Ep 6. Lancia Love

Restoration Garage is an exciting Canadian television series that follows the crew at the famed Guild of Automotive Restorers, located in Bradford, Ontario. In season 5 episode 6, titled "Lancia Love," the show takes us on a journey through the restoration of a unique Italian car, the Lancia Flaminia.

The episode kicks off with a little history lesson about the iconic Lancia brand. Founded in 1906, Lancia quickly made a name for themselves in the automotive industry with their innovative designs and technical advancements. The Flaminia was one of their most successful models, produced from 1957 to 1970. But despite its popularity, the car is relatively rare in North America, making this restoration project all the more exciting.

The Guild team is tasked with restoring a 1961 Lancia Flaminia GT, which has been sitting in storage for over 40 years. The car belongs to a client who purchased it as a non-runner and is eager to get it back on the road. The crew is tasked with restoring the engine, brakes, suspension, and bodywork - a tall order for an Italian car that's been sitting untouched for so long.

The first step in the restoration process is to examine the car thoroughly. Lead mechanic David Grainger inspects the engine and discovers that it's seized up, likely due to years of neglect. The team works on freeing up the engine while also taking a closer look at the brakes and suspension, which have also seen better days.

The bodywork is where the real challenge lies, as the car has been sitting in storage for so long that it's developed rust in every nook and cranny. The team must carefully remove the rust, repair the damaged metal, and then prep the car for a brand new paint job. The paint color is a unique shade of green that's not easy to match, but the team manages to find the perfect match and gets to work painting the car.

The restoration process is not without its challenges, however. Lead fabricator Thomas Douglas runs into a few snags while working on the bodywork, including a mishap with a saw that leaves him with a nasty cut on his finger. But despite the setbacks, the team soldiers on and works tirelessly to restore the car to its former glory.

As the restoration progresses, we get to see the team's commitment to their craft up close. They take the time to source original parts and use traditional methods to ensure the car is restored to its original specifications. They also go above and beyond to add their own personal touch to the car, including creating custom tools and fittings to ensure everything is perfect.

In the end, the team manages to pull off an impressive restoration that's sure to make any Lancia fan proud. From the engine to the bodywork, everything looks and runs like new. The client is thrilled with the results and is excited to take his newly restored Lancia Flaminia GT out on the open road.

Overall, "Lancia Love" is an exciting episode that showcases the Guild of Automotive Restorers' dedication to their craft. From start to finish, we see the team work tirelessly to restore a piece of automotive history to its former glory. Whether you're a car enthusiast or not, this episode is sure to inspire and entertain.