Episode Overview

Podcast: The John Clay Wolfe Show
Episode: #42 – Hour 3 (April 23, 2016)
Air Date: February 12, 2026
Host: John Clay Wolfe
Theme:
This lively hour features car-buying Q&A, behind-the-scenes stories from the early days of the show and dealership, hilarious banter among hosts, advice on vehicles' diminished value after accidents, and a dose of homespun gospel humor. Listeners call in to get their vehicles valued, reminisce about the show’s roots, and laugh through off-beat blessings and singalongs. As always, it’s a mix of “cars, sports, sex, drugs and rock & roll,” plus personal stories that make the show unique.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Diminished Value After Car Accidents

• [00:35–03:07]
  • A caller asks about the loss in value of his 2010 F150 after a rear-end accident and subsequent repairs.
  • John Clay Wolfe: “So if the truck was worth 12 grand before, now it’s worth nine with a bad Carfax. So the $3,000 difference, he loses.” [01:24]
  • Insight: Even with repairs covered by insurance, a car with an accident history loses significant value which owners seldom recoup.
  • John discusses launching a new venture to help people get compensated for diminished value:
    “We’re fixing to get into the diminished value business… we’re gonna finally put people like him in tune with their insurance carrier so he doesn’t have to fight real hard to get paid.” [01:24]
  • Discusses how diminished value is starker for luxury cars (20–25% loss).

2. Ecodiesel Truck Values and Manufacturing

• [03:44–05:41]
  • Caller with a 2015 EcoDiesel questions its resale value.
  • John admits values fluctuate widely:
    “They’re all over the damn board. Nobody knows what they’re worth.” [04:37]
  • Caller reports satisfaction with fuel economy and performance.
  • Discussion on engine origin; speculation that it’s a Mercedes and how Nissan got the Cummins engine.

3. Show and Dealership Origins: A Decade of Change

• [06:17–08:56]
  • Behind-the-scenes: John recounts how his motorcycle accident and a down economy led him to radio to revive his dealership.
  • John Clay Wolfe: “I was in a wheelchair… trying to figure out what the hell I was going to do because business was poor and I needed to get the dealership up. So I got on the radio.” [06:52]
  • Co-host Bobbo recalls hearing the early show and joining, first as a guest, then as a truck salesman:
    “You are a tough coach, too… but you never really hacked me off, though. But everybody around me was hacked off.” [07:57] (Bobbo)
  • The GiveMeTheVIN side of the business grew from handling unseen trades and online deals during that era.

4. Mixing Cars and Comedy: Listener Feedback

• [08:56–09:23]
  • Hosts discuss show content balance; both enjoy the eclectic “BS” more than deep car talk.
  • Bobbo: “When I’m listening to the podcast replays and we get into cars, I skip it… I like the BS that’s part of the show.” [09:09]

5. Listener Calls: Community and History

• [09:29–11:40]
  • Keith from Vernon, Texas, long-time listener, recalls buying from John’s old dealership and their crossover at a gospel radio show.
  • Prompted to deliver a blessing—playful banter ensues:
  • Keith (tongue-in-cheek prayer): “Lord, Lord, bless these guys. They’re doing the best they can.” [10:50]
  • John: “That’s not a good prayer. We need more than that, Keith. Come on, lay it on us.” [10:54]

6. Classic Car Value Appraisals

• [11:55–21:27]

  • Callers inquire about values for a range of vehicles: 2009 Toyota Avalon, 2015 Avalon, 2013 Mercedes C250, and 2008 Lexus GS350.

  • John gives rapid fire, market-based values, stressing:

    • Clean Carfax is crucial
    • High mileage or less desirable colors (like blue) can reduce offers
    • Encourages using GiveMeTheVIN.com for easy, practical selling

  • Memorable exchange:

    • Caller: “The blue actually looks a lot better than the white and black, I think.”
    • John: “I just buy and sell the market. If the blue isn’t what I’m thinking, then it’ll get my thinking up to 20. But if 20 won’t work, then doesn’t matter because I cannot go over 20.” [19:25]

7. Nostalgia and Cultural Bits

• [20:12–20:36]
  • Hosts reminisce about old membership clubs like Columbia Record Club and sending “SAZEs” (self-addressed stamped envelopes).

8. Gospel Humor & Wild “Blessing”

• [14:16–15:59]
  • Bobbo delivers an over-the-top televangelist-style blessing:
    “Somebody in here needs the Lord… when I woke up this morning, I had been dreaming of a pack of wild hounds… The apostle Paul said to Timothy and the Ephesians more than four times, be separate from the world or the dogs of hell will bite your ass. That’s not the Bible.” [14:25–15:36]
  • Laughter breaks out—hosts relish this Southern-fried improv.

9. Musical Close: On & On

• [22:42–23:58]
  • Show closes with Bobbo singing “On and On,” providing a light-hearted musical send-off and additional comic impressions.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• “We’re gonna finally put people like him in tune with their insurance carrier and get them to where he doesn’t have to fight real hard to get paid on the diminished value.” – John Clay Wolfe [01:24]
• “You had a $50,000 car… Now it’s got a bad Carfax. Now it’s worth 40.” – John Clay Wolfe [02:37]
• “You are a tough coach, too… but you never really hacked me off, though. But everybody around me was hacked off.” – Bobbo [07:57]
• “When I’m listening to the podcast replays and we get into cars, I skip it… I like the BS that’s part of the show.” – Bobbo [09:09]
• “Lord, Lord, bless these guys. They’re doing the best they can.” – Keith (Gospel Show) [10:50]
• “The apostle Paul said to Timothy and the Ephesians more than four times, be separate from the world or the dogs of hell will bite your ass. That’s not the Bible.” – Bobbo [15:35]
• “When you’re 12, what would you want more than like 12 of your favorite albums for a penny?” – John Clay Wolfe [20:36]
• “Down in Jamaica they got lots of pretty women…” – Bobbo singing “On and On” [22:42]

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |---------------------------------------------|-----------------| | Diminished value after accident (Q&A) | 00:33–03:07 | | EcoDiesel truck value and engine talk | 03:44–05:41 | | Show/dealership backstory | 06:17–08:56 | | Show format and content banter | 08:56–09:23 | | Listener call: Keith’s blessing | 09:29–11:14 | | Playful Southern gospel "blessing" | 14:16–15:59 | | Car valuation Q&A (Avalon, Mercedes, Lexus) | 11:55–21:27 | | Nostalgic record club/S.A.S.E. exchange | 20:12–20:36 | | Show close and musical send-off | 22:42–23:58 |

Summary

This episode of The John Clay Wolfe Show is a whirlwind of car valuations, hilarious personal stories, host banter, and quirky community moments. Diminished value after an accident, the unpredictability of modern truck prices, and the show’s unexpected journey from a two-horse dealership in Vernon, Texas to a decade-long radio staple take center stage. Listeners call in for advice, old friends drop by, and the show closes in fitting style with a gospel improv and a Bobbo serenade. The result: a show-as-hang-out that’s as much about friendship and laughter as it is about cars.