A Shunpiker's Journal

A Shunpiker's Journal wrap up today’s program talking to Ford’s marketing manager for the new Ranger pickup, Brian Bell, who talks about the fabulous, new, mid-size pickup, the conversion of the trusty Wayne Assembly Plant, and hints about next year’s introduction of the Ranger-based Bronco SUV.

Shunpiker's Journal met up with famous race car driver and racing team owner, Detroit native Robbie Buhl, at a vacant lot in Corktown near the old Michigan Station not long ago for a demonstration of an advanced driving program he and some partners created for teen drivers. His “Teen Street Skills” program spends a whole day teaching skid control, emergency braking, and a variety of skills. Robbie recently moved his racing business to the Corktown neighborhood. Details at www.teenstreetskills.org.

Steve Purdy and A.J. Baime provide an update on the Automotive Heritage Awards we talked about on our last program. They presented a series of awards for journalism, special automobiles and one for lifetime achievement at the Concours d’Elegance of America at St. Johns. GM executive vice president, Mark Reuss, was there to accept the Future Collectible Vehicle of the Year award from the National Automotive History Collection and the Mercedes Maybach Cabriolet won the Concept Vehicle of the Year honor. Most important is the AHA Lifetime Achievement Award that went to veteran columnist for Road & Track and Cycle World magazines, Peter Egan.
www.autoheritageawards.com

This episode features best-selling author A.J. Baime talking about his masterfully written 4-program series of half-hour stories for the Wondery Business Wars podcast detailing a century of automotive history centered on the epic competition between Ford and Chevrolet. Mr. Baime is a regular contributor to The Wall Street Journal as well as author of five books about important historical topics. One of his books, Go Like Hell, chronicles the conflict between Henry Ford II and Enzo Ferrari that resulted in Ford building a race car that beat the unbeatable Ferraris at Le Mans. 

The SAE Mobility History Committee (MHC) is exhibiting at the 40th Concours d’Elegance of America at the Inn at St John’s , Plymouth MI, on 28 & 29th July 2018.

Our friend and colleague, Gary Witzenburg, has been a racer, auto journalist, engineer, PR guy and now he is back to automotive journalism. Gary is one of the hardest working guys in the business. We spend some time talking about the Concours d’Elegance he founded at Michigan State University, and a variety of our shared auto media experiences.

Ed Lucas, auto heritage expert and the voice of many of the most prestigious Concours d’Elegance in the country, talks about these world-class antique, classic and collector car shows and some of the ones he has worked in and around the last few months. We agree on the Amelia Island event being the best in many ways. We also talk about the collector car auction scene - what’s hot and what’s not. His deep knowledge of automotive history and his rich baritone voice will grace our upcoming Automotive Heritage Awards program at the Concours d’Elegnce of America at St. John’s.