The John Clay Wolfe Show – Episode #52 Summary
Date: February 12, 2026
Host: John Clay Wolfe
Co-hosts/Regulars: J.D. Ryan, Bobbo, Turley
Podcast Theme: Loose, irreverent, high-energy talk show covering cars, music, everyday life, with a dose of humor and regular forays into sports, sex, and rock & roll.
Episode Overview
This episode sees the John Clay Wolfe crew in rare form, leaping from their latest obsession with drones to stories from the front lines of the car business, concert tales, wild Oklahoma laws, and reflections on everything from dog-eared pickup trucks to Steely Dan fandom. Sprinkled throughout are lively car buy/sell negotiations, sarcastic banter about jobs, and a recurring theme of cutting through industry BS. Tonally, it's a blend of smart-ass commentary, genuine knowledge, and friends riffing on the day's news.
Main Themes & Purposes
- Drones & New Tech: John’s new DJI Phantom 3 drone is the main show-and-tell, providing the launching pad for stories and jokes.
- Buying & Selling Cars: Live car appraisals and negotiations, tips for listeners on getting the best deal, and candid stories from the business.
- Music & Events: Recaps of recent concerts (notably Steely Dan & Steve Winwood), and nostalgia for classic rock culture.
- Industry Real Talk: Calling out shady dealership tactics, explaining the “givemethevin.com” model, and addressing myths and competitor mudslinging.
- Regional Flavor & Humor: Oklahoma/Arkansas shout-outs, oddball local laws, and the joys/pains of operating in various markets.
Key Segments & Discussion Highlights
1. Drone Mania & Hijinks
[00:10 – 08:19]
- John won a DJI Phantom 3 drone at an auto auction, was supposed to give it away, but kept it:
- “I'm not giving that to anybody. I want that.” (John, 00:44)
- Describes flying it over the Starbucks drive-thru, buzzing by local businesses, and using it to spy on the neighborhood.
- JD, Turley, Bobbo all comment on the drone’s “return home” feature and camera prowess.
- Edges into raunchy/funny territory about the “baby-arm” Starbucks employee and drone surveillance possibilities.
- Memorable quote: “It's the coolest thing I've ever seen in my entire damn life. I'm absolutely mesmerized. I think it's better than my first piece of ass.” (John, 01:20)
2. Dealership Life & Car Business Realities
[08:19 – 15:00+]
- Briefly discuss theft of catalytic converters (“the hustle”) for the rare metals and callers offer insights.
- John rails against junk offers, “dreamboat” sellers, and sets expectations for listeners who call in with less-desirable cars:
- “If you have any car parts that support your barbecue grill, honey, I don't want it.” (John, 16:51)
- Live calls for valuations: Raptor, Tahoe, Sequoia, etc., with John quick to reality-check overly optimistic sellers.
3. Concerts & Rock & Roll Nostalgia
[12:00 – 15:00+]
- Recap of attending a Jack Ingram concert and, later, Steely Dan and Steve Winwood show.
- Delve into the “cult” following of Steely Dan, audience demographics, and their status as the “best lounge act in the world”:
- “There were nerdy people there... It was above enjoying the music. It was way into it.” (John, 43:10, [timestamp refers to transcript])
- “If you pass the plate at this deal and they knew that Becker or... Fagan... like was gonna do something with it... they do it.” (John, 44:00)
4. Oklahoma Humor & Crazy State Laws
[37:33; 104:20+]
- Dive into a list of bizarre Oklahoma “sex laws”, riffing on real and invented statutes for comic effect.
- “It is illegal for a man to fire a gun when his partner reaches her high point during a relation.” (J.D., 106:12)
- Plenty of jabs at the region’s quirks: “crossing the Mason-Dixon line” references, poking fun at local culture.
5. Anti-BS Manifesto: ‘GiveMeTheVin’ and Dealer Drama
[56:57; 91:14+]
- John addresses listener skepticism from Oklahoma/Arkansas, stressing their legit, hassle-free car-buying operation.
- Calls out dealership lies (“they say it’s illegal to sell us your car,” “your bank won’t let you”), explaining the real story behind “in-and-out” transactions and why dealerships resist outside buyers.
- “Don’t start lying about me, because I’m setting the market. I’m putting the truth in the public’s hands.” (John, 92:02)
- Our job openings: Announced multiple times, emphasizing need for tech- and phone-savvy people, even future Northeast expansion—“I need some Yankees!”
6. Open Lines – Live Car Appraisals
Throughout
- Several “let’s make a deal” segments, fielding calls about everything from late-model high-end Rovers to ancient Dodge vans.
- John delivers numbers off the top of his head, offers unvarnished advice, and sometimes lambastes sellers for unrealistic expectations.
7. Side Stories & Memorable Bits
- Johnny Manziel mock commercial: Parodies Manziel as a stoner entrepreneur (76:25), lampooning celebrity endorsements of bong products.
- Uncle Roy postal story: Uncle Roy recounts a heated encounter at the post office, illustrating the show’s love of colorful, semi-chaotic personal stories.
- Hiring Announcements: “Between four and seven thousand dollars a month... and we pay them one hundred dollars a car.” (John, 68:01)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “This drone is better than my first piece of ass... I know it's better than my first piece.” (John, 01:20)
- “We are the Amazon of the car business.” (John, 07:48)
- “If you have any car parts that support your barbecue grill, honey, I don't want it.” (John, 16:51)
- “You want the truth? You want the truth? You can't handle the truth.” (John, 49:26)
- “Monkeys are hard on rental property.” (John, 129:37)
- “Don’t start lying about me, because I'm setting the market. I'm putting the truth in the public’s hands. I'm doing the Lord Jesus Christ work.” (John, 92:02)
- “You are now about to witness the strength of street knowledge.” playing NWA on a country station, winking at format-bending. (59:52)
Timestamps for Important Segments
- 00:10–08:19: Drone shenanigans, new gadget joy
- 12:00–15:00: Live concert recaps; Jack Ingram, Steely Dan, Steve Winwood
- 16:51: "If you have any car parts that support your barbecue grill..."—How not to sell John a car
- 37:33; 104:20: Oklahoma sex laws—hilarious top 10 list
- 43:10–46:18: Steely Dan concert analysis
- 49:26–53:00: Dealer realism: what John will and won’t pay for big-mile cars
- 56:57; 91:14: Addressing dealer lies, regional skepticism – how 'givemethevin.com' works
- 76:25: Johnny Manziel “Johnny Bong Man” parody ad
- 97:10: Uncle Roy’s post office misadventure
- 106:12: Top 10 Oklahoma sex laws
- 129:37: Monkeys as problematic tenants!
- 142:21: Fatherhood/daughters discussion—how it ruined John’s ability to look at women
Closing Thoughts
The John Clay Wolfe Show #52 is a wildly energetic episode brimming with “real talk” on everything from new tech toys and music fanaticism to unapologetic insights into the auto trade, coated in a thick layer of humor, personal storytelling, and regional color. Whether discussing the latest drone features, joking about Oklahoma legal oddities, or cutting through auto industry misinformation, JCW and crew prove there’s no topic they won’t take for a test drive.
Perfect for: Fans of automotive culture, classic rock, “guy talk” radio, anyone seeking a smart-ass but knowledgeable take on business, tech, and the weirdness of everyday life.