While perusing the local car lot, Dave Crabtree discovers his mother's been reincarnated as a junkie old car, so he buys her and brings her home, much to the dismay of both his wife and eccentric car collector Captain Manzini.
When Dave learns that there are local vandals who are stripping cars, he spends a sleepless night going to ridiculous lengths ensure his mother's safety.
Captain Manzini launches Operation Unscrupulous: he replicated the Porter, hires a trio of thieves to steal the original and establishes an airtight alibi for himself.
An obnoxious neighbor petitions Dave to get rid of his "eyesore" car, but he changes his tune when a television executive announces plans to feature the Porter in a TV commercial.
Dave is hired by a landlord keen on evicting a tenant running a Greek Tavern (with belly dancing!) in his building. When Dave and Barb check out the place, the landlord shows up, and they must avoid being seen.
Barbara catches Dave talking to the car and soon the news of the talking car is in the papers. Manzini then tries to convince the car to come away for fame and fortune. Dave stops them and then wakes up from a dream.
When mom tricks Dave into buying a doll for Randy and Cindy after hearing Cindy wish for it, Cindy convinces the neighborhood kids that the 1928 Porter is a genie.