Tim and Fuzz are off to Plymouth to rescue a 25-year-old example of the world's bestselling sports car: the Mazda MX5.
Next Showing: Friday 13 May at 6:00PM - National Geographic Channel
Repeated: Saturday 14 May at 10:00AM - National Geographic Channel
Saturday 14 May at 4:00PM - National Geographic
Did anyone watch the programme last night? They rescued a MK1 MX5 which had seen better days.
During the opening sequences where Fuzz and Tim were talking about the car and driving a red MK1, on seeing the registration plate I recognised the car immediately.
It is one of the North Thames and owners club founder members car Gillian Fearon. I also spotted what looked like our area co-ordinator Andrew Fearon in some of the driving sequences.
They appeared to do a pretty good job of modifying the car, by adding a turbo and refreshing the interior. The wheels however were pretty standout and not my taste.
During the refreshing of components Fuzz Townsend did a cam belt change using the split cam belt technique and spoke about the importance of regular maintenance of the belt etc, to prevent engine damage. Shame the program makers did not do their research, considering it is a non-interference engine.
Anyway Gillian’s car looked great on film and the episode is well worth a watch.
I’m surprised they kept those gash, heavy wheels. I noticed that they changed the rear number plate panel from an import one (which the car was) to a uk one??
I was fully expecting them to fit coilovers, or improve the suspension. Not slam it, just improve it over standard, enjoyable never the less. Always like the fact it’s for someone deserving.
I watched the program tonight and thought the wheels were horrendous.
I do like the format though, never a mention of the money involved in the process, and always enjoyable seeing the owners face when presented with his restored car.
It’s a feelgood type of motor program and I find it preferable to Mike Brewer’s Wheeler Dealers, although that program does show more technical details.
Obviously both programs are made for television with lots of editing when things don’t go as planned.
Took about 8 hours filming at Bruntingthorpe mainly in heavy rain with NA & ND (Hence the roof up on both) to get a few minutes on the show………Did get a Sausage sandwich and a coffee though
The reasons for the rebuild cannot be questioned but the lack of detail and some idea of cost ? .I have watched both shows mentioned and in my opinion they are both absolutely terrible and ere nothing but a poor take on both car and proper repairers your ops may vary!!
Mick the program is not aimed at the thinking person, it is set to be watched at the lowest common denominator in order to make them watch long enough to also watch the adverts end of story. The fact a car is involved is not high on the TV companies priorities apart from selling to other TV companies and advertisers who may buy adverts during the show.
I’ve often thought the same about some of the episodes of Wheeler Dealer when the lanky one happily replaces very rusty nuts and bolts without cleaning them up or applying coppaslip (where appropriate).
My mate, who’s a factory trained mechanic, says “They don’t, haven’t got time”, so I suppose what I’d do for myself on my car wouldn’t be done at a commercial garage.
