Ep 2. Hot Diggity Dog

After a long wait of almost a year, Rust Valley Restorers are back with their fourth season, and episode 2 is named Hot Diggity Dog.

The show is set in Tappen, British Columbia, where the main protagonist, Mike Hall, owns a restoration business. With the help of his team that includes his son Connor, best friends Avery Shoaf, and Cassidy Mceown, Mike finds and restores old and rusty cars, trucks, and other vintage vehicles.

In this episode, the Rust Valley Restorers have a new challenge on their hands. They have discovered an old hot dog cart that is more than 70 years old and needs an extensive restoration. The cart was formerly used for selling hot dogs at the local ballpark, and it holds significant sentimental value for its owner, an 80-year-old lady named Edith.

For Mike, the job is more than just restoring another vintage vehicle. It's an opportunity to restore memories and bring back the nostalgia of the '50s. He believes that he can restore the hot dog cart to as good as new.

However, the job is easier said than done. The cart is in an appalling state; the wheels are missing, the floor is rotted and the entire metal structure is rusted through.

To make matters worse, the team finds critters living inside, so it’s clear they have to do a thorough cleaning as well.

As the team set to work, they realize the extent of the challenges they would face, and it’s not just the rust but the weather in the area. Tappen is known for its wet and cold climate, which makes it difficult to work outside. Despite all this, the team presses on, and with their combined effort, they slowly begin the restoration process.

First, they have to remove all the rust and fix the metal structure, followed by finding and sourcing new wheels, and other missing parts. Next, they have to figure out the painting and decorations to give the cart the ultimate '50s hot dog cart look.

As always, there is some drama, this time in the form of a heated argument between Avery and Cassidy over the decoration of the hot dog cart. Avery wants to stick to the original design, while Cassidy wants to add modern touches to make it more appealing to the current generation.

While they struggle with the decoration, they come up with a brilliant idea that would satisfy both of their creative ideas. They finally settle on a combination of old and new décor, and the result is an instant hit.

As the restoration progresses, the team discovers more about the hot dog cart's history and the lady who owned it. It turns out that Edith's father built the cart and used it to support his family through the depression era, which only makes the job that much more meaningful for the team.

Throughout the episode, we see the team face various setbacks and challenges, but their motivation never ceases. Mike, as always, keeps them on track with his inspirational pep talks and unshakable belief in their ability to overcome any obstacle.

Finally, the day arrives, and the team unveils the hot dog cart to its owner, Edith. The old lady is overwhelmed with emotions and tears up as she re-lives the memories of her father and the days when the cart was new.

As she takes her first bite of a hot dog from the newly restored cart, there is a feeling of pride and accomplishment for the Rust Valley Restorers. They have once again brought an old relic back to life and made a difference in someone's life.

Overall, it's a heartwarming episode that highlights the Rust Valley Restorers' spirit of restoring not only vehicles but memories and the human connection that surrounds them.