Ep 2. Wrestling With the Past

In the American Restoration season 8 episode 2 titled "Wrestling With the Past", viewers follow Rick Dale and his team as they take on a new restoration project involving an old wrestling arcade game. The episode opens with Rick and his team at their shop in Las Vegas, where they receive a call from a man hoping to sell them a vintage wrestling arcade game. The team heads out to meet the seller, and they discover that the game is in terrible condition. The wrestling game is from the 1930s and made by Gottlieb, one of the top names in the industry. It is a two-player game where players use handles to control wrestlers on a board and try to win the match by pinning their opponent's wrestler. Despite the game's popularity in its prime, this arcade game has seen better days.

Once the game is back at the shop, Rick and his team get to work, starting with a thorough inspection to determine the extent of the damage. They find rust and dirt throughout the machine, which means they will have to take it apart completely to clean it. While taking it apart, they discover that the wiring is in rough shape, with a lot of the insulation coming off and making the wiring unsafe.

After cleaning the machine's various parts, the team gets to work restoring and repairing them. For example, they rebuild the gear mechanism inside the machine, which controls how the wrestlers move on the board. They also replace the wiring, ensuring that the machine is safe to use again. Additionally, they go out searching for various components to replace the original parts that are too damaged to use. In the end, their hard work and dedication pay off when the arcade game is finally restored to its former glory.

But the restoration process isn't the only thing that's been weighing on Rick. Throughout the episode, he reflects on the sacrifices he's made to build up his business, including the toll it's taken on his personal life. He confides in his team about how challenging it can be to disconnect from work and spend time with family, and they give him some words of wisdom to help him work through it.

Overall, American Restoration season 8 episode 2 is an enjoyable and informative episode that follows Rick and his team as they take on a new, unique restoration project. The show highlights the team's knowledge of antique machines and their dedication to restoring them to their former glory while also addressing some of the challenges of running a business. With eye-opening insight into the restoration process, this episode is sure to leave viewers feeling entertained and informed.