Name: Reality Rides
Uploaded: 2023-11-01T17:01:22.000Z
Description: This series features the problems and pitfalls that an auto restoration crew encounters throughout the restoration process, leading up to the deadline by which the project car must be finished and ready to compete at the highly competitive North American Buick Nationals.

This series features the problems and pitfalls that an auto restoration crew encounters throughout the restoration process, leading up to the deadline by which the project car must be finished and ready to compete at the highly competitive North American Buick Nationals.

Total Content Digital - Non-Combat

Carl and his build team from Carl's Custom Cars takes a 2-hour drive to visit an abandoned old car dealership to look for the rare 1955 Buick. The team is surprised at what they find on this adventure.

The Find Part 1

After the crew locates the Buick - or lack thereof - they seek out the rest of its missing parts around the warehouse. With hopefully all the parts they need, the 1955 Buick and team head home to begin restoration.

The Find Part 2

Carl and the build team begin to dismantle the command car. After stripping it to it's frame, a few unexpected surprises make their way and the crew realizes it's a much bigger challenge than they first thought.

Piece by Piece

As the team begins to work on the Buick, they find that there are going to be a few challenges and setbacks that they hadn't anticipated that might put the whole project in jeopardy.

Transmission Impossible

As the frame returns from sandblasting, Carl and team find that all the chrome must be stripped and sent off to be re-chromed, perhaps the most difficult, time-consuming, and expensive part of the project.

Chrome Jungle

As the project begins to come together, the team must make the rewarding yet grueling decision of paint combination. In addition, troubles with the engine may be more serious than the crew thought.

Heartbeat

After two long months of discussing the right color combination, the Buick is finally ready for it's new coat. This exciting day at the paint shop later becomes a day of panic after the paint is mixed wrong.

Tatian Red

Everything is big in Texas, including the heat. This challenges the team in their decision to either modify the original model and add a much needed A/C or to keep it at factory design, or even better designing something a first of its kind system.

Vintage Air

As the car is finally taking shape, Carl turns his attention to the interior- an even more critical factor to the rebuild. The team struggles to find the original 1950's fabric and all hope is nearly lost.

Small Details

Time is ticking for the completion of the Buick, yet Carl keeps finding minor details that must be tweaked and repaired. The team's reputation is on the line and concerns arise on if which it will be ready on schedule.

Final Assembly

For the first time in 55 years, the Buick is showroom new again and in front of perhaps an even more excited audience. After, the excited team head to Iowa for the Buick Nationals to begin.

The Reveal

The team's hard work is all challenged when they arrive to the Buick Nationals and must compete with the most elite and rare Buicks on show today. Can this car even hope to compete against the others?

Route 66

After such an exciting rebuild and an even more exciting season, a recap is needed but this time with more surprises and twists.

Reflections

Carl, Kenny and some staff members from a winery fly from California to Colorado to inspect a vehicle for possible restoration.

Command Car Inspection

The command car arrives from Colorado; the team searches for missing pieces.

Rusted Reality

The build team begins to dismantle the command car; each piece of the vehicle must be cleaned and repaired.

Land, Water, Air

A normal sandblasting procedure goes awry; very little of the command car's body remains intact.

The Zephyr

Carl's client prides itself on creating some of the world's finest cabernet and chardonnay; work begins on the 1940 Lincoln.

Bodywork and the Bear

The crew is unsure where to begin in the making and mending of the command car's side panels, which are full of holes.

Radiator Springs

Two months are spent rebuilding the command car's rusted body panels; the team searches for the correct shade of green paint; body work continues on the Lincoln.

Army Green

Despite body problems with the old vehicle, the engine runs surprisingly well.

It's Alive!

Carl directs his attention to the fit and finish of the command car's seats and dash; getting used to the new paint booth.

Shattered

Carl and the team attend a Dallas car show featuring some of the world's best hot rods and classics; catching up with the 1955 Buick from the first season.

Autorama

The command car is revealed to the public for the first time, then competes against more than 2,000 other vehicles at an annual car show.

The Winner

The completed 1942 Dodge command car is shipped to California, where its transformation receives rave reviews.

Special Delivery

Lincoln Zephyr convertible; Carl rides in a 1940s military aircraft.

Fabulous 40's

The season opener finds Carl and the gang looking at an old beat up '57 Buick that has literally been rotting away in a barn for the past several decades. However this particular model and trim package is rare, making it a must have find for the team!

Barn Find

A suitable donor car for needed Buick parts is found and hauled back to the shop. In the meantime we take a hop over to England for a look at what the classic and hot rod scene looks like in the UK.

Across the Pond

The Buick body is sandblasted and it takes awhile to remove all the rust and years of neglect. A new client and build project arrives at Carl's Shop, it's an unusual assignment, creating a hot rod out of a Henry J.

Sand of Time

The Buick starts the long and tedious process of straightening the body and grinding down the imperfections. Meanwhile, Brad meets with the clients to design the new interior.

Body Work

Brad is hard at work taking a classic Impala dash and cutting it down to fit the Henry J. However Michaela is dreaming of more tropical locations to spend her time, soaking up sun instead of exhaust fumes.

Caribbean Blue

The Henry J gets painted, a tedious process to create a unique 'candy' color. Carl and the gang meet a collector of very rare classic cars from the 30's and 40's. Several of the cars in this collection are so rare that only a handful were ever made!

The Collection

The Buick receives an undercoat of rust protection and top grade interior insulation, while Brad works on the in depth wiring that the Henry J requires.

Shaping Up

Carl develops a custom front suspension system for the Buick, Brad continues detail work on the Henry J, and then we meet Cody and Trish, who restore gas pumps, vending machines, and signs.

Vintage Roadhouse

Finally the '57 Buick receives its paint, after months of struggling over color choices and options. The Henry J receives its gorgeous new leather interior.

Cognac

Carl works on window seals and trim, which is a very tedious process as not to break the glass. Afterwards, the gang takes a break to attend an MG rally, featuring the famous British car manufacturer that was the inspiration for the Corvette.

British Invasion

Progress on the Buick continues as the car heads off to the upholstery shop. Meanwhile the Henry J is complete and competes at the Texas National Good Guys event to a very enthusiastic crowd.

Good Guys

The Buick returns with a beautiful leather interior. Carl spends the day at the CNC shop while the machine carves out the one of a kind center console control array that includes an innovative transmission selector.

Don't Touch

Finally after almost 2 years of work, the 1957 Buick hot rod is complete and revealed to the audience for the first time. The crew reflect on some of the more difficult parts of the lengthy project.

Reality Rides

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