OK Solberg: 00:00

I want to again welcome you to The 405 Coffee Break. Guys, new week Labor Day. Get your cup of coffee, glass iced tea, bottle of water. Nobody's listening anyway. Blah blah blah blah blah. Yeah. They are.

OK Solberg: 00:10

Spring wheat $6.95 a bushel. 550lb steer calf. Who's gonna turn in on Labor Day to find that out? Top end, $4.95 a pound for fall delivery, and a 100lb lamb that is fat from $3.05 up to $3.15 a pound. But guys there's more, much more.

OK Solberg: 00:34

So like I said, happy Labor Day. Now guys, I hope you have an enjoyable day with a lot of fun and with family or fun and peaceful solitude, whatever you choose. Now it's an important day in the fact that today is the 8th anniversary of The 405.

OK Solberg: 00:54

Yes, sir. 8 straight years, 5 days a week. Now you know that's a lot of episodes, but it was a fun journey, and we ain't done yet. It's also Motor Monday or better yet Jay and Joe's Motor Monday. So let's celebrate 8 years on the radio with 8 great cars.

OK Solberg: 01:18

Today we'll look at 8 cars starting with one that put out 36 horsepower and go all the way up to one that put out 450 horsepower. You ready? 1st, nonetheless, 36 horsepower. What do you think it is? You betcha.

OK Solberg: 01:37

The Volkswagen Beetle. The little Volkswagen Beetle put out just 36 horsepower, but it proved you didn't need a lot of power to become one of the most recognizable cars in the world.

OK Solberg: 01:52

Next, Ford Falcon. The Ford Falcon was a simple economical car with 90 horsepower built more for getting you to work than getting you to the drag strip.

OK Solberg: 02:07

Next comes a Ford Mustang, 271 horsepower. When the Mustang got a 271 horsepower V8 Ford had created something that looked affordable but could really move and America fell in love with it.

OK Solberg: 02:26

Next is Chevy Impala and putting out 315 horsepower. The Chevy Impala could give you 315 horsepower while carrying the whole family, all the luggage, and possibly half the neighborhood to the drive-in theater.

OK Solberg: 02:47

Then the Pontiac GTO, you gotta love it, 325 horsepower. The Pontiac GTO helped start the muscle car era, putting 325 horsepower under the hood and giving teenagers something their parents probably wished they hadn't bought for them.

OK Solberg: 03:09

Next one, Cadillac Eldorado, 340 horsepower.

OK Solberg: 03:15

The Cadillac Eldorado combined luxury and serious power with 340 horsepower moving that enormous piece of American steel down the highway and looking classic. Doing it. Looking classy as it did it.

OK Solberg: 03:34

Next one, Dodge Charger RT, 375 horsepower. The Dodge Charger RT brought 375 horsepower, aggressive styling, and enough attitude to make sure you noticed it before you heard it.

OK Solberg: 03:51

And Keith Pankratz looks the other way when a Dodge Charger drives by, but, well, me, my mouth waters, and I'm reminded of the bible verse from Luke 12 verse 15. Take care and be on your guard against covetousness for one's life does not consist in the abundance of Dodge Chargers in the abundance of his possessions. Luke 12:15 I know. I know. I'm getting better.

OK Solberg: 04:24

Now car number 8 for our 8 year anniversary. Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 LS 6 putting out 450 horsepower and there it is unleashed a Chevelle SS a factory rated 450 horsepower a number that still makes the muscle car fans sit up and pay attention.

OK Solberg: 04:52

So here's the bottom line. From 36 horsepower in the Volkswagen Beetle to 450 in the Chevelle SS 454. That's quite a journey through the American automobile. And the amazing thing is every one of those cars tells us something about Americans, something about Americans and what they wanted in their cars, particularly at that moment in history.

OK Solberg: 05:23

Oh, guys, it's fun to remember. Enjoy the holiday.

OK Solberg: 05:27

So until next time, as you go out there, remember now, don't be bitter.