Car Fix Season 11 Episode 9 Finishing the Formula Ford

In season 11 episode 9 of Car Fix, titled "Finishing the Formula Ford," the hosts Jared Zimmerman and Lou Santiago take on the challenge of bringing back a classic Formula Ford race car to life.

The episode starts with the Car Fix team inspecting the car, which had been in storage for over 20 years. They note that it's in reasonably good condition, but there are several areas requiring attention. The engine needs rebuilding, the suspension needs new parts, and the brakes need to be fixed. The car's body is also in good shape, but it needs a new paint job and some other cosmetic enhancements.

The hosts take the car apart, starting with the engine, which is sent off to a specialist to be rebuilt. They enlist the help of racing legend Jim Hall Jr to help them with the car's suspension. Hall Jr is an expert at vintage racing cars and has driven in several historic races. He brings his knowledge and experience to the project, helping to source the right parts and make adjustments to the suspension setup.

When the engine returns, the team installs it back into the car, along with the newly acquired parts for the suspension. They then move on to the brakes, replacing all the old components and testing them to make sure they work correctly.

With the mechanical parts sorted, Zimmerman and Santiago turn their attention to the bodywork. They remove the old paint, sand down the body, and prepare it for the new paint job. First, they add a base coat, then a clear coat, followed by several layers of lacquer. They polish the lacquer to a high shine, giving the car a beautiful finish.

The team also adds some special touches to the car's aesthetics, such as adding a new driver's seat and seat belts, replacing the old gauges with new ones, adding new decals and emblems, and creating a custom air intake system.

When all is said and done, the team has transformed the old Formula Ford into a stunning racing machine. They take it to the track for a test run, where they put it through its paces. They note that the car feels more potent than ever, with the new rebuilt engine and upgraded suspension making a world of difference.

"Finishing the Formula Ford" is an exciting and informative episode of Car Fix, showcasing the team's expertise in bringing back classic cars to their former glory. The hosts and their expert support crew work their magic and deliver a stunning result, showing that with the right expertise, determination, and love for the cars, anything is possible.