Meet The 'Guess The Car' Champ: Don Maloney

Meet The ‘Guess The Car’ Champ: Don Maloney

The correct answer for the August/September contest is the Honda Clarity.

Counterman’s “Guess the Car” contest challenges our readers to solve an automotive riddle, for a chance to win $100. And each month, we receive hundreds of responses from aftermarket professionals trying to guess the model of the vehicle depicted.

The correct answer for the August/September contest is the Honda Clarity. The winner is Don Maloney, store manager at Carquest in Muscle Shoals, Alabama.

Now, let’s get to know the “Guess the Car” champion.

CM: How long have you been working in the auto parts business?

DM: About 15 years or so.

CM: What do you like most about your job?

DM: Talking to people about vehicles and helping them solve their problems – that’s usually the most fun. And you get to meet some very interesting people and hear some interesting analysis.

CM: What’s the strangest question a customer has asked you?

DM: What I like is the customer who comes in and buys oil and an oil filter and says, “OK, where do I pull the car around to get this done?” That’s probably the best question we get asked. We even get that question with belts and alternators and starters.

CM: What’s the coolest car you’ve ever owned or worked on?

DM: The coolest car I ever owned was a 1986 Mercedes 190E Cosworth. It was a four-door sedan with a Cosworth-built engine. It came standard with Recaro seats and a dogleg five-speed transmission. It was what they call a homologation car, which means that Mercedes had to build a certain number of these cars [for street use] and put them on the market for sale to qualify for a race series.

CM: Do you have any interesting hobbies? What do you do for fun?

DM:  When you have seven grandkids, you pretty much have your days off occupied. That is my hobby, pretty much.

CM: What’s your dream car?

DM: My dream car would be a Mercedes 190E Evolution. There may be a few floating around the United States, but way beyond anything I could ever afford.

You May Also Like

Northwood U Celebrates Life of Former President David Fry

Fry, who served as Northwood’s CEO from 1982 to 2006, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 19. 

David Fry Northwood

Photo caption: From left, Claudia and Dr. David Fry (standing) are pictured as Dr. Fry receives the Wings of Freedom Award in 2022 in Bay Harbor, Michigan.

Northwood University announced the passing of former President David E. Fry, “a visionary leader, esteemed educator and beloved patriarch in the Northwood University family.”

Outgoing ASE President/CEO Tom Zilke Thanks Industry for Support

Zilke and Dave Johnson, his successor, penned open letters to the industry.

ASE
First Call: 2023 Counter Pro of the Year Randy Shambro

O’Reilly’s Shambro, the 2023 Counter Pro of the Year sponsored by WIX Filters, has found his calling.

Randy Shambro
Alliance CVHD Elects Chairman of Steering Committee

Bryan Miller will begin serving as chairman effective Jan. 1.

Niterra Appoints Burchi to GM of Aftermarket and OE Product

Burchi will step into the role vacated by Mark Boyle, who was promoted to PAMA regional general manager of product.  

Other Posts

GM, Honda Begin Volume Production of Fuel-Cell Systems

GM and Honda will produce fuel cells that will be two-thirds less expensive compared to Honda’s 2019 Clarity fuel cell.

GM Honda Fuel Cell
Honda Electrified Vehicles Top 1 Million in Sales

The automaker is gearing up to begin sales of its first all-electric SUV: the Honda Prologue.

Honda Electric Vehicles
Tri-State Hires David Prater as EVP Corporate Development

Prater will lead Tri-State’s acquisition efforts as it looks to expand into new markets.

Army Veteran Patrick Smith Joins KYB Aftermarket Team

As business operations manager, Smith will oversee sales and distribution-center administrative functions.