Coffee With Jim

A Visit With Richard Lentinello, July 6, 2025

If you are a fan of classic and vintage cars, automobile restoration, and love to hear about their history, this program is for you! Our guest today is Richard Lentinello, the former editor-in-chief of nine car magazines, including Hemmings Motor News, that recently launched Crankshaft, a quarterly publication, in August 2020. And in February 2023, he was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Antique Automobile Club of America. When not writing about or photoraphing cars, he restores tham and serves as a judge at prestigious events such as Amelia Island.

Starting with Issue #9, Crankshaft has been transformed into a 224-page softcover book without any advertising. Well researched stories about a 1944 Volkswagen, 1965 Plymouth Barracuda, 1935 Ford, 1958 Austin Healey, 1966 Honda, 1921 Marmon, and 1967 Gilbern, enhanced with archival photos and photographs by acclaimed photographers, aptly illusttrate why this is being recognized as the premier publication for the classic car hobby.  

Today's program is sponsored in part by patrons that support us through Patreon. It is also sponsored by the iconic Wagon Wheel Motel in Cuba, Missouri, Roadrunner Lodge Motel in Tucumcari, Two Lane America, RouteTrip USA, Cactus Inn Motel in McLean, Texas, Gilligan's Route 66 Tours, and Enchanted Trails Trading Post and RV Park in Albuquerque. 

EV History, June 29 2025

Love them or hate them the electric vehicle is here to stay. And they have a history that is rather surprising. Did you know that the first pedestrian killed by an automobile in the US was struck by an electric taxi cab - in 1899? Did you know that the first car built by Ferdinand Porsche was electric? And that was in 1898! Did you know that in 1916 a company manufactured a gasoline/electric hybrid? 

But today's program is not just about the past. It's about the future of the EV and related infrastructure, and everything in between. Our guest on this episode was Tosha O'Neill of the Historic Electric Vehicle Foundation - www.hevf.org - that is developing the world's first EV museum and education center in Kingman, Arizona. 

With plans to showcase the first exhibits in 2026, just in time for the Route 66 centennial, the museum will provide a glimpse of the future on this storied old highway. 

Put aside pre-conceived thoughts and ideas, take a listen, and be prepared for a surprise or two! 

Today's program is sponsored in part by supporters through Patreon. It is also sponsored by RouteTrip USA, the iconic Wagon Wheel Motel, a Route 66 treasure in Cuba, Missouri, Two Lane America, Cactus Inn Motel in McLean, Texas, Roadrunner Lodge Motel in Tucumcari, the Enchanted Trails Trading Post and RV Park in Albuquerque, and Gilligan's Route 66 Tours. 

It's another shared adventure from Jim Hinckley's America!