Ep 8. Austin Re-Powered

Car SOS season 1 episode 8, titled "Austin Re-Powered," is an interesting episode where car enthusiasts work their magic on a classic car -- an Austin Healey 3000 MKIII BJ8. The episode follows the team as they breathe new life into the vintage Roadster, giving it a modern twist without losing its classic appeal.

The episode begins with a heartbreaking tale of the Austin Healey's owner, Tim, who had planned to restore the car with his father before he passed away. The car was a memory of his father, and he didn't have the heart to let go of it. However, after years of neglect, the classic car was in desperate need of attention.

The Car SOS team is here to help. Presenters Tim Shaw and Fuzz Townshend start by giving the vehicle a once-over. They find that the car has been off the road for over 20 years, and needs a lot of work done. The engine is dead, the wiring is shot, the floor is rusted through, the brakes no longer work, and the car is not safe to drive. Despite the daunting tasks ahead, the team is committed to bringing the car back to life.

In this episode, the Car SOS team has brought in an expert mechanic, Tony, to give the car more horsepower. The plan is to re-power the classic without losing the original style, but to improve on its performance. This involves the overhaul of the engine, which ultimately becomes the most significant challenge in the episode.

Meanwhile, Fuzz takes on the task of the interior, ensuring it gets a much-needed transformation. He starts by carefully disassembling the car to save as many original parts as possible. The team replaces the damaged parts with new ones, such as a new roof, steering wheel and dashboard.

Tim takes up the welding task, which he initially struggles with, but with Tony's expertise, the welding was completed successfully. The team replaces the rusted panels and floor with new custom-made plates, preserving the original structure and shape of the Austin Healey.

As the episode progresses, the team starts to assemble the parts they have worked on, and the car begins to come together. However, there's still one major challenge; the wiring. The team discovers crude wiring from previous renovations that prove to be a nightmare to untangle.

Despite setbacks, the team eventually manages to re-wire the car, ensuring the electrical systems work as expected. After all the hard work and the team's dedication to bring the classic car back to life, the episode ends with a beautifully roared engine.

"Austin Re-Powered" is an exciting episode that will leave viewers impressed by the Car SOS team's tireless work. The team shows off their remarkable expertise in what they do, ensuring that the car is restored to its original glory while retaining its classic appeal. The episode is a testament to the team's passion for restoring classic cars and the impact that their hard work has on the lives of enthusiasts like Tim, who hold classic cars dear.