Ep 2. We're All A Little Mad

In Rust Valley Restorers season 2 episode 2, titled "We're All A Little Mad," Mike Hall and his team of vintage car restorers continue their mission to bring back to life some of the coolest antique cars and trucks in British Columbia.

The episode starts off with Mike and his lead mechanic, Avery, driving down to Vancouver to check out a 1937 Plymouth delivery truck that Mike bought online. The truck was in a terrible condition, so they had to take it apart to see what parts could be salvaged and what parts needed to be replaced. Avery discovered that the transmission was shot and needed to be overhauled, which meant they had to remove the whole engine — no small feat in the cramped quarters of Mike's garage.

Back at Rust Valley, the rest of the team was working on other projects, including a 1952 Chevy pickup truck that they were planning to turn into a rat rod. It was a challenging project because they had to work with an old frame that had been damaged in a previous accident. However, the guys were up for the challenge, and they spent hours hammering, welding, and sanding to get the frame back into shape.

Another project that was featured in this episode was a 1953 Dodge truck that Mike had purchased from a local scrap yard. It was covered in rust and grime, and the engine was missing, but Mike saw potential in it. He thought that the truck would be ideal for a Rat Fink-themed build, and he enlisted the help of his friend, Troy Ladd, an automotive artist who had worked on several hot rod projects. Together, they came up with a design that would pay homage to the iconic Rat Fink character created by Ed "Big Daddy" Roth.

As the episode progressed, tensions rose between the team members as they faced unexpected challenges and setbacks. Avery had to deal with a frustrating transmission problem with the Plymouth truck, and Mike struggled to manage the mounting expenses of the various projects. On top of that, tensions emerged between Avery and Connor, a new mechanic who had just joined the team. Connor was a skilled technician, but his abrasive personality rubbed some of the other team members the wrong way.

Despite the challenges, the team continued to work hard to complete the various projects on time. The episode ended on a high note as they unveiled their finished creations, including the Rat Fink-themed Dodge truck and the 1952 Chevy rat rod. Each vehicle showcased the team's unique talent and craftsmanship, proving that anything is possible with hard work and dedication.

Overall, "We're All A Little Mad" is an inspiring and entertaining episode that showcases the Rust Valley Restorers team's passion for vintage cars and their unwavering commitment to their craft. The episode also highlights the challenges that come with running a small business and the importance of working together as a team, even in the face of adversity.