Ep 5. More Than a Defender

In Restoration Garage season 7 episode 5, titled "More Than a Defender," the team at the Guild of Automotive Restorers takes on a unique project: restoring a Land Rover Defender that has been customized to be a mobile ice cream truck.

The client, Steve, runs a successful ice cream business and has been using the Defender as his main vehicle for years. But after years of wear and tear, the ice cream truck is in need of a complete overhaul. Steve brings the vehicle to the Guild of Automotive Restorers, hoping that they can restore it to its former glory and make it even better than before.

At the beginning of the episode, the team assesses the condition of the vehicle and begins to brainstorm ideas for the restoration. Steve has a few requests, including a new paint job and upgraded sound system, but he is open to any other suggestions that the team may have.

One of the challenges that the team faces with this project is the unique nature of the vehicle. They have never restored a mobile ice cream truck before, so they have to get creative in figuring out how to incorporate all of the necessary equipment into the design. For example, they need to find space for the freezer, soft-serve machine, and toppings bar while still ensuring that the truck remains functional as a vehicle.

Another challenge that the team faces is finding the right parts for the Defender. Since it is a vehicle that is no longer in production, certain parts are difficult to come by. The team scours various salvage yards and reaches out to their extensive network of contacts in the automotive industry to find the parts that they need.

One of the highlights of the episode is when the team begins to work on the body of the vehicle. They strip off the old paint and start to experiment with different color combinations to find the perfect shade for the ice cream truck. The client has requested a bright, eye-catching color that will attract customers, but the team also wants to make sure that the vehicle looks stylish and not too cheesy.

As the episode progresses, viewers get to see the different stages of the restoration process, including engine upgrades, interior design, and electrical work. Each team member brings their unique skills to the project, and viewers get a sense of the level of expertise that is necessary for this kind of restoration work.

The episode ends with the big reveal, as Steve comes to pick up his newly restored ice cream truck. He is thrilled with the final result and finds that the vehicle is even better than he had imagined. Viewers get to see the reaction of Steve and his customers as they marvel at the transformed vehicle.

Overall, "More Than a Defender" is a fun and unique episode that showcases the creativity and expertise of the Guild of Automotive Restorers team. For those interested in vehicle restoration and customization, this episode is definitely worth a watch.