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Greetings 405 listener!
The 405 airs over KMMR Radio Station. At 5 Minutes past 4 PM each M-F week day of the year. Here on the website we strive to have it posted within a few hours afterwards.
Your neighbor and website maintainer,
D.J. Rasmussen
Thanks for stopping by and listening to the shows.
I wanta again, welcome you to The 405 Coffee Break, guys. New week. Get you a cup of coffee, glass iced tea, snow shovel, and let's see what's happening.
OK Solberg:Spring wheat $5.47 a bushel. 550lb steer calf $4.07. Butcher hog in Iowa 68ยข a pound, and a 100lb fat lamb in Billings at $2.21 a pound. But, guys, there's more, much more.
OK Solberg:You know what? I started thinking as I prepared for this episode. You know, I thought, I always run out of time before I run out of things to talk about. So it reminded me of the old telegraphs. Remember hearing about the telegraph office? You paid per word, so you kept your word short. Okay. Listen up.
OK Solberg:Chrysler, Ford Motor Company, General Motors. I want you to know this program is an equal opportunity employer. And it's that time of the week where I shout out it's Jay and Joe's Motor Monday, the day we look at horsepower one Monday at a time. But realize, if I highlighted only Ford, someone will be displeased. If I talk about Mopar, others will be offended.
OK Solberg:Oh, yes. For the ones out there that don't know, Mopar has kinda become the nickname for Chrysler Corporation. And then if I talk only at General Motors, well, let's just say another segment will be dissatisfied. So listen carefully. I'm fond of many cars from the mid to late nineteen sixties.
OK Solberg:And in that list, I'll include the Ford Mustang, the Dodge Charger, and the Chevy Impala. Oh, I hope that Impala has a 327. Now I personally know someone who shall remain nameless that lives in our little village that does not care for the Dodge Charger. But I bet if I offered him this deal, you're gonna go to your 50 year class reunion and then only have two choices. He can either take the 1985 Ford Aerostar minivan, or I can provide you with a 1968 Dodge Charger.
OK Solberg:Which one will you choose, Keith? I'll give you a little time because it is a difficult choice. So today, I wanna talk about Ford. But that doesn't mean I don't love the Impala, that doesn't mean I don't adore the Dodge Charger. But I found an interesting story, and I wanna share it with you.
OK Solberg:Now I was gonna talk about gasoline engines compared to diesel engines. And, guys, did you realize that the gap between the outer edge of the piston on a gasoline engine when it comes up to the top of the cylinder head, it's only the thickness of two credit cards. No kidding. But the diesel is only one credit card thick, and that's why diesels don't need spark plugs. They compress the air that tightly.
OK Solberg:But I won't do it today because I found a neat story that you you may know, but I didn't know, and it has to do with Ford. More precisely, Henry Ford the 2nd. Now, when I mention his name, lots of people, including people in Phillips County listening right now, when I mention that, they think of the Edsel. You know, guys, it's an Edsel meant the same thing as it's a lemon. But let me speak on Henry Ford's the 2nd's behalf.
OK Solberg:He was in charge of the Edsel, that's for sure. But he was a good businessman and he delegated the projects to highly skilled engineers. So he didn't micromanage? Well, you see what turned out. A 1958 Ford Essel.
OK Solberg:So it looked bad on Henry Ford the 2nd. But did you know that same man, Henry Ford Jr, in the early 1060's desperately wanted to elevate Ford's image with a win at the world's most prestigious race, the 24 hours of Le Mans. See, at that time, Ferrari dominated racing, winning Le Mans 6 years straight. So what did he do? Ford attempted to buy Fiat Fiari.
OK Solberg:The deal nearly went through until Enzo Fiari realized that Ford would gain control of their program. And in a dynamic twist, Enzo walked away at the last minute humiliating Henry Ford the 2nd. Ford said a word, I better not say on the radio, and the word started with the letter A, and it's a word that sometimes gets exchanged for donkey. So after Friari walked away from the deal, Ford said, we're gonna beat his donkey, and we're gonna do it at the Le Mans. Guys, it's a great story.
OK Solberg:After what competition masted as vengeance can sometimes produce, Ford hired Carol Shelby and Ken Miles, and the result was the Ford GT 40, a sleek, low slung, thunderous V8 engine that could hit 200 miles an hour on the long straightaway. In 1966, the GT 40 crushed Fiari in legendary fashion, taking 1st place, 2nd place, and 3rd place at the Le Mans. It remains one of the most iconic victories in racing history. So even if you love your General Motors projects. Projects or products, you have to give Henry Ford Jr. a pat on the back. Even if you think the Dodge Charger is king, you gotta give the Ford Motor Company GT 40 a tip of the hat.
OK Solberg:And please understand that I don't care if Henry Ford had nail fungus or stepped on your toe in junior high, he really did do something special there. I said it's a great story about what competition masked as vengeance can sometimes produce.
OK Solberg:That leads me to my bible verse. Beloved, never avenge yourself, but leave it to the wrath of God for it is written, vengeance is mine, I will repay says the Lord. Romans 12:19
OK Solberg:No. Don't seek vengeance, but good competition can generate great things. So until next time, as you go out there, remember now. Don't be bitter.