Podcast Summary: The Smoking Tire – Episode “Jeff Glucker's Auto Ups and Downs”
Introduction
In the March 11, 2025 episode of The Smoking Tire, hosts Matt Farah and Zack Klapman welcome automotive writer and enthusiast Jeff Glucker to discuss his ongoing automotive projects, challenges in car restoration, and various driving experiences. This episode delves deep into Jeff’s adventures with his Mustang restoration, interactions with parts suppliers, and the broader implications of maintaining and upgrading classic cars. The trio also touches on related topics such as racing events, personal hobbies, and the intricacies of automotive culture.
Jeff Glucker's Automotive Projects
Restoring the Mustang
Jeff Glucker shares his journey of restoring a 1967 Mustang, highlighting both the excitement and frustrations involved. He reflects on acquiring the vehicle from Motor Trend’s Head to Head drag race series, emphasizing his desire to own and revitalize a classic American muscle car.
Jeff Glucker [52:01]: "I bought it because I've always wanted a Mustang. But Mustang prices are fucked, especially Fastbacks. Fastback prices are broken. It's 30 grand for a shell, which is stupid."
Challenges with Parts Suppliers
A significant portion of the conversation revolves around Jeff’s struggles with Holley, a parts supplier. He recounts issues such as receiving faulty engine mounts and dealing with poor customer service, which compounded the difficulties of his restoration project.
Jeff Glucker [55:53]: "I realized I needed to send these back. They got them back. They're like, oh, they're scratched up from your install. We can't use them. I'm like, I didn't install them. I took them out of the box, went, these are wrong."
Rebuilding and Upgrading
Jeff discusses the technical aspects of his restoration, including the installation of a Straight Six engine and the complexities of wiring the vehicle using the Painless Wiring Kit. He expresses his disdain for the tedious process but acknowledges the necessity of meticulous work to bring the car back to life.
Jeff Glucker [55:45]: "I'm rewiring it. So I got a Painless kit. Literally, every wire is labeled to where it goes, which is fucking brilliant. But I hate it. I hate doing it."
Driving Experiences and Issues
Encountering Mechanical Problems
Jeff recounts a harrowing experience while driving his rejuvenated Mustang, where a leaking rear cam seal forced him to pull over near the Long Beach airport.
Jeff Glucker [74:10]: "I'm like, I have such a long drive ahead of me. And I just... I have to go get back."
Zach’s M3 Mishap
Host Zack Klapman shares his own ordeal with his BMW M3, where improperly tightened lug bolts led to a sudden loss of power steering, highlighting the importance of meticulous maintenance during car restorations.
Zach Klapman [65:43]: "I open the door, and it's raining. And I look down at the ground, and I see the rainbow that I posted on Instagram. I go, and I could see the trail. Like, yep, that's Ix on Valdez."
Interactions with Uber Drivers
The conversation shifts to amusing and sometimes frustrating interactions with Uber drivers, particularly those driving pickup trucks and high-performance vehicles like the Durango Hellcat.
Matt Farah [10:09]: "He was like, yes. And then I went to, you know, Amsterdam and I was like, oh, I love that city. The canals. He's like, yes, but it's very bare. Why does that even come up?"
Jeff also shares anecdotes about drivers who are deaf or non-English speaking, adding a humorous yet insightful layer to the discussion about ride-sharing experiences.
Jeff Glucker [19:28]: "Yeah, so Matt's driving this M3, if Sarah was driving it, I'd go, eh, there's probably just something rattling in the stereo."
Racing and Events
Planning for Thunderhill
Jeff and Matt discuss their participation in racing events like Thunderhill, detailing the preparation, logistical challenges, and the sheer thrill of competing on renowned tracks.
Jeff Glucker [74:32]: "Yeah, yeah. So it was dead straight. So I drove home and I just... I'm not being... I'm not asking anything. I know."
Experiences at Race Tracks
Sharing past racing experiences, Jeff reminisces about testing his Mustang’s capabilities on race tracks, often pushing the car to its limits and learning valuable lessons in vehicle performance.
Jeff Glucker [32:57]: "So we went into these with no planned outcomes. It was whatever happens happens. Who gives a shit?"
Side Discussions
Watches and Accessories
The trio briefly veers into discussions about watches, specifically shift knobs, highlighting the blend of automotive and personal style choices.
Jeff Glucker [06:11]: "That was stupid. Wait. It's a low-risk accessory."
Personal Hobbies and YouTube Channels
Jeff expresses his interest in pizza ovens and his desire to grow his YouTube channel, sharing his personal pursuits outside of the automotive realm.
Jeff Glucker [49:18]: "So I'm... Zach had pissed so bad right there. That was..."
Long-Form Episode Planning
As the episode progresses, Matt and Zack tease the upcoming 1000th episode, promising an extensive, eight-hour live show featuring special guests and interactive segments. They emphasize the milestone's significance and their gratitude towards loyal listeners and participants.
Matt Farah [35:26]: "TST1000 is coming up. It's gonna be amazing."
Conclusion
The episode concludes with a mix of light-hearted banter, shout-outs to patrons, and final thoughts on Jeff’s automotive journey. The hosts encourage listeners to engage with their content on YouTube and Patreon, solidifying the community-driven nature of The Smoking Tire podcast.
Jeff Glucker [131:04]: "Thank you."
Matt Farah [135:24]: "Record's over."
Notable Quotes
- Matt Farah [03:04]: "It's the Smoking Tire podcast you sent me."
- Jeff Glucker [55:53]: "I did a story for own track where I drove the Super T and then the racing T. The Super T was..."
- Zach Klapman [65:43]: "I could see the trail. Like, yep, that's Ix on Valdez."
Final Thoughts
This episode offers a candid glimpse into Jeff Glucker’s challenges and triumphs in the automotive world, balanced by the hosts’ relatable stories and humor. For enthusiasts looking to understand the intricacies of car restoration, the pitfalls of parts procurement, and the joys of driving classic muscle cars, this episode serves as both an informative and entertaining listen.
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Note: This summary is intended for informational purposes and encapsulates key discussions and moments from the podcast episode. For a complete experience, listeners are encouraged to tune into the full episode.