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Classic chrome
By PAUL CATALA
Over the first season of his program, Jake Jacobs has found that for every classic car he’s seen, there’s a classic story behind it.
And those tales are what has made his classic-car television show a flashy success.
Jacobs is director and host of the nationally-syndicated show, “Tail Fins & Chrome.”.
Developed in Tampa by Riverbank Studios and TF&C Entertainment, “Tail Fins” is shown locally Sundays at 11 a.m. on WFLA Channel 8. Over the course of its first season, Jacobs has traveled around the United States and featured an assortment of restored and refurbished cars, such as a 1960 Ford Thunderbird convertible, a 1968 Pontiac Firebird, a 1932 Ford Deuce hot rod and even a 1974 Chevrolet Nova a viewer inherited from his grandmother.
Using the amenities and skills of Slick Humphrey of Slick’s Garage in Palmetto, Jacobs is also featuring one project is a bit more personal: he’s having a 1959 Ford Thunderbird filmed as it’s being rebuilt from the chassis up.
The hope is to enter the car in the 2010 Fireball Run transcontinental race, said Jacobs, and also to be able to take his terminally-ill father – former Minnesota Twins baseball player Lamar Jacobs – for a ride in classic-car style during the filming of the Father’s Day episode.
In addition, Jacobs is taking video of Humphreys as he restores a 1964 Mercury Comet convertible as the show-host car.
“I’ve always appreciated people who appreciate nice classic cars,” said Jacobs, 44. “I want to take my passion for cars and good, fun people and bring it to the world.”
A Youngstown, Ohio, native, Jacobs, moved to Miami Shores in 1987 on a baseball scholarship to play for Barry University. He got a bachelor’s degree in broadcasting and worked hosting training videos in Brandenton before working on Home & Garden “Designing Spaces” on TLC and ESPN in Hollywood, Calif., from 1994 to 2004.
With his wife, Lonnie and two sons, Presley and Canaan, Jacobs moved to Valrico in 2008 and began formulating Tail Fins. He began traveling to classic car conventions in places like Phoenix, Ariz., Las Vegas and Norwalk, Ohio, scouting cars to shoot.
“The show is not just for gearheads,” Jacobs said. “We have a lot of good stories that everyone can relate to, such as a little girl with cancer. Her Make-A-Wish request was for a ’69 Dodge Charger like the one on ‘The Dukes of Hazzard.’”
Helping make wishes and memories real on each episode is Humphrey, a certified mechanic who opened his garage four months ago. He said the show is prompting folks who may have older cars sitting idly on their property to get motivated to restore and refurbish them.
“If we can help get people get their cars finished and not become disheartened, we’ve succeeded,” said Humphrey, 36, who offers a restoration tips segment – “Slick’s Tricks” – during each episode. “I feel like they can talk to me, come by and I’ll help. I think their cars are works of art; capsules of time.”
Jacobs, also an ardent guitarist and rockabilly music aficionado, said last season he did a segment on the “infield” experience at the Daytona Speedway and its “Turkey Run.” He toured and filmed highlights among the over 5,000 cars gathered there annually. Another show Jacobs said was memorable featured a custom artist who turned a Hummer into a horse-drawn carriage and took it to Central Park in New York City.
The off-the-cuff premise of each show has made Tail Fins a ratings hit for WFLA, said executive producer Mark Dvornik, a consultant for the TV station. He said the series is the number-one rated show of any local broadcast station in its 11 a.m. time period since its March 7 premiere.
In its premiere week, Dvornki reported the show delivered 21,600 total viewers. By the second week, the show had grown its audience 62 percent to 35,000 viewers and has maintained that level of viewing.
Tail Fins & Chrome beats Sports Center on ESPN, delivering more total viewers each week since its premiere.
In addition, Dvornik said a Tail Fins car show is in the works for the end of October and a deal to air Tail Fins in Russia should be finalized within three months, with other countries showing interest.
“Custom car projects and unique stories are the backbone of the theme of the ‘Tail Fins & Chrome’ series – to tell the story behind classic cars and the people who own them,” said Dvornik, president of Dvornik Media Consulting in Tampa. “It’s very exciting; the show has really connected. The love affair with classic cars is a global phenomenon. It’s not just America; everybody is interested.”
Tail Fins and Chrome, the TV Show Enters Amazing Race, Fireball Run
Tail Fins and Chrome, the TV Show Enters Amazing Race, Fireball Run
Tail Fins and Chrome Will Enter Its Host Jake Jacobs, as driver in 3,500 mile adventure race
For Immediate Release… Tail Fins and Chrome the TV Show is putting its pedal to the medal….for a cause with its entry into The Fireball Run, an Amazing Race-type adventure with 75 teams, 8 days and 3,500 miles. The event, in its 4th year, is also a fundraiser for a cause, for missing and abducted children with the KLAAS Kids Foundation, which led the charge for the creation of the current Amber Alert. The race begins September 23 in Henderson-Lake, Las Vegas and ends eight days later, on October 2 in Galena, Illinois. Teams must use brain power, along with horse power to solve clues and accomplish missions in order to score points and reach their final destination.
“We are excited to be a part of Fireball Run and we look forward to having our current project, our convertible ’59 Thunderbird ready for the race,” says show host Jake Jacobs. “And having the opportunity to work with race founder, JJ Sanchez to raise funds for missing children is a perfect fit for telling the human interest side of all things automotive.”
Show Executive Producer Mark Dvornik agrees, “Tail Fins and Chrome often covers people and events that make a difference and being an entry into the Fireball Run gives us an opportunity to be a part of making a difference and sharing the experience with our viewers.”
Tail Fins and Chrome is a nationally syndicated television show featuring classic cars and the stories behind the people who own them. Developed in Tampa Bay by Riverbank Studios and TF&C Entertainment, LLC, Tail Fins and Chrome the TV Show, airs on RTV, TUFF TV and on WFLA, News Channel Channel 8 Tampa Bay at 11 a.m. EST Sundays and on digital 8 Prime. Check local listings for air times.
Photo Caption: Tail Fins and Chrome – Host Jake Jacobs has signed on to compete in the largest automotive adventure race in America, The Fireball Run in September. Tail Fins and Chrome the TV Show airs on WFLA-TV News Channel 8 Tampa Bay, Sundays at 11 a.m. and on digital 8 Prime.
For more information on the series and bio of the host, visit to www.tailfinsandchrome.com.
ABOUT THE KLAAS KIDS FOUNDATION FOR CHILDREN: Started in loving memory of Polly Hannah Klaas, who was abducted from her own home and murdered at the age of 12. The effort to recover Polly went on a global scale as she became known as America’s Child, resulting in the largest manhunt in American history. KLAAS Kids was instrumental in Megan’s Law being signed as well as the creation of the Amber Alert system.
Fireball Run is sanctioned by the United States Auto Club (USAC). Headquartered at Universal Studios Florida, the “Fireball Run” is a registered trademark managed by the Adrenaline Partnership LLC; a branded entertainment company. The Fireball Run event is one of the largest and most interactive adventure events in the country and is organized by 2010 Event LLC.
Special Father’s Day Episode Honors Dads….and Thunderbirds
Special Father’s Day Episode Honors Dads….and Thunderbirds
Episode Airs Sunday, June 20
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tail Fins and Chrome, host Jake Jacobs grew up loving two things…..baseball and cars. His father, Lamar Jacobs, a former Minnesota Twin, guided his children’s upbringing and fostered their love for both. Always a classic car owner, Jake also became a college baseball player and last year, was able to pursue his classic car dreams with the launch of the Tail Fins and Chrome the TV Show. Now, travelling the country and meeting families and their classic cars, Jake will take time this Father’s Day to honor his own dad and to fulfill a dream restoration of a Ford Thunderbird that has been following the pair through the decades.
Tail Fins and Chrome host Jake, says, “I get to honor my dad and his achievements over the years and showcase a Ford Thunderbird custom project in his honor. This is a very special episode and we are always looking for touching stories to share about classic car projects, history of classics and the reasons behind the passion.”
Executive Producer of the series, Mark Dvornik added, “This series lends itself to doing special episodes for special events and Father’s Day was the perfect occasion to highlight the special relationship between fathers, their children and their passion for classic cars and the way that this passion is contributing to family bonds.”
Tail Fins and Chrome is a nationally syndicated television show featuring classic cars and the stories behind the people who own them. Developed in Tampa Bay by Riverbank Studios and TF&C Entertainment, LLC, Tail Fins and Chrome the TV Show, airs on RTV, TUFF TV and on WFLA, News Channel Channel 8 Tampa Bay at 11 a.m. EST Sundays.
Don Garlits Museum Appears on National Classic Car Show
Don Garlits Museum Appears on National Classic Car Show
Episode Airs Sunday, June 13
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tail Fins and Chrome, a nationally syndicated television show featuring classic cars and the stories behind the people who own them will feature Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing and an exclusive interview with “Big Daddy” Garlits himself. Developed in Tampa Bay by Riverbank Studios and TF&C Entertainment, LLC, Tail Fins and Chrome the TV Show, airs on RTV, TUFF TV and on WFLA, News Channel Channel 8 Tampa Bay at 11 a.m. EST Sundays.
Tail Fins and Chrome host Jake Jacobs, says, “Don Garlits is a Florida treasure, and he was gracious enough to open up his garage and share a rare behind the scenes look at his collection and passion for cars with our viewers .” Garlits, known as “Big Daddy” to drag racing fans around the world is a pioneer and innovator in the drag racing circuit. His museum is home to the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame and has more than 140 cars on display.
Executive Producer of the series, Mark Dvornik added, “Talk about an American icon. One of his record setting dragsters is in the Smithsonian in Washington D.C. NASCAR has Richard Petty and Drag Racing has Don Garlits.”
Photo Caption: Tail Fins and Chrome – Host ‘Jake’ tours Don Garlits Museum in an episode airing on WFLA-TV News Channel 8 Tampa Bay, Sunday, June 13, 11 a.m.
For more information on the series and bio of the host, visit to www.tailfinsandchrome.com.
Tail Fins and Chrome Gets Infield At Daytona Turkey Run
Tail Fins and Chrome Gets Infield At Daytona Turkey Run
Host Jake Jacobs also meets Andy Hillstrand and his custom-built ’32 Ford Deuce
Episode Airs Sunday, June 6
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tail Fins and Chrome, a nationally syndicated television show featuring classic cars and the stories behind the people who own them had an ‘infield’ experience at the Daytona Speedway and the annual Daytona Turkey Run. Host Jake Jacobs tours the highlights of the more than 5,000 cars that gather annually in the upcoming episode set to air Sunday, June 6. Developed in Tampa Bay by Riverbank Studios and TF&C Entertainment, LLC, Tail Fins and Chrome the TV Show, airs on RTV, TUFF TV and on WFLA, News Channel Channel 8 Tampa Bay at 11 a.m. EST Sundays.
Tail Fins and Chrome host Jake Jacobs, says, “You won’t believe the number of classics at Daytona, this is one of the largest gatherings in the world of Classic cars and I am like a kid in a candy store here.”
Jacobs also has the chance to meet Andy Hillstrand, captain of the Time Bandit fishing boat from the Discovery Channel The Deadliest Catch and see the progress on his ’32 Ford Deuce custom build. Finally, Jake meets a very special custom artist who turns a Hummer into a horse-drawn carriage and takes his masterpiece to Central Park, New York City.
Executive Producer of the series, Mark Dvornik added, “Custom Car projects and unique stories are the backbone of the theme of the Tail Fins and Chrome series, to tell the story behind classic cars and the people who own them and this episode has something for everyone.”
Photo Caption: Tail Fins and Chrome – Host Jake has fun at Daytona Speedway, interviews a Deadliest Catch captain and tests a Hummer carriage on the latest episode of Tail Fins and Chrome airing on Sunday, June 6.
For more information on the series and bio of the host, visit to www.tailfinsandchrome.com.
Tail Fins and Chrome Aims For Classics At Two Car Shows
Host ‘Jake’ attends car shows at Baylife in Valrico and the Peace River Auto Show
Classic Car Show Airs Sunday, May 23
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tail Fins and Chrome, a nationally syndicated television show featuring classic cars and the stories behind the people who own them is at the both the Baylife car show and the Peace River Auto Show in upcoming episode set to air Sunday, May 23. Developed in Tampa Bay by Riverbank Studios and TF&C Entertainment, LLC, Tail Fins and Chrome airs on RTV, TUFF TV and on WFLA, News Channel Channel 8 Tampa Bay at 11 a.m. EST Sundays.
Tail Fins and Chrome host Jake Jacobs, says, “There are so many great classic car shows in the state, and these two showcase the best. We found a bullet ridden Chieftain and talk to the owner about the history of the car and meeting the owner of the Pink Breast Cancer Hot Rod was another highlight.”
Executive Producer of the series, Mark Dvornik added, “Whether we are featuring an owner who shows a classic or a future classic or even one who is showcasing their car for the first time, it is the stories behind the collector that we feature on Tail Fins and Chrome. ”
Photo Caption: Tail Fins and Chrome – Host Jake is finding the best classic cars at two auto shows in an upcoming episode of Tail Fins and Chrome on Sunday, May 23.
For more information go to www.tailfinsandchrome.com.
Tail Fins and Chrome Showcases Coolest Rides in Historic Plant City
Host ‘Jake’ plays host to the spectacular collection of classic cars
Classic Car Show Airs Sunday, May 16
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tail Fins and Chrome, a nationally syndicated television show featuring classic cars and the stories behind the people who own them is at the Historic Plant City car show on an upcoming episode set to air Sunday, May 16. Developed in Tampa Bay by Riverbank Studios and TF&C Entertainment, LLC, Tail Fins and Chrome airs on RTV, TUFF TV and on WFLA, News Channel Channel 8 Tampa Bay at 11 a.m. EST Sundays.
Tail Fins and Chrome host Jake Jacobs, says, “The best classic cars in the state come to the shows in Histroric Plant City. There is nothing better than a car show that is wrapped around a historical place with the train lumbering through its station in down town to give the feeling of the ‘Good Ole’ Days’ Gone By.
Executive Producer of the series, Mark Dvornik added, “Tail Fins and Chrome seeks new destinations and backdrops for unique classic cars and their owners and Plant City gives us the Historic feel and a great backdrop for a classic car show. ”
Photo Caption: Tail Fins and Chrome – Host Jake is finding the best classic cars at a Historic Auto show in Plant City in an upcoming episode of Tail Fins and Chrome on Sunday, May 16.
For more information go to www.tailfinsandchrome.com.
Tail Fins and Chrome Flexes At Muscle Car City
Host ‘Jake’ joins takes a tour through vintage muscle car wonderland
Classic Car Show Airs Sunday, May 9
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tail Fins and Chrome, a nationally syndicated television show featuring classic cars and the stories behind the people who own them is taking a behind the scenes tour of Muscle Car City on an upcoming episode set to air Sunday, May 9. Developed in Tampa Bay by Riverbank Studios and TF&C Entertainment, LLC, Tail Fins and Chrome airs on RTV, TUFF TV and on WFLA, News Channel Channel 8 Tampa Bay at 11 a.m. EST Sundays.
Tail Fins and Chrome host Jake Jacobs, says, “Muscle Car City is like taking a walk through the history of all the popular muscle cars. This is a true collector’s paradise with vintage, odd and rare vehicles to see.”
Muscle Car City is owned by car collector Rick Treworgy, and is located in Punta Gorda, Florida. Opened in 2009, the 99,000 sq. ft museum features automobiles of every era dating back to the 1920′s. Spanning more than 80 years of makes and models Muscle Car City also has a 60’s themed diner and gift shop.
Executive Producer of the series, Mark Dvornik added, “Muscle Car City is sure to please Tail Fins and Chrome viewers. There is really something for every collector. ”
Photo Caption: Tail Fins and Chrome – Host Jake is behind the scenes at Muscle Car City in an upcoming episode of Tail Fins and Chrome on Sunday, May 9.
For more information go to www.tailfinsandchrome.com.
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