This February, America’s Car Show lived out its name when a national syndicate picked up the two-hour radio broadcast. Though it had humble half-hour beginnings in Jamestown New York in 1991, America’s Car Show became a quick hit with listeners. Within four weeks, the automobile-based radio program extended to an hour, and went from four sponsors to twelve.

According to originator and 11-year host Tom Torbjornsen, America’s Car Show “got real legs” when it moved to Buffalo and eventually found homes on three stations in West and Southeast New York, as well as Northwest Pennsylvania. “My show is a public service,” explains Tom. “I give consumers information and advice about automobiles, and of course the hour has to be entertaining enough for people to continue listening. You have to mix it up.”

Tom is currently a regular guest on a Buffalo television show, writes a column that appears in five newspapers, is a regular contributor to EMAZING and hosts his own Web site (www.america’scarshow.com) where he posts articles, offers advice, created links, and developed a panel of automobile experts who provide technical information and answer questions.

Now, with the help of Syndicated Solutions, Inc. the radio show is off and running with 26 stations picking it up in February alone, with an estimated 100 stations around the nation airing it by year’s end, and a three- to five-year goal of 600 simultaneous radio broadcasts. Tom likes the attention and hopes to be featured on a regular television program with a major network, but holds tight to a healthy dose of reality. “My philosophy is to never count on anything until the ink is dry,” Tom says. “Even then I remain in a state of cautious optimism.”

Whether the ink dries or not, Tom says he’ll continue to have a good time on and off the air, though he is serious when it comes to sharing his 27-plus years of automobile information. Tom is also committed to undoing stereotypes of mechanics and repair shops and bridging the gap between them and car owners. He says his calling became clear while making his rounds as a Mac Tool distributor. “I walked into a repair shop and noticed the mechanic was having an anxiety attack,” Tom remembers. “He was worried because a repair bill was $100 more than the original estimate and he had to tell the customer. Right then I thought, ‘Somebody should do a radio show to help consumers understand the auto repair business.’”

Tom does more than understand about the auto industry. He says he’s been on “both sides of the wrench” as an ASE certified technician, manager for an automotive service company, manager for a tire service center and a dealer of automotive tools and equipment. In his experience, 90 percent of repair shops have integrity and provide good service, while 10 percent are less than honest and “technically challenged.” Ultimately, he points out, consumers are responsible for finding good mechanics with updated equipment.

As for Volvos, Tom speaks well of them. “I have nothing bad to say about Volvos,” Tom says. “They are fantastic automobiles, known for being safe and made from the finest Swedish steel. They’ve gone from being rather boxy to being sleek, curvy, structured, round and slopy. Some look like they’re traveling 200 miles per hour when they’re standing still.”

But like everything else, Tom says, Volvos have their own idiosyncrasies and so it’s important that people find and remain faithful to a good technician who knows their car.