Ep 3. Dad's Cars

Restoration Garage season 8 episode 3, "Dad's Cars," follows the team at the Canadian-based restoration shop as they take on multiple projects for a customer who inherited his father's collection of classic cars. The episode begins with the arrival of a weathered 1927 Whippet, a lesser-known brand of vehicle manufactured by Willys-Overland Motors from 1926 to 1930. Lead mechanic Gerry Kroll examines the car's condition, noting that it needs a lot of work, from fixing the brakes to re-wiring the car entirely. The Whippet has extra sentimental value for the customer, as it was the car his father owned when he was born. Gerry and the team take on the challenge of restoring this piece of family history.

Next, the focus shifts to a 1953 Chevrolet Bel Air that the customer recalls his father buying brand new. He brings in the car to Restoration Garage to restore it to its former glory and to drive it in honor of his father’s memory. Mechanic David Grainger recognizes the immediacy of the customer’s desire to have the car on the road again, but he is also aware that it needs a lot of work. David begins by examining the Bel Air's overall condition and decides that the engine is in need of serious repairs. In the meantime, technician Greg Mclean searches for new parts to replace the rusted and dented ones. With the clock ticking, David and his team diligently work towards having the Bel Air ready for the customer to drive.

Another car in the collection is a 1964 Studebaker Gran Turismo Hawk, a personal favorite of David Grainger. The car is revealed to be in good condition overall, needing just a few minor touch-ups to be roadworthy. As he restores the Studebaker, David explains some of its design features, including its safety innovations and sporty styling. While he replaces parts and fixes the car's issues, he also adds his own personal touches that will make the car stand out.

The fourth and final car in the episode is a 1966 Dodge Charger, widely known as an iconic muscle car from the 1960s. The car's custom engine has been removed and replaced, leaving the Charger in need of a new engine before it can hit the road once again. David Grainger and his team expertly diagnose the particular issue in the engine and work diligently to restore the Charger to working order. However, unforeseen problems lead to the team discovering that there are more challenges to restoring this classic car than they initially thought. Despite these difficulties, David and his team persevere and work tirelessly to restore the classic Dodge Charger to its former glory.

Throughout the episode, touching moments are shared between the customer and the restoration team as they work together to restore his father's collection of classic cars. Family memories and restoration expertise merge to bring each car back to life again. The customer’s affection for his father's classic cars and the team's passion for restoring them is evident in every scene.

In "Dad's Cars," the Restoration Garage team once again presents an array of classic cars that are brought back to life through the team's expert restoration abilities. With a focus on family history and sentimental value, this episode showcases an endearing relationship between customers and restorers, making it a must-watch for classic car enthusiasts and restoration fans alike.