Ep 1. '71 Scat Pack Challenger Part I

Richard Rawlings and his team of gearheads at Gas Monkey Garage are back in action in the premiere episode of Fast N' Loud Season 8. This time around, they have gotten their hands on a 1971 Scat Pack Challenger, and the challenge is to turn it into a top-performing muscle car. This episode, titled "71 Scat Pack Challenger Part I," kicks off their latest project and shows us the first steps they take towards restoring this classic beauty.

The episode opens with Richard and his assistant, K.C. Mathieu, discussing their latest acquisition; the 1971 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am. Soon after, Richard receives a call from a man who has a 71 Scat Pack Challenger. Richard is thrilled at the prospect of getting his hands on this rare muscle car. He and K.C. head out to the owner's house to check out the car. When they get there, they find that the car is in need of some serious work. The engine is blown, the frame is rusted, and the body is dented and faded. Despite the car's condition, Richard is excited about the challenge, and they agree to buy it.

Back at the garage, Richard and the crew begin to assess the car, and they realize that it needs a complete overhaul. The first step is to gut the interior and take out the engine. By doing this, they can see just how much work needs to be done. The crew is in for a shock when they see that the car has been tampered with in the past. Some of the bolts have been welded shut, and some parts are missing entirely. K.C. sets to work on removing the giant air scoop on the hood, and he finds that it's been attached with hundreds of screws and some questionable engineering.

The next step is to get to work on the engine. Richard decides to use a 440 engine instead of the 383 that the car came with. This is a significant upgrade, and it means that they will need to do some modifications to the car's engine bay in order to make it fit. Meanwhile, one of the crew members takes on the task of sandblasting the car's frame to get rid of the rust and old paint.

As the episode progresses, we see the crew facing several setbacks. When they try to take off the rear quarter panel, they find that it's been welded in place. This means that they will need to cut it out and weld in a new one. They also discover that the car's floor is rusted out and needs to be replaced entirely. Despite these challenges, the crew presses on, determined to turn the old muscle car into a showstopper.

Throughout the episode, we get to see the Gas Monkey Garage crew doing what they do best; working hard, cracking jokes, and having fun. Richard's leadership and motivation keep the team focused on the task at hand, while K.C.'s expertise and ingenuity help them overcome some of the more challenging obstacles.

In the end, the crew manages to make some significant progress on the car, but there is still a long way to go. "71 Scat Pack Challenger Part I" sets the stage for an exciting season ahead, as Richard and the crew work to transform a beat-up muscle car into a stunning showpiece.