Car SOS

[Phil P]

You're very kind Mike (topaz). My MKI was only 10 years old when I owned it! Did you notice my colour coordinated overalls for the Zodiac.

It is made for TV but also remembering that it is aimed at the enthusiast and seasoned restorer. Only about 10% of the technical stuff gets shown. The repair to the Austin cylinder head was fantastic and I enjoyed watching that being done. Eee it quite took me back.

I have been PM'd to tell me about the bits we haven't done right, well in their eyes. I did reply by PM to explain why we did it how did. I thought I might of had a reply. I obviously gave a satisfactory answer. Judging the person in questions comments he doesn't do replies. Their name will remain anonimous.

Thank you Richard Moss and Dave. JPB you have owned up to owning a Tamworth Tripod. Wow!, and thank you for your comments. I do know this Forum is read by the programme makers. I shouldn't have put that in case somebody posts,"Where did they find that bunch of 10 thumbed prats from. My three year old pet marmaset could do better!"

I must go I'm trying to order a work shirt from Desert Valley Auto Parts.

Phil

[JPB]

Tripod? No. Not that there's any shame in running a Regal or a Bug, but I'd probably kill someone with such a device.

The Rebel has the correct quantity of wheels, as does the Kitten, as seen to the left of this writing, in my current avatar image.
Have this jolly period photographic rendition:


One of mine, seen at a gathering of similarly four-wheeled, GRP-bodied Two Gates products (with some steel parts just so that owners don't feel left out when their friends are discussing rust ).

[Phil P]

I have a friend who once owned a Bug. He came round one day with his girl friend and something of a red face. The latch had broken and he couldn't get out. It took about half an hour. I had to drill through the top and use a screw driver. The first thing he did was dive into my house and leg it up the stairs into the loo. I never saw his girl friend again. Mind you she was a sour faced individual not helped by being incarcerated! He used to tell folks who mentioned a 007 film. "I once owned a Bond car." Folks then asked in amazement, "What one of the Aston Martins out the film?" He then replied "Er no mine was an orange Bond Bug." He would then relate the story of being locked in it with 'Miss Hatchet Face.'

Phil

[sierra3dr]

Just watched the Austin Tourer episode,as always very entertaining programme. The Cold welding is an absolute top class skill,never knew it existed

[Jupiter8]

Quality show! Making people happy and entertaining the audience, what's not to like

[Phil P]

Thanks Jupiter. The idea is not to fall into the trap of some of the other car resto programmes. When the programme says we had got three weeks we only had three weeks. We sometimes had the car a bit longer than that to do a detailed assessment. It is quite amazing what is still available and how helpfull suppliers are. The Mitsubishi pick up has been all over the UK fetching parts though most stuff was obtained in a 60 mile radius of the workshop most things much closer to home. The West Midlands is still alive and kicking!

I have watched some of the US programmes like Desert Valley Auto Parts and know that it has taken a lot longer than they say on there to do restorations. There was a Chevy Impala that was dragged from under a pile of wood. They gave the impression that the bodywork and paint job were done in a couple of days. If the body was done in under ten days they would have to work round the clock. It was apparentley sold at an auction 6 days after finding it! I don't think so.

Hopefully there will be a second series of Car SOS but that is up to Nat Geo and whether the viewing figures justify it.

Phil

[TerryG]

we had got three weeks

You should try watching Car Warriors, they do a "restoration" in 48 hours non-stop.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jF0LLFDRqEM

I really do hope we get a 2nd series (and 3rd, 4th, etc) of Car SOS, it is great to watch. I also hope that there is a DVD release with extras of the technical bits that aren't suitable for TV. Hard core car porn!

[Phil P]

Hi Terry.

Watched it and no way. The prepping and painting would take up most of the time. The paint would still be soft and be marked at the slightest touch. Sticking wing covers on it to work in the engine bay would leave the imprint. Made for TV tosh! The Yanks are good at it. Trying to work round a film crew would double the time. We had 6 guys on one car and it took 2 days and the shell was painted and cured. We had a problem with bleeding the brakes on the Zodiac and 4 hours was gone. Entertaining but....er....sorry no.

Thursday night is the last one in the series the Lotus Elan S4 coupe. My black thumb nail has almost gone!

Phil

[TerryG]

Made for TV tosh!

I agree completely. If you read the comments most people say similar. It is more of an entertainment program than a car program watching people argue with each other. They have made a couple of good looking cars (and some real pigs) over the 2 series.

Thursday night is the last one in the series the Lotus Elan S4 coupe

That is both good and bad news. I love an Elan but want more!
How many fan letters do we need to send to Nat Geo to persuade them we want another series?

[Phil P]

Hi Terry.

I don't know mate. Just write or e mail them and Renegade Pictures (UK) ltd who make the series for Nat Geo and ask them if they will do a second series. I hope they do and they ask Fuzz and Tim and hopefully me to be part of it.

Phil