A record rookie deal, the tallest fins Detroit ever made, and a nickel for lemon pie.

Evening, friend. Jack Reynolds checking in.

January 2 always feels like a fresh page in the calendar, full of big dreams and cold air.

Stick close for the red Cadillac convertible that had every dad on the block staring, and for the manicurist who made us laugh right through the commercial break. Then we will end with a quiet skating party that feels just like home.

Brings it all back, doesn’t it?

On January 2, 1965, Joe Namath signed with the New York Jets for a reported $427,000, and folks couldn't believe the numbers. It was the richest rookie contract in pro football history back then. My buddies talked about that payout for weeks. Click to see how Broadway Joe changed the game forever.

The 1959 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz in Seminole Red sported the tallest tailfins Detroit ever made. It cost $7,401 new, which was house money back then. Today, a pristine convertible can command over $200,000. My dad always joked you needed a captain’s license to park one. Click to check the specs and the wild option list.

Final Stretch Setup: 3 Quiet Movers

The quiet phase is here. Signals are firing—before headlines, before scanners. When it trends, the edge is gone.

We’ll text you the moment the next trigger hits.

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That wall of glass windows at the Automat felt like magic in 1958. You dropped a few nickels in the slot, turned the chrome knob, and pulled out a hot pot of baked beans or a slice of lemon pie. Coffee was a dime. The last one closed in 1991, but I still miss that click. Click to see the chrome rows and the menu prices.

“You’re soaking in it!” made ladies at the salon jump starting in 1966. Jan Miner played Madge the Manicurist for 27 years, and the ads ran in countries all over the world. My wife still jokes about it when she’s at the sink. Click to watch the classic spot and see the surprise on that customer's face.

Vanna White first walked onto the Wheel of Fortune set in 1982, beating out 200 applicants for the spot. She has worn more than 7,000 gowns since then without a single repeat. In 2026, she is still at the board with a contract worth millions. My wife watches every night just to see the dress. Click to see her journey from clapping rookie to TV legend.

Tonight’s “Your Memory” comes from Helen in Minnesota, remembering a frozen pond in January 1964. She says the whole neighborhood cleared the ice with wide shovels. Her dad built a fire in a rusty barrel to warm their hands. They skated until the moon came up and their toes went numb. That is a fine way to spend a winter night.

Tonight’s Quote comes from Danny Thomas, who said, “Success in life has nothing to do with what you gain in life or accomplish for yourself. It's what you do for others.” My dad always believed your real legacy is the help you give your neighbor. You can learn more about him here. Click to see the man who built a hospital on a prayer.

See you tomorrow. Same time, same station.

– Jack

Images are AI-generated or sourced from public-domain archives. Reader photos used with permission.