Ep 9. Off the Rails

In season 5 episode 9 of Full Custom Garage titled "Off the Rails," viewers are taken on a ride as hot rod builder Ian Roussel tackles a unique project. The episode begins with Ian receiving a special request to build a train-themed car for the Railway Museum of Southern California. The challenge? To create a vehicle that looks like a train, but drives like a car.

Ian and his team get to work on transforming a 1957 Chevy Bel Air into a "steam engine." They begin by building a custom frame that jacks the car up higher than usual. The team then adds train wheels, complete with flanges, which will allow the car to run on train tracks. Ian also decides to use a 671 supercharger, which will give the car a much-needed boost to haul its new train wheels.

One of the most interesting parts of this build is the custom bodywork. Ian fabricates a one-of-a-kind train-style front end, complete with a bell and whistle. He also adds working headlights that recall the headlights seen on real trains. The team then paints the car in a unique train-inspired color scheme, with black, red, and gold.

To ensure the car can actually be driven on the road as well as the train tracks, Ian and his team install a custom suspension system. This allows the car's train wheels to be lifted up and out of the way when the car needs to drive on the road. This process involves using hydraulic jacks to raise and lower the wheels, making the car incredibly versatile.

Throughout the episode, viewers get an inside look at the custom car building process as Ian and his team work tirelessly to make the train-inspired car a reality. Fans of Full Custom Garage will appreciate the attention to detail that's put into each and every aspect of the build, from the custom bodywork to the unique paint job.

As the project nears completion, Ian takes the car out for a test drive on the train tracks. The car runs smoothly, leaving everyone excited about its prospects of being displayed at the Railway Museum of Southern California. But will it make it there in one piece? Viewers will have to watch the episode to find out.

Overall, "Off the Rails" is an exciting episode that showcases what makes Full Custom Garage such a great show. With its engaging host and unique projects, the show is a must-watch for car enthusiasts and fans of custom builds. Whether you're into hot rods, classic cars, or anything in between, Full Custom Garage season 5 episode 9 is sure to keep you entertained and inspired.