Wreck Rescue is an English documentary series produced by Jungle Television in which classic car enthusiast Mark Evans sets off on a mission to help inspire and motivate other classic vehicle enthusiasts to achieve their restoration dreams.
The series originally aired in the UK on Discovery Realtime from 9 October to 11 December 2007. There are 10 half-hour episodes in the series.
Wreck Rescue premieres in South Africa on DStv's Discovery Channel on Tuesday 5 February 2008, at 15h05. Repeats are on Wednesdays at 08h45, Sundays at 16h30 and Mondays at 00h30.
Synopsis
There are thousands of them scattered across the UK. Some are badly broken and need major mechanical repairs. Most require surgery. All need serious tinkering and TLC if they are ever to go back on the road.
These much-loved classic cars may be wrecks, but their devoted owners definitely think they’re worth rescuing.
In this engaging and entertaining series, Mark Evans leaves his workshop behind to help inspire and motivate five other amateur car restorers, all of them committed to finishing their garage projects within 40 weeks.
Each episode follows one enthusiast’s attempt to re-commission, restore or transform a much-loved motor to achieve a driving ambition - from chauffeuring a daughter to her dream wedding, to taking part in a classic rally.
Episodes
1. 1959 Mk1 Frog Eye Sprite
Part 1: 05 February
Part 2: 12 February
Twenty-year old Lizzie Bartlett breaks the golden rule of restoration and buys a wreck that's already in bits. It's a 1959 Mk1 Frog Eye Sprite - well, it used to be!
Lizzie has no workshop experience and no idea how to put her dream car back together again, let alone restore it. The car is in a terrible state and even Mark admits he wouldn't have touched it with a barge pole.
But, Lizzie is nothing if not determined. With the help of her dad, Steve, she rolls up her sleeves and gets stuck in to a ten month project that will change her life.
2. 1972 Mk1 Ford Capri Part 1: 19 FebruaryPart 2: 26 February
Ford fanatics, John Hill and 12 year old son Mike, attempt to restore and modify a knackered 1972 Mk1 Ford Capri to take part in a major off-road, classic motorsport event.
Hardly the kind of thing Ford's sleek and low slung motorway machine was designed for.
Experienced competitors think they're mad.
3. 1959 Elva 100 Part 1: 04 MarchPart 2: 11 March
Furniture company boss Steve Russell buys his dream car as a box of bits. With the help of good friends, Peter and Simon, he battles to build his newly acquired 1959 Elva 100 single-seater race car in time to compete the car at the celebrated Historic Grand Prix in Pau in the South of France - one of the oldest and most dangerous street circuits in the world.
The problems start when they realise that not all of the bits in the box belong to the same car.
4. AEC Matador RAF Truck Part 1: 18 MarchPart 2: 25 March
Military vehicle mania gets the better of enthusiasts Peter Read and son Steve as they literally drag the abandoned corpse of a huge, post-war AEC Matador RAF truck from its woodland grave in order to restore it to its former glory.
They've already cut down and cured their own ash tree to rebuild the cab. One job down, several hundred to go. They need the truck restored, ready and roadworthy for a very special occasion.
Will they get it, and Steve, to the church on time!
5. 1980's Toyota Land CruiserPart 1: 01 AprilPart 2: 08 April
eBay-addicted city stock-broker Paul Graham-Clarke bids farewell to a big bundle of dosh when he's forced to pull in the professionals to keep his dream drive alive.
His latest online purchase is a wrecked 1980's Toyota Land Cruiser - a really rare find in the UK. He's got just ten months to restore it ready for his ultimate overland adventure - the long road home from London to Cape Town.