Fat N' Furious: Rolling Thunder

I really had high hopes for this show given the awesome cars, anticipated mechanical and body work and that fact that it's a local town in Ohio. Ha.

First, let's be clear: does that garage even remotely look like it's used for mechanical work? There's no dirt, no air hoses and very few tools out that one would expect to see when working on engines. Second, I wonder if anyone knows who half of that staff really is and what their real occupations are, because I can tell you, it's not auto repair.

As for the body work, there's absolutely no way they could be doing the body work because THEY HAVE NO body shop facilities, supplies, paint cans, guns, primers or equipment anywhere in those camera shots. Let's find out who REALLY did that body work shall we? This series is CLEARLY the true definition of just mere ACTING and no actual hands-on skills whatsoever. This couldn't be further from a REALITY SHOW. Shame on you Discovery Channel. You could do better.

I have seen the show a few times an am semi-entertained by it. The thing that irritates me is the lack of car tech knowledge conveyed. There are almost zero explanations of how things work and why they're done.

One episode showed a car owner that wanted to beat his brother at the drag strip and the solution was to get him a larger engine. Why was this the only choice? They could have added a turbo/nitrous setup that wouldve cost much less and they would not have had to pull the engine. It makes me think the shop doesn't know what its doing.

Due to these kinds of issues is why I gave this show such a low score.

I honestly didn't know what to expect out of this show when i first saw the previews. I thought it would just be a mere copy of other top shows. Surprisingly, this show seemed to do its own thing and have its own comedic value. The cast seemed to complement each other perfectly and if people give this show a chance i think it can do very well. This show isn't all about humor or all about cars, they have blended both to the point where it makes you want to continue watching. I would equate this show to Pawn Stars in the sense of the comedic value. The question is whether or not they will continue to deliver on that comedy. Overall, if this show heads in the direction it took after the first episode, its on its way to becoming one of next top shows on television.

Saw the show for the first time last night. The episode had the guys building a 1971 Chevelle SS 454. The owner of the car wants the car to go at 13 sec in the 1/4 mile. This is a numbers matching Chevelle that he wants them to do whatever is necessary with a budget of $50K.

So they run out and buy a 572 crate motor. Now don't get me wrong this a beautiful monster motor and wish we had them back in the day. So they invest a total of $45K in the car. I know the engine is about $15K with another 8-900 for headers and maybe $5K for trans for approx $21K.

Now I could be off on some of this but that leaves $29K left. The show did not show what else they did other than a ring and pinion so I don't know how they spent the rest of the cash.

When it was all said and done they got a 12.5 out of the car. Under the 13 sec time the owner wanted but not what I would have expected.

In 1970 I owned a 1966 Chevelle with a 454 with headers, 4 speed and 488s. When the car was in its worst shape (only a 780 holly on a Tarantula manifold, no head work, I ran 11.9s all day long. How the heck did this beast only do a 12.5?

I have to be missing something.

Lastly they built a beautiful 1965 Vette and did a great job on it but when they put the motor together they found the push rods too short. So all they had to do is loosen the rocker nuts and replace the push rods but they went on about how they would have to take the whole motor apart again. Hmmmmmmmmmmmm.

Overall it was fun to watch although a little sketchy on the truth.

I spend too much time watching car related shows on Velocity and other cable channels. This show is charming and entertaining because the mechanics are genuine, decent people who seem to be in this for the love of cars. They are quirky in a very authentic and endearing way. The owner looks tough but is an emotional, sentimental man who obviously cares deeply about his teenage son. There is no manufactured drama, dumb pranks, yelling or fake deadlines. They don't overplay the weight gags and the show does not need any gimmicks. And like Wheeler Dealers, you can learn something about car restoration. My only reservation is sometimes the owner's decisions make me cringe (replacing a numbers matching Boss 302 engine with a crate motor. Eww). I hope this show finds an audience.