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#357 John Clay Wolfe Show 05.30.26

#357 John Clay Wolfe Show 05.30.26

The John Clay Wolfe Show May 30, 2026 150 min
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About this episode

The John Clay Wolfe Show (#357) blends car talk with radio-show logistics and event hype. Pricing and value come up through Firehawk comparisons and classic-car condition debates, while callers get into specific builds like a 1954 Chevy pickup and a 1970 Super Bee. The hosts also push VIN-based buying and a big Mopar/auction calendar, including a June 27 Gas Monkey finale and an F6 reveal. Along the way, there’s plenty of banter, plus stories ranging from road-rage near-misses to video-editing rules on YouTube.

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Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Car

2000 model Firehawk

"I see a 13,000 mile six speed firehawk 2000 model, but you want 40 grand for it..."

The Firehawk is a special, more performance-focused version of the Pontiac Firebird. The conversation here is basically about a low-mileage one and whether it’s worth the high asking price.

Term

six speed

"I see a 13,000 mile six speed firehawk 2000 model, but you want 40 grand for it..."

“Six-speed” means the car has a manual gearbox with six forward gears. It can help the engine stay in the right rev range for better driving and smoother cruising.

Concept

price is too high

"I'd love to have it, but the price is too high. Nope. Understood."

They’re basically saying the asking price doesn’t match what the car is worth. They’re comparing it to other sales and what they think it should cost.

Car

Ferrari 328

"Okay. Yeah, so what's the best car in the group? [807.6s] The best are my favorite. [810.7s] Both. [811.7s] We have a 57 Turner... [821.2s] The Ferrari 328 I really like."

The Ferrari 328 is an older Ferrari sports car with a V8 engine. People like it because it feels exciting to drive and it’s become a classic that collectors still want.

Car

Ferrari GTO replica

"[821.2s] The Ferrari 328 I really like. [823.8s] We've got a Ferrari GTO replica based off of a Dotson that is pristine. [829.8s] I mean, it's a nice."

A Ferrari GTO replica is a car made to resemble the famous Ferrari GTO. It’s usually built using another car as a starting point, then modified so it looks like the original.

Concept

auctions

"When you see those cars come through the auctions, they can't have Ferrari logos on them. Well this one's got the Ferrari, it's got a horse on it everywhere. Can you see one of those running through one of those TV auctions? Everyone's small. You'll see the horse not on there because they will sue the auction house."

In the collector-car world, auctions are a common way to buy and sell cars, including high-value brands. This segment specifically connects auctions to trademark/logo enforcement, where cars may be restricted from being shown with certain brand marks.

Concept

sue the auction house

"You'll see the horse not on there because they will sue the auction house. Oh, anyway, no big deal. Well, we don't have to worry about that."

That phrase means the brand could take the auction company to court. The idea is that protected logos and trademarks can’t always be used freely in auction advertising or TV coverage.

Car

Toyota Corolla

"I know you're shocked. While honoring Corolla during the dedication ceremony, this is cut numbe..."

The Toyota Corolla is a regular, everyday car made for commuting and errands. It’s popular because it’s practical and easy to live with. The podcast mentions it because it’s being celebrated at an event.

Car

55 Chevy truck

"OK. Mike in Illinois, you got a 55 Chevy truck broken at 47,000 mile driver quality. Two-wheel drive cameo bed."

That’s a 1955 Chevrolet pickup truck. People like these because they’re classic, and a “driver-quality” one is meant to be driven and enjoyed, not just stored.

Term

driver quality

"OK. Mike in Illinois, you got a 55 Chevy truck broken at 47,000 mile driver quality. Two-wheel drive cameo bed."

“Driver quality” is an enthusiast grading term meaning the vehicle looks and runs well enough to be driven regularly, but it may not be flawless at concours-level standards. It’s often a middle ground between a daily driver and a top-tier show car.

Term

Two-wheel drive

"Two-wheel drive cameo bed. Is it long bed or short bed?"

Two-wheel drive means only one set of wheels gets power. It’s usually fine for normal driving, but it won’t handle deep snow or rough off-road as well as four-wheel drive.

Term

long bed

"Is it long bed or short bed? Short bed."

A “long bed” is the longer cargo area on a pickup. It changes the truck’s overall size and how practical it is for hauling and parking.

Term

short bed

"Is it long bed or short bed? Short bed. What about her?"

A “short bed” is the smaller cargo area on a pickup. It’s usually easier to park and can look more compact.

Term

35350 combo

"What about her? 35350 combo. How nice on a scale of one to ten?"

“35350 combo” sounds like a quick shorthand for what engine and drivetrain parts are in the truck. It’s basically the build’s main mechanical recipe, not just a random number.

Car

57 Chevy

"Propical turquoise, 57 Chevy. So, just take it, you know, everybody wants to get on it, take their picture."

That’s a 1957 Chevrolet. The host is talking about it as a nice-looking, show-type truck/car with a distinctive turquoise paint color.

Car

Ford Ranger

"He was. Was he a was he a road ranger? Oh, yeah. Yeah. Yeah."

The Ford Ranger is a pickup truck, meaning it has a cargo bed for carrying things. People use it for work, tools, or weekend projects. The podcast just mentions it as part of the discussion.

Concept

fresh resto

"So it's a fresh resto body off, the whole works. [3035.6s] It's got a small block. [3037.6s] It's a four speed."

“Fresh resto” means the car was restored not too long ago. It usually means the body and mechanical parts were gone through and put back in good shape.

Term

small block

"So it's a fresh resto body off, the whole works. [3035.6s] It's got a small block. [3037.6s] It's a four speed."

“Small block” is a nickname for a Chevrolet V8 engine that’s smaller than the “big block” versions. It’s commonly used in classic cars because it’s compact and popular for upgrades.

Term

four speed

"It's got a small block. [3037.6s] It's a four speed. [3039.6s] Right, what about the wheel?"

“Four speed” means the transmission has four forward gears. That changes how the engine sounds and how the car shifts when you drive it.

Term

lowered two inches in the front

"What about the wheels and the stance? [3047.6s] It's been lowered two inches in the front. [3050.6s] It's got pocketed leaf springs in the back."

Lowering the car means the front sits closer to the ground. That can make it look better and change how it drives, but it can also require careful alignment so tires don’t rub.

Term

pocketed leaf springs

"It's been lowered two inches in the front. [3050.6s] It's got pocketed leaf springs in the back. [3053.6s] I guess you know what that means."

“Pocketed leaf springs” means the suspension mounting area has been modified to make room for bigger wheels and tires. It helps fit a wider tire without rubbing on the car.

Concept

pocket into the frame

"I guess you know what that means. [3055.6s] The leaf spring's been moved in so you could put a pocket into the frame so you could get [3059.6s] a little bigger wheel and tire back there."

They’re describing a clearance cut in the frame so the suspension and tires can fit properly. In this case, it’s done to fit a bigger rear wheel and tire.

Term

tubbed

"It is not many tubbed. [3064.6s] Good, good, that's fine. [3066.6s] You can't get crazy."

“Tubbed” usually means the rear wheel area has been reshaped/widened to fit wider tires. They’re saying this car isn’t taken to an extreme version of that.

Term

cam and heads

"It's a 400 small block with cam and heads. Does it idle rough or is it okay?"

The camshaft and the cylinder heads are key engine parts that control airflow and timing. Changing them can make the engine stronger, but some setups can also make the idle feel rough.

Car

1954 Chevy Pickup five window

"Alright, 1954 Chevy Pickup five window. I've had it 40 years. It's an Air Force 20 years."

It’s a 1954 Chevrolet pickup truck with a classic cab window layout people often call a “five window.” The speaker says it still has the original-style engine and a simple 3-speed manual, but the electrical system has been converted to 12 volts.

Term

235 stove bolt

"It's a 235 stove bolt 63 speed on the column, foot starter, 12 volt conversion, pretty stock truck."

The “235 Stovebolt” is a classic Chevrolet inline-six engine (235 cubic inches). People like it because it’s a straightforward, old-school engine that’s common in vintage Chevy trucks.

Term

12 volt conversion

"It's a 235 stove bolt 63 speed on the column, foot starter, 12 volt conversion, pretty stock truck."

A “12 volt conversion” means the truck’s electrical system has been changed to use 12 volts instead of an older lower-voltage setup. It usually makes things like lights and starting work better and makes modern upgrades easier.

Term

63 speed on the column

"It's a 235 stove bolt 63 speed on the column, foot starter, 12 volt conversion, pretty stock truck."

This truck uses a manual transmission with three gears, and the shifter is on the steering column. It’s the older style of shifting compared with a modern floor shifter.

Car

Chevrolet Volt

"...ove bolt 63 speed on the column, foot starter, 12 volt conversion, pretty stock truck. How long ago was ..."

The Chevrolet Volt is a car that uses both electricity and gasoline. You can charge it, and it can drive on electric power for a while. When the battery isn’t enough, it can switch to a gasoline engine.

Concept

10 footer

"Yeah, it would and some car guys told me it's too nice by a rougher one. I mean, it's a 10 footer for sure."

A “10 footer” means the car looks really good from far away, but if you get close you might see imperfections. It’s a common way car people talk about cosmetic condition.

Term

Scotch Bright

"And it's got to make a paint job. It's not patina, it's not patina, but if you know, you took a little cleanser and a Scotch Bright to it, it'd be a nice good looking."

Scotch Bright is an abrasive cleaning pad. Here it’s being suggested as a way to clean or scuff the surface to improve how the paint looks.

Term

patina

"It's not patina, it's not patina, but if you know, you took a little cleanser and a Scotch Bright to it, it'd be a nice good looking."

Patina is the natural worn look a vehicle gets over time. They’re saying this isn’t that kind of intentional “old and cool” wear—it’s something you’d clean up or fix.

Term

buffing wheel

"Or you could take a buffing wheel and compound and just rip all the paint off of it when you try to clean it up because that happens too."

A buffing wheel is a spinning tool used to polish the paint. Depending on how it’s used, it can make the surface look better—or remove paint if you get too aggressive.

Car

70 Super B

"John, in Florida, your 70 Super B, you emailed us a minute ago, I believe, and I forwarded that to my guy already. Is that right? Yep, I got it. 45 grand. What motors in it?"

They’re talking about a 1970 Plymouth Super Bee. It’s a classic muscle car, and what engine it has is a big deal for how desirable (and valuable) it is.

Car

Dodge Super B

"...g forward to seeing it. John, in Florida, your 70 Super B, you emailed us a minute ago, I believe, and I fo..."

The Dodge Super Bee is a classic muscle car designed for strong performance. “70 Super B” refers to the 1970 model. The podcast brings it up because someone is interested in that specific car.

Term

440

"45 grand. What motors in it? It's got a 440 in it with a mild cam. Sticker, Matic and pistol grip?"

“440” is the engine size—about 440 cubic inches. Bigger engines like this usually make strong low-end power, and collectors care a lot which engine is in the car.

Term

mild cam

"Yep, I got it. 45 grand. What motors in it? It's got a 440 in it with a mild cam."

The camshaft helps control when the engine’s valves open. A “mild cam” is a gentler upgrade that adds some power without making the car too rough or hard to drive every day.

Term

Automatic

"Sticker, Matic and pistol grip? Automatic. If you don't do 45 as a clone with an automatic, it won't do it."

“Automatic” means the car shifts by itself instead of requiring you to use a clutch and shift gears. On classic muscle cars, whether it’s automatic or manual can change how people judge it and what it’s worth.

Concept

clone

"Automatic. If you don't do 45 as a clone with an automatic, it won't do it. But it might do 30 or 35."

A “clone” is a car that’s been modified or restored to look like a more desirable version. Collectors often pay more only if it matches the important details closely.

Topic

Mopar's 5150 event

"Will you see that car at the 5150 Mopar event that's going on? ... Mopar's 5150. They're having their car show."

They’re talking about a Mopar-themed car show called “5150.” It’s an event where people bring cars and hang out with other Mopar fans.

Place

Celeste, Texas

"Celeste, Texas. There is a Mopar car show going on. These friends of mine at Mopar's 5150 did their own little Walnut Springs thing in Celeste, Texas out by Greenville."

They say the car show is in Celeste, Texas. It’s near Greenville, so it’s a regional event for people in the Dallas area.

Car

Plymouth Super Birds

"...they have beautiful, like if you want to see real super birds and real hemicutas and all that stuff. And you do..."

The Plymouth Superbird is a very rare classic muscle car from the late 1960s. It’s known for its unusual, aerodynamic shape. The podcast mentions it because people want to see the real, authentic versions.

Topic

car show

"He's got a gig. He's doing a car show in middle of that day. Okay."

A car show is an event where people bring cars to display and talk about them. Sometimes there are awards or special activities.

Topic

Cars and coffee

"There was something else. Cars and coffee in the morning. The Mopar event on the six."

Cars and coffee is a meet where car people show up, hang out, and talk about their cars—usually in the morning. It’s more casual than a formal car show.

Term

pre register to be able to bid

"GMTV auctions and you pre register to be able to bid. Yep."

Pre-registering means you sign up before the auction so you’re allowed to bid. It helps the auction match your bids to you.

Term

classic Chevy

"Turley, what Mike wants to ask is he wants to buy a classic Chevy for his son that's fixing to graduate."

A “classic Chevy” is an older Chevrolet that people collect or enjoy driving. The host is basically saying that if you buy one, you should expect to spend money keeping it running.

Car

Toyota 4Runner

"not going to want him to drive it. So it's, if you want it for yourself, sure. He's already got a Toyota 4-Runner. I bought him to go through college. So this is for a president for both of us. Yeah, it's for you. It's like a first president."

The Toyota 4Runner is a larger SUV that’s built to handle rough roads and outdoor trips. It’s also used like a normal family vehicle for daily life. The podcast mentions it because someone already has one and it’s part of their plans.

Term

wrench turning

"So you own the vehicle, but you're going to put also, I'm not a wrench turning guy. Yeah, I wasn't either company and I is he. So go ahead."

“Wrench turning” means working on the car yourself with tools. The host is saying that if you’re not the one doing the work, you’ll likely pay more for repairs.

Term

mechanical stuff

"So you own the vehicle, but you're going to put also, I'm not a wrench turning guy. Yeah, I wasn't either company and I is he. So go ahead."

“Mechanical stuff” just means car repairs and maintenance. The point here is that if you can’t do it yourself, you may have to pay a mechanic a lot of money.

Term

change the oil

"Well, and actually, it is a cool thing to do is, you know, at least change the oil with them and kind of tinker with it because I did that with my son."

Changing the oil means replacing the engine’s old oil with new oil. It’s one of the simplest car maintenance tasks, and the host says doing it together was a good bonding experience.

Place

Alabama, Aniston, Alabama

"there's I think 40 cars in Alabama, Aniston, Alabama that I bought from a from a state and we're auctioning them off to the public right now."

They’re saying the cars are in Alabama (they mention Anniston). That’s useful because where the cars are located affects what you can find and how you’d buy it.

Term

LS three engines

"They got LS three engines in them. But you can go through all these cars and you can find one you get a hell of a deal."

“LS3” is the name of a Chevrolet V8 engine. It’s a popular, widely supported engine, and people often choose cars with it because it’s easier to maintain and upgrade than many rarer engines.

Car

Chevrolet Chevelle

"there's some Chevelles and some other things on there too at GMTV auctions.com."

They’re mentioning Chevelles, which are classic Chevrolet muscle cars. With older cars, what you get depends a lot on how well it was maintained and restored.

Car

71 Stingray

"Left hand Louis in Chicago, you have a 71 Stingray frame off Resto trying to trade in at a dealership. Can y'all buy it? Yes, I can buy it. Can I buy it for 40 grand? ... it's not worth 40."

A “Stingray” is a Corvette. The host is saying that a normal restored 1971 Corvette usually isn’t worth as much as people hope—unless it’s been built into a very expensive, special project.

Concept

frame off Resto

"Left hand Louis in Chicago, you have a 71 Stingray frame off Resto trying to trade in at a dealership. Can y'all buy it? Yes, I can buy it."

A frame-off restoration is when you take the car apart completely and restore it from the frame up. It costs a lot, so the car’s value only goes up if the restoration was done well and with the right upgrades.

Brand

Roush

"All these calls are all screwed up because we, a 20 Roush nightmare with 29,000 mile four-wheel drive. Is it supercharged?"

Roush is a performance brand that modifies cars after they’re built. The host is saying the car in question is a Roush-style performance build, not a stock one.

Term

four-wheel drive

"All these calls are all screwed up because we, a 20 Roush nightmare with 29,000 mile four-wheel drive. Is it supercharged?"

Four-wheel drive means the car can send power to all four wheels. That usually helps it grip better on wet or slippery roads.

Term

supercharged

"All these calls are all screwed up because we, a 20 Roush nightmare with 29,000 mile four-wheel drive. Is it supercharged?"

A supercharger is a device that forces extra air into the engine. More air usually means more power.

Car

Shelby Super Snake

"a 20 with 29, I just bought a Shelby Super Snake, a 21 supercharged for 60. Now it was previously stolen and it's got 600 miles on it. How much is this one?"

A Shelby Super Snake is a very powerful Mustang that’s been upgraded by Shelby. It typically has a supercharger, and here they’re talking about a particular one for sale and what it’s worth.

Concept

previously stolen

"Now it was previously stolen and it's got 600 miles on it. How much is this one?"

If a car was previously stolen, it means it was taken illegally before. That can cause problems like damage or missing parts, and it may affect the paperwork you’ll need to own it.

Term

VIN

"Anybody that missed out, just go to give me the VIN. That is our website and you can put in the license plate number, I'll decode it and we'll give you an offer immediately. Give me the VIN, give me the VIN.com."

A VIN is like a car’s fingerprint—an ID number that’s unique to that exact vehicle. People use it to look up the car’s details and history.

Car

Ford Fairlane

"...aving an auction, he told me. And you've got a 63 Fairlane there from Cars Park. Can I buy that? Yeah, just ..."

The Ford Fairlane is a classic car model made by Ford. A “63 Fairlane” means the 1963 version, which is a specific year people collect. The podcast mentions it because someone is asking about buying one.

Car

69 Z 28 Camaro

"I come back home and my mom sold our 69 Z 28 Camaro vinyl top. Was it yours or was it hers?"

This is a Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 from 1969. It’s the more performance-oriented version of the Camaro, and people collect these because they’re classic and desirable.

Concept

restored

"I mean, that car is like the baseball coach for my little brothers. If that car is not restored, it's 50 grand. If it is restored, it's 80."

“Restored” means the car was repaired and brought back to look and run much better, not just left as-is. In classic cars, that can dramatically change what it’s worth.

Car

LS1

"A street legal LS1 shopping cart that's been out on the web. It's been on the street."

LS1 is a Chevy V8 engine. People like it because it’s powerful and there are lots of parts and upgrades available for it.

Term

ABS

"And it's got a steering wheel. It's got gas pedals. Is it street legal? ABS, forward, just brakes. Is it street legal? Yes, sir."

ABS is a safety system that helps you brake without the wheels locking up. It can help you keep steering control when you stop hard.

Term

4L60 training

"Sounds like a Denali chassis with the 5.3 and a 4L60 training."

The 4L60 is an automatic transmission used in a lot of GM vehicles. It’s popular for engine swaps because it’s common and there are many replacement/upgrade parts.

Term

5.3

"Sounds like a Denali chassis with the 5.3 and a 4L60 training."

“5.3” usually means a 5.3-liter V8 engine. Bigger displacement generally means more potential power, and this engine is popular for swaps.

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