Ep 8. Austin Mini Mk1 (2)

In Wheeler Dealers season 1 episode 8, the team is back with another challenge on their hands - restoring an Austin Mini Mk1. The Mini was a classic British car that became an iconic part of the 1960s and 1970s, synonymous with British pop culture and fashion. The challenge this week isn't just to fix up an old car but to do so while keeping in mind the budget constraints.

Mike Brewer, the show's host, goes on a search for a suitable Mini to purchase. He eventually finds one in a small British village that's been owned by the same family for over 30 years. The car is in pretty rough shape and hasn't been running for a while, so the first step is to get it back to the workshop where world-class mechanic Edd China will take over.

Edd takes apart the car to evaluate the condition of the motor and chassis. The Mini was designed to fit in a small car park space, but the downside of that is that the engine makes up over a third of the car's weight, making it notoriously difficult to work on. Edd needs to remove the engine to get a look at the transmission and determine what work needs to be done on the car's brake system.

While Edd works on the mechanical aspects of the Mini, Mike tries to spruce up the car's appearance. He takes it to a vinyl wrapping company to give it a new color scheme. Mike also wants to add a few things to the car to make it more fun to drive, such as a modern sound system and comfortable racing seats. But all of this needs to be done while staying within the budget limits.

As work progresses, both Mike and Edd run into unexpected problems. When they try to install a new clutch, they find out it doesn't fit. They also find rust on the car's body that they hadn't accounted for in the budget. Despite these snags, the team is determined to finish the restoration on time and on budget.

The challenge comes to a head when the team takes the Mini out for a test drive. Everything seems to be going great until the brakes give out. The team is shocked and has to pull the car over to the side of the road to take a closer look. They realize that they need to redo the work they had done on the brakes and start from scratch. It's a frustrating setback, but Edd is determined to fix the problem so they can get back to driving the Mini.

In the end, the team manages to finish the restoration on time and under budget. The Mini now looks and drives like it's brand new. Mike takes the car for a spin and is impressed by how well it handles. The team takes it to a classic car auction and manages to sell it for a tidy profit.

Wheeler Dealers season 1 episode 8 is a true demonstration of the team's skills and resourcefulness. They took on a difficult challenge and managed to not only restore the Mini to its former glory but also make a profit in the end. If you love classic cars, restorations, and DIY shows, this episode is a must-watch.