On now (friday 9pm), Blaze TV, ch 63. The guys are fixing up a Mk2 bronze MX5.
Just found it on channel 187 on sky.
I’ve been watching the series, I’m not sure what to think of them really, definately different to the Wheeler Dealers duo and car SOS team.
Cheap and cheerful duo I’d call them, likeable with no bull, but they were a bit suspect on one of the cars they bought, a right rot box, never looked underneath
http://www.blaze.tv/series/seasons?series=Flipping%20Bangers
Episodes eventually appear here.
They bought a secondhand MK1 catback from Simon and then fitted a new centre box and tailpipe to the MK2:-)
Missed it but it is repeated Sunday morning at 9.00am.
freeview 63, SKY 565, FREESAT 162 and Virgin 216
I only caught the last 30min of it…bodge it and scarper…comes to mind, he didn’t even wipe the filth off the glass, cowboys!
You need to watch the Alfa episode, it’s in that link above (episode 5) if you think MX-5’s rust that one was like the Titanic for rust and it did give them that sinking feeling.
I watched it last night. It has been an enjoyable series but this episode was not one of their best. They should have carried out their homework more thoroughly and bought more wisely. The exhaust change was glossed over and the correct one was fitted eventually although they did not admit to this. I pity the buyer of this car as it had blistering wheel arches and judging by the state of the sill they repaired I would not like to see the state of the chassis legs. I can only assume it had a current MOT. I doubt the legality of fitting a non air bag steering wheel to a NB. They could have bought a better car and as we NB owners know it is hard to get more than £2000 for one in average to good condition and there are plenty of ones needing a potential £1500 of body repairs being advertised for over £1000.
I think the series has proved that, unless you are very lucky, you cannot but a sub £1000 car and sell it for £2000 without a few short cuts and “salemanship”
To be honest you only have to look at the title.
Flipping - Buying something cheap, doing the minimum work and selling quickly for a profit.
Banger - A wreck of a car.
Any dealer, restorer or trader who tried to make a go of flipping with MX-5s would soon be outed on here. We’ve seen it plenty of times in the past. The ones that do a thorough jobs earn themselves a good reputation and get recommended over and over again.
As for bangers, how many times do prospective MX-5 converts show us link to cars they are thinking about purchasing only to be told to walk away or at least check them out thoroughly.
I would suggest the program will be worth watching just to show how things can go horribly wrong with a purchase if you don’t do your homework.
^^^^ And you’ve only got to check out that cars MOT history to realise it was a rust bucket, now off the road a failed MOT. Fixing the sill (a bodge) was only hiding the rest and that steering wheel, wrong! and an MX-5 expert sold him that as an OEM part for that car.
As with all these shows, don’t take them seriously and most of it is contrived.
Oh dear!
At least with Car SOS it is the families own banger that is being fettled.
I am sure nothing bad intended but I hope the cash that came from those ladies was contrived too.
After watching that program it is perhaps easier to understand why so many MX5s, particularly MK2/MK2.5 are being scrapped
Yes it is a made for TV show, do not do that at home and do not check the front chassis rails. The rear arches are just a bit rusty not an issue!!!
Aren’t all TV shows made for TV?
Presumably the mature type who had fitted the car with deep dish Chinese wheels and Racelands had already done the chassis rails.
I suspect the car wasn’t actually sold, given its the same company making this as Wheelerdealers. Official records prove that. Most of the Wheelerdealer cars were “sold” to actors.
Most of the changes made to the car were perfectly sensible; ditching the ropey old wheels for a better set o OE Mk2s 15" wheels. Get rid of the deathtrap style bar; good. Raising the height of the car; the Racelands will be ok at a regular height. Which is the theme of the whole series; most of the little jobs suggested are within the realms of the home mechanic. Contrast to Wheeldealers, which was bordering of elitist, everytime they rolled out their home gas analyser and alignment kits.
The series raises the profile of cars that are in danger of disappearing completely; Volvo 480ES (yes, that is a modern classic), the BX (great episode), non-Cosworth Merc 190 (I had one), and the Mk2, which has acquired the reputation of being a complete rotbox. If you go around telling everyone about front chassis rails, no one will buy one.
Add to that a likeable pair pf presenters, who seem to get on well despite different backgrounds. Not sure this series will have staying power, but these presenters I am sure will be seen again elsewhere.
Oh, and Matt Le Blanc is leaving TG.