-water mark for C10s with a Roadster Shop–built 1969 C10 that sold for $264,000. It featured a completely new custom chassis, 755-hp Corvette ZR1 LT5 engine, 10-speed automatic, Forgeline wheels, and more.

Barrett-Jackson has sold Hogan-built first-gen Chevrolet Blazers in Scottsdale for $440K in 2022, 2023, and 2024, with another bringing $337,700 in January of 2025. At the same auction this year, Barrett-Jackson consigned 45 Chevrolet and GMC trucks built from 1967 to ’72. Two of them sold for $200K or more, 10 of them made $100K or more, and 26 sold for $60K or more. Ken Block’s ’77 Ford “Hoonitruck” brought $990K, alongside 14 other F-series trucks that each brought over $100K. All of those trucks were modified.

Call it live auction hubris if you want. Bidder’s bar enthusiasm. The power of TV. But it’s not just happening at live auctions. In June 2023, Bring a Trailer offered a supercharged LS3-powered ’68 C10 that had been awarded the Chevrolet Design Award and Goodguys Gold Award at SEMA in 2018. It sold for $250,000. Maybe it’s an outlier—the next highest BaT sale for the model stands at $130K. But this truck had 11 active bidders after the bidding crested $100K, which should tell you something.

Build Your Own
The aftermarket has facilitated this rise in value, and the sheer production numbers of trucks mean that little is sacred when it comes to restoration vs. modification.

Walking the floor at the SEMA show in Las Vegas is a lot like going to a truck show these days, thanks to manufacturers who embrace these vehicles the same way they embraced hot rods and muscle cars.

“In the last five to seven years, classic truck popularity has been off the charts,” says Blane Burnett, brand marketing manager at Ridetech and former senior events manager at Holley Performance Products. “The age-old 30-year rule, nostalgic draw, and the shift in how trucks are viewed in terms of performance events such as LS Fest, Moparty, Ford Festival, Pro Touring Truck Shootout, etc. have boosted the classic truck space. Increases in the quantity, quality, and capability of classic truck builds have resulted.

“I was blessed with the opportunity to curate some of the industry’s most impactful lifestyle enthusiast events at Holley, and over the years, participants began asking for something truck focused. In 2018, the Truck Grand Champion category debuted at LS Fest and became a staple at other Holley events going forward, giving truck owners an arena of their own to be competitive. Factor that along with the prices that some of the high-level truck builds are bringing at auctions like Barrett Jackson and others, and it’s clear to see that classic trucks are going to be hot for some time yet.”

Community and Continuity
All these factors combine in a segment of the market that’s both flashy and everyman approachable. It’s not about “special then, special now” or some now-scarce model. It seems to be about recapturing and reimagining an experience, and accessible nostalgia crossed over modern performance and style, which is proving a powerful mix for those drawn to old trucks. And that blue-collar background seems to transcend some of the traditional boundaries. Even the nicest truck is still a truck.

“You go to a truck show and you could literally have a six-figure truck and then maybe not right next to it, but in close proximity, a young guy with a $20,000, $10,000 truck,” says Wetch. “That guy with that high-price truck will likely come over and be like, ‘Hey, I like what you’re doing … That’s super cool.’ And then that kid might go over and be like, ‘Wow, look at this truck.’ So you bring it all together. The metal brings us there, but the people keep you coming back. And that’s really one thing that we’ve tried to pride the community on.”

That community has proven that it’s willing to spend, and auction houses that have learned how to serve their audiences are bringing in trucks based on that demand, now alongside JDM cars and next-gen classics and sports cars from the 1980s. Time marches on.

“I tell my audience, hey, don’t look back and say we were in a movement, know that we’re in a movement and have a little bit more fun while in that movement,” says Wetch. “The quote that I use is ‘the trucks are cool, but the people are cooler.’ That is hard to beat in the world we live in.”

Chevy Coupe

The Briefs

On March 18, as Ellen Schapps Richman, 76, drove her Mercedes SUV to a golf lesson at Palm Beach Country Club, she had a vague sense that she had hit something -- maybe a piece of "debris" in the road. The Palm Beach Daily News reported that actually, Richman allegedly hit a bicyclist, 63, and then continued on, dragging him and his bike a short distance down the road. When Richman arrived at the club, she handed her car keys to a valet and told him she thought the damage to her car was from something she hit, police said. The cyclist, meanwhile, had "massive" injuries to his left leg and was transported to a hospital. Richman, an area philanthropist and adjunct professor of business at Columbia Business School, has been ordered by Circuit Judge Donald Hafele not to drive. She faces a charge of leaving the scene of a crash involving death or injuries.

Daniel Murillo, 44, was arrested on March 16 in Kissimmee, Florida, accused of repeatedly punching a 24-year-old female acquaintance as they sat in a car, The Smoking Gun reported. Things had gotten tense between the two after they traveled from Tampa but ran out of money; a verbal argument, the victim told police, led to the battery. Strangely, though, in Murillo's mugshot, he is wearing a black shirt with bold white letters reading: "I NEVER ARGUE." He was charged with misdemeanor battery.

Mail carrier Wayne White was on his route in Hyannis, Massachusetts, on March 28 when he ran into a flock of troublemakers, WHDH-TV reported. As he got in and out of his truck and delivered mail, three wild turkeys followed and harassed him while he tried to fend them off with a box. "Every time I moved the truck, the turkeys followed," White said. One encounter with the birds was caught on a home's surveillance video and showed White trying to do his job as they gobbled at him. "I do a lot of stuff on Nantucket, so I see deer all the time, but this is my first time with turkey," he said.

Volvo is recalling plug in hybrid vehicles that have a high-voltage battery may experience a short circuit when the battery is fully charged and the vehicle is parked. Owners are advised not to charge their vehicles until the remedy has been completed. Dealers are to inspect and replace the high-voltage battery module as well as update the software to monitor the battery, free of charge. Notification letters are to be mailed May 15.

Ford recalled certain 2020 to 2022 Escape and 2021 to 2023 Bronco Sport vehicles that may have been repaired incorrectly under a previous recall. A fuel injector in the recalled vehicles may crack and leak fuel inside the engine compartment - according to the NHTSA - and affected vehicles do not contain the remedy Powertrain Control Module software, according to the recall report. Dealers are to update the powertrain control module software for free and owner notification letters are to be sent April 24. Ford separately recalled certain 2020 to 2022 Explorer vehicles that were incorrectly fixed under a previous recall. The recall was caused by the vehicles potentially having a rear axle horizontal mounting bolt that may fracture and cause the driveshaft to disconnect. These recalled vehicles also do not have the remedy Powertrain Control Module software, according to the recall report. Dealers are to update the powertrain control module software for free and owner notification letters are to be sent April 24.

Nissan North America recalled vehicles under its flagship brand and INFINITI line as they may have front brake caliper assemblies may have reduced strength and could break. The affected vehicles include certain 2025 Nissan Muranos, Pathfinders and INFINITI QX60s Dealers are to inspect and replace the front brake caliper assemblies as necessary for free. Owner notification letters are to be sent May 9.

The chairman of BP is to quit in the wake of the company’s disastrous flirtation with green energy. The oil giant said on Friday that Helge Lund would step down “in due course”. The announcement comes amid a campaign by activist US hedge fund Elliott for more change at the company, which has already watered down green energy plans previously adopted under Lund. The Norwegian backed BP’s 2020 decision to cut fossil fuel production 40pc by 2030 and become an “integrated energy company” focused on low carbon energy. He was also in charge during BP’s 2020 appointment of Bernard Looney, the chief executive who committed the company to its low carbon path but who then left over his undeclared relationships with colleagues.

General Motors (GM) reportedly announced plans to increase its light-duty truck production in the United States following the activation of President Donald Trump’s 25% tariff on auto imports. This new tariff took effect on Thursday, prompting GM to make significant adjustments at its Fort Wayne, Indiana assembly plant to meet rising production demands. In an internal message to employees, GM stated it would hire temporary workers and implement operational changes at the Fort Wayne facility, which currently employs approximately 4,150 staff members. Plant Director Dennys Pimenta informed workers that this would likely result in additional overtime opportunities. However, GM’s productions in Canada and Mexico, which also focus on light-duty and full-size trucks, will not experience any schedule changes.

Border patrol agents at the Texas-Mexico border made two interesting finds while searching vehicles last weekend, resulting in the arrests of three people in two separate incidents. According to Fox News, a 20-year-old man and a 21-year-old woman, both U.S. citizens, were crossing into the United States through the Anzalduas International Bridge when their vehicle was flagged by CBP agents for a second inspection on Sunday. Upon investigation, officials discovered a spider monkey stowed inside a backpack in the vehicle. The two individuals were taken into custody and the monkey was transported to Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora protects certain types of monkeys and their importation is regulated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, according to CBP officials. However, monkeys are not permitted to be imported as pets. On the same day, CPB agents at the Hidalgo International Bridge stopped a 68-year-old Mexican citizen crossing into the U.S. for a second inspection. Agents discovered approximately 73 pounds of alleged cocaine stashed inside the man’s Ford Explorer. Authorities estimate the alleged narcotics have a street value of approximately $980,000.

President Trump participates in a photo opportunity with 2024 NASCAR
Cup Series Champion Joey Logano and other racing champions - April 9, 2025

Analysts say Californians could be paying significantly more for gasoline with the impending closure of two Phillips 66 refineries in Los Angeles, which account for about 8 percent of the state’s oil refining capacity, by the end of 2025.

Americans are heading to dealerships to buy cars ahead of projected price hikes caused by a series of new tariffs affecting the automotive industry, according to new sales data.

US class-action lawsuit accuses Tesla of using predictive algorithms that inflate odometer mileage, pushing owners past warranty limits quicker; company denies allegations.

A member of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’s administration has been repeatedly caught on camera allegedly vandalizing parked Tesla vehicles with his keys while out walking his dog. Dylan Bryan Adams, 33, a fiscal policy analyst for the State of Minnesota, was captured on vehicle surveillance footage allegedly dragging a key across the exteriors of several Teslas, stripping paint and causing thousands of dollars in damage. Authorities reportedly arrested Adams on suspicion of causing an estimated $20,000 in damage, with formal charges still pending, according to the Minnesota-based crime watch account @CrimeWatchMpls on X. Disturbing surveillance videos showed Adams allegedly approaching the vehicles from across the street, leash in one hand, while pulling his keys from his pocket with the other. In one clip, he allegedly carved into the rear of a Tesla. In another, he seemingly targeted the side of the vehicle nearest the sidewalk, again using his key to scratch a deep line across the car’s body.
And he gets off: A Minnesota state fiscal policy analyst, Dylan Bryan Adams, has reportedly now been involved in a vandalism incident that resulted in approximately $21,000 in damages to six Teslas. Despite admitting to the crime, local authorities have decided not to pursue criminal charges against him. Adams, 33, was caught on video keying the vehicles in Minneapolis, with one car owner noting that the damage appeared to be an attempt to carve a swastika. The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office has opted for a pre-charge diversion program, which aims to secure restitution for the victims while allowing Adams to keep his job. This approach is common in property crime cases and is designed to reduce the likelihood of repeat offenses. According to a spokesperson, the program may require Adams to sign a contract that includes conditions such as community service and restitution payments. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara expressed frustration over the decision, emphasizing that his department had thoroughly investigated the crime and presented a solid case to the county attorney’s office. He noted that the decision to decline charges should be directed at the attorney’s office, as the investigators had worked diligently on the matter.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has directed New York officials to stop collecting congestion tolls in Manhattan, warning that failure to do so would cost the city major federal funding.

Tesla reports 20% drop in auto revenue as Q1 results miss estimates; company reports $409M in net income on $19.3B in revenue, a 71% drop in profit from same period last year.

Volkswagen and Uber unveil plan to roll out robotaxi service using the car company's electric microbuses; Los Angeles to be first market, starting late 2026.

The Department of Transportation warned states that they could lose federal funding if they do not comply with its policies on illegal immigration and discrimination.

President Trump signed an executive order on April 28 requiring all commercial vehicle operators in the United States to be qualified and proficient English speakers. The order seeks to make English proficiency a “non-negotiable safety requirement” for professional drivers, “as they should be able to read and understand traffic signs; communicate with traffic safety officers, border patrol, agricultural checkpoints, and cargo weight-limit station personnel; and provide and receive feedback and directions in English,” a fact sheet from the White House read. Existing federal law requiring that commercial drivers read and speak English has “not been enforced,” according to the White House.

Repair Mistakes & Blunders

From Rock Auto
I recently tackled replacing the A\C Blower Motor on my wife's Nissan Rogue. It was not an easy job working under the dash, removing the pedal assembly, and removing the blower motor in an area where it's almost impossible to see. I completed the job, satisfied the fan was working, and proceeded to nurse my aching back.

A few days later, my wife noted the fan was making a lot of noise so she had to turn the fan off, which wasn't great since the weather was well below freezing. I racked my brain for what could have happened. Maybe the blower motor was faulty or had somehow become loose? I once again crawled under the dash and pulled out the blower motor to discover I left the packing foam inside the fan blade! Feeling defeated but at least glad it wasn't anything worse, I reassembled the fan, and it has worked great ever since. I let my wife know I messed up the first time. But at least the second time replacing the fan took less time. I know now to double check my work.

Chris in Missouri

2003 Mustang

Burgum Announces First Oil and Gas Lease Sales in Gulf of America

From: The Epoch Times
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said on Friday that he has directed the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to hold an offshore oil and gas lease sale in the Gulf of America later this year.

“Unleashing America’s energy resources will lower prices at the pump, at the grocery store and across all aspects of American life while strengthening our national security,” Burgum said in a statement.

The bureau is expected to publish a proposed notice of sale in June, according to the statement by the Interior Department.

This will be the first lease sale held under the Trump administration in the Gulf of America—which President Donald Trump has recently renamed from its former name, the Gulf of Mexico.

The auction of drilling rights would also be the first under a five-year leasing plan finalized by the former Biden administration in 2023. That program planned for just three Gulf lease sales in 2025, 2027, and 2029, which marked the fewest in the department’s periodic leasing plans.

Besides that, the department stated that lease sales, rental fees, and royalties from oil and gas activities on the Outer Continental Shelf will be directed to the Treasury, as well as to states through various revenue-sharing programs that fund conservation and outdoor recreation, which will benefit U.S. citizens.

The Gulf leasing will also generate “tens of thousands of high-paying jobs” for U.S. citizens, from exploration and production to service and supply chains, it stated.

The Outer Continental Shelf contains a major source of oil and gas critical for the nation’s energy supply. The department estimated that the leases on the “undiscovered fields” in the Gulf of America will produce 29.59 billion barrels of oil and 54.84 trillion cubic feet of gas.

The National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) has welcomed the oil and gas lease sale, saying the Gulf serves as “a cornerstone of America’s energy security, economic vitality, and job creation.”

“By moving forward with new leasing, the administration is hanging an ‘open for business’ sign in the Gulf of America—a move that will be a boon for our nation,” NOIA president Erik Milito said in a statement.

“NOIA and our members look forward to working with American policymakers to sustain the Gulf’s role as a global leader in responsible energy production.”

The move follows Trump’s executive order, which he issued after taking office on Jan. 20, aimed at boosting energy exploration and production on the Outer Continental Shelf to meet the needs of U.S. citizens and “solidify the United States as a global energy leader long into the future.”

The order states that “burdensome and ideologically motivated regulations” under the previous administration have hindered the development of the country’s energy resources, limited the generation of reliable and affordable electricity, reduced job creation, and led to high energy costs.

“It is thus in the national interest to unleash America’s affordable and reliable energy and natural resources,” Trump stated in his order.

The order directs government agencies to review “all existing regulations, orders, guidance documents, policies, settlements, consent orders, and any other agency actions (collectively, agency actions) to identify those agency actions that impose an undue burden on the identification, development, or use of domestic energy resources,” essentially reviewing dozens of actions related to energy sources by President Joe Biden and his administration.

The Trump administration views opening the Outer Continental Shelf for oil and gas activities as an important element in securing the country’s energy dominance on the global stage.

1956 Bel Air

1968 Ford Thunderbird Commercial - Mod Girl, Cool Music

Unleashing the Power of a Ford 427 SOHC Cammer Engine in a Thunderbird!

A Historic Highway Overpass For Animals Cost Nearly $100 Million And Is Almost Done

From: USA Today
When completed next year, the overpass will allow all manner of wildlife to freely cross over one of the nation's busiest highways.

A decades-long project to open the world's largest wildlife crossing across a 10-lane Southern California freeway is almost complete.

The Wallis Annenberg Crossing links critical habitats on both sides of the 101 Freeway in the Santa Monica mountains about 10 miles north of Malibu. The freeway, and nearby development, have essentially trapped populations of cougars, mule deer, bobcats and desert cottontail rabbits on either side, putting them at risk for birth defects and decreasing their habitat.

When completed next year, the overpass will allow all manner of wildlife to freely cross over one of the nation's busiest highways, blissfully unaware of the thousands of vehicles speeding underneath. It's the world's largest crossing of its type, according to the Annenberg Foundation.

A major milestone was reached this week when workers began pouring what will eventually be 6,000 cubic yards of soil on top of the overpass. Crews will begin planting close to 5,000 native plants in May.

A bridge was first proposed for the area in 1990. Funding efforts began in 2014 and construction began in 2022.

To create the pathway, the project features a gently sloping overpass that is 165 feet wide and 200 feet long. It is designed to look like natural habitat and will be landscaped with native plants, a living garden that will entice animals to cross where it's safe.

Even before it opens, the project seems to be attracting wildlife. In May of last year, urban wildlife scientist Travis Longcore was visiting the crossing site with students and observed a barn owl following the bridge across. For the first time since the highway was opened in 1926, there was a dark corridor over the freeway that the owl could follow, he said.

Why do animals need to cross the freeway?

The spot where the crossing is being built is one of few places left that has natural habitat on both sides of the 101 freeway The highway's eight lanes constitutes a dangerous barrier for wildlife.

Cougars especially cover large ranges searching for food and mates. According to the National Parks Service, crossing the highway is the number one cause of death for the big cats, also known as mountain lions and pumas. Declines in their genetic diversity, due to being broken into small, isolated populations by freeways and buildings, have led researchers to fear they could go extinct within the next 50 years.

Humans benefit from the crossings too. Research by the Federal Highway Administration estimated that collisions between large animals, cars and trucks killed about 200 people and caused more than 26,000 injuries a year.

Who's paying for the crossing?

The crossing is estimated to cost a total of $92 million, with the majority of the money coming from non-profits and private donations.

It is part of a public-private partnership between the California Department of Transportation and multiple conservation and wildlife groups, including the National Wildlife Federation, the Annenberg Foundation, the state Wildlife Conservation Board and hundreds of small donors from all around the world.

Do animals really use wildlife crossings?

Wildlife crossings that allow animals, snakes, frogs and other species to safely cross roadways have been quite successful around the world.

Built as bridges, underpasses and culverts, studies have shown they can significantly decrease collisions, saving animals and protecting motorists.

According to the Pew Charitable Trusts, a crossing along State Highway 9 in Colorado reduced animal/vehicle collisions by 90% from 2015 to 2020. In Oregon along U.S. 97 near Lava Butte, collisions decreased by roughly 85% during a 2015-17 monitoring period.

Florida has more than 60 such crossings, to protect panthers, alligators, bears, bobcats and deer.

In Washington State, the Snoqualmie Pass East wildlife crossing has recorded more than 8,000 elk, 13,000 deer, 3,200 coyotes and 6 cougars crossing since 2014. The state posts periodic videos of animals making use of the crossing, including deer, rabbits, coyotes and otters.

A camera at a wildlife underpass in the Santa Cruz mountains caught a bobcat using the pathway.

The new Southern California crossing has already inspired wildlife lovers, including 2023 a group of enthusiasts who built a Lego model of the crossing, which they've asked the Lego company to transform into an actual Lego set that could be sold to the public.

beep-beep for 71

HEMI V8 Production To Begin In August

From Mopar Insiders
Dundee Engine Plant Is Gearing Up To Build Multiple Versions Of The HEMI V8

Last month, MoparInsiders reported that Stellantis planned to restart 5.7-liter (345 cubic-inch) HEMI® V8 production at the Dundee Engine Plant (DEP) in Michigan. Since then, we’ve learned that Stellantis is targeting an August production start not just for the 5.7-liter HEMI, but the entire HEMI V8 family (other than the 6.4-liter “Big Gas Engine” that is found in the Ram Heavy Duty) at DEP.

That’s right, the HEMI’s return isn’t limited to just the 5.7-liter version. According to our sources, Stellantis also plans to restart production of the popular 6.4-liter (392 cubic-inch) “Apache” HEMI V8 and the powerful supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI HELLCAT V8s, as well.

Previously, Stellantis produced the HEMI V8 family at its Saltillo North Engine Plant in Saltillo, Mexico. That production ended in favor of the new twin-turbocharged HURRICANE I6 engines. Many believed that once existing engine stocks ran out, the HEMI V8 was finished for good.

However, following the departure of former CEO Carlos Tavares and shifting political influences, Stellantis seems to have reversed its plans. Recent leaks, as well as our many sources, have suggested that Stellantis eagerly wants the HEMI V8 back in its portfolio.

Sources have indicated that the returning HEMI V8 engines will remain based on the proven Gen 3 architecture. While most aspects will carry over, there could be notable updates or enhancements once they arrive. Additionally, a new larger-displacement HEMI variant could join the lineup in the future.

Stay tuned to MoparInsiders, as we closely monitor the exciting return of the HEMI. We’ll be bringing you updates on the engines, production timelines, and new vehicle applications as soon as they become available.

Ohio 1924 - wild times

New San Francisco Program Backed By Newsom Will Issue Speeding Tickets Based On Income

From New York Post
San Francisco is launching a new program backed by Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom that will issue speeding tickets based on income.

The Speed Safety System Pilot Program was signed by Newsom in October 2023 and allows cities across California to use speeding cameras to fine drivers. Those considered lower-income are eligible for a steep discount if they receive a speeding ticket.

Violations for speeding range from $50 to $500, but individuals with a household income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level are eligible for a 50% discount, according to the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency. Indigent persons, or individuals who are homeless, are eligible for an 80% discount on the speeding ticket.

San Francisco officials launched the program on March 20 with a total of 33 speeding cameras around the city, but only around half of them are operational.

For the first 60 days of the pilot program, the cameras will only be used to send warnings to speeding drivers, and will issue fines after. Violations start when an individual drives their car more than 11 mph over the speed limit.

Speed cameras were placed in areas that are “high injury,” where 12% of streets within San Francisco account for 68% of severe injuries or fatalities that are traffic-related.

A fact sheet for the pilot program states that speeding cameras were placed across the city “in an equitable fashion.”

“The program is intended to benefit all communities and not single out any particular neighborhood,” the fact sheet states.

San Francisco isn’t the only city planning to roll out the pilot program.

The Los Angeles Department of Transportation will roll out a similar program in 2026 that targets speeding drivers, but has an option for low-income individuals to perform community service instead of paying fines.

The 2025 Uber Lost & Found List

From Uber Newsroom
Check out the full 2025 Uber Lost & Found Index below, which includes step-by-step instructions on how to get help getting lost items back through the Uber app.

The 2025 Uber Lost & Found Index

The 50 most *unique* lost items:

Mannequin head with human hair

Viking drinking horn

Ghostbusters ghost trap

Chainsaw

Breast milk

Fine china

My turtle

Urinal

Club promoter sign reading “Annie’s married” – it belongs to the club

Sticky boob bra

Aviation headset

Shrek ears

Bermuda shorts

A pink fan that has two hearts and the word “bimbo”

DNA testing kit

Pickleball paddles and ball

2 mattresses

15 hookahs

Amethyst crystal

Aquarium

Witches broom

Unicycle

100 DVD’s

Bouquet of 100 red roses

Sea moss

Traffic cone

A very large portrait of myself in a brown box

Yankees bobble head figure

Plunger

A photograph of me and my friend at Benihana

Little cactus

Peacock feather

Lady Liberty crown

Hoverboard and a mini fridge

Harry potter wand

Sewing machine

Orthopedic foot insoles

Boiled eggs and a candle

Divorce papers

Ozempic

Remy the rat doll

Blue laminated paper with yellow smiley face

Cornish hens

A placard that says “it’s a Philly thing”

Fake blood

10 live lobsters

Taxidermied rabbit

Chicken sculpture

Hannah Montana merchandise

DJ mixing board

The 10 most commonly forgotten items:

Phone

Wallet

Keys

Luggage

Headphones

Glasses

Clothing

Passport

Vape

Water Bottle

The 10 most “forgetful” cities:

New York, NY

Miami, FL

Chicago, IL

Los Angeles, CA

Washington, DC

San Francisco, CA

Boston, MA

Newark, NJ

Dallas, TX

Houston, TX

2025 Lost & Found trends:

Lost in Litigation: Case Closed (or Just Lost?): From proof of residency to court summons and even divorce papers, riders keep misplacing legal docs at the worst possible time. Hopefully, they track them down before their lawyer – or the judge – does.

Top Shelf, Bottomed Out: Some riders were ready to pop bottles, only to leave them behind. High-end liquors like Don Julio 1942, Clase Azul, and Grey Goose didn’t make it to their final destinations.

Spinning Out: Vinyl collectors hit a scratch when their prized records didn’t make it home. Whether it was a rare find or a Taylor Swift essential, we hope they have a backup playlist.

Switching It Up: 70+ Nintendo Switches were left behind last year, proving that sometimes the biggest challenge isn’t in the game—it’s remembering to take your console with you.

Seeing Red (Again): Yet again, red remains the most lost color with over 8,000+ red items lost this year. Whether you’re looking for your favorite red cardigan or cherry red lip gloss, maybe start your search in the Uber Lost & Found.

Eagles Fans Fumble: The Eagles might’ve taken the big win, but their fans are taking the biggest losses—literally. From jerseys to foam fingers, Eagles fans were losing team gear left and right this year. Maybe a little too much celebrating?

Pickleball & Pilates Panic: The wellness wave continues, and so do the forgotten workout accessories. Lost yoga mats and pilates socks are on the rise, proving that sometimes the hardest part of class is just keeping track of your gear.

Bibbidi Bobbidi Oops: From Minnie ears to Simba stuffed animals, Disney fans have been leaving behind their most treasured park merch. It’s a small world after all—but a big heartbreak when your Disney magic takes a detour.

Say Cheese!: From gold teeth to Invisalign (and even full sets of dentures), Uber drivers may have found more teeth than the Tooth Fairy could handle this year. Here’s hoping she left the Uber fare under their pillow!

With Apple on Top: Apple was more than just the song of the summer. From iPhones to Airpods, the tech giant took the crown as the most lost brand in Uber rides this year with over Apple products lost. Plus, a whopping 1.7 million iPhones and Androids combined were lost in rides this year.

Most forgetful days / times:

Remember 10/26: October 26th holds the crown for the most lost items—so if you left something behind that day, you’re not alone. It’s no coincidence that this just so happens to be the Saturday of Halloweekend…

Losing Hour: The most popular hours of the day lost items were reported were 11:00 pm and 12:00 am—prime time for wrapping up a night out. From phones to wallets, it seems the later the night, the looser the grip.

Mercury in Retrograde: During Mercury’s April 2024 retrograde, lost items were on the rise with over 7,000+ rides with lost items reported on April 5 alone.

Lost items that peak on certain days:

People are most likely to forget gloves on Mondays

People are most likely to forget jackets on Tuesdays

People are most likely to forget medicine on Wednesdays

People are most likely to forget umbrellas on Thursdays and Fridays

People are most likely to forget cowboy hats on Saturdays

People are most likely to forget a debit card on Sundays

Lost items by category:

Top 20 food items left behind:

5 gallon bucket of beans

A thermos full of soup

175 hamburger sliders

Bojangles chicken tender combo

Half-eaten sushi

Banana pudding

100 wings

Crab legs

Beef Patties

Crawfish and sausages in corn

108 eggs

Garlic cloves

24 cans of corn

Important chocolate milk

Favorite peanut butter!

1 gallon Sunny Delight

Various cream cheese spreads

Pomegranate

Bucket of feta cheese

5 jars of pickles

And alcohol and drink related items were forgotten too…

18 pack of Corona

Crown Royal

A gallon of Grey Goose

A fifth of Remy and Mr. Pure peach lemonade and Casamigos

Liquor shots and Backwood Whiskey

5 Mike’s Hard Lemonade

Handle of vodka

Clase Azul

Boba tea

Boxed wine

Pack of Truly

Don Julio 1942

Platinum vodka

Hennessy X.O

Case of White Claw

Top 20 beauty items left behind:

Dyson airwrap

Hair extensions

Face wash and ashwagandha pills

Jo Malone perfume

Lip gloss! (I know it’s ridiculous but it’s my favorite lip gloss and they discontinued it)

My Baccarat cologne

Happy Clinique perfume

Rhode lip gloss in ‘Toast’

PinkCaboodle makeup box

A brown Summer Fridays lip balm

Makeup by Mario setting powder

Press-on nails

Vitamin c, sunscreen, melatonin and collagen

Silk hair scrunchie

Milk cooling blush stick

Hair building fibers

Solwave red light therapy wand

Versace perfume

A pair of eyelashes

Fenty lip liner in the color ‘I Wouldn’t’

Top 5 pet items left behind:

My puppy

38 lb of cat litter

Wee wee pads for dogs

Dog noise cancelling earmuffs

Filet Mignon for my dog

Top 5 wedding and bridal items left behind:

My bouquet for my wedding, please

A diamond from my engagement ring

I got married today and left my custom broom

A blanket with my fiance’s pictures on it

Bachelorette sash and a bride to be veil

Top 10 sports and fitness items left behind:

Electric skateboard

Golf putter

Stadium seats

Yoga mat from Lululemon

Ticket to the Atlanta Falcons

A cornhole set

Pilates socks

Fishing rods in tall black container

Racquetball racquet

Badminton equipment

Top 10 fashion and jewelry items left behind:

Tuxedo

Black J.Crew women’s blazer

US Open pullover

Doc Martens

Kate Spade purse

Timberlands

Black Vuori shorts

White Vans

Black Aritzia SuperPuff

Birkenstock slides

Top 15 luxury items left behind:

Supreme headband

Balmain navy blue blazer with gold buttons

Gold Rolex

Diesel cap with a big metal Diesel logo on top

Air Jordan 1s worth $1,800

Black Gucci belt

Black Dior shawl

Prada scrunchie

Burberry throw blanket

Alexander Wang heel

A green Ganni bonnet

Dior slides

Ferragamo belt

YSL jeans

Hermes Belt

Top 15 toys and novelty items left behind:

I lost an old Care Bear that I love

DSi (electronic)

Pokémon Go gaming device

My green scooter

Stuffed animal alien

Lamborghini lego

Beyblade (kids spinning top)

My son’s Nintendo Switch

I left my black lightsaber. It turns red when you turn it on

Ms. Rachel doll

Elmo fan cooler

PS5 controller

Small Hello Kitty pouch that says “jboogy” on it

Gold metal cat, 1 inch tall

A small yellow Yoshi figure

Top 15 musical items left behind:

A trumpet

Accordion

Trombone

Sheet music

Taylor Swift vinyl record

Flute

Lollapalooza wristband

A harmonica

Drumstick

A signed photograph of Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra

Piccolo

Poster from Childish Gambino concert

Avril Lavigne merchandise

Conductor stick

Violin in a purple case

How to retrieve lost items:

If you’re one of those people who left something behind, look no further than this help page, which outlines the simple steps you can take the next time you leave something behind in rides with Uber.

British Man Unknowingly Buys Back His Own Stolen Car

From UPI
A British man who paid more than $26,000 to replace his stolen car later discovered he had unknowing bought his own vehicle back.

Ewan Valentine, 36, from Solihull, England, said he discovered Feb. 28 that his black 2016 Honda Civic Type-R had been stolen from its overnight parking space.

Valentine said he was distraught about the loss and hoped to replace the car with a nearly-identical vehicle.

"Sure enough, I found one for sale. Same color, same year, same custom exhaust system," he wrote on social media.

The license plates and VIN were different from his stolen vehicle, so he didn't think too much about the similarities until he had already paid more than $26,000 for the replacement ride.

"I started to notice some odd things when I got it home. I noticed a tent peg and some Christmas tree pines in the boot. I noticed the locking wheel nut was in a Tesco sandwich bag. I noticed some wrappers in the central storage section. All oddly similar to my stolen car," he wrote.

Valentine decided to check the car's on-board GPS and discovered it had previously been to his house, his parents' house and even his partners' parents' house.

"A part of me felt sort of triumphant for a moment until I realized, actually, no, this isn't some heroic moment; you didn't go and get your car back; you've actually done something a bit stupid," Valentine told the BBC.

He took the vehicle to a Honda dealership, where technicians confirmed the VIN was a fake and the car was indeed the one that had been stolen from Valentine.

"The first Honda technician, he pulled the physical key out, puts it straight in the door and unlocks it and he's like, 'Yes, it's your car,'" Valentine said.

Valentine said he does not believe the garage that sold him the car knew it was stolen.

"The police and the Honda garage all said this was one of the best clone jobs they'd ever seen, so if it wasn't for these little artifacts, no one would have ever known," he said.

The car is currently being investigated by police for forensic evidence and will then be turned over to Valentine's insurance company.

"The police are now handing the car over to my insurance company, who will either get it road legal again and in a position that it can be insured on my original policy again or pay out for the car if that costs more than the car," he told Birmingham Live.

Got to feed the kids

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