TV Car Repair / Restoration / Hot Rod Programs

I've not watched Counting Cars, Bitchin' Rides or Restoration Garage. I was never intrigued enough by their commercials to tune in. I have enjoyed Chasing Classic Cars, however.

I used to watch Wheeler Dealers and enjoyed it, but yeah the main guy Mike, it's annoying how pushy he is. But then again you can only cram so much into a 44 minute episode. I haven't watched in 6 - 8 months and had no idea Edd left, bummer, yeah he was the best part of the show.

I watched Fantom Works a year or so ago, but lost interest due to the super-high-dollar-money-no-object restorations they do. Yes the cars are stunning, but who but the ultra rich can afford it.

I also used to watch "Fast N' Loud" (Gas Monkey Garage) but grew tired of the always-a-rush-job-absolute-crap they were pushing out. Something I'd call a "20 footer" looks good from 20 feet, but any closer.... well.....no, especially early in the series. Also, due to all the fame and $$$ the show has brought in, Richard Rollings has turned into a total, absolute and complete (insert your favorite expletive HERE). I don't blame Aaron Kaufman for leaving, I'm sure he grew tired of Richards BS too.

I do watch Street Outlaws (drag racing in Oklahoma) and Richard challenged (Big Chief) to a "build it and race it" challenge, winner take all (the car and any cash bet). They both agreed on a set of "rules" for this challenge, but Richard completely ignored ALL of them, hiring a professional race team to build and drive the car for him. The Street Outlaw car STILL beat them in a 2 out of 3 race. At the end Richard pulled out two huge wads of cash and said "Gee, now what I'm I going to do with this 50 grand I was going to bet on the race?" What a dick.


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Post# 936392 5/4/2017 at 20:24 (2,547 days old) by Stricklybojack (South Hams Devon UK)
Checkrate/Likes . I just realized we have the Velocity Channel and I am loving a bunch of these shows. I realize they are "reality television" and therefore the quip, "never let the truth get in the way of a good story," likely applies. Nonetheless I find the before and after aspect satisfying. I also can watch rusty patches cut out again and again and still come back for more. Wheeler Dealers, Restoration Garage, FantomWorks, and Bitchin' Rides, are my favorites. Whereas I find Counting Cars unwatchable. This post was last edited 05/04/2017 at 21:49

Post# 936481 , Reply# 1 5/5/2017 at 08:08 (2,546 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan)
Checkrate/Likes *is counting cars* the one form Dallas? They do some nice work, but the owner is a bit obnoxious. I like the lady who they use to redo upholstery. She always tells him if he can find someone to do it cheaper, then hire them. She charges what she is worth. She's not inexpensive, but she does a high quality job. Most of those episodes may be older re runs. I've Googled some of those shops from those shows like motor city choppers, and they are already out of business. I like the one form Las Vegas. Danny is from the Detroit area originally, so he no doubt has cars in his blood. Horny Mike is also on that show. I've seen one show form Detroit also. All these shops are artists and crafts people saving history, even if they customize beyond stock factory designs.

Post# 936490 , Reply# 2 5/5/2017 at 09:25 (2,546 days old) by Stricklybojack (South Hams Devon UK)
Checkrate/Likes . Counting Cars is the one from Vegas. I tire of their goofy high-jinks almost immediately. Gas Monkey Garage is from Dallas. I like it as well, but not as much as others. They did a couple great cars but now have lost their lead mechanic and car designer Richard Kaufman. Wheeler Dealers also just lost it's mechanic Edd China, the far better half of the duo.

Post# 936559 , Reply# 3 5/5/2017 at 14:31 (2,546 days old) by goatfarmer (South Bend, home of Champions)
Checkrate/Likes 1 Personally, I can't stand any of them. They are always working on a ridiculous deadline, they try to beat down the price on everything they have done, some of the work shown is questionable, and then they always sell for top dollar, never take a loss on ANYTHING..

Post# 936588 , Reply# 4 5/5/2017 at 16:18 (2,546 days old) by RevvinKevin (Tinseltown - Shakey Town - La-La Land)
Checkrate/Likes I've not watched Counting Cars, Bitchin' Rides or Restoration Garage. I was never intrigued enough by their commercials to tune in. I have enjoyed Chasing Classic Cars, however. I used to watch Wheeler Dealers and enjoyed it, but yeah the main guy Mike, it's annoying how pushy he is. But then again you can only cram so much into a 44 minute episode. I haven't watched in 6 - 8 months and had no idea Edd left, bummer, yeah he was the best part of the show. I watched Fantom Works a year or so ago, but lost interest due to the super-high-dollar-money-no-object restorations they do. Yes the cars are stunning, but who but the ultra rich can afford it. I also used to watch "Fast N' Loud" (Gas Monkey Garage) but grew tired of the always-a-rush-job-absolute-crap they were pushing out. Something I'd call a "20 footer" looks good from 20 feet, but any closer.... well.....no, especially early in the series. Also, due to all the fame and $$$ the show has brought in, Richard Rollings has turned into a total, absolute and complete (insert your favorite expletive HERE). I don't blame Aaron Kaufman for leaving, I'm sure he grew tired of Richards BS too. I do watch Street Outlaws (drag racing in Oklahoma) and Richard challenged (Big Chief) to a "build it and race it" challenge, winner take all (the car and any cash bet). They both agreed on a set of "rules" for this challenge, but Richard completely ignored ALL of them, hiring a professional race team to build and drive the car for him. The Street Outlaw car STILL beat them in a 2 out of 3 race. At the end Richard pulled out two huge wads of cash and said "Gee, now what I'm I going to do with this 50 grand I was going to bet on the race?" What a dick.

Post# 936600 , Reply# 5 5/5/2017 at 16:57 (2,546 days old) by Stricklybojack (South Hams Devon UK)
Checkrate/Likes . Yes Aaron K...oops. I think much of the personalities and drama on these shows is contrived. The numbers too are often way out of whack with reality on these programs. But as I said earlier, so what? We see how cars looked at the outset, some of the work in progress, and how they end up. What someone may or may not have paid is not my interest. YES the deadline plot device is so completely over used as to be annoying beyond measure. I actually like Richard Rollins because he talks fast and the camera moves on, thus mercifully limiting the damage. Whereas most of Counting Cars is the BS juvenile antics I can't stand.