Affari a quattro ruote

I will still watch Wheeler Dealers, that is if I can handle the "High Energy" music and sound effects which detract, not thrill or improve the show in any way. Ant seems a nice chap but the truncated mechanical aspects which added so much to the show are gone; what a terrible shame.

I have watched the program since its introduction into the U.S. market and it has certainly changed; the changes were an improvement until last season when something wasn't "Clicking" in the formula.

When buying a new "Business", in this case a TV program with a proved formula, the last thing to do is make changes to components which have made the entity an asset. What a shame.

A unique asset has been made a run of the mill "Show".

Mr. Brewer, as you are the remaining component of the original program you must accept the responsibility for the result.

Sometimes the best thing to do rather than compromise is "Let it Go".

First of all, I must say that this program works mainly because of the personas in it:

Mike Brewer is top boy salt-of-the-earth car dealer of the Frank Butcher variety. It's fun to watch him search and negotiate the purchase of a car and you can see that he is really holding back the greasy negotiation skills that most forecourt dealers have.

Edd China is the uber-tall and genial mechanic, who you can imagine came to this through pottering on dad's old E Type in their summer house in Anglesey - he is not your average grease monkey.

Together they create TV magic by taking old but classic well made cars and then bringing them to life and selling it on for a nominal"profit".

Don't expect to learn anything here - I have watched most of the Brewer/China partnership programs and I still don't have a clue what to look for if I were to buy a "smoker" to renovate.

However, this program is not really of that variety - in my mind, it is about realising the value and craftsmanship that went into making some of the better vehicles in the past - and celebrating it by giving them some TLC in China's workshop. I'd say this is true recycling (as opposed to putting all your rubbish in a plastic box, eventually bound for a landfill)

Of course some episodes will interest you more than others but on the whole, there is enough honesty, good intentions and humour to make it worth your while.

Warning: watching Edd and Mike will be much to the chagrin of everyone else who tries to watch their favourite programs on telly in your household. I certainly get a few withering looks when I try and watch it. Enjoy at your peril.

It's a real car restoration show without the unwanted side story lines. Minus Mike's Cockney accent during negotiations, Edd steals the show. My only negative comment would be how low they sell the cars. A beautifully restored BMW M3 for 6 thousand pounds? Not sure if there is a difference in the UK and the U.S. concerning used cars, but that was a steal. That car would have sold easily over $25k here.

For a car restorer, I like the way Edd doesn't try to "shiny up parts," during the restoration.

By far the restoration car show on TV. I only hope they continue this series as it is gaining popularity over here. This is what car shows should be like, the soap opera stuff mixed in with most other car programs are basically a nuisance.

Cheers!

Some won't like this show. If you need drama to enjoy your TV, don't watch this. It's drama free. I have enjoyed shows like West Coast Customs, but they play off the drama more than the work on the cars.

This show does spend nearly half the time on looking for a car, buying a car, the final test drive and the sale. I would not mind seeing a bit more of the work on the car, but I do think they do a good job showing the work done - you have to time elapse a lot of stuff to put it into an hour.

There's a great variety of cars on the show. And nearly any work you can imagine on the car - from a routine engine service to a chassis replacement. They do very little customization. What they do is minor. They mainly keep the cars original. Many of the cars are classics! Unlike American garage car shows, they don't spend half their time on in show ads. I enjoy a show like two guys garage, but they spend way less time showing actual work than this show.

Edd China is very meticulous in his work, which is enjoyable to watch. Mike Brewer is perpetually cheerful and optimistic, which I enjoy. Mike overplays the whole 'it just needs a lick of paint, and a bit of work' routine, but it's just a bit of simple comedy - hard to complain about it.

What I like about this show is that, unlike a lot of American shows, it sticks to the point and doesn't invent false drama. VERY refreshing these days.

I loved watching wheelers dealers till Edd China left the show. It wasn't the same and actually just unwatchable with out him. Let's face it he was the star of the show. So if you are going to start streaming it, stream seasons 1-12 then just switch it off.