Each year, the Car Talk Vehicle Donation Program accepts thousands of vehicles on behalf of NPR stations around the country. Most of them are pretty standard fare. But every now and then, a ride comes along that causes us to fall out of our chairs. Like this one – a 1995 Mazda MX-5 Miata known as the Zebra/Rhino mobile, a.k.a., the Zehnomobile.
The Zehnomobile
Coveting a convertible that will make heads turn? The proceeds from the sale of the Zehnomobile will benefit WWNO in New Orleans. To learn more about this rather outgoing ride, we talked with Zehnomobile owner, Kathy Cain.
Car Talk: Okay, Kathy, so what’s with the stripes?
Kathy: The transformation of the Miata from sporty to stripey occurred at the time that our company rebranded itself about a decade ago. We adopted the Zehno mascot, which is a cross between a zebra and a rhinoceros.
Car Talk: Zebra plus rhino… zebra plus rhino… oh, we get it! How’d you get the Miata, anyway?
Kathy: Zehno’s Paulette Hurdlik was trying to sell her “midlife crisis car,” her red Mazda Miata. But the only other people who were interested in buying the car were young boys who lacked the cold hard cash. So, we got creative.
Back of the “Zehnomobile”
Car Talk: What’s it like driving this car around town?
Kathy: The best part is seeing the reaction of motorists, local children and especially tourists. It usually gets a double take. In many cases it brings out cheers from all of those LSU Tiger fans around the state. They think it’s a tiger… not a Zehno!
Car Talk: Why did you decide to donate the Zehnomobile to support your local station?
Kathy: We’ve had it for 10 years now. Zehno is established as a company, so we’ve gotten our big bang. We support WWNO and wanted to contribute in a way that had real value. This felt like the right move for us. We’re thrilled to be able to do it!
Car Talk: What colors will your next car be?
Kathy: Who knows! I’ve owned the Zehnomobile, a 1955 Chevy two-door hard-top, and a 1968 Mustang Convertible that was red with a white interior. Perhaps it will be a different kind of animal all together.
Car Talk: Thanks for supporting your local public radio station, and best of luck trying to find a car that can fill the shoes of this wild ride!
Kathy: It was our pleasure!
About the Car Talk Vehicle Donation Program
National Public Radio, known as NPR, is a nonprofit media organization whose mission is “to create a more informed public”. NPR reaches 120 million listeners and readers monthly through its network of member stations, website, social media, podcasts, and events.
Car Talk’s Vehicle Donation Program allows you to fund your favorite NPR station. Car Donation Wizard will return 75-80% of the gross proceeds from the sale of your car to the NPR station of your choice.
Ready to donate your car to your favorite NPR station? Turn cars into programs by donating your vehicle online or calling us at (877) 215-0227.