Ep 5. Decades to Drive

FantomWorks season 8 episode 5, titled "Decades to Drive," follows former naval officer and car enthusiast Dan Short and his team as they take on a challenging project to restore a 1950 Hudson Commodore.

The episode starts with the team receiving the car from the owners, a retired couple who inherited the vehicle from the wife's father. Although the car was a beloved possession of the previous owner, it has been sitting in a garage for several years and needs a complete overhaul to bring it back to its original glory.

Dan and his team start by assessing the car's condition and create a detailed plan to restore the car based on the couple's wishes. They start by stripping the car down to its bare components and sending them to the respective shops for repair.

The restoration process comes with its own set of unique challenges as the team discovers several issues with the car's bodywork, rusted metal and frame, and a rotted interior. They need to revamp the brake system, electrical system, suspension, and steering, among other things.

The team relies on their expertise and creativity to solve these challenges, and they need to make several custom pieces to fit the car's original design. The team also works on customizing the rear baffles of the car that have been missing since the car's production, and the custom-made seat upholstered based on the original blueprints.

The episode also features a brief history of the Hudson Commodore, which was one of the most iconic cars of the 1950s. The car has a unique design and is known for its aerodynamic features, which made it stand out from other cars of its time. The car also had several groundbreaking features like the step-down design, which enhanced its stability as well as handling on the roads.

Dan and his team during the restoration process discover some unique design features of the Commodore, such as the shoulder bevels in the car's rear that aids the vehicle's aerodynamic properties, and a rear window that is curved and has an aluminum trim that is specific only to the Commodore design.

The episode also highlights the emotional attachments car owners have towards their vehicles and the memories they embody, which can date back to different eras and times. The owners of the Commodore reminisce about the memories of their father driving them in the car as children, and how they wanted the car restored to keep his memory alive.

The episode concludes with the car restoration completed, and the owner's delighted reaction to the finished product. The Hudson Commodore has been restored to its original glory, and the owners are ecstatic to be able to drive their father's car down the road once again.

In conclusion, FantomWorks Season 8 Episode 5 "Decades to Drive" is a compelling episode that highlights the challenges present in car restoration and the emotional attachments that owners have towards their vehicles. Dan Short and his team's attention to detail, creativity, and expertise come together to restore a unique piece of automotive history and create a truly remarkable finished product.